he _cannot_ live by
bread alone, unless God feeds him there is no life in him. As you turn
away from this Altar, and go to that other altar which you have raised
to some unworthy idol, does there come no reproach to you, no warning
voice--"What hast thou done? Give an account of thy stewardship." And
so with all the means of grace, we must give an account of them. Our
Confirmation, that solemn coming of age, when we were bidden to take
unto us the whole armour of God; have we remembered that, and all its
responsibilities? Our prayers in private, and our public worship in
Church, we must answer to God for them. When you are tempted to hurry
over your prayers, to say words with no heart, perhaps no meaning in
them; or when in Church you are silent and inattentive, instead of
throwing all your heart and mind into the act of worship; remember that
for all these things God will bring you into judgment, and will say,
"Give an account of thy stewardship." Is that your Bible on the shelf,
covered with tell-tale dust? Well, God lent you that good thing, and
He will ask for an account of your use of it, or your neglect.

Then again, God has sent you trials, sorrows, losses, as teachers who
warn you of your state. You must render an account for them. You
stood by the grave of someone stricken very suddenly by death. That
was a message sent to you by God, reminding you that man's time passeth
away like a shadow, and bidding you take heed to your ways. Did you
listen to the warning, my brother, and take heed? Some of you have
lost your money, others your health; some have seen their cherished
plans disappointed, their dearest wishes fail. All these are whispers
from God, warnings from the Unseen. Have you understood them? God
will ask you one day.

Again, God has given you bodies and minds _in trust_. You must give an
account of your use of them. Are you keeping those bodies of yours as
temples of the Holy Ghost, in purity, chastity, temperance? Or have
you defiled those holy temples with drunkenness and lust? "Give an
account of thy stewardship." Man of business, God has given you a
quick brain, a keen eye, an aptitude for you [Transcriber's note:
your?] calling. How are you using these things? Are you in your
business walking honestly, as in the day? Will your accounts bear
looking into by God's Eye? "Give an account of thy stewardship."

Fathers and mothers, God has given you children, souls precious in