August 31

There is but a step between me and death—1 Samuel 20:3.

AM I not prone to think of death as a precipice at a distance, toward which I am gradually approaching, and over which I must by and by plunge? But is it not rather a precipice on the very verge of which I am every day walking, and over which a single step may at any moment, take me to eternity? Am I living in constant readiness to go, whenever God shall call me away? Am I prepared to depart, and be with Christ, whenever I may be summoned from this world?

The sublimity of wisdom, is, to do those things living, which are to be desired when dying.—JEREMY TAYLOR.

At death we but leave one place to go to another. If godly, we go from earth to heaven; from our friends on earth, to our friends in heaven; from the valley of tears, to the mount of joy; from a howling wilderness, to a heavenly paradise. Who would be unwilling to exchange a Sodom for a Zion, an Egypt for a Canaan, sin for holiness, misery for glory?—KEACH.

All souls are thine. We may not say,

The dead in Christ have passed away,

When from the world and flesh set free,

We know them living still to thee.

Released from sin, and toil, and strife,

With thee they live the heavenly life;

Their thoughts, their works, their powers are thine,

For ever blest with joys divine!—ELLERTON.