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Spiritual Gifts, Volume 4b
in conversation, and actions, that there is no distinction. I saw them
decorating their poor mortal bodies, which are liable any moment to
be touched by the finger of God, and laid upon a bed of anguish. Oh,
then, as they approach their last change, mortal anguish racks their
frames, and the great inquiry then is, “Am I prepared to die; prepared
to appear before God in judgment and stand the grand review?” Ask
them then how they feel about decorating their bodies, and if they have
any sense of what it is to be prepared to appear before God, they will
tell you that if they could take back and live over the past, they would
correct their lives, shun the follies of the world, its vanity, its pride,
and would adorn the body with modest apparel, and set an example to
others around them. They would live to the glory of God. Why is it so
hard to lead a self-denying, humble life? Because professed Christians
are not dead to the world. It is easy living after we are dead; but they
have a disposition to dress and act as much like the world as possible,
and yet go to Heaven. Such seek to climb up some other way. They
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do not enter through the narrow way and straight gate.
I was shown the company present at the Conference. Said the
angel, “Some food for worms, [
Sister Clarissa M. Bonfoey, who fell
asleep in Jesus only three days after this vision was given, was present,
in usual health, and was deeply impressed that she was one that would
go into the grave, and stated her convictions to others.
] some subjects
of the seven last plagues, some will be alive and remain upon the earth,
to be translated at the coming of Jesus.”
Solemn words were these, spoken by the angel. I asked why so
few were interested in their eternal interest, so few preparing for their
last change. Said the angel, “Earth attracts them, its treasures seem of
worth to them.” They find enough to engross the mind, and have no
time to prepare for Heaven. Satan is ever ready to plunge them deeper
and deeper into difficulty, and as one perplexity and trouble is off the
mind he begets within them an unholy desire for more of the things
of earth, and thus their time is gone, and when it is too late they see
they have nothing substantial. They have grasped at shadows and lost
eternal life.
Such will have no excuse. Many, I saw, dressed like the world to
have influence; but here they make a sad mistake. If they would have
a true and saving influence, let them live out their profession, show
their faith by their righteous works, and make the distinction great