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Pause and Think

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The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 10, 1866

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 27, No. 19.

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Pause and Think.

By C. M. Willis

WHAT is your besetting sin? Do you know? There is surely one within, Hidden though; In each breast one finds a home, Though 'tis oft concealed with care, You may think it overcome, It is ever lurking there, Pause and think, Pause and think.
Every one has something wrong, So have you; Something you have harbored long, It is so. Deeply search within your heart, You will find it hidden there, Of your nature 'tis a part, Of its name, though unaware, Pause and think, Pause and think.
It may be a bitter tongue, I don't know, Which would seek a neighbor's wrong, Is it so? Have you let it have its say, Till you feel it is no shame, When you let it run away, And traduce a neighbor's name? Pause and think, Pause and think.
Hasty temper it may be, I can't tell; Getting angry every day, Is this well? At each slight unguarded word, Do you let your passions rise? When your breast by storms is stirred, Do you hear to reason's cries? Pause and think, Pause and think.
Do you let pride fill your heart? Look within: And contend that fashion's art, Is no sin? Do you crave the highest seat, With a proud and lofty eye, And the poor refuse to greet, But with haughty look pass by? Pause and think, Pause and think.
What if you should love your gold, This may be: Hoarding up your sums untold, Look and see. You forget the poor to bless, Cease to wear a quiet mind, You are seeking happiness, But you'll seek and never find, Pause and think, Pause and think.
Self-conceit may puff you out, Windy words, No one else, when you're about, Can be heard; Ever seeking your own ease, All must to your wants attend, All may try your whims to please, But you'll never gain a friend; Pause and think, Pause and think.
I could name a hundred more, This will do: You may think the list all o'er, Which have you? Some one to your garments clings, Which if you don't cast away, Will inflict its bitter stings In the great, the reckoning day, Pause and think, Pause and think.
C. M. WILLIS. Charlotte, Mich.