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The apostle bids us "buy up" out of the market what we can never purchase so cheaply again — what, in fact, we can never buy again at any price. The lesson is — use opportunity, and use it thoroughly while you have it. Go read the old weird myth of the Cumaean Sibyl. She wrote her predictions upon leaves, and laid them at the entrance of her cave. Those who consulted her were compelled to exercise the greatest care and caution, lest the wild wind should take up the leaves, and scatter and displace them, destroy their arrangement, break their connection, and turn the clear oracles into inexplicable enigmas. That was a mythological lesson on seizing opportunity. Again, according to the familiar Roman legend, a Sibyl came to the palace of Tarquin II bearing nine volumes, for which she demanded a high price. Her offer being declined, she went away, and burned three of the precious books. Returning, she offered the remaining six, but asked for them the same price which she had demanded for the nine. Again her proposition was rejected, and again she departed and committed to the flames three more volumes. Once more she came back, bearing the last three, and refusing any less sum for them than that by which all might once have been bought. Tarquin, startled by this strange conduct of the merciless Sibyl, advised with his augurs, and bought the books, which proved the invaluable "Sibylline Verses"; but the chance of purchasing those priceless sister volumes was forever lost. Buy up opportunity!" Your privileges will never be offered so cheaply again. Each time life's Sibyl comes to us her precious treasures are diminished in number, and relatively increased in value. Each time she has less to offer, and asks a higher price for each opportunity that remains. So comes Time's stern, relentless Sibyl, until she herself finally disappears, and Time and her opportunities are no morel

(A. T. Pierson.)

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KJV: Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

WEB: redeeming the time, because the days are evil.