SEASONS
OF LIFE; UNSAVED; DEATH: CERTAINTY OF

We are not much given to moralizing on natural objects, but who can fail to notice the parallel between God’s great lovely world and the little tribes of flesh and blood who inhabit it? Is it not plain that every human being runs through the same stages as the seasons? Spring, the time of childhood and youth when all the world is big with promise, a promise which the later years invariably fail to keep. Summer, the period of full power when life multiplies and it is hard to believe that it can ever end. Autumn, with its repose after toil, a gracious tapering off of our fuller powers, a kindly preparation for our longer rest. Winter, when the leaves have dropped away and the last sign of life has disappeared. Then only faith remains to assure us that there will be for us a bright tomorrow.

To the man out of Christ, the fall of the year, in spite of its many charms, must surely bring with it a deep and hidden terror. For it speaks of the approaching end, the time when it may be said, “The summer is ended, and we are not saved.” It would be good indeed if the autumn winds could preach to the lost soul of the brevity of life and the long winter ahead.

Psalm 39:4–6; Jeremiah 8:20; James 4:13–14

We Travel an Appointed Way, 9, 10.