five in the afternoon
One of the heartiest things I have seen of late is the letter of Rev. Dr. Dowling as he retires from active work in the ministry . He hands over his work to the younger brethren without sigh , or groan , or regret . He sees the sun is quite far down in the west , and he feels like hanging up his scythe in the first apple tree he comes to . Our opinion is that he has made a little mistake in the time of day , and that while he thinks it is about half-past five in the afternoon , it is only about three . I guess his watch is out of order , and that he has been led to think it later than it really is . But when we remember how much good he has done , we will not begrudge him his rest either here or hereafter . At any rate , taking the doctor 's cheerful valedictory for a text , I might preach a little bit of a sermon on the best way of getting old .