not an end. It is valuable
because it promotes the welfare, the development and the progress of
man. And the highest value of time is not in knowledge, but in the
opportunity of doing good.

Time is opportunity. Little or much, it may be the occasion of
usefulness. It is the point desired by the philosopher where to plant
the lever that shall move the world. It is the napkin in which are
wrapped, not only the talent of silver, but the treasures of knowledge
and the fruits of virtue. Saving time, we save all these.

Employing time to the best advantage, we exercise a true thrift. To
each of us the passing day is of the same dimensions, nor can any one,
by taking thought, add a moment to its hours. But, though unable to
extend their duration, he may swell them with works.

It is customary to say, "Take care of the small sums, and the large
will take care of themselves." With equal wisdom may it be said,
"Watch the minutes, and the hours and days will be safe." The moments
are precious; they are gold filings, to be carefully preserved and
melted into the rich ingot.

Time is the measure of life on earth. Its enjoyment is life itself.
Its divisions, its days, its hours, its minutes, are fractions of this
heavenly gift. Every moment that flies over our heads takes from the
future, shortening by so much the measure of our days.

The moments lost in listlessness, or squandered in dissipation, are
perhaps hours, days, weeks, months, years. The daily sacrifice of a
single hour during a year comes at its end to thirty-six working days,
an amount of time ample for the acquisition of important knowledge, and
for the accomplishment of great good. Who of us does not each day, in
many ways, sacrifice these precious moments, these golden hours?

Seek, then, always to be usefully occupied. Employ all the faculties,
whether in study or in manual labor, and your days shall be filled with
usefulness.

LESSON LII

THE STUDY OF CIVICS

Few people have the time to undertake a thorough study of civics, but
everyone ought to find time to learn the principal features of the
government under which he lives. We should know also of the way in
which our government came into existence, and how this government is
administered to-day. Such knowledge is necessary for the proper
discharge of the duties of citizenship.

All kinds of political questions are discussed daily in the newspapers
and voted on at times at the