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sing； hypocrisy； estrangement； emulation； strife； betrayal of sacred trusts； indulgence of lust。 The whole system of religious principles and doctrines； which should form the foundation and framework of social life； seems to be a tottering mass； ready to fall in ruins。
In the last days of this earth's history the voice that spoke from Sinai is still declaring； 〃Thou shalt have no other gods before Me。〃 Exodus 20：3。 Man has set his will against the will of God； but he cannot silence the word of command。 The human mind cannot evade its obligation to a higher power。 Theories and speculations may abound； men may try to set science in opposition to revelation； and thus do
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away with God's law； but stronger and still stronger comes the command； 〃Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God； and Him only shalt thou serve。〃 Matthew 4：10。
There is no such thing as weakening or strengthening the law of Jehovah。 As it has been； so it is。 It always has been； and always will be； holy； just； and good； complete in itself。 It cannot be repealed or changed。 To 〃honor〃 or 〃dishonor〃 it is but the speech of men。
Between the laws of men and the precepts of Jehovah will come the last great conflict of the controversy between truth and error。 Upon this battle we are now enteringa battle not between rival churches contending for the supremacy； but between the religion of the Bible and the religions of fable and tradition。 The agencies which have united against truth are now actively at work。 God's Holy Word； which has been handed down to us at so great a cost of suffering and bloodshed； is little valued。 There are few who really accept it as the rule of life。 Infidelity prevails to an alarming extent； not in the world only； but in the church。 Many have come to deny doctrines which are the very pillars of the Christian faith。 The great facts of creation as presented by the inspired writers； the fall of man； the atonement； the perpetuity of the lawthese all are practically rejected by a large share of the professedly Christian world。 Thousands who pride themselves on their knowledge regard it as an evidence of weakness to place implicit confidence in the Bible； and a proof of learning to cavil at the Scriptures and to spiritualize and explain away their most important truths。
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Christians should be preparing for what is soon to break upon the world as an overwhelming surprise； and this preparation they should make by diligently studying the word of God and striving to conform their lives to its precepts。 The tremendous issues of eternity demand of us something besides an imaginary religion； a religion of words and forms； where truth is kept in the outer court。 God calls for a revival and a reformation。 The words of the Bible and the Bible alone； should be heard from the pulpit。 But the Bible has been robbed of its power； and the result is seen in a lowering of the tone of spiritual life。 In many sermons of today there is not that divine manifestation which awakens the conscience and brings life to the soul。 The hearers cannot say； 〃Did not our heart burn within us； while He talked with us by the way； and while He opened to us the Scriptures？〃 Luke 24：32。 There are many who are crying out for the living God； longing for the divine presence。 Let the word of God speak to the heart。 Let those who have heard only tradition and human theories and maxims； hear the voice of Him who can renew the soul unto eternal life。
Great light shone forth from patriarchs and prophets。 Glorious things were spoken of Zion； the City of God。 Thus the Lord designs that the light shall shine forth through His followers today。 If the saints of the Old Testament bore so bright a testimony of loyalty； should not those upon whom is shining the accumulated light of centuries； bear a still more signal witness to the power of truth？ The glory of the prophecies sheds their light upon our pathway。
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Type has met antitype in the death of God's Son。 Christ has risen from the dead； proclaiming over the rent sepulcher； 〃I am the resurrection； and the life。〃 John 11：25。 He has sent His Spirit into the world to bring all things to our remembrance。 By a miracle of power He has preserved His written word through the ages。
The Reformers whose protest has given us the name of Protestant； felt that God had called them to give the light of the gospel to the world； and in the effort to do this they were ready to sacrifice their possessions； their liberty； even life itself。 In the face of persecution and death the gospel was proclaimed far and near。 The word of God was carried to the people； and all classes； high and low； rich and poor； learned and ignorant； eagerly studied it for themselves。 Are we； in this last conflict of the great controversy； as faithful to our trust as the early Reformers were to theirs？
〃Blow the trumpet in Zion； sanctify a fast； call a solemn assembly： gather the people； sanctify the congregation； assemble the elders； gather the children： 。 。 。 let the priests； the ministers of the Lord； weep between the porch and the altar； and let them say； Spare Thy people； O Lord； and give not Thine heritage to reproach。〃 〃Turn ye even to Me with all your hearts； and with fasting； and with weeping； and with mourning： and rend your heart； and not your garments； and turn unto the Lord your God： for He is gracious and merciful； slow to anger； and of great kindness； and repenteth Him of the evil。 Who knoweth if He will return and repent； and leave a blessing behind Him？〃 Joel 2：15…17； 12…14。
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Chapter 52
A Man of Opportunity
Nehemiah； one of the Hebrew exiles； occupied a position of influence and honor in the Persian court。 As cupbearer to the king he was admitted freely to the royal presence。 By virtue of his position； and because of his abilities and fidelity； he had become the monarch's friend and counselor。 The recipient of royal favor； however； though surrounded by pomp and splendor； did not forget his God nor his people。 With deepest interest his heart turned toward Jerusalem； his hopes and joys were bound up with her prosperity。 Through this man； prepared by his residence in the Persian court for the work to which he was to be called； God purposed to bring blessing to His people in the land of their fathers。
By messengers from Judea the Hebrew patriot learned that days of trial had come to Jerusalem； the chosen city。 The returned exiles were suffering affliction and reproach。 The temple and portions of the city had been rebuilt； but
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the work of restoration was hindered； the temple services were disturbed； and the people kept in constant alarm by the fact that the walls of the city were still largely in ruins。
Overwhelmed with sorrow； Nehemiah could neither eat nor drink； he 〃wept； and mourned certain days； and fasted。〃 In his grief he turned to the divine Helper。 〃I 。 。 。 prayed；〃 he said； 〃before the God of heaven。〃 Faithfully he made confession o