"This glorious event is mentioned more than three hundred times in the New Testament alone."
By CARLYLE B. HAYNES
THOSE in all ages who have believed in the literal, personal, visible coming of Jesus Christ the second time to this earth have not followed cunningly devised fables. This doctrine is one of the fundamental doctrines of Holy Scripture. It finds a larger place in the Bible than any other doctrine of the church, this glorious event being mentioned more than three hundred times in the New Testament alone. With the devout believer in the Bible, there can be no doubt that Jesus will come again.
The faith of the believer in this doctrine is founded not on any theory of his own, but upon the clear and convincing testimony of the Sacred Writings, and especially upon the testimony of Jesus Himself, who declared again and again to His disciples that He would come again. An examination of the teaching of the Scriptures on this point will dissolve all doubts that may exist regarding the second coming of Christ.
No Possibility of a Mistake
Just before His death, Christ said to His disciples: "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also." John 14: 1-3.
Here is a clear-cut, unequivocal promise, the meaning of which there is no possibility of mistaking. The Master Himself said, "I will come again." In the same chapter, He repeats this, saying: "I will not leave you comfortless ["orphans," margin]: I will come to you." John 14: 18.
And again He said, "I go away, and come again unto you." John 14: 28.
To the unbelieving Pharisees and scribes, just before His betrayal, He said: "Ye shall not see Me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord." Matt. 23: 39.
The Conviction Irresistible
When instructing His disciples, in answer to their questions as to "what shall be the sign of Thy coming, and of the end of the world," Matt. 24: 3, Jesus said: "Then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: . . . and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory." Matt. 24: 30.
And to His disciples again He said: "The Son of man shall come in the glory of His Father with His angels." Matt. 16: 27.
When adjured by the high priest at His trial, Jesus answered: "Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven." Matt. 26: 64.
And in the last chapter of the Bible, this same Jesus repeats three times this truth of His second coming: "Behold, I come quickly." "And, behold, I come quickly." "Surely I come quickly." Rev. 22: 7, 12, 20.
This uniform testimony of the Saviour is enough to create conviction in every heart that accepts Him as its guide and teacher. There is no doubt here. Jesus is coming again.
Ancient Worthies Proclaimed It
But there is other testimony in the Bible in addition to that of Jesus Himself. This truth of the second coming of Christ to establish an everlasting kingdom and judge the world has been known and taught from the earliest times. The ancient patriarchs, even before the Flood, believed it and taught it.
"Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of His saints, to execute judgment upon all." Jude 14, 15.
David, under the inspiration of God, sang of the time "when the Lord shall build up Zion, He shall appear in His glory." Ps. 102: 16.
And he said again: "For He cometh, for He cometh to judge the earth: He shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with His truth." Ps. 96: 13.
And of this time David again says: "Let the sea roar, and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. Let the floods clap their hands: let the hills be joyful together before the Lord; for He cometh to judge the earth: with righteousness shall He judge the world, and the people with equity." Ps. 98: 7-9.
The prophets also teach the same truth of the second coming of Christ. Isaiah repeatedly refers to this subject. He says:
"It shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for Him, and He will save us." "For, behold, the Lord cometh out of His place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity." "Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompense; He will come and save you." "Behold, the Lord God will come with strong hand, and His arm shall rule for Him." "Behold, the Lord will come with fire, and with His chariots like a whirlwind." Isa. 25: 9; 26: 21; 35: 4; 40: 10; 66: 15.
The Testimony of the Apostles
This truth is also taught by the apostles. Paul says: "Every man in his own order: Christ the first fruits; afterward they that are Christ's at His coming." "For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ." "Ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; and to wait for His Son from heaven." "What is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?" "To the end He may establish your hearts unblamable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints." "The Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout." "The Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels." "Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ." "Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for Him shall He appear the second time." "Yet a little while, and He that shall come will come, and will not tarry." 1 Cor. 15: 23; Phil. 3: 20; 1 Thess. 1: 9, 10; 2: 19; 3: 13; 4: 16; 2 Thess. 1: 7-10; Titus 2: 13; Heb. 9: 28; 10: 37.
