p. 161 | A WORKER'S DREAM

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 12, 1901

A WORKER'S DREAM

I SAT down in an armchair, wearied with my work. The Church wore an aspect of thrift and prosperity. As for myself, I was joyous in my work. The whole community was more or less moved with the prevailing excitement, as the work went on. I soon lost myself in a sort of half-forgetfulness. A stranger entered the room, without any preliminary “tap” or “Come in.”

The stranger came toward me, and extending his hand, said, “How is your zeal?” I was quite well pleased with my zeal, and doubted not that the stranger would be when he should know its proportions. Instantly I put my hand into my bosom, brought it forth, and presented it to him for inspection. He took it, and placing it in his scale, weighed it carefully. “One hundred pounds!” I heard him say. I could scarcely suppress an audible note of satisfaction; but I caught his earnest look as he noted down the weight; and I saw that he had drawn no conclusion, but was intent on further investigation.

He broke the mass to atoms, put it in the crucible, and put the crucible into the fire. When the mass was thoroughly fused, he took it out, and set it down to cool. At the touch of the hammer, it fell apart. It was tested and weighed, the stranger making minute notes as the process went on. When he had finished, he presented the notes to me, with a look of mingled sorrow and compassion, as he left the room. I opened the “notes,” and read:—

ANALYSIS OF THE ZEAL OF A CANDIDATE FOR A CROWN OF GLORY

Bigotry ........................ 12 parts. Personal ambition ................ 25 " Love of praise ................... 23 " Pride of talent .................. 18 " Love of authority ................ 15 " Love to God ...................... 4 " Love to man ...................... 3 "

When I looked at the figures, my heart sank. At first I thought to dispute the correctness of the record. Suddenly it became a mirror, and I saw my heart reflected in it. The record was true. I cried out, “Lord, save me!” Kneeling down at my chair, with the paper in my hand, I besought God, with many tears, to save me from myself. With a cry of anguish I awoke. I was in great distress. I did not find rest, nor did I pause, till the refining fire came down and went through my heart, searching, probing, melting, burning, filling all its chambers with light, and hallowing my whole heart to God.

That light and that love are in my soul to-day; and when the toils and tears of my pilgrimage are ended, I expect to kneel at the feet of the divine Alchemist, and praise Him for the revelations of that day, which showed me where I stood, and turned my feet into a better way.