St. Alphonsus says, "those who pray will be saved; those who do not pray will be condemned." Truly strong but necessary words we need to hear when we are living in a modern non-Christian culture. This book will help us meditate on the eternal truths which we hear so seldom. Scripture tells us that if we remember our last end, we will not sin. By reading this book and meditating on our last end and the eternal truths, we will become more perfect and sin less often and less grievously. If the book accomplishes that, it is worth much more than its weight in gold.
There is nothing more precious than time; but there is nothing less esteemed and more despised by men of the world. This is what St. Bernard deplores when he says: "Nothing is more precious than time, but nothing is regarded more cheaply." The same saint adds: "The days of salvation pass away, and no one reflects that day which has passed away from him can never return." You will see a gambler spend nights and days in play. If you ask him what he is doing, his answer is: I am passing the time. You will see others standing several hours in the street, looking at those who pass by and speaking on obscene or on useless subjects. If you ask them what they are doing, they will say: We are passing the time. Poor blind sinners! who lose so many days; but days which never return.
O time despised during life! you will be ardently desired by worldlings at the hour of death. They will then wish for another year, another month, another day; but they will not obtain it: they will then be told that time shall be no longer. How much would they then pay for another week, or another day, to settle the accounts of their conscience? To obtain a single hour, they would, says St. Laurence Justinian, give all their wealth and worldly possessions. But this hour shall not be given.