And Peter unites his testimony to that of Paul, as follows: "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; and He shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you." "Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ." "And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away." "For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty." Acts 3: 19, 20; 1 Peter 1: 13; 5: 4; 2 Peter 1: 16.
Even Angels Told It
The apostle James gives a similar testimony: "Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. . . . For the coming of the Lord draweth nigh." James 5: 7, 8.
And John testifies to the same truth: "And now, little children, abide in Him; that, when He shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before Him at His coming." "Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him." "Behold, He cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see Him." 1 John 2: 28; 3: 2; Rev. 1: 7.
So important is this truth of the Lord's second coming, that the Father, at the time of the ascension of Jesus, sent two angels with a special message to the earth to tell His disciples that He would return. The record says: "And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven." Acts 1: 10, 11.
Discredited by Sensational Predictions
To no other truth of the Scriptures is there given such prominence as to this truth of the second coming of Christ. Evidently the men who wrote the Bible considered this doctrine of supreme importance. And because of this very importance, the enemy of our souls has labored hard to discredit this doctrine, in the eyes of the people of God. He has succeeded in surrounding it with so much fanaticism that the teaching of the Lord's return has been disbelieved and neglected. So many sensational predictions have been made regarding the second coming of Christ, and have failed of fulfillment, that unbelief in this great event is becoming8prevalent in the church, and the vital importance of the subject is hidden.
But evidently if Christ is coming again to this earth, it is of the utmost importance that the inhabitants of the earth should be made acquainted with that fact, in order that they may make such preparation for this wonderful event as is needful. If His coming is near at hand, as the Scriptures plainly teach—and there are certain indications and signs of God's own giving which prove its nearness—then the church has, in the preaching of the truth of His coming, a most wonderful message to deliver to the world. And that message is one which the church surely needs; for the obvious lack of anything definite in present-day preaching is causing the church to drift upon the rocks of higher criticism and infidelity, until her whole mission is endangered.
In this message of the second coming of Christ, God is calling to His church to renew her allegiance to Him; and just to the extent that she hears and obeys the call will she succeed or fail in her great mission. This is equally true of individuals. Hence it is important that we make a thorough investigation of this great Biblical doctrine, and as we ascertain the truth, accept it, and bring our lives into harmony with it.
Satan Wants It Concealed
Dwight L. Moody, in writing on this subject, wisely says: "To my mind, this precious doctrine—for such I must call it—of the return of the Lord to this earth is taught in the New Testament as clearly as any other doctrine in it; yet I was in the church fifteen or sixteen years before I ever heard a sermon on it. There is hardly any church that does not make a great deal of baptism; but in all of Paul's epistles, I believe baptism is spoken of only thirteen times, while he speaks about the return of our Lord fifty times; and yet the church has had very little to say about it. Now I can see a reason for this. The devil does not want us to see this truth; for nothing would wake up the church so much. The moment a man takes hold of the truth that Jesus Christ is coming back again to receive His followers to Himself, this world loses its hold on him. Gas stocks, and water stocks, and stocks in banks and railroads, are of very much less consequence to him then. His heart is free, and he looks for the blessed appearing of his Lord, who, at His coming, will take him into His blessed kingdom."—"The Second Coming of Christ."
The Church and Earthly Power
"JOIN the best church in the world to the best state in the world, and the combination is bound to prove a curse to the world — and to the church. The church that seeks such a union unclasps her hand from that of her lawful Spouse, and reaches out for that of another, who will accomplish her downfall. In seeking earthly power, she renounces the only power that can keep her and make her a blessing to the world."
Dedicated for Service
Being an account of the dedicatory services of the International Branch of the Pacific Press Publishing Association, at Brookfield, Illinois, held October 4
Employees of the International Branch of the Pacific Press Publishing Association, Brookfield, Illinois
International Branch of the Pacific Press Publishing Association, Brookfield, Illinois
As the readers of the SIGNS have been informed from time to time, our International Branch, which was burned last February in College View, Nebraska, has been in process of rebuilding in Brookfield, a suburb of Chicago, Illinois. A neat, commodious building, well equipped with modern machinery, was completed and ready for dedication according to appointment, October 4, at 2 P. M.
