HABITS by JOS. CLARKE.

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 2, 1867

HABITS.

By JOS. CLARKE.

Habits once formed become a second nature. Our characters are little else than an expose of our habits: not what we have lately learned merely, but what we have been learning all along from the cradle up to the present date.

We may correct our lives, and change our tenets, if we find we have held erroneous opinions, and may abandon the false for the true; but to do this, to lay aside old habits, and form new ones, is the most difficult task assigned to us in this life.

But it has been done, and is now being accomplished by those who value character and principle and eternal life more than ease and present gratification.

We may console ourselves very much with the consideration that the habit of doing right, if once fully acquired, is as strong as that of doing evil; and right habits of life are a safeguard against evil habits.

One wrong act, paves the way for another, and another, until it becomes habitual; and on the other hand, one good act proceeding from an honest heart, makes it easier to perform a like action again, until it becomes pleasant and natural to do right.

How important then to form correct habits; habits of obedience to God, and love to men: habits of generosity, and kindness and truth.

JOS. CLARKE.