living in the most solemn period of this world's history. The
destiny of earth's teeming multitudes is about to be decided. Our own
future well-being, and also the salvation of other souls, depend upon the
course which we now pursue. We need to be guided by the Spirit of truth.
Every follower of Christ should earnestly inquire, "Lord, what wilt Thou
have me to do?" We need to humble ourselves before the Lord, with fasting
and prayer, and to meditate much upon His word, especially upon the scenes
of the judgment. We should now seek a deep and living experience in the
things of God. We have not a moment to lose. Events of vital importance
are taking place around us; we are on Satan's enchanted ground. Sleep not,
sentinels of God; the foe is lurking near, ready at any moment, should you
become lax and drowsy, to spring upon you and make you his prey.

Many are deceived as to their true condition before God. They congratulate
themselves upon the wrong acts which they do not commit, and forget to
enumerate the good and noble deeds which God requires of them, but which
they have neglected to perform. It is not enough that they are trees in
the garden of God. They are to answer His expectation by bearing fruit. He
holds them accountable for their failure to accomplish all the good which
they could have done, through His grace strengthening them. In the books
of heaven they are registered as cumberers of the ground. Yet the case of
even this class is not utterly hopeless. With those who have slighted
God's mercy and abused His grace, the heart of long-suffering Love yet
pleads. "Wherefore He saith, Awake, thou that sleepest, and arise from the
dead, and Christ shall give thee light. See then that ye walk
circumspectly, ... redeeming the time, because the days are evil."(1039)

When the testing time shall come, those who have made God's word their
rule of life will be revealed. In summer there is no noticeable difference
between evergreens and other trees; but when the blasts of winter come,
the evergreens remain unchanged, while other trees are stripped of their
foliage. So the false-hearted professor may not now be distinguished from
the real Christian, but the time is just upon us when the difference will
be apparent. Let opposition arise, let bigotry and intolerance again bear
sway, let persecution be kindled, and the half-hearted and hypocritical
will waver and yield the faith; but the true Christian will stand firm as
a roc