Sundial Christians by G. R. T.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 21, 1916

Sundial Christians

By G. R. T.

It is said that in Spain there is a sundial that has this motto engraved upon it: “I mark only the bright hours.”

This it seems would be an appropriate motto for all Christians. Despondency and gloom and the constant remembrance of unpleasant things in the experience of ourselves and of others do no good. Why mark in our memory the shadows of life, and fail to remember the bright things by the way? Why hang in the hall of memory the things which cause the heart to ache, and forget the blessings and things which cause us to be glad?

Every Christian should have a graveyard where he buries all the unpleasant memories,—hatred, alienation, old grudges, and every other thing that darkens the soul and grieves the heart. The admonition of the great apostle is always in place: “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Phil. 4: 8.

These are the things to hang in memory’s hall. Like the sundial, let us “mark only the bright hours.”

G. R. T.