p. 92 | THE WINDS HELD by Editor

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 11, 1859

THE WINDS HELD.

By Editor

Just as we were going to press last week, the news came that peace had been concluded between the emperors of France and Austria. This is apparently reliable. So the war that so suddenly blazed forth in Europe, is as suddenly quenched. This is an event for which none were looking. Such a result never entered into the calculations of those who undertook to speculate upon the probable future. The only issue upon which human sagacity and foresight could calculate, was a long-continued, fierce, and wide-spread war. As Lord Derby remarked in the commencement of the struggle, "He greatly underrates the magnitude of the danger, who supposes the war will be confined to Italy. It will be a war, in the first phase of the most sanguinary description, because a war of principle and of passion. It will not be a war between two great nations contending for some definite object, but a war exciting the most violent passions, and once begun in Italy, it will extend far beyond the limits of that country. Other passions will be roused, other interests will be touched, other nations will be called upon to interfere, and war originating in Italy, will certainly, at no distant period, extend far and wide, wrapping the whole of Europe in one general conflagration."

The "London Times" also speculated largely upon the magnitude and extent of the struggle. But contrary to all expectation, the flood of war is suddenly arrested; peace is concluded; and the emperor of the French returns in triumph to his capital, leaving the world to speculate upon the dark and hidden counsels by which he moves, as before they had speculated upon the probable issue of the "coming struggle."

To the student of prophecy, however, there is nothing strange in this unexpected turn of affairs. Not looking for the fall of Babylon in the burning of Rome, he will not be in the least chagrined by the course of Napoleon III. He reads Rev. xi, 18, and chap. vii, 1-3, and knows that there will come a time in this world's history, when the nations will be filled with emotions of hatred and anger towards each other, and yet be in a measure restrained in their acts of hostility; for "wind" is the symbol which inspiration uses for strife and commotion among the people. Dan. vii, 2, 3; Rev. xvii, 15. He knows that this time will be in the last days; for it is just before that period when an innumerable company will assemble before the throne, and ascribe praise to their God and to the Lamb. Rev. vii, 9, 11. And knowing that the last days are upon us, he expects to see this restraining power manifested among the nations of the earth. He looks to Europe and does see it, in the sudden and unaccountable suspension of the Italian war. Thus prophecy is fulfilled, and those who wait for the consolation of Israel, are confirmed in their hope.

It may be true, as is now generally thought, that the action of Louis Napoleon has sown the seeds of dissension and apparently interminable wars in the future; but this does not in the least affect the application we now make; for the struggle is for the time being suspended, and the issue staved off. Indeed, that the attempt the nations now make to wreak their vengeance on each other, would contain the seeds and germs of future strife, is what, upon consideration, we might expect; for the time will of course come when no check will be imposed upon their warlike proclivity. The restraining mandate covers only the time occupied by the sealing of the servants of God; [Rev. vii, 3]; and when that work is accomplished, it expires by its own limitation. The "winds" will then blow, the nations vent their anger unrestrained, and finally drink the unmingled wrath of God. Rev. xi, 18; xv, 1.

Brethren, how are we improving this favorable time for work, and discharging the responsibilities that rest upon us? Once the Lord suspended the laws of nature in behalf of his people, and gave Israel, with Joshua at their head, time to avenge themselves upon their enemies; and we may be assured that that time when the moon stayed and the sun hastened not to go down about the space of a whole day, was well and thoroughly improved by those for whose benefit it was designed. But a power as far as that above human influence, and almost as marked, is now exerted upon the nations of the earth. Shall we then suffer ourselves to lie down in supineness and sloth, when everything seems waiting for us to fulfill our mission? No, no.

"See, brethren, see, how the day rolls on, Quickly will the Saviour come. Hark! hear the sound, he will appear, Sweetly falls upon the ear. Then, haste, let us work till the daylight is o'er, Our hearts filled with love as we row to the shore, Our earthly labor being done, How sweet the christian's welcome home."