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Harbinger, Jan. 1, '63.

HARBINGERS OF THE MILLENNIUM.

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THE

British Millennial Barbinger.

JANUARY, 1863.

HARBINGERS OF THE MILLENNIUM.

THE Lord's people, who love his law and walk according to his statutes, are the true Millennial Harbingers. Periodicals devoted to the propagation of Christianity as it was at the first, pleading an unqualified return to the original faith and order, and striving for the overthrow of mystical Babylon, are also precursors of the Millennial Age. The title of this magazine was selected before the present Editor had a voice in its management. It is not altogether approved, but remains for want of a better and on account of the inconvenience of alteration. To those who understand us the title is good, but others are likely to pass our monthly issues as exponents of some Millerite scheme - budgets of dates, theories, speculations, and sundry kinds of chaff, upon which so-called Millennarians starve and rival schools of learned expositors battle. But better food and more satisfactory work are before us, and therefore we come not down to that level.

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Say not this merely, but prove it." There are those who urge that the Lord will shortly come and remove his people to some little planet above the earth, far from any impending judgments, and that by means of a Jacob's ladder they will minister to this globe. | Others are preaching that as a thief comes not only suddenly but imperceptibly, so the Lord 'ere long will appear to establish his throne in the East, and from that seat of rule, while still unknown, make his wisdom manifest, healing some and punishing others. According to this theory the saints take the sword and wade through seas of blood. But these and kindred speculations move us not. Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly-help us to hasten the day by right doing! is the prayer of our heart. This we can best accomplish by preaching his gospel, keeping his commandments, observing his ordinances, pleading a return to his ways, diligently studying his words, and in everything conforming our lives to him. And then, whether he appear at the beginning or at the end of the better period, we shall be ready as harbingers of his advent.

Yet we proclaim "a good time coming" —a Millennium, if the reader cannot be happy without the word. Yes, and the coming of the Lord too-the one hope of the church. But if we are But should papers on prophecy be told that he may come immediately, excluded from the B. M. H.? By no and must come within a few years-means. that he will be here in person to commence the Millennial Age-that during that period all will know him—that the world will be converted · we reply,

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Those who see, or think they see, far and clearly into the future, can stand in "Open Council" and lift the voice of exposition and warning. This, however, we shall keep in due propor

tion to other topics, claims, and duties, terminate the conflict in another way,

and when one has said fairly what he has to say, or his view has been duly considered, he will be requested to rest from his labors, as men who ride their hobbies on all occasions, neither get good nor do good.

Our own views of the future are not indefinite, yet, otherwise than in general outline, they will be seldom committed to the press. Not that we fear to give offence or desire to stand upon uncertain ground, but because time and space are wanted for considerations eminently practical and pressing.

Certain leading features of the future are common to those who differ in minor points, and these common features are the real sources of power. We expect and labor for a brighter day for the true church—a time when she shall enjoy rich triumphs on this earth, the scene of her Lord's trials and of her own. We believe that that day will advance with rapid strides. If it is to be ushered in by the early appearance of the Lord, we are right—if by the power of truth Babylon is to be destroyed, still we are right. Though some say that the world is as far from conversion as ever, and that wickedness was never more abounding, yet it is clear that if the Lord delay his coming and permit the conflict between truth and error to go on, the Roman harlot will be made to bite the dust, statechurches throughout the world will be numbered with the things that were, denominationalism will be purged of its deviations, and there will stand out two great parties, the church and the world-believers and infidels. Then will the Bible have its proper place and the church a fair field for action. The signs of the times clearly indicate this result it must be and will be sooner than most expect, and that too by the power of Bible truth, directly and indirectly acting upon churches and nations. Of course, if it can be shewn that the Lord will speedily appear and

our position falls, but what we see clearly is this -- Babylon is wasting away, and no earthly or hellish power can keep up its walls—the forces already applied -a are too strong and terrible to be resisted-changes will come because they must.

Another of the one thousand two hundred and three score years will have closed when these words meet the eye of the reader. Wonderful moves have been recently made on the chess-board of the world-great actors are playing their respective parts upon the stage of time-the hand of God is behind the whole, not seen to us, but guiding every move. Look at that poor old man with triple crown and keys of St. Peter. Of his temporal power all his subjects are weary, and would cast him out. No warrior subjects defend their chief, no bolts of thunder descend from heaven to scare the millions who would drive him from his secular rnle. But still he stays, and strong Italian arms and burning hearts are powerless—the capitol of Italy cannot be theirs as yet. And why? The forty and two prophetic months have not yet passed away a little time remains. Look at that half-witted prisoner at Ham! See him

not as he was but as he is-occupant of an imperial throne, commander of the legions of France, the Man of Mystery (in a double sense), silent, inscrutable, and the present upholder of the Mystery of Iniquity. Why his eleva tion through so wonderful a series of changes and events? He is the Lord's elect to stay for a time the tide prepared to wash away Papal supremacy in Italy. In a little while the set time will have come, his protective mission will be over, the arm of France will be withdrawn or its crowned chief hurled into the abyss which awaits his kind. But there is another man moving, or who has moved, upon the field. Europe-the tyrant class and blinded Papists excepted - bows before and laud

Harbinger, Jan. 1, '62.

