The evening hours overflow with opportunities. People return from work, and the eager soul-winner finds time to share the love of Jesus. Do I have no evening work for Jesus? If I don't, then I must stop holding back from a service that demands everything I have.

Sinners are perishing for lack of knowledge. The one who wastes time may find his hands stained crimson with the blood of souls. Jesus gave both his hands to the nails—how can I keep back even one of mine from his blessed work? Night and day he labored and prayed for me—how can I give a single hour to pampering my flesh with luxurious ease?

Up, lazy heart! Stretch out your hand to work or lift it to pray. Heaven and hell are in earnest—let me be so! This very evening, let me sow good seed for the Lord my God.

The evening of life carries its own calling. Life is so short that a morning of strength and an evening of decline make up the whole thing. To some it seems long, but four pence is a fortune to a poor man. Life is so brief that no one can afford to waste a day.

It has been well said that if a great king brought us a heap of gold and told us to take as much as we could count in one day, we would make that day last! We'd start before dawn, and when evening came, we certainly wouldn't withhold our hand. But winning souls is far nobler work—how is it that we so soon withdraw from it?

Some are given a long evening of green old age. If that becomes my story, let me use whatever talents I still retain, and serve my blessed and faithful Lord until the final hour. By his grace, I will die in harness. I will lay down my charge only when I lay down my body.

Age can teach the young, cheer the faint, and encourage the desponding. If the evening of life has less vigorous heat, it should have more calm wisdom. Therefore, in the evening I will not withhold my hand.