A RETROSPECT by Editor

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 29, 1857

A RETROSPECT.

By Editor

THE REVIEW has reached another waymark in its history. Another volume has closed. The first great fact that is impressed upon us by this event, is the rapidity with which these last moments of time are sweeping by us. Engrossed in the cares and labors of our occupation, we hardly take note of time, till some occurrence suddenly arrests our attention, and calls to mind how great a period has almost unawares passed by. Volume after volume is being finished. Year after year is passing away. Time is unresting in its course; its wheels are rapidly rolling onward; and whither are they tending? Whither are we being borne upon its swift current? To that solemn day, which is the great waymark before us—the great day of God Almighty. Verily it is near and hasteth greatly.

Look back, reader, upon the last five years. Does it not seem to you as though it were but yesterday? Have they not passed away with a swiftness almost incredible? And that the world will ever behold five more years complete their full circle, who may predict? Or if it should, who may venture to foretell with what events they are freighted! When once the storm whose ominous mutterings have been these past years rolling through the world, shall burst forth in fury, a brief and terrific work will it accomplish upon the earth. Speaking of the salvation of the remnant of Israel, the Apostle, taking up the words of the Prophet, thus speaks: "Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved; for he will finish the work and cut it short in righteousness; because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth." Rom. ix, 27, 28.

Every day almost has brought with it new confirmations of the truth we cherish: enough at any rate to inspire in us hope and zeal and courage. The world is fast tending to that state intimated by the Saviour when he asked that significant question, When the Son of man cometh shall he find faith on the earth?

The prosperity of the cause in which we are enlisted is also cheering. Every new evidence that we have the truth, is an additional evidence of our final triumph; for the truth will triumph. If we were expecting to convert the world, we might have reason to be discouraged; or if we were laboring to build up a sect, and secure large numbers, and honor and popularity, or to engage the so-called great and learned and mighty men of the age with us. But none of these are our objects. Truth does not run in these channels. "For ye see your calling, brethren," says the Apostle, "how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called." And in regard to numbers, we have this testimony that narrow is the way that leadeth to life and few there be that find it. Broad is the way that leads to death and many go in thereat. When the Son of Man cometh shall he find faith on the earth? And yet in view of these plain declarations and many others like them, mankind will persistently refuse to heed the truth because few follow it, and blindly cling to hideous and misshapen error, because all the world do likewise.

But fear not little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. And when the time shall indeed come that our pilgrimage will be ended, and we enter upon the joys of a fadeless, griefless, deathless, endless state, how short will appear the years in which we have been striving for our reward—shorter than those which we now look back upon! How trifling will seem the toils we have endured! how few the trials we have passed! how insignificant the sacrifices we have made, compared with the treasure gained. Well may we when we think of it, coolly reckon, with Paul, that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed in us.

"Still, still, rest on the promise, Cling, cling, fast to his word, Wait, wait, if he should tarry, Patiently wait for the Lord. Yes, yes, O yes, Patiently wait for the Lord."