This little inch of time!

(James Meikle, "The Traveler" 1730-1799)

"Time is short." (1 Corinthians 7:29)

Time is precious--though misspent, though
thought little of. Oh! what great things are
to be done in this little inch of time!

Think much on death--that you may not be
too much charmed with the 'vanities of life'.

Remember the deceitfulness and uncertainty
of riches--so shall you neither be puffed up
with their possession, nor pained at their loss.

Think much on the unseen world, and let the
certainty of that which is to come, dispel the
'delusion of the present'--which so quickly
passes away.

Eye God's glory in everything, and prefer the
approbation of God and your own conscience,
to the applause of men. Better be the object of
man's ridicule, than the subject of God's wrath.

Beware that you live not for yourself, or the world.
But live above the world, for eternity, and to God.

"So, then, be careful how you live. Do not
 be unwise but wise, making the best use
 of time, because the days are evil."
    (Ephesians 5:15-16)