we are strangers.

The times, however, are peculiarly interesting from the very fact that
the Church is waking up to the importance of prophetic study. "Coming
events cast their shadows before," is a trite but true saying, and here
as true as anywhere. Men feel in their fears and hopes the pressure of
prophecy. The Church is remarkably anxious and unrest. Governments are
suspicious and confused. The populace are restless and threatening.
Indeed, everything conspires in Church, State, and people, to forecast
the future. A thunderstorm is felt before it is seen or heard. It
shadows the mind, thrills the nerves, and pains the rheumatic limbs.
Many in 1858 felt war coming in our own country. Many were at a loss to
interpret their fears. Some, however, interpreted the signs of the time
and sounded an alarm.

The few years to come are pregnant with angry forces. Men are busy in
Russia, Germany, France, England, and America, sowing the winds, and the
harvest will surely be whirlwinds. But, beyond all, the sky is clear.
War ceases, commerce revives, the nations accept a settled peace, science
and religion join hand in hand to prepare the wastes and woes of war.
The beast is overcome, Anti-Christ is slain, and the dragon is banished
from the earth. Jerusalem again rises in splendour from the grave of
desolation. Again Canaan will become the glory of all lands, and
Jerusalem the glory of Canaan. Here, again, after centuries of
wandering, shall the throne of David find rest, and on it one of David's
seed, chosen and anointed of God, accepted of men, and served by the
nations. Crowned and imperial Salem shall become the home of her
long-captive sons and daughters. Israel and Judah shall meet together,
and shall be one stick, one people, having one head, one throne, one
city, one Lord, even Jesus. "Therefore, they shall come and sing in the
height of Zion, and shall flow together to the goodness of the Lord, for
wheat, and for wine, and for oil, and for the young of the flock and of
the herd; and their soul shall be as a watered garden, and they shall not
sorrow any more at all" (Jeremiah xxxi. 12).

No one can read the prophecies that find their fulfilment after the
battle of Armageddon--or, as the prophets have it, "after those
days"--without being ravished with delight. Israel in her palmy days,
and Judah in her glory! A nation called of God, and ruled by God through
David or Solomon; how inviting! When Heav