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INTERESTING LETTERS

Ohio

DEAR BROTHER RUSSELL:—Brother Arnold met with us, according to arrangements, to our joy. We found in him, we think, a loving Brother, possessed of the spirit of meekness. Notwithstanding the extreme cold weather, the meetings were well attended, and good interest was manifest all through. Those who bitterly opposed the truth could not stay away, even some who never ventured to show themselves in the house before, and I am satisfied the Lord will bless the brother’s efforts. Many express their sorrow that the meetings closed so soon.

I am very happy to inform you that never did a better feeling prevail among the brethren here, than at present; and some who a few months ago could not find words severe enough in the way of epithets against those who are of like faith in the truth can now be heard defending it. How true the word that God will make the wrath of man to praise him.

Yours in the Lord,

F. Z. GROFF.

Tennessee

DEAR BROTHER RUSSELL:—Enclosed you will find Express Money Order for $1.00, the price of TOWER.

I received in due time the fourth volume of the DAWN series, and read it eagerly, without stopping, only to eat and sleep a little. After carefully reading and rereading it I feel that it is just the message the world is needing and waiting for, and therefore is of the Lord’s leading and under his direction. I congratulate you my dear Brother upon the successful accomplishment of so great a task.

I have suffered much of late, and, in addition, the increasing infirmities of accumulating years render me less and less inclined to exertion of any kind, physical or mental. Under such conditions we naturally seek the easy chair and the chimney corner, and live more in the memories of the past than in the activities of the present, and put off until to-morrow things that should be done to-day; but even the old are not justified in indulging in sentimental reveries or natural inclinations amid the astounding developments of these last days. The hope that the Master has some work for me in the stirring scenes of the near future bears me up amid the depressing environment.

Yours in Christian love,

S. G. KERR, Sr., M.D.

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“THE DAY OF VENGEANCE”

“This is the fourth volume of a series of books dealing largely with eschatology, the views enunciated in which caused no little controversy in this county a year or two ago. Indeed, a specific doctrine in VOL. I. formed the subject of a set theological debate between the Rev. Mr. Davidson, lately of Canisbay, and Mr. C. N. Houston, Wick, an able and eloquent expounder of the views. Basing his position chiefly on the assertion of Scripture that the Atonement was “a ransom for all,” Mr. Russell shows how God’s purposes in the ages towards mankind have been revealed, notably in the typical kingdom of Israel and his dealings with them, as so minutely recorded in Holy Writ. The main contention is that these purposes involve the election or selection during the Gospel age of a Church—the body of Christ—which, when completed, will reign with Christ as a spiritual kingdom, through whom all the families of the earth shall be blessed during the Millennial age, which is due shortly to be ushered in.

“In the present volume [IV.] the author steadily and logically pursues his theme, proving from the Scriptures that the ‘Day of Vengeance’—the dark day prior to Millennial dawn—is upon us, and that this is the meaning of the unrest which is so prevalent on every hand and in relation to every subject. Not content with giving his own views (or rather the Scripture testimony which he applies), the author has fortressed these immensely by quotations from scores of prominent men—Doctors of Divinity, Statesmen, Jurists, Financiers, Historians and Editors—many of whom, we presume, realized but imperfectly the import of their own words as they are here quoted to prove that the history of our day is the fulfilment of prophecies eighteen to thirty centuries old.

“The volume certainly will be valued for its extensive collection of facts and figures, relating to almost every phase of social, political, financial and religious matters as they bear upon the present situation. Nor are these dryly stated; on the contrary, they are introduced in such a manner as to fascinate every reader who is at all interested in the consideration of the wonderful events of ‘our day.’ We must compliment the book for its fidelity to the Scriptures and to principles of righteousness, and for the even-handed justice with which it deals with some vexing problems. It is a book that will probably make some warm enemies, but it is sure to make a host of warm friends. Its enemies as well as its friends will read it with more than ordinary zest, and will want it always by them as a work of reference. Its influence will surely be far-reaching, for its counsels are wholly on the lines of law and order and peace, even though it points out from prophecy that very shortly peace will be removed from the earth. A lengthy chapter entitled ‘Our Lord’s Great Prophecy’ is devoted to an exposition of Matt. 24, and the views given forth cannot fail to interest Bible students. A shorter chapter, the last, entitled ‘Jehovah’s Footstool made Glorious’ will be found most interesting to the same class. Zech. 14:4 is wholly unique, and will be found deeply absorbing to Christian thinkers and others.

“The author, while holding to the Second Advent of Christ and the then establishment of his Kingdom, very evidently has more exalted idea of those events than is common to ‘Pre-millennarians;’ he views it, as we have already indicated, as a spiritual Kingdom, though none the less a veritable dominion which shortly will be the channel of divine blessings to men—tho introduced by a ‘day of vengeance’ and trouble which will figuratively break and wound the hearts of men, preparatory to their healing with the ‘Balm of Gilead.’ There is so much thought on new lines to be met with in the volume that the value and ability of the work will be readily admitted even by those who may be unable to fall in with its conclusions.”—John O’Groat Journal, Wick, Scotland.

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— March 1, 1898 —