I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: henceforth
there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the
righteous Judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto
all them also that love his appearing," 2 Tim. 4:7, 8.

The period symbolized under this seal, was distinguished for purity of
faith in the church, and devotion to the cause of Christ,--indicated by the
whiteness of the horse that the warrior rides.

The Second Seal.

"And when he opened the second seal, I heard the second living
being say, Come! And there went out another horse that was red:
and power was given to him, who sat on him, to take peace from the
earth, and that they should kill each other: and a great sword was
given to him."--Rev. 6:3, 4.

This symbol, like the former, is that of a mounted warrior, and must also
symbolize a body of religious teachers. The color of the horse, indicates
that the doctrine and character of the body symbolized will have lost the
original purity of the church, and become more sanguinary; which is also
indicated by the great sword given him.

The warfare under this seal is not against outside enemies; for they kill
each other. This, then, indicates an era when the church shall be
disquieted, and her peace interrupted by internal dissensions. Such was
its history during the third, fourth, and fifth centuries. This period was
distinguished for the contentions of the clergy; their usurpation of power
not conferred by the apostles; their divisions and sub-divisions into
parties; their opposing councils; their collisions and distractions; their
love of power; their pride, discord, strife, and tyranny; their mutual
anathemas and excommunications; the envy, jealousy, and detraction they
indulged in, and the other hateful passions which they exercised. Thus
they marred the peace of the church; and by causing many to apostatize,
killed each other with spiritual death.

The Third Seal.

"And when he opened the third seal I heard the third living being
say, Come! And I beheld, and lo, a black horse; and he, who sat on
him, had a balance in his hand. And I heard a voice in the midst
of the four living beings say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and
three measures of barley for a penny; and injure thou not the oil
and the wine."--Rev. 6:5, 6.

This foreshadows a period of great scarcity and cruel exactions. Applying
it