Things Left Behind by Sel.

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Oct 21, 1886

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 12, No. 40.

Things Left Behind.

By Sel.

IN our life-course we are always leaving things behind us. We cannot help this; it lies in the very nature of life, which in every respect is full of movement. It matters not whether we have made a right or wrong use of the things; as facts of life they are behind us—they are gone beyond recall. That of itself is a solemn thought for us mortals, in view of the disciplinary nature of this life, and its bearing on the unchanging future. Time itself, with all its privileges and responsibilities, we are ever thus leaving behind us. Childhood, with its joys and sorrows, is past; youth, with its fullness of life, its ardent expectations, and its golden opportunities, to how many of us is that behind or fast passing away! And manhood's glorious prime, when vigor is at its best, talents at maturity, and life should be most fruitful in noble and worthy work, with how many is that, too, behind! We cannot live these days over again; we cannot go back upon them to repair aught that was amiss. The privileges and opportunities which time brought with it are gone. These come not again to us.

There are other things which we cannot leave behind us. The acts and words and thoughts are past; but these were living seeds, and their fruit remains for good or evil. These consequences meet you again and again; they keep pace with you in your life-journey. Outward life changes, new scenes open to you, new works are allotted to you; but amid all changes responsibility remains. That is a burden you cannot cast off at all. It lies upon you, and it abides with you in gathering force through all the scenes of life, till you appear before the judgment-seat of God. And character cannot be left behind. It constitutes the true man as he appears and will be judged in the sight of God. Much is left behind, yet the great and weightiest things, all that go to decide the future, are not and cannot be left behind.—Sel.