As it was in the Days of Noah,
By Francis Gould
"So shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all." The above declaration is a sad comment upon all those who reject truth. And the doom of the antediluvian race should be a solemn and impressive warning to the present generation. It appears that eating and drinking were among the chief sins that constituted the downfall of the human family before the flood. But what says the Saviour? "Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed." "They were eating and drinking." This is strikingly fulfilled at the present day. I refer to temperance levees, donation parties, Sunday School celebrations, oyster suppers, and other revelings and banquetings which invoke the displeasure of the Most High. In these so-called festivals which are called forth to commemorate some great moral development, or religious achievement, the different sectarian bodies act a conspicuous part. In view of this fact before us, who cannot see the fulfillment of prophecy? Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. Noah warned the people faithfully, both by preaching and practice, one hundred and twenty years. God has sent forth three angels with their respective messages, to warn the present generation of what is soon coming on the earth; but the multitude are eating and drinking, crying peace and safety, and shall not escape, for sudden destruction cometh upon them. The prophet Isaiah brings to view a class of people that were to be eating and drinking: they would stretch forth their hands and make long prayers; but God would not hear them. "Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hateth: they are a trouble unto me; I am weary to bear them. And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you; yea, when ye make many prayers I will not hear. Your hands are full of blood. Wash ye, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil, learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow." Isa. i, 14, 19. Again, in contrast the Prophet brings to view the remnant church. They would not be eating and drinking, as spoken of in the text; but living out the Commandments of God and the Faith of Jesus. "Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the Lord shall be thy rere-ward." Isa. lviii, 6-8. Verse 13 also brings to view the sacredness of the holy Sabbath, and the reward of keeping it. The apostle Paul designates those who make a god of this world as enemies of the cross of Christ. "Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. For many walk of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things." Phil. iii, 17-19. My prayer is that the remnant may stand clear from those who are eating and drinking, that they may escape the things that are coming on the earth, and stand before the Son of man without spot and blameless.
FRANCIS GOULD. Brookfield, Vt., Nov. 7th, 1858.