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Warnings and Reproofs
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influences of the truth and Spirit of God. Could these children be as
favorably situated as are many Sabbathkeeping children, all would
be converted and enlist in the army of the Lord.
I was then shown a young girl of the same place, who had de-
parted from God and was enshrouded in darkness. Said the angel:
“She did run well for a season; what did hinder her?” I was pointed
back and saw that it was a change of surroundings. She was asso-
ciating with youth like herself, who were filled with hilarity and
glee, pride, and love of the world. Had she regarded the words of
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Christ, she need not have yielded to the enemy. Watch ye and pray,
lest ye enter into temptation.” Temptation may be all around us, but
this does not make it necessary that we should enter into temptation.
The truth is worth everything. Its influence tends not to degrade,
but to elevate, refine, purify, and exalt to immortality and the throne
of God. Said the angel: “Will ye have Christ, or the world?” Satan
presents the world with its most alluring, flattering charms to poor
mortals, and they gaze upon it, and its glitter and tinsel eclipse the
glory of heaven and that life which is as enduring as the throne
of God. A life of peace, happiness, joy unspeakable, which shall
know nothing of sorrow, sadness, pain, nor death, is sacrificed for a
short lifetime of sin. All who will turn from the pleasures of earth,
and with Moses choose rather to suffer affliction with the people
of God than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season, esteeming
the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of the world,
will, with faithful Moses, receive the unfading crown of immortality
and the far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.
The mother of this girl has at different times been susceptible
to the influence of the truth, but she has soon lost the impression
through indecision. She lacks decision of character, is too vacillat-
ing, and is affected too much by unbelievers. She must encourage
decision, fortitude, steadiness of purpose, which will not be swerved
to the right or left by circumstances. She must not be in a state of
such vacillation. If she does not reform in this respect she will be
easily ensnared and taken captive by Satan at his will. She will have
to possess perseverance and firmness in the work of overcoming, or
she will be overcome and lose her soul. The work of salvation is not
child’s play, to be taken hold of at will and let alone at pleasure. It
is the steady purpose, the untiring effort, that will gain the victory
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