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The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · September 17, 1867

FromReview and Herald, Vol. XXX, No. 14

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ARE THE OARS LYING IDLE?

By M. J. COTTRELL

Are the oars now lying idle? Art thou drifting with the tide? If ’tis thus there’s no advancement? Swiftly backward you will glide.
You perchance will fail to see it, Watching others at thy side, And so weary with hard rowing, Pause to rest, nor heed the tide,
But it surely bears those backward Who have ceased to ply the oar; Rouse! nor think of resting, brother, Till we reach the other shore.
Are the oars now lying idle? Does the stream so calm appear, That you think there is no danger, Just to rest one moment here?
Brother, there’s an under-current, You perceive it not I know, For the surface seems quite tranquil, But ’tis there with steady flow,
And that steady under-current, Bears all backward, slow but sure, Who would seek for ease and comfort, Idly resting on the oar.
Are the oars now lying idle? Do you think that you have made Such advancement that no longer You to ply the oar have need?
Do you think that you are gaining Faster than some other one? And that this is valid reason For the oars to be laid down?
Rouse thee brother, there is danger! Work with vigor for thy life, Work and watch, for all thy pathway Is with unseen danger rife.
Listen, brother, I beseech thee, To the warning I would give, I, too, often fail in weakness, For myself I often grieve.
But I’ll try to watch and labor, Ply the oars with faithful hand; And I wish to greet thee, brother, If I reach the heavenly land.
M. J. COTTRELL.