Bible Truths Illustrated by J. C. Ferdinand Pittman

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BIBLE TRUTHS ILLUSTRATED
rapid evolutions; there is the minute-pointer, going at a greatly
reduced speed; and there is the hour-pointer, tardier still. Now,
any one unacquainted with the mechanism of a watch would
conclude that the busy little second-pointer was doing all the
work; it is clicking away at sixty times the speed of the minutepointer;
and as for the hour-hand, that seems to be doing no
work at all. You can see in a moment that the first is busy, and
in a short time you will see the second stir; but you must wait
still longer to assure yourself of the motion of the third. So it
is in the church. There are active, fussy men who appear to be
doing the work of the whole community, and others who are
slower. But can we do without the minute and hour pointers?
The noisy second-hand might go round its little circle forever,
without telling the world the true time. We should be thankful
for all kinds of workers. The silent, steady hour-hand need not
envy its noisy little colleague. Every man must fill the measure
of his capacity. Your business is to do your allotted work so as
to meet the approbation of the Master. Joseph Parker.
921. During one of the great battles of the Civil War, a recruit
who had lost his company in the tumult of strife, approached
General Sheridan and timidly asked where he should "step in."
"Step in?" thundered Sheridan, in a voice that frightened the
already terrified recruit almost as much as the roar of cannonading
and musketry; "step in anywhere; there's fighting all
along the line." An accident occurred recently that very forcibly
brought Sheridan's words to mind. A heavy piece of machinery
was being moved into a building by means of a block and
tackle. Suddenly one of the ropes parted and the machine
began to slide backward. The two men who had charge of the
work sprang to stay its progress, but it was more than they
were capable of doing. "Give us a lift!" one of them shouted
to a bystander. "Where shall I take hold?" asked the man
thus addressed, unmindful of the fact that both men were
exerting every muscle to control the machine and that there
was not a second to lose. "Grab hold anywhere!" yelled the
mover.
922. "An old potter, who was shaping the clay into the desired
shape by his hands, was asked by a visitor, 'Why don't you have
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