of thought he must have crowded into those few moments, and how typical it all is of the deep study that should characterize our provision for our future beyond the grave! All too seldom in this regard do we pause to ask ourselves the question: " What shall I do? " Had we ahead of us a very searching competitive examination for some coveted position, or for a title, or for a purse of gold, what labor we would undergo, how all-absorbed in study would we be, and oh! the anxious days and the sleepless nights until the contest had taken place and the decision become known! See with what care the defendant, whose life or perhaps some lesser interest is at stake, collects his facts and witnesses, prepares his case, argues and cajoles and, it may be, bribes the jury or his opponent's witnesses, and altogether moves heaven and earth to gain a favorable verdict! All this and much more will men do and endure to obtain an empty corruptible crown, or to avert a temporary disgrace or misfortune or punishment, and thus the children of this world prove wiser in their generation than the children of light. For, alas! when there is question of our spiritual interests we rarely can arrive at any correct or practical conclusion. Christ has said that whoever wishes to be His disciple must deny himself, and that whoever would be perfect must give up all to the poor and coming follow Him; but with all that precept and example before us we yet cannot bring ourselves to say definitely with the steward: "I know what I shall do." But he calling together every one of his lord's debtors, and producing in
