ANOTHER PRINCE | AdventAI

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 20, 1860

ANOTHER PRINCE.

We have enjoyed the visit of the Prince of Wales, he has come and gone, and it would now be well for us to remember that another great personage—another Prince has announced that He will make his appearance among us. He has already appeared once—but although his coming and the manner of it was minutely described, yet he was unknown and rejected. But when he comes the second time, it will be for a different purpose.

A brief comparison between the visit of the Prince who has just left us, and that of Him for whose coming all those look who love his appearing, may not be uninteresting or unprofitable.

1. From the first announcement that the Prince of Wales would visit us, all classes of persons were looking forward to the event with pleasure, anxiously anticipating his arrival. It was the theme of convocation to the exclusion of much else that at other times was useful and desirable. Not so, however, in relation to the Prince of glory. It has been announced by men, by angels, and by himself, and yet many do not even believe it, many more do not even desire it—but few love to hear about it, and but here and there one who is really looking for it.

2. Our young English Prince came accompanied with only a few of the English Court. A small staff only were in attendance, but when Prince Emanuel comes, he will appear seated upon a great white throne—he will be accompanied with the heavenly host, bright shining angels will escort Him down the parted skies, while his coming will also be accompanied with the voice of the archangel and the trump of God.

3. Many who were anxious to see the Prince of Wales failed to do so. Many there will be who would fain turn their eyes away from the Prince of glory. But they cannot—every eye shall see him; and they also that pierced him. Every grave will be opened and the sea will give up the dead which are in it, and before Him will be gathered all nations.

4. Those who are presented to Royal Highness at Levees must be dressed according to certain styles prescribed. So also when the Lord Jesus Christ shall be revealed, those only will be presented to Him who are "clothed in the fine linen, which is the righteousness of saints." All others will be excluded. Costly apparels of earth's fashions, with ornaments of jewelry, and the finest diamonds of India will be of no advantage in that day. Lazarus in rags, if a humble Christian, will stand a far better chance than wicked Dives in purple and royal apparel. The saints alone will be brought near. Their garments are all provided without any expense to themselves—they will have robes washed and made white in the blood of the Lamb. They will be presented "without spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing." They will be all glorious within, their clothing of wrought gold; they shall be brought unto the King in raiment of needle work. Many who have not only been shut out from royalty here, but of some for lower ranks in life, will there be honored with a near approach to the King of kings, and be permitted to feast their raptured eyes upon his resplendent beauties and glories forever.

5. On occasions of royal visits now, it is common for a very few to receive some special marks of honor, such as knighthood, or some similar token. When the Head of the church shall come, a great multitude will be kings and priests unto God, and they will reign forever and ever. They will be crowned with glory—God himself will bestow these crowns upon them. Thousands and thousands who are despised and poor while here, who toiled hard for bread—and like their Master had not where to lay their heads—they were pilgrims and strangers, but they are sons and heirs of God, and with the songs of angels and the loud hallelujah of the heavenly world, shall take possession of the kingdom prepared for them from the foundation of the world.

6. The Prince of Wales came to our shores only on a visit. The excitement of the occasion is subsiding, things will settle down as before. When the Lord shall be revealed from heaven in flaming fire, attended by the heavenly host, it will be to judge the world in righteousness. He will justify his providences, vindicate his slighted honor, acknowledge and reward his saints, and punish the world with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his power. All classes mingle together in the demonstrations made on the occasion of the visit of the Prince of Wales. The Lord Jesus will separate the righteous from the wicked, one on his right hand, and the other on his left. Among those on his right hand will be his servants and loyal subjects, those who have loved and obeyed his laws—who have been subject to his government, rallied to his cross, and fought the bloodless battles of his kingdom. His anointed ones will be near him. There will be the mothers in Israel—the daughters in Judah; the men and the women who have been willing to forego the follies and the pleasures of the world for the sake of their Lord. What a glorious day it will be for them! Many whom even the lowest officials in attendance on the Prince would not recognize, will occupy a high and noble position on the right hand of the Judge, while on the left will be many of the rich, and the noble, and the great. All the proud, and all that do wickedly will be there: hypocrites and unbelievers will be among that number. Many whose iniquity has been hidden, whose deeds of sin have been in the dark, will there have their transactions dragged to light. No position will screen them from justice.

Great preparations were made for the coming of the Prince. What preparations are you making for the coming of the Son of God? Are you casting away the rags of your own righteousness, and being clothed with the righteousness of Christ? Are you cleansed from all sin in his precious blood? Are you born of the Spirit of God, made a new creature and adopted into his family? None but children can be heirs to his kingdom. Do you long to see "Him whom God hath highly exalted?" Will your enraptured vision feast upon his glorious person, while your whole soul is wrapt up in admiration of his excellencies? O, remember that "He that shall come, will come, and will not tarry." And how awfully miserable will be the condition of those who have neglected their souls' salvation for the lying realities of earth, and who wake not up to their eternal loss until it is forever too late! Too late!—St. John, N. B., Religious Intelligencer.