Those arrived at middle age may ask the question, “What are the things which shall come to pass to us?” Now, setting aside extraordinary accidents, on which we cannot reckon, and the answer would, I think, be something of this sort:  There will not come to pass, it is likely, any great change in our condition or employment in life.  In middle age our calling, with all the duties which it involves, must generally be fixed for each of us.  Our particular kind of trial will not, it is probable, be much altered.  We must not, as in youth, fancy that, although our actual occupation does not suit us, although its temptations are often too strong for us, yet a change may take place to another line of duty, and the temptations in that new line may be less formidable.  In middle age it will not do to indulge such fond hopes as these.  On the contrary, our hope must lie, not in escape, but in victory.  If our temptations press us hard, we cannot expect to have them exchanged for others less powerful:  they will remain with us, and we must overcome them, or perish.  Have we tastes not fully reconciled to our calling,—­faculties which seem not to have found their proper field?  We must seek our remedy not from without, humanly speaking, but from within:  we must discipline ourselves; we must teach our tastes to cling gracefully around that duty to which else they must be helplessly fastened.  If any faculties appear not to have found their proper field, we must think that God has, for certain wise reasons, judged it best for us that they should not be exercised; and we must be content to render him the service of others.  In this respect, then, the immediate prospect for middle age is not so much change as steadfastness.  Fortune will not suit herself to our wishes:  we must learn to suit our wishes to her.

But go on a little farther, and what are the things which must come to pass then?  A new and most solemn interest arising to us in the entrance of our children into active life.  Hitherto they have lived under our care, and our duty to them was simple; but now there comes the choice of a profession, the watching and guiding them, as well as we can, at this critical moment of their course.  What cares await us here; and yet what need of avoiding over care!  What a trial for us, how we value our children’s worldly interests when compared with their eternal—­whether we prefer for them the path which may lead most readily to worldly wealth and honour, or that in, which they may best and safest follow Christ!  This is a danger which will come to pass to us ere long:  do we watch and pray that we may be delivered from it?