Effect of Preaching the Lord's Coming.
"The effects of preaching the near approach of this grand and awful event have been great and good; it has been the means of bringing thousands from darkness to light; and from the power of Satan to God; and we have the testimony of thousands among all denominations, that were but nominal professors of religion, and are now made holy and devoted Christians through the instrumentality of the doctrine we believe and teach. If this doctrine does not make men search the Scriptures, I cannot conceive what would. Another effect which I would mention is: in every place where I have been, the most pious, devoted, and loving members of the churches do most readily embrace the views thus proclaimed; while the worldling professor, the Pharisee, the bigot, the proud, haughty and selfish, scoff at and ridicule the doctrine of the second coming of Christ. This doctrine brings out scoffers, and tests and tries the disposition and character of professors of religion, and brings all the energies of Christians into exercise; confirms the hope, and brightens the prospects of all true believers who look for, and love the appearing of Christ; it uncovers the secret works of the Devil—it exposes the unbelief, hypocrisy, and pride of the church—it alarms a guilty world of their danger, and appraises them of the coming judgments of God. And these are not the only effects produced by a proclamation of this glorious doctrine. It destroys sectarianism, and establishes Christian unity, peace, love, and holiness. Those who have received fully this blessed truth, lose all sectarian prejudices, and rest wholly on the Bible as the rule of their faith and practice; calling no man master in any of these matters, but considering all true believers as one family, and children of one Father, dwelling together in love and unity as brethren in the Lord. All this, and much more, has been the result of preaching the speedy coming of Christ and the judgment day."—Anon.