General Conference Bulletin, vol. 7

The Sermon - “BE YE ALSO READY”

W. A. SPICER

Sabbath, May 31, 10:30 A. M.

It has seemed to me this morning, the third Sabbath of the encampment, that I should talk about the things of our work and faith and hope, not perhaps in the way of a sermon, but rather with an effort to express the feelings of our hearts in response to the calls of this Conference for the consecration of our lives to God. Surely these two weeks and more that we have been together have brought to us a call for the consecration of life and soul and service such as never came to us before. GCB June 2, 1913, page 225.1

I will take a text from the seventeenth of Revelation, in which the prophet is speaking of the controversy between Christ and the powers of earth in the very last days. He says:— GCB June 2, 1913, page 225.2

“These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.” Verse 14. GCB June 2, 1913, page 225.3

Well may we thank God for the pictures that he has given to us in the sure word of prophecy. In holy vision the prophet was shown the great controversy in the days when the apostasy was persecuting the church, and seeking to stamp the truth out of sight. And the prophet saw the witnesses for God triumphing over all the power of the enemy. He saw them overcoming by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony, loving not their lives unto the death. GCB June 2, 1913, page 225.4

PHOTO-JOHN WESLEY’S GRAVE AND PULPIT

Wesley’s Motto: “The World Is My Parish.” GCB June 2, 1913, page 225.5

O that the world might taste and see
The riches of his grace
The arms of love that compass me
Would all makind embrace.” GCB June 2, 1913, page 225.6

—Wesleyan Hymns.

Again, as the prophet was given a view of the last work of God on earth, he saw the advent message being carried by that people keeping the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. He beheld that people in controversy with the beast and its image. He saw that message spreading to every land; and then he beheld the coming of Christ to reap the harvest of the earth. Then the next thing he saw that same company of people standing on the sea of glass in the kingdom of God, triumphant over the beast and its image. GCB June 2, 1913, page 225.7

Brethren and sisters, this movement is going through into the kingdom. This movement, born of God, is to sweep in through the gates into the city; for in holy vision the prophet saw the movement ending on the sea of glass before the throne of God. Thank God for the cheering pictures given us in the sure word of prophecy. Men can fight with good courage, when they are sure of winning the victory. We know by the sure word that this advent movement that calls us together is sure to triumph. The infallible Word of God declares it. It is a blessed movement to be connected with. And the family of believers in the blessed hope is a good family to belong to. It is the same all over the wide world. It matters not to what country or nation one may go, he finds Seventh-day Adventist believers just the same,—the same key-note in their testimony, the same hope inspiring their lives. GCB June 2, 1913, page 225.8

In visiting various lands, I always want to learn first of all the two words “brother” and “sister.” In every tongue on earth, so far as I know, those two words have a sweet and tender sound. If I can do no more, I like to say “brother,” “sister,” for it expresses the fellowship we have in this blessed hope of soon meeting Jesus. I was with Brother Raft attending a meeting in Finland. One Finnish brother had come in from the country for a first meeting with our people. He had greatly enjoyed the conference. After the meeting, I met this new brother on the street. He was on his way to his home in the interior, and I on my way out of the country. He could not speak and I could not speak. We looked at one another, we hardly knew how to separate; I was surprised into losing my brief vocabulary. But suddenly I remembered that word “brother.” That was all I knew of Finnish, but I thanked God for that word. Tears filled his eyes, and my own, and we bade one another good-by, to meet, I hope, at Jesus’ feet. But up and down this world of ours a people is gathering, of many tongues, of many races, but they are all one people. Around this whole earth, in these many tongues, the prayer is going up to God, that last prayer of the Bible, “Even so, come [quickly], Lord Jesus.” Brethren and sisters, when the Lord has a people in every nation and tongue praying that prayer, he will answer it, and he will come quickly. GCB June 2, 1913, page 225.9

