DON'T FORGET THE PRIZE by Dudley Marvin Canright

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 14, 1868

DON'T FORGET THE PRIZE.

By Dudley Marvin Canright

WHAT is the matter with you, my brethren, that you look so sad and gloomy; why so discouraged? Why no more zeal, life, and energy? I do not hear you praising God. You sing no cheerful hymns. Tell us the reason of all this. Ah! all discouraged are you? Don't know as you can be a Christian; don't know as you can ever overcome. Almost a mind to stop trying, and give up the conflict. Yes, yes. But how comes this? Let me suggest the cause: Instead of looking up, Luke xxi, 28, you have been looking down; instead of looking at the “far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,” 2 Cor. iv, 17, you have been brooding over the “light affliction which is but for a moment;” instead of “rejoicing in hope of the glory of God,” Rom. v, 2, you have been mourning over your trials; instead of having your “conversation in Heaven,” Phil. iii, 20, it has been on things of the world; instead of “casting all your care upon him,” 1 Pet. v, 7, you have been carrying this burden all alone; instead of meditating upon “the joy that is set before you,” Heb. xii, 2, you have been murmuring about the hardness of the way. Now, my brother, you are having a very hard time, and making the yoke of Christ a yoke of bondage. These things ought not so to be. Change the current of your thoughts entirely. Instead of dwelling upon your hardships, trials, weaknesses, and this cold, dark world, look up, and let your mind continually feast upon the heavenly prize for which you are contending. Think of the beautiful tree of life with rich, immortal fruit; think of the river of life with its clear, sparkling water; think of the many mansions all prepared for the saints of God who have made a covenant with him by sacrifice; think of the angels of God, so holy, and happy, and lovely; think of the blessed Jesus and how good it will be to be with him; think of God and the many glorious promises he has made to you. Let your mind dwell upon these things with all the joys that there will be in the eternal ages for the child of God. Keep these before your mind, feast upon them. It will give you new life and courage, and quickly dispel all this gloom and darkness.

See that hired man there in the harvest field. See him toiling in the hot sun; see the sweat dropping from his face; see how weary he is; yet he toils on willingly and cheerfully, day after day and week after week. Why is this? Why does he not stop working and lie down in the shade? Because he has his mind on the prize,—his wages. My brother, when the journey to the kingdom looks long, and hard, and difficult, then let faith and hope reach ahead and taste a morsel of the feast waiting at the end of the journey. Then cheer up, thank God, and take courage.

“The road may be rough, but it cannot be long, I’ll smooth it with hope, and I’ll cheer it with song.”

D. M. CANRIGHT.

Washington, N. H.