Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 2, 1857
SIGNS OF THE END.
By M. S. Avery
A LETTER FROM M. S. AVERY TO HER SISTER.
MY DEAR SISTER:—I have long wished to write but have hesitated, knowing that I must speak the true sentiments of my heart in regard to some points; and this I have feared would grieve you. I know that as far as religion is concerned, I am very unpopular; and I have feared that if I should speak to my sister concerning this, I should be called an enthusiast or a fanatic; but I will try to overcome this, and talk with you in love, and without fear, lest your blood be required at my hands in the great day of accounts, which is not far distant. Very bitter indeed would be the reproaches of a dear brother or sister in that solemn day, such as these: "O you had the truth, you knew the way, you saw danger approaching and thickening around, and you warned us not!" I mean by the grace of God assisting, to clear my skirts, and have a conscience void of offense that my heart condemn me not.
I am well aware of the position you occupy, and if I rightly understand Bible truth, I much fear you are in a dangerous place, and have embraced errors that are fatal in the extreme; errors which have no doubt a flattering and pleasing appearance, but will in the end plunge their victims into everlasting ruin.
Dear L., I believe the Bible in whole, not in part, to be the sacred and divine revelation of God, and therefore cannot do violence to that word of truth, the christian's guide, by wrestling from its pages any part that might not please the carnal propensities of my nature. O that I loved it more, that its heaven-born precepts were more deeply stamped upon my heart! Dear sister, do you not read enough of this book to show you that we are living in the last days, in the closing up of time? Do not the signs of the times speak as with "trumpet tones," that soon He that shall come will come, and will not tarry? Heb. x, 37. Even him whose coming is after the working of Satan, with all power, any signs, and lying wonders. See 2 Thess. ii, 9. This working of Satan is nothing more nor less than "Spirit Manifestations." What are they, but lying signs and wonders, wrought by the adversary of souls to deceive, and lead them captive at his will?
We read in 1 Tim. vi, 16, that God only hath immortality, and in another place, "This mortal must put on immortality," which we cannot do if we have it already on. Also in Ps. cxlvi, 4, "His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth, in that very day his thoughts perish." Again, Ps. vi, 5, "For in death there is no remembrance of thee; in the grave who shall give thee thanks?"
Thus the Bible affords ample proof that "the dead know not anything." But the seducing spirits and doctrines of devils spoken of, [1 Tim. 4,] contradict all these repeated truths which God who cannot lie hath spoken, and by them Satan would, with his seductive wiles, have us believe that our dead friends are alive, (immortal,) and holding converse with us, notwithstanding their thoughts perished at death.
The word of inspiration is so positive and plain on this subject, that those who read and believe the testimony, cannot be deceived. Yes, 'tis a precious truth, that those who have immortality must seek for it, and obtain it alone through Jesus Christ. Otherwise his death and sufferings are all in vain.
My dear sister, when I see that yourself, with millions of others, are caught in the Deceiver's snare, I tremble at the dreadful prospect before you. O be entreated of one who loves you dearly, to make your escape while there is hope. You may be astonished at my alarm, and perhaps think my fears are groundless; but I would point you to the prophet Isaiah, chap. viii: "And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep and that mutter, should not a people seek unto their God? For the living to the dead! To the law and to the testimony; if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them."
The testimony of the "rappers" does not accord with the word, and I therefore conclude that we might well be alarmed at the rapid progress of Spiritualism. O that you could see as plainly as I see it, that we are in the close of this world's history! Read for my sake, dear sister, 2 Tim. iii, and then judge candidly if we are not in the last days—in the perilous times there brought to view. Are not men lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, truce-breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, and despisers of those that are good? Are they not high-minded, and lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God? Have they not also the form of godliness, denying the power thereof?
Now I beg you to seriously consider this scripture, and deny if you can, that we are seeing its complete fulfillment daily! Yes, methinks we need not go beyond the limits of our own households, to discover those that are disobedient to parents; and you and I well know that children are not now as they were when we were named among them. Where, O where, is that becoming bashfulness or modesty, together with the regard for old age, that characterized the children of "by-gone-days?" Where is the respect for parents, although their hairs are silvered with age, among the youth of the present generation? And why is all this? Because we are living in the very eve of time, when we are pointed to these signs, and, as a matter of course, they have come.
We are also informed in 2 Pet. iii, that there shall be scoffers, walking after their own lusts, and saying, Where is the promise of his coming? and 2 Tim. iii, says, "Evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived;" and it is even so—it is Bible truth.
