p. 43 | Thy Kingdom Come by Editor

Publishing Committee · ROCHESTER, N. Y. · Feb 28, 1854

"Thy Kingdom Come."

By Editor

In his sermon on the mount, Christ gives us a model for prayer, in which this is the second petition. In the same discourse, he says: "Except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven." When drawing his discourse to a close, he introduces a solemn reference to the day of judgement and says: "Not every one that saith unto me Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven." He cannot refer, here, to any other than the kingdom of glory to be established at his second coming. For the coming of that kingdom, he teaches us to pray. The words are often repeated, but how little is their spirit felt!

Thy kingdom come, thus day by day, We lift our hands to God and pray; But who has ever duly weighed, The meaning of the words he said?

The beloved disciple,—whose soul had been fired with the thought that "when he shall appear, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is,"—could enter into the spirit of this petition. On the desolate isle of Patmos, he was wearing out the little remnant of his life. Heathenism sat upon the throne, and Christians were hunted and tortured like wild beasts. Christ gave him a revelation closing with the words, "Surely I come quickly." With what eagerness did the aged apostle seize this promise! responding to it, in the last words of the inspired volume,—"Even so come, Lord Jesus".

We believe that when the Lord comes, he will find a people earnestly offering up the same prayer. He has never delivered his people from bondage, till they felt that their help was in God only, and they have earnestly sought to him for help. Hence the Psalmist says: Ps. x, 16-18,

The Lord is King for ever and ever: The heathen are perished out of his land, Lord! thou hast heard the desire of the humble: Thou wilt prepare their heart, Thou wilt cause thine ear to hear, To judge the fatherless and oppressed, That the man of the earth may no more oppress.

The Lord is now preparing the heart of his people. We hear it from various quarters, that earnest prayers are ascending for the coming of the Lord. Why should not this prayer be uttered, in concert, by every disciple? There is scarcely a worldling, even, who would wish the world to continue as it is. All are eager for change, but few are satisfied with any of the changes which occur. But when we look upon the world as having disavowed their rightful King—having cast him out, and crucified him,—and continuing in rebellion against him; we see it is treason to oppose his coming to take the kingdom. If a prayer for the coming of our Lord, is not the habitual temper of our hearts, we have reason to tremble for ourselves.

We see iniquity abounding: we know the number of rebels against God's government is increasing, and they are growing bolder and bolder; while we see the mass abusing the long-suffering of God because judgment against an evil work is

not executed speedily, their hearts are fully set in them to do evil: truth is fallen in the streets, and equity cannot enter—yea truth faileth, and he that departeth from evil is accounted mad. At this time, while we strive to snatch individuals as brands from the burning, if our hearts sympathize with the coming King, we shall unite in praying, come Lord, quickly, and claim the kingdom for thine own.—Midnight Cry.