The Test of Yesterday's Work

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 21, 1911

The Test of Yesterday's Work

A NUMBER of years ago, in a town in Germany, there lived a chain-maker unknown to fame. He was poor, but an excellent workman, and very conscientious in all that he did. He might have shirked his work. He might have done poor, imperfect work. But no. Each link of the great chains he made must be right, and so he labored.

Years passed, and on the great ocean there sails a large vessel with many passengers. On the deck is coiled the great chain, attached to the sheet-anchor. It lies there unnoticed, unthought of. Suddenly a storm arises, and grows in intensity. So fierce does it become that the ship is in danger. She flounders. Anchor after anchor is cast over, but the storm is so severe that the chains snap like cords.

Then comes the captain's order, “Let go the sheet-anchor!” Now is the moment of suspense. It is the last hope of safety. Will it share the fate of the others? Down into the deep it goes. In a moment the chain is out its length. The vessel quivers from stem to stern between the grasp of the two forces, the storm and the anchor. The old German chain-maker is battling with the elements. He wins. The anchor holds. The vessel is saved. His work stood in the great moment of trial.

In the last great day every man's work shall be tried, and faithfulness alone will win the crown. May we hear the voice of our ascended Lord say to each one of us. “Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.”—Pulpit Treasury.