I take the following extract from a Universalist paper, the Star in the West, Vol. xix, No. 44:
"Our country seems to be rapidly degenerating. There is no limit to the follies and vices of thousands in our large cities. The present generation bids fair to exceed in frivolity and extravagance anything that has ever preceded it since the foundation of the Republic. Let it not be forgotten that the effeminacy of a people is the surest forerunner of the decay of a nation."
These are startling truths, and the world is in a fearful condition. Many it seems know this; but understand not the meaning. Our land of boasted liberty and freedom is polluted with deeds of the blackest dye; and yet they do not see that destruction is coming.
I would now ask you to take a view of the professed churches of Christ. Do not they join hands with the world? Do not they dress and act like the world? Do they not love pleasure more than God? Are they merciful to the poor? Are they not ornamented with gold, (which is forbidden by the Word,) and costly apparel, while the widow and fatherless are perhaps famishing for the necessities of life within their call? Such poor souls realize not that there is a fearful retribution hastening on. Terrible indeed will be the reckoning! They profess to love God, but in works they deny him. If by chance they hear the Second Advent mentioned, they will deridingly sneer and scoff, and perhaps get angry, and say, "If the Lord ever comes, it wont be in my day." Thus they are giving the "peace and safety" cry, spoken of in 1 Thess. v. But we are there told that "sudden destruction cometh upon them, and they shall not escape."
Who, I ask, can feel perfect love for the Saviour, and at the same time dread his appearing and tremble at the thought? When we contrast the meekness and purity of the Saviour, the life of humility and suffering that he led, together with his tender acts of benevolence and mercy—when we contrast them with the selfishness, the pride, the extravagance and worldly-mindedness of the popular churches, no marvel that the cry should be heard "Babylon is fallen, and is become the hold of every foul spirit, and the cage of every unclean and hateful bird."
Jesus was "despised and rejected of men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief," yet O how fearful are we poor mortals, lest men should despise or reject us! O how careful are we of the outward170man, that appearances may be kept up, and thereby court the applause and admiration of the world! O how much pains, how much time and money, are thus spent to please the eyes of others, while the soul is neglected, and what concerns us most deeply, even our eternal interests, are left unthought of, uncared for! O that man might study more to be approved of God, and to be approved less of the world! The one great aim and object should be to please him. We read that "whosoever will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God!" And again: "All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution," and when he suffered so much for us, why should we shrink from suffering a little too, when we have for our comfort the cheering promise, that if we suffer we shall also reign with him. We read in Heb. xi, of those who were tortured, and had trial of cruel mockings; they were stoned, sawn asunder, were tempted and slain with the sword; they were clothed with sheep skins and goat skins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented, of whom the world was not worthy; they also wandered in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth; they meekly endured all this suffering "that they might obtain a better resurrection."
O what a blessed promise still awaits those faithful martyrs, for they have not yet received it. See verse 39. And in the glorious morning, when the sleeping dust of millions shall arise by the power of God, and put on immortality, they too will be remembered, and will then receive a full reward. Yes the day is very near, when those that have lost their lives for the witness of Jesus, shall come forth. Looking forward to that day of joy, all the prophets of old died in faith, not having yet received the promise; but they are soon to realize all their hopes. The solemn splendors of that morning will soon open before us, when lo! they shall arise and shout victory over the grave. At the sound of the last trump, every saint will be awakened, not one left or forgotten. But I fear that I am wearying your patience, and you are beginning to think me a "Millerite" in good earnest; but bear with me a little longer, and I will try to be brief.
Although I have shown you a few of the prominent signs of the Lord's soon coming, undoubtedly, you think me foolish for believing it, when Wm. Miller taught the same in 1844, and he did not come. But my dear L., if I expect you on a visit next Spring, and you fail to come at the time looked for, shall I rashly give it up forever, and say you will never come! How absurd this course would be; but if on the other hand I love you with true affection, with what almost impatient anxiety, would I wait, and even watch for your coming?
