368
Testimonies for the Church Volume 4
with God. We must have a converted ministry, and then we shall see
the light of God and His power aiding all our efforts.
The watchmen anciently placed upon the walls of Jerusalem and
other cities occupied a most responsible position. Upon their faithful-
ness depended the safety of all within those cities. When danger was
apprehended, they were not to keep silent day nor night. Every few
moments they were required to call to one another to see if all were
awake and no harm had come to any. Sentinels were stationed upon
some eminence overlooking the important posts to be guarded, and
the cry of warning or of good cheer was sounded from them. This was
borne from one to another, each repeating the words, till it went the
entire rounds of the city.
These watchmen represent the ministry, upon whose fidelity de-
[403]
pends the salvation of souls. The stewards of the mysteries of God
should stand as watchmen upon the walls of Zion; and if they see the
sword coming, they should sound the note of warning. If they are
sleepy sentinels, and their spiritual senses are so benumbed that they
see and realize no danger, and the people perish, God will require their
blood at the watchmen’s hands.
“O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel;
therefore thou shalt hear the word at My mouth, and warn them from
Me.” The watchmen will need to live very near to God, to hear His
word and be impressed with His Spirit, that the people may not look to
them in vain. “When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt
surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way,
that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at
thine hand. Nevertheless, if thou warn the wicked of his way to turn
from it; if he do not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but
thou hast delivered thy soul.” Ambassadors of Christ should take heed
that they do not, through their unfaithfulness, lose their own souls and
the souls of those who hear them.
I was shown the churches in different states that profess to be
keeping the commandments of God and looking for the second coming
of Christ. There is an alarming amount of indifference, pride, love of
the world, and cold formality existing among them. And these are the
people who are fast coming to resemble ancient Israel, so far as the
want of piety is concerned. Many make high claims to godliness and
yet are destitute of self-control. Appetite and passion bear sway; self is