It is an unspeakable pleasure to bear witness to the name of Jesus in a world where He is rejected. It is glorifying to our God when we walk by faith and endure as seeing Him who is invisible. But the time is short-short for suffering, and that is comfort for the wearied; short for serving, and that is a spur to the faithful and loving. That word, "as ye have opportunity," is memorable. Are we not conscious of missing many opportunities? I have often thought of the sadness with which Peter, James, and John must have looked back on the opportunity which their gracious Lord gave them, of watching with Him in Gethsemanef "Could ye not watch with me one hour?"

And when the opportunity was past for ever, what a word was that from the meek and lowly One, "Sleep on now, and take your rest." What a time was it for the servant to sleep, when the Master was in agony. They had missed their opportunity, such an opportunity as was never before given man, and never can be given again. And are we not often like them? The Lord is no longer here in person, but He has yet left us abundant opportunities of serving Him. Nay, but in another view of it He is here, and may be ministered to. Can we remember no lost opportunities regarding which He may well say, "Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to Me."