God.
A man cannot be a happy Christian unless he is a watchful
Christian. He who overcomes must watch; for, with worldly entanglements,
error, and superstition, Satan strives to win Christ’s
followers from Him. It is not enough that we avoid glaring dangers
and perilous, inconsistent moves. We are to keep close to the side of
Christ, walking in the path of self-denial and sacrifice. We are in an
enemy’s country. He who was cast out of heaven has come down
with great power. With every conceivable artifice and device he is
seeking to take souls captive. Unless we are constantly on guard we
shall fall an easy prey to his unnumbered deceptions.
The experience of the disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane
contains a lesson for the Lord’s people today. Taking with Him Peter
and James and John, Christ went to Gethsemane to pray. He said to
them: “My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here,
and watch. And He went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and
prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from Him. And
He said, Abba Father, all things are possible unto Thee; take away
this cup from Me: nevertheless not what I will, but what Thou wilt.
And He cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter,
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Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour? Watch ye
and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.” Mark 14:34-38.
Read these words carefully. Many today are asleep, as were the
disciples. They are not watching and praying lest they enter into
temptation. Let us read and study those portions of God’s word that
have special reference to these last days, pointing out the dangers
that will threaten God’s people. [101]
We need keen, sanctified perception. This perception is not to
be used in criticizing and condemning one another, but discerning
the signs of the times. We are to keep our hearts with all diligence,
that we may not make shipwreck of faith. Many who were once firm
believers in the truth have become careless in regard to their spiritual
welfare and are yielding, without the slightest opposition, to Satan’s
well-laid plots. It is time for our people to take their families from
the cities into more retired localities, else many of the youth, and
many also of those older in years, will be ensnared and taken by the
enemy.
* * * * *
January 7, 1903.
We have all been made very sad by the news of the terrible loss
that has come to the cause in the burning of the Review and Herald
office. In one year two of our largest institutions have been destroyed
by fire. The news of this recent calamity has caused us to mourn
deeply, but it was permitted by the Lord to come upon us, and we
should make no complaint, but learn from it the lesson that the Lord
would teach us.
The destruction of the Review and Herald building should not be
passed over as something in which there is no meaning. Everyone
connected with the office should ask himself: “Wherein do I deserve
this lesson? Wherein have I walked contrary to a ‘Thus saith the
Lord,’ that He should send this lesson to me? Have I heeded the
warnings and reproofs that He has sent, or have I followed my own
way?”
Let the heart-searching God reprove the erring, and let each one
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bow before Him in humility and contrition, casting aside all selfrighteousness
and self-importance, confessing and forsaking every
100 Testimonies for the Church Volume 8
sin, and asking God, in the name of the Redeemer, for pardon. God