In an 1829 book of sermons by John Pitcairn, once the Relief minister of Kelso, there are two New Year’s Day sermons. In the first, he preached on time, and in the second, on the first day of the following year, he preached on eternity.
What did he say about time
concerning his hearers? Six things. It is the gift of God; it is a very
valuable gift because without it sinners cannot enjoy any of God’s other gifts,
especially the gospel; although it is very valuable, it is subject to abuse
whenever we don’t live for eternity; it is extremely rapid (it never stops for
a moment); once it is gone, it is absolutely irrevocable; and it is very short and
quite uncertain.
What did he want his listeners to
do in response? Reflect, repent and amend. Reflect on how they had employed
their time. Repent of and ask forgiveness from God for misusing time. Amend
and let past negligence prompt them to diligence. And he closed by saying, ‘May
God give you grace to improve time, and make you happy through eternity; and to
his name, in Christ, be all the praise. Amen.’
One year later, what did he say
about eternity? Five things. There is a period of endless duration, which we
call Eternity; in this endless period of duration, there are two states extremely
different, in one or other of which all mankind shall be assigned their
portions; that time is given to man, in order to prepare for eternity – for avoiding
the state of misery, and enjoying the state of bliss; that it is the extremity
of folly, and attended with the highest danger, to allow the objects of the
present state to engross that time and attention which should be devoted to the
interests of eternity; that it is highly proper, is absolutely necessary, at
the beginning of a new year to give serious attention to one’s eternal
interests.
On looking at those sermons, some
thoughts came to mind. Did any who heard the first sermon resolve to use their
remaining time to prepare for eternity by trusting in Jesus? Did those who paid
no heed to the first sermon pay attention to the second? How many who heard one
or both sermons are now with the preacher in heaven? How many of his listeners will be his crown of rejoicing when Jesus returns and rewards him for
his faithful labours?
