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Loud Cry
285
They hoped, by the example of a pure Christian life, to lead the
people back to the doctrines of the Bible. But the Spirit of God
came upon them as it came upon Elijah, and they could not refrain
from preaching the plain utterances of the Bible,—doctrines which
they had been reluctant to present. They were impelled to zealously
declare the truth, and the danger which threatened souls. The words
which the Lord gave them they uttered, fearless of consequences,
and the people were compelled to hear the warning.
Thus will the message of the third angel be proclaimed. As the
time comes for the loud cry to be given, the Lord will work through
humble instruments, leading the minds of those who consecrate
themselves to his service. The laborers will be qualified rather by
the unction of his Spirit than by the training of literary institutions.
Men of faith and prayer will be constrained to go forth with holy zeal,
declaring the words which God gives them. The sins of Babylon will
be laid open. The fearful results of a union of Church and State, the
inroads of Spiritualism, the stealthy but rapid progress of the papal
power,—all will be unmasked. By these solemn warnings the people
will be stirred. Thousands upon thousands have never listened to
words like these. In amazement they hear the testimony that Babylon
is the church, fallen because of her errors and sins, because of her
rejection of the truth sent to her from Heaven. The people go to their
former teachers with the eager inquiry, Are these things so? The
ministers present fables, prophesy smooth things, to soothe their
fears, and quiet the awakened conscience. But many refuse to be
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satisfied with the mere authority of men, and demand a plain “Thus
saith the Lord.” The popular ministry, like the Pharisees of old, are
filled with anger as their authority is questioned; they denounce the
message as of Satan, and stir up the sin-loving multitudes to revile
and persecute those who proclaim it.
As the controversy extends into new fields, and the minds of the
people are called to God’s down-trodden law, Satan is astir. The
power attending the message only maddens those who oppose it.
The clergy put forth almost superhuman efforts to shut away the
light, lest it should shine upon their flocks. By every means at their
command they endeavor to suppress the discussion of these vital
questions. The church appeals to the strong arm of civil power, and
in this work, papists are solicited to come to the help of Protestants.