Describing the time period of 1843-1844, Sister White says this. This was the midnight cry which was to give power to the second angel's message. Angels were sent from heaven to arouse the discouraged saints and prepare them for the great work before them. The most talented men were not the first to receive this message. The most talented men were not the first to receive this message. Angels were sent to the humble, devoted ones and constrained them to raise the cry, Behold the bridegroom cometh, go ye out to meet him. Those entrusted with the cry made haste and in the power of the Holy Spirit sounded the message and aroused their discouraged brethren. This work did not stand in the wisdom and learning of men, but in the power of God, and his saints who heard the cry could not resist it. The most spiritual received the message first, and those who had formerly led in the work were the last to receive and help swell the cry, Behold the bridegroom cometh. The cry that they were making, Behold the bridegroom cometh, was their belief that the return of Christ was imminent and all those events associated with the end of the world were here. Continuing on, in every part of the land light was given upon the second angel's message and the cry melted the hearts of thousands. It went from city to city and from village to village until the waiting people of God were fully aroused. In many churches the message was not permitted to be given, and a large company who had the living testimony left these fallen churches. A mighty work was accomplished by the midnight cry. The message was heart-searching, leading the believers to seek a living experience for themselves. They knew that they could not lean upon one another. Brothers and sisters, if there is one truth in the parable of the ten virgins that comes out over and over, it is that it is an individual experience. We cannot lean on one another for our salvation. We can lean on one another for faithful support, but not for our individual relationship with Christ. The Youth Instructor, January 16, 1896. We are now living in a most perilous time and not one of us should be tardy in seeking a preparation for the coming of Christ. Let none follow the example of the foolish virgins and think that it will be safe to wait until the crisis comes before gaining a preparation of character to stand in that time. It will be too late to seek for the righteousness of Christ when the guests are called in and examined. Now is the time to put on the righteousness of Christ, the wedding garment that will fit you to enter the married supper of the Lamb. In the parable the foolish virgins are represented as begging for oil and failing to receive it at their request. This is symbolic of those who have not prepared themselves by developing a character to stand in a time of crisis.