Conditions Among God’s People
45
I lay down my pen and lift up my soul in prayer, that the Lord
would breathe upon His backslidden people, who are as dry bones,
that they may live. The end is near, stealing upon us so stealthily, so
imperceptibly, so noiselessly, like the muffled tread of the thief in the
night, to surprise the sleepers off guard and unready. May the Lord
grant to bring His Holy Spirit upon hearts that are now at ease, that
they may no longer sleep as do others, but watch and be sober.—
The
General Conference Bulletin, 1893, 132, 133
.
Revival and Reformation Needed
Christians should be preparing for what is soon to break upon the
world as an overwhelming surprise, and this preparation they should
make by diligently studying the word of God, and striving to conform
their lives to its precepts.... God calls for a revival and a reformation.—
Prophets and Kings, 626
.
A revival of true godliness among us is the greatest and most urgent
of all our needs. To seek this should be our first work.—
The Review
and Herald, March 22, 1887
.
[42]
The time has come for a thorough reformation to take place. When
this reformation begins, the spirit of prayer will actuate every believer,
and will banish from the church the spirit of discord and strife.—
Testimonies for the Church 8:251
.
A revival and a reformation must take place under the ministration
of the Holy Spirit. Revival and reformation are two different things.
Revival signifies a renewal of spiritual life, a quickening of the powers
of mind and heart, a resurrection from the spiritual death. Reformation
signifies a reorganization, a change in ideas and theories, habits and
practices. Reformation will not bring forth the good fruit of righteous-
ness unless it is connected with the revival of the Spirit. Revival and
reformation are to do their appointed work, and in doing this work
they must blend.—
The Review and Herald, February 25, 1902
.
Do not the Scriptures call for a more pure and holy work than we
have yet seen? ... God calls upon those who are willing to be controlled
by the Holy Spirit to lead out in a work of thorough reformation. I
see a crisis before us, and the Lord calls for His laborers to come
into line. Every soul should now stand in a position of deeper, truer
consecration to God than during the years that have passed.... I have