THE DIVINE PLAN OF THE AGES

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       The Watchman—the “Y.M.C.A.” journal of Chicago—published this same diagram, and commenting on it said:

       “The ideas of some are very misty and indefinite in regard to the world’s spiritual condition.  We hear of glorious revival work at home and abroad, of fresh missionary efforts in various directions, of one country after another opening to the gospel, and of large sums being devoted to its spread: and we get the idea that adequate efforts are being made for the evangelization of the nations of the earth.  It is estimated today that the world’s population is 1,424,000,000, and by studying the diagram we will see that considerably more than one-half—nearly two-thirds—are still totally heathen, and the remainder are mostly either followers of Mohammed or members of those great apostate churches whose religion is practically a Christianized idolatry, and who can scarcely be said to hold or teach the gospel of Christ.  Even as to the 116 millions of nominal Protestants, we must remember how large a proportion in Germany, England and this country have lapsed into infidelity—a darkness deeper, if possible, than even that of heathenism—and how many are blinded by superstition, or buried in extreme ignorance; so that while eight millions of Jews still reject Jesus of Nazareth, and while more than 300 millions who bear his name have apostatized from his faith, 170 millions more bow before Mohammed, and the vast remainder of mankind are to this day worshipers of stocks and stones, of their own ancestors, of dead heroes or of the devil himself; all in one way or other worshiping and serving the creature instead of the Creator, who is God over all, blessed forever.  Is there not enough here to sadden the heart of thoughtful Christians?”

       Truly this is a sad picture.  And though the diagram represents shades of difference between Heathens, Mohammedans and Jews, all are alike in total ignorance of Christ. Some might at first suppose that this view with reference to the proportion of Christians is too dark and rather overdrawn, but we think the reverse of this.  It shows nominal Christianity in the brightest colors possible.  For instance,  

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DIAGRAM

Exhibiting the Actual and Relative Numbers of Mankind

Classified According to Religion

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the 116,000,000 put down as Protestant is far in excess of the true number.  Sixteen millions would, we believe, more nearly express the number of professing church members of adult years, and one million would, we fear, be far too liberal an estimate of the “little flock,” the “sanctified in Christ Jesus,” who “walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”  It should be borne in mind that a large proportion of church members, always numbered in the reckoning, are young children and infants.  Specially is this the case in the countries of Europe.  In many of these, children are reckoned church members from earliest infancy.

       But dark as this picture appears, it is not the darkest picture that fallen humanity presents.  The above cut represents only the present living generations.  When we consider the fact that century after century of the six thousand years past has swept away other vast multitudes, nearly all of whom were enveloped in the same ignorance and sin, how dark is the scene!  Viewed from the popular standpoint, it is truly an awful picture.

       The various creeds of today teach that all of these billions of humanity, ignorant of the only name under heaven by which we must be saved, are on the straight road to everlasting torment; and not only so, but that all of those 116,000,000 Protestants, except the very few saints, are sure of the same fate.  No wonder, then, that those who believe such awful things of Jehovah’s plans and purposes should be zealous in forwarding missionary enterprises—the wonder is that they are not frenzied by it.  Really to believe thus, and to appreciate such conclusions, would rob life of every pleasure, and shroud in gloom every bright prospect of nature.

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