p. 260 | LIFE'S LESSONS by Eliza H. Morton

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Tuesday, April 28, 1885

FromThe Review and Herald, Vol. 62, No. 17

LIFE'S LESSONS.

By Eliza H. Morton

BY ELIZA H. MORTON.

The Christian, like a little child, enters the school of life to be guided, trained, and educated for heaven. If a proper course be taken, some good will come out of every seeming evil; for the hand of Providence is there. Christ, the great Teacher, disciplines his children by so ordering circumstances that evil traits of character hidden in the heart are little by little brought to the surface; and if earnest efforts are made to overcome the tempter, and to remedy the defects, then divine grace is given, victories are gained, growth is made, and blessings are received. If, however, a fault, when made manifest, is tolerated and not put far away, then the Master, with pitying love and tenderness, brings about another chain of circumstances, and causes the sin to become more manifest and to appear more sinful. If even this fails to work a reformation, the chastening process is begun and the lesson repeated again and again. Thus the Saviour deals with men, testing and trying their souls; and happy are they who recognize the educating hand.

No drifter on life's sea will ever enter the celestial port. The oars must be plied with vigor against the current of the world. Pride, popularity, love of display, selfishness, and frivolity must all be forsaken. The secret sins of the heart will be brought to light; and pure must be the lives of those who will be permitted to see glory shine through the discipline of perfection.

The light of heaven is guiding, Through pain, to rest divine. Oh, let me clasp, dear Saviour, Thy loving hand in mine.

Portland, Me.

—Meekness is very essential to Christian experience.