Talents
217
under their guardianship, then in every time of danger they will be
at our right hand. When unconsciously we are in danger of exerting
a wrong influence, the angels will be by our side, prompting us to a
[342]
better course, choosing our words for us, and influencing our actions.
Thus our influence may be a silent, unconscious, but mighty power in
drawing others to Christ and the heavenly world.
Time
Our time belongs to God. Every moment is His, and we are under
the most solemn obligation to improve it to His glory. Of no talent He
has given will He require a more strict account than of our time.
The value of time is beyond computation. Christ regarded every
moment as precious, and it is thus that we should regard it. Life is too
short to be trifled away. We have but a few days of probation in which
to prepare for eternity. We have no time to waste, no time to devote to
selfish pleasure, no time for the indulgence of sin. It is now that we
are to form characters for the future, immortal life. It is now that we
are to prepare for the searching judgment.
The human family have scarcely begun to live when they begin to
die, and the world’s incessant labor ends in nothingness unless a true
knowledge in regard to eternal life is gained. The man who appreciates
time as his working day will fit himself for a mansion and for a life
that is immortal. It is well that he was born.
We are admonished to redeem the time. But time squandered can
never be recovered. We cannot call back even one moment. The only
way in which we can redeem our time is by making the most of that
which remains, by being co-workers with God in His great plan of
redemption.
In him who does this, a transformation of character takes place.
He becomes a son of God, a member of the royal family, a child of the
heavenly King. He is fitted to be the companion of the angels.
[343]
Now is our time to labor for the salvation of our fellow men. There
are some who think that if they give money to the cause of Christ, this
is all they are required to do; the precious time in which they might
do personal service for Him passes unimproved. But it is the privilege
and duty of all who have health and strength to render to God active