HATTIE T. SANBORN by Hattie T. Sanborn

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 12, 1877

HATTIE T. SANBORN

By Hattie T. Sanborn

JUNE 30, 1877.

The year half gone, and what is its record? How have its days been employed? How have its hours been occupied? How have its moments been spent? What has the recording angel penned opposite our names? yes, my name? Might I not blush and hide my face in shame if I were to hear a semi-annual report of my life deeds? Have I done all in my power to

“Let my lips and life express The holy gospel I profess, To let my works and virtues shine To prove the doctrine all divine”?

Many of us made New Year resolves to live more faithfully during the coming year than in the past. We reconsecrated ourselves to the work of the Lord, and really felt that we would double our diligence, accomplishing far more than ever before. Have we done this? Have we been redeeming the time? Have we been “buying up opportunities” for doing good? A retrospective view does not reveal to us a satisfactory record. A penetrating glance all along our path discovers to us steps taken which lacked the unyielding firmness that would have given character to our work. Moments of hesitation have resulted in lost opportunities for doing good to those who were perhaps sighing for an encouraging word, or reaching out for a helpful hand. The golden moment was not improved, and eternity alone can tell the result.

Shall we continue a similar course throughout the year, impoverishing our own spiritual life, and giving occasion for stumbling to those who rightly enough look to us for an example? or shall we learn lessons from the past, and by a faithful performance of every known duty, gain strength daily, permitting the discipline of life to accomplish for us the design of the great Refiner?