LIBRARY OF CONGRESS, hap. Ojraricjht ftfo -£% * 1879. ^ BALTIMORE: CUSHINGS & BAILEY. 1879. T ^n|Vv 5 3 Entered according to the Act of Congress in the year 1879, By Rev. W. H. Fentress, In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, Washington, D. C. PRINTED KY WILLIAM K. BOYLE. PREFACE. There are better books than ours ; books more interesting, more instructive, more productive of good : but should it therefore not have been writ- ten? "The eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee : nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you." There are gems less valu- able than the diamond, and flowers less beautiful than the rose. What is contained in this volume, may be no gem of value, no flower of beauty, and of silver and gold there may be none ; but such as was ours, has been given. If the writing be infe- rior, at least do not condemn the writer who, like the woman anointing Christ for burial, has done what he could in a spirit of love for the Master, and therefore should be much forgiven. The Creator has not left his creatures without a revelation ; the Lord has not left his servants with- out a commandment ; the Father has not left his children without an expression of care ; the Bride- groom, to whom we have been betrothed " forever in righteousness, judgment, loving kindness, mer- cies and faithfulness," has not left his bride without a message of love. And from this revelation, this commandment, this expression of care, this message of love a few truths have been chosen, that are encouraging to the soul, precious in our own experience and doubtless in the experience of others. We ask you to give them attention, to IV PREFACE. study their meaning, to accept them in their full value, to cherish them as assurances from God — that with his children it is well ; and it may also be, that our consideration of them has not been in vain. " God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty." May we not be the humble instru- ment to accomplish some divine purpose ? What rejoicing would be ours, if permitted to be of service in the Lord's vineyard! " The words of the wise are as goads, as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies." No claim is made to wisdom in the production of this work ; yet its preparation was not without much reflection, much solicitude, much anxious prayer; and it is sent forth with a fond hope and an earnest petition to God, that it will not return void, and that the Great Master of assem- blies will use it to some good. If in any way a soul be helped in the Christian life by a thought or reflection herein expressed, it will be more than a compensation for any labor of ours, and we shall have more cause than ever to render thanks unto God who, in the last day, will have a special reward for those instrumental in the salvation of others. What truth is so grand and comforting as — God is lovef and where, in sacred, x>r profane literature, can be found a fact of such importance to helpless humanity? It is therefore written ; "Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm ; for love is strong as" death : the coals thereof are coals of fire, which hath a most vehement flame. Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the PREFACE. T floods drown it : " and to know this love of God, is to know " the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe." We thus learn the character of the divine nature — as abounding with affection, and that the objects of its care are the human creatures of earth. In this fact originate the subjects of this volume, hence the name — Love Truths from the Bible. If we may express our hope, dear reader, it is — that Love Truths from the Bible may have a place in your affections, to the influencing of life and character and to the bringing forth of fruit to the glory of God ; if not for its value, at least because of its aim to magnify divine love. Not to your intellect, but to' your honest heart it is there- fore commissioned ; with the single request — that it be read as it has been written, with the desire to realize, in its fullness, the Saviour's devotion to those consecrated to His service. "May the Lord direct your heart into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ." Now these sermons have been delivered from the pulpit, and some of our readers were present on those occasions. You remember how you clasped our hand when the service was over, speaking words of encouragement and friendship, that are still treasured in our memory and heart. Wearied by the work of the hour, and fearful lest the preaching had been to no effect, your expressions of regard were a source of re-assurance, of consolation, of strength. There are those met but once, and the good bye was spoken with a hope to meet again ; but with many of you we had frequent companion- ship in social and