TIME.


SOME boys and girls too think because they have plenty of money they need not be careful of time. It seems that King Alfred of England thought differently. He was so anxious to spend his time well, and to "leave England better, wiser and happier in all ways than he found it," that he divided the days into portions, and for each portion chose a certain work. There were no clocks in Alfred's time, so, to be accurate, he made wax candles with notches at regular distances; he kept these constantly burning, and so divided the day by burning away of the candles from notch to notch. 

To prevent the air making them flare and run, he put these candles into cases made of wood and white horn; these we are told, were the first "lanthorns" (or lanterns) made in England.




ARE YOU READY?



ARE you ready for the coming of the Lord? The day of his coming and of the resurrection of all who sleep in him, will be a glad day to those who are ready for it. 

Scarcely one will say, "I am all ready." It is felt by most, even old professors, that there is something still to do; and often the resolve is made to renewed consecration and diligence in the cause of the Lord.  The love of Christ, which has been shown toward us is a motive which ought to stir our hearts. Said an apostle, "We love him because he first loved us." If you reflect much on the love that has been shown towards us by both the Father and the Son, it certainly will move you to love them in return. You should think much of this; for without love, or charity, which is the same, all we may do will be of no account.

 Read 1 Corinthians. 13.

Love is the first and best motive to move us to activity; but the Lord has set before us other motives. The second coming of Christ and the great reward that he will give at that day to all who love and obey him, is a Scriptural motive. Do you know that his coming is near? You should read the Bible and study to learn the truth concerning this. Can you not find time to do this? Your time will be occupied with that in which you are most interested. Is it not so? Read up, and have a faith that will not shrink in the fiery trial that is before you.

Fear of losing eternal life, and of having a part with the wicked, the enemies of the Lord, is another motive. Says an apostle, "Let us therefore fear, lest a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it." 

Hebrews 4:1.

 What a sad thing it will be to come short! Then, my dear reader, improve the precious time, which remains in getting ready for the great event.



R. F. COTTRELL




MEASURING TIME.



THE people of the East measure time by the length of their shadow. Hence, if you ask a man what o'clock it is, he immediately goes into the sun, stands erect, then looking where his shadow terminates, he measures the length with his feet, and tells you nearly the time. Thus the workmen earnestly desire the shadow, which indicates the time for leaving their work. A person wishing to leave his toil says: "How long my shadow is in coming." "Why did you not come sooner?" "Because I waited for my shadow." In the seventh chapter of Job we find it written, "As a servant earnestly desireth the shadow," etc.





LEND A HELPING HAND.



O you ask, "Who is in need of help? "We answer, You cannot go amiss of a field of labor. The world at large is needy. Every soul is burdened with its own sorrows. Thousands of the human family, are crushed with a weight of grief for the want of a few words of sympathy and consolation. We meet these individuals in the street, and often associate with them in their homes, yet they are not benefited by the interview. Why is this?

We are so selfish and indolent we don't want to bother with other's trials, and we make the excuse that we will leave the work for those better acquainted with the human heart. Thus it happens that the work, which belongs to all is taken hold of by none, leaving broken hearts perishing all around us.

Let us receive instruction from the example of Job, who was eyes to the blind, and feet to the lame; who was a father to the poor, and who caused the widow's heart to sing for joy. He did not wait for them to come and ask for help, but mark his own words, "The cause which I knew not, I searched out."

We can learn our best lesson from the life of Christ, whose abode was with the poor and humble, who ministered consolation to all in distress, carrying their burdens for them.

Yes! We are our brother's keeper, and it belongs to us to search out the cause of his sorrow and distress. We should watch for chances, not to find fault, or to find something to talk about that would be hurtful, but to do good to every one. 

We should have kind words for all. No matter if they do look sulky and cross; they need the sunshine, which our words will impart, and their good effect will gladden our own lives.

Especially should we acquaint ourselves with the spiritual interests of all, and exhort and help each other to come up to the standard of a perfect character in Christ Jesus.  

Dear young friends, lend a helping hand. Don't go about dreaming and caring for just your individual self, but watch-- 

"To do some loving thing; 

Leave footprints on the sands of time, 

Where blessed fruit may spring."




M. J. C.