p. 164 | Why Delay? by Roswell F. Cottrell

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 25, 1875

Why Delay?

By Roswell F. Cottrell

Why delay what you intend to do? We are nearing the end of another year. And still perhaps you intend to do the work that is yours to do, and that no one can do for you. You mean well, and make good resolves; but they never will be carried out, until you begin to do. And the time to do is now. Dreams of future doing amount to nothing. The work that is never begun will certainly never be finished. Delay is stealing away your time. You must come to the decision to begin now, and to persevere to the last. This is the only way to be prepared to hear the well done at the last.

There are two important things for you to attend to. One is the preparation, the thorough conversion of your own heart; the other is your duty to labor for the good of others. These can be, and should be, attended to at the same time. We should not put off doing for others till we are satisfied that our hearts are all consecrated and all right—that the work for ourselves is all done. Doing for others will help in the work for ourselves. To engage in spreading the light of truth by distributing tracts or getting subscribers for the papers that contain the truth for the present time, will help in the work of overcoming selfishness in your own hearts and becoming wholly consecrated to God. But your work for others must be attended by earnest and constant prayer for the blessing of God on you and your efforts for them. In this way, you will help others in the way to life, and you will make progress yourself.

Now, why delay? Why let all your time slip away unimproved? Awake to duty and your own interest and that of others. The time is now, and until you come to this decision, your work will never be begun, and consequently never done.

R. F. COTTRELL.