The Herald of the Kingdom and Age to Come

319 Pages·2004·23.51 MB·English

by  John Thomas

H E R A LD
OF THE
KINGDOM AND AGE TO COME
DEVOTED TO THE INTERPRETATION
OF THE
"LAW AND THE TESTIMONY,"
AND TO THE DEFENCE OF THE
FAITH ONCE DELIVERED TO THE SAINTS."
BY JOHN THOMAS, M.D.
RICHMOND, VIRGINIA:
1852
PUBLISHER'S NOTE
This reprint of the Herald of the Kingdom and Age to Come has been produced by photo-
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We hope that this reprint of the sterling work of brother Dr. Thomas will serve another
generation of believers in the Hope of Israel, and deepen their understanding and love of
the Word of God and prepare them for the day of redemption soon to dawn.
May 1988
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KINGDOM AID AGE TO COME.
Earnestly contend for the Faith, which was once delivered to the Saint·."—Jude.
JOHN THOMAS, EDITOR. RICHMOND, VA. VOL. I.—NUMBER l.
ON THE NAMES OF OUR PERIODI- cacy of what was supposed to be the
CALS. Apostles' doctrine. This was an advance
Since 1834 the Editor of this paper has which seemed to indicate the propriety of
published eleven or twelve volumes of amplifying the title of the paper; and it
periodical numbers. Six were styled the was accordingly named " The Apostolic
"Apostolic Advocate," one " The Investi- Advocate and Prophetic Interpreter."
gator," and five the "Herald of the Fu- In 1839 the last volume of the Advo-
ture Age." The first of these was to ad- cate was concluded. Having removed to
vocate what he then supposed to be the the North-West, to a country which was
doctrine of the Apostles, under the im-being filled op with raw materials from
pression that the New Testament, as ex- all parts of the Union, and the British
pounded by certain writers, was a suffici- Isles, the Editor thought that the state of
ent rule or measure of faith and practice. things there at that time rather demanded
He therefore called it the " Apostolic Ad- investigation of what existed than the
vocate." But in process of time he per- especial advocacy of what he then be-
ceived that this impression was not made lieved. Whether this were a correct view
upon his mind by the scriptures of truth. of the nature of things or not, he acted
From the study of these he discovered upon it, and in recommencing his Hterary
that the measure of a man's faith was ex- labors he styled his paper " The Investi-
ceedingly defective which did not embrace gator." The country, however, was too
an intelligent belief of the Old Testament new, its population was too much engaged
as well. The words of the Apostle to the in " subduing and replenishing the earth/1
Gentiles sounded in his ears, that he testi- for examination of the high and import-
fied to the people and their rulers, " say- ant matters pertaining to things unseeti
ing, none other things than those which and eternal. The Editor was, therefore,
the Prophets and Moses did say should removed from this place to another, where
come/' ACTS XXVI. 22. It was evident, spiritual ideas command more attention
therefore, from this and numerous other and respect. The mission of the Investi-
passages which might be quoted, that a gator came to au end, but the Editor still
Christian should know and believe the survived.
things that God had spoken to the Fa- A few months after the Apostolic Ad-
thers of Israel by the Prophets. Under
vocate was commenced, the Editor was
this conviction he applied himself to the
entangled in divers controversies. The
study of them, and proceeded to call the
principle he had set out upon was to
attention of his readers to them also.
" prove all things and to hold last that
Thus the interpretation of the eure word
which was good." He supposed that the
of prophecy was superadded to the advo-
spirit as well as the letter of this apostolic
On the Names of our Periodicals.
precept was the honest and ingenuous improbable a restoration of unity among
policy of the ecclesiastical community with the old materials of the sect.
