It H £
CHKIS5TIAJV -SUHr
VOL. I.
“ Tiie Lord God is a Sun and Shield”
HILLSBOROUGH, N. C. NOVEMBER, 1844.
1VO. 11.
* From the Christian Messenger*.
Interview Between an Old and Young Preacher.
Y. P.—Father T, my mind has been,
and yet is, much embarrassed on viewing
the effects of the gospel now preached, in
comparison of what they were in its first
promulgation. Will yon explain to me
the reason of it?
O. P. I will gladly try. It is an im
portant matter, and has not been sufficient
ly considered by the present generation of
Christians. I will state what I view to be
the causes, first* negatively, and secondly,
positively.
1. Negatively. It is not because We
have not the same gospel. This must be
acknowledged by all. It is not, because
we have not the same gracious and Al
mighty God and Saviour, who are the same
yesterday, to-day, and forever.
It is not because we have not the same
privilege, for the throne of grace is as ac
cessible by the fallen world now as then
-—the same Spirit of promise—the same
life and salvation offered freely to all with
out exception,—the same motive to obe
dience proposed to the world in every
age. ’
2. Positively. I consider the reasons
why the gospel produces not the same
great and good effects now, as in the first
ages of the church, to be many, which are
necessary to be known in order to be cor
rected, as soon as can be done, as far as
human agency is concerned.
1. The early rise, growth and establish
ment of Ant^Christ or the man of sin; or
the apostacy spoken of by Patti, (2 Thes.
ii.) is one great cause. The two witness
es—-theold and new Testaments, have
been prophesying in sackcloth ever since,
as predicted by the apostle John. This
event is represented by him in two very
strong figures;|one of which is recorded in
Rev. v. A book, sealed with s£ven seals;
so effectually sealed, that none in heaveil
nor on eartli was able to open the book ot
look thereon. Yet it was preserved and
held in the right hand of him who sat upon
the throne. This book was, without doubt,
the book of God’s revelations,—the Bible
given to the poor benighted world as a
directory how to escape from ruin, and en
ter into eternal life. But an enemy—the
man of sin, sealed it from the view of men,
even forbidding them to read it; for in the
! light of it he could not live, nor seat him*
■ self as God in the temple of God, and bind
the nations under hts power and dominion.
John wept much at the sight, till an angel
was sent to inform him that the Lion of
the tribe of Judah had prevailed to take
the book, and loose the seals thereof,.
! The seals have been opening ever since
that time; the seventh yet remains un
opened, when the mystery of Gad shall be
finished—the everlasting gospel restored
—the King of glory again descend to earth
—and Babylon and the man of sin be de
stroyed.
Another representation is a star failed
from heaven, which opened the bottom
less pit, and a great smoke as of a furnace
issued thence, which darkened the sun and
the air. This smoke is the doctrine erf1
devils, and of men under their influence—
this has darkened the character of God—the
sun and shield of his people—and has ob
scured the scriptures, which is the air*
through which medium he shines, and
communicates light and life to them. Well
may the two witnesses be id Sackcloth and
mourning, that their testimony i3 so ob
fled red and Sc/ little effect produced among
mankind now! * That the hook is partial
ly sealed yet, and the testimony obscured,
is too evident to be denied—witness the
jarring’; contending' parties in Christendom*
This state of things I fear, will continue!
; till the destruction of the man of sin, and
fall of Babylon* w%ieh will ftti taka