TO those who measure their sense of time by days, weeks, months, and years, the infinitesimalness of mortal existence compared with the infinitude of God, of eternity, is particularly emphasized in that stately passage from the ninetieth psalm: "A thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night . . . we spend our years as a tale that is told." In the light of this declaration how petty seem the things of yesterday, today, and tomorrow, the things which for the moment seem so vital, so necessary to our welfare, when weighed beside the immensity of the omnipotence that brought the universe into being and the omnipresence that has witnessed the countless æons of its existence!
The one fact that seems to have been borne in upon Moses, "the man of God," in his long and eventful career, was the futility of earthly strivings, and that the one thing to be earnestly desired and sought after was that understanding of God which is life eternal to him that hath it, else why should he have voiced the prayer so often echoed in the hearts of those who like him are seeking to know God: "So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom . . . that we may rejoice and be glad all our days." Even as Solomon desired "an understanding heart" that he might judge his people aright, and was given "both riches and honor" beyond any of the kings of Israel, even so must the children of men continue to seek "first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness," that riches and power and honor and length of days may be their portion.
We may not measure our years then by solar standards, but by the progress we have made in spiritual understanding. "Mind measures time according to the good that is unfolded," Mrs. Eddy reminds us (Science and Health, p. 584), and this should be the criterion of our growth. As we look back on the year just closing we may well ask ourselves how far it has advanced us toward the ideal the Master set before his followers: "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect." With the great Wayshower as our guide, how far have we traveled along that straight and narrow path which leads to life everlasting? If we are honest with ourselves and with God, the answer to these questions may be somewhat discouraging, for perfection is arrived at but slowly; nevertheless it is helpful at times to balance up accounts and see how much of good has been unfolded in us. Whatever the result, we may at least enter on the new year with a clearer sense of what is required to attain the end in view and a stronger determination to accomplish it.
