114
Messages to Young People
in conversation, and actions, that there is no distinction. I saw them
decorating their poor mortal bodies, which are liable at any moment to
be touched by the finger of God, and laid upon a bed of anguish. Oh,
then, as they approach their last change, mortal anguish racks their
frames, and the great inquiry then is, “Am I prepared to die? prepared
to appear before God in judgment, and pass the grand review?”
Ask them then how they feel about decorating their bodies, and if
they have any sense of what it is to be prepared to appear before God,
they will tell you that if they could take back and live over the past,
they would correct their lives, shun the follies of the world, its vanity,
its pride, and would adorn the body with modest apparel, and set an
example to all around them. They would live to the glory of God.
Why is it so hard to lead a self-denying, humble life? Because
professed Christians are not dead to the world. It is easy living after
we are dead. But many are longing for the leeks and onions of Egypt.
[128]
They have a disposition to dress and act as much like the world as
possible, and yet go to heaven. Such climb up some other way. They
do not enter through the strait gate and narrow way....
Such will have no excuse. Many dress like the world to have an
influence. But here they make a sad and fatal mistake. If they would
have a true and saving influence, let them live out their profession,
show their faith by their righteous works, and make the distinction
great between the Christian and the world. I saw that the words, the
dress, and actions should tell for God. Then a holy influence will be
shed upon all, and all will take knowledge of them that they have been
with Jesus. Unbelievers will see that the truth we profess has a holy
influence, and that faith in Christ’s coming affects the character of the
man or woman. If any wish to have their influence tell in favor of the
truth, let them live it out, and thus imitate the humble Pattern.
Preparation for Jesus’ Coming
I saw that God hates pride, and that all the proud, and all that do
wickedly, shall be stubble, and the day that cometh shall burn them
up. I saw that the third angel’s message must yet work like leaven
upon many hearts that profess to believe it, and purge away their pride,
selfishness, covetousness, and love of the world.