It is a blessed thing to belong to this family. The world may despise those who turn aside from the ways and the customs of the world, just as in the early days of Methodism those Methodist believers were despised and ridiculed. Lady Huntington, over a hundred years ago, had found the salvation of her soul in the Methodist revival. She tried to bring influential friends among the nobility to the little meeting-place in Fetter Lane, London. She brought the duchess of Buckingham to the meeting once, and tried to get her to come again. But the duchess wrote that she could not see how her ladyship could go to a place where they taught that people of position were just as sinful as the poor wretches of the streets. But Lady Huntington counted it the highest honor to be among the despised children of God. She it was who gave us the hymn, -. GCB June 2, 1913, page 225.10

“I love to meet among them now.
Before thy righteous throne to bow,
Though weakest of them all;
Nor can I bear the piercing thought
To have my worthless name left out
When thou for them shalt call.” GCB June 2, 1913, page 226.1

It does not matter what the world may offer; the best thing, the sweetest thing, the truest thing on earth, is to have a part with the people of God. GCB June 2, 1913, page 226.2

At a court function a titled lady was asked by the Prince of Wales (later George the Third of England) where the Countess of Huntington was. “O,” the lady said, “I suppose she is some-where praying with her beggars!” “Ah,” the prince said, shaking his head, “I think that when I come to die, I would be very glad to hold the hem of Lady Huntington’s mantle!” For the highest in the world, for the poorest and simplest on earth, there is this precious gift from God, above all earthly cost or price. Some time ago, a German countess died in a hospital ward. She sent word to the little company of believers to which she belonged, that she died a Seventh-day Adventist, in the blessed hope of the first resurrection. That was worth more to that sister on the hospital cot than all the titles or the honor the world could give. GCB June 2, 1913, page 226.3

It matters not who it is; this hope is just as precious to the simplest on earth as the highest on earth. Last winter Brother Westphal and I visited the Indian mission on Lake Titicaca, in South America. Somehow, it seemed to me it was more into the wilds than I had ever been before. Brother Stahl told us of a young Indian girl, Marie, who had been constant in attendance at the meetings, a bright, sweet-faced girl. Sister Stahl had hoped to train her as a nurse and fellow worker. Suddenly Marie stopped coming. One Sabbath passed, another. Neither on Sabbath nor on week-day did she come to the mission, over that journey of nine miles from her village home. Then Brother and Sister Stahl went to the village to find out what had kept Marie; for her friends had all along been trying to persuade her not to come. They found her in a little hut, dying with the smallpox. She was able to recognize them. She wanted them to sing one of the hymns sung at the mission. And so in the little hut they sang one of the hymns of the kingdom, Marie with her parched and swollen lips trying to join in it. And then she said to them in whispers: “I am so glad you came to Peru. I know I am going to die, but I am not afraid to die. Before you came I would have been afraid; now I am not afraid; for I know that Jesus will take me when he comes.” And so Marie died in the blessed hope. What the saving grace of Jesus did for her, it is doing for souls in every land where the message of salvation goes. There is no difference. GCB June 2, 1913, page 226.4

The psalmist says, “I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon to them that know me: behold Philistia, and Tyre, with Ethiopia; this man was born there.” Psalm 87:4. It was a great thing to be an Egyptian in the days of Egypt’s power. The Babylonian walked the earth with a proud heart; he belonged to Babylon, that ruled the world. Just so today, it is a great thing in each country to be a citizen of that country. But says the psalmist, “Of Zion it shall be said, This and that man was born in her: and the Highest himself shall establish her. The Lord shall count, when he writeth up the people, that this man was born there.” GCB June 2, 1913, page 226.5

