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Lessons to Learn

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Feb 2, 1911

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 88, No. 5.

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Lessons to Learn

By H. E. Sawyer-Hopkins

H. E. SAWYER-HOPKINS
The things that comprise a holy life are not the so-called great things,—brilliant speeches, eloquent sermons, a great battle fought, or a remarkable achievement in science or the world of art,—neither can we always rely on the wonderful impressions that may come to the mind; these do not make up the life of the child of God.
Every one has battles to fight, victories to win, all the way through to the end of the race. We must fight against little evils, little sins, as well as large ones. There are trifling inconsistencies in others that one must pass by, in youthful minds as well as those that are older.
We are placed in this world for a two-fold purpose,—to live for the interest of our fellow beings, and to learn lessons in the school of Christ, that we may be fitted to dwell with Jesus and holy angels. There are lessons of patience, and submission to the small trials and petty annoyances of every-day life to learn. There are little deeds of love and kindness to the poor and needy, little acts of mercy and benevolence to the sick and afflicted, to perform all through life.
Often we think our way is hard, when the Master permits us to pass through a trying place. What an effort we make to get out of it! Perhaps we are called to pass over the same road again because of our failure to learn the lessons that our loving Heavenly Father has tried to teach us.
If we learn the lessons the Lord is endeavoring to teach us, we shall not only be fitted to dwell in a world where everything is pure and holy, but we shall have peace and joy in our hearts as we journey thither. “Like as a Father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him.” We know Jesus is our best friend, and that all heaven is interested in our welfare. “Hitherto hath the Lord helped us,” and we can still trust the One who is everything to us.
“Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it can not save; neither his ear heavy, that it can not hear.” Isa. 59:1. “Am I a God at hand, saith the Lord, and not a God afar off?” Jer. 23:23.