p. 122 | THE "SNARE."

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 20, 1857

THE "SNARE."

By consulting Luke xxi, 34-36, inclusive, we find the "day" of the Lord alluded to, also a predication from which the following inquiry is elicited:

What is implied in its coming as a snare?—There is a simile in the use of the expression "as a snare," illustrating and enforcing a portion of divine truth, which, however much it may apply to the past, is very applicable to the present age.

Snares, or nets were much used among the ancients for fishing, hunting, and fowling, living as they did previous to the invention of gun-powder. Hence the translation from the Syriac reads, "For like a hunter's snare shall it spring upon all those who dwell upon the face of the whole land." In the taking of birds the "clap net" was usually employed. It consisted of two sides or frames, over which the net-work was spread; at one end was a short net which they fastened to a bush or a cluster of reeds, and at the other was one of considerable length, which as soon as the birds were seen feeding in the area within, was pulled by the fowlers, causing the instantaneous collapse of the two sides," and thus the birds were instantly captured in an unguarded moment. The process is similar to that which has been observed in capturing the common pigeon in this country. "In hunting, a space of considerable size was enclosed with nets. These spots were usually in the vicinity of the water brooks to which animals were in the habit of repairing in the morning and evening; and having awaited the time when they went to drink, the hunters disposed their nets to occupy proper positions for observing them unseen, and gradually closed in upon them." Now from these, and other historical extracts which might be presented, as also from our own observation, two points will be considered to illustrate the inquiry.

1. The artifice is connected with the source from which the animals supply their wants. Thus the nets are set near the waters; the traps near food. In the application of this point, I remark, that man has physical, mental, and spiritual necessities to be supplied, as may be learned from the Bible and observation.

First, Physical.—The text speaks of eating, drinking, and the cares of this life. In seeking a supply of these necessities, the danger exists in being "overcharged" (vs. 34), and considering the times in which we live, how important the Saviour's injunction. We are living in a lucrative age—an age of speculation, hence there is every inducement to cause saint and sinner to be immersed in worldly transactions if so disposed. Business of all branches for the last few years (with little exception) has been extraordinarily flourishing. Corporations have been formed by scheming men to literally heap up treasures, and operatives have been induced to try their fortune in securing a portion of the benefit; California and Australia have opened up to us from their latent storehouses, vast riches; and the "far west" is beckoning multitudes to fix their abode on its rich and highly productive soil. My brethren, while it is our duty to be "diligent in business," no excuse will serve as a reason why we should be over

charged, and thus become stupid and inactive in devotional exercises—fail to be "fervent in spirit," and the "day of the Lord" spring upon us as a "snare."

Second, Mental.—Hence God has provided the Bible and nature (2 Pet. i, 5; iii, 18; Rom. i, 20; Psa. xix, 1, 2;) as also in His providence the devotional productions of pious individuals, and other useful works, for the occupancy of the mind. The danger exists in applying our minds for, and receiving unsubstantial, morally contaminating, and death-tending literature. In these last days, who is not aware of the large quantities of light, unsubstantial, and morally debasing reading, meeting us in all our thoroughfares, and flooding the country, claiming the precious, golden moments of those who ought to spend them to better advantage, while a distaste is created for holy things. The issue and circulation of such works have been greatly facilitated and augmented in the present age, by the modern inventions of the art of printing, steam presses, an application of steam power to the means of conveyance from one city, State or country to another, while popular lecturers are dealing out more or less poison with the food they administer to the mental entertainment of their patrons. The Bible, to an alarming extent is set aside, or to say the least, is secondary, and we may here appropriately introduce the poetic effusion of Cowper, the sentiment of which is so pertinent to the times in which we live:

"Habits of close attention, thinking heads, Become more rare as dissipation spreads, Till authors hear at length one general cry, Tickle and entertain us or we die." May we receive the admonition to "watch," "take heed," &c.

Third, Spiritual.—Psa. lv, 1, 2. The danger exists in seeking a supply from the pleasures of the world—courses of sin. (2 Tim. iii, 1-4.) Theatres have been multiplied and crowded with nightly visitants; pleasure (Sunday) excursions have been concocted and received extensive patronage; houses of ill fame, gambling houses, billiard saloons, card tables, pleasure parties of various descriptions, including a kind of entertainment religiously dyed in the form of church levees (as they have been conducted by many) are extensively patronized by their respective devotees. My brethren, by consulting Luke xvii, 26-30 and Jude 7, you will perceive that the danger of the Antediluvians and Sodomites existed at the point already described, viz., the source from which we receive a relief of our necessities. These instances are left on the Sacred record as examples of the divine displeasure. May we heed the admonition and escape the snare. Let us consider.

2. The suddenness with which animals or birds are apprised of their danger when unable to escape, as an illustration of the inquiry. It is when the fowls are devouring the seed without thought of danger, that there is an instant collapse of the two sides of the net; or in the trapping of animals that there is a sudden spring, taking them unawares and rendering them fast. If fowls or animals are sagacious to a sufficient degree, they may not be drawn into the snare. Our Lord introduces another figure, the teaching of which, is in harmony with that of the simile under consideration. "Behold I come as a thief."-Rev. xvi, 15. The tenant of the house is wrapped up in his slumber, and is unconscious of danger until the thief arrives. If he is informed of, believes in, and has an eye open for danger, he may escape. Now, what is implied in the "day" thus coming? How much is comprehended? Adventists preach as one point in their faith that the church may know when the day of the Lord is approaching, by signs of the times, prophecy, and the history of the world, (Heb. x, 25) and in this they are met with an objection, viz., we are to know nothing about it, as His coming is "as a thief"—"snare"—"no man knoweth the day and the hour." Now we hope to avoid the extreme running upon the ground of absolute know-nothingism, and remark, that the reasons for the above objection are far from making the objection valid. The language of the Bible is, "But ye brethren are not in darkness that that day should overtake you as a thief."—1 Thess. v, 1. The text teaches that some may escape.

"Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may escape all these things." We have no idea that God's people will be ensnared, or overtaken as with a thief. A certain class will be thus taken, however, lamentable as is the fact, such as do not "watch and pray," as say "peace and safety," as are overcharged with the proper things of life, and do not govern their lives in seeking a supply of their necessities according to the requirements of the gospel. It is said of the Antediluvians that they "knew it not." How surprising! they gave no heed to Noah's warning voice. So will it be with the majority of mankind when Messiah appears a second time. The world is ripening for the harvest; the snare is set; suddenly it will spring upon the inhabitants of the world and they shall not escape. Let us "take heed, watch and pray," that we may "stand before the Son of man."—Ad. Herald.