Behind Time by Wm. Penniman

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 2, 1872

Behind Time.

By Wm. Penniman

ETERNAL destinies hang upon these two words. Tens of thousands of accidents and deaths have been occasioned by the want of a little promptness. All know the sad consequences which are almost sure to follow, if a railroad engineer suffers his train to get behind time. The famous battle of Waterloo was lost to Napoleon, because one of his marshalls was behind time. How many might have been saved from an ignominious death, had a reprieve come to them in time.

The sad consequences of one man's sins may affect thousands, and this is what makes the sin of being behind time so great. Man may arrange his plans so that everything, if carried out, will go off like clock work; but somebody is behind time; and this tardiness throws the whole machinery of his plans into confusion.

God's laws, by which the motions of the heavenly bodies are controlled, are so arranged that their movements are never behind time. In all of the Creator's plans for the good of man, there is the utmost order in this respect. There is nothing behind time. It therefore follows that it is his will that his children should be punctual in the performance of all their duties.

How many thousands have failed in life, have never accomplished anything for themselves or for the world, either in amassing wealth, gaining knowledge, or (what is the greatest gain) in the work of reformation, because forever behind time. The five foolish virgins, Matt. 25, were behind time; for when the cry was made “Behold the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him,” then, instead of having their lamps filled and trimmed, they, unable to borrow, went to buy oil. At this time the bridegroom came, “and they that were ready, went in with him to the marriage; and the door was shut.” Afterward the foolish virgins came and cried, saying, “Lord, Lord, open unto us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.”

Time will not wait for us; if we are not up with it, we shall be behind it. If we intend to take a train of cars, we must be at the depot in time. Most men are apt to be punctual at such times. Well would it be for them, if they were as punctual in attending to religious duties as in meeting cars. There are some who go to the house of worship, where they expect to meet God, yet they are habitually too late and behind time. If they have not a good reason for this lack of punctuality, God will not meet them.

To those who read these lines, I would say, Be not too late in the work of reformation. Say not in your hearts, Go thy way for this time. The Saviour is knocking; listen to his warning voice. Open the doors of your hearts and let him in. Don't frame excuses. Do not resist the strivings of the Spirit of God. “His Spirit will not always strive with man.” “Behold now is the accepted time, now is the day of salvation.” We know not how soon the decree will go forth, “He that is righteous let him be righteous still, and he which is filthy let him be filthy still.” Let us all work while it is called to-day, not only for ourselves, but for those around us. And my prayer is that not any of us may have it to say, “The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and I am not saved.” Wm. PENNIMAN.