New-York tribune., 1894-04-29
Justice to the people has generally been one OF
stolid opposition.
THE END OF THE WORLD.

Flsewhere will be found the views Of some
wellknown clergymen of this city on the end
of the world. As might naturally be expected,
there Is a wide diversity of opinion on the ques-
tion: for with all their learning and ability
those men have not one whit more information
on the subject than any average man of intelli-
gence has.
II Is n simple statement Of fact to say that
no one knows when or under what circum-
stances. the world will come to an end. But
for that very reason the question has always
been n fascinating one Christians In every
age have been especially attracted by 1t be-
cause there are so many passages in the Bible
that have been regarded as predictions OF the
event But, unfortunatelyor shall we say
fortunately y?-these predictions are so yeiled IN
obscurlty that there has never been any agree
mont os TO their meaning There have always
been in the Church men like the Rev. A. B
Simpson, who have been able to get meaning
ont of these prophetic utterances that has salts
fed at least themselves. Ii will be observed
that Mr. Simpson finds In the Book of Daniel
a prediction that there will be great crisis in
the fortunes Of the Jewish race In the year
1898 or 1896. One marked advantage IN tnls
INTERPRETATION is that it cannot be dsproved
until next year OF tne ytdt diNI' ~ i"N' -
may not be disproved then; for If the crisis that
Mr. Simpson looks for does not occur 1t VIII
he open TO him TO figure out the problem again
and discover that he had fallen into some
error This is what has constantly happeheu
in the past The Christians Of the ninth century
were lust as certain that the Bible predicted
the end Of the world at the beginning OF the
year 1000 as Mr.. Simpson Is of his impenuing
crisis. But when 1t was seen that the Worlu
did not come 10 an end then, the millenarans
AZ once set about to reconstruct thelr theory
So As to secure for it the safety that only
projection into the future can give H. we
would not be understood as denying any OF
the predictions of present-day mllenarans VINO
say that the world is coming to an end. IN
deed. from a scientific point Of view the state
ment Is literally true. The presence in space OF
SO many dead worlds indicates clearly what IL
70 be the fate of the world on which we hVe'
All we desire to suggest Is that whatever may
be the meaning Of the prophecies OF the worid
ending In the Bible, the Interpretations OF these
nrophcces by good and earnest men have been
simply guesswork.
II is however. plain that many modern Chrls-
tans do not take these prophetic utterances OF
the Bible literally The coming OF CHRIST
believe in," says DR. Greer. rs the coming OF
the spirit Of Christ and that do believe Is
coming | believe it is coming more and more
every day The Kingdom Of the Son OF Man
is being established on the earth in the sense
that the type Of character which the son "I
Man represents Is becoming the dominant type
The coming Of Christ, which means the advent
Of higher aud nobler humanity, the recog-
milton Of truth by all mankind. does not Involve
the destruction Of the physical world. lhat
NAV he regarded az fairly representing 'he
modem view Of the question. As 10 whether
or not II Is a legitimate Interpretation OF the
Scrptural utterances on the subject, there VIII
he difference Of opinion. But there can De no
question that it has FIR greater ethical va'ue
than the ahortivc attempts TO hnd the dt'e VI
the worlds end In various obscure passages III
the works OF the Hebrew prophets