Number Thirty-One—Testimony for the Church (5T 9) MC VC

Chapter 1—Camp Meeting Address Boulder, Colorado, September 25, 1881 VC

Dear Brethren and Sisters Who Shall Assemble at the Michigan Camp Meeting,[This appeal was written for the Michigan camp meeting, but being forgotten at that time, was read before the General Conference, December, 1881.] (5T 9) MC VC

I feel a deeper interest in this meeting than in any other that has been held this season. Michigan has not had the labor which she should have had. God has planted important institutions among you, and this brings upon you greater responsibilities than upon any other conference in the whole field. Great light has been given you, and few have responded to it; yet my heart goes out in tender solicitude for our beloved people in Michigan. The warning that the Son of man is soon to come in the clouds of heaven has become to many a familiar tale. They have left the waiting, watching position. The selfish, worldly spirit manifested in the life reveals the sentiment of the heart, “My Lord delayeth His coming.” Matthew 24:48. Some are enveloped in so great darkness that they openly express their unbelief, notwithstanding our Saviour’s declaration that all such are unfaithful servants and their portion shall be with hypocrites and unbelievers. (5T 9.1) MC VC

Our ministers are not doing their whole duty. The attention of the people should be called to the momentous event which is so near at hand. The signs of the times should be kept fresh before their minds. The prophetic visions of Daniel and John foretell a period of moral darkness and declension; but at the time of the end, the time in which we are now living, the vision was to “speak and not lie.” Habakkuk 2:3. When the signs predicted begin to come to pass, the waiting, watching ones are bidden to look up and lift up their heads and rejoice because their redemption draweth nigh. (5T 9.2) MC VC