p. 162 | To-Morrow

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 25, 1856

To-Morrow.

WHOEVER saw "to-morrow?" They to whom the midnight cry brought no alarm, because the lamp was burning. They who could meet suddenness with readiness. They who, when the Bridegroom gave time for no more than instant following, found that time enough, and went in with him to the marriage feast; who, at the cry, "Go ye forth to meet him!" had nothing to do but to "go forth;" whose lamps burned clear when their companions' had gone out; who lacked no oil when there was no longer time to go and buy; who were "entering in" when others were hastening in terror to begin their first works; who were shut in with the King by the same door which, but that they were ready, would have shut them out; who were singing salvation's song when the foolish were crying without, "Lord, Lord, open unto us," and receiving their sad answer, "Depart, I never knew you." They who needed no "to-morrow," having rightly used to-day and could, therefore, with joy, and not with grief, prove "to-morrow" and eternity to be the same.

Who ever received mercy "to-morrow?" None. Not to find mercy to-day is to lose it for ever. Where is God's invitation to be found for "to-morrow?" No where! God is too just to be mocked, too pitiful to mock. Who ever was put off by God to "to-morrow?" No one. When God says "Now," he means "now." Who ever died on "to-morrow?" No one. Salvation, life, death, heaven, hell, all are gathered up in "to-day." To those whose last hour is come, "to-morrow" will be as though a thousand years had rolled away since they heard "Come in," or "Depart."