ACT FROM PRINCIPLE

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, California · Mar 4, 1880

ACT FROM PRINCIPLE.

How few persons there are whose lives are governed entirely from principle rather than inclination. Even those of us who may be endeavoring to live for high purposes, come far short.

How often we find our convictions of right and duty questioning if it might not be as well for us to yield to inclination, just for the time, promising our disturbed consciences that we will make up for the present indulgence by more vigorous self-denial and strict attention to business. Vain, fallacious reasoning of a weak nature! We can never make up one neglected opportunity, one misspent hour, one wrong, selfish act. Once past, the opportunity unimproved, the hour wasted, the act committed, it is beyond our reach to recall, except in thoughts of regret. We may atone for it, but we can never change the past. Alas! how painfully we are aware of the fact. Then should we all endeavor the more earnestly to make our lives embodiments of principle; for we all know that, after all, the path of duty, though sometimes rugged, is not without sweet pleasure; and let us never follow our inclinations if they would lead us away from right. Then shall we be permitted at last to look back upon our lives with satisfaction, feeling that we did what we could, and that our Father regards us with smiles of approval.—Ex.