The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1914-09-08

longer heard knocking at the hearts
door. the hour for filling the lamps
of service and OF happiness has pass
ed Tennyson repeats the refrain in
his 'Idylls of the King"
late. late. so late! and dark the
night, and chilli
Late, late, SO late! but we car enter
still
Too late, too late! ye cannot enter
".No light had we; for that we do
repent:
And. learning that, the Bridegroom
will relent'
Too late, too late! ye cannot enter
now
".No light! SO late. and dark and
hill the night,
Oh, let US in, thai we may find the
light
Too late. too late We cannot enter
"'Have we not heard the bridegroom
is SO sweet?
Oh, let US in, though late, to kiss his
feetn
now"
The Things Which Cannot Be Shared.
The five wise virgins who had to
use their own store of oil, ever as
every one Of us is steward of his own
gifts, have often been criticised for
needless sisters. There are some
things which cannot be shared. In
this case it was better for the honor
should burn brightly throughout
than that ten should shine for but q
little while, leaving the feast in un
timely Be it remembered
that the whole episode was for The
honor Of the Bridegroom, rather thar
for the pleasure Of the guests.
Preparation is always individual
One cannot lay by any store fol
many. The mother cannot go t.
school for the child: the father can
not exercise prudence and industr,
and faithfulness for his son; all spir
itual experiences are one by one, eacl
for himself. The great transaction
of the soul are enacted in the vas
loneliness Of the apartneSS of on
soul with it's Maker. quite as if n
others had eve shared the same ex
perience in the past.
The five virgins are not character
lied as wicked, but as foolish; un
preparedness is folly; it was a lac
of common wisdom. There was n
excuse for the careless n rockies
course of the five virgins who cam
t. their hOu Of opportunity unready
One Of the SevereSt indictments tina
the business would make of the yout
Of this generation, is that it comes i
the worlds market place u%nprepare
, to do the service for which it ask
pay.
Nations cannot prepare for we
while the enemy is hammering 6
their gates; neither may a peOpl
: make ready for peace and self-go,
| eminent over night. Only the Ion
: look can bring to fruition the flu
!, value Of the preparation time, whiC
e is the most important time in all
life.
z The Point of the Parable.
r over and over. by story and I
t exhOrtation Jesus lac beer ~stressir
3 the one dominant idea watch +
wanted his friends to be ready II
D the Kingdoms coming. The vel
t unexpectedness OF the event is q
t exhortation to fidelity. If a ma
knew he were to die ten years henC
he might be able to make his pea
with God after min years Of 1ivir
4 for himself. But because the Bird
groom's coming may be tonight
!: tomorrow, the friends Of the Bird
d groom must watch. This eternal vi
d ilance is the price Of opportunity
soul. Only by an attitude Of aler
IS ness may the spirit be kept qui'
y and sensitive. Spiritual life is 70
is ever a present experience. 1t is Il
.e watchful who are the wise in thin
Of the spirit. To be ready for Chr
is to be prepared for everything tn
life may bring.
r. TRAINING FOR BEST LIVING.