which he found himself associated by the But to return to the principles. While
force of circumstances. Perhaps these they were maintained by the Editor and
circumstances expressed the will of God, others, they were advocated under the
who had thus placed him there ior his supposition that the faith of the gospel
trial and preparation for- some futuie consisted in believing in Jesus Christ as
work. He learned patience and obedi- the Son of God, in his death for sin, his
ence bythe things which he suffered; and I burial, and resurrection, and that " bap-
acquired an experience which could be tism was for remission of sine.* They
purchased only by endurance. He found I did not then perceive that these things did
that he was at liberty to "prove all things" not constitute the faith of the gospel, al-
provided that he held fast only what the though some of them are unquestionably
rulers allowed to be good. This was set- items of the mystery of the gospel. "Bap-
ting up a mere human standard of faith tism for remission of sins" was then pro-
and practice, a substituting their views of claimed throughout the land as the " An-
truth for the truth itself, which was cer- cient Gospel'* to all who should repent
tainly not the meaning of the precept, and and believe that Jesus was the Christ.
therefore could not be submitted to by Many of the leaders in this proclamation
those who aspired to the liberty of the Sons had been preachers in the Baptist denomi-
of God. The manifestation of this dispo- nation, who, when this" Ancient GospeP*
sition to arbitrate with despotic authority was first propounded to them, violently
in the community—to say, " thus far shalt and acrimoniously opposed it. It was ob-
thou go and no farther* '-«-originated with- vious then that when they were immersed
in its pale a diversity of opinion in the they were, if not ignorant at least entirely
premises which predisposed to the exami- faithless of it. But afterwards they ceased
nation of principles which might lead to their opposition, and declared that they
a difference of faith and practice. believed that faith in Jesus as the Christ
The principle which first turned up as and remission of sins by baptism were
the result of proving all things, was that the gospel, and so they continued to
the immersion of an individual whose "faith" preach. Now the two principles stated
was not the faith of the gospel was a value- I above became to these people so many
less immersion—it was not Christian bap- I thorns in their flesh; for they resolved
tism. This principle has been a leading their immersion into a mere introduction
one, implied if not expressed, in all the intoihe Baptist body instead of a putting
Editor's teaching from 1834 to 1850. on of Christ by union to his name. They
From this he has never swerved, and can- therefore turned upon the Editor, saying
not possibly depart so long as reason in effect, " Forbear, for in teaching these
holds her own. Out of this principle grew things thou condemnest us also !" This,
another, namely, that a knowledge of the however, was a trifling consideration ; for
truth acquired subsequently to such an im- he had assumed the position that the
mersion did not convert it into obedience of truth must be spoken, maintained and de-
the gospel or Christian baptism. These fended, though all might be condemned
principles were warmly opposed by the including himself. This position he has
rulers. At first some of them reasoned, consistently and perseveringly maintained
but their reasonings proving weak and for years, and is prepared to uphold it to
their position untenable! they changed the end of the chapter.
their tactics, and resorted to denunciation Shortly after the controversy about the
and to attacks upon character. This only scriptural foundation of immersion corn·
widened the breach and .rendered highly menced, the Editor propounded certain
Herald of the Kingdom and Age to Come.
questions for examination without affirm the faith and hope of his contemporaries,
ing his belief in any of them. Among the Editor recommenced his literary
these were some bearing upon the subject labors, and bestowed upon the periodical
of immortality. No sooner were these devoted to it the name of the " herald of
announced than the rulers seized upon the Future Age." He was the more in*
them as a kind of godsend. They de- duced to designate it by this title because
clared that they were not simply inquiries, he believed that the Age was at hand or
but bonafide articles of his faith—a creed fast approaching. If he had thought that
to which he proposed to convert their it was far off he would not have styled it
community. They raised a gieat dust, the "Herald" of'that age. He believed
hoping, doubtless, thereby to obscure the then as he believes now, that it was near,
real question at issue about the two prin- even at the doors; he therefore heralded
ciples. But good very often is educed forth that announcement though upon
from present evil. It was so in the case different principles from " the cry" that
before ue. The clamor and attacks made was then sounding throughout the land.
by the rulers compelled the Ediior to That cry as a question of time has been
study the subject of immortality so that shown by events to have been discordant
he might be able to state the truth con- with the word; the truth of the advent,
cerning it, and to defend it from assaults however, has not been at all affected by
on every eide. The result was that he the mistake. The word of the Lord lives
discovered for himself that immortality is and abides forever, and though men may
a good thing, which like all other good things err in their interpretations, the declaration
to come is promised to the righteous, and to of his will standeth firm that all things
them alone. here shall be subjected to his dominion, so
This hope of immortality raised the that " his will shall be done on earth as it
question when will this hope be realized ? is in heaven."
