The angels of God, who excel in wisdom and strength and in all efficiency, whether for judgment or mercy, fulfill their mission in the world. They are sent forth to minister to those who shall be heirs of salvation. Those who are walking in the light of God's commandments are very precious in His sight. He says, “Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.” In the last days Satan will use all his powers against God's people, to afflict, to distress, to discourage them, and to cause them all the trouble he possibly can. Those who know the truth and yet unite with him in this work, have lost their spiritual anointing. They are blinded by the sophistry of the enemy, and cannot see afar off. They have forgotten that they were purged from their old sins.BTS July 1, 1910, par. 1

A single angel appeared to the Roman guard on his mission from the heavenly courts, and lo, they lay as dead men! What made the Roman soldiers quake and tremble and fall as dead men to the ground?—The power of God.BTS July 1, 1910, par. 2

In the protection of His people God has caused His army so to deal with human powers that one hundred eighty-five thousand men were slain in one night. The thirty-seventh chapter of Isaiah contains instruction of the highest value. Read the prayer that Hezekiah offered to the Lord. He received a threatening letter from the king of Assyria which contained these words, “Thus shall ye speak to Hezekiah, king of Judah, saying, Let not thy God, in whom thou trustest, deceive thee, saying Jerusalem shall not be given into the hands of the king of Assyria. Behold thou hast heard what the kings of Assyria have done to all lands by destroying them utterly; and shalt thou be delivered?”BTS July 1, 1910, par. 3

Hezekiah took the letter and went up to the house of God and spread it before the Lord, saying,“Now, therefore, O Lord our God, save us from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that thou art the Lord, even thou only.”BTS July 1, 1910, par. 4

And God said, concerning the king of Assyria, “He shall not come into this city, nor shoot an arrow here, nor come before it with shields, nor cast a bank against it. By the way that he came, by the same shall he return, and shall not come unto this city, saith the Lord. For I will defend this city, to save it for my own sake, and for my servant David's sake. Then the angel of the Lord went forth, and smote the camp of the Assyrians a hundred four score and five thousand; and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they were all dead corpses.”BTS July 1, 1910, par. 5

Age, position, or influence, cannot save one of us from sudden sickness or calamity, if the Lord says, “It is done.” Therefore, let not those who have the light of truth be presumptuous. In the midst of cherished enterprises the Lord may speak, and it will be done. It is the wisdom of minister and people to hold themselves always in a spiritual readiness for anything that may occur. Let all follow the example of Hezekiah. Let us pour out the soul in humiliation and fasting and prayer.BTS July 1, 1910, par. 6

June 1, 1910

October 1, 1910