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so in the progressive increase of divine light, in the millennial day, it will continue to shine from one place to another, unto all the earth or every part under heaven, shall be fully illuminated. Not that all will receive the light and profit by it; for many will undoubtedly hate and shun it to their condemnation; according to the testimony of our Savior: "And this is the condemnation, that "light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than "light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth “evil, hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds "should be reproved."*

The same ideas concerning an instantaneously universal display of the coming of Christ, in the clouds of the sky, which so generally prevail at the present day, were doubtless entertained by the translators of the Bible. Hence it is easy to account for the translation of so many passages in a manner most favorable to their preconceived notions; and especially where the words in the original would admit of such a translation.

As to the expressions, "In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump," and such like, nothing can be proved from them to confirm the opinion of an instantaneous and, at the same time, a universal display of Christ's second coming to judge the world. Nor are those expressions, even in their most literal sense, by any means inconsistent with the idea of the event's having begun to take place in this country more than forty years ago; but is perfectly consistent with the belief of its having taken place suddenly, with respect to thousands, during that period of time; and also with the belief that it may take place as suddenly, with respect to many thousands more, within forty years to come. For altho the increase of the light of the gospel in the soul, is gradual and progressive, from its dawn to the perfect day; yet the conviction of sin, and also the first rays of light, are often sudden and instantaneous; and so also are the judgments of God on the wicked, and many other changes which both the righteous and the wicked will find to pass through, before God shall have finished his work in them, and with them.

But it will be necessary to illustrate, more particularly, the progress of the work of God, in Christ's second coming, by the similitude of the breaking forth of light in the east: for as before observed, our Savior, in this similitude, evidently alluded to the sun, the light of the natural day, and not to the lightning. It is well known that the day first commences by the dawning of light in the east. The twilight succeeds; and the morning light gradually increases till the rising of the sun. The sun however, does not shine over the face of the whole earth at one and the same time; but appears rising from one degree of longitude to another still further west,

* John iii. 19, 20. The word here translated reproved signifies discovered or exposed.

until, in the space of twenty-four hours, it is seen rising and enlightening the whole habitable globe. So that it necessarily happens, that while the eastern nations are enjoying the cheering rays of the morning sun, the western world is wrapped in midnight darkness.

Agreeable to this comparison, if we consider the great length of the millennial day, we may readily perceive that, in its progress through its whole course, there must be a great difference in the period of its commencement, in different parts of the world. The labors and employments of the natural day are as various as the times of their commencement. The act of waking from sleep, of rising, dressing and performing the duties of the morning, or of making preparation for the more important work of the day, is very different from the general labors of the day; yet this morning labor is really necessary, and preparatory to that which appears more important. But it must be considered that this preparatory or morning labor cannot take place all over the earth at once; and so it is also with regard to the general labors of the day. For while the labors of the morning are going on in one part of the earth, the midday labors are progressing in another part, and the evening labors in another. Thus the morning, midday, afternoon and evening labors are all in actual operation at one and the same time, but in different and distant parts of the earth.

"So also shall the coming of the Son of man be." The light of the millennial day is as gradual and various, in its commencement and progress, as the light of the natural day; and, like this, cannot possibly take place throughout the world at once, any more than the light of the sun can be seen at once over the face of the whole earth. It appears to be the prevailing opinion among those who are looking for the millennium, that the preparation for that day is to be finished over the whole world first; and that the second coming of Christ is to take place in a similar manner, and become at once universal. This idea is wholly inconsistent with reason, and has no foundation in truth.

Among the many providential events which are evidently preparatory to the introduction of this new era to the world, we may remark,

1. The extensive and increasing prevalence of the spirit of religious toleration among mankind. This is absolutely necessary in order to check and bind the spirit of persecution, which would otherwise rage beyond control, at the introduction of a new religion which must and will be contrary to every feeling of the carnal nature of man.

2. The increasing sense of the importance of peace and good will among mankind, as absolutely essential to christianity; and the many exertions in various places to promote this desirable ob

ject by means of peace societies and peace publications. These are essentially necessary, in order to curb those Cain-like passions of man, which would otherwise defeat, if possible, every attempt to propagate a peaceful and sinless gospel among the inhabitants of a contentious and sinful world.

3. The many exertions which are made through the influence of benevolent and humane societies, and other liberal means, for the abolition of slavery, and the amelioration of mankind. This is an important object: for unless every nation, class and color of people can enjoy free, just and equitable rights, they cannot be made the partakers of a free, just and equitable religion, the benevolent and impartial gift of Him who "hath made of one blood all nations of men.”

4. The increasing attention to the important concerns of religion, and the many religious revivals which are continually springing up in various places, attended with manifestations of peculiar light and power. These are the most effectual operations of Divine Providence to excite mankind to see and feel the necessity of finding some way of deliverance from the bondage of sin, and to call them to that genuine repentance which leads to a life of righteousness and true holiness, "without which no man shall see the Lord." Some seem to be aware that these events are preparatory to the millennium, and view them as evident signs of the coming of Christ, while they are utterly unconscious that the preparation and the real work of the day, are both in actual progression, at the same time, agreeable to the similitude already noticed. The work of rising from spiritual sleep, of being convinced of the need of a Savior, and of lifting up the head and looking for redemption in Christ's second coming,* are all very different from receiving and walking in him, and being in the real work of his Kingdom; yet all these are necessary, and pertain to the work of the millennial day. The forementioned providential events are evident preparations, and actual signs of the approach of that day to an extensive increase, which, in a limited degree, has already commenced.

