EGW
“The end of all things is at hand; be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.” PUR December 1, 1904, par. 1
The greater destruction included in Christ's description of the destruction of Jerusalem, — the destruction of the world, — is at hand. Soon the history of this earth is to be swallowed up in an endless eternity. In view of this, how can the members of the church of God spend their time in dissension and strife, criticizing and condemning one another? We have no call to sit in judgment upon others. To no human being is given the work of passing sentence upon his fellow-beings. This work Christ alone can do. PUR December 1, 1904, par. 2
The Saviour has laid down the rules that we are to follow in dealing with one another. In His sermon on the mount He said, “If thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.” PUR December 1, 1904, par. 3
If there is a difference between you and a brother in the church, go to him, and try to remove the cause of variance, that there may be a fellowship between you. This duty you are under obligation to perform before you offer your gift to God. The gift will not be accepted until this duty is done. Be reconciled to your brother. If the fault is on your side, remove the stone of stumbling that you have placed before his feet. PUR December 1, 1904, par. 4
A faithful effort to remove the misunderstanding will place you both in such relation to one another and to God that He can bless you. But you can not receive His blessing while you are unwilling to do what you can to set things right because to do this would require a humbling of your proud heart. O the little misunderstandings that arise may be so easily removed! And until this is done, we are not prepared to take part in the holy ordinances of the Lord. PUR December 1, 1904, par. 5
Are you willing to do your part to adjust the differences that exist? If you are, a vast amount of evil speaking and bitter feeling will be saved. PUR December 1, 1904, par. 6
These words I am instructed to present as a message from God. In the morning and at night let there be close investigation of self. Search the heart diligently and you will find many wrongs that can and should be made right. Put away all that hinders communion with God. PUR December 1, 1904, par. 7
Christ says, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” To make the confession necessary may require great strength of will. It may be as a crucifixion to say, “I did this evil, and sinned against God.” PUR December 1, 1904, par. 8
I am instructed to say that there are sins between man and his God that no other human being need know anything about. If the one on whom such sins rest will make his peace with God, the Lord will forgive him, and the burden will roll off his soul. He will then make confession to his fellow-men, if he has wronged them, and as he confesses, God will be merciful, and will forgive his sin. PUR December 1, 1904, par. 9
One such confession is an evidence of the presence of the miracle-working power of God, and it leads to other confessions, not general confessions, but confessions of particular wrongs that have existed between brethren. God values above gold or silver the one who makes such a confession. “I will make a man more precious than fine gold,” He says, “even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir.” PUR December 1, 1904, par. 10
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As I hear of the terrible calamities that from week to week are taking place in our world, I inquire, What will be the result of these things? Are they hedging up our way, or does God permit them to come to arouse those who are transgressing His law? The most awful destructions, by fire and flood, are following one another in quick succession. How many can now commit the keeping of their souls to God as unto a faithful Creator? PUR December 1, 1904, par. 11
There are many, many in our churches who know little of the meaning of the truth for this time. They have not searched for truth with humble, contrite hearts. I appeal to the members of our churches not to disregard the fulfilling of the signs of the times, which say so plainly that the end is near. O how many who have not cared for the salvation of their souls will soon make the bitter lamentation, “The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and my soul is not saved.” PUR December 1, 1904, par. 12
We have no time, in these solemn moments, to contend with one another. Those who cherish evil-surmisings and engage in contention do not realize how much time they are losing, and how much time they cause others to lose. God's servants have been called to settle difficulties between brother and brother, and time has been spent in this way that belonged to those ready to perish, time that ought to have been devoted to the fulfilling of the Gospel commission. PUR December 1, 1904, par. 13
In the future, instead of calling for ministers to leave their work to settle difficulties, let church-members seek the Lord for themselves. Let them confess their sins and pray together. PUR December 1, 1904, par. 14
Ellen G. White