Page:Spiritual Reflections for Every Day in the Year - Vol 1.pdf/153

 the man in the parable, whose ground brought forth plentifully, thinks only of himself; and as his charity begins and ends at home, he proposes to pull down his barns and to build greater, and when these are all filled, to say, "Soul! thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry." But God, by his Word, teaches the uncertainty of all earthly blessings, and the words, "this night thy soul shall be required," would frustrate all man's schemes. In earthly wealth he has but a life interest, but in heavenly, his interest is eternal. Bodily death to all and each is certain; but it is wisely arranged by Providence that the time of it should be unknown; for were it known, the sweets of human life to the many would be mingled with bitter sorrows. It has been well observed that the present moment is the life of man: the past is gone, the future is not, and all that remains to him is NOW. O Christian! act well thy part in the present moment, and leave the future to Him who hath done, and will do, all things well. As we know not when the Master will come and call for us, it behoves us to be always ready, standing upon our watch; this is wisdom: folly only says, there is time enough yet. What is called sudden death is deemed a calamity by many. It is indeed a severe cutting stroke to the living; but to the dear departed one, whose life has been on the watch, and daily heaven-ward, it can surely be no calamity to find that his earthly tabernacle, comparatively dark and dreary, has been suddenly changed for a bright palace-like mansion in his Father's house. If there be pain and suffering in protracted dying, there must be something of bliss in the removal of