They say April gets its name from the Latin word for "open," because this is when all the buds and blossoms open wide. We stand at the gates of the flowering year. And if you are still unsaved, friend, may your heart open with the rest of creation to receive the Lord. Every blooming flower warns you that it is time to seek the Lord. Don't be the one dead thing in a world bursting with new life! Let your heart bud and bloom with holy desires.

You tell me the warm blood of youth leaps in your veins? Then I entreat you—give your vigor to the Lord! It was my unspeakable happiness to be called when I was young, and I could praise the Lord every day for it. Salvation is priceless whenever it comes, but oh! salvation in youth has a double value. Young men and women, since you may perish before you reach your prime—"It is time to seek the Lord."

And you who feel the first signs of decay, quicken your pace! That hollow cough, that hectic flush—these are warnings you must not trifle with. For you especially, it is indeed time to seek the Lord. Did I observe a little gray mingled with your once luxurious hair? Years are stealing on quickly, and death is drawing nearer by hasty marches. Let each return of spring arouse you to set your house in order.

Dear reader, if you are now advanced in life, let me entreat and implore you—delay no longer. There is a day of grace for you now—be thankful for that, but it is a limited season and grows shorter every time that clock ticks. Here in this silent chamber, on this first night of another month, I speak to you as best I can by paper and ink, and from my inmost soul, as God's servant, I lay before you this warning: "It is time to seek the Lord."

Slight not this word. It may be your last call from destruction, the final syllable from the lip of grace.