BY GEO. C. NEEDHAM.

Christians, who are looking for their Lord from heaven, will joyfully hail the present publication. The author of " Maranatha” has done good service to the church in collating the scriptures bearing on her true hope, and kindred subjects. Those whose hearts have been exercised in this direction, will hereby discern, from the word itself, the relation of the Lord's personal coming to the present time. Little that is human is introduced save the expository paragraphs heading each chap ter, with explanatory remarks interwoven throughout, and these form but the connecting links whereby the harmony and fulness of the word, presenting each special phase of truth, will be more readily appreciated.

Not always does the narration of personal experience furnish proof in argument, nor is the following presented with such a view. It is recorded simply to illustrate how earnest seekers after the truth were led when coming with unbiased minds and teachable hearts to the Scriptures of God.

In the early part of the year 1861, the southern portion of Ireland was visited with the power of God in a very signal manner. Many persons of the Protestant faith, having a name to live, were quickened into newness of life. Lacking opportunity of human teachers, a number of the converts, the writer amongst them, were led to establish a weekly meeting of Bible study. Carefully we sought to compare scripture with scripture, waiting in prayer before the Lord for light on the difficult passages, until the word became living, real, intelligible and precious.

A few of the brethren could read the Greek, which helped us in our critical examination of the New Testament, without previous theological training, and as yet ignorant of the foundation doctrines of truth. We had few theories to bring to the word for test or ratification. Coming to the word for instruction, we earnestly sought the way of the Lord. The Bible became very precious in its literalness and adaptation to the needs and craving of the heart.

It was then, in journeying through the Gospels, and subsequently, in the Epistles, we discovered the prominence given to the second advent of Christ. With limited ideas of what the world outside, or the church around, believed regarding this doctrine, we investigated the word alone, being neither helped or hindered by traditional theology. The glorious coming of our Lord, as an event hastening near, became to our souls an inspiring, energizing hope. It was not death; it was no mysterious spiritual coming; it was not even a literal coming, thousands or millions of years hence, which we were led to embrace.

As the years rolled on, the members of our Bible class separated. Some to-day are able ministers of the New Testament—teachers in the Church of God: some are Evangelists, while others are more private Christians—each one, however, firmly adhering to the personal, premillenial advent of Christ, as the hope set forth in Holy Writ. In later years some of us have given our attention to reading post-millenial writings: we have conversed freely with intelligent brethren, anti-advent in creed and profession. By some we have been entreated to give up what was not popular, whilst others have ridiculed our faith. Notwithstanding the conviction of the scripturalness of our position deepens, and the hope grows more precious.

A long list of names could be given, of fathers in the church in early and later times, whose godly character, and earnest lives were above reproach, who watched for the coming of their Lord. And the list increases each day, numbering now the names of leading ministers in all denominations—nearly all of the well - known Evangelists, and a host of studious, devout men and women in this and other countries. Thus the subject is taking hold on spiritual Christians. To convert men to a dog ma, a creed, an ecclesiastical formula—what of that? But to be instrumental in bringing lost men to Christ, and introducing to beloved saints this joyous, comforting, purifying, invigorating HOPE, is what we earnestly covet. Other truths have their place; other doctrines which endear the Saviour to our hearts, must not be ignored; but why, oh! why, does the church in any of her teachers or members, crowd out, and persistently reject a truth which runs through all the word and enriches the experience of those who hold it in righteousness.

The objections raised against a personal and pre-millenial advent are, for the most part, weak, chiefly based on misrepre. sentation. Take, for instance, the following conversation which took place recently between a Christian minister and the writer. The objections presented by him being the same in substance as raised by others at different times.

“What is your candid objection against the theory of a pre-millenial advent?”

“The advocates of that doctrine differ so widely amongst themselves, and present so many conflicting views, that there is no possibility of determining who are nearest right.”

“I admit there are different views held by pre-millenialists regarding the chronology and order of events, the details of anti-christian developments, and natural judgments; the signs preceding or following our Lord's appearing—but all agree on the great overshadowing features of the Advent itself, viz: The Lord coming in person in His glory, to take His people to Himself, and to commence a new era of things, differing from all previous dispensations, according to the prophetic Word.”

“But then it has a tendency to weaken gospel efforts and make little of the gospel itself.”

“Come, now, do you really believe those men who are governed by this hope are less diligent than others, and have less faith in the gospel as the means which God ordained to gather out a people to His own name? Is Dr. Bonar guilty of the charge?”

“No.”

“Was McCheyne?”

“No.”

“Was Dr. Chalmers, after he had embraced that view?”

“No.”

“Is Mr. Spurgeon?”

“No.”

“Is George Muller?” (the founder of the Bristol Orphanage.)

“No."

“Is D. L. Moody? "

“No.”

“Is Major Whittle, Henry Varley, Dr. Brooks, Bishop Nicholson, or Dr. Tyng? Are they carnal preachers, or careless Christians?”

“No, nothing of the kind.”

“Have you other objections besides these?”

“Oh, well, I have heard of Second Adventists who deny the existence of a personal Devil and a personal Holy Ghost, and are materialists of a low order. They advocate the unconsciousness theory, annihilation and kindred subjects, and do not believe in the soul's existence.”

“Indeed, my brother, I do not deny what you say about that¹ sect. They have done much mischief in connecting the second coming with such doctrines. But you know all truth has disastrously suffered similarly. There is nothing genuine but what is counterfeited, misrepresented, or caricatured, and this potent truth has not escaped the Devil's enmity.”

Thus it is that prejudice, cold indifference, or respect for prominent divines who oppose the truth, hinder many from accepting and rejoicing in that part of God's revelation which tends to make Christians unworldly, spiritual, unselfish, and earnest in their lives. The church in later centuries has lost sight of her true hope, and with rare exceptions, effort is paralyzed, zeal has flagged, the flesh has been pampered, idleness, hardness, heartlessness and worldliness have flowed in like a setting tide sweeping away her testimony as “the salt,” and " light,” from the moment her professed members began to say “my Lord delayeth his coming.”

I believe the thousands of scattered Christians whose hearts have grasped this truth will be heard declaring as with united voice, “the Lord is at hand.” They can no longer keep silence. This truth, proclaimed in the Spirit's power, will save the church from shipwreck.

Receiving it, not as a theory only, but as a living hope that at any moment our Lord may come, and translate His saints to glory, will bring new life and love, and power into the soul, and into the work we are called to prosecute. His cry, “Be hold, I come quickly, " is the onward cheer of the great Commander to nerve His Church to the end. Shall we not gladly respond,” Even so, come Lord Jesus,” for “yet a little while and He that shall come will come, and will not tarry.”

1) Not the Evangelical Adventists who are an humble, pious body of Christians.