Thank God for the new birth, Brethren and sisters, that second birth from heaven above, that makes us one in the citizenship of Zion. It matters not where a man may be born on this earth—everything depends upon that second birth from above. That makes us one family round the whole circle of the earth, the family of believers in the blessed hope! I thank God for the fellowship of the saints in Christ Jesus, for the brotherhood in service and in devotion, that God’s Spirit puts into the hearts of his children here below. We differ in temperament, and in our ways; but we all meet at Jesus’ feet in devotion to this blessed truth that God has given to us. We are going together into heaven in just a little time, in through the gates into the city. [Many amens.] I thank God that he is to give to us the spirit and the love of heaven to help us on our way to the gates of the city. GCB June 2, 1913, page 226.6

It seems to me, as never before, we must determine to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace and love till Jesus comes. [Amens.] In every church, in every conference, in every committee, we are brought together in common service. We have different ways of doing things, and ofttimes there are different ways of doing things. The right way for one man to do a thing is sometimes not the right way for another man to do it. Naturally we all think our way is the only way. After arguing for my way strenuously, I have often been surprised to see how well the way of the brethren came out, after all. It seems to me, in these days that lie before us, of strenuous activity, where the whole church must be aquiver with energy for the doing of the last work on earth, we need, as never before, to be cemented together in the bonds of fellowship in the love of Christ. GCB June 2, 1913, page 226.7

Years ago, in London, I used to go down to the house of Parliament at times, and sit in the strangers’ gallery. I have seen Mr. Gladstone on one side of the house, and Mr. Balfour on the other, differing with one another in politics, declaiming against one another’s positions with all the energy of skilled minds. You would have thought, to listen, that they would be deadly enemies after the controversy was over; but everybody knew that the moment the Parliament was out, those two men might be going down the street arm in arm, bosom friends. Certainly if two English gentlemen, moved by common courtesy, could do that, Christian workers ought to learn to differ and be kind. The Christian should learn to argue sternously for the things that his convictions tell him are right, and yet to love his brother who cannot see it just as he does. O, how much trouble would be saved in churches, in conferences, in all our work, if, above everything else, we maintained the love of God which is in Christ Jesus, our Lord! GCB June 2, 1913, page 226.8

I read this counsel, that applies to us as preachers, who must often give counsel to others in trial: “Behold, thou hast instructed many, and thou hast strengthened the weak hands. Thy words have upholden him that was falling, and thous hast strengthened the feeble knees. But now it is come upon thee, and thou faintest.” Job 4:3-5. GCB June 2, 1913, page 226.9

As ministers, as officials, as workers, we must bring ourselves in subjection to the love of Christ, as little children, that when the trials come to us, we may keep the love of God and the love of the brethren in our hearts, just as we expect the brethren in the churches to do. That is the greatest thing in the world. It takes more of the grace of God to keep one’s sins forgiven than it does to lead a conference. He that ruleth his spirit is greater than he that taketh a city. When the Lord’s honor-roll is opened, the first shall be last and the last first, and we shall see as heaven sees. GCB June 2, 1913, page 226.10

What are, after all, the greatest triumphs of the grace of God in the human heart? The apostle says that though we speak with the tongues of men and of angels and have not love, it is only as sounding brass; though we have the gift of prophecy, and understand all knowledge, and have not love, it is nothing. But I do thank God that the choicest gifts of heaven are for all. The simplest things are the richest things, and the president of a union conference or of the General Conference can know no deeper joy than fellowship with Jesus in the forgiveness and cleansing from sin; and the simplest believer on earth may have the same blessed experience. GCB June 2, 1913, page 226.11

Luther, you remember, leading the work in those strenuous days of the Reformation, was tempted of the devil in a very real way. Once the devil showed to him a list of his sins, and he said, “You pretend to be leading a reformation: look at this and see what a sinner you are!” GCB June 2, 1913, page 226.12

What did Luther say? Ah, he did not say: “Go away. I am a great reformer. I am doing a great work for God. Go away!” No, sir; he said, “That’s true, I have to confess it; but the blood of Jesus Christ, his Son cleanseth me from all sin!” GCB June 2, 1913, page 226.13