He saw clearly that it was not at death, From 1834 to '46 or '47 the Editor had
but at the resurrection of the righteous been bringing out and advocating great
from among the dead. This resurrection and important truths. During this period
then was a great epoch in the future his- every effort had been made by the rulers
tory of the world, and the commencement to prevent their discussion and to turn
of an era of wonders upon the earth. It was away the ears of the people. But the
introductory in truth to an Age and Dis- Editor was bound to persevere although
pensation in which the " exceeding great discouragements obtained pre-eminence
and precious promises of God" would be on every side. He advocated the truths
realized by all the saints. The scripture because he believed them to be true ; and
testimony of these things created in his because all truth that God has conde-
mind a hope which looked beyond the re- scended to reveal in his word is worthy
surrection epoch, and contemplated a of being known, and when known is cal-
kingdom, glory, and dominion under culated to soften the heart, and improve
which all nations should be blessed. This the dispositions of men. At that time he
economy is styled by the Apostle " the would not have said that the knowledge
Age to come," Era. i. 21., or the Future and belief of them was indispensable to a
Age. Of this age the Lord Jesus is the participation of the everlasting blessings
Founder, and therefore he is styled by the of the age to come. He had not the testi-
prophet " the Father of the Everlasting mony before his mind to justify such a
Age," which being an age of undisturbed conclusion; consequently could not ven-
repose confers upon Him the honorable ture to affirm it. But in process of time
and glorious title of "the Prince of Peace." he came to sue that they were the gospel
To advocate the claims of this age upon in ruins—its integral parts lying^ as the
On the of our Periodicals.
fragments of a wreck all around. Having of Lsratl, and the faith of all believing
made this discovery he proceeded to re- Gentiles, who are not highminded ami
build the fabric—to bring the dismember- too wise in their own conceit to learn.
ed elements together, and to set them forth The kingdom has become the topic of the
as one harmonious whole. present age which cannot be set abide.
His faith had now attained an ampli- TIUJ acceptance or rejection of the doctrine
tude it had not posses.-ed before. It em- concerning it -will determine the destiny
braced the hope of God's calling to his of every man that hears it; for it is the
kingdom and glory in the name of Jesus subject of the gospel by which we all must
as the future Lord and sovereign of the be saved.
world. He now perceived what the faith Thus from the beginning to the present
of the gospel was that was necessary to time progress has marked the Editoi's
constitute an immersion Christian baptism. career. There has been no vacillation
It was nothing less than the Gospel of the with him. He has not professed and re-
Kingdom of God and name of Jesus as canted, and professed again, not knowing
the Christ; and he discovered accordingly his own mind for two successive moons
that if a man would inherit that kingdom together. Though hampered for want of
he must believe with an honest and good means to carry on efficiently the work in
. heart the things concerning it. It was not which he has been engaged these seven-
simply a Future Age of glory, but it was teen years, he has never sold his birth-
41 a kingdom, glory, and dominion" in that right for a mess of pottage. Such "grains
age with "honor and immortality" that of sense*' as these he has inherited from
were the glad tidings of " the truth as it none. He has proved by his works his
is in Jesus." To become a joint-heir with faith, and when his traducers can do the
him of this kingdom the Editor was im- same, he will cheerfully yield to them the
mersed in 1847. Having thus obeyed the palm of equal disinterestedness with him-
gospel himseli, he forthwith commenced self.
