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cowardly spies. We want Calebs now who will press to the front—
chieftains in Israel who with courageous words will make a strong
report in favor of immediate action. When the selfish, ease-loving,
panic-stricken people, fearing tall giants and inaccessible walls, clamor
for retreat, let the voice of the Calebs be heard, even though the cow-
ardly ones stand with stones in their hands, ready to beat them down
for their faithful testimony.
Can we not discern the signs of the times? Can we not see how
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earnestly Satan is at work binding the tares in bundles, uniting the
elements of his kingdom, that he may gain control of the world? This
work of binding up the tares is going forward far more rapidly than
we imagine. Satan is opposing every obstacle to the advancement of
the truth. He is seeking to create diversity of opinion and to encourage
worldliness and avarice. He works with the subtlety of the serpent
and, when he sees it will do, with the ferocity of the lion. The ruin of
souls is his only delight, their destruction his only employment; and
shall we act as though we were paralyzed? Will those who profess
to believe the truth listen to the temptations of the wily foe and allow
themselves to become selfish and narrow, and their worldly interests
to interfere with efforts for the salvation of souls?
All who ever enter heaven’s gates will enter as conquerors. When
the redeemed throng surround the throne of God, with palm branches
in their hands and crowns on their heads, it will be known what vic-
tories have been won. It will be seen how Satan’s power has been
exercised over minds, how he has linked with himself souls who flat-
tered themselves that they were doing God’s will. It will then be seen
that his power and subtlety could not have been successfully resisted
had not divine power been combined with human effort. Man must
also be victor over himself; his temper, inclinations, and spirit must be
brought into subjection to the will of God. But the righteousness and
strength of Christ avail for all who will claim His merits.
Then let earnest and determined effort be made to beat back the
terrible foe. We want on the whole armor of righteousness. Time is
passing, and we are fast approaching the close of our probation. Will
our names stand registered in the Lamb’s book of life, or shall we be
found with the unfaithful? Are we of the number who shall gather
around the great white throne, singing the song of the redeemed?
There are no cold, formal ones in that throng. Every soul is in earnest,