That is the thing that makes the heart of the worker strong and of good courage. It is that experience that keeps the lone missionary true away in the far places of earth, cut off from association with others,—the knowledge that the Lord Jesus has forgiven his sins, and that the Lord loves his poor soul. GCB June 2, 1913, page 226.14

Who is it that loves most?—The one to whom most is forgiven. Would we have a deeper measure of the love of Christ in our hearts, O, let us drink of the forgiving grace of Jesus! Too often we are weak in the power of his love because we receive too little of his forgiving grace. I thank God that we can be saved from our sins. I thank God that we can get down before Jesus and ask him, like little children, to forgive our sins, to wash our hearts and make them clean in the blood of the Lamb. GCB June 2, 1913, page 226.15

It is said of John the Baptist, “There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.” It is a good place to come from—from God, from divine presence, to the work. Brethren and sisters, every day of our lives let us determine that, by the grace of God, it shall be said that we have come from God to the work to which he has called us. [Many amens.] GCB June 2, 1913, page 226.16

Brother Farnsworth spoke last night regarding the necessity as well as the privilege of prayer, and we said, Amen. But, brethren, few, perhaps, there are who do not have to confess neglect of prayer. Somehow, it seems to me the very surety of this truth is, in a way, a snare to us. We feel, “The work will triumph; prophecy will be fulfilled; God will do it.” But, brethren and sisters, if we triumph with it, we will have to know the meaning of that verse which says that as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children. The Lord says of the closing part of his work: “I have long time holden my peace; I have been still, and refrained myself: now will cry like a travailing woman; ... I will make waste mountains and hills.... And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; ... I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight.” Isaiah 42:14-16. We have reached the time when God is to do his mighty work quickly; and those who are with him in the triumph will know the labor and the struggle and the wrestling and the praying as the work is done. So, day by day, may it be said that we shall come as John did, from God to the work to which he has called us; and then the power and blessing of God will fill our own lives with tender love for others. GCB June 2, 1913, page 227.1

Love teaches the way. I know of no better illustration of that truth than the incident of the little girl who came home from school one day, and said, “Mama, Marie said I helped her so much today.” Marie was a little schoolmate who had just lost a baby brother. The mother said, “What did you say to Marie?” The little girl replied: “I did not say anything. I did not know what to say; but when Marie put her head down on the desk, and cried, I put my head down and cried with her. And Marie said I had helped her so much.” Ah, the love in that little girl’s heart taught her just the right thing to do! Love teaches the way. O brethren and sisters, as workers, as believers, more than any eloquence of lip do we need the gift of loving hearts. So loving others, and loving one another, this denomination bearing the last message to the world, is to go forward in its work. GCB June 2, 1913, page 227.2

We have just elected leaders for three great bodies, the General Conference, and the European and North American divisions. In our meeting we pledged ourselves to stand by the efforts of those men whom we ourselves have chosen to lead us in the work and service of God under him. We would have done it just the same whoever might have been put in those same positions. But that principle goes back to the local conference and to the church, does it not? Whomsoever God may call in conference or church, or any other organization, let us join him in the name of the Lord Jesus for the doing of the work. There was never a perfect church elder on earth, save our Elder Brother, the great shepherd of the flock. There was never a perfect conference president on earth; but, thank God, he can use human agencies for the doing of his work. And, brethren and sisters, we will stand by one another in the service of God, shoulder to shoulder, pushing the work of God to the finish, and get into the kingdom in just a little time. GCB June 2, 1913, page 227.3

Some of the best church testimony meetings I have enjoyed were meetings in which we said, “Now to-night we will not talk of our love for God, but we will talk of our love for one another.” It is a good thing to talk about it now and then, brethren, and the love will grow as we talk, and the Lord will unite the hearts of his people in service. GCB June 2, 1913, page 227.4

