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Testimonies for the Church Volume 3
istered in holy office, were controlled by Satan. These men polluted
the whole atmosphere which surrounded them. Men and women were
daily fascinated with sin and wrong, yet Samuel walked untainted.
His robes of character were spotless. He did not fellowship, or have
the least delight in, the sins which filled all Israel with fearful reports.
Samuel loved God; he kept his soul in such close connection with
heaven that an angel was sent to talk with him in reference to the sins
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of Eli’s sons, which were corrupting Israel.
Appetite and passion are overcoming thousands of Christ’s pro-
fessed followers. Their senses become so blunted on account of fa-
miliarity with sin that they do not abhor it, but view it as attractive.
The end of all things is at hand. God will not much longer bear with
the crimes and debasing iniquity of the children of men. Their crimes
have indeed reached unto the heavens and will soon be answered by
the fearful plagues of God upon the earth. They will drink the cup of
God’s wrath unmixed with mercy.
I have seen that there is danger that even the professed children
of God will be corrupted. Licentiousness is binding men and women
as captives. They seem to be infatuated and powerless to resist and
overcome upon the point of appetite and passion. In God there is
power; in Him there is strength. If they will take hold upon it, the
life-giving power of Jesus will stimulate everyone who has named the
name of Christ. Dangers and perils surround us; and we are only safe
when we feel our weakness and cling with the grasp of faith to our
mighty Deliverer. It is a fearful time in which we live. We cannot
cease watchfulness and prayer for a moment. Our helpless souls must
rely on Jesus, our compassionate Redeemer.
I was shown the greatness and importance of the work before us.
But few realize the true state of things. All who are asleep, and who
cannot realize any necessity for vigilance and alarm, will be overcome.
Young men are arising to engage in the work of God, some of whom
have scarcely any sense of the sacredness and responsibility of the
work. They have but little experience in exercising faith and in earnest
soul hunger for the Spirit of God, which ever brings returns. Some men
of good capabilities, who might fill important positions, do not know
what spirit they are of. They run in a jovial mood as naturally as water
flows downhill. They talk nonsense, and sport with young girls, while
almost daily listening to the most solemn, soul-stirring truths. These