Duty of Discerning the Signs of the Times.
The signs of the present times are a stumbling block to many. They form in their minds a picture, which is partly fancy and partly fact, and, till their own notions are realized, they imagine we have no reason to believe we are in the last days. Did Christ foretell that there should be signs in the sun, and moon and stars? He did indeed; but we know, from the inspired declaration of his companion and disciple, that they must be of such a nature that learned infidels and ignorant sceptics can turn from them with contemptuous indifference, and sneeringly say, "All things continue as they were." We can see nothing worth noticing. We would respectfully ask our philosophical or theological opponents to describe any signs in the heavens, which would more exactly accord with all the prophetic declarations, than those which have taken place during the present generation. If they were less diversified or less conspicuous, or not so well authenticated, it might be doubted whether they were objects of prophecy. If they were of a more astounding character, striking the whole world with amazement, terror and awe, the mouths of scoffers would be stopped, and the prediction of Peter would fail. Again, we are assured by him who sees the end from the beginning, that there should be "distress of nations with perplexity." The horrors of the French Revolution, and the sufferings consequent upon the wars which afflicted Europe during the twenty years ending in 1815, may be a part of the fulfillment of this prediction; but terrible as was that distress, we think the present state of the world agrees more exactly with the prophetic picture of "perplexity" and all its attendant circumstances. In the midst of this perplexity, the world is to be greatly given to sensuality, and will have the means of self-indulgence, for they will be eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage. Though nations are perplexed, yet they will be pushing their great public enterprises, as well as their private business—"planting and building, buying and selling." In direct opposition to the pleasing idea of latter-day glory, we are assured (2 Tim. iii, 1-5) that in the last days perilous times shall come, for men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, proud, blasphemers, and a description of immorality is divinely given for the last days, which shows that, in more particulars than those which Christ specifies, it shall be "as it was in Sodom." There may be some who read this description, and form a picture in their minds, the reverse of that commonly drawn for the millennium. They may imagine that all external decency will be laid aside, and no appearance of virtue or order remain. But this is equally far from the truth. While "the earth is defiled under the inhabitants thereof," (Isa. xxiv, 5,) profession of religion must abound, for men will have "the form of godliness." Though gloomy forebodings will oppress the observing philanthropist, and the multitude will be fearfully looking for "some great event," and many hearts will be failing for fear, yet all apprehensions of the coming judgment will be sought to be stifled by the cry of peace and safety, and all the kindreds of the earth—who would not have him to reign over them—shall see that they have trifled till it is forever too late, and shall "wail because of him." Reader, we must beg of you to awake from indifference, and consider the signs of the times. Before Christ's first coming, there were many predictions respecting his birth of a virgin, his being despised and rejected, the circumstances of his death, burial and resurrection, &c. He came according to all the Jewish Scriptures, and yet the great body of the Jewish nation rejected him. Why was this? Because they did not "take heed to the sure word of prophecy," nor "discern the signs of the times." For this they were condemned. Evidence was accumulated before them, and yet they declared that whoever believed the evidence should be thrust out of the synagogue. They did not love the truth, and never took pains to ascertain where Christ was born, but blindly rejected him because they had a notion that he was not born in Bethlehem—the very place where he was born. The evidence that Jesus was the Christ seems plain to us, but then it was to be sought for. They did not seek for it, and hence Christ says: "How is it that ye do not discern this time?" When his ministry was drawing to a close, and he was about entering Jerusalem, knowing the sufferings that awaited him, he forgot them, and wept over the city, because of their unbelief, and the punishment it would bring upon them; "For the days will come," he said "that thine enemies shall cast a trench around thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side, and shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee, because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation." Did not the judge of all the earth do right? and will he not judge us by the same principle? But the objector may say, there was more depending on their acknowledging the Messiah when he came, than on our believing in his coming at hand. Dear friend, let me reply that God has not spoken to have his word slighted, and you have reason to tremble, when you are disposed to excuse yourself for neglecting it. Our Lord saw fit to give a discourse, in which he speaks plainly of the signs of his coming in the clouds of heaven, and calls on us to know when his coming is near. After we have carefully sought for truth, we can easily imagine that we might be still in doubt, but nothing is plainer than the fact that we despise Christ's words, if we neglect to seek for the truth. Reader, have you honestly and prayerfully observed the signs of the present times?"