OUR WORK by Eliza H. Morton

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 22, 1877

OUR WORK.

By Eliza H. Morton

We all have something to do in this world, some sphere to fill, some work to accomplish. Our own personal enjoyment should not be the end and aim of our lives. We should endeavor by deep thinking to form in our minds some idea of the object of life and the results to be attained by living. Simply to eat, drink, amuse ourselves, and drift along with the tide is not living in any true sense. Life means action, and action means work. There is a kind of labor which God calls selfish work. The man who spends the best years of his life, his talents, influence, and every energy of his soul and body, in the pursuit of pleasure, wealth, or fame, works, and works hard; but his labor is all in vain. Perhaps he secures his object, but how long can he enjoy it? He has wasted his vitality in the pursuit, and now he must die, and whose shall be the riches, and where the honors, he obtained? This life in the sight of God has been a complete failure—a total blank.

There is another kind of labor which brings a reward, of the fullness of which we never dreamed. The world is full of wickedness, want, sorrow, suffering, and woe. God's children are scattered up and down through the world. The mission field is wide. The key-note of a noble life is, Live for others. Spread the truth. Scatter the light. Speak words of kindness and love to the lonely scattered ones. Dry the falling tear. Use your money in helping the poor, and you shall have treasure in Heaven. Perhaps all cannot do grand deeds, or speak trumpet-toned words, but the smallest offering, if a sacrifice, or the feeblest utterance of the weakest lips, may be a power forever.

The Christian life is the only true life. It leads through portals broad and high, through which light falls as from palace windows all opening skyward; and up and down the shining ladder of prayer, white-winged angels tread, bearing upward songs of thanksgiving and praise, and carrying downward forgiveness of sins, healing balm, comforting peace, and joy unspeakable and full of glory. What enjoyment in this world can be compared with this? and beyond this life, what a wealth of happiness is held in reserve for the Christian! Human language cannot describe the beauty of that far-off home. Words are too weak to paint the glory of that other life. Mortal mind cannot comprehend the riches of that kingdom to come.

In view of the great and precious reward, ought we not to work earnestly while the day lasts and so faithfully perform all our Master's will that we may be accepted of him and crowned with immortality and eternal life when he comes to make up his jewels?

ELIZA H. MORTON.