Impending Conflict
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those who choose to obey God rather than man will be made to feel
the hand of oppression. Shall we then dishonor God by keeping silent
while His holy commandments are trodden underfoot?
While the Protestant world is by her attitude making concessions to
Rome, let us arouse to comprehend the situation and view the contest
before us in its true bearings. Let the watchmen now lift up their voice
and give the message which is present truth for this time. Let us show
the people where we are in prophetic history and seek to arouse the
spirit of true Protestantism, awaking the world to a sense of the value
of the privileges of religious liberty so long enjoyed.
God calls upon us to awake, for the end is near. Every passing
hour is one of activity in the heavenly courts to make ready a people
upon the earth to act a part in the great scenes that are soon to open
upon us. These passing moments, that seem of so little value to us, are
weighty with eternal interests. They are molding the destiny of souls
for everlasting life or eternal death. The words we utter today in the
ears of the people, the works we are doing, the spirit of the message
we are bearing, will be a savor of life unto life or of death unto death.
My brethren, do you realize that your own salvation, as well as the
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destiny of other souls, depends upon the preparation you now make
for the trial before us? Have you that intensity of zeal, that piety and
devotion, which will enable you to stand when opposition shall be
brought against you? If God has ever spoken by me, the time will
come when you will be brought before councils, and every position
of truth which you hold will be severely criticized. The time that so
many are now allowing to go to waste should be devoted to the charge
that God has given us of preparing for the approaching crisis.
The law of God should be loved and honored by His true people
now more than ever before. There is the most imperative necessity
of urging the injunction of Christ upon the minds and hearts of all
believers, men and women, youth and children: “Search the Scrip-
tures.” Study your Bible as you have never studied it before. Unless
you arise to a higher, holier state in your religious life, you will not
be ready for the appearing of our Lord. As great light has been given,
God expects corresponding zeal, faithfulness, and devotion on the part
of His people. There must be more spirituality, a deeper consecration
to God, and a zeal in His work that has never yet been reached. Much