Arizona republican., 1917-01-01

wrote me Friday of last week, saying that never had he come against sucn a reactionary spirit as he was meet ing in southern California, but that the saddest thing was the intense feeling over this doctrine of the sec ond coming of Christ. He s5id that some of his members were like dyna mite, and hat to touch them on this question meant an explosion. He sad that one Cf the churC hes near nm had already been broken in pieces over the doctrine.
 Unless 1 faii to reao the signs of the times, Q new alignment of the denominations is coming over tns and other questions. Once more We are in danger of being broken into impotent fragments. Once more the devil seems likely to defeat Us by concluding separate peace wth us
 l plead for just what l have plead for during the year that l have been pastor here; namely, first, brains enough to see that there are usually three sides tc every question:: Your side, my side and the right side; and. second, for charity enough to allow the other fellow to hold to his side, while you hold to yours. Your fati,- CTS ana mine suffer ed, were beaten tucked and killed because they stood for soul liberty and the right Of every man to interpret Gods word for himself. Dare we today to prac- tice lovingly what we have preached so loyally,
 In our fighting over triviylties we are in danger of forgetting actuali- ties. We defending our theories we are In danger of denying the truth. There is not theory of the second advent that has ever been propounded by men that has not been met by other side. There is not q man made apother equally sound theory on the theory that l have ever seen that cannot be shot all through ana through by the shot and shell of Gods word. Let's fling our theories to the winds, and catch hold of the tremendous fact that Christ is com ing again.
 There are two facts here thaE we can all agree upon; namely, first, h.s coming is certain, and second, his coming is unexpected. He has been coming again and again in the great crises of the world and the church. but, he is coming again ir the clouds with power and great glory. But of that ray and hour knows no man. To put that coming off at the end Cf thousands or millions of years, is to rob the doctrine of it's power to warn. comfort and make watckful; 10 put that coming at some specified day and hour, is 10 run in the face of Gods word. Does some man claim to know that Christ is coming tkis year or next year? Then most de cidodiy Christ is not coming this yety or next year It is to he in such an hour as We think not. Does the great war and other signs point to q certain year as the date for his coming? Be ware, Men have heen sayng such things for nineteen hundred years When he comes it will De when no- body is expecting him.
 What then Watch and be ready. What will take place al his coming we may net agree on; but one thing is sure: lie vlll demard q reckoning at our hands. Saved, unsaved, every man and woman will have to give an account to hIrn. Are You ready 10 hand in your account? Are you willing to face the record of the past year? Every word, every deed you will lave to account for Can you stand the test.
 There's just one way to get ready and that is io be rea5y always. A Russian peasant was asked what he would dc if he knew that Christ were Eoml1S tomorrow. FLOW, was the answer. Right he was Nothing nob- Ter can be imagined. We ought to live in such a way that We should be willing to go right on living that way wien Christ was announced You have read of the Dark Day" in this country, when the siln WIS dark ened and midnight darkness settled over the earth. A state legislature was in session. One member moved to adjourn, in order that they might get ready for the judgment day, An other member moved that candles he brought. SC that thev could go on with their business. If 1t is rot the Judgment day" said he we need no; to step our work. If it is ,he judg- ment day, l want to he found at my work Is your life such that ycu can say that?
 -(Happy New Yearl-
 At the Nebraska stare fair they had a statue of mulley COW made entirely of butter, and it was a most perfect piece of work. A gocd-ioot- ing, half smiling milkmaid and a little lad with face wreathed in smiles, completed the outfit"