2.  A great battle was going on.  Column after column had been precipitated for eight hours on the enemy posted along the ridge of a hill.  The summer sun was sinking in the west; reenforcements for the obstinate defenders were already in sight; it was necessary to carry the position with one final charge, or everything would be lost.

3.  A powerful corps had been summoned from across the country, and if it came up in season all would yet be well.  The great conqueror, confident in its arrival, formed his reserve into an attacking column, and ordered them to charge the enemy.  The whole world knows the result.  Grouchy failed to appear; the imperial guard was beaten back; and Waterloo was lost.  Napoleon died a prisoner at St. Helena because one of his marshals was behind time.

4.  A leading firm in commercial circles had long struggled against bankruptcy.  As it had large sums of money in California, it expected remittances by a certain day, and if they arrived, its credit, its honor, and its future prosperity would be preserved.  But week after week elapsed without bringing the gold.  At last came the fatal day on which the firm had bills maturing to large amounts.  The steamer was telegraphed at daybreak; but it was found, on inquiry, that she brought no funds, and the house failed.  The next arrival brought nearly half a million to the insolvents, but it was too late; they were ruined because their agent, in remitting, had been behind time.

5.  A condemned man was led, out for execution.  He had taken human life, but under circumstances of the greatest provocation, and public sympathy was active in his behalf.  Thousands had signed petitions for a reprieve; a favorable answer had been expected the night before, and though it had not come, even the sheriff felt confident that it would yet arrive.  Thus the morning passed without the appearance of the messenger.

6.  The last moment was up.  The prisoner took his place, the cap was drawn over his eyes, the bolt was drawn, and a lifeless body swung revolving in the wind.  Just at that moment a horseman came into sight, galloping down hill, his steed covered with foam.  He carried a packet in his right hand, which he waved frantically to the crowd.  He was the express rider with the reprieve; but he came too late.  A comparatively innocent man had died an ignominious death because a watch had been five minutes too late, making its bearer arrive behind time.

7.  It is continually so in life.  The best laid plans, the most important affairs, the fortunes of individuals, the weal of nations, honor, happiness, life itself, are daily sacrificed, because somebody is “behind time.”  There are men who always fail in whatever they undertake, simply because they are “behind time.”  There are others who put off reformation year after year, till death seizes them, and they perish unrepentant, because forever “behind time.”