Question for Bro. Loughborough. Is the generation spoken of in Matt. xxiv, 34, the generation that lives to see the signs, darkening of the sun and falling of the stars, or the generation our Saviour was speaking to, his disciples, the righteous seed, which the Lord says shall be accounted to him for a generation, spoken of in Ps. xxii, 30.
REPLY.
I understand that the generation spoken of in this testimony is the one which can learn the parable of the fig tree, or, in other words, the generation which can see these signs (the three you mention) fulfilled, that is, can look back upon them as matters of history. And in support of this position I would assign the following reasons: First, the generation must mean what is commonly in Bible language meant by a generation, otherwise we are left in obscurity and doubt as to what the text means. If we are not to understand the term generation in its commonly accepted sense in the Bible, who shall tell us what it does mean? And who can tell us whether the Lord had reference to the fact that the Jews should not all pass off from the earth as some claim, or as you intimate, that there should be those who believe in Christ when he comes. The very text to which you refer to sustain the supposed position that a generation means the righteous seed, you will find by reading carefully, uses the term generation in a secondary sense. “A seed shall serve him; it shall be accounted to the Lord for a generation.” Then it is not actually what is commonly understood as a generation, but it shall be accounted so to the Lord. And why? Because all being brought into his service by the power of his truth and Spirit, they are not counted as successive generations, begotten one of another, but accounted to him as one generation. If you examine carefully the connection of the above text you will see very strong intimations that it applies to the state which is to ensue after the kingdom of the Lord is established. Should that be the case, it applies to a people who are “born at once.” Isa. lxvi, 8. And who are “made perfect” together. Heb. xi, 40. And as these are never to die and be succeeded by others, they may indeed be accounted to the Lord for a generation. But letting this text apply as it may, it certainly uses the term generation in a secondary sense.
If then we are to regard the Bible as a literal book, we are not to leave the first or primary use of words for a secondary, unless there is a just cause from the nature of the language to depart from its literal construction. But I shall try to show that in this case there is an actual necessity to abide by the literal or primary use of the word generation. I will suppose all to readily admit that this testimony of Matt. xxiv, is especially giving signs concerning Christ’s coming and the end of the world. With this view we will say Christ speaks of events to come, and gives signs of his coming as follows: Tribulation on the church, immediately after tribulation sun darkened, moon not give her light, stars fall. “Now learn a parable of the fig tree: when its branch is yet tender and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh; so likewise ye, when ye see all these things come to pass, know that it is near, even at the doors. This generation shall not pass,” &c. What generation? The one that can learn the parable. Who can learn the parable? The ones that can see the signs. Who knows that summer is nigh? Surely the one that can see the trees putting forth their leaves. The signs then correspond to the fig leaves. But you cannot see the fig leaves until they appear, neither can you see the signs as spoken of here until they are fulfilled and matters of history. Then as soon as the stars had fallen (third sign), we have what are compared to fig leaves and can learn the parable, but never before. Then the generation that shall not pass is the one that can thus learn this parable. What are we to learn? “Know that it [margin he] is near, even at the doors.” This certainly intimates that we are brought very near to the time of his coming, “even at the doors.” And to still further confirm the idea that this brings us very near the end, he says, “Of that day and hour knoweth no man.” This language shows that we are brought so near the time, that some will be striving to ascertain the day and hour. Now with this idea before us let us read the text, substituting the definition you give to the term generation. “God’s people shall not all pass off from the earth till all these things be fulfilled.” It is very true they will not all pass off, for if they did God’s word could not be fulfilled in other portions that present before us the coming of Christ. For instance, God’s people say in that day: “This is our God, we have waited for him.”
To claim that this expression means all God’s people shall not pass off, is passing from certainty to uncertainty. But admitting it to mean that the present race of active men and women who can look back and see these signs fulfilled are not to pass until Christ in all his glory comes, and then there is force in the text. But to say it means the people of God should not all pass would be equally true if it should not come for five hundred years after the signs, for every one knows that the Bible could not be fulfilled unless some of God’s people are on earth at the time of Christ’s coming. There being no prospect, then, that they would all pass off before the coming of Christ, it would furnish no clue whatever to the subject for which this chapter was written.
We say then in conclusion, that this chapter was written to show God’s people signs of Christ’s coming. But to give the term generation the secondary meaning you propose destroys the object for which the chapter was written. To give the term generation its common and Bible-accepted meaning, there is force in it, and the object of the chapter is carried out; therefore there can be no grounds to pass from the common acceptation of the term generation. The generation is now upon earth that is to witness the coming of Christ. Nearly thirty years of that generation are gone. Rapidly are we hastening to life eternal or a doleful death. May the Lord arouse us to a sense of these things is my prayer, and save us from anything that savors of a cry of peace and safety when sudden destruction awaits the world.
THE WORK.
By J. Clarke
WHEN a nation sends out an army against a foreign foe, many prayers are offered for the success of arms, and the whole nation feels a deep interest in favor of the cause, if it is a just and necessary war.
