Now is the time when we are to confess and forsake our sins, that they may go beforehand to judgment and be blotted out. Now is the time to "cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God." It is dangerous to delay this work. Satan is even now seeking by disasters upon sea and land to seal the fate of as many as possible. What is the defense of the people of God at this time?--It is a living connection with heaven. If we would dwell in safety from the noisome pestilence, if we would be preserved from dangers seen and unseen, we must hide in God; we must secure the protecting care of Jesus and holy angels. In these days of peril, the Lord would have us walk before him in humility. Instead of trying to cover our sins, he would have us confess them, as Joshua confessed the sins of ancient Israel. We profess to be the depositaries of God's law. We profess to be building up "the old waste places," and to be raising up "the foundations of many generations." If this great and solemn work has indeed been committed to us, how important that we depart from all iniquity!

Nu er det tid til at vi bekender og aflægger vore synder, så de kan gå forud for dommen og udslettes. Nu er det tid til at ”rense os selv fra al kødets og åndens urenheder, udvikle hellighed i gudsfrygt.” Det er forligt at forhale dette arbejde. Nu forsøger Satan så galt at besegle flest muliges skæbne ved ulykker på havet og på land. Hvad er Guds folks forsvar for denne tid? – Det er en levende forbindelse med himlen. Hvis vi vil dvæle sikkert fra den usunde pest, hvis vi bevares fra synlige og usynlige farer, må vi gemme os i Gud; vi må sikre os Jesu og hellige engles beskyttende omsorg. I disse farlige dage, vil Herren at vi vandrer for ham i ydmyghed. I stedet for at forsøge at dække over vore synder, vil have at vi bekender dem, ligesom Josua bekendte det gamle Israels synder. Vi bekender at være forvaltere af Guds lov. Vi bekender at opbygge ”de gamle forladte steder,” og rejse fundamenter for mange slægter. Hvis dette store og alvorlige arbejde virkelig er betroet os, hvor vigtigt er det så ikke at vi forlader al synd!