The following is the copy of a letter addressed by the editor to Lord Palmerston, the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, at the epoch of the Autocrat’s intervention in aid of the Emperor of Austria against the Hungarians, and with the ulterior view of putting down rebellion throughout Europe. Thinking it might be interesting to the readers of the Herald at this crisis of renewed manifestation of autocratic ambition, it is now inserted in our columns. They will see that our prevision takes precedence of historical development, proving thereby the possibility of a correct interpretation of the prophets before the events they predict have come to pass. On June 10^th, 1853, I delivered a discourse at Rochester, N.Y., on the Mission of Russia, in which I showed the identity of the Moscovite Power with the Gogue of Ezekiel and Daniel’s King of the North, in chapter 11: 40; and that we might expect news of a warlike character from Constantinople every mail indicative of the movement of Russia against Turkey, as a result of the policy of the Frog-Power in Moslem affairs. In three days after tidings were published in New York that the Russian ambassador had left Constantinople, and that the Autocrat and Sultan were preparing for war. News has not yet arrived of its declaration; but this will come eventually: for, as I have often remarked in view of the divine testimony, peace cannot be maintained. The Moslem will lose the Dragon’s throne, and yield it to the Czar. This will be a great sign of the times. Thenceforth events will develop rapidly. The Sultan’s will not be the only imperial dynasty that will fall. The mission of the Frog-Power being accomplished, Napoleonism will give place to the Fleur de Lis; and the Bourbon dynasty will shine forth the reflector of the imperial majesty of the Czar. Events will head onwards towards the East. Palestine will be invaded, Egypt annexed, and Jerusalem captured, by “the proud man, who keepeth not at home, but enlargeth his desire as the grave and as death, and cannot be satisfied, but gathereth unto him all nations, and heapeth unto him all people—lading himself with thick clay.” Possessed of the Holy Shrines, the mission of Russia is complete. This is the great sign to the believer that the Lord may hourly appear—this is the crowning event of the worldquake in 1848. “Watch” then, and be thankful that you are favoured, O Reader, with the monthly visits of a Herald, which points out to you with the precision of this periodical, the steps by which the great consummation of the faith is so surely and rapidly approaching. The King of Israel will not come upon you as a thief if you have wisdom enough to heed the things urged upon you in these pages. There is but little time left you to prepare for His manifestation. Woe be to you if he appear before you put on the wedding garment. There is no time for delay. Therefore trim your lamp with the oil of truth, that you may shine in the day of darkness and distress.

Lord Palmerston is said to hate Russia and Austria. It may be so; it is well known they have no affection for him, or his country. This enmity will increase and make Britain what she ought to be—the preadventual antagonist of the Assyrian, and the promoter of all good works, in the interest of the Jews and the Holy Land. The letter subjoined was a proffered hint in this direction. Whether it was discerned by his lordship, or perceived as a wink to the blind, I am not prepared to say. The letter is before the reader, who can draw conclusions for himself.

June 17th, 1853 EDITOR.

LETTER TO LORD PALMERSTON.

Your lordship, as “Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs,” is doubtless well aware of the movements of Russia. The advance of such a Barbarian Host cannot be viewed with indifference by the Minister of a power having such a commercial stake in Europe and India, as Great Britain. To a statesman, reasoning from the premises of the past and present only, the future must be dark, or at most problematical. Can your lordship divine what will be the end of the Autocrat’s beginning to put down rebellion in Europe? You may “guess,” and conjecture, and “calculate,” but without a revelation you cannot define the consummation of his ambition. Conjecture as to future results is the basis of the Foreign Policies of all nations. If the French President had prevised the inconvenient results of General Oudinot’s expedition, he would probably not have sent him to Italy, and, if your lordship had seen the end of the Sicilian affair from the beginning, it is almost certain you would not have troubled yourself about the matter, unless to keep in check the impulses, or eccentricities of Gallic Diplomacy. Good, however, has resulted from your lordship’s Sicilian and Italian policy, notwithstanding the thunderings of The Times. You have amused the Gauls and Propagandists, now exciting hopes and then creating fears, by which a diversion has been created in favour of the gallant Hunns, and time gained for the Austrians to make temporary headway, that they might be enabled to take part in the crisis that has overtaken Rome. A very important thing, by-the-bye; for by delaying the catastrophe at Rome, the collision between France and Austria is rendered more certain; and a power has at length been introduced into Italy, which will bring times of trouble upon the Austrians there as it did in former years.

Certainty, then, as a foundation for Foreign Policy, is “devoutly to be wished,” I apprehend, by all Foreign Secretaries. Now, there has arisen no question of an importance to England (and Europe too) equal to that now arising out of the movements of the Autocrat. Your lordship ought to know what is the great crisis of the age looming in the future; and I am certain if you did you would open your eyes and become “wide awake.” Is your lordship aware of what “the mission of our Sacred Russia” is? I suspect that the Autocrat himself does not at present dream of the magnitude of the work marked out for him by the finger of God: so that, if you were to confer with his ambassador, he would doubtless give you “the most solemn assurance” of the “pacific intentions” of his master. But, if your lordship be wise, you will put no faith in Nicolas or his representative. The former will just do what opportunity may hereafter invite him to do. Therefore believe no assurances he may give you.

Now, from the style of this letter, your lordship will conclude, that the writer at least does not believe that his premises are conjectural. Indeed he does not, or he would not trouble you with it. When Cyrus, King of Persia, saw what was written about him and his mission in Isaiah, he published a decree, saying, “the Lord God of Heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth; and he hath charged me to build him a Temple in Jerusalem, which is in Judah;”—Isaiah 44: 28; 2 Chronicles 36: 23. This pagan prince, you perceive, acknowledged that what was written in the Prophet was a mandate of the Lord God to him, and he acted accordingly. He had faith in what was recorded there. He formed his policy according to its dictates; acted like a wise prince, and became the Protector of the Jewish Nation. A hint to the wise is enough.

I trust that your Lordship, with all the advantages of the 19th century at command, is not less enlightened, or less sagacious, than Cyrus or Nebuchadnezzar. The same writings they recognised in their Foreign Policy, reveal to your lordship, and to all men of mind, what the mission of Russia is, in regard to Europe and the Holy Land; so that by taking heed thereto, you will be in no danger of being victimised by the cunning of its diplomacy. The Prophets Ezekiel and Daniel (the latter, Grand Vizier to five of the greatest monarchs of antiquity,) have recorded the destiny of Russia in relation to Europe and the East; and also the part which Britain is destined to play as its antagonist in the approaching contest for the dominion of the Old World. Does your lordship care to know what they declare shall “surely come to pass” in relation to these powers? If so, then inquire where it can be shown what has been revealed through them upon the subject. “The wise shall understand.” Seek the interpretation they can give, and your search will not be in vain.

With due respect for your lordship,

I subscribe myself,

JOHN THOMAS.

3 Brudenell Place, New North Road, London

June 5, 1849.