as friends of the bridegroom, but only the wise were ready to enter with him into the marriage feast, for according to the Oriental imagery only those who carried lights and formed a part of the marriage procession were admitted to the wedding festival. Both the foolish and the wise virgins carried lamps, but only the wise “took oil in their vessels with their lamps.” Among the followers of Christ mere outward profession is not enough. Preparation for the coming of Christ demands inward grace, and
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