ascend up forever and ever, neither have they rest day or night."
Brethren, it is appointed unto all men once to die, and after death the judgment, and no man living is sure that his particular and general judgments mays not coincide. That day is coming, is coming now, and will arrive suddenly like a thief in the night. Men will be planning for the future, planning for honors, riches, and pleasures, and lo! the Lord will be even at their doors to demand their souls of them. Let us not be like them, but let us rather imitate that servant who when his lord came was found watching. From the color of the sky, men can foretell the weather of the morrow, and from the budding trees they know that summer is nigh. Let it not be said that the children of this age are wiser in their generation than the children of light, for we too from the lapse of time ought to learn every day that our judgment is drawing nearer and nearer. What we most need are holy indifference and holy fear: indifference to the things of earth and fear for the things beyond. Be not unduly concerned if your earthly state be not all that could be desired. Remember that men in this life are like the grains of winter wheat — the severer the winter the more abundant will be the next season's harvest. But it is criminal not to be solicitous for the world to come. Holy David feared to meet his God, and holy Job trembled for the time when God should rise against him in judgment, and Paul the Apostle, though conscious of no wrong, yet dared not account himself just.
