Spirit , which renders His word a lamp to the feet and a light to the path . In the fear of God they had studied the Scriptures to learn the truth , and had earnestly sought for purity of heart and life . These had a personal experience , a faith in God and in His word , which could not be overthrown by disappointment and delay . Others " took their lamps , and took no oil with them ." They had moved from impulse . Their fears had been excited by the solemn message , but they had depended upon the faith of their brethren , satisfied with the flickering light of good emotions , without a thorough understanding of the truth or a genuine work of grace in the heart . These had gone forth to meet the Lord , full of hope in the prospect of immediate reward ; but they were not prepared for delay and disappointment . When trials came , their faith failed , and their lights burned dim .
" While the bridegroom tarried , they all slumbered and slept ." By the tarrying of the bridegroom is represented the passing of the time when the Lord was expected , the disappointment , and the seeming delay . In this time of uncertainty , the interest of the superficial and halfhearted soon began to waver , and their efforts to relax ; but those whose faith was based on a personal knowledge of the Bible had a rock beneath their feet , which the waves of disappointment could not wash away . " They all slumbered and slept ;" one class in unconcern and abandonment of their faith , the other class patiently waiting till clearer light should be given . Yet in the night of trial the latter seemed to lose , to some extent , their zeal and devotion . The halfhearted and superficial could no longer lean upon the faith of their brethren . Each must stand or fall for himself .
About this time , fanaticism began to appear . Some who had professed to be zealous believers in the message rejected the word of God as the one infallible guide and , claiming to be led by the Spirit , gave themselves up to the control of their own feelings , impressions , and imaginations . There were some who manifested a blind and bigoted zeal , denouncing all who would not sanction their course . Their fanatical ideas and exercises met with no sympathy from the great body of Adventists ; yet they served to bring reproach upon the cause of truth .
Satan was seeking by this means to oppose and destroy the work of God . The people had been greatly stirred by the advent movement , thousands of sinners had been converted , and faithful men were giving themselves to the work of proclaiming the truth , even in the tarrying time . The prince of evil was losing his subjects ; and in order to bring reproach upon the cause of God , he sought to deceive some who professed the faith and to drive them to extremes . Then his agents stood ready to seize upon every error , every failure , every unbecoming act , and hold it up before the people in the most exaggerated light , to render Adventists and their faith odious . Thus the greater the number whom he could crowd in to
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