The Value of Clock - Watching - Glenn Conjurske

The Value of Clock-Watching

by Glenn Conjurske

I hope that my readers all have better things to do than to watch the clock, yet we all have many occasions to consult the clock, and the observant and thoughtful may find profit anywhere. When they have occasion to consult the clock, let them but look a little longer, and think while they look, and they may find a solemn lesson brought home to their souls.

There are two kinds of clocks in the world, but the value which I have discovered in watching them can apply to but one of them. I refer to those clocks which have second hands. Those clocks which have no second hand do verily make time appear to stand still, for we perceive no movement in the hands. The less we watch such clocks, the better.

But the clocks with second hands are always in motion, and such motion as may suggest very solemn thoughts to the observant. I refer to the old-time clocks on which the second hand is in perpetual motion, for the effect is somewhat diminished by the modern quartz clocks, in which the second hand jumps and stops every second. An old electric clock, such as that which hangs on the wall before me, presents a ceaseless sweeping motion, the very fittest representation on earth of the ceaseless flow of time. To watch such a second hand for a minute or two has a very solemn effect upon my mind. If I spend my time diligently and wisely for eternity, still it sweeps on. If I use it to lay up for myself treasures on the earth, still it sweeps on. If I labor, still it sweeps on. If I trifle, still it sweeps on. If I sleep, still it sweeps on. It is altogether unaffected by anything which I do, or wish to do, or intend to do, or plan to do. If I think upon it, still it sweeps on. If I think nothing of it, still it sweeps on. If I watch it, still it sweeps on. If I look away, still it sweeps on.

I may stop the hands on the clock, but I cannot stop the time which they represent. Still it flows, as unceasing as a river, to which it has often, and most aptly, been likened.

I suggest a simple remedy for those who are inclined to waste their precious time. Find an old clock with a sweeping second hand, and watch it a while. If this does not leave the mind solemn, it is hard to tell what would.

Glenn Conjurske