Up or Down.

WE were passing through London the other day. Coming up from the Underground Tube Station in one of the lifts, a gentleman remarked to us how much the lift cage resembled something infinitely more important.
Said he, “It is always going in one of two directions, i.e., either upward or downward; and so,” said he, “are we, for we are all traveling, either heavenward―upward, or,” speaking with solemnized tone. “hellward―downward.”
As we neared the top, and we all parted one from the other, I wondered how many would meet at the top end―the heavenward end of life’s little journey hence. It took but a very short time for us to ascend that day from the station below to the street above, and it was a matter that was only a small incident in our lives, as to whether our journey was to the street or to the lower station. It would all link together some purpose in our little life, but as to the issue raised by the foregoing question, how vitally important is its consideration!
We are passengers from one place to another―from this world to, the next―and into one condition or the other we must spend eternity! Reader, reflect, I pray you.
I passed a nursery garden a short time ago, and finding the old wan who generally leaned on the garden railing, and who was too old to do much work, absent, made inquiries after him, and found he was very ill. We left him a book, “The Journey and its End.” On passing sometime after, we found on inquiry that his little life’s journey had ended, but of its landing-place, and where his soul went, we could not ascertain.
How foolish to neglect a research on which such valuable interests rest. If we sow to the earth, what we sow we must reap―that is a law in this world, and specially true in regard to the next. Is my reader sowing to the earth, or, as it is called, “to the flesh” (Gal. 6:88For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. (Galatians 6:8))? If so, of the earth or the flesh, you will reap corruption. If you are sowing to the Spirit, you will “of the Spirit reap life everlasting” (Gal. 6:88For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. (Galatians 6:8)).
May you be wise, “understanding what the will of the Lord is” (Eph. 5:1717Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. (Ephesians 5:17)), even your salvation, for He willeth not the death of a sinner, “not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:99The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9)).
And He says to you and me: “Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the loving kindness of the Lord” (Psa. 107:4343Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the lovingkindness of the Lord. (Psalm 107:43)). And then ―
“My heart shall triumph in my Lord,
And bless His works and bless His word;
Thy works of grace, how bright they shine!
How deep Thy counsels! how divine!”