It may be well here to mention the great disappointment experienced in '44 by those who were animated by the blessed hope of soon seeing Jesus. This doctrine as taught by Mr. Miller, was, I believe, the gospel of the kingdom, that should be preached to every nation, tongue and people, for it went to the remotest parts of the earth. To the United States, or North America alone, this cry, "The hour of his judgment is come," was not confined. The far-off isles of the ocean heard it; and it aroused the people of the eastern continent. Thousands and millions feared it was too true. Yes, the very world stood in awe, at the expected coming of the King of heaven. But the time of trial came, and the hopes of many an honest soul were seemingly crushed at once. The world, and even those professing godliness, looked on in mockery and derision. The time of danger had passed; their fears were quelled; and they could now scoff and sneer with impunity. Do not think, dear sister, that all those persecuted souls called Millerites, gave up the ship when the storm arose. O no! Many faithful souls endured the trial of their faith, although severely tested. Their position was carefully examined again and again: it was all right. Their reckoning was true: figures would not lie. But the mistake, how, or where was it! It was so to be; but time and study have since revealed it. You will find the foundation of this doctrine in Dan. viii, 14. "Unto two thousand three hundred days, then shall the Sanctuary be cleansed."
They supposed the earth to be the Sanctuary, and that Jesus was coming then, at the end of the 2300 days, to cleanse it; but although he came not to earth, he entered the Most Holy of the heavenly Sanctuary then, and is now offering his blood for the blotting out of the sins of the people. This I understand to be the judgment spoken of, which begins at the house of God. 1 Pet. iv, 17. Should you scruple the idea of a Sanctuary being in heaven, consult the following scriptures: Ps. cii, 19; xcvi, 6: Heb. viii, 1, 2.
Thus we see that the hour of his judgment came, and the proclamation was not an untruth, as we often hear it called. I believe we are now, and have been since 1844, in the waiting time. See Hab. ii, 3. If the Lord had come when nearly all expected him, the scriptures would not have been fulfilled; for we read that he shall come as a snare, and a thief in the night. But how few are now looking for "this same Jesus that went away into heaven," although we are assured he shall come again in many places in the Word. And we are also informed of the destruction of the antediluvian world by water; of the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah; of the first advent of the Saviour, and also his death, resurrection and ascension.
All these truths are readily admitted and generally believed by the world, and yet by the same word we are told that the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, that Jesus shall come in the glory of his Father, that the dead know not anything, that the soul that sinneth it shall die. But who regards these truths? A very few believe them. O what inconsistency! Does not the very fulfillment of the prophecy of the first advent prove that of the second to be true? Says Jesus, "As it was in the days of Noah so also shall the coming of the Son of man be." They were eating and drinking, and knew not until the flood came and took them all away. 'Tis sad indeed now-a-days to see the reflections that are cast on the Bible. But says Solomon, [Prov. xiii, 13,] Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed; but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded.
And now before I close, a word on the Sabbath. Christ says, "I came not to destroy the law or the prophets." And again, "I have kept my Father's commandments." John xv, 10. Now if he did not destroy but kept the law, why too should we not keep it? We read that God is unchangeable; that he gave the commandments to men, and yet poor, imperfect, erring man, has dared to alter God's law, that Paul calls holy, just and good, by keeping the first day of the week in place of the seventh. Some blindly think this will do just as well, or the observance of any day that will make a seventh part of the week, but this is making void the law of God.
I could produce much proof in favor of the true Sabbath, if it were necessary. I think you have some good testimony in the little pamphlets I once sent you, and were I assured that they were read, and proved interesting, I would send more, and such as might give entire satisfaction on other subjects that I have briefly touched, more justly than it is in my power to do. I will now close this subject by referring you to the language of Solomon: "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep his commandments; for this is the whole duty of man." Eccl. xii, 13.
And now, my dear sister, nearly all the signs of the end are in the past. The darkening of the sun and moon took place May 19, 1780, immediately after the tribulation of the Papal persecution; and the next sign in order, the falling of the stars, occurred Nov. 13, 1833; and the next we are to expect, the powers of the heavens will be shaken, and the sign of the Son of man appear in heaven. Then all the tribes of the earth shall mourn, and those that are not prepared, and have not the seal of the living God, will then join in the awful prayer, "Rocks and mountains, fall on us!" Not having done the will of God, they will pass away with the world. Whether we are ready or not, sure it is that the scenes of earth will soon close. Surely "destruction cometh; and they shall seek peace, and there shall be none."
And now I hope you will not take all that I have said as my say so. I have endeavored to produce some scripture proof; for I would not that you should think the foundations of my faith are to be found in man-made creeds, or aught but the Bible. I could yet write pages on these subjects so interesting to me, could I know you are also interested.
Now, my dear sister, I bid you farewell, sincerely hoping you may be led to investigate; search the Bible for yourself, and see the truth as it is.
Affectionately yours. M. S. AVERY.
Locke, Mich.
CAST THY CARE ON HIM.
