Hosea 5:6 They shall go with their flocks and with their herds to seek the LORD; but they shall not find him; he has withdrawn himself from them. About thirty years ago, a gentleman from New York, who was travelling in the South, met a young girl of great beauty and wealth, and married her. They returned to New York, and plunged into a mad whirl of gaiety. The young wife had been a gentle, thoughtful girl, anxious to help all in suffering or want, and to serve her God faithfully. But as Mrs. L. she had troops of flatterers; her beauty and dresses were described in the society journals; her bon-mots flew from mouth to mouth; her equipage was one of the most attractive in the park. In a few months she was intoxicated with admiration. She and her husband flitted from New York to Newport, from London to Paris, with no object but enjoyment. There were other men and women of their class who had some worthier pursuit — literature, or art, or the elevation of the poorer classes — but L. and his wife lived solely for amusement. Mrs. L. was looked upon as the foremost leader of society. About ten years ago she was returning alone from California, when an accident occurred to the railroad train in which she was a passenger, and she received a fatal internal injury. She was carried into a wayside station, and there, attended only by a physician from the neighbouring village, she died. The doctor said that it was one of the most painful experiences of his life. "I had to tell her that she had but one hour to live. She was not suffering any pain. Her only consciousness of hurt was that she was unable to move; so that it was no wonder she could not at first believe me." I have but an hour, you tell me? "Not more" And this is all that is left me of the world. It is not much, doctor, with a half smile. The men left the room, and I locked the door, that she might not be disturbed. She threw her arm over her face and lay quiet a long time; then she turned on me in a frenzy. 'To think of all that I might have done with my money and my time! God wanted me to help the poor and the sick! It's too late now! I've only an hour', She struggled up wildly. 'Why, doctor, I did nothing — nothing but lead the fashion! The fashion! Now I've only an hour! An hour!' — But she had not even that, for the exertion proved fatal, and in a moment she lay dead at my feet.. No sermon that I ever heard was like that woman's despairing cry, 'It's too late now!'" Parallel Verses KJV: They shall go with their flocks and with their herds to seek the LORD; but they shall not find him; he hath withdrawn himself from them. |
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