The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-02-24
WHAT ARE YoC LIVING FOR?

Life is u good or all evil benefit or an in
iury, 4 essing or curse, according to the
will of its possessor. Mans destiny is in
his own hands, and upon himself must rest
the blame II it be one of interminable wretch
edness. To that man who lives only for the
qualification of his passions, who seeks his
happiness in the pleasures, the honors,, or
emoIumenis of this world--who Is melted to
action by the goadings OF ambition, or the
desire OF fame, life is only, an evil ana a
curse. It were better for him not to be,
than, after toiIinG and struggling for van.
:tics, to 20 down to misery and endless woe!
"I have created man for my glory" saith
the Eternal, "and my glory will not give
to anot' .cr." Regardless Of this declaration.
myriads are living for their own glory, self
is the god who claims their highest devotion,
and upon his altar, sacrifices, never 50 costly.
are cheerfully laid. Reader! what are you
living for? Has thirst for lame taken pos
session of your being, and, deceived by the
syren's voice, are you willingly bartering
with heavens glories for the applause OF
men, whose breath is in their nostrils?
Does the glittering gold tempt you, and, in
order to its acquisition, are you willing to
forsake home and friends. and obliterate all
your social affections? DO the fading honors
of earth pres mt more attractions to your
soul than the imperishable gories of that
city whose walls are Of jasper, and whose
streets are of gold! What are you living
for? For yourself, or for God? For the
baubles of time, or Tor the substantialities OF
eternity?
AGED man! what are you living for? You.
whose head is whitened by the storms Of
many winters-you, whose brow, once 80
smooth and fair, is now all furrowed by the
hand Of time-whose step, once so firm, is
now 30 f,eble-whose eve, which shone so
brightly, Is now dimmed by age; you, whom
a thousand voices warn, are soon to poss
from earth what are you living for? Re.
member that the hoary head Is .crown OF
glory" only s'if it be found in the way OF
Righteousness"
And YOU! YOU active, business-like look
ing man, JUST in The prime of life-what are
YOU living for? AS you 60 forth, morning
by morning, with firm tread and self-conti-
dent air, to your counting-house. your field
or your workshop. is it to lay up treasure On
earth, or do you feel yourself to be the a.
moner of Gods bounty to the perlsh;ng
poor around you? Are you rcaping the re-
wards Of labor blest by God,, and are the
Lords poor" whom "you have always
with YOU" perishing for want Of litc's neces-
saries? Are you Christian professor, ir-
ing IN land of Bibles and ordinances your
self indebted to Christianity for all the bless
ingy YOU enjoy, and do you retain III your
own possession '.thc Lords money" which
he has given you to aid in disseminating thu
gospel over the whole earth? "Give all ac-
count of your stewardship" What are you
living for?
Young man, endowed with intellect.
energy and wiI.-what are you living forf
IL the world rising up before YOU i'll its
no asted magnifcence, and presenting its en-
travap pant promises to lure you 10 its service,
or is your enlightened and expanding vision
taking in the impershable rewards OF ad:
hesioH to God, and under the influence of
high resolve, are you laying all your re-
deemed powers, voluntary sacrifice upon
his altar, to be employed for his glory? tt"c
has claims upon you-the world has claims
upon you-friends. neighbors,-al! have
claims upon you. Opportunities and privi-
lepcs will soon end, the grave will SOON he
your home. the earth your mantle, Ell rritr
your sphere Of existence! What are you
living for?