The state of the world was shown me as fast filling up the cup of iniquity. Violence and crime of every description are filling our world; and Satan is using every means to make crime and debasing vice popular. T25 9.1
The youth who walk the streets are surrounded with handbills and notices of crime and sin, presented in some novel, or to be acted at a theater. Their minds are educated into familiarity with sin. The course pursued by the base and vile is kept before them in the periodicals of the day. Everything which can excite curiosity and arouse the animal passions is brought before the young in thrilling and exciting stories. T25 9.2
The literature that proceeds from corrupted intellect poisons the minds of thousands in our world. Sin does not appear exceedingly sinful. They hear and read so much of debasing crime and vileness that the once tender mind, which would have recoiled with horror, becomes blunted, so that it can dwell upon the low and vile sayings and actions of men with greedy interest. T25 9.3
“As it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man.” T25 9.4
God will have a people zealous of good works, standing firm amid the pollutions of this degenerate age. There will be a people who hold so fast to the divine strength that they will be proof against every temptation. Evil communications, in flaming handbills, may seek to speak to their senses and corrupt their minds, yet they are so united to God and angels that they are as those who see not, and those who hear not. They have a work to do which no one can do for them, which is to fight the good fight of faith, and lay hold on eternal life. They will not be self-confident and self-sufficient. They know their weakness, and unite their ignorance to Christ's wisdom—their weakness to his strength. T25 9.5
Youth may have firm principle that the most powerful temptations of Satan will not draw them away from their allegiance. Samuel was a child surrounded with the most corrupting influences. He saw and heard things that grieved his soul. The sons of Eli, who ministered in holy office, were controlled by Satan. These men polluted the whole atmosphere which surrounded them. Men and women were daily fascinated with sin and wrong; yet Samuel walked untainted. His robes of character were spotless. He did not fellowship or have the least delight in the sins which filled all Israel with fearful reports. Samuel loved God, and kept his soul in such close connection with Heaven that an angel was sent to talk with him in reference to the sins of Eli's sons, which were corrupting Israel. T25 10.1
Appetite and passion are overcoming thousands of Christ's professed followers. The senses become so blunted on account of familiarity with sin that they do not abhor it, but view sin as attractive. The end of all things is at hand. Not much longer will God bear with the crimes and debasing iniquity of the children of men. Their crimes have indeed reached unto the heavens, and will soon be answered by the fearful plagues of God upon the earth. They will drink the cup of God's wrath, unmixed with mercy. T25 11.1
I have seen the danger of even the professed children of God being corrupted. Licentiousness is binding men and women as captives. They seem to be infatuated, powerless to resist and overcome upon the point of appetite and passion. In God there is power; in him there is strength. If they will take hold upon it, Jesus will stimulate every one who has named the name of Christ with his life-giving power. Dangers and peril surround us. And we are only safe when we feel our weakness and cling with the grasp of faith to our mighty Deliverer. It is a fearful time in which we live. We cannot cease watchfulness and prayer for a moment. Our helpless souls must rely on Jesus our compassionate Redeemer. T25 11.2
I was shown the greatness and importance of the work before us. But few feel and sense the true state of things. All will be overcome who are asleep, and who cannot realize any necessity for vigilance and alarm. Young men are arising to engage in the work of God, some of whom have scarcely any sense of the sacredness and the responsibility of the work. They have but little experience in exercising faith, and in earnest soul-hunger for the Spirit of God, which ever brings returns. Some men of good capabilities who might fill important positions do not know what spirit they are of. They can run in a jovial mood as naturally as the water flows downhill. They will talk nonsense and sport with young girls while almost daily listening to the most solemn, soul-stirring truths. These men have a head religion, but their hearts are not sanctified by the truths they hear. Such can never lead others to the fountain of living waters until they have drank of the stream themselves. T25 12.1
It is no time now for lightness, for vanity, or trifling. The scenes of this earth's history are soon to close. Minds that have been left to loose thought need change. Says the apostle Peter, “Gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance; but as He which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.” T25 12.2
These loose thoughts must be gathered up and centered on God. The very thoughts should be in obedience to the will of God. Praise should not be given or expected, for this will have a tendency to foster self-confidence rather than to increase humility, to corrupt rather than purify. Men who are really qualified, and feel that they have a part to act in connection with the work of God will feel pressed beneath the sense of the sacredness of the work as a cart beneath sheaves. Now is the time for the most earnest efforts to overcome the natural feeling of the carnal heart. T25 13.1
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