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Daughters of God
to be blended. “Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the
Lord.”—
The Review and Herald, September 15, 1891
.
Self-Improvement
Do Not Neglect Opportunities for Improvement—If the worker
has consecrated himself fully to God and is diligent in prayer for
strength and heavenly wisdom, the grace of Christ will be his teacher,
and he will overcome his defects and become more and more intelligent
in the things of God. But let none take license from this to be indolent,
to squander time and opportunities, and neglect the training that is
essential in order to become efficient. The Lord is not pleased with
those who, having had opportunities to obtain knowledge, neglect to
improve the privileges placed within their reach.—
Counsels to Parents,
Teachers, and Students, 510 (1893)
.
“Little Things” Make Life a Success—It is conscientious atten-
tion to what the world terms “little things” that makes life a success.
Little deeds of charity, little acts of self-denial, speaking simple words
of helpfulness, watching against little sins—this is Christianity. A
grateful acknowledgment of daily blessings, a wise improvement of
daily opportunities, a diligent cultivation of entrusted talents—this is
what the Master calls for.—
The Youth’s Instructor, January 17, 1901
.
Letter to a Self-Centered Woman
The following letter was written to Mrs. Sidney Brownsberger, a
miserable woman whose life was unbalanced because of her selfishness
and lack of self-control
.
Dear Sister Brownsberger,
I have written some things for you while the camp meeting was in
session, but as I repeated to you some of these things, I did not write
them. But again my mind is burdened. I feel the deepest pity and sym-
[165]
pathy for you because you think you know all about yourself. [You]
will take a fixed position that no one understands you and that you are
peculiar in temperament and disposition. You must acknowledge that
the Lord is better acquainted with you than you are with yourself. At
the time of the camp meeting I felt intensely that you should be blessed