Mark 1:18

When they heard the call of Jesus, Simon and Andrew obeyed at once without hesitation. If we would always, promptly and with resolute zeal, put into practice what we hear immediately, or at the first suitable opportunity, our attendance at the means of grace, and our reading of good books, could not fail to enrich us spiritually.

He will not lose his loaf who has taken care immediately to eat it, nor can he be deprived of the benefit of the doctrine who has already acted upon it. Most readers and hearers become moved enough to resolve to improve; but, alas! The proposal is a blossom that has not set, and therefore no fruit comes of it. They wait, they hesitate, and then they forget, until, like ponds on frosty nights, when the sun shines by day, they are only thawed in time to be frozen again.

That fatal to-morrow is blood-red with the murder of good resolutions; it is the slaughterhouse of the innocents. We are very concerned that our little book of “Evening Readings” should not be fruitless, and therefore we pray that readers may not be readers only, but doers of the word. The practice of truth is the most profitable reading of it.

Should the reader be impressed with any duty while reading these pages, let him hurry to fulfill it before the holy glow has departed from his soul, and let him leave his nets, and all that he has, rather than be found rebellious to the Master’s call. Do not give place to the devil by delay!

Hurry while opportunity and spiritual awakening are in favorable conjunction. Do not be caught in your own nets, but break the meshes of worldliness, and go where glory calls you. Happy is the writer who will meet with readers resolved to carry out his teachings: his harvest will be a hundredfold, and his Master will have great honor. May God grant that such might be our reward for these brief meditations and hurried hints. Grant it, O Lord, to your servant!