To-day, if Ye will Hear his Voice.
By Mary W. Howard
It has been said by one occupying a high position in Christian literature (Edward Beecher) that “the coming of God no man can avert, but if one occupies a position of danger, he may change it for one of greater security if he will.” But when is this exchange to be made? Is there to be afforded a more favorable22opportunity than the present? There may be louder notes of warning given, but it is unsafe to presume. God will be forever guiltless, though there be no louder cry or stronger evidence granted. For it becomes all in these days of general intelligence, to understand the great currents of thought which are passing through the Christian world. If to have Moses and the prophets, left one without excuse in our Saviour's day, as his words clearly indicate, of how much greater condemnation shall those be accounted worthy who resist the added light afforded by the New Testament scriptures, and the investigations of the learned and good who have made the Bible their study? Nor is it any excuse that there are conflicting opinions concerning the phrase, “coming of God.” What if the pantheist would make it the development of his imaginary colossal man? What if the millenarian would make it the diffusion of the spiritual reign of Christ? What if the spiritualizer would make it the separating of soul and body at death? “Nevertheless, what saith the Scriptures?” “The Lord Jesus Christ shall judge the quick (the living) and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom.” 2 Tim. iv, 1. “But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom, it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.” Luke xvii, 29, 30. By a sort of divine soliloquy, we learn that God debated, “Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do?” and Lot was warned and spared for Abraham's sake. Gen. xxx, 29. Though a warning was given of the impending doom of the cities of the plain, the sons-in-law whom Lot in his solicitude sought to warn, regarded him as one that mocked. Of what avail then would it have been if he had rushed through the city, proclaiming, “Yet ten hours, and Sodom shall be destroyed! Yet ten hours, and Sodom shall be destroyed!” He would only have been laughed at for his insane credulity. “Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.” The divine command is, “Though the vision tarry, wait for it.” And if Paul could pray, “The Lord direct your hearts into the patient waiting for Christ,” need those who wait, or expect that coming, heed the scoffing jeers of a doomed world? Hark! the Redeemer rends the sky!
A mighty voice before him goes—
A voice of music to his friends,
But threatening thunder to his foes.