184 THE UNITED STATES IN PROPHECY.
1t is only conjecture, may show how enough can be
accomplished to fulfill the prophecy without involv-
ing the classes mentioned. This movement, as has
been shown, must originate with the churches of our
land, and be carried forward by them. They wish
to enforce certain practices upon all the people;
and it would be very natural that in reference to
those points respecting which they wish to influence
the outside masses, they should see the necessity of
first having absolute conformity among all the evan-
gelical denominations. They could not expect to
influence non-religionists to any great degree on
questions respecting which they were divided among
themselves. So, then, let union be had on those
views and practices which the great majority already
entertain. To this end coercion may first be at-
tempted. But here are a few who cannot possibly
attach to the observance of the first day, which the
majority wish to secure, any religious obligation;
and would it be anything strange for the sentence
to be given, Let these few factionists be made to
conform, by persuasion if possible, by force if neces-
sary? Thus the blow may fall on conscientious
commandment-kecpers before the outside masses are
involved in the issue at all. And should events take
this not improbable turn, it would be sufficient to
meet the prophecy, and leave no ground for the ob-
Jection proposed.
To receive the mark of the beast in the forehead,
Is, We understand, to give the assent of the mind
and judgment to his authority in the adoption of
that institution which constitutes the mark. By
parity of reasoning, to receive it in the hand would
be to signify allegiance by some outward act.
The number, over which the saints are also to cet
the victory, is the number of the papal beast, called
also the number of his name, and the number of a
THE BEGINNING OF THE END. 185
man, and said to be six hundred threescore and six.
The pope wears upon his pontifical crown, in jeweled
letters, this title: “ Vicarius Filiv Dei,” « Vicegerent
of the Son of God;” the numerical value of which
title is just six hundred and sixty-six. The most
plausible supposition we have ever scen on this point
is that here we find the number in question. It is
the number of the beast, the papacy; it is the num-
ber of his name, for he adopts it as his distinctive
title; it is the number of a man, for he who bears it
is the “man of sin.” We get the victory over it by
refusing those institutions and practices which he sets
forth as evidence of his power to sit supreme in the
temple of God, and by adopting which we should ac-
knowledge the validity of his title, by conceding his
right to act for the church in behalf of the Son of
God.
And now, reader, we leave this subject with you.
We confidently submit the argument as one which
is invulnerable in all its points. We ask you to re-
view it carefully. Take in, if thought can compre-
hend it, the wonderful phenomenon of our own na-
tion. Consider its location, the time of its rise, the
manner of its rise, its character, Satan’s masterpiece
of lying wonders which he has here sprung upon the
world, and the elements which are everywhere work-
ing to fulfill in just as accurate a manner every
other specification of the prophecy. Can you doubt
the application? We know not how. Then the
last agents to appear in this world’s history are on
the stage of action, the close of this dispensation is
at hand, and the Lord cometh speedily to judge the
world. Then an issue of appalling magnitude is be-
fore us. It is no less than this: to yield to unright-
cous human enactments, soon to be made, and thus
expose ourselves to the unmingled wrath of an in-
sulted Creator, or to remain loyal to our God, and
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