Mr. Editor: —In the editorial from which the above is extracted, the writer states that "holding the views he does, he cannot conceive such a calamity"—as the defeat of Turkey by Russia, "at all probable." Such an event would altogether be opposed to his conception of what is right. And, therefore, he "regards the publication of confident assertions of Russia’s success, drawn from the alleged certainty of unfulfilled prophecy, as inopportune."

I know of no other articles to which the Wesleyan can have reference, except those written by myself, and published in your paper. And I cannot see why these should be regarded as "inopportune," that is, unseasonable. If there be clergymen—such as the Wesleyan minister at Yarmouth, who "finds the whole story" of the present war, in the "Prophecy against Gog—Ezekiel 38 and 39,"—who give perfectly absurd and false interpretations of prophecy, in order to prove the defeat of Russia in this war, and, if these perversions of the sure Word of prophecy are published by the Christian Messenger, and favourably regarded by the Provincial Wesleyan; what but sheer prejudice, or a desire to keep the people in ignorance of unpalatable truths, than cause the latter to regard interpretations of an opposite character to those of brother Wilson’s, of Yarmouth, as so inopportune. No man of common sense, the Wesleyan editor not excepted, can read the 38^th and 39^th chapters of Ezekiel, and not perceive how remote from the plain truth are the speculations of the Yarmouth minister, as published in the Christian Messenger of the 4^th instant.

He agrees with myself in believing the Autocrat of all the Russias, to be the person called by the Spirit, Gog, and the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal; and this is a very material point. He then proceeds to tell us that Russia is described in the 38^th chapter of Ezekiel, as invading "the house of Togarmah!" that is, as he says, "the modern Turks." But, plainly seeing that the invasion is said to be against "the mountains of Israel," "my people of Israel," and "the land of Israel," he endeavours to wriggle out of his difficulties by asking, "does not Turkey hold Palestine? Would not Russia like to grasp it? Besides, may we not take Israel here in a large spiritual sense?" And in this way he satisfies himself, that a predicted invasion of the land and people of Israel, may mean an attack upon Turkey, or something else!

"The helpers of Turkey" he finds in verses 5 and 6, namely, "Persia, Ethiopia, Libya, and the bands of Gomer," which latter, he says, mean England and France. In this, I believe, he is correct; and seeing that Gomer was the father of Togarmah, as we read in the 10^th chapter of Genesis, I am inclined to think that "the house of Togarmah of the north quarters" means a people more nearly related to France and England than the Turks are, who came from beyond the river Euphrates. Is it not probable that the Germans may be meant? And if so, then the German powers and "all their bands" will be in league with Russia when Ezekiel’s prophecy receives its accomplishment. "The conflict is to be beyond measure awful;" this, he who runs may read. "The RESULT, according to his understanding of the prophet, is "the utter overthrow of Gog in the great valley down which flow the Don and the Volga, down which Russia marches her troops to the scene of the present conflict, the grand passage way of Russia—EASTWARD of the Black Sea. Driven back from the Danube, Russia may retreat to this valley, there make her final stand, and sustain her decisive defeat." "Such are the speculations of brother Wilson," writes the correspondent of the Christian Messenger, who furnishes the sketch of the lecture; and the outline being, no doubt, very much in accordance with the views of the Wesleyan editor, he says, "we should much like to see it." The publication of such arrant nonsense, for an exposition of the 38^th and 39^th chapters of Ezekiel, I suppose he regards as opportune, and well "calculated to produce conviction on intelligent minds!" I wish that those who read this, would likewise peruse the two chapters in Ezekiel, which brother Wilson has so twisted and interpreted (!) to prove the defeat of Russia in the present war. Those who do so will see, without any difficulty, that if the house of Togarmah means the Turks, they will, at the time predicted by Ezekiel, be allies of Russia, as will also Persia, Ethiopia, Libya, Gomer, and all his bands, and people with them. The student of Ezekiel will also learn that this formidable confederacy of nations, headed by Russia, will, at some future time, when God’s nation is dwelling safely in their own land, "ascend and come like a storm like a cloud to cover the land." "I will bring thee against my land," saith Jehovah, "that the heathen may honour me, when I shall be sanctified in thee, O Gog, before their eyes." Further on he will learn, that five-sixths of this immense host of Gentiles, confederated with Russia, as the leading power of the day, shall be destroyed—not in a valley on the east of the Black Sea—but, on the mountains, and in the land of Israel; not by "Turkey and her noble allies," but by the power of God, who shall "go forth and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle;" in the days of Joshua, for instance. "I will plead against him," saith the Lord, "with pestilence and with blood; and I will rain upon him, and upon his bands, and upon the many people that are with him, an overflowing rain, and great hailstones, fire and brimstone. Thus will I magnify myself and sanctify myself; and I will be known in the eyes of many nations, and they shall know that I am the Lord."

What astounding changes must occur ere this prophecy can be fulfilled, what an amazing expansion of the power of Russia must there be, ere she can lead on the forces of the world, "to the battle of the great day of God Almighty!" Yet, it must come; no human power can set aside the decree of the Eternal One. "He has spoken and it shall come to pass."

The present war will, I believe, give Russia possession of Constantinople. Daniel 11: 40, proves positively that Russia will overwhelm Turkey. This must be the first step towards the subjugation of all those nations who will give their power unto her, and be her confederates, when they receive the reward of their iniquities at the hand of God, upon the mountains of Israel.

How lamentable is the ignorance of the Wesleyan and brother Wilson, upon this subject, how contrary is the truth to their notions of what is right! The Wesleyan should remember that He "who rules over the kingdom of men, giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men,"—Daniel 4: 17.

J. R. L.

HALIFAX, N.S., May.

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