What kind of people will finish the work? We read in Isaiah of the last days, “The Lord hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.” Isaiah 52:10. The first verse of this chapter reads, “Awake! awake! put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city: for henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean.” Then again, “Depart ye, depart ye, go ye out from thence, touch no unclean thing; ... be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the Lord.” That is a description of the advent people in the finishing of the work, is it not? When the Lord takes away the reproach of his people, when he cleanses our hearts from all unrighteousness, and our hearts are circumcised; when all confidence in the flesh is cut away, and we are made clean to bear the vessels of the Lord,—then it is that God’s arm is made bare in the sight of all the nations, and quickly all flesh shall see the salvation of our God. GCB June 2, 1913, page 227.5

Why, it is a fact, brethren, that this work of ours may close up any year in which God, in his infinite wisdom, shall see fit to finish the work. Let us never make the mistake of putting the time away off yonder, as though it would take the Lord so many years to do the work. We do not know anything about God’s way of finishing this work. We know this, that when the time comes, he will finish it. Until that time we must press on under the great commission, working with all our might, if we are to be saved when he does finish it. We do not know when we come up to these quadrennial meetings what the future has in store for us. Naturally, not a soul knows that he will ever attend another conference; but, more than that, we do not know any time when we get together in these meetings, whether the next General Conference may not be the general assembly of the church of the First-born in heaven. We cannot tell. GCB June 2, 1913, page 227.6

But in the finishing of this work, a people cleansed from sin, bearing the vessels of the Lord, will spread out to all the world, carrying the message of salvation. And, brethren and sisters, from this Conference we go to this work. And the message is, “Be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the Lord.” Are we ready for God to say that henceforth none that are not clean shall have part in his work? In our own hearts let us say, “The Lord make me clean; make me clean now; just now, Lord, cleanse who are to do the work; and of the Lord, and have part in the closing work.” For it is those that are cleansed who are to do the work; and it is those who do the work that are to be saved when Jesus comes. GCB June 2, 1913, page 227.7

Ah, then, the line is not drawn merely when probation closes! It is drawn right here in our assemblies. We must settle it now. If we are to have a part in God’s work, we must put away all sin, and then we can come “from God” to the people with the message of God. GCB June 2, 1913, page 227.8

It does seem to me that we Seventh-day Adventists are prone to make a mistake just here. I have seen this in my own experience. Somehow our hope of the coming of the Lord just a little away over yonder, almost unconsciously leads us to plan that we will be ready when he comes. But, brethren and sisters, the only safety on earth is to be ready now, and keep ready. How may we have any assurance of being ready when probation closes?—The only assurance we can have is to be ready now, and keep ready by the grace of God. It is fatal to say, “Away yonder, when probation closes, I will have done with these little things that hinder my experience, and I will be ready then.” That is a fatal mistake. The word from God is NOW, now to know that our sins are forgiven, and that in Jesus Christ we are accepted of God, and rejoice in his saving grace. “Be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the Lord.” GCB June 2, 1913, page 227.9

The apostle has given us counsel for these stormy times that are before us. Speaking of the days when false teaching had overthrown the faith of some, he said: “Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” 2 Timothy 2:19. In a time of confusion, in a time of trial, what is the word?— GCB June 2, 1913, page 227.10

“The foundation of God standeth sure. It never shakes; it never totters. Then put away sin; keep your sins forgiven.” GCB June 2, 1913, page 227.11

We have seen crises in which strong men took the wrong road when simple mothers in Israel, simple believers, could see the right road clearly. Put away iniquity; keep the heart pure and clean before God, so that we can be led of God in the right way. The clean heart perceives more clearly than the keen mind and clever head. GCB June 2, 1913, page 227.12

