Camp Meeting Address Boulder, Colorado, September 25, 1881
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promise of His coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things
continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.” But “when
they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon
them.” “But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should
overtake you as a thief.” Thank God, all will not be rocked to sleep
in the cradle of carnal security. There will be faithful ones who will
discern the signs of the times. While a large number professing present
truth will deny their faith by their works, there will be some who will
endure unto the end.
The same spirit of selfishness, of conformity to the practices of the
world, exists in our day as in Noah’s. Many who profess to be children
of God follow their worldly pursuits with an intensity that gives the
lie to their profession. They will be planting and building, buying and
selling, eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the
last moment of their probation. This is the condition of a large number
of our own people. Because iniquity abounds, the love of many waxes
cold. To but few can it be said: “Ye are all ... the children of the day:
we are not of the night, nor of darkness.”
My soul is burdened as I see the great want of spirituality among
us. The fashions and customs of the world, pride, love of amusement,
love of display, extravagance in dress, in houses, in lands—these are
robbing the treasury of God, turning to the gratification of self the
means which should be used to send forth the light of truth to the
world. Selfish purposes are made the first consideration. The work
[11]
of qualifying men to labor for the salvation of souls is not considered
of so great consequence as worldly enterprises. Souls are perishing
for want of knowledge. Those who have had the light of present truth,
and yet feel no spirit of labor to warn their fellow men of the coming
judgment, must give an account to God for their neglect of duty. The
blood of souls will be upon their garments.
The old standard-bearers are fainting and falling. Our young men
have not been educated to feel their accountability to God; little in-
ducement is presented for them to labor in the cause, and they enter
the fields that promise the largest remuneration with the least toil and
responsibility. As a people we are not advancing in spirituality as we
near the end. We do not realize the magnitude and importance of the
work before us. Hence our plans are not becoming wider and more