Ms 47, 1895

Parable of the Ten Virgins

[Granville, Australia]

October 26, 1895

From Lt 86, 1895. This manuscript is published in entirety in 1888 1455-1456.

I have not been as well as usual for several months; I suppose it is because I feel so intensely over the great events that I know are soon to open before us. We see that the professed believers will be represented by the ten virgins, five of whom were wise, and five were foolish. I fear this is the average the Lord saw of those that would be ready and unready. But a small number of those who have had great light and abundant opportunities and continuous privileges have anything more than a theoretical knowledge of the truth. Many think that such a knowledge is all that is required. They are not doers of the Word.10LtMs, Ms 47, 1895, par. 1

Those who, since the Minneapolis meeting, have had the privilege of listening to the words spoken by the messengers of God, Elder A. T. Jones, Professor Prescott, Brethren E. J. Waggoner, O. A. Olsen, and many others, at the camp meetings and ministerial institutes, have had the invitation, “Come, for all things are now ready. Come to the supper prepared for you.” [See Luke 14:16, 17.] Light, heaven’s light, has been shining. The trumpet has given a certain sound. Those who have made their various excuses for neglecting to respond to the call, have lost much. The light has been shining upon justification by faith and the imputed righteousness of Christ. ...10LtMs, Ms 47, 1895, par. 2

The call is sounding, Come, for all things are now ready. Those who will be worked by the Holy Spirit bear the living testimony and have not only a theory of the truth, but are God’s witnesses. These will not continually follow the meetings, that they themselves may be benefited, by hearing more and still more; but in humble trust and living faith, they will search the Scriptures, for Christ says, They testify of me. [John 5:39.] They will walk in the light they receive, and will communicate to others the precious truth. As they endeavor to impart that which they have received, more light will certainly shine upon them. In holding forth the Word of life to others, they cooperate with the heavenly agencies, who are sent to impart the power of the truth.10LtMs, Ms 47, 1895, par. 3