“REDEEMING THE TIME, BECAUSE THE DAYS ARE EVIL.”
By C. A. Osgood
An Italian philosopher said that time was his estate. This is an estate, however, which if left unimproved, will yield no profit to its possessor; but if well improved, will bring in a rich and everlasting income. Time is the period of man's probation. The only period he will ever have to prepare for the retributions of the final judgment. Time is the season to improve and perfect our own characters; to endure trials; to declare abroad the glory of God; to labor for the benefit and salvation of the poor, the afflicted, the ignorant and the lost. In short, to do good to all men as we have opportunity, and get ready to enjoy the rest that remains for the people of God. How great then the interests connected with man's brief, earthly existence. How appropriate the command to redeem the time. Not that time past can be literally recalled, but the present and future should be as highly prized as some article of property that we would pay a high price for, in order to get it into our possession the second time. The idea is, we should highly prize and improve all our time to the best advantage. And especially when the days are evil; disastrous. Men do thus in worldly matters. In a gale, seamen make extra efforts to preserve their own lives, and those sailing with them, together with the property entrusted to their care. An army threatened with destruction from an opposing force will make extra efforts to save themselves. So the Christian soldier should stand in the evil day, having on the whole armor of God, fighting manfully all his spiritual enemies. These are evil days in which we live. Evil, because a desire for wealth prevails, and the facilities for obtaining it are great. This intense desire for, and pursuit after, riches, is not confined to the acknowledged worldling, but prevails also among the professed disciples of him who for our sakes became poor. This desire for wealth is dangerous to the soul. Said Jesus, They that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil; which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 2d. They are evil days, because men are lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God. Multitudes will go to a circus or place of entertainment, where few will go to hear a pure gospel, and fewer still embrace it. Men had much rather keep their own traditions, than to obey God's commands. Professedly pious men prefer the gratification of their appetites, and making a show in the world, to the Godlike work of benevolence required by the gospel. 3d. It is a disastrous time, because modern Spiritualism prevails. This device of Satan is deceiving multitudes, who seek to the dead for instruction, rather than to God; and thus are persuaded to believe contrary to Scripture, that there is a state of probation and improvement beyond this life, that will end in the salvation of all men. Thus are men flattered to live on through life in sin, in this evil day. 4th. When children rule their parents, it is an evil day. Yes, when parents permit their children to grow up with unsubdued wills, and passions unrestrained, when children do not love or obey their parents, the probability is, they will be a curse to society, and never forsake their sins. 5th. The general declension in religion marks these days as evil. Every careful observer is aware that14piety is on the decline in our land. The standard is being greatly lowered. People are received and retained as church members, who give but little, if any, evidence of piety. Indeed, the mass of professors seem to be under the control of worldly motives. Many of their so-called benevolent acts, are prompted, so far as we can see, by a desire to be seen of men. And the multitude, instead of comparing their lives and actions by the law of God, and the faultless life of Christ, are comparing themselves among themselves. Is there not danger that many will thereby be deceived, and sink to ruin, while fondly hoping to rest in heaven? Truly these are evil days; and it becomes us to be aware of the perils surrounding us. Precious time is wasted in a variety of ways. Many females waste a large portion of their lives in ministering to depraved appetites, and by useless needle-work. Time is lost by sickness, brought on by imprudence and various forms of intemperance; by frequenting scenes of worldly amusement and pleasure; by indulging in vain and unchaste conversation; in reading novels, and the light, trashy literature of these days, and by devoting too much time to sleep. Indeed, all time is lost which is not employed in glorifying God. Lost, did I say? Yes, worse than lost. For while men are misimproving time, they are "treasuring up unto themselves wrath against the day of wrath, and the revelation of the righteous judgment of God." That the rational beings God has made should employ all their time faithfully in his service, is no more than justice demands. But when we remember the wonders of redeeming love, we ought to feel our obligations greatly enhanced, and with diligence apply ourselves to the work of the Lord. Yes, these are weighty motives to induce to diligence in this work. "The love of Christ should constrain us;" "the eternal weight of glory" should entice us; the wants of a perishing world should urge us forward; and the doom of the slothful servant, who for hiding his Lord's money was sentenced to outer darkness where would be weeping and gnashing of teeth, his doom should deter us from idleness. The fact that these are evil days should influence us to watch, and fight, and pray, lest we be overcome by our enemies. Satan, who is our great enemy, is a wily foe. We should not be ignorant of his devices. The world and the flesh are enemies. And now when Satan is making extra efforts to deceive and to destroy; when the world presents more alluring charms than formerly; when men generally are slaves to the lusts of the flesh; when iniquity abounding, causes the love of many to wax cold; when the distinction between the saint and sinner is scarcely discerned; O how important that we be aware of these dangers; that we awake to righteousness and sin not; that we fight the good fight of faith, continuing to fight till all these foes are vanquished. As months and years increase, so should our zeal and love to God increase. Reader, have you lived long on the earth? Improve faithfully your remaining days. Are you in middle life? Give to God and humanity the strength of your days. Are you in the morning of life? Give to God the ardor of youth. Spend and be spent in his service. "Sow to the Spirit and reap in the harvest time," life everlasting.