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Chapter 16—Elevate the Standard
[This section is a reprint of the tract, the sin of licentiousness.]
Clean Hands and Pure Hearts
There is much preaching the truth, but few are sanctified through
the truth. Piety and righteousness are not brought into the practical
life, and the Lord is dishonored; and, having no vital connection with
God, poor, weak human nature has no strength to resist temptation,
and never will have till the converting power of God takes hold upon
the soul.
We are nearing the judgment, and those who bear the message of
warning to the world must have clean hands and pure hearts. They
must have a living connection with God. The thoughts must be pure
and holy, the soul untainted, the body, soul, and spirit be a pure,
clean offering to God, or He will not accept it.
Recent painful developments of evil are one of the greatest ev-
idences we have that the end is near. Satan, like a roaring lion, is
going about, seeking whom he may devour; and if men and women,
under the blazing light that now shines in this perilous time, will be
found fornicators, I am afraid that God will separate them from the
work forever.
Decided Action Called For
The youth, for misdemeanors of a comparatively light character,
are treated with much severity; but when men and women of large
experience, who have been considered patterns of piety, are revealed
in their true character,—unsanctified, unholy, impure in thought,
debased in conduct,—then it is time for such to be dealt with in a
decided manner. The greater forbearance that is exercised toward
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them has only had, as far as my knowledge extends, the influence to
cause them to regard their fornication and adultery as a very light
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