its announcement to others in the United THE HERALD OF THE KINGDOM AND AGE
States, and afterwards in Britain. Thous- TO COME may be considered as the organ
ands upon thousands have heard the joy- of all those, be they many or {ew, whose
ful sound during the two years that are hope the kingdom is. The Editor is their
past; and ii it be God's will that it should humble servant for the truth's sake. When
be still further proclaimed in these States they can find another who will serve them
the Editor holds himself in readiness to in that truth more patiently, perseveiingly,
do it to the full extent of the means af- and self-denyingly, he will readily give
forded him. place to such an one, and retire into that
Having returned from Europe for this obscurity which is far more congenial to
purpose, he begins this work by the issue his feelings and habits than a notoriety
of the " Herald of the Kingdom and Age which exposes him to the rancor and ill
to Come." As the things of the Kingdom I will of the rulers of the present darkness,
of God and of his Anointed will be the and of those who do their will. Till then»
great theme of this periodical, he has am- however, it is to be hoped that they will
plified the title of the former work. The bestir themselves, and not allow his effi-
"Future Age" and the "Age to Come' ciency to be cramped by a parsimony of
signify the same thing ; he has therefore which the world itself would be ashamed.
for the sake of euphony adopted the latter Much can be done with a little as he has
phrase as a substitute for the former, and proved ; but the armies of the aliens can-
inserted " the Kingdom'' before it. This not be effectually encountered if the locker
is the great fact of the Age to Come, and be entirely destitute of shot. A word to
the promise made to the fathers, the hope the wise is enough.
Herald of the Kingdom and Age (o Come.
THE DESTINY OF NATIONS. northern regions of tho New World. Hut,
If we look upon nations as so many great amid all this wantonness, cruelty, and incon-
individuals playing a drama, we shall per- sis'encv, this unnatural union of avarice and
ceive at once that each has a dis'inct ami m- devotion, (here \\un mercy l<< be lound. The
telligibLe character; each a peculiar mission coiKjtieruib mixed their blood with the van-
to fulfil, ami a corresponding career to pursue. quished. Ί hey regarded them, so boon as
No two irrcat nations b« ar much resem- converted, ;ιβ men of the same origin and
blance to each other. They are n$ unlike as rank with themselves. A common faith
two distinct men, and rtieir principles and was, ia their eyes, a common blood; and a
motives of action are as different· The Jews new race of men arose from the mixture of
had a theological mission, i:nd the whole the white and red races. But to this day it
world has felt the power of it. The Greeks is an unsettled race; and none of the coun-
had a philosophical and artistic mission; and tries which the Spaniards colonised in tlte
to this day the world condescends to he then New World have been able to settle them-
disciples, and in many respects their humble selves under any definite or permanent gov-
imitators. The Romans had a political mis- ernment, but remain to this hour, like politi-
sion, and we see their rules and forms ot cal volcanoes, always burning and always
government incorporated with all civilised threatening another devastation. The appe-
nations. These three great nations of anti- tite for gold was the ruin of the mother
quity have laid the foundations of modern country; and the irrational and violent sye-
civilisation. .What would the world have tem of converting the Indians has only laid
been, had one of these nations been wanting 1 the foundation of an inferior civilisation,
Very different altogether from what it is at which has never been able to distinguish it-
present. We can scarcely imagine what self, or exercise even a re-active influence on
would have been tho consequence. the civilisation of the old world. It was a
work of passion; and passion still prevails
The character of Spain is very different over reason in regulating the destiny of
from that of France or England. It is a half- Spanish colonies; whilst Spain herself, still
breed, like one of its own mules, between doggedly adhering to her old principles, re-
the despotism of the East and the civilisation luctantly submits to her inevitable destiny.
of the West. It is the only one of the great
Christian nations which was for ages pos- The history of trance is altogether differ-
uossad and peopled in part by Mahomme- ent. The French are α gay and a social peo-
dans; and, though at last they were driven ple, and therefore peculiarly adapted for tak-
out of the land, their spirit of tyranny and ing the lead in an age like the present. Their
chivalry remained behind them, and lingers conquests are at home rather than abroad.
