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I. WE OUGHT, AS CHRISTIANS, TO APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITIES PRESENTED OF MAKING GREAT PROGRESS IN KNOWLEDGE — IN INTELLECTUAL IMPROVEMENT. Every thing is tending to show that the human race will soon be under no other government but that of mind; that, whatever may be the instruments which it shall use, intelligence will be the arm that will rule the world. By no higher ends than earth can afford, a multitude of unsanctified minds have been stimulated even to death in the career of mental improvement. Time, health, riches, life, have been sacrificed in the over-reachings of their souls after knowledge. But every Christian has infinitely higher motives to impel him to make acquisition of true science. If he be asked why he is labouring to obtain stores of knowledge, he can answer, because "the Lord hath need of them."

II. WE OUGHT TO COUNT UPON THE OPPORTUNITIES PRESENTED FOR FORMING AN ELEVATED RELIGIOUS CHARACTER.

1. One of these is the awakened attention and increased facilities for studying the Bible.

2. As another event in these times, adapted to form religious character, we may notice in some respects a salutary change in the ministry of the Gospel. It is now freed from many of the encumbrances of former ages that destroyed its power on the conscience and the heart.

3. Another fact bearing on this point is, that the days which we are numbering are days in which "the glorious ministration of the Spirit," in that form which it took after the ascension of Jesus, has become more pervading and effective than it has been since the day of Pentecost.

III. WE OUGHT TO COUNT UPON EXERTING A FAR MORE WIDELY EXTENDED INFLUENCE AS CHRISTIANS. Such are the laws of our intellectual and social being, arid such are the relations and connections of one mind with another, that an influence of some kind we must and shall inevitably exert. The kind of influence exerted, and the direction which that influence shall take, will be one of the most solemn items of man's last account to his God. The elements of Christian influence are knowledge and holiness. How much more available is the power of holy example now than in those past days, when population was more sparse, and the means of personal intercourse more restricted! What an organ of extended Christian influence does the religious Press constitute! Think, too, what instruments of power are put into the hands of Christians by the organization of the great benevolent societies of these times. They can thus truly extend themselves, in an important sense, "beyond their measure," — can stretch out the arm of mercy and pour light on the darkness and miseries of the whole earth.

(D. L. Carroll, D.D.)

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KJV: So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.

WEB: So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.