I WILL not trouble you with the details of my formation into the useful and beautiful article called a watch. Perhaps no town in the world is more noted for the skill and ingenuity of its watchmakers than that in which I was made.
I think I hear you say, "That must have been Geneva!" Quite right! Up to this very day you can see on one part of my poor worn face in small but very distinct letters-"Geneva." I hope you will all be able to reflect as much credit on the place of your birth as I upon mine. But I must not be proud, although I am a Geneva watch. It is not good to think highly of oneself. Besides, the wise King Solomon said, "Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall."
Possibly you would like to know all about my outward appearance, though probably you may not care to hear about the intricacies of my mechanism. How shall I explain to you my reverse side? Made of silver, and elegantly chased by a skilful workman, it seemed to my uninitiated eyes that no more splendid timepiece could have been constructed.
Well! Here I was for sale! Waiting in that busy shop in the ancient town of Geneva for some one to buy me. Almost close to the margin of the lake was my owner's abode. I cannot pass over this part of my history without telling you something of that beautiful spot.
As I remained in the warehouse of my owner for some time after my completion, I had ample time to notice my surroundings. You have all heard of the Lake of Geneva; spreading a distance of fifty-four miles, and forming a crescent in shape, it is one of the most beautiful lakes even in Switzerland. A remarkable circumstance connected with it is that its waters are always higher in summer than in winter. From my quiet corner it could be seen that the waters began to increase about the end of January, and day after day they continued to rise till July or August. My master once explained to a cousin who had come from Canada to see him, that the cause of the rising of the lake during those months was the melting of the snow and ice in the neighboring mountains.
Long could I linger over the deep blue waters of that fair and beautiful lake. I could tell of the fantastic shades of light and color that played upon its surface. It would be pleasant to describe the gay steamers, as they moved swiftly from place to place, with their living freights of human beings. Neither would it be a difficult task to tell of the sudden storms that ruffle at times its peaceful bosom, and that not unfrequently send the pleasure seeker to a watery grave.
I will not, however, dwell longer upon those quiet days. A life of usefulness was before me, and I was about to pass into the possession of a new owner.
You will perhaps be surprised that I have not attempted to describe my first master. But I did not see him long enough to judge of his character. Once only he took me in his hands, and with a powerful magnifying glass looked me through and through. That one searching look seemed to satisfy him. How many times since have I thought of his keen, searching eye! “Ah!" said I, when he laid me in my former place, satisfied with his investigation, "what should I have done if he had found something wrong in me?"
You all remember that sad story of the man who dared to go into the wedding without the "wedding garment." When the King came in to see the guests, His quick, searching eye detected something wrong! May you all be like David when he said, "Search me, O God, and try my reins, and see if there be any wicked thing in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."
Many of my neighbors had come and gone. They seemed to hang upon the little hooks only for a short time, and were chosen for active service almost directly.
Well, my turn came at last! Early one bright summer's morning the voice of my master was heard in conversation with a stranger. Evidently it was no ordinary customer to whom he was skewing so many of his watches. One after another of my neighbors was selected and laid aside as purchased.
What a family that gentleman must have! I thought. And yet there was something about his manner and appearance that did not seem to speak of the wealth of this world. I could not understand it then. "What do you think of this one, Mr. Harbury?" said my master to the stranger at last; "this is an exquisite watch. Perhaps the price is higher than you intended to purchase at?"
Mr. Harbury carefully took me into his hand and examined the mechanism and various other details of my construction. His was a kind face-a face that having once seen one liked to look at again and again. Even the very way he handled me told me that he was a man to be trusted.
A few moments only and the bargain was made. I was added to the list of his other purchases. Joy! Joy! Now, at last, I should be of use to somebody.
Surely, if I liked the face of my new owner so much, all his family would be something like him. For whom did he intend me? Not for himself, for I had distinctly heard myself called "a lady's watch." So I must be for one of his daughters! Oh, no! More probably for his wife. His wife! That must be the one into whose hands I was now to pass.
“When do you leave for England?" inquired my former master of my new one, as he carefully locked the drawer in which he had placed me.
“Please God, by the mid-day train. I'm always glad to get back home again. ‘There's no place like home,' for the old man now, save and except the better home, waiting for us above."
“You’re right there, Mr. Harbury," rejoined my old master. "If we only knew that home was ready for us, we should not make so much trouble about getting through this world."
“I only wish you were as sure of it as I am, then," said Mr. Harbury. "And you may be; Jesus Christ, who died for our sins that we may go free, He it is who said, ' In my Father's house are many mansions. I go to prepare a place for you.'”
“Well, sir," said my old master, “you always have something good to say. And more than that, you seem to get the comfort of what you believe."
"It is because I believe I do get the comfort," said Mr. Harbury, slowly. "I am getting old and gray, as you see. My time here cannot be many more years, and if I should never come again to your city of Geneva, will you remember that the last words I said to you were, that the comfort and the home, and forgiveness, and more blessings than I can tell you of, are all to be had by coming as a poor, lost sinner to the feet of the blessed Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ?" With these words Mr. Harbury took his leave.