The dedication of our International Branch was a great event in the progress of our Pacific Press Publishing Association and the work for which it stands.
The dedicatory services were held in the assembly room provided for the various meetings of the workers connected with this branch institution. Pastor R. A. Underwood, president of the Central Union Conference, read some appropriate scriptures; and Pastor L. H. Christian, president of the Lake Union Conference, led the congregation in prayer.
Mr. C. H. Jones, president and general manager of the association, presented the reasons why we located in Chicago. Nearly two thirds of the foreign population of the United States is east of the Mississippi River, and a large portion of this two thirds is located in and adjacent to the city of Chicago. Thus as we endeavor to reach this great mass of foreign people, the city of Chicago becomes a natural center.
Beginning of the Movement
Mr. H. H. Hall, vice president of the association, and manager of our book department, presented a concise history of the International office and its work. He told of the beginnings of this movement, when the late Pastor James White and Pastor J. G. Matteson felt stirred to begin publishing for the foreign-speaking element of the United States gospel literature which would present the immanence of Christ's second coming. A few small tracts were published in the Holland and French languages as early as 1858; and in 1866, Pastor J. G. Matteson published a tract in the Danish language on "Which Is the True Sabbath Day?"
Mr. Hall traced the work step by step, showing how our Review and Herald Publishing Association, at that time located in Battle Creek, Michigan, took up strongly the work of publishing foreign literature. In 1904, an international organization was formed in College View, Nebraska, which took over the entire foreign stock of the Review and Herald Publishing Association, and entered upon the publication of such works. Pastor E. T. Russell was the first president of this International Publishing Association.
The work prospered, and much good gospel literature was circulated. The International continued under this form of organization until October, 1914, when Pastor O. A. Olsen and other leading men became impressed with the idea that if this work were made a branch of one of our strong publishing houses, it would be much more prosperous.
Extensive Plans Formulated
The Pacific Press Publishing Association was invited by the North American Division, in November of 1914, to purchase the International office, and carry forward its work on enlarged plans.
A meeting was held in Mountain View, January 25, 1916, at the home office of the Pacific Press Publishing Association, where aggressive plans were laid for the publishing of literature in the various foreign languages represented in the United States. It was voted to start ten new magazines, one each in Russian, Bohemian, Italian, Roumanian, Polish, French, Yiddish, Serbian, Bulgarian, and Hungarian.
Immediately following that meeting, Mr. Hall was sent to College View, then the headquarters of our International Branch, to make definite arrangements for the publication of this literature; but on the morning of February 27, the entire plant in College View was destroyed by fire.
Ten Foreign Periodicals
A meeting was called for March 9 and 10, in Battle Creek, Michigan, at which representatives of the various lines of our work were present. After a careful consideration of the best way in which to serve with literature this foreign population, it was decided, as before stated, to move the International Branch to Brookfield, a suburb of Chicago, Illinois. Plans were made, and the work of constructing the building was vigorously begun, with the result that the institution has now been completed. All of the bills connected with the construction and the installation of equipment were paid, and the building was ready for dedication at the appointed time.
In concluding his remarks, Mr. Hall said that in addition to the carrying out of the plan to launch these ten new foreign periodicals, several of which have already been started, seventy-four new tracts in fifteen different languages are now planned, while the large book "Bible Readings" will be placed in three more foreign languages.
Mr. S. N. Curtiss, recently appointed to act as manager of this branch, rendered a brief report of the building committee, calling attention to the beautiful, well constructed plant, and speaking in high terms of appreciation of the excellent work of Mr. Charles Erickson, a Chicago builder of long experience, who acted as superintendent of construction.