In the olden days, when the Lord’s people were being sent into Babylon, two men of the captivity were not walking right with God. The Lord said of them: “Behold, I will deliver them into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon; and he shall slay them before your eyes; and of them shall be taken up a curse by all the captivity of Judah which are in Babylon, saying, The Lord make thee like Zedekiah and like Ahab, whom the king of Babylon roasted in the fire; because they have committed villainy in Israel; ... even I know, and am a witness, saith the Lord.” Jeremiah 29:21-23. GCB June 2, 1913, page 227.13

That was in the early days of the captivity. Two men of Israel had done wrong in their private life. It was not generally known, but the Lord said, I know; I am a witness. And when their time of trial came, Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, threw them into a fiery furnace, and they were roasted to death. A few years after that three young men, also of the captivity, who had refused to bow down to the graven image, were brought before the same king Nebuchadnezzar. The king said, You have disobeyed. If you do not bow down and serve my gods, I will cast you alive into the fiery furnace. He had roasted two men in a furnace before; and he said, “Who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?” But those three young men had clean hearts, and they said, If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and from the wrath of the king; but whether he deliver us or no, be it known unto thee, O king, we will not bow down nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up. And they were cast into the fiery furnace. But God was with them in the trial. The form of the fourth was seen walking with them amid the flames. GCB June 2, 1913, page 227.14

Ah, brethren and sisters, in the time of trial before us, if God gives to us the cleansing by the blood of Jesus, he will walk with us in the fiery trials, and all the power of earth can go no further than the guiding hand of God permits! And the people of God will do the work of witnessing, and we will see the Lord Jesus coming in the clouds of heaven. GCB June 2, 1913, page 228.1

But it all turns upon this word. “now.” Today every soul of us is to know that every sin is forgiven. That is the message of God. “Behold, now is the day of salvation.” 2 Corinthians 6:2. Put with that another text, “And he said, Tomorrow.” Exodus 8:10. Who was it said “tomorrow”?—Pharaoh. Moses said, When shall I entreat the Lord for thee? When will you make this right with God. And Pharaoh said, “Tomorrow.” But the Spirit of God says, “Today.” It is the only time we have to make the life right with God. And, brethren and sisters of the Seventh-day Adventist people and of the blessed hope, preachers and people, our only safety is in keeping the record right day by day. GCB June 2, 1913, page 228.2

A few years ago the word came to us through the testimonies of the spirit of prophecy, that in these last hours of the judgment in heaven, no one should go to sleep at night without knowing that it is all right between the heart and God. We must not run long accounts with our failings. The instant sin appears in the life, that instant it is to be confessed and forgiven, and day by day we must keep right with God, ready to meet him should he call us in death, ready to do his work should he give us more work for him to do. The message is not, Get ready; it is, Be ready. I will read it to you in the Saviour’s words. Speaking of these last days, speaking to Seventh-day Adventists, saying, “Watch therefore; for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come,” he says, “Therefore be ye also ready.” Matthew 24:44. That is the message,—every day to be ready for the coming of the Lord. GCB June 2, 1913, page 228.3

And, brethren and sisters, with sins forgiven, with hearts made clean by the blood of Jesus, we may know that we are ready. That does not mean that Christian experience is ended. It does not mean that there is nothing more to attend to; but it does mean that we are accepted of God; that Jesus has forgiven our sins; that we belong to him. We must know that every day, and be ready every day of our lives. GCB June 2, 1913, page 228.4

This parable of the ten virgins is spoken to Seventh-day Adventists, surely; for in the time of waiting, when some are saying, “My Lord delayeth his coming,” “then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins,” who “went forth to meet the bridegroom.” Matthew 25:1. Five were wise, and five were foolish. The bridegroom tarried, and they fell asleep. Suddenly the cry was raised, “Behold, the bridegroom cometh.” Then all arose. They all had lamps, and their lamps were just alike. The form was all right. But only five of them had oil in their lamps. They had all intended to be ready; but when the cry was raised, “He is coming,” only five were ready; the others said, “We will get ready at once;” and they went quickly to get ready; but “while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.” Who went in?—“They that were ready.” Those that were getting ready were left out. Only those who were ready went in. How did they come to be ready?—They were ready all the time. They kept ready. And that parable is for us in the waiting time. O brethren and sisters, our only safety is to keep our lives right with God day by day, so that whether he calls us in death, or whether he gives us life until probation closes, we may be found in him, ready. GCB June 2, 1913, page 228.5

