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THE COMET

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Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 28, 1857

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 10, No. 4.

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THE COMET.

By Roswell F. Cottrell

Did people read the Bible and believe it, they would never be alarmed about the world's coming to an end by a collision with a comet. The destiny of earth is too clearly declared in that word to admit of such a supposition. It is also contrary to reason to suppose that the works of the all-wise Creator will be dashed to pieces by accident, like two trains of cars meeting on the same track, or at cross-roads. But, with the Bible on the shelf, (it is not very often in their hands,) people can at one time ridicule "Millerism," and at another, upon the prediction of some astronomer, that a comet is coming in contact with the earth, begin to think that it may be so, and that "Millerism" may prove true after all. How much better would it be for such to read the Bible and learn what our views are, than "to speak evil of the things that they understand not," and yet be subject to such groundless fears. The wicked flee when no man pursueth.
The body of the earth will exist for ever. It was not made in vain, it was made to be inhabited. Isa. xiv, 18. The glory of the Lord will finally fill it; and when that takes place, the inhabitants will dwell safely—there will be "no more utter destruction." But previous to this, the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the elements will melt with fervent heat, the earth also, and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
But human probation will soon close. Not by some accidental smash, but by a vindication of God's righteous law, upon which men, (not excepting the great mass of professed christians,) are trampling with impunity. The warning Message is now being sounded, and the vials of wrath will surely follow. It will be a day of howling, especially with the shepherds—those who have broken God's commandments and taught men so. It is perfectly reasonable, as well as scriptural, that probation should close with such a vindication of the law of the Most High. R. F. C.