even still, despising the commercial utilita- They have no colonies. Their great ambi-
rian habits of the north-west. To Spain was tion is to lead the world, by leading the
allotted the great dramatic part of discover- civilised nations, and making Paris the capi-
ing the New World in the 15th and 16th cen- tol of civilisation; and they have, to a con-
turies; and in the fulfilment of that most im- siderable extent, accomplished this end. But
portant mission, the peculiar chacacterof the being merely a dependency of Rome in its
nation was developed in hard and definite ecclesiastical capacitv, the nation is fettered
outline. The worshippers of God and Mam- in one of its legs, and incapable of iorming
mon were never, perhaps, in the whole his- other than a political or philosophical centre
tory of the world, elsewhere combined in so for the circumference of civilisation. In fact,
picturesque and imposing a manner. The there may be said to be no other principle in
conquerors of Mexico and Peru had no Bibles France but Popery and philosophy. Between
and tracts, or even preaching missionaries, the?e two there is eternal war—a war with-
like the cooler and more rational nations ot out hope—for the weakness of the one is tho
the North. With a crucifix in one hand, and strength of the other. But Popery not having
α sword in the other; with one eye on the her dwelling place or centre in France, phi-
gold, and the other on the silver that they losophy has taken the lead in her govern-
found in their path; small in number but ment and her literature, and may be said to
powerful in faith, and full of tho pleasing form the intellectual mission of the nation.
hope of riches in this world, or heaven in Moreover, the French politicians are remark-
the next—they pillaged the temples, ran- able for the logical form which they give, or
sacked the dwellings, tortured and burnt the attempt to give, to ail their disputations.
sovereigns and nobles, set up crosses and im They seek for authority in abstract princi-
ogee of the Virgin in room of the pagan idols, ples, and the common laws of Nature, and
said masses to the bewildered natives, per- endeavor to establish the paramount autho-
suaded them to submit to the rite of baptism, rity of reason, in opposition to the authority
to take the eucharist, cross themselves and of faith, which is dictated from Rome. In
bow to the Virgin, and even held out the doing so, they prove the power and weakness
cross to their victims to kiss whilst they were of reason at the same time—-its power to
burning them at the stake for pagans, infi- shake the foundations of old society—its
dels, and traitors. It is a marvellous history; weakness to discover a firm foundation lor
so very unlike the history of the Anglo- the new. France is wandering in the desert
Saxon adventurers, who laid tho fonndaiioi of thought, or at sea without a compass, on
of the great republic in the cooler and more a voyage of discovery for u new world, but,
c The Destiny of Nations.
like Columbus, only discovering a number fence the tields, or to interdict the free paas-
of islands. Her systems are an Archipelago a^e of the people over the surface of the soil.
of political islands, which are so far from Oureocial habits are very strict; our univer-
satisfying the mind of the enthusiast, that sities are still in the bunds ul the established
they only tempt him to go out tosea in bearch clergy, under more severe discipline than
of a continent. now prevails either in France or Germany,
Look at Germany, and you will eee some- and perhaps even equal to that of Spain her-
thing very different from France or Spain self. But then our press and our tongues are
The name of Germany denotes the land of at liberty to speak upon all subjects, to dis-
the universal man, all-man [alle-magne,] and cuss political and ecclesiastical questions,
the destiny of Germany is merely a commen- unrestrained except by the censorship of
tary on its name. In Germany you have public opinion. This has given a moderation
every species of government—an empire, to the tone of controversy in England which
kingdoms, principalities, dukedoms, munici- is found in no other European nation; and,
palities. It is a world in miniature But it at the same time, it has made the English
is α world divided. It has not a capital. Each press a better representative of the mind of
distinct sovereignty has it· own capital, its the people than any other European pre*s
own money and its own laws; and yet there whatsoever. The fact is important, aa it in-
is a common literature belonging to all. Po- vests England with a peculiar species of uni-
litical discussion has been suppressed in versality—a universality of an intellectual
Germany, but religious discussion has been character, and therefore of a higher order
tolerated; and as in Germany the sects are than that which belongs to Germany—a uni-
numerous, the theology of Germany has re- versality of a political and ecclesiastical
ceived a wider development from the mere character, and therefore higher than that
fact of the field being open (or its almost un- which belongs to France, which· like the
restrained cultivation. The consequence has cow with the crumpled horn, is deficient in
been, that the Germans have come out, by one of its intellectual developments.
