But thanksgiving is not the only duty of the day, for the two treaties now concluded involve consequences of such great importance that they ought to awaken in all our minds the deepest interest, and the most earnest expectation. To the student of the Prophetic Scriptures they assume an importance altogether unequalled by any event in modern history; I might almost say; by any event since the Siege of Jerusalem. We are taught in many places of Scripture that the people of God will not be taken by surprise by the great events of the latter days; but that there will be certain predicted signs which may be understood beforehand by those who study them. Thus in Matthew xxiv. our Lord teaches us that there will be such signs as will indicate the nearness of his return as distinctly as the budding of the fig tree assures us of the approach of summer. When we see the fig tree budding in spring we know that summer is at hand, and so when we see these predicted signs we are to conclude without a doubt that the great deliverance is near. Nor are we to wait until the signs are fully developed, or have passed into the region of history, but we are to look out for their beginnings, as our Lord said, “when these things begin to come to pass then look up, and lift up your heads, for your redemption draweth nigh.” Now I cannot help believing that the conclusion of these two treaties is at all events amongst the beginnings. I believe that the fig tree is beginning to bud, and that, if it be, it is high time for us to be looking out for the summer. Let us endeavour then to consider, first, what we actually see; and secondly, what we may anticipate as the not improbable consequence of the great events that have taken place. I. First then, WHAT DO WE SEE? Do we not see the complete, and, as far as man can judge, the final overthrow of the uncontrolled dominion of the Ottoman Empire? The result of the Berlin treaty is that, although the form is preserved, the dominant power of the Ottoman Empire is at an end.