rophecy, will receive with unquestioning credulity an
accusation against those who dare to reprove fashionable sins. This spirit
will increase more and more. And the Bible plainly teaches that a time is
approaching when the laws of the state will so conflict with the law of
God that whosoever would obey all the divine precepts must brave reproach
and punishment as an evil-doer.

In view of this, what is the duty of the messenger of truth? Shall he
conclude that the truth ought not to be presented, since often its only
effect is to arouse men to evade or resist its claims? No; he has no more
reason for withholding the testimony of God's word, because it excites
opposition, than had earlier reformers. The confession of faith made by
saints and martyrs was recorded for the benefit of succeeding generations.
Those living examples of holiness and steadfast integrity have come down
to inspire courage in those who are now called to stand as witnesses for
God. They received grace and truth, not for themselves alone, but that,
through them, the knowledge of God might enlighten the earth. Has God
given light to His servants in this generation? Then they should let it
shine forth to the world.

Anciently the Lord declared to one who spoke in His name, "The house of
Israel will not hearken unto thee; for they will not hearken unto Me."
Nevertheless He said, "Thou shalt speak My words unto them, whether they
will hear, or whether they will forbear."(771) To the servant of God at
this time is the command addressed, "Lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and
show My people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins."

So far as his opportunities extend, every one who has received the light
of truth is under the same solemn and fearful responsibility as was the
prophet of Israel, to whom the word of the Lord came, saying: "Son of man,
I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt
hear the word at My mouth, and warn them from Me. When I say unto the
wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to
warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity;
but his blood will I require at thine hand. Nevertheless, if thou warn the
wicked of his way to turn from it; if he do not turn from his way, he
shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul."(772)

The great obstacle both to the acceptance and to the promulgation of
truth, is the fact that it invol