ii 2. _And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the
mountain of the Lord's house shall be established in the
top of the mountains, and all nations shall flow unto it._
The poetic imagery delineates the final and universal prevalence of
religion. Christianity is a temple majestic and conspicuous, and all
nations crowd its courts in united adoration. _There are many
interesting indications that this prophecy is soon to be fulfilled,_
such as--+I. The political aspect of the globe.+ The vast political
changes that have taken place during the last four centuries in
Europe, Asia, Africa, and America have all been favourable to the
extension of Christianity. The area of Christian knowledge and
influence has been steadily extending.[1] +II. The progress of
civilisation and of the arts.+ A few years ago it required the
painful labour of years to copy a Bible, and the wealth of a prince
to purchase one: now the art of printing scatters the Word of God
like autumn leaves, and it is found in the humblest dwelling. Then
none could read but the learned few; now knowledge is becoming like
sunlight, everywhere diffused. War has long been one of the greatest
obstacles in the way of human improvement; now various causes are
operating to render it less frequent, such as 1. the rapid extension
of piety, carrying with it the principles of peace; 2. the extension
of enlightened views of national policy; 3. the transference of power
from kings and nobles to the people, the victims of war, who will
become its powerful opponents; 4. the invention of terrible engines
of destruction, which will tend to deter nations from plunging into
war. Slavery, too, is rapidly disappearing from the earth. The
wonderful facilities of intercommunication which now exist are
weakening and effacing national prejudices. All these causes are
hastening on the promised millennium. +III. The present state of the
sciences.+ This statement seems to be contradicted by the attitude of
many students of science towards Christianity. But we must remember
that all the sciences in their infancy have been arrayed as hostile
to scriptural truth--astronomy, geology, physiology, chronology; but
one by one each of these sciences, as it developed and attained
maturity, has passed over to the side of Christianity, and has
powerfully helped to build up what it feebly and impotently laboured
to destroy. That which hath been is that which shall be. In science
the cause of revealed truth will continue to find one of her most
ready and efficient helpers. +IV. The past achievements of
Christianity foreshadow its eventual and perfect triumph.+ The
hostility of earth has marshalled every possible power, in every
possible combination, against Christianity--the persecution of
political power, the arguments of philosophy, satire, learning,
poetry, wealth--and all in vain. The past triumphs of the religion of
Christ show that it possesses an inherent energy which must
inevitably make it triumphant over the world. The mighty influence
which swept away the gods of Greece and Rome will not be baffled by
the mud-idols of India. +V. The triumphant advances Christianity is
now making indicate its universal extension.+ _Application._--What
are _you_ doing to hasten this certain and glorious
triumph?--_J. S. C. Abbott, American National Preacher,_ xvii.
169-176.