necessity and opportunity, the most profound The language of England, moreover, is
thinkers, and the greatest innovators in opin- singularly illustrative of this. It is chiefly
ion, and speculators in abstract notions, of a mixture of the German and the Roman.
any people in Europe. Almost every novelty German is rather alien, or opposed to ihe
in opinion seems to originate in Germany. languages of the Roman empire, like the
The French themselves borrow copiously Germans themselves, who hare been a thorn
from the Germans, only clothing their ideas in its side from time immemorial. French,
in more easy and readable language, and Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese, are almost
giving them wings for circulation throughout exclusively Roman. But English is a com-
the world of civilisation. The German pound of all the languages of Western civil-
nations once broke down the Roman empire isation, and is, therefore, the best representa-
by the inundation of the northern tribes in tive of thai great and increasing interest.
their rude and uncultivated state. In a later Nor is this intellectual symbol of universality
period they poured in a torrent of innovation without its corresponding political and geo-
iindfcr the leadership of Luther, which shook graphical facts to illustrate and confirm it.
the spiritual empire of Rome to its founda- The colonization by England is now the most
tion; and at present.they are pouring in extensive and the most prosperous of all.
Hoods upon floods of philosophy into the The Anglo-Saxon race is to be found in every
South, which are re-issued from Paris as the habitable latitude and longitude of the globe.
capital of philosophy, and ascribed to the It is repeopling the old world, and peopling
fickleness and inventive genius of the French the new. It is spanning the earth, and even
nation. Germany is like a spirit without a threatening to possess it as its destined in-
body, for want of a capital, and that spirit heritance.
«eeks and finds its body in the capital of civil- To this great people the commercial mis-
isation. sion is given, in a special manner; that very
How very different from any ono of these mission which is calculated, above all others,
nations is England—the land of general but to facilitate the intercourse between different
modified liberty! In Germany there is more nations of the world, to make a way through
theological and philosophical liberty, and the the deep and through the desert, to climb the
universities are open to all sects, even to a mountains, and to cut through the forests.
chaos of opinion. In France there is more England, as the mother and representative
social liberty· In Spain there is more geo- of this people, is a little world in herself,
graphical, or rustic liberty. But in England distinct in all respects from the Continent.
there ia more of all the liberties taken col- Unlike France and Spain, she has her Church
lectively. We have but little rustic liberty within herself. Unlike Germany, she is
in Eagland, for our soil is too valuable, too united under one cnpital and policy. Unlike
highly cultivated, for such a blessing. Our Italy, she is the representative of modern
poor therefore probably enjoy fewer privi- times, and not of mediaeval superstition and
leges than those of Spain, where the habits exclusivenees. She stands alone amongst
and customs of the olden times are still pre- ihe nations, like her island home in the At-
served, and where modern art has done little lantic Ocean. And, aa her character and
or nothing, either to enclose the commons, to position, so is her mission, so is her destiny .
Herald of the Kingdom and Age to Come.
It is one of great breadth ami universality. spear cut asunder, and the chariot of war be
She holds this commission from Heaven, and burned in the fire. The people of all Chriet-
none can deprive her of it. It is fixed, from endom pray daily for this consummation,
of old, in the geographical shape of the earth, when they say *4 Thy kingdom come;'1 but
and the political and ecclesiastical distribu- they forget the meaning of the words, for
tion of ideas and systems amongst the sui· their eyes have been blinded by the dead
rounding nation?. The role which she en- philosophy, and they have forgotten the
acts in the great drama of humanity, is ap- hope upon which the civilisation of the world
pointed bv the Great Manager of the Thea has been built.—Family Herald,
tre of Society, and it needs but little of the
gift of prophecy to discover thM, as yet, the From the Millennial Harbinger,
greater part of her destiny is before her—
that she is but at present buckling on her IS NOT CHRIST TO SIT UPON THE
armor for the great work to which ehe is ap- THRONE OF DAVID ?