religious intercourse, so that VI PREFACE. attach meats were formed that will ever continue; aad to us it will always be a privilege to revisit your pleasaut churches aad homes ; for those asso- ciatious are among the most cherished aad delight- ful ia our experieace. We aow commit our little volume to your keep- iog aad consideration, with the siacere desire that it may coutribute somethiug to your good, that the divioe blessing may accompany your reading of its pages, and also that it may retain in your remem- brance (as in ours) days that may perhaps come no more. Let us so live that together we may know the bliss of Paradise, together behold the King in His beauty, together love and enjoy the Saviour, and together spend eternity. As you read what you have heard before, remember how the preacher has prayed for you, and breathe for us a prayer. CONTENTS. • PASB. The Preciousness of Christ 9 The Pure in Heart, and their Reward 20 From Saul of Tarsus to St. Paul 33 The Rock higher than 1 46 Christ at Prayer 58 Preaching the Gospel 71 The Tears of Jesus 85 Desire for the Beauty of Christ 98 The Duty of Continued Effort Ill Christ, the Way 122 The Important Choice 133 The Mountain Service 142 The Christian's Experience of Sin 151 Jephthah's Daughter 158 Ruth 169 No Sea in Heaven 179 OUR PRAYER. " So much the rather, Thou celestial light, Shine inward, and the mind through all her pow'rs Irradiate, there plant eyes, all mist from thence Purge and disperse, that we may see and tell Of things invisible to mortal sight." Paradise Lost. LOVE TRUTHS FROM THE BIBLE. THE PRECIOUSNESS OF CHRIST. " Unto you therefore who believe he is precious.'* — I Peter, ii : 7. Every one is concerned with a countless number of common-place objects, whose pursuit gives rise to the everyday routine of existence, and occasions all the little joys and sorrows which enter into every one's experience ; but in addition to all these, the thoughtful, earnest mind has always an object of special regard which rises far above these petty aims of endeavor, like the grand dome of some cathedral towers above the insignificant structures at its base. Here relief is found from gnawing care, as rest in the shadow of a great rock in a thirsty land; here the mind delights to dwell in sweet forgetfulness of what is or has been, and muse on what the coming years will bring of antici- pations realized ; here also is the motive to thought and action, the cherished nucleus about which hope and imagination rear their most magnificent crea- tions, the fond object of all sleeping and waking dreams, the constant source of a peculiar coloring to the whole fabric of life, and upon which depends 2 10 LOVE TRUTHS FROM THE BIB]?E. the consciousness of a whole life's failure or suc- cess, according as there is disappointment or tri- umph. With the Christian this main central object is, Christ; whose unequalled attainments in perfect manhood have not stirred the world's deep gloom with only a few rays of light ; whose intimations of a future existence have not gilded life's land- scape with only a few rich tints of hope ; but who is the very chief among ten thousands, so identi- fied with the most vital interests as to be the inspi- ration to all the faculties of mind and heart ; for here ambition may never be restrained, nay, it is actually essential, if true Christian experience is desired. Accordingly, religion is not the quiet haven after the stormy voyage, not the cool shade after the scorching sand, not the sweet rest after weary toil, but a life-long struggle to get nearer to God in Jesus Christ, to take him as the chief corner-stone for time and eternity. Our text is the conclusion of a statement in the preceding verse — " he that believeth on him shall not be confounded," more literally, shall not be put to shame ; and by shame is here meant, not the trivial embarrassment which causes the color to mantle to the cheek, when modesty has been shocked or the young criminal detected in his crime, but tha^profound humiliation in the crushing con- sciousness of failure, which, like a great darkness, rushes over the soul when all has been lost, the foundation has crumbled beneath the feet, the bark in which was entrusted all has gone down beneath the waves, and there is nothing left but a dreary LOVE TRUTHS FROM THE BIBLE. 