The following circumstance took place not long after the last meeting. Two mothers, who were both present at the Class, about a fortnight after met in the Cemetery, sorrowing at their children’s graves. Each had during that interval lost a child, but not having heard of each other’s trouble, the meeting was unexpected.

On this occasion the following subject was taken.

I. The parting place—the child’s death-bed. This is,

1. A parting place.

All must die alone. The mother may have watched over her child with untiring care during its years of infancy, the trials of youth, and the snares and cares of riper years, but here they must part. 2 Sam. xii. 15, 23.

2. A weeping place. Gen. xxi. 16.

2 Sam. xii. 21. Jer. xxxi. 15.

Mark, v. 38. Luke, vii. 13. Not wrong, for Jesus wept at the grave of Lazarus. John, xi. 35.

3. A birth place

To a new and heavenly life. But not so to all. To some, namely, to those who have indeed been born again. Luke, xvi. 22; and to babes. Isa. xl. 11.

Contrast David’s sorrow for his infant, (2 Sam. xii. 23) with his sorrow for Absalom, 2 Sam. xix. 4. To one death was the door of life, to the other of death.

II. The meeting place—the judgment-seat. Rev. xx. 12. Rom. xiv. 10.

You cannot avoid it.

It will be.

1. To all a place of recognition.

The child you led to Christ—the child you led astray. The child you trained for heaven—the child you trained for hell. All will be there.

2. To many a place of weeping. Matt. xxv. 30. Luke, vi. 25.

3. To many a place of rejoicing. Matt. xxv. 34.

Believing mother! Your night of weeping will then be over, your morning of joy will dawn, of which the sun will never set! Ps. xxx. 5.

Which will it be to you—a meeting-place of joy or sorrow?

May you and your children be so united in Christ here, that you may both part and meet in peace!