PRESENT TRUTH AND DUTY.
By Raymond F. Cottrell
NEVER was there a more important period in the history of the church and the world than the present time. Never was there a more important work in progress, in working out the great plan of human salvation, than the work of the present hour. Never was there a more awfully solemn and important message committed to the hands of men, than the message now being proclaimed to the world, the message of "the third angel," the last warning to men in a state of probation. Rev. 14 : 9-12. Never was greater light given to any generation since the flood, than is given to all those who will receive it at the present time. This lays upon us increasing responsibility, and demands the highest and most perfect moral character that the world has seen—a full sanctification to the will of God—so that it may be truly said of the church, "In their mouth was found no guile, for they are without fault before the throne of God." Rev. 14 : 5. The announcement has been made to the world, "the hour of his judgment is come." The state of nominal religion has also been set forth in the message, "Babylon is fallen, is fallen." Thousands are unaware of these facts, because they have not had interest enough in the fulfillment of the word of God to inquire. There were those in the days of Christ on earth who objected to his claims as the Messiah on the ground that according to the Scriptures "Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was." Jno. 7 : 42. Had they had the interest to inquire, they might have known that Jesus was of the seed of David, and was born in Bethlehem, not in Galilee. So there are multitudes now who not only do not inquire for the fulfillment of prophecy, but, in a land of Bibles, know little or nothing of the most important predictions contained in it. But these predictions are being fulfilled, even the closing messages of probation. The world are to be warned, as God has promised they should be; and it is the duty of believers to hold up the light and help give the warning, and so be instrumental in saving all that may be saved. Would that we might realize the importance and sacredness of the work to which God now calls us. God has important claims upon us; and we are accountable to him for the light we enjoy. Shall we fulfill our responsibilities, so that at last it may be said to us, "Well done?" At the coming of the Lord it is the duty of the wise and faithful servant to be found giving food to the household in due season, which is the truth pertaining to that time. "Blessed is that servant whom his Lord when he cometh shall find so doing." This is the needful preparation for that event. Who will have it? who will be found laboring to enlighten and save men? Who will give their energies to the work of spreading the knowledge of the present truth—the solemn truth which belongs to the present time? Brethren, shall we fail at last of the favor of God, because of our lack of interest in the cause of God and perishing humanity? If we love our neighbor, we will labor for his good. Jesus says, "Blessed are they that do." It is not the hearers, but the doers that shall be justified in the Judgment, Rom. 2 : 13. Jesus soon is coming, and his reward is with him, to give every man according as his work shall be. Rev. 22 : 12. The love of God and our neighbor should move us to active efforts to bless and save those for whom Christ died. What we do for them with a true motive, we do for Him. "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." R. F. COTTRELL.