Many, seeing these signs, are looking for the appearance of the Son of man, not knowing that he is already come, nor where to look for him. The reflecting rays of the Sun of righteousness wake souls from the sleep of a fallen, sinful nature, and afford them light to see their lost and deplorable state, and their absolute need of a Savior. Hence they sigh and groan for deliverance, and hence they pray and wrestle in spirit, for that redemption which is promised in the day of Christ's second appearing. And all who continue honest and faithful to the preparatory light, looking and waiting for his coming, are noticed of God, and will be in

-See Luke xxi, 28,

readiness to receive and enter into the perfect work of the day, whenever it shall be manifested to them.

CHAPTER IV..

The Manifestation of Christ in the Female.

MANY objections have been raised against the doctrine of the appearance of Christ in the female, the principle ground of which seems to be, that it is not warranted by scripture, nor consistent with reason. To obviate these objections and confirm the doctrine, both by scripture and reason, is the design of this chapter. In searching the records of scripture we find that, on many extraordinary occasions, in past ages, there were females, as well as males, raised up and qualified to do the will of God and to accomplish his work. There were prophetesses, as well as prophets, in those days; which evidently shows that women, as well as men, were not only designed to enjoy the special favor of God; but also that they were originally designed to have a correspondent share in teaching and guiding the human race, in directing the destinies of nations and governing the world, which is composed of females as well as of males, who certainly stand in need of instruction, direction and government.

It appears evident that Miriam the prophetess had a share with Moses and Aaron, in delivering the children of Israel from the bondage of Egypt, and in leading them through the wilderness: for thus saith the Lord; "I brought thee up out of the land of “Egypt, and redeemed thee out of the house of servants; and I "sent before thee Moses, Aaron, and Miriam.”* Esther was also raised up, as an instrument in the hands of God, to deliver the Jews from destruction, when no man was found able to do it.

Deborah the prophetess was also raised up, in the days of the Judges, and set over Israel; and, through her instrumentality, a very great deliverance was wrought for that nation. This appears the more extraordinary, as being a deliverance from their bondage to the original inhabitants of the land of Canaan, whom they had been commanded to cast out and destroy; and it appears to be the only time that they, as a nation, were ever brought into bondage to these natives of the land. "And the hand of the children of Israel prospered and prevailed," under the ministration of Deborah, until they destroyed the power of the Canaanites, so that they never obtained any dominion over Israel afterwards. Thus the work which had been begun by Joshua, (who was a type of, Jesus,) was at length completed by a female.

Herein was typified the work of God in Christ's first and

* Micah vi. 4.

† See Judges, chap. iv.

second appearance, as it respected the warfare of christians against their spiritual enemies. The Canaanites prefigured the carnal passions of human nature, which God had commanded his people to cast out, and against which Jesus Christ began the warfare. But by leaguing with them, as the Israelites did with the Canaanites, the primitive Christians, in process of time, lost their power and their order, and were overcome and held in bondage by these carnal passions, until the way was opened for a final deliverance, through the instrumentality of a female.

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The song of Deborah, after this extraordinary victory, is worthy of remark. "They ceased in Israel, until that I Deborah arcse, that I arose a mother in Israel.” If then a mother was raised up in Israel to deliver that nation from their bondage to the Canaanites, and to destroy their power and dominion over Israel, why should it be thought inconsistent for God to raise up a mother in the spiritual Israel, to deliver them from their bondage to the spiritual Canaanites, and to destroy their power and dominion, and thus to complete the work which Jesus began?

The many instances recorded in the sacred writings, prove beyond dispute, that in past ages, God did condescend to reveal his mind and will to females, who were then commissioned, by Divine Authority, to bear testimony thereof to man. And the two signal instances of deliverance effected through the instrumentality of Deborah and Esther, are sufficient to show that God did, on each of these extraordinary occasions, raise up and empower a female to accomplish an extraordinary deliverance, which was beyond the power of man to effect without their assistance.

If then, God has, in these last days, raised up a female to reveal the true testimony and Spirit of Christ, and endowed her with power to effect the deliverance of lost man from the bondage of sin, and to usher in the latter day of glory, shall man reject the work on that account? Is it too debasing to the pride and haughtiness of fallen man? If so, let it be remembered that, "The Lord "of hosts hath purposed it, to stain the pride of all glory, and to "bring into contempt all the honorable of the earth. And the "loftiness of man shall be bowed down, and the haughtiness of "6 men shall be made low; and the Lord alone shall be exalted in " that day,”*

It is well known that when souls come to be awakened to a feeling sense of their need of salvation, their general cry is, "What "shall we do to be saved?-Lord, send by whom thou wilt send"Work by means of thy own chusing; only show us thy will

bring us salvation from the bondage of sin." It is on these conditions we are willing to receive Christ, tho revealed in a manner contrary to every feeling of a fallen nature. We are determined

Isa. ii, 17, and xxiii. 9,

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