In one minute a man can run about a quarter of a mile, if he is a
good runner; a horse can trot about half a mile, if it is a good
trotter, and can run about three-quarters of a mile if it is a
thoroughbred. In the same period of time, the Empire State Express
goes something more than a mile, and a racing automobile about two
miles. As the earth turns on its axis, its surface, at the Equator,
travels about seventeen miles a minute, and in its greater journey in
its ellipse around the sun the earth rushes through space at the rate
of a thousand miles a minute. In this country alone, about five
times every minute, or once in every twelve seconds, the last
good-bys are said and a soul solves the great mystery of eternity.
The minute which is gone can never be recalled, while the next minute
is fraught with uncertainty. We are sure--not of this minute, but of
this instant only, of time. Then, while we may, let us say the
loving word, do the kind act, suppress the unkind remark, encourage
those who are struggling by the way--this minute.