Established Six Branches
Pastor L. H. Christian, president of the Lake Union Conference, whose headquarters are in Chicago, also gave most highly appreciated and valuable service in locating the site and pushing the building forward to completion.
Mr. H. G. Childs, treasurer of the Pacific Press Publishing Association, told the assembly about the organization of the Pacific Press Publishing Company in California in April, 1875. He referred to the branch offices that have been established by this parent publishing association, in New York, in London, England, in Kansas City, Missouri, in Portland, Oregon, in Calgary, Canada, and last and perhaps among the most significant of all, the establishment of this International Branch in Brookfield.
The branch established in London finally developed into one of our largest publishing houses, and is now located on our beautiful estate of sixty-seven acres at Stanborough Park, a suburb of London. This London office acquired its majority a number of years ago, and is no longer connected with the home office of the Pacific Press, except in a fraternal way. It is now operated as an independent institution, under the corporate name of the International Tract Society.
Several years ago, the New York branch was passed over to our sister publishing house, the Review and Herald, of Washington, D. C.
Has $350,000 Invested
The Pacific Press has invested in the home office and its various branches now in operation at Kansas City, Portland, Alberta, and Brookfield, a little more than one third of a million dollars. Eleven hundred men and women are employed in the various offices, and as colporteurs in the field, distributing the publications.
This association has also assisted our foreign mission board in establishing publishing houses in China, Japan, Korea, India, South Africa, Mexico, and in some of the islands of the Pacific Ocean. Mr. Childs, in concluding his report, called attention to the fact that the Pacific Press and its branches are a part of the affiliated publishing associations of our denomination throughout the world, thirty-seven in all.
National Prejudices Out of Place
Pastor I. H. Evans, president of the North American Division, made the principal address of the occasion. He read a portion of the fourteenth of Revelation, calling attention to the world-wide message proclaiming the second coming of Christ.
The purpose of this message, he said, was to reach every nation with the great news of the soon coming of Christ, and to give the warning against the apostasies that would so cloud men's minds that they could not see the clear prophecies which point out the coming of the Lord. (Continued on page 14)10
Dedicated for Service
(Continued from page 9)
There is no place for national prejudices in such a message as this. Every nation must be reached. God loves all nationalities, and would have His followers learn how to follow in His footsteps in this great accomplishment of loving our fellow men and working for their salvation. The message must go to all nations, with prejudice toward none.
America, said Mr. Evans, is a cosmopolitan country. It is unlike any other nation on earth. Go to any of the leading countries of Europe, and you will hear each speaking some particular language, and very seldom do you find any other nationality or language represented in that specific country. But when you come to America, you see all the nations of the earth represented here.
Every Individual Responsible
This International Publishing House is to take the lead in producing message-filled literature to reach these people who are thronging our shores. The responsibility to labor for these foreigners, Pastor Evans said, rests primarily on the local conference presidents. The conference president is to work not merely for the English-speaking people within his borders, but for each and every nationality. Then the union conference men, as well as the North American Division, are to support these local conferences in every way possible in carrying forward this international labor.
The publishing work is one of the mightiest factors in advancing this cause. And a million three hundred seventy-nine thousand dollars' worth of message-filled publications were circulated in the North American Division in the year 1915 alone.
When the International office gets out its publications, there is a big initial expense; but we must get under this work, said Pastor Evans, and push the circulation of the literature. To print it to lie on our shelves will do no good. He expressed appreciation of the fact that the International Branch had finally been located in Chicago, and that a strong organization like the Pacific Press Publishing Association had undertaken the task of promoting the work.
Problem of Gigantic Proportions
Steen Rasmussen, the general secretary of the Foreign Department of the North American Division Conference, here read an inspiring paper on the definite openings for work among various nationalities in the United States and Canada.
"That we have a problem of gigantic proportions on our hands," said Mr. Rasmussen, "no one who is conversant with the real situation will deny. While the state and the church may be greatly concerned over solving the problem from a civil, social, and religious standpoint, in general, with us the question looms up in a different light. While we cannot be otherwise than interested in every effort to benefit the social and the civil condition among the foreigners, still the one great outstanding factor must be, how to reach these people in the quickest and most effective way with the message of the soon coming of Christ. What can we do to help these millions of precious souls? How shall we go at it? What are the definite openings for work among some of these nationalities?"
