The "Convenient Season."
By William N. Glenn
FELIX resisted the Spirit, and said to Paul, "Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season I will call for thee." Acts 24:25. Satan was so successful with the procrastination scheme on this occasion that he has continued to employ it ever since. We do not read of Felix being troubled any more in this manner. He made it convenient to send for Paul often, but not to hear the gospel; he hoped to receive money for the prisoner's release. Verse 26. And we have no account of the apostle ever preaching to him again. There is no doubt his probation ended with that decision. How many thousands are in their hearts saying the same thing to-day. There are few young people, who have had any religious training at all, that do not expect some day to embrace Christ. But they think that as they grow older it will be easier. They seem to think that older people do not have as many allurements and temptations as young folks. Those who have been young can from experience testify that this idea is a great mistake—a delusion of the adversary. The young person who expects some time to assume the responsibilities of Christian life, and is waiting for a convenient season, is simply adding to the burden of sin, and complicating the web of embarrassment, from which he must finally be extricated before he can stand in the Judgment. At no stage of life is it an easy matter for the carnal mind to throw off the world and put on Christ. It costs a struggle and involves a cross at best; and the more callous the heart, the harder and more humiliating is the process of softening. The indulgence of the pleasures of sin only entices one farther from the influence of the Spirit and fixes him more firmly in the embrace of the adversary. The farther the child wanders from the parental roof, the longer and more wearisome is the homeward journey. Every step taken over the pleasant and inviting paths of self-indulgence and worldly enjoyment must be retraced over the rocks and thorns of penitence. The one who is lured on by the spirit of procrastination is going farther and farther from the real convenient season. That season is when the invitation is first given. The time to open the door of the heart is when the Spirit knocks. "My son, give me thine heart," says the Father. "Now is the accepted time," says the Saviour. "As the twig is bent, the tree's inclined," says the poet. "O that I had begun the service of God in my youth," says every penitent who has procrastinated till mid-life or old age. "Sowing wild oats" may appear very pleasant, but the harvesting is a very different experience. "Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap." But the inclination to postpone duty often follows those who have made a profession of religion, much to the detriment of their growth in grace. It cannot be supposed that those just entering the ranks of the Christian army have been able to look forward to all the conflicts that will meet them, or all the duties that will devolve upon them. As these are met from time to time, the conflicts are often compromised, and the duties, though understood, postponed to a convenient season. The practice of deferring or neglecting known obligations on the part of the professor are frequently as disastrous as was the rejection of the Spirit's warning by Felix. And especially are many at the present time deferring action upon their convictions regarding the duty of accepting the warning message of the coming of the Lord, the impending Judgment, and the consequent immediate claims of the commandments of God. Hundreds, perhaps thousands, are to-day halting between two opinions with reference to the Sabbath of Jehovah and the substitute of the pope. "A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways." But many have acknowledged their conviction of duty to obey the Lord, who are still waiting for a convenient season. They are unwilling to take up the cross attached to the service of God—friends, church, or business—and hope that it may be removed in some way and the duty made easy. These should remember the case of Felix. "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God. . . . for instruction in righteousness." 2 Tim. 3:16. W. N. GLENN.