p. 10 | Heart Keeping by George E. Willmonton

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Apr 13, 1905

Heart Keeping

By George E. Willmonton

“Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.”

Do you keep your heart for God, For the Saviour’s holy dwelling, Emptied quite of sin and self, Every sinful lust expelling?

Has your pride its room surrendered That the Spirit may abide? Has truth’s key to conscience’s closet Let the door swing open wide?

Have you memory consecrated, Cleared its shelves of useless store That the senses have collected From the refuse on life’s shore?

Has God’s ointment box been broken? Does sweet incense fill the room, Like a fragrance wafted earthward From eternal fields of bloom?

Have you windows of taste’s chamber Cleared of dirt and made to shine, That the soul may see the landscape And the stars by light divine?

Is your watch-tower closely guarded? Is your sentinel awake, Watching with the glass of promise For the morning light to break?

Do you seek the secret closet Where alone you talk with God, Where you get your strength for conflict, And your feet with peace are shod?

For this closet is the conduit That connects us with God’s throne, And if this is seldom opened, Satan will your heart soon own.

— George E. Willmonton, in the Watchman.