Mr. Rasmussen then told of the prosperity that had attended our efforts to reach these various nationalities. He spoke of the earnest men and women who were working among the Russians, the Italians, the Poles, the Bohemians, the Hungarians, the Finns, etc., and of the numbers baptized, and what self-sacrificing labors these earnest workers were putting forth to reach the people of their own nationality with the great message of the coming Saviour.
Pastor Haffner, general secretary of the German work in the North American Division, spoke a few words in regard to the results of our efforts among the Germans.
Pastor Mortenson, secretary of the Swedish Department, likewise spoke of the progress and the outlook among the Swedes. Pastor Broderson, secretary of the Danish-Norwegian Department, told of the work among the Danes and the Norwegians.
Dedicated for Christian Service
Pastor E. T. Russell, the first president of the International Association, made a few well chosen remarks in reference to the early history of the organization, and then offered the dedicatory prayer.
Following the service, the workers in the institution immediately repaired to their posts, the machinery was started, and the guests made a tour of the building, inspecting its various busy departments in active operation. Mrs. Curtiss, the wife of the manager of the International Branch, assisted by half a dozen young women, nurses from the sanitarium at Hinsdale, served refreshments in one of the large rooms that had been suitably arranged for the occasion.
The First Congregational Church in Brookfield, of which the Rev. H. B. Hall is pastor, very kindly tendered us the use of their neat and commodious house of worship for a service in the evening. At that service, our vice president, Mr. H. H. Hall, of the home office in Mountain View, California, gave a stereopticon lecture, showing various views connected with our thirty-seven publishing houses and branches, located on every continent, and on the principal islands of the various oceans of the world.
It was an inspiring occasion; and the house, which was packed to the limit of its capacity with citizens from Brookfield and other interested friends of the work, showed a deep appreciation of what was presented.
The stereopticon presentation of our publishing work was followed by a twenty-minute address on our world-wide work as shown in the publishing houses, sanitariums, schools, and missions and conferences operating now in some ninety-four of the different languages of the earth. Thus closed one of the most interesting days in the history of the Pacific Press Publishing Association.
Vicious Films in the Guise of Morality
By Editor
"VICIOUS Films in the Guise of Morality" is a heading that a recent metropolitan daily uses for an editorial. It talks of the efforts that the said paper has put forth to have the picture shows in its particular city relieved from the interference of the overzealous censor, but it finds that "there has been a tendency on the part of some exhibitors to take advantage of the city's new and liberal policy." The editor concludes with the statement: "It is time that we rid the city of pictures that are objectionable. Respectable managers must be made to know that morbid shows will not pay. Other managers must be put out of business, if necessary."
Christians Accepted at What Price?
A PROMINENT churchman recently said: "Christians are no longer looked upon with contempt. They are no longer persecuted and afflicted. They are now looked upon with favor by the world." But at what a price! At the loss of their power, perchance at the loss of their souls, has come the change.
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By Editor
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EDITORIAL
By Editor
VICIOUS MOVIE FILMS POPULAR
Anybody who has lived in this present world for any length of time ought to know that "morbid shows" are the very ones that do pay; and the reason why managers persist in running all kinds of risks in order to present morbid shows, is because they find that such are the most profitable kind of shows to give. In one of the large cities of the Middle West, a show was recently running, presenting some phase of the subject of "birth control." Announcement had been made that only women of mature age would be permitted to enter. Passing along the street of that city, you would see a line of women nearly a block long in front of the door, waiting their turn to purchase a ticket and enter. It was evident, from the advertising, that this show had some "morbid features"; and it was clear to the passing observer that it was very popular. Humanity likes to think of itself in these times as being highly civilized—likes to think that it is on a very superior plane. But the man who has not permitted himself to be hypnotized by popular sentiment knows that the facts all clearly indicate that this age and generation is becoming more and more perverse. It is rapidly reaching the time foretold by the Saviour, when it will so fully represent the iniquitous conditions of Sodom that He will be obliged to strike with the sore judgments which will afflict the wicked immediately preceding His coming.
