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Testimonies for the Church Volume 4
As the Holy One upon the throne slowly turned the leaves of the
ledger, and His eyes rested for a moment upon individuals, His glance
seemed to burn into their very souls, and at the same moment every
word and action of their lives passed before their minds as clearly as
though traced before their vision in letters of fire. Trembling seized
them, and their faces turned pale. Their first appearance when around
the throne was that of careless indifference. But how changed their
appearance now! The feeling of security is gone, and in its place is
a nameless terror. A dread is upon every soul, lest he shall be found
among those who are wanting. Every eye is riveted upon the face of
the One upon the throne; and as His solemn, searching eye sweeps over
that company, there is a quaking of heart; for they are self-condemned
without one word being uttered. In anguish of soul each declares his
own guilt and with terrible vividness sees that by sinning he has thrown
away the precious boon of eternal life.
One class were registered as cumberers of the ground. As the
piercing eye of the Judge rested upon these, their sins of neglect were
distinctly revealed. With pale, quivering lips they acknowledged that
they had been traitors to their holy trust. They had had warnings and
privileges, but they had not heeded nor improved them. They could
now see that they had presumed too much upon the mercy of God.
True, they had not such confessions to make as had the vile and basely
corrupt; but, like the fig tree, they were cursed because they bore no
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fruit, because they had not put to use the talents entrusted to them.
This class had made self supreme, laboring only for selfish inter-
ests. They were not rich toward God, not having responded to His
claims upon them. Although professing to be servants of Christ, they
brought no souls to Him. Had the cause of God been dependent on
their efforts, it would have languished; for they not only withheld the
means lent them of God, but they withheld themselves. But these
could now see and feel that in occupying an irresponsible position in
reference to the work and cause of God they had placed themselves on
the left hand. They had had opportunity, but would not do the work
that they could and should have done.
The names of all who profess the truth were mentioned. Some were
reproved for their unbelief, others for having been slothful servants.
They had allowed others to do the work in the Master’s vineyard, and
to bear the heaviest responsibilities, while they were selfishly serving