e indeed in earnest to seek the
truth and lay to heart the meaning of this experience into which their
sinful hearts have led them, let them of their own accord and out of
their humble and contrite hearts devote a year to meditation and prayer.
Let them show to others they have learned that to live righteously and
soberly, and not to grasp ill-gotten gains or enjoy unhallowed
pleasures, is the chief end of human life! The hour is ripe for such a
demonstration. We have seen other evidences among us of an unholy
hungering after the unlawful pleasures of life. It is time that a halt
were called. If this community is dedicated to righteousness, then let
us exalt the standard. It is at critical moments like this that history
is made and character formed. If we weaken now, if we permit our hearts
to overpower our consciences, God will smite us with His wrath, vice
will rush upon us like a flood, and we shall be given over to the lust
of the flesh and the pride of life! 'To the law and to the testimony, my
brethren.'"

With his long arm extended and his deep-set eyes glowing, he repeated
from memory the solemn words:

"'Behold ye trust in lying words that cannot profit. Will ye steal,
murder and commit adultery and swear falsely, and burn incense to Baal,
and walk after other gods whom ye know not, and come and stand before me
in this house which is called by my name and say, "We are delivered to
do all these abominations?" Is this house which is called by my name,
become a den of robbers in your eyes? Behold, even I have said it, saith
the Lord. But go ye now into my place which was Shiloh, where I set my
name at the first, and see what I did to it for the wickedness of my
people Israel! And now because ye have done all these works, saith the
Lord--and I spake unto you (rising up early and speaking), but ye heard
not, and I called you but ye answered not--therefore will I do unto
this house which is called by my name (wherein ye trust) and unto the
place which I gave unto you and your fathers, as I have done to Shiloh!
And I will cast you out of my sight--even the whole people of Ephraim!
Therefore pray not thou for this people, neither lift up cry nor prayers
for them, neither make intercession to me--for I will not hear thee!'

* * * * *

"This is my message! This is the advice ye have invited! Wait a year!
Watch and pray! Fit yourselves for the enjoyment of your love by
repentance."

Th