Dear brethren: Having been selected by you to write the circular letter this year, I have decided to write to you about "The Time in Which We Live" and the promise of the future. If we will study principles and their tendency, also the history of principles and what has been the ultimate outcome of the course of action in the world in the past, I think we can give a forecast of results almost certainly correct. My object is to write of things pertaining to our Master's cause in the world, and in the light of the past and present to see as far as we can what the promise of the future is.
Some think all things are pointing to an early subjugation of the world to Christ and that a millennium of peace and spiritual reigning of Christ is soon to be ushered in. But by examining closely the teachings of God's word I do not know how I am to accept this theory. The book of Revelation, I believe, is generally thought to contain a delineation of the things to occur until the end of time, and especially concerning the kingdom of God; and by examining that book from beginning to ending we do not think it will be found to teach such a theory; but, on the contrary, we find it is a time of trial and trouble to God's people throughout, and therein we read, "These are they that have come up out of great tribulation."
It is thought by some of our most learned men in the Scriptures that the seven churches of the first part of the book represent the kingdom of Christ from its institution until the second coming, and that each church represents a period of time in its history and its condition at that time, and that we are now living in the time of the last of the seven, that of Laodicea. Now if this be correct we need not look for a time of peace to God's people and universal reign of Christ until he comes again. But perhaps you will say, "As a matter of fact Christianity is fast becoming the religion of the world." I grant that Christianity as a religion is increasing in a ratio perhaps beyond what it has ever done before. But I would remind you that "All are not Israel that are of Israel." And if you should tell me of the millions even in the United States who are Christians and members of the different denominations I would remind you that these denominations receive the professedly unregenerate into this membership, and that also many Baptist churches are so eager for members that they do not use that care in receiving members which is their solemn duty to do. Besides, in the most careful churches there are found those who do not give satisfactory evidence of being born again in their manner of life. So that when you take the Roman Catholics and some others as a whole, and nearly all of several other denomination which could be mentioned, and very many out of all, and sifting the Baptist greatly, for they only among all the rest, so far as I know, receive only those who profess to be born again. After deducting all these we have a small number, comparatively, who are real followers of Jesus. Now by a little observation any one may know that unconverted men who are in the church as they think are intolerant, and will hate the man who will not take it for granted that one church member as well as one church is as good as another, for unconverted men in the church are no better at heart than they are out of the church. And if a man's soul burns within him for the salvation of sinners in the church, as well as those out of the church and he preaches like he feels, he will soon be hated and persecuted, and experience proves this to be a fact. So that here is an element of persecution in the so-called churches, and in this direction we must look for persecution, for it will surely come.
The nearer you live to God, the more earnestly you serve him, the more singular you will be. The more unsparing with sin you are, the more you will be disliked.
The peculiar opposition of the world, and much, very much of the professed Christianity of the present day is the opposition to the doctrines of God's word. But perhaps I ought to say "peculiar" or "of the present day," for if I mistake not it has ever been the main opposition, or at least the rise of the "Man of Sin." But there is at the present time a great outcry against doctrine and for compromise and "union," and many societies arising to forward the interest of these things. Ignoring the commands of our Lord and Master, crying down the conscientious obedience to God's word. And because of these things many even of our Baptist brethren have bowed the knee to this Baal. And with such Baptists the man who conscientiously preaches the doctrines of God's word is not acceptable. With them he cannot get a hearing, and they will generally dislike him as much if not more than others. Now when all these elements get together, and they will when persecution begins and the division is made, we will have a power which can and will persecute, and it may be equal to if not greater than the world has ever seen, if possible. Do not think, my brethren, that this can never be. Why, the very elements are now at work which will, if God permits them to go on, eventually produce this very end. It has done so, as history shows. At the first persecution came from the Jews, but soon their nationality was destroyed, and so their power to persecute. Then came persecution from Pagan Rome. But Christianity grew and by and by it became popular to be a Christian. Then many professed Christianity, unconverted men were baptized, Christianity was perverted, unconverted men ruled the church (just as things are becoming at this time), church and state were united, coercion and religion followed and great persecution, the Man of Sin arose the Mother of Harlots, the church of God was driven into the wilderness, midnight darkness settled down upon the world, except here and there a light in the wilderness, and the faithful servants of God continued to suffer death by the thousands in all manner of ways that could be invented by wicked men set on by Satan himself.
But the Reformation came, and how did it come? By ignoring doctrine? By the cry of union? Was this the means of bringing the Reformation about? Let the course of Luther and others testify. Let their trials and suffering speak. Ah, my brethren, this cry of union! union!! peace! Peace!! When there is not and cannot be union or peace on the basis of the popular cry without stultifying the conscience is but simply the forerunner of and preparation for the persecution of the church of God. Oh! A pessimist, you say. Well, say so if you wish, but it only betokens that your eyes are not yet open. God grant that they may soon be, for this is our hope. My brethren, have you seriously thought upon this subject? This disintegration among the faithful, this hugging of error and bidding it God speed rather than be thought singular, this fearfulness of popular opinion, this experimenting with the things of God and compromising them is sin against God, and it is dulling that sensitiveness of conscience which we ought to have, and it will drive the spirit away from us and we will be left to our own ingenuity. Be faithful, brethren, to God and his word, for we as Baptists have this responsibility, and how shall we meet it when Jesus comes? =============== [Eastern Baptist Association Minutes, 1888. Document was re-typed by Robert Cullifer, Folsom, CA and used with permission. Scanned and formatted by Jim Duvall.]
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