11 waiting and longing that death may prove a sweet destroyer of all sense of life. But against this, those trusting in Christ are promised to he in- sured ; and hence our theme : — The preciousness of Christ in preserving believers from shame or humiliation. From mere appeals to the emotions there may result the interest of an hour fancied more than real, hut the deep and abiding hope of a life-time is based upon facts ; therefore, in demon- strating the truth of our text, we have only to refer to what is known of Christ. First, then, Himself. The cry of the soul is not so much for God as for the living God ; not so much for infinitude as for one who is infinite ; but to fully satisfy there must be in this personality a capacity for sympathizing in all the experiences of human nature : and though this was doubtless the case with God before the incarnation, that event was needed to enable fallen humanity to appre- ciate the truth. Accordingly, the God-man, Christ Jesus, was endowed with every requisite qualifica- tion to inspire confidence and hope ; even unbe- lieving critics being compelled to acknowledge the marvellous adaptation of such a character to meet the wants of the soul. Though brief, his public life was a manifestation of the noblest qualities human and divine. — Just in his condemnation of the self-righteous Pharisees, but moved with compassion toward the multitude who seemed like sheep without a shepherd ; severe, in his detestation of sin, as when he said, — " thou Capernaum, (which art exalted to heaven,) shall be brought down to hell," but kind toward the sinner, V2 LOVE TRUTHS FROM THE BIBLE. as when tie said to the erring woman, " neither do I condemn thee ; go, and sin no more ; " stern, when he saw his Father's house transformed into a den of thieves, hut gentle as a mother, when he took the little children in his arms ; strong, when strength was needed to calm the troubled waters of the Sea of Galilee, but weak in the presence of human grief when the two sisters whom he loved had lost their only brother and he, his friend. How lovely, how grand the union of essence uncreated with created mind, possessing all the excellence of the one forever before the point when time began, with all the nameless charms of the other made perhaps more precious by their growth in time ! A great mystery, yet a glorious fact, with the same meaning now as eighteen hundred years ago ; for, though Jesus in bodily form is seen no more, as once in the streets of Jerusalem, and the many villages of Judea and G-alilee, he nevertheless still lives, with the same infinitude of attributes, and, sweet to think, with the same human nature vibrating to all the joys and sorrows of earth. As a friend, a teacher, a philanthropist, a hero, or a God, experience presents no parallel ; and art, even in the sunny days of Greece, never portrayed on canvas, in verse, or marble such perfection as shown in him, who in contempt was called a Naza- rene, but whom millions to-day recognize as " the only Begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth." Solitary and sublime he stands out in his- tory, the admiration of enemies, the all in all to his faithful disciples. Intellect discovers no defect, heart asks no more. LOVE TRUTHS FROM THE BIBLE. 13 Those, who accept him as he really is, are ex- horted by his wondrous revelation of divinity to an obedience, a love, a consecration to God, which, not the voice from Sinai, nor even that heard in Para- dise in the cool of the evening, could ever have inspired. Also, by his exhibition of perfect human- ity they are irresistibly led to an imitation of his virtues, the effect of which is an exercise of senti- ments whose harmony is a rich music enjoyed by all who come within the charmed circle of their influence. And if men will cavil at the persistency with which the lineaments of his character are sought to be reproduced in human nature, suffi- cient is the reply of the artist of old ; " I paint for eternity." Therefore a mere honest belief in the existence of Christ, as one, who once blessed this earth with his presence, affords an elevation of thought and feeling beyond the power of time, place, or circumstance to destroy : it imparts a tone, a vigor, a nobility of purpose and aspiration which cannot be annihilated by any change of for- tune. For it is impossible that the world should ever be robbed of Christ, directed by whose spirit ethnic development is unfolding to a grand consum- mation, upon the moral principles of whose doc- trine society is founded, with the force of whose influence true improvement is identified, and the impressive eloquence of whose life and character will never pass away, or cease to move, as long as there remains in the human heart the faintest glim- mering of what is true and good : — Unto you there- fore who believe he is precious. But, secondly, — Christ's work. " Of man's first disobedience " and all its train of woes which still 2* 14 LOVE TRUTHS FR031 THE BIBLE. continue, little need be said. Disappointment, dis- ease, and death became the heritage of the race, to take from each sunbeam its warmth and brightness in casting an ever deepening shadow with the lapse of years from youth to age, from which in this life the soul shall be lifted nevermore. But these are temporary ills and might be borne, if there were hope of rest beyond the grave, which also is denied ; for in the fall humanity lost companionship with God, apart from whom immortality would be a hideous curse. But just here comes in the work of Christ. Hear him address the father in the lan- guage of earth's sublime poet; " Behold me then; me for Him, life, for life I offer ; on me let thine anger fall ; Account me man : I for his sake will leave Thy bosom, and this glory next to Thee Freely put off; and for Him lastly die Well pleased : on me let Death wreak all his rage." And so it came to pass. The grim guardian of the gate of hell, offspring of devil and sin, did rush to conflict with the Ancient of Days, but mis- erably failed in his fell design : so that " Hope enchanted smiled, and waived her golden hair ; " for death had lost his sting, and the grave her victory. Looking upon the all-sufficient work of his Son in man's behalf, the Father is well pleased : there is therefore no condemnation to those who are in Christ, whose meditation was perfect from the cir- cumstances of the case. Infinite in merit, because he was the Son of God ; universal in its application, because he has broken down the wall of partition between Jew and Gentile ; eternal in its effects, because he has entered into the tabernacle not made LOVE TRUTHS FROM THE BIBLE. 15 with hands, even heaven itself. Thus Christ suf- fered the penalty of man's transgression : upon him was laid the iniquities of us all, and when the dark- ness of the crucifixion had cleared away, Sinai's smoke had vanished forever. Yes, the shew- bread, the candlestick, the altar, the temple itself is seen no more ; and though the Ark of the Cove- nant still remains, its covering has long since melted 'neath the precious blood there sprinkled, and is now running over the tables of stone in liquid gold, a beauteous tracery of love. Here Mercy and Truth have met together ; Righteous- ness and Peace have kissed each other. Having the promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come, they who rely upon the work of Christ will surely never be put to confusion: Unto you therefore who believe he is precious. But, lastly, Christ's peculiar relation to each of his followers. A statesman may command admi- ration, a patriot, honor, but genuine love is only evoked by the meeting of hearts in the strong quick sympathies of individuals as such : Wherefore, if the multitude had been the sole object of Christ's regard, what he is and has done, would have had little influence upon practical life. It is not sufficient to know that he fed the five thousand, that he was moved with compassion toward the people uncared for, that he wept over Jerusalem when he saw her coming doom ; but it is required also to know, that he said to Peter, "I have prayed for thee," to the thief on the cross, " to-day, thou shalt be with me in Paradise," and to the woman, who had lost her all in losing him, "Mary,." 16 LOYE TRUTHS FROM THE BIBLE. It is said that Pericles learned the name of every Athenian citizen, and that Cyrus learned the name of every soldier in his army. The wisdom of such a plan is evident. Each man was made to feel that he had a personal interest in the welfare of the State, and therehy his co-operation was secured in every public measure. What was prompted by policy in the statesman and general, has love for its ground with the Saviour of mankind ; for Jesus knows the name of every disciple. With every casting upon him of a contemptuous sneer came the thought of each one he was redeem- ing from woe. With every stroke, under which his flesh quivered, as it nailed him to the cross, was stamped upon his breaking heart the image of each one for whom he was purchasing everlasting life. With the loss of every drop of blood, as it fell slowly to the ground, his mind reviewed each one he was winning back to God and heaven. My beloved spake and said unto me, " rise up my love, my fair one, and come away. Open to me my sister, my love, my dove, my undeflled ; for my head is filled with dew and my locks with the drops of the night." And in sweet accord is the language of the bride : " My beloved is mine, and I am his. His left hand is under my head and his right hand doth embrace me." Thus it is the privilege of every Christian to feel that Christ sus- tains to him a relation as intimate as though he were the only one to be redeemed by the atonement, as though he were the only object of consideration in the councils of God. The glory, the strength the very soul of Chris- tianity is this personal element, to which are due its LOVE TRUTHS FROM THE BIBLE. 17 conquests both of individuals and nations, by beauty of life, by force of speech, by nerving the arm to strike for liberty and truth. Before it the Lion of Tarsus was subdued ; the proud Eagle of Rome folded his wings in the dust ; the pale Crescent is fading as the moon before the sun ; the great Dragon of the Vatican is in the last throes of deaths and the glory of Jehovah is fast filling the earth. Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift, but everlasting praise that each of the fold is the object of his care ! so that he is your God and mine, your Saviour and mine, pressing each one to his yearn- ing heart with a love so deep, so gentle, so en- during, so satisfying, that from each the joyous ex- clamation is heard, " you may have all the world; give me the hope in Christ.'' What more is required to preserve from shame ! What more can imagination add to the truth ! Will believers ever be compelled to acknowledge that, alas ! they have leaned upon a broken reed? that the corner-stone of their building has given way? The strong faith of living men is a standing denial. The heroic death of martyrs from Stephen till the last fire kindled at Smithfield, is a resistless refutation. The ineffable smile of peace on the face of the dying Christian, is proof conclusive that Christ is with his people to the end. Unto you therefore who believe he is precious. By way of conclusion permit us to emphasize the fact that only believers are referred to in the text. This was a very bad world, and bad enough now ; yet oh ! how much better for the coming of Jesus Christ. This was a very dark world, and dark 2* 18 LOVE TRUTHS FROM THE BIBLE. enough now ; yet oh ! how much brighter for the light that shines in the face of Jesus Christ. For wherever the influence of Christianity extends, suf- fering is alleviated, morality advanced, education encouraged. But, as only to those who appreciate its value, is the costliest diamond of any worth ; as only to those who have a sense for its perception is a " thing of beauty, a joy forever," so only to those who really believe, is Christ subjectively and objectively, eter- nally ; and temporally, precious. It is faith that catches the glow of the " bright and morning Star." It is faith that soars and meets with eagle eye the splendor of the Sun of righteousness. It is faith that enjoys the full radiance of the Light of the World. The awful warning in the last part of the verse not merely indicates what a privilege is lost, but what misfortune results from not having faith. If men will not take the Stone laid in Zion as the chief corner-stone of all their hopes ; whether they will or not. It will be the corner-stone of their despair. If they will not take it as a stepping- stone to heaven, it certainly will prove an obstruc- tion in their way. But to as many as sincerely say, " Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God," the Lord of hosts is mighty to save. How evident, then, is the necessity of accepting Christ ! Pursued to a certain extent, earthly objects yield a reasonable pleasure, which life with its many sorrows could ill afford to spare, but made the chief end of desire and exertion, the time will sooner or later come when finally will cease their power to interest ; the walls of the soul will fall together about a space where once there seemed a world, but LOVE TRUTHS FROM THE BIBLE. 19 now a, dreary void ; and, oh ! how terrible this desola- tion of spirit. But why art thou cast down, my soul, and " why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God." " Behold I lay in Zion, a chief corner- stone, elect, precious ; and he that believeth on him shall not he confounded : Unto you therefore who believe he is precious." Precious for the realiza- tion of his presence all along through life ; precious for the vision of his glory in the fearful "hour of wrenching away from all we have known and loved ;" precious for his appearance in human form at the pearly gate to welcome each brother and sister to " Paradise regained ;" " Where they shall dwell secure when time shall be, Of tempter and temptation without fear." 20 LOVE TRUTHS FROM THE BIBLE. THE PURE IN HEART, AND THEIR REWARD. " Blessed are the pure in heart; for they shall see God." — Mat- thew, v : 8. There are to be found in the Bible, comprehen- sive principles for the regulation of life and char- acter ; so that, we are often left to decide, whether this, or that act ; this, or that state of mind, be in accordance with what is required. Special injunc- tions are not wanting, however. The Old Testa- ment seems almost wearisome, in this regard, to those enjoying the liberty of the Gospel : and also in the New Testament the observance of certain du- ties is mentioned, as meriting peculiar rewards ; and the commission of certain evils, as meriting peculiar penalties. This is strikingly the manner of Christ's teaching in the Sermon on the mount. Accordingly, if any one desire to shape his inner and outer life consistently and favorably in the sight of G-od and man, let him carefully heed the lessons there taught. The first twelve verses of the fifth chapter of Matthew command more than ordinary interest ; for various classes of individuals are there pronounced blessed by the Saviour himself. But the world may be surprised to find in this catalogue, not those whom it cherishes most, but just those, for whom it cares the least. For nothing is said about the rich, the famous, the mighty, or the learned ; but the poor in spirit ; they that mourn ; the meek ; the hungry and thirsty after righteous- ness ; the merciful ; the pure in heart ; the peace- LOVE TRUTHS FROM THE BIBLE. 