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that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.”
Your labors taste so strongly of self that Christ is forgotten. Some
of you are pampered and flattered too much. As in the days Noah,
there is too much eating and drinking, planting and building. The
world has stolen the energies of the servants of Christ. Brethren, if you
would have your religion honored by unbelievers, honor it yourselves
by corresponding works. By a close connection with God and a strict
adherence to Bible truth in the face of difficulty and worldly pressure,
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you may infuse the spirit of the truth into the hearts of your children
so that they will work effectually with you as instruments in God’s
hands for good.
Many are incapacitated for labor both mentally and physically by
overeating and the gratification of the lustful passions. The animal
propensities are strengthened, while the moral and spiritual nature is
enfeebled. When we shall stand around the great white throne, what a
record will the lives of many then present. Then will they see what they
might have done had they not debased their God-given powers. Then
will they realize what height of intellectual greatness they might have
attained had they given to God all the physical and mental strength He
had entrusted to them. In their agony of remorse they will long to have
their lives to live over again.
I call upon those who profess to be light bearers—ensamples to
the flock—to depart from all iniquity. Use well the little remnant of
time now left you. Have you that strong hold of God, that consecration
to His service, that your religion will not fail you in the face of direst
persecution? The deep love of God alone will sustain the soul amid
the trials which are just upon us.
Self-denial and the cross are our portion. Will we accept it? None
of us need expect that when the last great trials come upon us a self-
sacrificing, patriotic spirit will be developed in a moment because
needed. No, indeed, this spirit must be blended with our daily experi-
ence, and infused into the minds and hearts of our children, both by
precept and example. Mothers in Israel may not be warriors them-
selves, but they may raise up warriors who shall gird on the whole
armor and fight manfully the battles of the Lord.
Ministers and people need the converting power of grace before
they will be able to stand in the day of the Lord. The world is fast
approaching that point in iniquity and human depravity when God’s
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