of France, in Lyons, June 24, 1894. He was executed August 16. The papers stated that he also exclaimed, "Long live anarchism!" both when he heard his sentence, and before he was executed.

In Paris the police discovered a bomb factory with sufficient explosive material to blow up the whole city. May 21, six anarchists were executed in Barcelona. August 28 it was reported that the anarchists had decided to take the life of Depuy, the prime minister of France.

Surely, anarchism is alive, and the terrible greediness of the money kings who build up their own colossal fortunes on the ruins of their poor fellow-men, is also alive. The rich will increase their fortunes, and the poor will grow poorer until He comes who will reign in righteousThen, and not till then, will the treasures of the earth be properly divided.

ness.

Peace and Safety Cry.

It is very evident that people cannot be true prophets when under such circumstances they preach and write that a time of great peace and happiness is drawing near. They are certainly mistaken though they be honest, and believe what they say. We have no reason to look for peace. It can never be an indication of peace that the great powers make more and more extensive preparations for war, that the earth is filled with powerful armies, and the sea with mighty steel-plated ships. Does it speak of peace that the world in astonishment looks upon the most terrible machines of destruction ever seen by men, that immense armies are continually increased and drilled in scientific warfare, that more and more murderous weapons are invented, making it possible to kill a hundred times as many people as before in a much shorter space of time?

Is it a sign of peace when in America, England, Ireland, Germany, Russia, and other countries we find sparks

of hatred and murder smoldering under the ashes, breaking out into blazing fire now here, now there? Does it speak of a bright future that the political elements are agitated so powerfully in Russia and elsewhere? Is it an olive leaf of peace that the great masses on the eastern and western continents are filled with a spirit which leads them more and more into bitter controversy with the kings and moneyed aristocracy, or that the kings and the rich on the other hand try to fortify their supremacy and establish their power more and more in opposition to the people? Is it a sign of peace when no king or president can be sure of his life any day in his monarchy or republic?

That people under such circumstances nevertheless continue to preach peace and safety, shows plainly that the time now has come of which the apostle prophesied : "For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.

But at the same time there are brethren who are not in darkness whom the day of the Lord shall not overtake as a thief. 11

How kindly the apostle exhorts the brethren to be patient at this time when the rich are heaping treasures together for the last days, and keeping back by fraud the hire of laborers: "Be patient, therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh." 12

Who can fail to see that the coming of the Lord at this time is near, and that the Judge standeth at the door. 13 Let us give heed to the sure word of prophecy, and we

10 Thess. 5:3.

12 James 57, 8.

11 Thess. 5:4.
13 James 5: 9.

shall not walk in darkness, but in patience look for our dear Redeemer. While the so-called Christian world persists in all kinds of sin, hypocrisy, and wickedness, and while the love of many is waxing cold, the blessed hope that Jesus will soon appear, shines gloriously in the pathway of those who believe in the word of God, and prepare to meet their Lord.

Threatening clouds are gathering around us. The horizon grows darker and darker. The day is not distant when the thunder of the Lord will break loose. Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and all the kings of the earth and their wicked subjects must drink the wine of the wrath of God." The Lord will pour out his wrath without mixture into the cup of his indignation. 15 Blessed is he that overcometh. He shall be clothed in

white raiment, and sit with Christ in his throne. 16

CHAPTER VIII.

ON

PILLARS OF FIRE AND SMOKE.

N the day of Pentecost the apostle spoke of the testimony of the Lord by the prophet Joel, concerning signs. and wonders which he would show in the earth before the great and fearful day of the Lord. He says: "And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke the sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and notable day of the Lord come. The prophet says: "And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke."* Many scoffers shall say in the last days: "Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation." They do not speak the truth. Those who notice the many wonderful things which are transpiring in our day can easily see that all things do not continue as they were from the beginning of creation. Not only do we see great and wonderful revolutions in the political and religious world, but nature herself is in great commotion, and is preparing for final doom and ruin.

3

Supernatural Fire.

The Detroit Post, under the head of "The Great Fires Supernatural," says:

"Those who were exposed to the terrible tornado during which Chicago, Peshtigo, Manistee, White Rock, and other towns on Lake Michigan and Huron were burned, testify nearly unanimously that 32 Peter 3: 4.

1 Acts 2: 19, 20.

2 Joel 2: 30.

the air seemed to be on fire.' These words are almost invariably used in describing the phenomena. The fire did not spread gradually from tree to tree and house to house, but a great sheet of flame, overcoming them like the clouds, and moving with the rapidity of a hurricane, rushed upon them without warning.

"The atmosphere seemed filled with fire. Many people who inhaled the hot air fell dead. Corpses were found without a trace of fire upon them, or even upon the clothes which still covered them. There were frequently no marks of fire upon the adjacent trees and fences. Many were killed in compact masses, as if by a blast of death. They were found huddled together away from trees and buildings. Fish were killed in the streams by the intense heat. Many of these people believed that the last day had come, as well they might. The roaring of the whirlwind which preceded the blaze sounded enough like the last trump to suggest a prelude to the final catastrophe. The black midnight sky suddenly burst into flame."

Mr. J. A. Richards, in the Milwaukee Sentinel, gives a description of the scene of the Wisconsin fires. He says:

"O God! what a scene met my gaze on every side. Here came the crisis of the storm; here the fiery elements, controlled by a tor· nado and a whirlwind, made war on human hopes, hearts, and life. The half has not been told, nor ever can be.

"The phenomena and results of this storm were mysteriously strange. In some places the forest trees lay in every imaginable position, while in others they were carried into windrows. They were mere sticks in the hands of a great power, slashing and whip. ping the earth, and then made fuel for the work of death. The fields, woods, barns, houses, and even the 'air,' were on fire, while large balls of fire were revolving and bursting in every direction, igniting everything they came in contact with; and the whole of this devouring element was driven before a tornado at a rate of a mile a minute.

66

There can be little doubt that the air, strongly charged with electricity, helped on the work of destruction and death. Mr. Kirby says he saw large balls of fire in the air, and when they came in contact with anything, they would bound thirty or forty rods away. Others testify that they saw large clouds of fire burst into fragments, and in some instances great tongues of fire like lightning would issue from the dark clouds, and light upon the buildings.