At present the messengers have entered upon the work in new fields, and the church feels much interest in the success of the work; but do we pray? There is apathy, coldness, worldliness, pride, stubbornness, self-confidence, vain-glory, unbelief, and mammon-worship, in the church. Does the church pray? Satan is misleading honest souls! Do we pray? The enemy is sifting the weak and the strong, and many are fast asleep, and more are very drowsy upon enchanted ground. Do we pray? Ungoverned, unsubdued children, are bringing darkness and death upon easy and indulgent parents. Do the brethren and sisters pray? The best gifts in possession of the church are undervalued, and prejudice is being engendered, and the disease is spreading, and in some localities it is evident the honest are in danger. Who is praying now?
Ah, yes, there are many prayers offered, but does the church as a whole pray in Spirit and in truth? Are there not some jealous and suspicious of the work at Battle Creek, lest those who have charge of the work there should err? Can we not trust in God, who has charge of this work? Is not all heaven interested in this work? Can we not trust in God to watch over his own work, while we watch lest we be led astray by the all-deceivableness of Satan? Cannot every honest soul that mourns for sin, and that sighs for the abominations done in the land, cry out as one man, O Lord, light up all our hearts with true heavenly devotion, with an unceasing, ever-glowing flame?
J. CLARKE.
A Swiss Brother’s Testimony
By T. Fr. Frauenfelder
From Bro. Frauenfelder.
DEAR BRO. WHITE : I feel very thankful to the Lord that I ever could see the truth and embrace it with all my heart, and read our publications. I often rejoice in the Lord that truth looks so plain and clear to me. I have to say to such as wish to know and understand the truth, read the publications and you will be convinced that the Advent doctrine is the truth, and the Bible doctrine only. I can hardly see why everybody can not see and understand the truth in it, and embrace it with the whole heart. I have not lived a long time in this country. It is only a few years since I left my home in Switzerland, and I have had much trouble in learning to speak and to read English. But by the grace of God I can read and understand our books, and the Review, and feel encouraged every time I read the letters from the brethren and sisters scattered abroad. I believe that the day of the Lord hasteth greatly. The world is soon coming to an end. Jesus is soon coming to make up his jewels, and to gather his ransomed ones home. The nations are rising in strife and commotion, kingdom against kingdom, and earth’s history is fast closing. My prayer is that I may live according to my profession, walking in the commandments of God and in the faith of Jesus, the only safe way that leads to everlasting life. I wish that we all might live closer to God and step on higher and holier ground. May the Lord help us to be faithful, sober, and watchful, and may we never forget that we have a strong enemy to fight against, and that the best weapon against this enemy is a strong faith in God, his word, his promises, and a pure and honest heart given only to Christ; and by fervent and earnest prayer to God in the name of Jesus Christ our crucified Lord and Saviour, we may obtain help of the Lord through all temptations and trials. May the Lord bless all his dear children abroad, wishes your unworthy brother striving for eternal life.
T. FR. FRAUMENFELDER.
Monroe, Wis.
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APPOINTMENTS.
By M. E. Cornell
Providence permitting, I will meet with the brethren on my Eastern tour as follows:
Roxbury, Vt., April 4–6.
Washington, N. H., " 10–12.
Boston, Mass., " 18–20.
I expect to visit several places in N. Y. on my return, and will appoint in due time.
M. E. CORNELL.
MISTAKES.
By Uriah Smith
THE editors of the Star in the West furnish the following modest attempt at correcting certain rather wide-spread mistakes.
It is a mistake to suppose that the subscription price of a paper is clear gain to the publisher.
It is a mistake to suppose that he gets his white paper for nothing.
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It is a mistake to suppose that he can live, bodily, by faith.
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It is a mistake to suppose that money due for the paper would be as good to us in a year as it would be now.
It is a mistake to suppose that we would not be thankful for what is due to us, and for new subscribers.
To the foregoing we may add the following, which seem to be quite as wide-spread, and as often acted upon, as any above mentioned.
It is a mistake to suppose that we can remember the address of every subscriber on our books, so that we can turn to it at once when they do not give it.
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U. S.
God’s Hand in Trouble
Nothing is more calculated to quiet the mind in trouble, than viewing all things in the hand of God; and that God as our friend.
REPORT FROM BRO. LOUGHBOROUGH.
By John Norton Loughborough
DEAR BRO. WHITE : Since writing my last, my lectures have closed in the town of Ransom. I gave in all twenty-four lectures in that place. Although the current of sectarianism was strong against the truth (though it was manifest in secret working instead of public opposition) several have become convinced of the truth, and over half a dozen in that neighborhood have come out to obey the Lord's commandments. We trust others will yet be induced to join them.
I have just closed a two days' meeting here, which was held for the organization of the church. A church was organized to-day of thirty-two members. Some were detained from the meeting by the storm, who will probably join when they have opportunity, and some others wished to be baptized before uniting with the church. I spend next Sabbath and first-day in Hanover, Jackson Co., for the purpose of organizing a church there. After that I shall return and give a course of lectures in Jefferson, a few miles south of this.
J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.
Hillsdale, Mich., March 16, 1862.