Here, today, with this vast multitude, how is it? How does the record stand with heaven? Are you ready? If any soul has one shadow of uncertainty, in the name of Jesus, make it right today. How?—“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Let us do it, brethren and sisters. GCB June 2, 1913, page 228.6

In western New York I met a sister who was a little girl in the days of ‘44. Her father was an Adventist believer. She told me that on that tenth day of the seventh month, when they expected Jesus to come in the clouds of heaven, the father and the mother and the children were out on the lawn, watching the sky. At last the sun was setting—and the Saviour had not come. Troubled thoughts were in the father’s heart; but just then the rays of the setting sun lighted up a cloud on the horizon, and it shone like burnished silver and gold. The father sprang to his feet and clapped his hands, crying, “O praise the Lord, our Saviour is coming!” GCB June 2, 1913, page 228.7

Ah, brethren and sisters, he was ready! Suppose that cry were raised today on the outskirts of the camp, “He is coming!” Is there anything that ought to be made ready? Would there be any one found on the camp not ready? O brethren, just as much as though we knew the next instant that cry would be raised, today is the day to make ready, to make sure that we have broken every band that binds us. With so many of us our wills are like wild colts, unbroken. We have sometimes brought our wills almost to the point of breaking, and yet reserved just enough to keep us in perpetual trouble. Let us break these wills of ours before God in absolute, unconditional surrender; and we will let the Lord Jesus have us just as we are, without one plea, save that his blood was shed for us. Let every heart make sure that it is done. GCB June 2, 1913, page 228.8

We will close the meeting with prayer, asking Elders Farnsworth and Haskell to lead us in spreading our needs and our burdens before the Lord. And, brethren and sisters, as they pray, let us lay every burden down. Make the surrender complete,—ourselves, our wills, thing up to Jesus,—our children, our everything up to Jesus,—our children, our families, our work. We will surrender all. In every meeting, we know, there are hearts that long for united prayer for dear ones not yet in the ark of safety. Thank God, he does hear his people pray. At one camp-meeting, a German mother said, “Pray for my boy; he is going away from home this week, and that means into the world.” And the entire congregation prayed for that boy. Before the meeting was over, the mother had a letter saying, “Mother, as I was going down the street the other day, I decided I would not leave home. I have changed my mind. You will find me when you come back.” That mother believes God hears prayer. GCB June 2, 1913, page 228.9

Last summer, at the Glendale (California) camp-meeting, Brother Andross had made a call for surrender. Many had given their hearts to God. After the meeting was over, a young woman came to me and said, “Do you remember six years ago, at a Minnesota camp-meeting, a little girl stood up and asked prayer for her father?” (I was just able to remember the little girl standing in a large congregation, and the childish voice asking us to please pray for her papa.) “Well,” she joyfully said, “He has come today. Today he has made his surrender.” Brethren and sisters, we will just hold on. First of all, are there parents who want these brethren and the great congregation, to especially remember wandering children before the Lord in prayer? You may stand up in place of your children here today. [Many stood.] You have registered that request before God in heaven. The Lord has so many angels; he can send an angel today to those children, to bring to them some message from heaven, to turn and live. GCB June 2, 1913, page 228.10

[As other calls were made, many stood to ask prayer for parents, for husbands, for wives, and for parents, for husbands, Many stood also for personal victory and full surrender, the laying down of every burden of unrest, the laying aside of every hard feeling toward any soul on earth, the giving up of every wrong thing. Elders Farnsworth and Haskell led the congregation in prayer.] GCB June 2, 1913, page 228.11