86. Shortness of Life

Shortness of Life

TURKS’ BELIEF.—The ancient Turks believed it was written on every man’s forehead at his birth, when he should die. Hence, they exposed themselves recklessly to every danger in war or pestilence, and perished by thousands.

WESLEY AND IGNATIUS.—The diligence of Wesley in redeeming time was often noticed. One day his chaise was delayed beyond the appointed time. While waiting at the door he was heard to say by one that stood near him, “I have lost ten minutes forever.” Ignatius, when he heard a clock strike, used to say, “Now I have one hour more to answer for.” HAVE NOT ANOTHER.—A little girl was asked why she was working so very hard. She replied, “My candle is almost burned out; and I have not got another.” Life is as a candle burning out. Sometimes there is a thief in it, a disease consuming it more quickly; or it may be blown out, suddenly extinguished.

EGYPTIAN PEA LIFE.—A vase closely sealed was found in a mummy-pit in Egypt, by the English traveler Wilkinson, who sent it to the British Museum. The librarian, having unfortunately broken it, discovered in it a few peas, old, wrinkled, and as hard as a stone. The peas were planted carefully under a glass, on the 4th day of June, 1884; and, at the end of thirty days, these seeds were seen to spring up into new life. They had been buried, probably, about three thousand years ago, perhaps in the time of Moses, and had slept all that time, apparently dead, yet living, in the dust of the tomb.

GREEK POPPY.—Among the refuse ore left by the ancient Greeks of over 2,000 years ago, the seed of a species of poppy was found. In a little while after the seeds had been brought up, the germ of life within them sprouted, and there suddenly arose a crop of plants bearing a yellow flower unknown to modern botany.

TOO LATE.—How often we hear the mournful exclamation, “Too late!” from men who come up to the doors of a bank just as the key has turned in the lock; or up to the gates of a railway depot just as they swing to, and tell the tardy traveler he has lost his train; or up to the post-office just as the mail has been dispatched; but how should we tremble, if our ears could hear the despairing cry of unsaved souls whom the stony gaze of death has fixed forever!

NEVER RECOVERED.—Lost wealth may be restored by industry, the wreck of health regained by temperance, forgotten knowledge restored by study, broken friendship mended, even forfeited reputation won by penitence and virtue; but whoever recalled his wasted time?

MUST I LEAVE THESE?—A celebrated actress had spread out upon the coverlid of her dying bed all the jewels given to her by the various crowned heads before whom she had performed; and she wept as she looked upon the sparkling gems, and said, “Must I leave all these?”

MARTYRS FEARED NOT DEATH.—A Butch martyr, feeling the names, said, “Ah, what small pain is this, compared with the glory to come!” When another was threatened by his persecutors, he replied, “There is nothing visible nor invisible that I fear. I will stand to my profession of the name and faith of Christ, come of it what will.” Hilary said to his soul, “Thou hast served Christ these seventy years, and art thou afraid of death? Go out, soul, go out!”