poin ed. No other nation is, as yet, in ad-
LOUISVILLE, April 24th, 1848.
vance of her. All the nations of civilisation
have been shaken but herself* She stands BROTHER CAMPBELL, DEAR SIR :
at present unmoved, like a rock, in the ocean, It is not my intention to write on the
which the lightning will not strike, and the subject of the " coming of the Lord/1 nor
breakers cannot harm. indeed to consider that subject at all,
Yet she wants unity, and there lies her neither as it respects the time, the prepa-
weakness. How can this be cured? Rome ration for it, nor the circumstances attend-
boasts of unity; but it is like that of a poker, ing it. What I now write may be con-
too stiff to bend or to play the part of a pair sidered to have some bearing on that
of tongs. It is an impotent unity, even if it point, or the things stated may involve it;
were real. But it is not real. The Arch- but yet, that is not my present subject. Sa
bishop of Paris has just condemned the Pop- much has been said and written, that
ish press of Paris, and accuied it of all man- what might now be said, could not claim
ner of ecclesiastical outrages—accused it
any attraction on the score of novelty. A
«ven of defending miracles which the Church
subject may be treated until the readers
has not sanctioned. The Univers^ an ultra-
catholic paper, answers the Archbishop, by and hearers may complain of something
publishing the sanction of the Pope himself like, or perhaps more than satiety. Such
to the miracles alluded to! If the priests a thing may have taken place when Noah
themselves are not united, how can the peo- was building the Ark. It is highly probable
ple be? There is no unity in the world. that the subject was heard much in the
England is not singular in her want of unity. days of Jerusalem's overthrow. Since
Bui still it is a great want; and, until it be the days of Miller, something like a scep-
supplied, her universality can be productive tical propensity seems to prevail, and a
of little positive benefit to the poor or the
disposition to lay the matter aside, is be-
world.
ginning to manifest itself., The editor of
After this general outline of the dramatic
character of nations, it is easy to perceive the Millennial Harbinger has not at all
that it is well for humanity at large that this times kept his eye upon the same point,
diversity has been established. Each by it or, perhaps, not looked at the object from
has been compelled to cultivate different the same point; and hence, some appear-
gifts, and to do different parts of the great ance of change even in him. This np-
work of mundane civilisation. If men had pearance I do not, however, blame or find
succeeded in making them all alike, and fault with, when the rage for speculation
subjecting them to ihe same laws, a similar on that rich subject prevailed to so great
development would have takeu place in all; an extent. Indeed, it begins to be among
the diversity would not have appeared, and
the things of the past, and like a tale often
less real positive work would have been
told it attracts no attention. Some of
done. The division of labor increases the
facility of execution, and is a better guaran- those who have been prominent in the
tee for the final beauty and perfection of the discussion, have not evinced their faith
work. Man must labor for the final rest that | by works corresponding; and, therefore,
is promised to the world; and, during that the people have concluded that the " af-
labor, a principle of division of labor—a fair" is but the dream of an enthusiast,
well-known law of Nature—is as scrupu- and unworthy of their notice. Notwith-
lously pursued in the government of nations, standing this general disposition to put the
as it is in the government of factories and question,—" Where is the promise of his
workshops· But when labor is over, then
coming ?" I find in the community " here
cornea rest, then comes enjoyment; and that
and there a traveller" who lives like a pil-
rest is as positively promised to the world, as
ever labor was positively ordained. The grim, and thinks that, as the Apostles be-
time must come when the nations will reet sought the disciples to look for the coming
when war will cease to the ends of the earth of the Lord, and prepare for it, such
—wheii the bow will be brokeu, and the teaching should exist even now. Eighteen
Its not Christ to sit upon the Throne of David?
centuries have passed since the Apostle David, and upon his kingdom to order it,
wrote, and yet the faithful long and look and to establish it with judgment and
for that glorious appearing. justice, from thenceforth even fjrever.
