RESPONSIBILITIES TO BE MET by John Norton Loughborough

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 1, 1862

RESPONSIBILITIES TO BE MET.

By John Norton Loughborough

Such is the caption to an article in the United Presbyterian on the subject of the present crisis of our country, but as it winds up with an earnest appeal for something that looks to me like a call for an image to the beast, I will give that clause:

"Other grave responsibilities are growing out of our national conflict. Whatever may be the issue, there must be to some extent a re-construction of the government. This will be especially necessary if the rebellion be quelled. It will be necessary to put the disturbing element, or what may remain of it, in its proper place; and that will be, at least, in such subordination as will prevent it from ever again becoming a ruling power in the government. And if the ordeal through which we are now passing as a nation, have the effect upon our national character which it should have; if we are made, as we should be, a purer, better, more God-fearing people, we will be prepared for, and we will seek such improvement of the constitution as will make it embody a more distinct recognition of the sovereignty of God and the supremacy of his laws. For this the popular mind should be prepared. In favor of this the Christian voice of the land should make itself heard and felt."

Of course they will regard the Sunday institution as a part of the law of God, and will call for that to be enforced. And as may be seen by Bro. Smith's article in Review No. 15, the Sunday institution is about to become the most important subject. It is an old adage that straws tell which way the wind blows; and it seems to me these and other features indicate the direction in which Babylon is drifting with the unerring certainty of the mariner's compass.

May the Lord rouse his people for the conflict with the image beast, for it is surely coming.

J. N. LoUGHBOROUGH.