Twenty-four vessels every day!

(George Everard, "Holy Living!" 1882)

"Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time!" Ephesians 5:15-16
 
The careful use of TIME touches every part of the Christian life. A beautiful illustration has been given of this:

The hours are like a chain of little golden vessels passing before you day and night.
You cannot arrest their progress.
You can put something into each as it passes.
You can put in a good thought or word or deed - or a bad thought or word or deed.
Or you can let it go empty.
Once past, you cannot recall it.
Twenty-four vessels every day!
Eight of them pass while we are asleep - one-third of them empty.
Alas! how many more through our negligence and sloth, every day pass empty!

Alas! for the contents of many of them!
Golden vessels filled with wood, hay, stubble!
Some of them filled with what is worse than worthless - evil thoughts and words and deeds.

But they all pass on continually until they come before the throne of God.
And there account is taken of their contents.
Of how many are you satisfied that God should note their contents?

"Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom!" Psalm 90:12