Removing the Land-marks.
By E. R. Seaman
SOME who have acted a conspicuous part in giving the judgment-hour cry, when remarking on the prophetic periods, and chronological dates, which have been looked to with such intense interest in times past, have confessed to the world, that they had been mistaken in looking for the Lord; for, say they, if we had seen the end of those periods, we should have realized our hope. It will be seen by this statement that they, with all the experience of the past, are not satisfied with the lapse of ten years since the termination of the periods on which they would base the evidence of the coming of the Lord, and are among the number of those who are still removing the Land-marks. But as this class, although they preach some great truths, encouraging and interesting to the Christian, have not followed down the track of prophecy, so as to have the true light on our present position, they cannot be considered to be giving meat in due season, or present truth. If I am not mistaken, the language of Ezekiel xii, 22, and onward is very applicable to this time. "What is that proverb that ye have in the land of Israel, saying, The days are prolonged and every vision faileth?" How many times this rebellious house has fixed for the termination of the days, I know not; but they have all failed, and all will fail. And this unhallowed work, if I understand the text, will continue until God speaks the time himself. The 26th verse affirms it. And the remaining portion of the chapter shows the position of those who are vainly looking for definite time, or for many days or years to come, when the judgments of God are just impending. The 5th verse of the xiii chapter plainly teaches what ought to be done, in view of these things, in this time of peril. Please compare this with Isa. viii, 16. The law of Jehovah is to be bound up and sealed among the disciples, that they may be able to stand in the battle in the day of the Lord. Surely, this daubing with untempered mortar shall not stand. Great hailstones shall fall, and a stormy wind shall rend it, and the wall shall be no more, nor they that daubed it.—The God that made the heavens and the earth, that spoke the holy law, in thunder tones, from Sinai's Mount, will speak the time. Amen. The little remnant, on whom the dragon's wrath is poured will understand it. I would ask, if the 70 weeks are a part of the 2300 days, as we have always supposed, and if this period has not run out, how shall we prove that Christ was the true Messiah, and that he came at the time appointed? I know of no discrepancy in chronology of more than four years, in fixing the birth of Christ, with chronologers of any note. Then, certainly, this stretching time out of joint, leaves our dates and periods to the mercy of every dreamer. And no marvel that the infidel and scoffer say, where is thy God? But I am thankful that there is now a company coming up on the breadth of the land, who can see the providence of God in calling them out to serve him, and can follow by faith their Great High Priest, whose position, being changed, is now made manifest in the Heavenly Sanctuary, and patiently wait his return from the wedding. For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come and will not tarry. And while some may regard it as dishonesty or willfulness in not confessing the past Advent movement all a mistake, or a failure, I can say with a clear conscience, before God, that it is a very small matter with me to be judged with man's judgment. True, I did expect my Lord in 1843 and '44, and did not see him. But the prophetic fulfillment and experience in Advent history, when compared with the teachings of our Saviour, make the past all plain, and lighten up the glorious future. And, now, when I hear sinners exhorted to come to the mercy-seat, how my soul is pained, when I think of that despised and broken precept, the fourth commandment, that lies just beneath it; the mercy-seat being the cover of the Ark. So that while the law of God cries for vengeance, the blood of Christ is sprinkled on the mercy-seat, to appease its severity. Thus "mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other." Ps. lxxxv, 10. So we see that Jesus' blood does not abolish that holy law, but satisfies justice. Let us remember this, when we come to the mercy-seat, and keep all his commandments, that we may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. "There is a place where Jesus sheds
The oil of gladness on our heads;
A place than all besides more sweet,
It is the blood-bought Mercy-seat."
Rochester, N. Y. E. R. SEAMAN.