The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1906-05-02
The Trysting Hour.
BY 8. d.

- ~ 10
The advantages of taking the early
morning hour are marked. One is sure
of the time if taken at the days begin
ming. and can never be sure otherwise
that it may not be crowded out by
duties or fatigue. The morning hour is
more economical. because at night
some of the time is absorbed in slow
ing down the machinery and getting
the earth-sounds out of the ears be-
fore one is able to hear His quiet voice.
1t is the quiet hour of the day, for not
only is the outer world still but the
inner spirit is quiet. Then, too, a bit
of time taken then leaves its impress
upon the entire day. And all Of these
suggestions may be forgotten when we
remember our Masters preference.
That will surely weigh with US!
At five minutes before loon daily, by
the Eastern standard time, every West
ern Union Telegraph Company's instru-
ment cuts it's connection, and is put in
communication with the instrument
in the Naval Observatory in the city of
Washington. At five seconds before
II a warning tick sounds over the
WINS. TuCh IL ShlltCu pClolOA A2
the observatory sees, by his delicately
adjusted instrument, that the sun is,
for a single moment, directly ove the
imaginary line of longitude passing
through the city, that moment the fact
Is flashed wei thousands of miles of
wire and every n Of the company's
clocks made true. Then business is re-
sumed. The work Of the day is
planned with reference to this appoint
ment. The company's rule is to be alb
solutely accurate in the matter Of time;
to test that accuracy every day; and to
test it by the standard set in the
heavens. And all this purely for COM
mercial purposes. Shall not we, whose
lives are so utterly dependent upon the
Master, cut clean our connections with
every outside thing, at least once In
every twenty-four hours, and put u
hearts beating in time and tune with
His heart, that He may have a chance
to set and keep us true, and that we
nay not be disappearing Him?
A few brief suggestions fol the tryst-
ing hour crowd for space here.
First: Guard jealousy a quiet, IN
hurried spirit during the trysting time.
Hurry means furry. God is never in a
hurry. Hurry and speed are opposites.
Nothing so binders ones inner life as
letting the world.spirit of hurry get
into either this waiting time, OF into
ones own spirit.
Second: Remember you have come
to meet the Master. Not even for more
knowledge of the Bible itself, but to
know Him better through it. To hear
His voice. To realize His presence.
Third: Your chief business, for a
while at least, is listening. Listening
to Gods voice. There are two parts
to prayer-listening and speaking.
Listening first. Then speaking. Keep
first things first. So much prayer is
one-sided. God. has such difficulty to
get men to listen to Him. What He
say to us will make such a difference
in what we will say to Him. Give
God a chance to be heard. Say ear
nestly, II will hear what God the Lord
will speak"
Fourth: God is an author, He has
written a book. He speaks to-day in
that book. Give first place to His
book. There are countless other books,
helpful and inspiring, written by godly
men. Put these books down on the
second shelf. Put Gods book on a
shelf by itself. If you have plenty Of
time for both-good. But give His W
book the place in this quiet trysting
time with Him.
Fifth: Be frank and honest with the
Master. His Word is certain to search
your heart and life. 1t is a mirror, and
sure to show you your mistakes and
sins, and meanness, and pride, and
s~elfshness. Let it. Do not excuse and
cover up and dodge. Be frank with
Him. 1t will show you, too, His glad
ness to forgive, and His power to
cleanse and keep. Let Him.-Ram's
Horn.