Evening Republican, Volume 17, Number 226, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 September 1913 — BEHOED A NEW AGE ALREADY DAWNS [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

BEHOED A NEW AGE ALREADY DAWNS

Pastor Russell Addresses Record Crowd at Memphis. The Wonders of the Past Century Rehearsed—They Are Foregleams of Messiah's Kingdom—The Blessings Promised For Thousands of Years Are Upon Us—Already In Them, Greater Wonders Are Coming—Scripture Prophecy Fulfilling—Evolution Theory Incompetent and Unwise. Lift Up Your Heads and Rejoice.

Memphis, Tenn., September 2L Pastor Russell addressed two large and deeply interested audl-. ences here today, one in the Memphis Auditorium, seating capacity five thousand. We report one of his discourses from the topic, “The Golden Age of

Prophet and Poet” His text wag, “He that sat upon the Throne said, Behold, I make all things new.”—Revelation 21:5. The promise of a New Day has long been before God’s the Bible, said the Pastor. It was hinted to our first parents, six thousand years ago, that eventually the Seed of the woman should bruise the serpent’s head. This is understood to mean that Satan's power will be crushed, and mankind delivered from sin and death. A still more explicit promise was made to Abraham—“ln thy Seed shall all the families of the earth be bless■ed.” For centuries Abraham’s posterity waited for Messiah. The Prophets of Israel foretold the coming King of David’s line, who would be a Priest after the order of Melchizedec. Even Jesus’ disciples, who recognised Him as the “Sent of God,” were disappointed that His Kingdom was not immediately revealed. Still the prophecies respecting k Messiah’s Kingdom were repeated and amplified in Jesus’ parables, and finally in the Revelation which He gave His Church. "Arise, Look Around Thee?*

The Pastor then declared that after all these centuries of waiting, God’s people are awakening to a realization of the fact'that we are living in the very dawn of the glorious epoch. Blessings have come down like a gentie shower, so quietly that we scarcely realized that earth has entered the Times of Restitution, foretold by St Peter.—Acts 8:19-21.

Many are still asleep. Some are confused. Others, having lost faith In theBible, seek a solation along the line of evolution, claiming that a Nature God operates by blind force, under a law of the survival of the fittest. Surely they overlook the fact that there were great characters In the past with whom few today may be compared— Shakespeare, Socrates, St Paul, Moses and others. The Bible Explanation Better. The Pastor declared that the Bible explains that the wonders of today are foregleams of Messiah's Kingdom and Its blessings; and that we are In the day of Jehovah’s Preparation for the Kingdom of His Son. He pointed out numerous signs of the times, as foretold by the Prophet—Daniel 12. This prophecy is noteworthy, not only because Daniel was a Prophet greatly beloved of the Lord, but because the Redeemer attested its genuineness. In His declaration to Daniel God has wonderfully described our day in few words. The many running to and fro could seemingly refer to nothing else than the wonderful traveling which Is a feature of our day and no other. Pastor Russell then discussed modern transportation and educational facilities as signs of the dawning of the New Dispensation—the long-promised Messianic Kingdom. Daniel’s next statement Is that the wise amongst God's people shall understand, said the Pastor. Educational advantages, Bibles In every language and leisure for study are favorable tn their understanding. All over the world, classes of Bible students are forming, regardless of denominational Hoes and prejudices. The wise, trimming their Bible lamps and having them well supplied with the oil of the Holy Spirit, are understanding things hidden from past ages and generations. . Still another sign of the New Age declared to Daniel was, “There shall be a Time of Trouble such as never was since there was a nation.” The Pastor did not dwell upon this sad feature, but regretted that unpreparedness for God’s mercies and blessings made It necessary. The Redeemer mentioned this Time of Trouble, which we see looming up on every side and threatening the very foundations of society—political, social and religious.—Luke 8128. Knowledge of God’s Glory. A prominent feature connected with the New Age will be the binding of Satan, who has deceived poor humanity for six thousand years. Continually has be misrepresented God’s character and Plan, so as to turn mankind away from God In fear and dread, said the Pastor. Thus he has blinded their minds to God’s glorious goodness, now shining In our Redeemer's character and tn the promises of the Btbia. ' \