Signs of the Times, Book 1 - Ellen G. White

As a rule, ministers are too formal. We must show the people that we are
in earnest, not merely in the desk, but out of the desk; that we fully and
solemnly believe the truths we preach. If we wish them to feel, we must feel
ourselves. Some ministers are adopting the customs of other churches,
copying their habits and manner of labor. With many, pulpit preaching is
mechanical, a mere trade. They do not kindle their taper at the divine altar.
They do not have the unction from on high. The shepherds of the flock
should be earnest, vigilant, and active now; the end is nearer than when we
first believed. The people have a right to ask, Watchman, what of the night?
Satan would have them sleep until the time for the salvation of sinners is
past. Let the trumpet give a certain sound.
Let not our camp-meetings be occasions for visiting and feasting. They
should be occasions of heart-searching, deep humiliation, earnest, agonizing
prayer. The judgments of God are about to fall upon the unsheltered head of
the sinner. We have no time now to seek worldly honor, no time to exalt self,
to indulge pride or ambition. "Our God shall come, and shall not keep
silence. A fire shall devour before him, and it shall be very tempestuous
round about him. He shall call to the heavens from above, and to the earth
that he may judge his people." How shall we stand in that day when heaven
and earth shall hear the voice of God calling to judgment?
When each thought, and word, and motive, is revealed as it stands
registered in the books of Heaven, when every soul shall be tried by the one
perfect standard, the law of God, how will our case stand? When God makes
inquisition for the blood of souls, when the undershepherds gather with their
flocks around the great white throne, where will those stand with whom we
have been associated, whom we have influenced? In that day, may it be seen
that we have done well the work committed to our hands. May our voices
swell the glad chorus.
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