Present Duty | AdventAI

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Aug 13, 1885

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 11, No. 31.

Present Duty.

It is the one duty of the hour that we are to recognize as our duty for the hour. To ascertain that duty, to distinguish the one real duty from the many apparent duties, may require a careful balancing of various interests, and of conflicting feelings and relations; but, when that immediate duty is ascertained, it must be recognized as, for the time being, above all else; as practically standing alone, the only present duty of our lives. Then, we must move on in that direction, even though we seem to be moving to sure destruction, or to the disregard of interests and of loved ones dearer to us than life itself. We may seem to be risking our influence, endangering our good name, compromising our position, neglecting important enterprises, causing needless discomfort to others, failing to improve the great opportunities of our life course, bringing discomfort to ourselves, and yielding that which it would be a priceless privilege to enjoy;—but there is no proper alternative to us; this is the one thing for us to do. And, so sure as God is true, if we do go forward fearlessly, it will ultimately be found that the doing of this duty is perfectly consistent with every other duty of our lives.—S. S. Times.