"NO, THANK YOU; I'M IN A HURRY TO-DAY."
By H. H. Henry
"Get in, and ride a ways," said a kindly backwoodsman, as he reined in his horses and accosted the old mail-carrier, who everybody in the neighborhood knew had a journey of fifty miles to make. "No, thank you; I'm in a hurry to-day," answered the rugged mountaineer of sixty, but hale and hearty as a young athlete. For fifteen years this man carried the mail, on foot, between two points twenty-five miles apart, and made the round trip between morning and night. Throwing the bag over his shoulder, he started off at a dog-trot, and kept it up almost the entire way. His route lay through a rough, wild, hill country, and, to deliver his mail and reach home before night, he must cross a high mountain twice each day. The old man often overtook a buggy or wagon, or, in winter, a sled, going in the same direction; and, on receiving an invitation to ride part of the way, his invariable reply was, "No, thank you; I'm in a hurry to-day." The horses might outstrip him on the level, but they could not over rough places, or up and down the many hills which lay before him. Nothing could keep this man from the one object before him. Dripping with perspiration some hot July day, how pleasant to have cooled off while he rode through the shade of the forest! What a temptation to come in under a covered wagon during a September down-pour of rain. How comfortable in bitter January weather to have thrown about him the buffalo robes in a neighbor's sled, while he turned his back to the piercing winds which swept down the mountain! But to all invitations he returned the same answer, "No, thank you; I'm in a hurry to-day." It was only by pressing on steadily, perseveringly, and keeping his goal ever before him, that he could accomplish his journey, and return before nightfall. If the Christian would enjoy the sunlight of God's favor all the way to his heavenly home, he too must press on at all times and under all circumstances. The world often means well when it asks the Christian to join in some questionable amusement, or to visit some questionable resort, to do which, however, would surely retard his progress heavenward. Card-playing may afford amusement during some long winter evening; dancing may seem only a pleasant recreation; a game of billiards or a social glass are both suggested as tokens of friendship; but in the end all these things will surely prove hindrances, and not helps, toward the Christian's destination. To all such temptations we should give the answer of the faithful old mail-carrier, "No, thank you; I'm in a hurry to-day." Even a fellow-believer may tempt us to tarry on the way in order to have the pleasure of his company, as Christian tempted Faithful in "Pilgrim's Progress." Reaching a little ascent, Christian espied Faithful on before, and, like himself, bound for the Celestial City. "Ho, ho! so-ho!" he cried. "Stay, and I will be your companion." But Faithful only made answer, "No, I am upon my life, and the avenger of blood is behind me." When duty called our Master, he "steadfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem," and nothing403could tempt him to loiter by the way. In the heavenly race he never stopped running till he could sit down with his Father at the right hand of the throne of glory. His word and example teach us that it is only by "striving" that the "strait gate" is entered. It is only by pressing on that the heavenly prize is gained. It is only by running that the Christian race is won.—Rev. H. H. Henry, in S. S. Times.