PARENTAL AUTHORITY WANING
By Editor
An editorial in the Detroit Free Press discusses the difficulties of mothers, in these times, in training their daughters. The phrase that the mother hears most frequently is, "The other girls do it;" and with this statement, the mother is brushed to one side. If the other girls do it, that settles it. One of the most perplexing problems of this time is the frame of mind into which parents have permitted themselves to be driven concerning their children. The sentiment has grown strong that children can no longer be controlled, but that they must be allowed to have their own way. It is the exception where parental restraint is properly administered. The rule is for children at a very early age to begin to do very much as they please, and this accounts for a great deal of the laxity in morals in these times. Parents who still have their children in their arms should think seriously of the admonitions of the divine Word, and should resolutely determine, so far as their own homes are concerned, that they shall not drift under the destructive influences of this time. One of the things that the apostle Paul speaks of as making the last days perilous is "disobedience to parents." While the recklessness of the youth of this age may be appalling as we consider the harvest that must result from it, yet there is no necessity why those who fear God and trust in Him should allow their children to drift into the whirlpool of destruction that is the fate of so very many in these portentous times.
DANGERS OF CONCENTRATED WEALTH
There have been wealthy men in all countries, and in all ages. There have been times when the wealth of a nation was gathered into the hands of a few citizens. But when this is true of a nation, that nation is on the road to ruin. History shows that the concentration of wealth, together with the debasements that follow in the wake of the consequent extravagance and luxury, have produced the downfall of nation after nation. With emphatic clearness does the Bible show that "heaped treasure," and "wantonness," along with oppression of the poor, will create a worldwide problem that will mark the "last days." We are exhorted to be patient to the coming of the Lord, and are assured that the Judge is standing before the door. That Judge who is about to enter, is none other than the One who gave the Golden Rule, and He will destroy that which is out of harmony with His perfect standard of righteousness.
APOSTASY ACCOMPANIES POPULARITY
This fatal popularity has come because the church is not treading faithfully in the footsteps of her Lord. It is because the standard of the church has been lowered to meet the standard of the world.
These days of favor are days of peril for the church. Such also is the testimony of history. The early church was mercilessly persecuted—yet it thrived despite all this. The blood of those ancient martyrs watered the seeds of truth, and there was a glorious harvest. Though hated and despised and rejected of all men, the cause of Christ was exalted, and they received this testimony of approval: "I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich). . . . Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: . . . be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life." Rev. 2: 9, 10. But a change came. The bitter persecutions ceased. The unpopular cause grew in favor with the world. And with what result?—Christians were no longer looked upon with contempt. Baptized pagans were received into the church unconverted, there to remain. The purity of the primitive church was stained with apostasy. The standard of godliness trailed in the dust. Persecution served to purify, but unrighteousness made its inroads when nominal Christianity became popular.
DRIFTING INTO LUKEWARMNESS
By L. E. F.
Let us examine ourselves, and see if our lack of spiritual power is caused by a laxity on our own part. Has our love waxed cold because of the abounding iniquity of these last days? Are we in that state of nauseous lukewarmness and lethargy predicted of the church in these last days? (Rev. 3: 14-22.) We have entered upon uncommon times. The church is drifting. Perilous innovations are introduced to hold the interest and sustain the attendance. God charges us with making high profession, yet being destitute of real spiritual life. Having a form of godliness will not save us. The accumulated light of the ages shines upon us. Heaven expects much from us. Yet the remnant church has grown cold. Many a church has become a spiritual corpse. Regeneration is the crying need of the hour. Without this, all our ethics, creeds, organizations, and institutions are useless — yes, worse than useless, for they are deceptive. The times demand a genuine reformation of life, a return to the teachings and practices of the Bible.
