THE LORD SPEAKETH by S. ELMER

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 24, 1860

THE LORD SPEAKETH.

By S. ELMER

It is truly to be lamented while the last merciful message is going forth, a message which is to prepare a people for translation, and one that will seal the doom of all those that still persist in rejecting it, that so many are prejudiced, and so much so that they will close their ears and shut their eyes to all the plain declarations of God's word. They are ready to converse freely about their worldly interests, will do almost anything to secure the perishable things of earth, but when told it is the will of the Lord that they keep all his commandments, just as he has left them on record, and that the Saviour is soon coming, although it can be proved so plainly by the word of God, they don't wish to hear a word about it. Could such but realize it was the Lord that speaketh, that the scale was soon to be turned forever, that death or life depended on the rejection or reception of these all-important truths, how careful would they be to heed them. But whether they will hear or forbear the Lord will have those that will fearlessly proclaim the truths of these last days. He that once spake amidst such awful grandeur from Sinai's burning mount, hath in these last days spoken to us by his Son. In the fulfillment of the signs he has spoken to us in the sun as it went forth covered with a dense cloud, turning noonday into midnight darkness; in the moon as she appeared in her bloody hue, and in the stars as witnessed on that memorable night, resembling showers of fire falling to the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs when she is shaken of a mighty wind. We also witness the fulfillment of the prophecy spoken by the Lord to the prophet Joel, chapter ii, 30. This is seen in what are generally called the northern lights. How often as we have stood gazing at the columns of smoke as one after another have rolled up, have we been reminded of that day that shall burn as an oven. Again he speaks by the judgments that stalk throughout the world:

Solemn voices now are calling, Speaking to us from afar, Telling of the doom of nations, Of the last and final war. Mighty earthquakes, with tornadoes, Notes of sorrow strike the ear, Perils both by land and ocean, All proclaim the end is near.

Shall the Son thus speak and man refuse to listen? Will he sleep on till aroused by the burning wrath of Jehovah? Oh stay vain man! Reflect! Hast thou an arm like God? What wilt thou do in the day of visitation, in the day when the heavens and the earth shall shake, in that day when thine injured judge shall appear in awful majesty to take vengeance on all those that love not his appearing? Oh be entreated to make him thy friend now, by keeping the commandments of God and the requirements of this same Jesus who is now pleading for you. You have no time to lose. Even now the spirits of devils are working mightily through the land, and now the cry is going forth, Bind up the testimony, seal the law among my disciples. Come then be of that number, then with them you can exclaim, "Lo this is our God, we have waited for him, and he will save us." S. ELMER. Ashfield Mass.