The Shortness and Great Value of Time.
By C. A. Osgood
Although the time allotted to man in this world is very short, how many there are who seem to think and feel that before them is long life, in which they may enjoy pleasure, such as the carnal mind desires. Such do not at all realize the true value of time. Sometimes, when, unexpectedly, death stares them in the face, and they find that they have squandered their time, and their work is not done, they are frightened in view of the punishment that awaits them. So Altamont, who had spent his life in sinful indulgences, and disregard of his Maker, hearing the clock strike, exclaimed, “O time! time! it is fit thou shouldst thus strike thy murderer to the heart!” In these last days, it may emphatically be said, “The time is short.” The signs that should teach us when the Lord’s coming is near, have been seen. The great day of God comes on apace, and the season of probation will soon be gone. Time is of inestimable value, as it is the only period in which we may, by the grace of God, prepare ourselves to inherit eternal life. Those things which pertain merely to the present life, are of comparatively little importance. Hence Paul has said, “They that have wives should be as though they had none.” Not that men should neglect to perform the duties which they owe to their families; but that they should be so very anxious to fulfill their duties to God, and so earnest to secure salvation for themselves and others, that the attention they pay to their families will be considered a matter of less importance. “And they that weep,” he adds, “as though they wept not, and they that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not.” Earthly joys and sorrows should have but little influence upon us, when compared with future and eternal things. These afflictions are light, compared with the weight of glory the people of God will soon share. They continue but a moment, as compared with eternity. So with regard to earthly joys. They do not satisfy the desires of men. They continue only for a brief season. If the favor of God be not secured by us in time, we shall experience an eternal loss. If we gain an inheritance in the renewed earth, we shall possess eternal joys. “There will be no sorrow there,” no pain, no death. “They that use this world,” should use it “as not abusing it.” We can use it but a little while, and then it will be said to each individual, “Give an account of thy stewardship.” A strict account must then be rendered of the use that has been made of worldly possessions. How dreadful must be the account given by the unfaithful servant who has wasted his Lord’s goods! And how terrible his punishment, to be cast into outer darkness, where there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth! But how blessed he to whom the Lord shall say, “Well done, good and faithful servant!” C. A. Osgood.