Ecclesiastes 11:6

In the evening of the day opportunities are plentiful: men return from their labour, and the zealous soul-winner finds time to share widely the love of Jesus.

Have I no evening work for Jesus? If I have not, let me no longer withhold my hand from a service that requires abundant labour.

Sinners are perishing for lack of knowledge; the one who loiters may find his skirts crimson with the blood of souls. Jesus gave both his hands to the nails; how can I keep back one of mine from his blessed work?

Night and day he toiled and prayed for me; how can I give a single hour to the pampering of my flesh with luxurious ease? Up, idle heart; stretch out your hand to work, or uplift it to pray; heaven and hell are in earnest, let me also be earnest, and this evening sow good seed for the Lord my God.

The evening of life also has its calls. Life is so short that a morning of manhood’s vigour, and an evening of decay, make the whole of it. To some it seems long, but a few pennies are a great sum of money to a poor man. Life is so brief that no man can afford to lose a day.

It has been well said that if a great king were to bring us a great heap of gold and tell us to take as much as we could count in a day, we would make a long day of it. We would begin early in the morning, and in the evening we would not withhold our hand; but to win souls is far nobler work, how is it that we so soon withdraw from it?

Some are spared to a long evening of green old age. If that is my case, let me use whatever talents I still retain, and to the last hour serve my blessed and faithful Lord.

By his grace, I will die in harness, and lay down my charge only when I lay down my body. Age may instruct the young, cheer the faint, and encourage the despondent; if eventide has less of vigorous heat, it should have more of calm wisdom, therefore, in the evening, I will not withhold my hand.