Gather the Crumbs by H. F. Phelps

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 18, 1873

Gather the Crumbs.

By H. F. Phelps

How many men there are in this world who have evidently made a mistake in their calling. They are not where they should be, and every thing goes wrong with them. A writer in the Scientific American has a few thoughts on choosing an occupation very much to the point. Of the one who has made a mistake, he says: “He is out of his element; he disturbs the machinery of the world; he is as bad as a broken wheel on a train. Every thing with which he is connected goes halting because of him.”

How many such unfortunates this world presents to us. But the most unfortunate of all is, there are so many that never seem to have any aim or object in life: and though every thing might be made as favorable as possible, they lack life and ambition, and are so very slow that ere they get their eyes open their opportunities are gone, and gone forever.

But the idea of any one's trying to be what he has no taste for, is well illustrated by the same writer: “How can I know about that I know nothing about?” “How can I have the inspiration of preaching, when I am always thinking about machinery? or how can I paint, when I am always wishing to preach? when the divine truths fire my heart to go forth to turn men from the error of their ways?”

A man out of his place says this, if not by word, yet by every action; and his whole life is imbittered by the circumstances that surround him; or, what is worse, may be by the decisions of his superiors who have the power to help him, but will not. And thus he drags his weary way through the world, never satisfied; while only a few words of encouragement, or an act in his favor, might help him to rise, and be of some use in the world. As just such relations are found among God's people, how important that we give our decisions in the fear of God, and as for eternity.

SCOLDING.

We are told that in the early part of the present century a certain class in England thought that scolding was an art that should be improved by a systematic course of instruction. Whether this be true or not, we have often thought that there was far too much of that business done at the present time; and we have seen some who could scold with such proficiency that we think they must have completed their course. But the question is, Can commandment-keepers indulge in this without grieving the Spirit of God. “In your patience possess ye your souls.”—CHRIST. “Be patient, therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord.”—JAMES. “Ye have need of patience.”—PAUL.

TYRANNY OF APPETITE.

In an extract from the writings of Mrs. Stowe, we have the following illustration of appetite. “One sip, and then all fear, all care, all conscience, is gone.” It is likened to “a man condemned by a cruel fiend to go through the agonies of drowning, over and over again, and experiencing a momentary relief as he climbs up the bank, only to be plunged again in deep despair, to struggle and strangle and sink again.”

How grateful should those be who have been delivered from this terrible tyrant, and how thankful should those be who have never fallen a victim to this terrible monster. And may we learn to deal gently, and not condemn unrelentingly, lest we discourage; but let us try to bear each other's woes, and help others to ground their feet upon the Rock of Ages.

But are we all free from this monster? Rather, do we not find from day to day that we are wont to render obedience to this vile enemy? and do we not find that we have many things to overcome? I pity that man who can not see but that he is all right in this matter, as much as I do the one who stands represented at the head of this paragraph; for of him there may be hope.

H. F. PHELPS.