March 19

It is high time to awake out of sleep.—Romans 13:11.

AM I awake to all the great realities of time and eternity? Have I awakened to the fact that I have a soul to save, a God to serve, a world to bless, a hell to escape, a heaven to win? Have I waked from the sleep of sinful security to a life of earnest activity for the good of myself and others? Do I feel that now is the time for work, and that there is no certainty in the future? Do I realize that the work to be done is great; that the time for it, is short; that temptations and dangers surround me; and therefore am I awake?

As the sentinel on duty watches against the coming foe, and the sailor on deck against the coming danger, so the Christian should watch against the approach of enemies or dangers, and endeavor, by the grace given from above, to overcome or avoid them. He should watch for opportunities of usefulness; for laying up treasure in heaven; for promoting the good and happiness of others; for growing in grace himself, and leading others to the saving knowledge of Christ.—J. BATE.

Serve God before the world. Let him not go,

Until thou hast a blessing. Then resign

The whole unto him; and remember who

Prevailed by wrestling ere the sun did shine.

Pour oil upon thy stones; weep for thy sin;

See thy heart cleansed from all unhallowed leaven

Then journey on, and have an eye to heaven!