The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1878-03-13
The Dance.

Rev. B. G.. Maynard, formerly OF
this vicinity. 1t is terse and earnest
in language and will be read with
interest, especially by the many
friends of Mr.. Maynard who are
regular readers of the GAZETTE. We
copy from the Lyachbrg Neacs
Time! Who can fathom its posi-
bilities? What involved in its mea-
surement. as related to us? Just a
span. a school hour, in which to pre-
pare for the great university Of eter-
nifty. And yet, how prodigal are we
in the using of those golden hours,
hours that will be to us, at the close
Of life. more than the wealth of
worlds. O could we appreciate the
awfulness Of living--what is invOlv-
ed In having rational. sentient be-
ing-the possibilities wrapped up in
an ordinary life, we would not be so
prodigal Of time. Could we appre-
ciate, not only our relation to our
selves. but to others, to Christ. TO
the generations, down to the close
Of humanity's probation, We would
be far from indulging in such reck-
less prOdigality of life's golden mo-
ments. Living is the tragic part
of the drama of life-not its close.
The former, is the grand service;
the latter, the solemn beuediction.
This precious legacy Of time was
given us in which to model charac-
ter. q personality, as much like unto
that Of Christ, the great Exemplar,
as possible for us to produce. The
sculptorist at Rome or Naples is
jealous of his time, lest a moment
be lost from his models. and he fail
in his grand life work. He works
for the satisfaction of genius and for
the appreciation of the art world,
now for all time. mot a moment
for pleasure lest l fall" he responds
to the tempter. Can the Christian
be less jealous of his time? less in
terested as to the perfecting the
model designed for heavens grand
art gallery, model. that is to be
subjected to the gaze of its high
intelligence forever? It seems SO,
for there are those who reVel whole
nights, from sunset TO sunrise, oblivi-
Gus to tie fact that, at every sweep
across the room a soul goes down to
eternal death-the funeral dirge Of
some lost one echoes throughout the
universe Ohlivious TO the fact,
that the very air is vocal with the
groans of the dying, the woes. the
sorrows OF the distressed and those
claiming our sympathies, our counsel,
our prayers, our exortations. The
return of yonder sun. that witnesses
the close Of the nights dissipation.
has looked down upon a billion Of
souls, sitting in tie darkness of
heathen night, who, by their be-
nighted state, ask for the gospel.
o, my hearers, they cry unto you
for salvation's glad tidings. for a
few hours of work in their interest,
but you heed them not. AS they
sink down in eternal night they call
unto you, yet you dissipate. while
away the golden time, and bid them
die And even these dear Sabbath
school children, from Sabbath to
Sabbath. with fearful eyes, ask.
"Why, o why, SO predigal of your
time? Are you not watchmen for
us?"
Oblivious to all these facts. Such
piety Such tender concern for
ones own spiritual welfare, and that
of Others Such interest in the
Masters cause! I blush for you (!
Can you have any influence for
good! Would the good people of
this congregation ever compliment
me with their presence another Sab
bath. if | were to attend these gath
erings? these rcvellings? Never !
But, pray, why do you slight your
pastor? Why not invite him to
these entertainments? Why pass
him by? Is he not worthy of at
tendance on your social gatherings?
Invite him, and give him
an opportunity TO open the
exercises with prayer. He will
readily comply. This is consistency
and peliteness. All! your judg-
ment condemns your course. Well
do you know that these gatherings
do not advertise a high standard of
piety and christian conservation.
Whatsoever we do We are commando
ed 10 do Ill in the name of the Lord |
Jesus. Are these assemblings in
The name Of the blessed Son of God |
Nay, those who frequent them are
WoTldly-minded, and impotent to
he work to which their profession
,alls them.
How much are they like young