PLENTY TO DO by Mrs. M. C. DuBois

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Sep 17, 1902

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 28, No. 38.

“PLENTY TO DO.”

By Mrs. M. C. DuBois

“There is plenty to do in this world of ours; There are sweets to pluck from among the flowers; There are fields to sow, there are fields to reap; There are vineyards to set on the mountains steep; There are roses to plant, and thistles to fell; And homes to be rescued, on hillside and dell; There are poor to be fed; there are children to teach, And a message of love and of mercy to preach; The fallen to lift, and self-pride to abase; And every one fitted to stand in his place; There are souls to be saved, by land and by sea:— There’s work in great plenty for you and for me.”

YES, there is plenty to do. Each day, each hour brings its duties, which, if faithfully discharged, will leave no time to be spent in murmuring or complaining. Let us bear in mind that it is not so much the greatness of the work as it is the spirit we manifest, or the motive prompting the act, be it ever so humble.

The life-work of some becomes to them monotonous; they weary of the present duty because it looks so unimportant, and look longingly to far-off fields which to them appear so green and promising, and say, “If my circumstances were just a little different, I could make my influence felt for God and truth.”

My reader, all God requires of any of us is to do just the best we can, right where we are. Fulfil the present duty. When?—Now, to-day. Don’t wait for the Master to ask, “Why stand ye here idle?” To-day perform the neighborly act, speak the cheering word, write the encouraging letter. To-morrow may be too late. Carry the flowers to-day, do not wait till the eyes of that sick one are closed in death but go to-day while the eyes can behold their beauty, and the soul drink in of their sweet perfume. Send the package of tracts, the roll of papers, to-day; don’t wait. Some one may be fighting a fierce temptation; there may be upon the pages you send just what is needed to bring him peace; don’t wait.

There is plenty to do in the home circle. Kind words are needed; hearts are often saddened and life made miserable, because we are so sparing of loving, tender words.

You who are mothers think not your work of little account. True, you may weary of the daily round of labor, but let nothing discourage you. Look to God continually for strength and wisdom to train those little ones for Him. Did you ever think, mothers, that the mind of your child is a garden wherein seeds of good or evil are being sown? What a great work is this to watch over this garden, that no baneful weed-seed be dropped therein. The soil of this garden is very responsive to good or evil. You need to be very watchful that the seeds of untruth be not dropped in the heart of your child by an unkept promise, or careless threat made in a moment of impatience. O mothers, be careful what seeds you plant by precept and example.

Plenty to do?—Yes, this is a busy world.

“Did you ever think, mothers, that the mind of your child is a garden?”

“Plenty to do all over the land, Work crowding the brain, the heart, and the hand, There are kind words to speak, there are songs to be sung, There are doors to be opened, there are bells to be rung.”

Any one who has the power of speech can speak a kind word. Some one is always in need of them, in your own home, in some other, or somewhere upon life’s highway you may meet a weary traveler to whom a smile or a kind word may bring happiness. You who are blessed with the gift of song, have you consecrated your voice to sing for Jesus and the good of humanity? Here is a chance to do good work; there is power in song to reach the fallen. Not long since I read of a noted singer who was walking the streets of a city. She came to an old man who sat sad and dejected. She quickly stepped to his side, and commenced to sing. The people stopped, spell-bound, to listen. She finished her song, dropped some money in his withered old hand, and passed on. Those standing around commenced to drop the dimes, quarters, and half-dollars into his hat, until his heart was made glad, for he was a worthy object. It was a small act for her to do, yet it was a noble deed.

Reader, watch for these little opportunities to use your God-given powers to honor Him, and cheer others.

“Plenty to do, our love to show.”

Turn which direction we will, the fields are ripe, ready for the laborer. Watch for open doors in which to enter to speak a word for Christ. One has said, “The world is going down for want of love.” The world does not need eloquence so much as it needs love. Love is fulfilling God’s law. God is love. Let us improve every opportunity. An opportunity passed by unimproved returns not to us again.

“You will not pass this way again; Be sure that you pass not by The old and tired, the sick and weak, And those not ready to die.”

Grand Ledge, Mich. Mrs. M. C. DuBois.