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Daughters of God
more useful, my sister, when you cease to allow unimportant things to
take your golden moments, when useful and necessary things engage
your attention and your time. There are many things to be done in this
world of ours, and I hope you will not neglect the thoughtful, caretaking
part of your work. You might have saved the institution with which you
are connected hundreds of dollars, had you put your soul into the work.
Had you spoken a word here, and done some planning there, you could
have been a real blessing. Had you awakened your dormant energies
by exercise in the open air, and done what it was in your power to do
with cheerfulness and alacrity, you could have accomplished much
more than you have, and been a real blessing.
I hope that you will devote your mind and your wisdom to the
work. See that everything is run on an economical plan. This must be
done, or debts will accumulate. Women of sharp, quick intellect are
needed to discern where there is waste in little things and to rectify it.
You have stood at the head of the Health Retreat as matron, and it was
your duty to do this.
Much could be saved that is now wasted for the want of a [depart-
ment] head to see and plan and tell what should be done, one who will
take right hold, and by precept and example do this work. Girls will
not be conscientious, diligent, and economical unless a right example
is given them by the one standing at the head. If the girls are not
willing to be taught, if they will not do as you wish them, let them
be discharged. I know that much can be saved at our boarding house,
and much at the sanitarium, if thoughtfulness and painstaking effort is
brought into the work....
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By exerting a proper influence in these lines, you may educate girls
for domestic service. This will be a great blessing to them.
All our talents should be used; they should not be allowed to rust
through inaction. All our influence should be used to the very best
account. After Christ fed the multitude, He said, “Gather up the
fragments that remain, that nothing be lost.” This lesson may apply
to spiritual things as well as temporal. Those who do not appreciate
and make the best use of their spiritual blessings, gathering up every
precious ray of light, will soon become indifferent and inappreciative!
Blessings are not given to those who do not value them. All our
physical energies, as one of God’s talents, should be used to the glory