WEARY traveler, cast thy care
On the Saviour:
Quickly to his throne repair,
He will hear thy humble prayer,
Always—ever.
True and faithful is thy Friend,
Ever near.
He will watch thee, and defend,
He'll be with thee to the end,
And wipe thy tear.
Or is thy soul by sorrow riven,
'Mid sin and care?
Hope on—this promise sure is given:
The pure on earth shall meet in heaven:
No sorrow there.
There is beyond a happier land,
Far, far from this;
Martyrs next the throne will stand,
Saints will meet a glorious band—
A world of bliss.
As on life's rugged path we go,
We'll trust thy love.
Whate'er our lot on earth—we know
We soon shall part with all below,
And meet above.
Then cast thy load of doubt away,
And never roam:
He'll lead thee to the realms of day,
He'll guard and lend a beauteous ray,
To guide thee home.—Sel.
Babylon's End Approacheth!
By E. Everts
It is apparent that the Lord in his instruction to his people, employs things animate and inanimate, beasts, nations, trees, cities, &c., to instruct and forewarn them of their whereabouts on the stream of time, and their entrance into the vast ocean of eternity. Dan. vii; Isa. xiv, 8; xxi, 13; Rev. xvii, 5; Isa. xxvi, 1, 2.
In examining and comparing Rev. xviii and Isa. xlvii, we find a striking similarity. The boast of Babylon's exaltation, of being no widow, and the enchantments and sorceries of one, which are the works of the other, by foul spirits of devils, and also the gradation, but precipitance of her judgments, ending alike, in her being burned, show that the same symbol is used in both places.
We feel warranted in the fear of the Lord, for the sake of giving light to the remnant, and warning honest souls that are deceived by fallen Babylon, to apply the instructions of those chapters to the popular fallen churches of this day.
The boast of sitting a queen, and "I am, and none else beside me; I shall not sit as a widow, neither shall I know the loss of children," is thus answered by the scriptures: "But these two things shall come to thee in a moment, in one day, the loss of children, and widowhood: they shall come upon thee in their perfection." Isa. xlvii, 8, 9.
The rejection of the nominal churches came when they had acted out their hate fully, towards the proclamation of Christ's second coming, and towards them who loved and proclaimed it, in 1844. There was the "year day" of her divorce and loss of children. It is believed that fifty thousand lovers of the coming of Christ left the churches in that year. They have borne testimony to the same in the amplest manner in their reports. For sufficient evidence see their admissions noted in the "Signs of the Times, a pamphlet printed at the Advent Review Office, Battle Creek, Mich., pp. 86-90.
And after their fall mentioned in Rev. xiv, 8, which was proclaimed throughout the land in 1844, Rev. xviii, announces that "Babylon is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit," which is fulfilling by the spirits of devils working miracles through members of the churches, by spirit developments since 1844.
Notwithstanding the awful fall of Babylon, we hear the voice of long-suffering mercy, saying, "Come out of her my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues."
This is a moral fall; and of an organization that encircles the people of God, and is of importance sufficient to intoxicate all nations and kings of the earth with the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and make rich through the abundance of her delicacies the merchants of the earth.
Who is this Babylon? She is not the nations, nor kings, nor the merchants, of the earth; as in their sphere of organization, they are of the masculine gender, and of one party; but Babylon is the boasting queen, feminine, on the other hand.
Her widowhood has come, and loss of children, in spite of her boast, sufficient to warrant the application of the symbol. But we expect that this will be to a greater degree; and then "a voice of the cry of the shepherds, and an howling of the principals of the flock, shall be heard; for the Lord hath spoiled their pasture." Jer. xxv, 36.
Here I would state what I witnessed on First-day, Feb. 22d. The circumstances were, that some of the most humble members of a Wesleyan church who had become anxious to hear on our faith, induced me to go to the W. house to solicit an opportunity for Bro. J. N. L. to preach in their house. Soon after I was seated, the minister of the day, who was not the incumbent in charge, but the teacher of the seminary, who I soon concluded was not preaching for "bread and butter," took for his text, Neh.171ii, 17. It reads thus: "Ye see the distress that we are in, how Jerusalem lieth waste, and the gates thereof are burned with fire: come and let us build up the walls of Jerusalem that we be no more a reproach."
I must say, such a description which their best members admitted was true, I never heard of the professed followers of Jesus; urged home as it was, with much command of language, and apparent feeling. He said that it was literally true throughout christendom, applied to W. and E. Methodists, to Baptists and Congregationalists, and all Protestant christendom.
