It is not the cuckoo-cry of alarmists',

Back to THOUGHTS FOR THE QUIET HOUR

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It is not the cuckoo-cry of alarmists when we say 
that our age seems to emphasize the warning words, 
"In the last days perilous times shall come." 

We are walking on a muffled volcano—faint mutterings 
are heard in the hollow beneath our feet. Happy those 
patriots, philanthropists, governments, that can wisely 
read the signs of the times, help to open safety-valves 
to prevent the sudden and, when it comes, uncontrollable 
outburst—maddened forces direr than Nature's direst.

Strange that the jets of sulphurous smoke here and there 
polluting the moral atmosphere carry with them so little 
premonition. We seem to have no eye but for the green 
grass, the enamel of flowers; smothering prophecies of 
disaster. Other words of Scripture have a political as well 
as a spiritual meaning—"When they are saying, Peace, 
peace—then sudden destruction comes!"

Helpless seafarers! indulging in mirth and song, when 
their ears should be open to the roar of the breakers!