Untitled article | AdventAI

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Third-day, January 14, 1868

DAYS OF DECISION.

By the situation of some in these last days of peril, we are strongly reminded of the language of the prophet, “Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision.” God is at work for his people, and is reviving his cause in many places. A certain proportion of the church are coming up with zeal quickened, faith increased, hope revived, and courage strengthened. They feel an assurance that they never felt before that this is the work of the Lord. It is their delight to try to live it out in all its particulars. They are becoming rooted, grounded, settled. With bright anticipations, and firm step, such are looking heavenward, and are girding themselves for an entrance into the everlasting kingdom.

While this is the case with some, there is being developed another class, as plainly and distinctly as need be, who occupy very different ground. They are losing their interest in the truth to such a degree as to plainly affect their love for its practice, or faith in its principles. They see no light in the health reform; they do not believe in systematic benevolence. They have no faith in some of the important enterprises connected with this cause. They question the motives of those engaged in them. Their faith in the great principles of this work is giving way. They may not be aware of it, but others are; they are dying, drawing back, giving up.

How it sounds at this critical moment to hear people talk of giving up! How it makes us feel to learn of some here and there who are drawing back! We want to say to such plainly, that they are drawing back unto perdition, not believing to the saving of the soul. This language of the apostle applies to them. Perdition is before them, unless they speedily receive a new conversion to the truth. Where is their spiritual discernment! How can a person think of giving up now! Of all times, it seems to us that these are the days when we have reason to be firmest in the truth, and strongest in the Lord. And he who cannot see beauty and consistency in the truth, and in the special work of the Lord now, is fearfully open to the charge of the faithful and true Witness of being wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked; and it becomes him to give immediate and earnest heed to his counsel. They lack gold; they have not faith in this work; this is their great destitution which renders them bankrupt in everything else. And we cannot see them in so dangerous a position, without raising the voice of warning. We cry unto them to arouse, or they are lost. These are days of decision. Happy are they whose faith stands the test. But woe unto them who give up now!