He charged them with neglect of attendance at church. Said he, "Here are no more than four fifths of the church to-day, and last Sabbath but five out beside himself; and two of them were children: and that they were full of variance, malice and quarrels; and if a difference was distinguishable between them and the world, it could only be seen in the house of worship; for, at the hotel, store or grocery and elections they are alike."
Then he compared them to the worldling, not the moral, but the immoral.
"Do they attend trotting and shooting-matches? So do you.
"Do they pitch quoits, throw dice and play at checkers? So do you.
"Do they vend and drink ardent spirits? So do you.
"Do they spend some $15 for tobacco and cigars each year? So do you.
"Do they attend parties, balls and cotillion parties? So do you.
"Are they guilty of fraud, trickery and dishonesty? So are you.
"Are they extravagant in dress? So are you For instance, (said he,) one lady in N. Y. City went to a ware-house, and purchased a diamond at $500, and placed it in a neck collar that cost fourteen thousand dollars. What think you cost the remainder of the dress? And this lady was a christian!
"Do they expend $200,000 for a palace or dwell-ing-house? So do you."
"Even ministers must drive the best horse, have a silver-mounted, covered carriage, at the cost of $1500, or $2000. Nothing short of a silver-plated harness will do; and a gold fob chain, at the cost of $25,00, when a steel one that cost fifteen cents would answer just as well. Then attached to the gold fob, is a gold watch that cost at least $75,00, when a $15,00 watch would be just as good for two generations, at least. Thus the desolations of ruined old Jerusalem, were spiritually applied to christendom."
Then he recited the catalogue of the "gold and silver vessels, and all the rich treasures that were carried as spoil to Babylon; and then the captives, the priests, the Levites and singers, the ancients and honorable, the young men and maidens, all were in captivity."
Then over this death he raised his moan and wail, and exclaimed, Where are the fathers and mothers in Israel, who once poured forth their melting prayers and soul-stirring exhortations, with outstretched arms of a Saviour's love, with cheeks bedewed with tears for poor sinners? Where are the young men and maidens, who with the strength of young giants filled with new wine, or as a strong man rejoiceth to run a race, that made the closets, out-buildings and groves vocal with their prayer, and shouts of praise?
"And where are the Marys and Elizabeths? Where are the Annas and Marthas, who attend constantly at the house of the Lord?
"Where are the graces of the church? Gone! gone! like the vessels of gold and silver, and rich treasures of Jerusalem, into the enemies' land.
"Where are the cheering hearty amens; and loud shouts of praise, giving glory to God in the highest? Gone!
"O that my head was waters, and my eyes were fountains of tears, that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my people."
The mourning minister closed by declaring that he feared and believed that their conformity to the world had absorbed all their energies or love for Zion, so that they would grudge the devoting of a few days in a protracted effort to revive the church, and save sinners for fear they could not make money so fast. He exclaimed with deep emotions, What I say is applicable to all christendom. You have not so much as a form of godliness.
When the foregoing discourse was ended, one of their officials, who is a professed believer in the speedy second coming of Christ, introduced me to the congregation as being present to solicit their house to hold some meetings in, and granted me privilege to speak; which I did gladly; for my bones burned with the fire of truth, and through pity for the honest ones. I was very far from dissenting from the truthfulness of the discourse. I told them that I thanked God that there was a balm in Gilead, and a Physician there, for honest, penitent souls.
This official said that he for one wished us to come; for, said he, "I feel like a drowning man, will be to catch at even a straw." The house was offered us for the next first day. The next day, the foremost member of the Congregational church, told me, that their minister preached just such a discourse the evening following, in their house.
The next first day the W. preacher returned, and occupied the day, as one of their best members told me at the close of their long half day exercises, (for we were to occupy at 3 o'clock) in whipping them so, that when he closed, he requested the congregation to be seated and they would talk. "He said that the minister was procured to be an example to the flock, but that he was worse than any of the church; and that he was displeased because they had not paid him more, which was $150,00, for about four months, which he thought was enough. Their distraction prevented our meeting.
I would add one remark of their pro tem, preacher which was in his moan. He said, "The time has been, when Methodists were slain by the power of the Spirit, but it is in the past, and I have not heard a shout, from a happy soul for years, giving glory to God, but once, and that was my father." "Ichabod."
I sigh for the abominations that are done in the land. Judgment is come. Lord help.
E. EVERTS.
Round Grove Ills. Mar. 5 1857.
