III. /SERMON AT THE SECOND ANNUAL MEETING OF THE MISSIONARY COUNCIL
IN WASHINGTON, D.C., NOV. 13, 1888/.


"/The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of
His Christ, and He shall reign for ever and ever/."--REVELATION xi. 15.


THESE words are God's surety that the prayers, the trials and the labors
of His Church shall be crowned with success.

We are living in the great missionary age of the Church. Impenetrable
barriers have been broken down. Fast-closed doors have been opened.
There is no country where we may not carry the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Divine Providence has been fusing the nations of the earth into one
common brotherhood. Man has created nothing. The lightening would run
its circuit in the Garden of Eden as well as when Morse made it man's
messenger. In the fullness of time God has lifted the veil from human
eyes to see the mysteries of His bounty, and so prepare a highway for
the coming of our King.

I have no argument about the obligation of missions. It is eighteen
hundred years too late for this.

I speak to you to-day of the progress of the Kingdom of Christ. Pray
for me that the story may lead us to the foot of the Cross to consecrate