AWAKE FROM SLEEP by E. W. DARLING

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 25, 1869

AWAKE FROM SLEEP.

By E. W. DARLING

It was necessary on a certain occasion to rise very early in the morning. Retiring late, during the fore part of the night I was restless and wakeful; but as it drew toward morning, I sank into a sound sleep. At the appointed hour, I was partially aroused by the striking of the clock, but not enough to realize the necessity of starting. I made a slight movement, and was fast returning to a sound slumber, when my hand slowly lowered onto the cold, steel trimmings of a trunk that stood at the bed-side. In a moment I was awake and up. Ah! thought I, had my hand rested on a velvet cushion instead of the repulsive steel, I might have slept another hour and thus have missed my time.

And then I thought of the thousands that have slumbered in the lap of ease, of wealth or luxury, till the day of grace passed, till the hour of probation and mercy, with them, had closed forever. I thought also of bitter chastening which God sometimes sends upon his people to break the charm of this world and awaken them to a sense of their duty and danger. But more than all I thought of that fatal sleep of those who are deluded by the siren song of peace and safety; even while the angry nations are training and marshaling their hosts, and while that awful storm of God's wrath and vengeance is gathering and ready to burst on the earth and sweep from off the face thereof both man and beast. The people of God are not in darkness. They are not thus deceived. They are children of the day. E. W. DARLING. Faribault, Minn.