WATCH AND PRAY | AdventAI

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 9, 1868

WATCH AND PRAY.

[“The following, under the above title, which I have copied from a religious paper, has been of worth to me. I should be pleased to see it in the REVIEW, as it may benefit some one else also. We can follow this man's example, and, at the same time, be walking in the footsteps of Jesus. Tuscola Co., Mich. LAURA V. SMITH.]

“Long ago there lived a Christian old man who was often heard in the evening complaining of great weariness and pain. A friend once asked him the cause of his complaints.

“‘Alas!’ answered he, ‘I have so much to do every day. I have two falcons to tame, two hares to keep from running away, two hawks to manage, a serpent to confine, a lion to chain, and a sick man to tend and wait upon.’”

“‘Why, this is only folly,’ said the friend, ‘no man has all these things to do at once.’”

“‘Yet, indeed,’ he answered, ‘it is with me as I have said. The two falcons are my eyes, which I must diligently guard, lest something should please them which may be hurtful to my salvation. The two hares are my feet, which I must hold back, lest they should run after evil objects, and walk in the ways of sin. The two hawks are my hands, which I must train and keep to work, in order that I may be able to provide for myself and for my brethren who are in need. The serpent is my tongue, which I must always keep in with a bridle, lest it should speak anything unseemly. The lion is my heart, with which I have to maintain a continual fight, in order that pride and vanity may not fill it, but that the grace of God may dwell and work there. The sick man is my body, which is ever needing my watchfulness and care. All this daily wears out my strength.’”

“The friend listened with wonder, and then said: ‘Dear brother, if all men labored and struggled after this manner, the times would be better, and more according to the will of God.’”