The Great Second Advent Movement: Its Rise and Progress

The Condition of the Nations

While the message has been thus advancing, what has been the condition of the nations? From that time down, in the public journals, we have often been treated to statements concerning the general war that is soon to be in Europe. While there has been strife here, and an outbreak there, the general “whirlwind” is held back,—the “four winds” are not permitted to blow all at once, “until the servants of God are sealed.” That the elements of strife and war are there, but do not break out because they are held in check, is evident to all. GSAM 278.3

Henry Ward Beecher, not long before his death, called the maintaining of such large armies in Europe, “drawing the life-blood beforehand, for fear it would be spilt.” The situation among the nations, with their grudges and animosities, and their threatening attitude toward one another, he compared to a “dead lock,” caused by a group of men pointing daggers at each other’s breasts, not one of whom dared to strike, for fear of being struck. “But,” said he, “some one of them will soon see the favorable time to strike, and then the general mêlée will come.” GSAM 279.1