I Must Do More by Dudley Marvin Canright

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 21, 1871

I Must Do More.

By Dudley Marvin Canright

When I come to Battle Creek and see how much there is to be done in the various departments for carrying forward the present truth, and also see how few there are to do all this, and how hard these few are constantly at work to do it, I feel condemned for my lack of zeal, and energy, and usefulness in the cause. Would that I could carry this feeling with me through the entire year!

After I have been out in the field laboring alone a long time, seeing nobody else doing anything, I often lose my zeal and energy, and come to think that I am working very hard and sacrificing much, when in fact I am not doing half what I might. Do my brethren also feel the same in their labors? I must not let these feelings overcome me, quench my zeal, dwarf my powers, and dry up my life. What can a man accomplish who becomes possessed of the idea that he is really having a very hard time, is very much worn, very tired, working harder than he ought, &c.? A man in such a condition will only discourage others by communicating his spirit to them. It is wicked to indulge such a feeling.

But how shall we improve, and when shall we begin to reform?

1. Time. Time is one of the most precious gifts God has bestowed upon us. A few days will number all any one of us can have. How important to use every moment of time aright. Five minutes lost now, half an hour then, two hours at another time. How fast this will count up! I must use these golden hours, yes, even the minutes, as they go by. They will not stop for me to lounge and laugh and play; nor will they come back for me when I am ready to use them. On, on, they glide, rapidly one after the other. I must use them now or never. Lord, help me, and I will try.

I must rise earlier in the morning. How easy to let a few minutes, an hour slip away while we are in bed after we ought to be up! One hour each morning, three hundred and sixty-five hours a year. This divided by twelve, the number of actual working hours in a day, gives thirty full working days lost in bed! Is it possible! A whole month of the very best of time for hard work thus carelessly lost.

Then how much time we lose in careless, unprofitable, light conversation. Ten minutes here, an hour there—how much in a year, in a life-time is thus squandered! I must prize these moments more, and make a better use of them. While traveling among our friends, how many I see idling away hours every day. They will sit around and stand around talking and hearing the light stuff that benefits no one, but brings barrenness to the mind and soul. How much better to be reading the Bible or some good book! But when death comes, how precious these wasted moments will appear!

While I write, I firmly resolve to reform in this important matter; and I ask my brethren and sisters where I shall labor, to help me by giving me a chance to do it. Doing this will enable me to be of much more use to this holy cause. More anon. D. M. CANRIGHT.