THE FLEETING MOMENTS by A. Smith

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, Cal. · May 31, 1899

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 25, No. 22.

THE FLEETING MOMENTS.

By A. Smith

As the clock ticks off one second of time, the earth moves on its axis at the equator more than ninety-two rods, and forward in its path around the sun about nine miles. In that time all the heavenly bodies in the universe change places. There is no going back; the motion is ever onward. So all mankind are moving onward, away from past experiences, and forward in ever-advancing age, and nearer to the grave, or to that solemn hour when the trumpet of the Archangel shall awake the dead.

Lying awake in the silent night, and listening to the clock, as with solemn cadence it strikes off the passing hours, never to return, how deeply are we impressed with feelings of unrest, and regret that precious time has been so often wasted; and resolves to improve the golden moments yet to come, are made only to be broken again and again.

Each person in the world possesses an individuality. No one can be somebody else. Each person is building a character for himself; and the experiences of the moments as they pass leave their impress upon the structure. These moments are precious golden coin from the mint of heaven, and how important that they be used to enrich the character in the graces that alone can qualify one for the genial companionship of the pure and holy in this life, and of the angels of heaven by and by.

It is useless to spend the time in regrets over past misdeeds and mistakes, or over the adverse circumstances that have contributed to make us what we are to-day. It is best in deep sorrow to confess our sins to God, who alone has power to give us victory, and compensation for the unequal conditions that may, through no fault of our own, have drawn a line of division between us and the more fortunate of mankind. There is no time to lose. Let each press the conflict in the strength of God, and make of himself all that it is possible to make, that when the immortal day shall dawn he may see that the sorrows and conflicts of his mortal life have wrought for him a more exceeding weight of glory.

'Live while you live,' the epicure would say, 'And seize the pleasures of the present day.' 'Live while you live,' the sacred preacher cries, 'And give to God each moment as it flies.' Lord, in my view let both united be: I live to pleasure when I live to Thee.'

A. SMITH. Grandville, Mich.