Silence

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 3, 1914

“SILENCE marks the working of the greatest forces of life. No ear hears the sun draw up into the sky the countless tons of water that fall in rain. No man hears the groaning of the oak’s fibers as it grows to its strength and height. Noise is usually an aftereffect, and does not often accompany initial power. Sounding brass and tinkling cymbal are noisy, but not powerful. So the will reaches its decisions in silence, and it does not need much shouting to know when a man is in earnest. Love grows without a sound. The great Fisher of men worked quietly, as fishers usually do, and, as Isaiah said, not crying nor lifting up his voice in the streets; yet he was doing his Father’s work every minute. We need not become anxious when our sincerest work makes no great noise nor has any immediate effect. If we are dead in earnest, let us do what we can and keep still. Our great Partner is a silent partner.”