Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1878-12-05
Painting for Eternity

When Apelles. the Greek painter, was
asked why he bestowed so much labor upon
his pictures, he replied, because | am
painting for eternity" He used the word
as bold isure of speech; but We may use
the word literally when we say that we
are painting the picture OF our lives for
eternity. We use fast colors. Whatever
pure and holy word or deed be wrought
into that picture will stand there. imper-
isha6le and immortal. Whatever SELF,
or sinful thing be painted on that life-cau u
vas can never be washed out except by the
application Of the blood OF Jesus here in
this present life. Now or never that pre-
clous blood availeth When death comes.
the process OF painting stops, No strokes
of penitence or of faith can be wsshcd out
then. The painting is finished, and fln-
ished forever,
Death frames the picture. and sends il
on 10 the judgment-day for exhibition.
Not private view before a select com
pany, but public exhibition before an as
sembled multitude whom no man can num-
Der. For God will bring every word and
every work into jgds ment. whether il be
good. or whether it be evil. The picture
OF our lives which is presented before the
great white throne will be forever un-
changeabe. II the canvas is adorned with
deeds, however humble, for the glory OF
God. then, the life work will stand a. an
everlasting memorial OF divine grace. Ii
life was only spent for the qualification OF
sinful self, then the wrctched picture of il
VIII only be held up TO shame and eyerlast-
ing contempt
We may desire mos, intensely to alter
the portralture then, and 70 improve 1t.
but the pencil and the colors were left be-
hind US; the hand will have lost its cum
ming forevermore. We may unfortunately y
beg and beseech the righteous Judge to
give us one more opportunity. The ire
versiblc answer will be, ''He that is unjust.
let him be unjust still; he that is filthy, let
him be filthy still He that is righteous,
let him be righteous still; he that is holy.
let him be holy still" Seeing tnat thes.
things are true, what manner of persons
ought we 10 be in all conversation aud god
illness!
When the noble Russell was executed as
martyr to freedom, he handed his watc!,
to friend who stood beside him on the
scaifold. Take this watch" said he, "for
| have no more 10 do with time. NV
thoughts now are only about eternity
That utterance OF the dying martyr is a
word in season for US all. We pastors who
are setting about the Masters work anew,
preaching for eternity. Let every parent
who reads this paragraph inquire of con-
| science, Am training up my children,
not only for this world, but for the world
to Gomez Let every man of business ask
himself whether he is only aiming to Ali a
bag that is full OF holes, or as Gods stew
ard is laying up treasures In Heaven
Young friend are you training yourself for
seli-indulgence, or for the immortal crown ?
Upon the walls of Catholic Institution
in Montreal l saw, this summer, this brief
line-"Nothing is long except eternity
That was motto for every pastors study,
and tor the walls o! every dwelling. Let
US all write up before US on the arch of
the heavens. Nothing is worth living for
but eternity.
Let the changing bells of time
With their changes rise and fall!
But in undertones sublime
Sounding deep beyond them all
Is voice that must be heard,
As our moments onward flee,
And 1t speaketh but this word,
ETERNITY! ETERNITY!'
-Rsr. I. L. CuWer.