MISSIONS AND MISSIONARIES.

him as the brave, the noble, and the good. What a thrice wonderful history has that Joseph Garibaldi-we say not General Garibaldi, for he is more than general, more than king of Italy. Have you read the story of his life-his wonderful escapes by sea and land, his daring exploits, and his marvellous triumphs. Fire and sword seem unable to hurt him-where hundreds fall he moves on. "A charmed life," say a multitude. But they penetrate not the secret-that man is another elect one. He was chosen to give liberty to Italy. Madman like, with a handful of men he arose, and armies, dukes, and king, with strength enough to send back a thousand such sink down before him, as did the walls of Jericho when summoned by the trumpets of Israel's host. Then behold the conqueror giving away a kingdom to retire to his island home! All honor to Italy's noble chief-her king without a crown! But his impatient soul burns for the complete deliverance of his country, and hark! What solemn words are those? "Rome or death !" He who has gained so much and conquered everywhere, why not gain Rome also? The effort commences in wonders. The little army reach Aspromonte, and there the man who in past days walked unharmed through leaden showers falls by an Italian bullet. Garibaldi! your former movements were in season, this before its time. If you will now have "Rome or death," it must be death! A little longer and Italy can take it with full honor to the prophetic Word, and then the Man of Mystery may learn that "Rome or death" may mean, "Italy for the Italians" or death to the Em

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peror. The little horn kingdom must endure its twelve hundred and sixty years.

Many hearts sorrow that Rome is withheld from the Italian kingdom. We do not share in that sorrow. God's time is best. We not only believe this, but we see it. Italians have said, "The spiritual power of the Pope is of God, the temporal power is of man or of Satan. We will defend the one and take away the other." Had the temporal power been surrendered, Italians would have remained in spiritual bondage. But four hundred bishops assembled in the Papal city and voted that the temporal power and the spiritual are from the same source-that they must stand together. This resolution is working wonders in Italy. Now it is said, "The temporal came not from above-the Devil offered it to the Lord, and that which the Lord refused the popes have accepted, and as the bishops declare the common origin of both, there shall be for Italy a free Christian church." Every week of prolonged occupation of the Imperial city deepens conviction and strengthens determination. Italy is now an open mission field-one in which not everything may yet be said, but one in which enough may be preached to bring the people to Christ and Christianity. We hail with thankfulness the oft repeated declaration, "Protestants we are not, but Christians. We want the church re stored and made, not Protestant, but Christian." Were we not admonished to draw these remarks to a close, we might say much in reference to movements nearer home, and find there also encouragement.

D. K.

AMERICAN CHRISTIAN MISSION ANNIVERSARY. —ADDRESS BY A. CAMPBELL, &c.

THIS annual gathering was held in Cincinnati, Oct. 21, 1862. It is pleasing to learn that, notwithstanding war and the distress consequent, the amount contributed during the last year to the

mission fund was larger than the year preceding. It will be understood that this co-operation embraces home fields as well as foreign.

Recently our preaching brethren in

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MISSIONS AND MISSIONARIES.

America have received an addition in the person of David Walk, who for years had been a circuit preacher of some note in the Episcopal Methodist church. This brother has written a few words upon the annual meeting, and as he is somewhat a stranger, and well able to contrast his past with the present, we give him a place on this side the Atlantic. He says—

"It is not necessary to inform any who enjoyed the felicity of being present at its sessions that it was a profound success-a high religious festival -a complete and practical vindication of the principles of the gospel, as those principles are held and contended for by the people who are engaged in the work of restoring primitive Christianity to the world. There was a saying prevalent among medieval travellers

See Naples and die! This was the ne plus ultra of their sight-seeing hopes. Now we would suggest as a fitting watchword for the hosts of Zion-See the Annual Missionary Meeting and LIVE! It was our ideal of Christianity. The realization of our dreams of what God's people may enjoy. The entering into the fulness and blessing of that relatively perfect bliss to which hope had so long pointed our anxious heart. How unlike anything we had ever witnessed! How unlike the semipolitical, semi-religious gatherings to which we had been accustomed! How unlike the strife, the wrangling, the bitterness, characteristic of the convocations with which only we had hither

to been familiar!

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The prayers, the songs, the exhortations, the sermons-have these been excelled since the primitive Christians made the caverns and dens of the earth vocal with the praises of Zion's God? We donbt it. And then the brotherly love-the deep, heart-felt communion of soul with soul, spirit with spirit. Often during the exercises were we involuntarily reminded of the words of the Christian poet

'And if our fellowship below, In Jesus, be so sweet,

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Harbinger, Jan. 1, '63.

whose voices were heard at the gathering. Of Alexander Campbell he says

"There he stands, in all his native, imperial dignity! With one of the best and most successful writers of the language we heartily say- A greater since Paul the Apostle has not arisen.' We were surprised to see him looking so well. He is vigorous beyond anything we had conceived of him, especially when we consider his great age and immense labors. Tall and slender in

person, mild and benignant in aspect, easy and graceful in manners, he is the very impersonation of a polished Christian gentleman. His long, white, flowing beard, while it is eminently becoming, gives him a most venerable appearance. Though he doubtless lives much in the past, still we became convinced that he is quite observant of all that transpires around him; and the attempt which some have made to depreciate his present mental vigor we feel sure is entirely gratuitous. To say nothing of his masterly address on Tuesday night, we are fully persuaded there was not a man in all that assembly of great men who could have read the 13th chap. of Paul's first letter to the Corinthians as he did on the morning of Tuesday. It was beautiful and impressive beyond description to hear him read, 'When I was a child I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man I put away childish things.' Could you conceive of anything more appropriate on the lips of Alexander Campbell? Good, glorious old man! May your sun of life go down behind an unclouded sky, and a halo of peace ever linger around your honored grave! Generations yet to come shall speak your praise and tell of your many virtues !"

To the above we shall only add the following from A. Campbell's Address upon

MISSIONS AND MISSIONARIES.

Missions and missionaries are essential elements of the Divine economy of the universe. The whole movements and affairs of the universe of universes are conducted by hosts of agents and agencies of every rank and order, from

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