21 makers ; the persecuted for righteousness' sake ; the reviled, the persecuted, the evil spoken of falsely for Jesus' sake ; all these have a place ; God's rich- est gifts await to perfect their happiness : the bright robe of promise is cast about them all. Our text stands out prominently among the beatitudes, as at once setting forth the most difficult condition to the most glorious reward. " Blessed are the pure in heart ; for they shall see God." In other words, purity of heart brings the blessed- ness of seeing God. Do you marvel at the joining of these, this condition to this reward? Ask your- self, would you have it otherwise ? That God should be looked upon at the pleasure of a heart full of sin ; would not this be, not only adverse to conscience, but also repulsive to heart and intellect? We think of God, as boundless in mercy and love, yearning to regain his children from suffering to his infinite rest ; but we cannot think of him, as being indifferent to sin. If the conception of divine holiness should be altogether lost, it would be the destruction of all sense of right and wrong ; society and government, as well as religion, could not exist ; chaos and anarchy would universally prevail. God's hatred of sin is evident from the character of the divine nature ; and it is also evident from the impure heart, whose tendency is directly away from God ; whose delight is in that which he abhors ; whose conduct is forbidden by his commandments. Such is sin ; not only violating, but vitiating ; not only removing the good, but instilling what is evil ; at once outraging divine justice, and causing the heart to rejoice in its separation from God. Thus 22 LOVE TRUTHS FROM THE BIBLE. it is no arbitrary decree, but a just and natural sequence, that only the pure in heart 6hall see God. In what does purity of heart consist? Have you ever considered the destiny of the little rill that has its source far away from the sea, in the ravine of the mountain ? Now dashing from rock to rock, now gliding so smoothly that the ear can scarcely catch the ripple as you rest upon the bank ; now blending with the babbling brook, now with the brook uniting with the greater stream ; now with the stream mingling with the mighty river ; now with the river going out into the broad bay ; and now with the bay lost in the abyss of waters ; its object is one, namely, to reach the ocean ; and per- sistently, therefore successfully is its object accom- plished. Just so with the heart : it must have but one aim, namely, to do the will of God ; and if persistently, then successfully will its object be accomplished. This was the example left us by Christ, who said to his disciples, " I came, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me : " and we know how sublimely He persevered, even to the bitter end. And now, this devotion to God's service does not interfere with man's obliga- tions to himself, or to others. On the contrary, it insures their faithful observance ; for show us a man, who is observant of the divine law ; and we will show you one, who is blameless in regard to all else. To act in harmony with the great author of the universe, is to act in harmony with all the rela- tions, in which one is placed ; and hence, there is perfectness in the entire life, just in proportion as the effort to do God's will is succesful. LOVE TRUTHS FROM THE BIBLE. 23 Again, have you never contemplated with delight clear, crystal water springing out from a rock by the wayside? How beautiful its fondling of the bright, gentle sunbeams, rejoicing in the presence of a purity like its own ! Nature's divinest offer- ing, fresh flowing from her stony urn, unsullied by the touch of earth ! That, with its glow r , with its freshness, with its freedom from stain, is a true emblem of the pure heart ; and as day dispels the darkness of the night, brings back a flush of beauty to nature's cheek, and re-animates the waiting world with a new impulse of life ; so truth, in such a heart, dispels all darkness, elevates the desires, makes heavenly what is earthly, remodels in celes- tial beauty what has been deformed by sin. It was just this cleansing of the heart, which the Pharisees so much lacked. Outwardly they were as polished sepulchres, faultless to the eye ; so minutely exact in every requirement of the law, as not to be will- ing that a poor woman should