| Show THE SECOND COMING the frequency with which dates are set et for the second coming of the lord which event i in anticipated to in the latter days by all believers in the bible and the uniformity with which those set et dates prove to be erroneous serve to 40 impress people generally in two wayt dayi one that those who fix such dates clate aare are not possessed of accurate information on the subject and therefore are unreliable as ae gulden and two that the general attention given to the subject Is a strong suggestion of the near approach ot of the great event certainty concerning which cornea comes only by direct revelation A parallel existed prior to and sit at the first coming comi there was the same general antici anticipation lation among the people who looked for a deliverer and there was also a multiplicity of erroneous ideas as to the manner and time of but ab aa io in the nearness of its approach the great event of the first coming cast ito ite shadow before it in the minds minde of the people nineteen centuries ago age eo the nearness arness ue of the second coming is felt among the various nations of the earth now and points out the fact that the present are the latter days referred to in the prophetic word among the many dates fixed for the second coming Is one now attracting considerable attention atteo tion in western pennsylvania where preachers anno announce ulce the event for or Chris christman day 1899 the believers in this view brinle many scriptural quotations with which to establish toeur claim but like other people who nave have been mistaken in the past and still others who will blunder in the sutures they lail jail to consider those thorie pall passages egges of scripture which effectively controvert the accuracy of their assertions eions the scripture which says that no man knows ibe day of the second coming to is sufficient to show bow that all efforts ol oi men to deduce the precise date from prophetic history must tail fail for neither sacred nor secular history can reveal that which it doe not con contact tait while the declaration of the lord that neither angels nor inen men shall know until he suggests the futility of endeavoring to ascertain an exact unto for the lords appeal guce which will he as he informed HIE disciples anciently in an hour when ye think not but though the day of the lord as al applied plied to toe the exact date of his corn com ing in power has not noi been and la Is not to be revealed to the world until it is at hand band there are promised certain indications by which the be approach of that day can be recognized and preparation be made among these may loo be noted the ote lenoral impression of the nearness of such cuch an event already re berred to another to is the fact that it will be some sometime time near the beginning of the seventh thousand years and it 11 we had bad a correct chronology from the time ol of man belne beina placed in the garden of eden it would be possible poe sible to approximate closely to the year but bui buch chronology is in not and there are others still more pointed and safer aster tor for reliance than either of these they are indicated in the revelations which the lord has given to his servants servant both in ancient and modern times and are in the form of prophecies concerning the situation which shall exist in the latter days of the restoration of the ibe jews the progress of man in the arts and sciences ances and also his bis transgressions and add the COD consequent sequent distress that shall prevail upon we the earth there is also the Sav lois promise that the gospel of the kingdom shall be preached for a witness of the end and his revelation to st john that that anat gospel shall be restored by angelic power with the ADDO announcement that we the hour of his judgment is come the perfect cha character racier of these indications as shown in existing circum stances leaves no doubt lo in the abs observant e r mind that the coming of the be t lord la is drawing near the period of the winding up scene in which the he fullness of the gentiles was to come in ID has baa received its ha fulfillment the gospel has been restored to earth and is ie being preached to the nations nat lone the spirit of the lord Is poured out upon all flesh bleab giving a wonderful wood erful intelligence in the arts arta of civilized progress aud the uncertainties and divisions in religious matters which oleo also were to prevail de belving it if possible the very elect with the attendant disregard of the laws of god and the consequent testimony of his wrath in the disturbing visitations of the elements all are here and mark the proximity of we second coming of the lord with an absolute certainty and the divine word has set met a limit to the time when all these things will con boue and in which they shall ond find a COD consummation SummatiOn when the fig tree forth its leaves then know thattie bat abe summer is birb said the master when referring to this subject he further said this generation in which these things shall be shown forth ball not pass paes away until all 1 I 1 have tou you shall be fulfilled and he declared that abe earth should see the son SOD ol of MUD man coming in ic the clouds of heaven with power and great glory the time for that great event la Is drawing close fur for it there is a work of preparation and that work has been going oo on in this century and still to pressing forward the latter day saints who live jive up to their duties and privileges recognize the signs of the tims and what they they also recognize that there is yet a great work to do in they must meet tribulations and make sacrifices but that the lord will out his elie work short in righteousness those who are faithful will be prepared for the coming of the lord and it does not require the fixing of any particular date to enable them to get gel ready they keep in readiness for his providence provi dences at all times as they have strength and thereby obtain that experience and power which are designed to enable them to continue faithful faith lul in time and in eternity |
