One can imagine how a church of new converts in heathen Africa, when they heard of the promised coming again of our Lord Jesus Christ, would with childlike faith begin to look for his return every day. That was the attitude of the early church, as many scriptures testify--a constant looking for his return to take his own to himself; and this gave their whole life an unworldly turn. (Phil. 3:20, 21.) This should be the attitude of [33] the church now. But in our preconceived notions we have no room left for the coming of Christ. We look for death. We expect Christ away at the other end of a thousand years of triumph; but not here, not now. It fills no essential place in the scheme of God's plans as we understand them. Hence it is a neglected topic. Yet the word of God has so very much to say about it, and so many exhortations to watch and to wait. Had we not better let our notions go and begin again to look for Jesus every day? It cannot be very long now. If he was near then, he is nearer to-day. Blessed are those whom he finds watching.--March 18, 1909.

[TAG 33-34]