Now by John Norton Loughborough

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, Cal. · May 27, 1875

Now.

By John Norton Loughborough

OUR Saviour, by his precept, and especially in his life of devotion and earnest labor, teaches us the lesson of improving present opportunities for doing good. To be an effective worker for Christ, is not simply to wait till cases come up of individuals literally entreating us in tears to present the truth to them, but, Christ-like, to go about doing good. Going about, would imply seeking for opportunities to labor.

I fear with many of us, instead of watching with anxious hearts every opening providence, and improving the golden opportunities to drop a tract here, a paper there, or to speak a timely Christian counsel or tender word of warning in another place, we let many cases where it is apparent that good might be done pass by unimproved.

The apostle tells us, "Now is the accepted time." To learn how to impress our hearts with a sense of this we should make it a rule to "Never put off till to-morrow what can, and should, be done to-day." Cultivate a spirit and disposition to be prompt in all duties. All our T. and M. officers and members should learn their duties, learn to do faithfully the work pertaining to their office and position, this will tend to develop in us a spirit of caring for others' good, and for the work of the Lord.

Men of the world have discovered that to successfully manage their worldly schemes they must have efficient organization, and that the success of that organization depends on the promptness and faithfulness of every officer and worker of that organization. Though the children of this world are said to be "wiser in their generation than the children of light," it ought not so to be. We, as children of God, should consider that we are "laborers together with God" and should act faithfully our part.

The members should every one of them do thoroughly their tract and paper distribution, visiting, or letter-writing; at the same time keeping a faithful record of the same, that they may make the quarterly reports required of them. All officers, whether Secretary of State or district, directors, librarians, or business agents, should learn what is expected of them, and then by faithfulness in their work they stimulate others to diligence "all along the line."

Oh! for more men and women that shall be possessed of that disposition which Paul found in Timothy, of whom he said "I have no man like-minded, who will naturally care for your state." It can only be continued perseverance in the path of duty which develops a habit and nature like that. We may learn duty, we may lead lives of usefulness, we may learn to improve the favored now, striking the effective blow where and when it should be struck.

J. N. L.