The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1903-07-29
Why We Arc to Watch.

The busy world divides its time between
kH6kngtreasures and trying to keep them.
\ AH87r{asman has gained little wealth the
lsEext, thing is to know where to put it that
It E.aEiEbe safe. If the, inhabitants of the
tbM1sAhout Mont Pelee had known for
E;shretyEhat there was to be fatal eruption
tBR a. sSytain day they would not have put
eir al or kept their all, in q position
re- Thy would be sure to be destroyed.
le curing from the crater and seen the
20 bysunny and undisturbed. and so
6rtaMe were they there that they be-
think. az some Bible men of old
5lea I'D, 3For since the fathers fell asleep
all tMngs have been as they were at the
beRjnAing,I and did not get ready for the
coming of the danger which threatened: :,
We putFour money that we have gained
into real estate, which may burn up or
depreciate in value; we buy stocks and
bonds, which may turn out valueless; we
place it with trust companies, which may
fail, and we put our treasures in safe de-
posit boxes which, with even the cunning.
est devices against burglars, may be taken
from us. All this to provide for our old
age, which seems to us an eternity. And
yet each one of US knows that we may be
called at any moment to leave this world.
where gain netting seems to be the main
object, and to 60 into world where such
treasures cannot be carried and will credit
us nothing.
For years has stood the warning to us
who journey all unthinkingly to coun-
try whose borders we may enter at any
moment, that we turn our treasures into
.oin of that land, that we provide ourselves
"bags which will not wax old' in which to
keep it..
But the Lord delayeth His coming. We
have grown used to not expecting. Him.
Death, common as it is, seems but
shadow in the distance, and the coming of
the Lord Jesus Christ is not even believed
in by the many. Since the days of the apos-
ties there have not been lacking in every
age men to confidently predict the imme-
diate return of the Lord. Many persons
duced by these predictions as to part with
their property, turn their attention alto.
gether away from secular to spiritual
things, and even gather white. e.robed at the
time and place appointed by the self-styled
prophets for the Masters appearance The
final effect of such upheavals has always
been evil. A careful, prayerful study of
the spirit of Christ's words must hare pre-
vented any such action. We are indeed
enjoined to watch, but this watching in.
wolves in its very essence constant dill
gence, a careful, unrela1ing attention that
no duty be left undone, that no enemy gain
admission. that no temptation take US un-
awares. We are to watch for the coming
of the Lord, and even though the ages have
been rolling on since first this hope was
given, we yet have distinct right to hope
for that coming in the near future. Of
His coming we, know not the day nor the
hour, though wReda nowhere told that we
may not search to know it by the signs OF
the times and by the signs of prophecy. A
great blessing is promised to those who are
daily expecting Him. Who knows what
that blessing may be? Blessed are those
servants whom the Lord when He cometh
shall find watching.
You all know now it is when you are ey-
pecting home long absent loved one. How
the house from one end to the other is put
in order, how the table is set with the best
dishes and the fine linen, and how the
breath of flowers is in every room. Not a
corner of the house is left in disorder, for
all must breathe to the loved one of well
come and home and peace. And while we
wait at the window and glance out to see
il the train is in yet, We look now about
the room, and cast our thoughts all over
the premises to see if aught there be that
yet needs attention, and we stand in front
Of the glass to put UP a stray lock OF halr
and straighten the collar that we may look
our best to the loved eyes. When Jesus
comes will Tle find our corner of the earth
in order for Him? Will the perfume of the
incense of prayer reach Him? Will the
sound of praise of redeemed souls greet
Him? Will there be no sin in your heart
to mar the child He loves? Will all the
souls about you know that you are His and
that you strive to follow in His steps? And
even if it be that you and 7 are numbered
among those who "sleep" before His COM
ing; still will He come to each at death,
and we must be ready to say:
And come He soon or late,
The Lord of the estate
Shall find me watching still.
Grace Livingston Hill, in the New IorS
Mail and Express.