Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1890-03-04
RATHER UNORTHODOX.
Parson Williams Diseourses on the
Second Advent of Christ.
TIE Indications Point to an Early Arrival Of
That 6rest Event and It Beho0ves
Sinners TO Prepare for IL

The subject of Mr.. Williams remarks
last night was the "Second Coming of
Christ - A large audience greeted him
and throughout the evening he held the
interest of the coucourse by his oratori-
cal brilliance and his unique logic. The
subject Of the second advent of Christ
was considered by the speaker to be one
of great importance, deserving OF
more consideration and fuller treat
ment than was generally accorded
it by ministers. He called atten
ton to the inconsistency of frequently
preaching on baptism, while the matter
of Christ second advent was left Sc
verely alone, Notwithstanding Paul
speaks only thirteen times Of baptism
where he mentions the second advent
forty or fifty times. The speaker thought
the spirituality of the church would be
greater if the ministers kept the minds of
the people upon the probability of
speedy coming of Christ. AS a result OF
the failure of pastors to preach on this
subject there was great ignorance with
the rank and file of the church concern
ing it. The speaker went on to notice
some of the strange ideas held on the
matter. Some people thought it meant
death, but the apostles did not think
that way, said Mr.. Williams, who
quoted the Scriptures to justify his po-
sitiOn. When Peter, being jealous of
John, asked Jesus what world become Of
John, the Lord replied: elf tell thee
70 tarry till 1 come, what is that to
thee?" 1t could not mean death, be-
cause death is not certain. People say
that life is not certain, but
a g rfnin Nko% - nf
correct. Death is uncertain.
The second coming OF Christ makes it so.
Where the Bible speaks of the second
coming it cannot mean death, because
nothing is promised the Christian man
when be dies but rest. At the second
coming of Christ He gives more, namely,
His reward. A man who is not a be-
lever, dying impeuitent, is to be in
state Of unrest until the coming Of Christ
aud the final judgment.
The Bible cannot mean tho Holy Spirit
where il speaks of the second coming,
because Christ, through John, long after
the promises of the spirit had been full
filed, spoke of his second coming. Paul
likwise made mention of the fact.
It was not then in a spiritual way that
Christ might be expected to return, but
it was literally, personally. This second
advent, the preacher IS of opinion, will
be pre- milIenial; and numerous extracts
were quoted to sustain this position. We
don t expect the millennium, he said,
until the dead are resurrected, but the
dead cannot be re:urrected until Christ
comes Yet many hold to the past
mllenial idea, but the speaker thought
the preponderance OF facts substantiated
the pre- millenial theory.
Lest some in the audience who were
not Christians might reason that they
need not exercise themselves over the
question of their SOUL salvation,
thinking they would be saved
anyway and that a universal sway of
Righteousness would obviate necessity
for personal action, he said he could find
nothing to base an argument in favor of
such sway preceding Christ's
coming; and this world could
never be converted by the pres
ent Outstanding influences. Before
the world can be saved a new DISPENSE
ton must be ushered in. The speaker
could find in the Bible plenty of proof to
establish the fact that the world would
be very wicked when Christ made his
second advent. Vile men and seducers
would hold sway. And it appeared like
such was the condition that prevails to-
day. How long must this state continue
before Christ comes? That has not been
revealed to any one. But there are indi-
cations which point to a speedy closing
up OF the present dispensatlon.
The speaker belonged to a band of
Christians who were praying earnestly
that God would send His Sou as speedily
as consistent with His will. People were
warned to be prepared.
AT the conclusion of the sermon invi-
tations was issued and twelve or fifteen
requests were N lde for prayer.