Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1913-01-17

>------------ ogy proves that we
have been living under some of its
blessings for the past thirty-eight
years; and that our modern conven-
lences and progress are attributable to
the beginning of the rolling away of
the curse. and the substitution of the
Divine blessing.
Messiah for thousand years not only
will bind Satan and hinder his further
deception of mankind, but will also
bring light, knowledge, illumination, to
every corner OF the earth. He pointed
out the beginning of these blessings
as already with us; but they are only
the faint dawnings OF the greater Light
which will food the world, when the
Sun of Righteousness, Emmanuels
Kingdom, shall be manifested.
The speaker went on to say that i'm
mediately before us is a terrific storm
which will convulse the present order
of things-social financial. political
will yield to the Prince of Peace, who
will then take to Himself His great
power and reign. He will say to the
billowy waves of trouble, Peace, be
STILL" and there will be a calm, even
as was illustrated on the Sea of Galilee.
Pastor Russell showed that the storm
of trouble which will precede the es-
tablishment of Messiah's Kingdom win
be the natural result of the operation
OF the laws of Justice. This principle
always operates along the line of cause
and effect. Humanity are not using the
wonderful blessings Of the present as
they should. Selfshness prevails
amongst rich and poor. The earth's
abundant supply for the needs of all Is
bringing discomfort, because the natu-
raj heart is full of selfishness.
God will allow selfishness to lead on
to its inevitable result, and thus will
demonstrate to mankind the sinfulness
Of sin, selflshness, meanness, and the
beauty of holiness, righteousness, har-
mony with God.
"The Desert Shall Blossom"
The Pastor then called attention to
Isaiah 80, the first verse of which de-
clares, THE desert shall rejoice and
blossom as the rose" He showed that
irrigation is literally fulfilling this
prophecy and bringing about marvellous
results. Our Government is co-operat-
ing with our intelligent fellow-citizens
to reclaim what was once supposed to
be worthless land. ~
A similar work of reclamation is 60
ing on in Arabia. Shortly the land of
the arabian Nights will realize in a
natural way changes far more Won
derful than those of the fairy tales
which entranced our childish magma
tons. The great Sahara Desert, also.
has been examined by engineers, who
have aseertained that much of it lies
below sea level. At comparatively
small cost it can be inundated and
brought to a high state of cultivation.
The speaker also said that the Scrip
lures prophesy that the Dead Sea will
one day be connected with the ocean.
Pastor Russell then applied Isaiah
1913 to our day, and declared that he
is trying to carry out its commands.
The Scriptures show that before the
world can receive It's share of bless
ings, the Church of Christ must first
be gathered and changed to spirit be-
hugs by the First Resurrection.
After this has been accomplished,
mankind will receive earthly blessings
through the Messianic Kingdom. These
will surpass anything which humanity
has ever dreamed.
Then he showed that Jesus miracles
were merely illustrations Of the work
of His Second Advent. During the
Millennium, our Lord and His Church
win remove, not only physical blind
ness, deafness, lsmeness. etc, but also
human weaknesses and frallties result
ing from the fall of Adam. What a
new aspect earth will present when
sin, sickness, sorrow and death will
forever have passed away!
"a Highway Shall Be There"
The context mentions a Highway of
Holiness to be established. This will
distinctly differ from the broad road
and the narrow way. Everything will
be removed that will hinder human
progress back to perfection.
The reward at the end Of the way
will be very different from that given
to those who now walk the narrow
way of self-sacrifce. Adam was
man. not a heavenly being. God
changes not He made Adam king
over earth, with dominion over its
creatures Gods purposes are the
same today as IN the beginning.
Christ died to redeem humanity. In
due time. all will awake from the sleep
of death to an opportunity to return
to perfection as human beings.