p. 110 | Sleep not, but Work by Allie Church

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

Sleep not, but Work.

By Allie Church

WHY do we sleep on the verge of ruin when instant destruction threatens us? Supposing one was standing on the brink of some lofty precipice and was conscious of the impending evil if he remained there, think you he would quietly settle down to take a nap, when it was certain death if he did? when he knew that he would surely fall from that immense height and be dashed in pieces on the rocks below? No! if he was not insane, or partially so, he would not. Every one who reads this would fly from such a place instantly.

Yet, my friends, you are standing on the brink of a more frightful precipice than the one we have described, and you are partly asleep. You do not see it, nor do you realize how terrible is your situation. But the reason you do not see or realize your fearful danger is not because you cannot, but because you will not. O awake! now, ere it is too late. Time is short. Let us see the importance of improving every moment. Jesus is soon coming in the clouds of heaven, and then it will be everlastingly too late. There is no time to spare, not a moment. Be up and doing. Jesus calls you, why will you delay? Angels are hovering around you, inviting you. They do not want you to refuse the gracious invitation. Long has your Master been knocking at the door of your heart, seeking entrance. But you would not listen. Soon it will be said, Let him alone. Let us make haste. ALLIE CHURCH.

Rice Co., Minn., Feb. 11, 1873.