SELECTIONS
The Pure in Heart.
In a discourse on the words, "Blessed are the pure in heart," Mr. Caughey once remarked that it was impossible to sully a sunbeam. "And while that sunbeam," said he, "may dart down into the darkest hole of filth and illuminate it, it will soil nothing, and yet not be soiled itself. So the ray of heavenly life and love, existing in the perfect believer's heart, goes into and comes out into contact with the dark dwelling-places of iniquity and filth, and cheers, and enlivens, and encourages by its presence but is always kept unspotted from the stains of the world. It is God that gives to the pure in heart this great gift and distinction. It is He who can keep the heart in perfect peace. Suppose a white-robed female were walking along some turnpike road where the mud was flying, and where horses and wagons, as they hurried and splash along, at every turn and step increased the confusion, hemmed up the foot-path, and threw the water and dirt. Suppose that white-robed female should find at her journey's end, her white dress as spotless as when she first robed, would not this be a miracle? Most surely it would. But a miracle it is that the Christian, in waging his course through this world, in fighting through trials and temptations, and in struggling with the fiery adversary, does not at the close of his pilgrimage, have some indelible stain or mark of the conflict on his garments. It is a miracle of grace; of the grace of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Praise be unto his precious name.
No Favoritism With God.
By N. Adams, D. D.
As we see Israel coming out of Egypt, under the protection and by the special hand of God, we mourn to remember that multitudes of that rejoicing people failed to reach Canaan. It is not enough to leave Egypt; it is not enough to be numbered with the people of God. "I will therefore put you in rememberance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterwards destroyed them that believed not." No token of Divine favor, no privileges, no high standard among the people of God, give us any exemption from punishment if we wilfully sin. There is no favoritism with God towards the most distinguished of his servants, if they commit iniquity. For "He spared not the angels which sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment." We serve a jealous God. If we make Christ a minister of sin, by continuing in sin that grace may abound, all his unutterable work of suffering and death will be a stone to fall upon us; we shall go from the Lord's Table from Communion Sabbaths, to a deep and intolerable place, in misery and despair.
Let us therefore fear, lest a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.—N. Adams, D. D.
Time Is Short.
By Am. Tract Society
HAVE you ever considered the truth of this solemn declaration? Time is progressive and passes away imperceptibly. Time is made up of moments which, when once gone, improved or not, can never be recovered.
Time is given us for the great purpose of seeking those things which make for our peace and salvation in the eternal world. If these things have never engaged your serious attention, O no longer trifle away your time, but improve it by thinking on your latter end.
Hitherto you have been spared from year to year, through the protection of your heavenly Father; but you know not how long his providential mercy will be extended towards you. The present moment is all you can call your own. To-day you may be in health, to-morrow in the grave. O then come to Christ now for salvation.
It is in this world and not the next that you will have the opportunity of fleeing from the wrath to come. Jesus is not only able but willing to receive you, if you come unto him with a contrite heart. He says, "Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation." Christ does not say that salvation may be obtained to-morrow, for that is uncertain. Therefore from this time forward, redeem your time.
"Boast not thyself of to-morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth." Live in the recollection of your mortality, and in all your engagements remember that time is short.—Am. Tract Society.
The Pronouns of the Bible.
LUTHER pronounced pronouns to be the sweetest and most consolatory expressions to be found in the word of God. What, in fact, is more tenderly elevating than where the prophet Isaiah heralds peace and refreshing to the people of Israel? "Comfort ye, comfort ye, my people, saith your God." No longer the "Lord God, the Lord strong and mighty," but "your God," and "my people." And how marked the difference between saying, The Lord is a shepherd, and, "The Lord is my Shepherd;" between172the heathen who acknowledges God as the Father of all things, and the ransomed of his well beloved, who behold in the Lord, "Our Father, which art in heaven;" between "the Lord will hear me when I call upon him," and "lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world."
Religious Maxims
It is a sign of advanced grace when opinion is swallowed up of religion.
A Christian's life is nothing else but a short trial of his graces.
The preaching that is plain, pure, powerful and practical, men are apt to dislike.
Religion begins with knowledge of a man's self, and is perfected with the knowledge of God.
Without established principles, our feelings contend against evil, as an army without a leader, and are far oftener vanquished than victorious.
The almost Christian is a most unhappy man, having religion enough to make the world hate him, and not enough to make God love him.—Countess of Werwick.
We should consider integrity as of more weight than oaths; or observe the purport of what thou hast promised, more strictly than an oath.