Every-day Duties by M. E. Kelsey

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, California · Sep 2, 1875

Every-day Duties.

By M. E. Kelsey

The greater portion of mankind are obliged to labor to obtain a livelihood. But few are there who take delight in pursuing such labor. And why is this? It was the original design of God that man should find happiness and pleasure in life. When he placed our first parents in the garden of Eden he knew that they were so organized that some kind of employment would greatly add to their happiness, therefore he gave them the care of the garden, "to dress it and to keep it," that their enjoyment might be complete.

But with too many at the present day life seems a burden. They are discontented and continually murmuring at their lot. They would like to do a great amount of good to their fellow-men, but they have no opportunity.

If they could only devote their time to visiting from house to house, and conversing with different ones on religious subjects, then they flatter themselves that they could do much good. Why, say they, if I was only in the position of this brother or that sister, then I would devote the whole of my time and attention to this work. But this they are not able to do, and so they settle down in discouragement at home, wondering why it is that fortune has not favored them so highly as others.

Such forget that in order to be a worker in the vineyard of the Lord, it is not necessary for one to devote his entire time, nor yet to become a minister to carry the truth to foreign lands. No; if all were preachers where would be the hearers, if all teachers, where the learners?

It is home missionaries that are most needed. Those who will by every word and action of their lives preach to those around them. It frequently happens that a word fitly spoken will do more good than a most eloquent sermon from the pulpit.

We little know what is in the heart of a brother or friend with whom we meet, perhaps daily. He may be in deep trial and discouragement, or harrassed with doubts and fears, he may be on the very brink of despair, and just ready to give up the Christian warfare. At such a time as this, a word spoken from a heart glowing with love to God and man may be the means of causing that soul to decide between life and death. How important, then, that our words be few and well chosen, such as the Lord can approbate.

All find it necessary to be more or less connected with non-professors. And we often meet with those who are entire strangers to us as a people, and to the doctrines we advocate. They learn a little of our belief, their curiosity is aroused and they begin to make inquiries. But it may not be convenient nor yet advisable to give at that time all the different points of our faith without giving the reasons why we thus believe. But how appropriate after passing a few words to hand out a paper or tract (with which we should always be supplied) requesting them to read and consider it at their leisure.

In many cases they will read it carefully and lend to their neighbors, who in turn will read and become interested, and thus a general interest is awakened, which finally results in many embracing the truth. Thus we see we need not go away from home to be missionaries. In the family circle, while performing our daily duties, in business relations, or wherever we are, we can exert an influence for Christ that will bring many souls to a knowledge of the truth and cause them to shine as stars in the kingdom of Heaven forever and ever.

M. E. KELSEY.