Our path in life lies along the brink of a river or the edge of a cliff; and we may by a step - a single step - at any moment meet our fate. The asseveration of David may be regarded as the expression of a strong conviction ("As Jehovah liveth," etc.) of -

I. THE SOLEMNITY OF DEATH. The event is a serious one. To leave familiar scenes and beloved friends, to "be missed" from our accustomed place is a saddening thought. But what gives solemnity to death as well as life is its moral aspect, its spiritual and Divine relations.

1. It terminates our earthly probation - severs our immediate connection with the privileges, means, and opportunities by which character is proved and the soul prepared for another state. When this step is taken, all these things belong to the past.

2. It ushers us into the Divine presence; no longer partially concealed by the veil of material things, but fully revealed in light, which reveals the moral attitude of every human spirit and judges it "in righteousness." "After death" (and following close upon it) "the judgment" (Hebrews 9:28). "We must all be manifest before the judgment seat of Christ," etc. (2 Corinthians 5:10).

3. It fixes our future destiny, in weal or woe. "What is a man profited," etc.

II. THE UNCERTAINTY OF LIFE. The step must be taken, but when we know not. That we may be duly impressed by a truth which all admit, but few adequately realise, consider -

1. The frailty of the body, and the innumerable dangers to which it is exposed. "Between us and hell or heaven there is nothing but life, the most fragile thing in existence (Pascal).

2. The facts of daily observation. What occurs to others so often, so suddenly and unexpectedly, may occur to ourselves. We have no guarantee that it will not. "Man's uncertain life is like a raindrop on the bough, amid ten thousand of its sparkling kindred, and at any moment it may fall."

3. The declarations of the Divine word. "Man knoweth not his time," etc. (Ecclesiastes 9:12). "Ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life?" etc. (James 4:14). Why should we be left in such uncertainty?

(1) To teach us the sovereignty of God and our dependence upon him.

(2) To accord with our present probationary position, which necessitates the proper adjustment of motives to our freedom and responsibility.

(3) To enable us properly to perform the ordinary duties of life, in connection with which we are appointed to serve God here and prepare for his service hereafter.

(4) To check presumption in devoting undue attention to the affairs of this life and neglecting those of the life to come.

(5) To lead us not to put the event out of our minds altogether, but rather to constant preparation for it and for the life that lies beyond. "The last day is kept secret that every day may be watched" (Augustine). "Take ye heed, watch and pray, for ye know not when the time is" (Mark 13:33). "Be ye therefore ready also, etc. (Luke 12:40).

III. THE NECESSITY OF WATCHFUL PREPARATION. Seeing that at any instant the step may be taken, it plainly behoves us to be always ready.

1. By seeking and maintaining a right state of heart (John 3:2, 14).

2. By diligent, faithful, and persevering performance of duty.

3. By constant and prayerful committal of our souls into the hands of God. So, whenever the step is taken, it will be "only a step" out of the shadows and sorrows Of earth into the glory and joy of heaven. - D.

"All faithful friends went on a pilgrimage years ago, and none of them have ever come back"; so wrote one of the Puritan divines, whose heart was depressed at the time most likely. Perhaps the best definition of friendship is that given by Addison: it is "a strong and habitual inclination in two persons to promote the good and happiness of each other."

I. TRUE FRIENDSHIP REQUIRES SOME ACKNOWLEDGED BASIS OF INDIVIDUAL WORTH. To be very popular is very different from being beloved. Froissart says of Gaston de Foix, "In everything he was so perfect that he cannot be praised too much; he loved what ought to be beloved, and hated what ought to be condemned; and he never had miscreant with him."

II. TRUE FRIENDSHIP DEMANDS COURAGE AND SELF-SACRIFICE IN INSTANT ANSWER TO THE CALL. When Jonathan rose up from the table there was more than one javelin in the air coming towards him; there was the mad king's wrath shooting lances of fire also.

III. TRUE FRIENDSHIP BECOMES MORE DISINTERESTED AS IT BECOMES MORE LOVING.

IV. TRUE FRIENDSHIP SHOWS ITSELF BY DELICATE AND SOMETIMES MYSTERIOUS SIGNALS OF COMMUNICATION. Indeed, when two men become fast and sympathetic comrades, we sometimes fail to discover what they find in each other so companionable.

V. TRUE FRIENDSHIP FINDS ITS HIGHEST MODEL IN THE LORD OF LIFE AND GLORY.

(C. S. Robinson, D. D.)