BEASTS, HEADS, AND HORNS.
By James White
A Methodist presiding elder, passing through Battle Creek seven years ago, had a few leisure hours on the Lord’s Sabbath, and decided to spend them at the S. D. Adventist Sabbath-school, at their house of worship. The lessons for that day were on the prophecies of Daniel and John, relative to the beasts and their heads and horns. The same gentleman visited our large Sabbath-school in the Tabernacle a few weeks since, and the lessons were on the prophecies, as he stated it, “just where they were seven years since.” We need not say that the impression upon the mind of this man of ability and influence, was prejudicial. The reader should not infer from the foregoing, that the lessons used at the Battle Creek Sabbath-school are all upon the prophecies of Daniel and John, for this is not the case; but it is very possible that the prophecies, the sanctuary, and the messages have occupied time in our Sabbath-schools, a portion of which could have been improved to better advantage in teaching the practical lessons given by Jesus Christ and his holy apostles. And are not many of our ministers committing a similar error in traveling the same doctrinal ground over and over before the people, until they lose the power of these subjects out of their own minds, and are consequently destitute of power to move the people? There are subjects opening before us on the great scheme of human redemption, with which are connected practical subjects of the most thrilling interest, and of the greatest importance to our people at this time. And it does appear to us that a proportionate amount of time occupied with these subjects would give new life to both speakers and hearers. We want men of power to preach the gospel of the kingdom, who will receive their light and life from the great Source of light and strength.