Communication From Bro. Gurney.
By H. S. Gurney
WHILE contemplating the past few years in relation to the moral effect of the proclamation concerning the Lord's coming, many ideas and questions force themselves upon the mind. Why were we led to proclaim an event which was not then to be realized? Perhaps it will not be out of place, and may be instructive to inquire, Why the multitude who were moved to action by the forerunner of Christ's first advent were raised to the height of expectation, and proclaimed an event which was not then to take place? See Matt. xxi, 4. "All this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying," &c. One more text is sufficient to show that the disciples were laboring under a mistaken view of God's plan or ultimate design. See Acts i, 6. "Lord will thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel." This very people who were to be disappointed in their expectations afterwards proved to be the salt of the earth, or cream of the church. The prophet saw and wrote the action of the church, not leaving out their mistakes and disappointments; and when the thing takes place it can be said with boldness, "this is that which was spoken by the prophet," &c. Now if a mistake in the views and action of the church did fulfill prophecy in regard to Christ's mission on earth, why should it be considered impossible that a similar mistake in the movement of the church in relation to the second advent should fulfill prophecy. We make all necessary allowance for human weakness; but that God's Word and Spirit have been the moving spring in urging the people out to look for the Lord, is as clear as that the movement which preceded the manifestation of the Messiah under the preaching of John the Baptizer, was of Divine origin. If we are to consider prophetic time in connection with the circumstances of the first advent of Christ, as it seems we should from Mark i, 14, 15, we are also led to see that the same evidence affords a powerful weapon for those interested in the circumstances connected with his second advent. Rev. x, 6; xiv, 6, 7, compared with Dan. viii, 14; ix, 24, 25. The ninth chapter of Daniel being an explanation of that part of the vision left unexplained in the eighth, it follows that the seventy weeks are a part of the 2300 days, a period of time "cut off" at the end of which, legal worship would cease in the earthly temple; the remaining portion of time relating to the gathering of all nations as brought to view in the promise to Abraham. It being evident that Dan. ix, is an explanation of the vision in chapter viii, [Dan. ix, 22, 23,] the preaching of John the Baptizer might with the same propriety be considered of doubtful origin, as to doubt that God has called a people to act a part in fulfilling prophecy in the preparatory scenes for the coming of the Lord in this generation. The generation which witnesses the closing work of the gospel, will see, in moral action, a similarity to its introduction. The disciples of Jesus were led on to fulfill the scriptures without clearly understanding the nature of their work; yet they were being trained and qualified for a specific work; Divine Providence directing their course in a channel marked by the prophetic pen. In fulfillment of the scriptures they were ready to crown their Lord upon the throne of David: overlooking his humiliation: so that when he was laid in the tomb, it seemed to them a triumph of the wicked and their hope was gone! How will this compare with the disappointment in 1844? The disciples mourned and were sad. While two of them were traveling from Jerusalem to Emmaus, Jesus himself drew near, "their eyes were holden that they should not know him." They supposing him to be a stranger in Jerusalem, enter into familiar conversation "concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people; and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him. But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel." Luke xxiv, 21. The above text fairly represents the faith at that time in regard to the Messiah. The only hope remaining was that he had risen; and this they could hardly believe; for they were astonished to hear that he was alive. "Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken. . . . And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself." Luke xxiv, 22-27. God's plan was opening into view and unbelief was giving away before the progressive car of truth. The resurrection47of Christ being confirmed to the disciples, their hope was revived. The apostle Peter afterwards gives a rejoicing testimony that his hope did not perish in the grave. He says: "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy, hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead." 1 Peter i, 3. Here doubtless Peter refers to their disappointment in the prostration of their hope in regard to the Messiah's kingdom; but now their views of God's plan were so far corrected that they could rejoice in hope of "an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven." Thus in the circumstances connected with the first advent, we are led to admire the work of God in leading his people to fulfill prophecy, even while they were laboring for another purpose. We admire the wisdom of God in overruling the mistakes of man to bring about his purposes and fulfill his word. When the time comes for a prophecy to be fulfilled, although multitudes may in their arrogance stand up against the event predicted, and nations combined may exert the utmost of their power for another purpose than that which prophecy declares; yet in the event it is seen that God's word is honored—its veracity maintained. For instance: the Prophet [Zech. ix, 9] speaks of an event, and describes great shouts of rejoicing; the Evangelist records the event and declares it to be a fulfillment of that scripture: Jesus is requested to rebuke those who thus cried out; but he declares that if they should hold their peace, voices would be heard from the very stones. Matt. xxi, 4; Luke xix, 39, 40. If God's professed people refuse to act their part when called by a providential hand, God will employ other means: thus declaring his condescending, yet independent character. Deut. ix, 13, 14. Truth is precious; but all truth is not alike precious; for all truth does not send forth its rays of light to the same generation. There is a portion due to every generation. It is not the labor of the church now to show that Jesus was the true Messiah, as did the apostles. But there is another portion of truth more appropriate now, and calculated to act upon the interest and motives of men with greater power. Although the portion of truth that has awakened an interest in the speedy coming of Christ has been proclaimed by a minority, it is therefore no evidence that a providential hand has not ordered it in a manner which fulfills prophecy, and reveals the hearts of men. Luke ii, 34, 35. On the contrary, we conclude that the chosen apostles and disciples of Jesus, in their course of action, fulfilled the scriptures; yet they were a small minority of the professed people of God. Implicit faith does not inquire whether the "rulers"—principal men—believe, or not. Truth stands upon its own basis. Divine testimony alone is sufficient evidence to act upon in religious matters. North Fairhaven, Mass., Feb. 19th, 1854.