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The Revelation of Character, December 10
And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that
were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.
Matthew 25:10
.
Let none follow the example of the foolish virgins and think that it will
be safe to wait until the crisis comes before gaining a preparation of char-
acter to stand in that time. It will be too late to seek for the righteousness
of Christ when the guests are called in and examined. Now is the time to
put on the righteousness of Christ—the wedding garment that will fit you
to enter into the marriage supper of the Lamb. In the parable, the foolish
virgins are represented as begging for oil and failing to receive it at their
request. This is symbolic of those who have not prepared themselves by
developing a character to stand in a time of crisis. It is as if they should
go to their neighbors and say, Give me your character or I shall be lost.
Those that were wise could not impart their oil to the flickering lamps of
the foolish virgins. Character is not transferable. It is not to be bought
or sold; it is to be acquired. The Lord has given to every individual an
opportunity to obtain a righteous character ..., but He has not provided a
way by which one human agent may impart to another the character which
he has developed....
The day is coming, and it is close upon us, when every phase of
character will be revealed by special temptation. Those who remain true
to principle, who exercise faith to the end, will be those who have proved
true under test and trial during the previous hours of their probation, and
have formed characters after the likeness of Christ. It will be those who
have cultivated close acquaintance with Christ who, through His wisdom
and grace, are partakers of the divine nature. But no human being can
give to another, heart devotion and noble qualities of mind, and supply his
deficiencies with moral power
Let no one put off the day of preparation, lest the call be made, “Go
forth to meet the bridegroom,” and you be found as were the foolish virgins,
with no oil in your vessels with your lamps
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11
The Youth’s Instructor, January 16, 1896.
12
The Youth’s Instructor, January 30, 1896.
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