In Just Five Minutes...

At a ceremony, guest speakers were each given five minutes to speak. D. J. Prime opened his speech with the following words: “No more than five minutes – not much can be said, but a lot can be achieved: 

"In five minutes, you can set a city on fire, drill a hole in the wall of a ship and cause the vessel to sink. Five minutes can ruin a soul. The misconduct of a moment can poison a life forever.

"When temptation nears, never forget how you can dishonor your name within a short five minutes, burdening your whole life that lies before you with the most terrible remorse. And then the grief you cause your loved ones! Yes, within five minutes, incalculable misery can be wrought.

"But you can also create a great blessing reaching into eternity in five minutes. In five minutes you can make the solid resolve henceforth to walk a new path.

"Again: Be frugal with your five minutes and at the same time also remember your neighbor’s five minutes, which you are not allowed to steal. Lost money can be found, ill health can be recovered – but not five lost minutes. These are more precious than diamonds, and used properly, they bring prosperity into our lives and wisdom to our decisions. Yes, they serve us in preparation for the great eternity.”