ALWAYS ON DUTY | AdventAI

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Mar 31, 1887

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 13, No. 13.

ALWAYS ON DUTY.

A good soldier recognizes the added responsibility resting on him, when he is on duty as a soldier. Even though he be careless in his dress, and his speech, and his personal bearing while in his tent with his tent-mates, he will give the closest attention to every detail of his uniform, will consider well his language and the manner of its expression, and will be erect and dignified in his carriage, when on guard, or when in line for inspection, for review, or for battle. And, in some cases, a soldier who is scrupulously exact in his soldierly conduct when on duty as a soldier, is reckless of his course as a man when on furlough, or while otherwise temporarily absent from his camp or his command. His standard while on duty is one thing; his standard while off duty is quite another thing.

As it is with the soldier, so too often is it with the Christian. There is one standard for the realm of his Christian duty; there is another standard for the realm of his personal enjoyment and recreation. His Sabbath suit sometimes seems to be his Christian uniform. His speech for the prayer-meeting, or for family worship, seems to be another language from that for his ordinary converse. His attitude and his manner toward religious things and toward secular things, differ widely. It is evident that as a Christian he recognizes a measure of responsibility in the purely religious sphere, which does not rest on him outside of that sphere. This shows itself again, in his questioning as to the use of his time, his money, his influence, in the one sphere or the other. He is, indeed, sometimes in doubt whether, or not, he is on duty as a Christian; but he does not doubt that his standard while on duty ought to be very different from his standard while off duty.

A Christian is always on duty. A Christian is an enlisted soldier of Christ. A Christian’s term of enlistment is life-long. So long as he lives, a Christian is bound to be true to his Master at all times and everywhere; and he ought never to be in a place where he would not welcome his Master’s appearing; nor ought he ever to speak a word which is inconsistent with fullest fidelity to the interests of his Master’s cause, as represented by himself. A Christian is not bound to wear his Sabbath suit all through the week; but he is bound to be as true a man in one suit as in another. A Christian is not bound to employ at all times precisely the tone of voice that is fitting for words of social or public prayer; but he is bound to speak always and only as a true-hearted follower of Christ. A Christian is not bound to be always in attendance at church or prayer-meeting, or some other religious gathering; but he is bound to be always in that place where, for the time being, it seems to him that he belongs, and where, above all other places for just that time, he would rejoice to be found by his returning Master.—Selected.