The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-12-29

First came our youthful years, when
even a little fruit would have been Pc
5culiarly sweet to Him. How did we spend
It? Did our strength all run into viz
wood and wanton branch? II SO, we
NAV well bcwail those sins multiplied eA-
ceedtngIy. He who saw us misuse these
golden days OF youth, neverthleleSs -
n,tv affords us "this year also;" and we
should enter upon it with q holy 'ea'-
ousy.
Closely following our youthful years f'sr
came those Of early manhood, when we
began TO muster a household, ana as
sumo new responsibilities; theii e A1so
would fruit have been precious. Diu "e
bear any? Did We present ulieo .ie
Lord even a basket Of summer lruil'
Did we offer him the firstling OF our"
strength?
r. we did. we may we'll adore the sr'tce
which early saves us; but il not, the past
chides and warns us not to let lnis va
also slip away .dly from US. ne VIZ
has wasted youth and the morning u
his manhood has surely sinned e1lou5 IL
Manv of us are in the prime OF NE.
Our years already spent are n.y. q
Have we reached the halfway i1oo'e'
and still know not whittier we are 81
ing? Are we fools at forty! are We
half a century old by the calendar anu
,,o+ far off from the age of discretion!
Alas! that there should De 1aeh p''.
this age who are without kno"Aeuee -
the great God OF the universe.
Unsaved at sixty, unregenerate at sew
entv rnawakened at eighty, unreneweo
at ninety! Oh, woeful tnought-or man man
continued neglect, in spite OF the paeieitoe
and goodness of God!
Some of us remember years OF great
mercy sparkling and rashlng Win oe-
light. Were those years laid at the feet
of the Master? Were they made 'holl-
ness INTO the Lord?" Did we use HIS
gifts for our pleasure solely! Does the
memory OF those vanished cheer Or chill
us?
The words may recall to some OF US
wears of sharp affection, when we were
indeed digged about and pruned. how
went those year? God was doing great
things for us, giving US His wise ana
tender care, Did we render according
to the benefit received? Did we rise
from that sick bed more patient and gen
tie? Did we leave that loved grave
more weaned from the world, more "elG-
ed to Christ? Did we bring forth clus-
tiers to reward the dresser of the vine
yard? Refuse not these questions OF
self-examination. for it may be this is
to be another of those years Oh captivity
another. season for the furnace and the
fining-potl
God grant that If tribulat1on comes it
will make US cling only more closely to
Him!
The new year reminds US OF the OPP
pora1nities for usefulness which have
come and gone; and of resolutions Which
blossomed only to fade. .,ha.l lhis year
also be as those which have gone be-
fore? Shall we not plead for grace, to
advance upon grace already gained. and
for power to turn our poor, sickly prom
Uses into more robust action?
Looking back over the past, we lament
the follies which once held US cap
tive, and we adore the forgiving mercy
the persevering providence, the divine
love, which still holds to US, and saves
US in spite of ourselves.
It was in great goodness that the tree
which had numbered the Soil was al
lowed to stand another year. Prolonged
life should always be regarded as a boon
Of mercy We are here this Year also,
as the result of Loves pleadings, and in
pursuance of Loves design.
To the wicked this gives hope that
he may yet return and live. And the
believer also is kept here a little longer
in love-not anger. There are some for
whose sake it is needful: he should abide
in the flesh; some to be helped by his
example on their heavenward way, and
others he and he only must lead to their
Redeemer.
The text implies a limit. The y-ne-
dresser asked only for reprieve of years
If, after his digging and manurins, II
should not then prove successful, he
would plead no more, and the tree should
fall. Even when Jesus is the pleader,
the request for mercy has its bounds and
limits. There will come a last year to
each of US. Are You prepared to hear
that midnight cry to go forth to meet the
Bridegroom. Prepare, oh mortal man,
to meet thy God. for meet Him thou
must!
TO saint and sinner alike come the
dread summons. Blesse,. Is he who can
meet in mat Judge his friend and advo-
cate.