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many who have never had an opportunity to hear the special truths for this
time。 The obligation of the fourth commandment has never been set before
them in its true light。 He who reads every heart and tries every motive will
leave none who desire a knowledge of the truth； to be deceived as to the
issues of the controversy。 The decree is not to be urged upon the people
blindly。 Everyone is to have sufficient light to make his decision
intelligently。
The Sabbath will be the great test of loyalty； for it is the point of truth
especially controverted。 When the final test shall be brought to bear upon
men； then the line of distinction will be drawn between those who serve God
and those who serve Him not。 While the observance of the false sabbath in
compliance with the law of the state； contrary to the fourth commandment；
will be an avowal of allegiance to a power that is in opposition to God； the
keeping of the true Sabbath； in obedience to God's law； is an evidence of
loyalty to the Creator。 While one class； by accepting the sign of submission
to earthly powers； receive the mark of the beast； the other choosing the
token of allegiance to divine authority； receive the seal of God。
Heretofore those who presented the truths of the third angel's message have
often been regarded as mere alarmists。 Their predictions that religious
intolerance would gain control in the United States； that church and state
would unite to persecute those who keep the commandments of God； have been
pronounced groundless and absurd。 It has been confidently declared that this
land could never become other than what it has beenthe defender of
religious freedom。 But
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as the question of enforcing Sunday observance is widely agitated； the event
so long doubted and disbelieved is seen to be approaching； and the third
message will produce an effect which it could not have had before。
In every generation God has sent His servants to rebuke sin； both in the
world and in the church。 But the people desire smooth things spoken to them；
and the pure； unvarnished truth is not acceptable。 Many reformers； in
entering upon their work； determined to exercise great prudence in attacking
the sins of the church and the nation。 They hoped； by the example of a pure
Christian life； to lead the people back to the doctrines of the Bible。 But
the Spirit of God came upon them as it came upon Elijah； moving him to
rebuke the sins of a wicked king and an apostate people； they could not
refrain from preaching the plain utterances of the Bible doctrines which
they had been reluctant to present。 They were impelled to zealously declare
the truth and the danger which threatened souls。 The words which the Lord
gave them they uttered； fearless of consequences； and the people were
compelled to hear the warning。
Thus the message of the third angel will be proclaimed。 As the time comes
for it to be given with greatest power； the Lord will work through humble
instruments； leading the minds of those who consecrate themselves to His
service。 The laborers will be qualified rather by the unction of His Spirit
than by the training of literary institutions。 Men of faith and prayer will
be constrained to go forth with holy zeal； declaring the words which God
gives them。 The sins of Babylon will be laid open。 The fearful results of
enforcing the observances of the church by civil authority； the inroads of
spiritualism； the stealthy but rapid progress of the papal powerall will
be unmasked。 By these solemn warnings the people will be stirred。 Thousands
upon thousands will listen who have never heard words like these。 In
amazement they
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hear the testimony that Babylon is the church； fallen because of her errors
and sins； because of her rejection of the truth sent to her from heaven。 As
the people go to their former teachers with the eager inquiry； Are these
things so？ the ministers present fables； prophesy smooth things； to soothe
their fears and quiet the awakened conscience。 But since many refuse to be
satisfied with the mere authority of men and demand a plain 〃Thus saith the
Lord；〃 the popular ministry； like the Pharisees of old； filled with anger as
their authority is questioned； will denounce the message as of Satan and
stir up the sin…loving multitudes to revile and persecute those who proclaim
it。
As the controversy extends into new fields and the minds of the people are
called to God's downtrodden law； Satan is astir。 The power attending the
message will only madden those who oppose it。 The clergy will put forth
almost superhuman efforts to shut away the light lest it should shine upon
their flocks。 By every means at their command they will endeavor to suppress
the discussion of these vital questions。 The church appeals to the strong
arm of civil power； and； in this work； papists and Protestants unite。 As the
movement for Sunday enforcement becomes more bold and decided； the law will
be invoked against commandment keepers。 They will be threatened with fines
and imprisonment； and some will be offered positions of influence； and other
rewards and advantages； as inducements to renounce their faith。 But their
steadfast answer is： 〃Show us from the word of God our error〃the same plea
that was made by Luther under similar circumstances。 Those who are arraigned
before the courts make a strong vindication of the truth； and some who hear
them are led to take their stand to keep all the commandments of God。 Thus
light will be brought before thousands who otherwise would know nothing of
these truths。
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Conscientious obedience to the word of God will be treated as rebellion。
Blinded by Satan； the parent will exercise harshness and severity toward the
believing child； the master or mistress will oppress the commandment…keeping
servant。 Affection will be alienated； children will be disinherited and
driven from home。 The words of Paul will be literally fulfilled： 〃All that
will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution。〃 2 Timothy 3：12。
As the defenders of truth refuse to honor the Sunday…sabbath； some of them
will be thrust into prison； some will be exiled； some will be treated as
slaves。 To human wisdom all this now seems impossible； but as the
restraining Spirit of God shall be withdrawn from men； and they shall be
under the control of Satan； who hates the divine precepts； there will be
strange developments。 The heart can be very cruel when God's fear and love
are removed。
As the storm approaches； a large class who have professed faith in the third
angel's message； but have not been sanctified through obedience to the
truth； abandon their position and join the ranks of the opposition。 By
uniting with the world and partaking of its spirit； they have come to view
matters in nearly the same light； and when the test is brought； they are
prepared to choose the easy； popular side。 Men of talent and pleasing
address； who once rejoiced in the truth； employ their powers to deceive and
mislead souls。 They become the most bitter enemies of their former brethren。
When Sabbathkeepers are brought before the courts to answer for their faith；
these apostates are the most efficient agents of Satan to misrepresent and
accuse them； and by false reports and insinuations to stir up the rulers
against them。
In this time of persecution the faith of the Lord's servants will be tried。
They have faithfully given the warning； looking to God and to His word
alone。 God's Spirit； moving upon their hearts； has constrained them to
speak。 Stimulated
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with holy zeal； and with the divine impulse strong upon them； they entered
upon the performance of their duties without coldly calculating the
consequences of speaking to the people the word which the Lord had given
them。 They have not consulted their temporal interests； nor sought to
preserve their reputation or their lives。 Yet when the storm of opposition
and reproach bursts upon them； some； overwhelmed with consternation； will be
ready to exclaim： 〃Had we foreseen the consequences of our words； we would
have held our peace。〃 They are hedged in with difficulties。 Satan assails
them with fierce temptations。 The work which they have undertaken seems far
beyond their ability to accomplish。 They are threatened with destruction。
The enthusiasm which animated them is gone； yet they cannot turn back。 Then；
feeling their utter helplessness； they flee to the Mighty One for strength。
They remember that the words which they have spoken were not theirs； but His
who bade them give the warning。 God put the truth into their hearts； and
they could not forbear to proclaim it。
The same trials have been experienced by men of God in ages past。 Wycliffe；
Huss； Luther； Tyndale； Baxter； Wesley； urged that all doctrines be brought
to the test of the Bible and declared that they would renounce everything
which it condemned。 Against these men persecution raged with relentless
fury； yet they ceased not to declare the truth。 Different periods in the
history of the church have each been marked by the development o