The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1894-12-20

ance. It is our duty to aid these much rs
possible. So industry and economy become
essential in the Christian life, We must be
diligent in our callings, so as 20 have moneys
| in excess of actual physical needs, and with
which we can aid in advancing Cbrists
Kingdom.
| b. Notice the year rs to strictly religious
work. Have we neglected this labor during
the last year? What is done, is done. We
cannot now remedy any of its defects nor
any of its deficiencies. There was a work
TO be accomplished last year which cannot
| be done during the one on which we shall
soon enter. Each year has its peculiar
duties, and only then can they be success
! fully performed. No fidelity, no extraordi-
nary effort in the future can make up for
| the past.
| /. Many whom we could have influenced
have died during the last year. We cannot
reach them now. We can only reflect on
| orr remissness and mourn over il. In adj
dition, we may learn lesson which shall
! make us more faithful next year.
2. Then, the time is now past when we
| can influence some yet alive. There was
time during the past year when we might
have persuaded them to commence Christian
| lives We suffered that time to slip by I'M
improved. The close of the year finds them
hardened in sin.
g. The condition Of some is now so changed
we cannot reach them. They are immersed
in business; plunged into enterprises re-
curing constant attention absorbed III tenn
poral affairs. They are in differing company.
They have gone beyond the reach of our in
fluence. Oh, that we had been faithful at our
opp0rtune time
Let us be more careful of our moments.
Each has its work and then is the best and,
ordinarily, the only time in which TO do it.
If you place n houseplant under shelter soon
enough and into mild temperature, you
may save il the entire Winter. Otherwise
1T will be seized by frost and destroyed. SO
of religious delays. They prove fatal. They
are always followed by losses which are ir-
reparable.
What work we have done in 1894 we have
done. We cannot change it now. The best
we can do is to reform for next year.
Religious GrOwth.
Do we feel content with our attainments?
Have we developed as much rs we ought?
Do We feel stronger than we did one year
ago? THIS is fit time in which to examine
ourselves. 1t is sure we cannot improve the
last year. 1t is gone. We are what we
have made ourselves by the grace and help
of God. In q year we should be far in adj
vance Twelve months should not pass
without finding rs greatly improved in our
moral nature
Plate would not change his sentence.
We cannot change what we have done. We
may feel sorry for it, but il forms part of
our future account. Christ may forgive it,
yet it is done, and will now 20 ON inhuenc.
ing the world through all its history. As
Christians we can ordinarily hardly feel con-
tent with the last years growth We cannot
bear the idea the coming twelvemont
should be as unsuccessful as has been the
preceding.
Then, they who are not acknowledged
Christians surely cannot feel satisfied with
their religious condition Some of these
promised they would confess Christ this
now waning year, but almost IFS last mo-
mcnt has come and they are yet in open sin.
Shall their vows be broken? Shall they not
rather seek the mercy seat and secure for
giyeness of sin before 1895? May they be-
gin the new year with new hearts, with new
resolutions, with new purposes in life.
TIE Book Closed.
The last pnge of the Years recording book
Il weil-nigh written; pause, Time, thou Scrbei
While turn DER its leaves and back ward look.
All, vain request, Not all the human tribe.
Could. with bleut suppliance offerings, bride
That pen which for instant ne'er forsook
Its husy work, siuce the belIest it look.
Each hearts ench moment history To inscribe.
Blu; conscience whispers OF full many :. Thought
Or word. or deed. to Times great record brought,
Which, tears of pcuitencc would f.tin erase;
Dread Book let thy last page. least. be fraught
With some good action resolve. whose trace
Shall meet the sH.ile of Heavens approving face.