He presented before his hearers the character of God—his righteousness, justice, and equity—and the nature and obligation of his law. He clearly showed man’s duty to live a life of sobriety and temperance, keeping the passions under the control of reason, in conformity to God’s law, and preserving the physical and mental powers in a healthful condition. A day of judgment would surely come, when all would be rewarded according to the deeds done in the body. Wealth, position, or honorary titles would be powerless to elevate man in the favor of God, or to ransom him from the slavery of sin. This life was his period of probation, in which he was to form a character for the future, immortal life. Should he neglect his present privileges and opportunities, it would prove an eternal loss; no new probation would be vouchsafed to him. All who should be found unholy in heart or defective in any respect when judged by the law of God, would suffer the punishment of their guilt.{LP 241.2}

Han præsenterede Guds karakter for sine tilhørere – hans retfærdighed, retmæssighed og rimelighed – og naturen og forpligtelsen over for hans lov. Han viste klart menneskets pligt at leve et sobert og mådeholdent liv, holde lidenskabernes under fornuftens kontrol, i overensstemmelse med Guds lov, og bevare de fysiske og mentale kræfter i en sund tilstand. En domsdag vil visselig komme, hvor alle vil belønnes efter de gerninger der er gjort i kroppen. Velstand, position eller ærværdige titler vil være helt værdiløse for at ophøjet mennesket i Guds gunst, eller for at genløse mennesket fra syndens slaveri. Dette liv var hans prøvepriode, hvori mennesket skal danne en karakter for fremtiden, evigt liv. Skulle det forsømme sine nuværende privilegier og anledninger, vil det vise sig at være et evigt tab; ingen ny prøvetid vil tilstås ham. Alle som findes uhellig i hjerte eller mangelfuld i nogen henseende, når de dømmes ved Guds lov, vil lide straffen for deres skyld.