WHY should the fearful be condemned with the wicked? Because they are so nearly allied to the unbelieving and the abominable, &c. The fearful, here, are not those who fear to offend God, but those that fear to trust his word, and therefore will stand for years undecided upon a point which is as clearly revealed in the Bible as words can reveal it. If the first step is a fear to trust the word of God, of course the next step is unbelief; then follow all the sins which characterize unbelievers. The fearful not only fear to trust the word of the Lord, but they fear to offend their fellow-men more than they fear to offend God. Do not marvel then that they are condemned. They want a reputable standing among those they know to be in error. They seek the praise of men more than the praise of God. I know some who have been convicted, have been investigating and inquiring, and halting between two opinions on the Sabbath question, for from five to ten years, unable to decide on so simple, and so clearly revealed a subject. Did I say, unable to decide? In their practice they have decided to keep the popular day, and maintain their standing with those that break God's law and teach men so; and they will probably remain so till it is too late to repent. They141are not yet decided against the seventh day, and they cannot be; for all the Bible testimony is in its favor; but they seem decided to smother their own convictions and remain undecided, fearing to let go the praise of men, for the sake of the approbation of God. It is no wonder, then, that the fearful have their part in the lake of fire. Again, I know others who keep the Lord's Sabbath, and have been from three to five years examining the claims of the Third Angel's Message, and yet are undecided. It seems to me, that, with the word of God, and with the past and present history of the Advent movement, one year is a long time to waste in indecision. I thought I was slow enough to believe, and I did not use up but eight or nine months, before I could say, I believe with all my heart. Some will have to decide this question, with less time than this in which to make the decision, before the message closes. And the faith of such will condemn the unbelief of those that have been undecided for years; they will obtain the crown, while the fearful lose it. An undecided person is fit for no service. Their time is running to waste. They are always fighting the battle and never getting the victory. At the end of each struggle they are weaker than before, while the foe grows strong through their cowardice. Whereas, if they would settle the question of duty between themselves and him who justly demands their fear and reverence, and then make a bold and decisive charge, the victory would be theirs. O, ye undecided! no longer charge God with a lack of evidence, nor consume more of your precious time in ruinous delay. Time is swiftly passing, and God is now requiring your whole heart in his service. He is not pleased with your fearfulness and indecision. Years have fled, and all those lions are yet in the way. You are no nearer a decision, perhaps not so near, as when you had had a reasonable portion of time in which to decide. God will do no more for you than he has done, till you take a decisive stand in his service. Those dear friends who hold you back, and for whom you wait, might be saved by a bold and resolute discharge of duty on your part. But if they will not go with you, why tarry in the plain to be consumed. If you do your duty, you may be censured by them, but, in that case, their blood will not be found upon your garments. What folly, to make the present life miserable, half believing, half doubting, half decided and yet undecided, and after all have a portion with the fearful and unbelieving! If the Third Angel's Message is not the present truth, decide against it, and enjoy yourself. If it is, decide accordingly, and enjoy the approbation of your God. The question can be decided; why halt then between two opinions? Let me ask my Sabbath-keeping friend, Is not God doing a great work for his down-trodden commandment through the proclamation of the Third Angel's Message? It will not do to ascribe this work to the devil. He can do nothing in favor of the law of God. The carnal mind also is enmity against God; it is not subject to his law, neither indeed can be. Do you object to the work, because it is connected with the Advent doctrine? That is a Bible doctrine, and you must be slow of heart to believe, if you do not know that Christ is near, even at the doors. But the great objection now comes up, that is, that the proclaimers of this Message teach that man has no immortality out of Christ. Very well. That may be a Bible doctrine after all, notwithstanding all men desire immortality. The penalty of the violation of the law—the wages of sin—may be death, and it is possible that death does not mean eternal life in torments. It may be that God will give eternal life to those that seek for it by patient continuance in well doing, and that the saints will put on immortality at the resurrection of the just. God has promised such things, and I would not admit the possibility of a failure on his part to perform them. But the Third Angel's Message does not come in your own way exactly. Neither did Christ come in a way to suit the Jews exactly. But Paul had an exhortation to them, which may be applicable to you, and I will quote it for your benefit. Acts xiii, 40, 41. "Beware therefore, lest that come upon you which is spoken of in the prophets: Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish: for I work a work in your days, a work which ye shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto you." The Lord is doing a work in your days, in the vindication and restoration of his long neglected law; and can you not believe it when you see it? O, beware of unbelief! Do not fall like the unbelieving Jews. Throw away your prejudices and false theories, and believe the Lord while he works in his own way. Decide at once to have a part in this good work of the Lord, and escape the portion of the fearful and unbelieving. While the Lord is fulfilling his own word, and vindicating his own righteous law, in his own appointed way, through the last Message, can you stand aloof from the work? Shall your fear of men, and your lack of faith in God, cause you to wait till the work is done? How then can you hope to hear, Well done, good and faithful servant? Awake! and work while it is called to-day. Bear the cross while you may, and a crown of glory will be yours, that fadeth not away.