The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-12-01
lio may yet gAcuivs his fathers for
.givcness and blessing. He finds the


hc may yet rAccivs his fathers for
givcness and blessing. He finds the
homo silent and tho blinds drawn
he lis too latel 81
There 10 q time to get and 4 time
to lose; q time when the door stands
open and a time when 1t is shut, ana
tliis time comes 70 all,
AT ono titns the door OF youth stands
open. with all It's opportunities OF
learning and advancement, ITS strength,
It's hopes, les prizes. II We neglect
chance then. II we spend our youth
In idleness nj folly and dissipation,
tho time will como when we find the
door is shut.
How often we hear a man say, II
wish ! had my life over again. If 1
were but young once moro I would.
lead a very different life" But It
may not be; time returns no more;
the opportunity is gone-the door is
shut.
oh! young man and maiden, I be-
,scech you to know and use your OPP
pqrtunityl
AZ one time the door OF health and
strength stands open. We have vigor-
GUS limbs and n clear mind, but II we
neglect our health, OR 'injure 1T by ex-
cess-what then? The strong arms
arc limp and feeble now: the nimble
feet drag painfully along the ground;
the once clear brain Is clouded and
uncertain-the door is shut.
So It is with all earthly opportunities.
Tho doc stands open for us to enter
and succeed. and then the time comes
when It Is too late-the door Is shut.
Sometimes in a lonely quarry long
have been found huge
blocks Of stone shaped and carved for
grand building. There they lie,
neglected and forgotten; the building
for which they wero intended has been
built without tlleml God has a place
and a work for each Of us in His great
temple OF the universe; but IL we re-
fuse to I'LL our place. or do our work,
we remain but a monument OF q wasted
life. 1919
Be serious. You. know that in your
earthly business II you neglect your
opportunity 1t will not return. You
know that the man who omits to SOW
his seed Will have nothing to reap in
the timc OF harvest You know we'll
enough that n man who begins by
neslecting hil business will end in
bankruptcy.
Above all is this true in our spiritual
life. AS we SOW, SO shall we reap.
AS we use our opportunities SO Will
our future be.
Over and oyer again doors ave
been opened for US; chances given us
OF going up higher. of %forsaking sins,
of leading purer. better lives. Some
times the voice OF conscience spoke
and a door OF escape was opened.
Sometimes a terrible warning was sent
us. Struck down by sudden illness, we
were brought very low. All that long,
weary time OF weakness and pain. laid
aside from all work, was Gods oppor-
tunity for you. He was opening a
door for you to pass through n be-
gin a new life.
Some loved member Of tho family
was suddenly called away by death In
the midst Of health and strength.
Surely that grave which opened so un-
expectedly at oue feet was sent as an
open door OF warning, that we might
remember how short life Is, and learn
to apply our hearts unto wisdom.
Every blessing. every sorrow, every
gain, every loss thatSG God sends US. is
a door OF opportunity by which we
can come nearer to God and to Heaven.
The day comes for all when the door
of this earthly life. with all its oppor-
tunities and chances, is shut finally.
You see people in tho street shutting
their door and putting up the shutters
In their place Of business when night
comes. The door is shut because the
days work is over. But sometimes o
see them putting upAthe shutters and
closing the door while 1t is still mid
day. The owner Of the business Is
bankrupt; he can no longer carry on
his work. So it is with the death of
the righteous and tho careless. The
one dies when his life's work is done,
the other leaves his work undone-and
the door Is shu
Watch and DO prayerful every day!
SO shall you be cad for the sum
mons. Daily seek the oil of Gods grace,
that your lamp. may burn clear and