Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1868-03-20
APARTING WORD.
BY REV. NEWMAN HALL.

d INV AfA-H--<a-f HALL
Nowl A short word; a shorter thing.
Soon uttered; sooner gone.
Now? a grain of sand on boundless plain.
A tiny ripple on a measureless oceanl Over
that ocean we are sailing, but the only part
of it We possess is that on which our vessel
at this moment floats. From the stern we
| look backwards aud watch the ships wake
In the waters; but how short a distance it
| reaches, and how soon every trace disap-
pearsi We see also some landmarks farther
off, and then the horizon closes the view;
but beyond, that ocean still rolls far, far
away. Memory contemplates the few years
of our individual life; history shows Us dim
outline of mountains; science tells US that
still further back, out of sight, stretches
that vast sea; reason assures Us that, ike
spase, it hath no boundary; but all that we
possess oft is represented by this small
word-Nowl The past, for action, is ours no
longer. The future may never become
present, and is not ours until it does. The
only part Of time we can use is this very
moment Not1i
But muldtudes waste what they actually
possess in vain regrets for what they once
had, or vain intentions respecting what is
not yet theirs. "Alasl" says one, II have
thrown away the choicest opportunities, and
the best part of my life is lost o, if those
years might return, how differently would /
now actl' Those years cannot return. But
you have the present momentl Why add
what you can improve to the heap of lost
opportunities which are now far beyond
your reaehl
A passenger comes busting into the rail
way depot He is Just too late, for the en-
CINE has sounded It's whistle, and the cars
are gliding rapidly out of sight. He looks
after them in despair. He had important
business to transact. Ruinous may be the
consequences of delay. He sits down on his
trunk, leaning his head upon his hand, and.
absorbed in vain regrets gsZes vacantly for
ward. But see another train is at the
platform, Just about to start for the same
destination. Other passengers have arrived,
and are eagerly crowding in. The bell
rings. Again the whistle sounds; again the
engine bears away its living freight; and
starting up, our friend again bewails an ep-
portunity lost 0, SIT not down again des-
pondinglyi There ia yet another chance.
Throw not this away, too, but at once take
your seat in the third train which ao;C is
preparing to follow the other two.
But should we never look fegretfally after
the past? Certainly; but for this purpose,
that we may be stirred up to improve the
present Let us think of past sins that we
may repent HotC. Let Us mediate en- form
er failures that we may watch and pray
against similar dangers NOR. But let US not
be so foolish as to lose what yet remains,
while poring over what is gone forever.
Rouse thee, selEreproaching, desponding
sinner Thy guilt has been great, but thou
canst not lessen it By merely regretting it.
Bring it noac to Christ, that be may pardon
it. You cannot atone for the past, but you
may improve the present. Often in by
gone years you might have sought God in
an accepted time" and have rejoiced in a
day of salvation Great is your guilt and
great your folly in having lost such oppor-
tunities. Yes, think ofthis, and be asham-
| ed. Think of this and mourn. But so thin.
Of it as not to add to that guilt and folly
| So think Of it as to act &C once on the Di-
vine word, Behold, Nos1 is the accepted
time; behold, Nol0 i the day of salvation. |"
| An irrepressible boy offYe years, who was
always compelled to keep quiet on Sunday,
having grown inexpressibly,w toward the
close of Sabbath day, frankly and hon
estly approached bis excellent, but rather
over-strict father, and gravely said: Pa let .
| have little spiritual fun. This was too
much, not only for the gravity, but also for
the strictness Of the father, and for once he