be healed on the Sab- bath day, whom Satan had bound for eighteen years. But inwardly they were full of foul corruption, which called forth the severest denunciations of Christ ; as when He said, u ye serpents, ye genera- tion of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell ! " Gentle, patient, loving, self-sacrificing, and looking heavenward, the purified heart is — as an instrument without discord ; upon which every one may depend "for the note wanted," with which even God himself is well pleased. The realization of this truth caused the Psalmist to pray, " Create in me a clean heart, God ; and renew a right spirit within me." 24 LOVE TRUTHS FROM THE BIBLE. So then, there are two essentials to the pure in heart ; singleness of purpose in doing the will of God, and the sanctification of the affections by the truth ; a holy life and a holy character. The holy life is more especially for the benefit of men ; for an example is thereby set forth ; encouragement is afforded ; and the precept, love thy neighbor as thy- self, is put into action ; so that, human hearts have occasion to bless God for human sympathy and relief. In this connection it is said of Jesus: "He went about doing good: " A distinction, which earth's proudest monarch might well covet ; yet one within the reach of all. The holy character is more espe- cially for the eyes of God, as only He can estimate its capabilities, not only for the moment we call time, but also for that infinite beyond, known only as to its name, eternity. To him who is from ever- lasting to everlasting, what are the acts of creatures such as we, excepting so far as they indicate dispo- sitions of soul, that may endure forever? This is well exemplified by the case of the poor widow, casting her two mites into the treasury ; of whom Christ said, " She hath cast in more than they all." The Pharisees gave of their abundance to God ; while she, of her penury, gave all that she had. They were prompted by a desire for the praise of men ; while she, only mindful of her duty and love to God, thus disclosed to the Savior's view the price- less pearl of a self-sacrificing heart. " Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in his holy place ? " The an- swer comes at once ; "He that hath clean hands and a pure heart." The prophet, Micah, also asks, " Wherewith shall we come before the Lord, and LOVE TRUTHS FROM THE BIBLE. 25 bow ourselves before the high God ? He hath shown thee, man, what is good ; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? " Here again, the same requirement is set forth, only in a more practical form. The possessor of any one of these graces is deserving of regard : for we honor the judge, who in his decisions recognizes neither friend nor foe ; we love the sister of mercy, who with a steady flame of kindness in her heart, (though she "may not always be clad in a costume of black,") is ever ready with her gentle ministries of relief; and we are drawn toward the humble, who parade not their gifts and attainments above those of others. But where these graces are found combined ; con- centrate their influence in elevating life and char- acter ; and are exercised with due regard to divine, as well as human claims ; it is there that the true Christian spirit is realized. The loveliness of those thus favored seems all but sacred. About them is something of the glory of the transfiguration. In their presence we are encouraged, strengthened, sub- dued ; and we feel that it is good for us to be there, in homage to the exalted sceptre of true manhood and true womanhood. Thus single in their purpose of serving God, like the mountain rill in reaching the ocean ; and stainless within, like the living water from the rock ; they are the pure in heart, whom our text pronounces blessed ; for they shall see God. Let no one suppose that actual perfection is attain- able on earth. That would be contrary to revela- tion, as well as to experience and observation. The fact is, that a sense of imperfection is essential to 26 LOVE TRUTHS FROM THE BIBLE. any advancement whatever in the Christian life; and where imperfection is not felt to exist, there, rest assured it is to be found in its most hopeless form. To borrow an illustration from a favorite writer : there were two pictures of an early art, perhaps executed in the eighth century. One was receptive of improvement ; and clearly evidenced an artist whose ideal was far above what his unprac- tised hand was able to realize : while the other gave evidence of an artist well satisfied with what he had done. Italy, where the first was executed, boasts to day of her Raphael and Angelo ; while Ireland, whence the other came, cherishes no dis- tinguished representatives of the art. Just so in spiritual affairs ; there is great hope for those, who are ever striving for a higher experience ; while