WATCH by Chas. L. Boyd

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 25, 1878

WATCH

By Chas. L. Boyd

I OFTEN hear brethren and sisters wishing their circumstances were different, that they might be able to do something for the advancement of the cause of God; but at the same time they justify themselves, under the existing circumstances, in doing little or nothing. But God has something to be done in every nook and corner of earth's great harvest field, and those who stand ready get the work and receive the hire.

Here are a few illustrations, ancient and modern.

Lot sat at the gate of the city, improving every opportunity of doing good to his fellow-men. The angels found him at his post of duty; they received of his hospitality, and he of their salvation. Elisha was a husbandman. Ever faithful, the Lord knew where to find him. Elijah passed that way; the Spirit speaks, and Elisha follows the man of God and ministers to his wants. In return he receives Elijah's mantle and a double portion of the Spirit of Israel's God.

A few years since a lady in Iowa embraced the Sabbath. She had no opportunity to unite with the church, and soon came to Nebraska. She was closely confined at home, and what could she do? (What would you have done, my sister? What have you done?) She talked the truth in a kind and winning manner. She lived it; her lamp was trimmed, and others saw the light of its burning. She sent for a minister to come and preach the third angel's message, and now sees a church organized and four of her own family, who were without Christ, within its folds. Here is another case. Some S. D. Baptists left church privileges in Wisconsin and “came West.” The lamps of those who used their neighbor's oil burned very feebly, or expired. Others were faithful to their high calling. One devoted sister, in reaching out after others, talked of Christ and the Lord's Sabbath to a youth who was, in consequence of an accident with a gun, lying on a bed of affliction. But how could he keep the Sabbath? The holy day returned. His pocket knife, which afforded him his usual pastime, was laid aside, with, “I am not going to whittle any more on the Sabbath.” His father, who had once known and loved the truth, heard the resolution. A tender chord was touched in his heart. He immediately sent for the REVIEW as a Sabbath pastime for his boy, and soon commenced to observe the Sabbath and to live a Christian life. Some of his neighbors joined him. A minister was called, and now a church is organized and there is a company rejoicing in the “blessed hope” as the result of this sister's faithfulness.

Had Lot been at the Sodomites' places of amusement, would not he and all his family have perished with that doomed city? Had Elisha been mingling with the worshipers of Baal, would he ever have been called to be a prophet of the Lord? Did the Master give to those sisters a talent? The value of the increase can only be estimated in the scales of eternity. Souls are saved! Angels rejoice that sinners are converted, and that wanderers are called back to the Father's house!

“Go work in my vineyard; there's plenty to do, The harvest is great and the laborers are few; There's weeding and fencing, and clearing of roots, And plowing and sowing, and gathering the fruits. There are foxes to take, there are wolves to destroy, All ages and ranks I can fully employ.

“Go work in my vineyard; I claim thee as mine, With blood did I buy thee and all that is thine: Thy time and thy talents, thy loftiest powers, Thy warmest affections, thy sunniest hours. I willingly yielded my kingdom for thee, The songs of archangels, to hang on the tree.”

“Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things which shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.”

CHAS. L. BOYD.