GO TO THE ANT | AdventAI

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 20, 1877

GO TO THE ANT.

“Most persons are aware that ants are the most destructive kinds of insects ever known. Under their silent but obstinate work, the white ants have pulled down the most magnificent and strongly built palaces. Suddenly, when no exterior sign of their decay could have been perceived, they have crumbled down; and the whole of their internal structure, from the smallest piece of timber to the biggest rafter, the foundation, walls, and ceilings, proved to have been devoured and pierced and honeycombed throughout by these insignificant foes.

“Even now European papers relate the destruction by the ants of a splendid man-of-war, which looked as beautiful and as strong as ever, at its berth in a harbor, and which had just been discovered, on a casual inspection, to be rotten in every part of it. The slightest action of the waves beating against that ship, when hardly out of the harbor, would have demolished the whole structure, and brought her to the bottom of the sea.”

What could more vividly illustrate the power of persistent and unwavering workers, no matter how insignificant they may be? If those who are seeking the opportunity of doing some great thing would go to the ant, and learn a lesson of quiet, patient, and persistent toil, they might, instead of standing idly waiting for some great opportunity, enter at once upon labors abundant, unceasing, and sure to be crowned at last with marked and wonderful success.—The Wayside.