EARTH'S EVENTIDE Introductory Chapter. "We have also a more sure word of Prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts." 2 PETER i. 19. E are told on every side that we are living in remarkable times. We read of it in the news papers; we hear of it in our daily conversation; and we feel it to be true. There are undoubtedly the tokens of some extraordinary earthquake, which, growing more and more distinct, forewarn the thoughtful that a crisis of no slight importance is not far in our advance. We see, indeed, the Christian, the unbeliever, the philanthropist, and the politician, agreeing together in the expectation of some gigantic outburst. We find the hearts of men of judgment "failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth." The eyes of many turn with anxious gaze towards the observers of the times, the learned, the statesman, the merchants, and the ministers of the Gospel, with the inquiry-"Watchman, what of the night?" And who among the sons of men can satisfy the inquiry? Opinions, various enough, come forth. A rush of many voices gives reply. But who is to be trusted? The only safe response which any man can give, is this—" It is not for you to know the times and the seasons which the Father hath put in His own power. Yet, for all this, there is a ray of light, feeble certainly, but not to be neglected, for it comes down directly from that Father's hand of love, and sheds its gentle beam upon this wondrous period in which we live. By this one beam those men who have the Spirit of the Lord can read a word of warning which diffuses joyful expectation through their willing hearts. That word is, "WATCH AND PRAY, FOR THE COMING OF THE LORD DRAWS NEAR.' This ray of light illuminates, moreover, a few signs and portents, and exhorts, "WHEN THESE THINGS BEGIN TO COME TO PASS, LOOK UP, AND LIFT UP YOUR HEADS; FOR YOUR REDEMPTION DRAWETH NIGH." Now for this little gleam, let us who know the Saviour render praise; and while we read, and watch, and pray, be humble, looking to the Lord submissively, with patient, waiting hearts; behaving Luke xxi. 28. ourselves always circumspectly; being well prepared to leave this lower world, whenever our Redeemer's voice shall call us to arise and meet Him. I know that there are Christians, not a few, who will agree that these are times which ought to lead God's people to be much upon the watch-tower, forasmuch as many things betoken clearly that the coming of the Lord is near. And doubtless there are others who, although, perhaps, they will not go so far as this, will yet agree that these are days when things around forbode a crisis which has scarcely known a precedent; I therefore confidently ask for the attention of my brethren in Christ, to the heart-stirring and important subject of those prophecies which concern THE FUTURE OF OUR WORLD, and cast a special light upon the SECOND ADVENT OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR. Inasmuch as these prophecies have been, until of late years, studied by comparatively few, even among really Christian people, I ought, perhaps, before speaking directly upon the subject, to note carefully THE DUTY which unquestionably lies upon every one of us, to give them an attention just as close as that we should afford to any other part of Holy Scripture. To this duty our attention is called by the text which heads this chapter. Let us observe its language. The 'WORD OF PROPHECY " of which it speaks (as we are |