But whither am Ϊ wandering ? This is The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform
not my subject, and it seems I shall say this."
much with respect to it. This very state Oi the Jewish people and Jerusalem,
of affairs of which I speak, may be a better Jesus thus speaks,—Luke 21, 24—"They
indication of the near approach of that shall fall by the edge of the sword, and
time, than any calculation which may be shall be led away captive unto all nations:
made from periods given in prophecy, and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of
or dates afforded by history. It is true the Gentiles, until the time of the Gentiles
that iniquity abounds and the love of many be fulfilled." This language needs no
waxes cold. Novelties in the way of con- comment, yet I must observe that a part
vert-making, and plans for uniting Chris- of this has been, to the letter, fulfilled.
tians, so called, are very abundant. The The Jews are now in all nations, and Je-
plain old way of preaching Christ and him rusalem has been trodden down by the
crucified, of living a godly, quiet life seems Gentiles for nearly eighteen centuries»
to be forgotten ; and stupendous scenes When the time of the Gentiles shall be
on the "one idea" system for bringing all fulfilled, then w 11 the Jews cease to be
churches into one, swallow up that " sim- scattered, and Jerusalem to be trodden
plicity which is in Christ." down. Blindness in part, says Paul, has
One item in my religious creed reads as happened to Israel until the fullness of the
follows—" And the angel said unto her, Gentiles be come in. That same blind-
fear not, Mary, for thou hast found favor ness is yet theirs. But when the full-
with God. And bshold thou shalt con- ness "of the Gentiles is come in, then will
ceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son. that blindness cease. This seems too
and shalt call his name Jesus. He shall plain to be mistaken. I know not for
be great, and shall be called the son of the what purpose this nation is kept and pre-
Highest j and the Lord God shall give served as it is, if all the scripture relative
unto him the throne of his iather David, to them has been accomplished. Verily I
and he shall reign over the house of Ja- believe they are destined to hold the king-
cob forever, and of his kingdom there shall dom under the whole heaven, the sceptre
be no end."—Luke 1, 30-34. And an- of which will be in the hand oi our Prince
other reads thus,—"To him that over- Messiah, and if the subject weie not a
cometh will I grant to sit with me on my common one, and if the peopie had not
throne, even as I also overcame and am heard it before, I would go about to give
set down with my father on his throne." a reason for the belief that is in me. Talk
Prom these I conclude that there ia a of missionary operations to convert the
throne on which Jesus will sit. This he heathen, and of like societies to convert
calls his, (my) to distinguish it from his the Catholics! Strange that men should
father's. It is now evident that he now thus talk when God has pronounced sen-
eits on a throne in the heavens. This tence on a corrupt race; and when our
throne is either God's or David's. If it only hope for the world lies in the resur-
is God, his heavenly father's throne on rection of the sons of Abraham from their
which he now sits, then, hereafter he will religious death. Not that I object to such
eit on his father David's throne. But, if efforts when properly directed. But when
that on which he now sits be David's, I see heathens at our own doors, and irre-
then hereafter he will have one which is ligion fill our streets, I rather think that
called his. That there will be a change of expediency would say, convert your
thrones is evident from the portion last neighbors and your own sons, and then,
cited. That he is not now on his father when these are converted, go with one
David's throne, is evident from the fact oi heart, one faith, one purpose, to the dis-
his being seated~with his father on his (his tant land. The mighty Colossus of super-
father's) throne. I say this is evident, stition that bestrides European, African,
unless some one can prove that David sits and Asiatic nations will fall only by the
on his throne in heaven. I think this will visible manifestations of the Almighty's
not be assumed by any one. Therefore, power. Long since has the prophet said
the throne of his father David is yet to be of Jerusalem,—" The nation and the
occupied by him. To strengthen this kingdom that will not serve thoe, shall
conclusion, I will quote Isaiah,—" Unto us pi rish ; yoa, those nations shall be utterly
a child is born, unto us a son is given ; ol dcMtroyeil.'' Tu the sons ol' Abraham,
the increase of his government and peace engrafted πι. lheir tfood olive, do I look as
there shall be no end ; upon the throne of the only means of a world's eon version.