II. God speaks from the grave—and says,

1. ‘Give an account of thy stewardship, for thou mayst be no longer steward.’ Luke, xvi. 2.

2. ‘Time is short.’

1 Cor. vii. 29. 1 Pet. iv. 7.

What a little life—gone as a spark!

You may die—your children may die—or Christ may come. Do not say, ‘to-morrow.’ Jam. iv. 13.

3. ‘Be ye also ready.’

Matt. xxiv. 44.

4. Your child shall rise again.

‘I am the resurrection and the life.’ John, xi. 25. (See Burial Service.) Jer. xxxi. 16, 17.