“A Standard for the People.”
By A. P. Lawton
“Go through, go through the gates; prepare ye the way of the people; cast up, cast up the highway; gather out the stones; lift up a standard for the people.” Isa. 62: 10. We believe that, as a people, we are fulfilling this command more nearly than any other people on the earth. All the sins and errors of the last days are, in the name of the Lord, with his word, met and answered. With the truth clothed with power from on high, one can chase a thousand; without this, we are as Samson shorn of his strength. Of what is being done, we have nothing to boast. We have much to fear, lest while we are made the keepers of other vineyards, we neglect to keep our own. Have we gone through the gates and prepared our own way? Have we gathered out the stones? Anger, wrath, malice, envy, jealousy, pride, covetousness, self-love, and self-esteem are impediments that must be removed before God can successfully work with us. While we preach to others the most solemn truths the world ever heard, what manner of persons ought we to be, that we may not only make a plain path, but be careful to walk therein; that the recording angel in our case may make a clean record. We, the same as others, have our own natural hearts to contend with, added to which, the dragon is waging an uncompromising warfare on the remnant, who keep the commandments of God, and have the faith of Jesus. The enemy is strengthening his fortifications, arranging his batteries, and making fearful discharges upon our frontiers. Hence, the warning of the apostle to be vigilant. The hatred of our grand enemy to Bible truth, is only equaled by his efforts to destroy it. In God, we are more than a match; more are they that are for us, than they that are against us. In the name of the Lord, we set up our banner. In the name of the Lord, we are well able to go up and possess the goodly land. God still lives, and his word will rise superior to all opposition. We fight, not as uncertainly. Eternal life, the victor’s reward, is worth the effort. Spiritualism is accommodating itself to every class. The bait is now thrown out by the name of Christian Spiritualist, by a Methodist minister, by the name of Watson. The title of the book is, “The Clock Struck One.” What spiritualism in the rough could not accomplish, this bait will be sure to do, dressed in this new garment, though it is the same child still. This is to deceive, if possible, the very elect. The caution to be vigilant is not amiss. Its need is more and more apparent. We must heed it, or all will be lost. We are in the enemy’s land, and have not a moment to waste upon ourselves or others, in this conflict with our foe; lest, while we sleep, the enemy will gain the time, and steal the deadly march upon us. The warning is given, and must be heeded. Who will heed and prepare for the issue? Who will throw themselves into the gap and wrestle against spiritual wickedness in high places, and in the name of the Lord and in his strength go forth to struggle and to conquer. The fields are ripening for the harvest. Soon it will be said to the angel, “Thrust in thy sharp sickle and reap; for the harvest of the earth is fully ripe.”