The watchmen anciently placed upon the walls of Jerusalem and other cities occupied a most responsible position. Upon their faithfulness depended the safety of all within those cities. When danger was apprehended, they were not to keep silent day nor night. Every few moments they were required to call to one another to see if all were awake and no harm had come to any. Sentinels were stationed upon some eminence overlooking the important posts to be guarded, and the cry of warning or of good cheer was sounded from them. This was borne from one to another, each repeating the words, till it went the entire rounds of the city. {4T 402.2}

De vægtere, der fordum blev stillet på Jerusalems og andre byers mure, beklædte en højst ansvarsfuld stilling. Alles sikkerhed i disse byer var afhængig af deres troskab. Når der øjnes en fare, skulle de ikke tie dag eller nat. Det krævedes, at de med få øjeblikkes mellemrum skulle råbe til hinanden for at se, om alle var vågne og at intet var tilstødt nogen. Skildvagter blev opstillet på en og anden forhøjning for at have oversigt over vigtige stillinger, der skulle bevogtes og fra disse hørtes råb med advarsel eller opmuntring. Råbet blev ført fra den ene til den anden, indtil det gik hele byen rundt.