some
800,000 square miles.

At the beginning of the last century the Russian advance forts were 2,500
miles distant from those of England. At the close of the century the
distance was 2,000. Then in 1810 it was reduced to 1,000. And since
1855 it has been reduced to 400. And now, of course, they want it
reduced to nothing by getting control of Afghan.

How wonderfully clear are the fulfilling events of the prophecy. This
king of the North is to become a strong king, who, when Israel and Judah
are settled in Palestine, will have spirit and power to attack them. So
he is ripening, growing, and gathering power ready. Russia now comprises
nine crowns, eight of which are crowns of conquest. Russia's one grand
desire is to possess Palestine, especially Jerusalem. The Crimean war
was waged for rights and extended privileges in this holy city. To-day
Russian pilgrims swarm thither by the thousands every year. A few years
ago she built outside the Jaffa gate what she called an hospice, which
was designed to be nothing more nor less than a fort. It is in a
position commanding the whole city, and is a place of great strength.
Often she has tried to possess the city and land. By-and-bye she will be
permitted by Providence to pour her troops into this "land of unwalled
villages," and when having nearly achieved the ambitious plan of ages,
and nearly realised her one great national idea, she will perish, to rise
no more, "on the mountains of Israel." Her history is set forth by
Ezekiel xxxviii. and xxxix. chapters.

Palestine and Jerusalem have borne undeniable evidence for prophecy and
Providence. The whole land and the Book have been wonderfully agreed
during the past eighteen centuries. How significant and telling the
wailings and lamentations of the devout Jews, who crowd under the walls
of the mosque of Omar, the site of the ancient temple. Here, each
returning Sabbath, groups of Jews may be heard dolefully crying: "_Ali
bene_, _Ali bene_; _bene bethka_; _bekarob_, _bimheira_, _bimheira_;
_beyamenue_, _bekarob_," which, being interpreted, means, "Lord build,
Lord build; build Thy house speedily, in haste, in haste; even in our day
build Thy house speedily." Yes, mourning brethren of Judah, the time is
coming when the house shall be built and the voice of wailing no more
heard in the streets.

Can any student or inquirer after the truth fail to see that in our day a
prophecy is being fulfilled? Can any one