they had received, and denounce the Advent
Movement. In the Epistle to the Hebrews are words of encouragement and
warning for the tried, waiting ones at this crisis: "Cast not away
therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward. For ye
have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might
receive the promise. For yet a little while, and He that shall come will
come, and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man
draw back, My soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them
who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of
the soul."(666)

That this admonition is addressed to the church in the last days is
evident from the words pointing to the nearness of the Lord's coming: "For
yet a little while, and He that shall come will come, and will not tarry."
And it is plainly implied that there would be a seeming delay, and that
the Lord would appear to tarry. The instruction here given is especially
adapted to the experience of Adventists at this time. The people here
addressed were in danger of making shipwreck of faith. They had done the
will of God in following the guidance of His Spirit and His word; yet they
could not understand His purpose in their past experience, nor could they
discern the pathway before them, and they were tempted to doubt whether
God had indeed been leading them. At this time the words were applicable,
"Now the just shall live by faith." As the bright light of the "midnight
cry" had shone upon their pathway, and they had seen the prophecies
unsealed, and the rapidly fulfilling signs telling that the coming of
Christ was near, they had walked, as it were, by sight. But now, bowed
down by disappointed hopes, they could stand only by faith in God and in
His word. The scoffing world were saying: "You have been deceived. Give up
your faith, and say that the Advent Movement was of Satan." But God's word
declared, "If any man draw back, My soul shall have no pleasure in him."
To renounce their faith now, and deny the power of the Holy Spirit which
had attended the message, would be drawing back toward perdition. They
were encouraged to steadfastness by the words of Paul, "Cast not away
therefore your confidence;" "ye have need of patience," "for yet a little
while, and He that shall come will come, and will not tarry." Their only
safe course was to cherish the light which they had already received of
God, hold fast