THE BEARINGS OF REVELATION ON CURRENT EVENTS. AS ILLUSTRATED IN A COMMENTARY ON THE LAST FIVE VERSES OF THE AND THE WHOLE OF THE 17TH & 18TH CHAPTERS. IN WHICH ARE FORETOLD THE NOW IMPENDING TOTAL DESTRUCTION OF PARIS AND THE FUTURE OF A GREAT PORTION OF WESTERN EUROPE. PREFACE. THE great importance to every class, of the subject dealt with in the following pages, commends it to the serious and impartial attention of all thoughtful minds. Its urgency does not seem to admit of any loss of time in the investigation as to its truth. These pages are, therefore, sent out in their homely originality, as a mere tentative outline, or a draft, disfigured by defective arrangement of matter, tautology, and many other imperfections and errors, which I may on a future occasion endeavour to correct. My object is now only to make out such a prima facie case as will entitle it to the attention of the Church, and will, by the importance of the subject, appeal for an instant and further examination by those whose position and special fitness for the task give their opinion weight in the eye of the world; so that by their confirmation, which it is assumed will follow the inquiry, the cause of Religion may be advanced, and steps may be taken, without loss of time, for the mitigation of certain impending evils of incredible magnitude. From any one a word of comment on my efforts to deal with this most abstruse subject will always be welcome. If he agrees with me, it will be a satisfaction to find that I do not remain singular in my conclusions. If he does not agree, his strictures may help to elucidate the truth, which is the sole object I have in view, and may draw my attention to some oversight, for doing which I shall thankfully acknowledge his kindness. EDWARD BEETLESTONE. 67, Snow Hill, Dudley, 11th November, 1872. |