WHO WILL THANK YOU

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Nov 18, 1889

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 15, No. 44.

WHO WILL THANK YOU.

THERE is one thing worth remembering, and that is, no one will thank you for killing yourself. You may work yourself to death, and when you have done it people will call you a fool for your pains. What you are is of more importance than what you do. A strong, vigorous, courteous man or woman is esteemed and valued; but one who is helpless, feeble, fretful, and gets discouraged, gets little comfort or consideration, even if it be admitted that the feebleness and helplessness are the result of useful work, and work done on behalf of others. Bad men are ungrateful, and good men are forgetful.

The providence of God makes persons responsible for careful preservation and the proper use of their powers. They have no right to needlessly throw away the energy which God has granted them. They have no right to expect others to care for them, while they neglect to take care of themselves. It is their right, their duty, to guard themselves against excess, to avoid danger, to abstain from everything which can injure or destroy them, and to maintain themselves in vigor and strength for purposes of usefulness and blessing to those around us.

Take care of yourself. No one else can care for you. You must see to it that you have food, and raiment, and rest, and sleep, and protection, so that you will be fitted for the best and most lasting service, for the glory of God and the good of mankind.—Selected.