A Call to All People

My friends, whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning. The stirring address of the Lord to His people, to Israel, concerns us. It concerns our country and our nation. The Lord has, in the years gone by, greatly blessed us above many other nations of this earth.

What is the revelation of our people in regard to the commandments of God? Sin is committed in the most shameless manner. The judgments of God are upon the earth; the Lord has a controversy of long standing with the inhabitants of the world because there is neither truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the world. His heavily afflicting hand has been upon them one year after another, and it is now also upon our nation.

The result of it may be observed in all branches of our civil life. Many have been called to death and sent to an eternity. Who can tell when the end will come for each one of us? No, do not put blame of all the misery that is flowing from diseases upon this or that nation in particular. God grant that we ourselves may become the guilty ones before Him.

We are far from repentance; there are no signs that our people are humbled under the judgments of God. Rather, by their obduracy they threaten to hasten the execution of their judgment. We refuse to forsake our sins. With Israel in the days of Jeremiah we say, “We are lords; we will come no more unto Thee.” Oh, poor nation! Who can express in words what our portion will be when the Lord in His righteous judgment shall visit the sins of this nation? Oh, that it might be given to this generation to turn to the Lord and to forsake the ways that doubtless lead to destruction. “O earth, earth, earth, hear the Word of the LORD” (Jeremiah 22:29). Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God while the Lord still grants a time of repentance.

There is in the midst of all these judgments a people to whom their life will be given for a prey. Should not you, my fellow traveler to eternity, be urged to choose the portion of that people? The Word of God concerns each and every one of us. The Lord says unto us, “O generation, living under the ministration of the Word of the Lord, hearing His admonitions and invitations, how long will you harden yourselves in your unconverted state?” Boys and girls, do not lend your ear to the alluring voice of the world. Walk not in the counsel of the ungodly and in the way of sinners, nor sit in the seat of the scornful. Keep your path according to the Word of God. Parents, seek with your children the way of righteousness. Let young and old take to heart the complaint of the Lord when He calls, “O generation!”

Standing before the gates of Jerusalem, the Lord Jesus wept saying, “How often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!” (Matthew 23:37). Must not we confess that the very same complaint applies to us?

Are we going to continue in sin, to die in that state in which we were born? “O generation, see ye the Word of the LORD!” Has He been a wilderness unto you, a land of darkness? Has He not walked after you with His Word? Did He not call you, even unto this day, to your salvation? Is then your heart resolved to offer resistance against all the labors that are bestowed on you?

In the end how terrible your judgment will be when the Lord shall cast you into outer darkness where there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Oh, that the Lord’s complaint of love might break your heart and you might learn to make supplication to your Judge while it is called today. Many are disturbed on account of the dangers of diseases, but disease or no disease it is appointed unto if ye will hear His voice, harden men once to die. “Today if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts” (Hebrews 4:7).

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