PATIENT CONTINUANCE IN WELL-DOING.
By John Nevins Andrews
THIS one sentence reveals the secret of the overcomer's success. Steady, constant, persistent effort in right-doing is sure to win. The acts we are able to perform may be humble; but if every one of them is right in the sight of God, they will tell wonderfully upon the final result. In fact, simple adherence to this one grand idea, "Patient continuance in well-doing," will certainly secure to us a place with Christ upon his throne. When we can do an important work for the cause of God, let us be sure to do it at any sacrifice to ourselves. But let us never stand idle, waiting for such a kind of work as seems to us one of magnitude and importance. If we cannot do some great thing for the Lord, we can always find something of smaller consequence. Because the only act that we can perform is a very humble, lowly deed, so small that it seems of comparatively little importance, let us never stand idle, waiting for work of greater consequence. Little do we know the results that may flow from our acts of obedience to God. Nor is this our business. "Go work in my vineyard," is the mandate of the great Master. The providence of God indicates our work. Our own nature would crave some great thing to do. But cheerful, active obedience to the humblest duties of the religion of Christ may be in the sight of God the most acceptable work that we can perform. Certain it is that when self-advancement and self-dignity are out of the account, and the honor of God and the well-being of men are sought by us, and that with singleness of heart, our acts are always acceptable to God. Let us be active in the vineyard of the Lord. Our time is passing with great velocity. Soon it will be gone forever. Let us not waste an hour waiting for some great thing to do for the honor of God. The secret of all such conduct is the honor of self. If Providence calls us to small and humble acts, and calls others to things of great consequence and importance, what is that to us? Our business is to do the work assigned us by the Lord. Those whose lives are filled up with patient continuance in well-doing will certainly have it said to them at the last day, "Well done, good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." J. N. A.