Sermon at Petaluma, California, Campground
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the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.”
This scripture describes the man whom God approves.
Christ is coming soon. He declared that when there would be
wars and rumors of wars, when there would be famines, pestilences,
and earthquakes in divers places, we might know that the time of His
second appearing is near. “When these things begin to come to pass,”
He declared, “then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption
draweth nigh.”
Parable of the fig tree
Christ represented this time by the parable of the fig tree. “Behold
the fig tree,” He said, “and all the trees; when they now shoot forth, ye
see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand.”
The wickedness, the turmoil, the disturbances on every side, should be
regarded by us as signs that the day of God is at hand.
We are standing on the verge of the eternal world. We have no
time to lose. It is high time to tell the people that Christ is coming. Let
us warn them, visiting them at their homes, and talking and praying
with them personally. By such efforts we shall win souls to Christ. If
we come to God in faith, He will give us power and grace for every
duty.
Economy to be practiced
Let those who profess to believe present truth practice economy.
God has use for every dollar that can be given to advance His work
in the earth. The cities throughout America are to be worked. The
Southern field in all its barrenness is staring us in the face. Who feels
a burden to go there to labor? Perhaps you are inclined to find fault
with those who are there; but can you not go there yourself to see what
you can do in working wisely for souls ready to perish?
Criticism and fault-finding to cease
We have only touched upon this subject, and now we leave it with
you. We greatly desire to have everyone go to work. Cease to criticize
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and find fault. If anyone has aught against his brother, let him go to him
in the spirit of Christ and settle the difficulty. Before the power of the