little or none for those, who are satisfied with their attainments. The commandment is, do all you can, and do it with your might. Obey this, relying upon our Lord Jesus Christ for salvation ; and your acceptance with God is insured. You are purified in Christ, whose blood cleanseth from all sin ; and his spirit will continue the work of grace. One of the means to be employed by the pure in heart is communion with self. A certain piece of land is to be made into a beautiful park. Now what is naturally the first step to be taken ? Why of course a thorough examination of the said piece of land, to ascertain what use can be made of exist- ing peculiarities, what old features need altering or removing altogether, and what new objects should be introduced to heighten the effect. This stream must be turned to form a cascade. Those trees must be cleared away to complete the symmetry of a LOVE TRUTHS FROM THE BIBLE. 27 grove. This hill must be levelled in constructing one of the grand avenues. That valley must be filled up to get rid of an offensive marsh. Besides all this, many new trees and shrubs and flowers must be planted, which never were known to grow there before ; and so the work goes on, not to be completed in a month or year. Should it be other- wise in regard to life and character? In beautify- ing these, is there less need of care? Let there be a thorough self-examination, to ascertain what faults need correction, what virtues should be added ; and this being known, act promptly, with decision. There are appetites and passions to be controlled ; habits to be overcome ; errors of intellect to be removed ; unwise conduct to be reformed ; charity and her sister graces to be cherished ; forethought and judgment to be exercised. All this may be an unpleasant and arduous task ; one that may tax your powers to the very utmost ; but it cannot be avoided in the Christian life. Aids are not wanting, however, in this self-ex- amination. There is conscience, the never silent monitor within ; always advising, or warning ; com- mending, or forbidding ; excusing, or accusing ; urging, or restraining ; in order that the right may be thought and felt and done. There is history, individual and national, which by its motives and results, may assist the mind in pursuing what is good, and shunning what is evil. There is nature, with her thousands of voices proclaiming the truth on every side. To say nothing of the lessons taught us by the grand firmament, upon which the old sacred writers delighted so much to dwell ; the ob- jects of earth all about us, have an urgent message 28 LOVE TRUTHS FROM THE BIBLE. for all who will listen, and be guided by what they hear. Yes, "Every bird that sings; Every flower that stars the elastic sod ; Every breath the radiant summer brings, To the pure spirit is a word of God;" therefore, of order, of innocence, of faith, of love ; of all that purifies the soul for heaven ; of all that contributes to the ideal, dreamed of by Plato, and the best men of every age. But great- est of all! there is revelation. Conscience, may be weak. History, unless viewed through long periods of time, may lead to false conclusions as to what is right and wrong : and nature, to be fully appre- ciated, needs a peculiar endowment of soul, pos- sessed by few. But the Bible is forcible, is unerr- ing, is universal in its teachings ; and if in its light, especially that light reflected from the char- acter and works of our Lord Jesus Christ, self be reviewed with a purpose to reform ; the progress made will be sure. There must also be communion with God. To en- joy the light, to experience its full radiance, it will not do merely to study optics : nor will it suffice to observe light as reflected by moon and stars. The great orb of day must himself be gazed upon in his noon-day splendor, the centre and source of light to our solar system. In like manner, it will not do merely to talk of purity ; that may only lead to a sickly sentiment : nor will it answer to regard the character of good men, as a sufficient model for imitation. Those who would be pure, must go to the fountain of all purity ; that is to God himself. LOVE TRUTHS FROM THE BIBLE. 29 Only in earnest communion with our heavenly- father, (a privilege secured to us by the sacrifice of Christ,) can we obtain relief from the guilt and power of sin. Earth presents much that is fair, touching and impressive. A young mother bending in tenderness over her sleeping babe ; a sister's holy affection ; a patriot, striking for liberty and home ; an old man's dream of childhood; all these touch the heart ; and awaken a pleasure, subdued but in- tense, because the finest chords of our nature vibrate with emotion, like a rich harp string with the witchery of sound. But lovelier far, more impres- sive than all, is the human form bowed at the altar of prayer. The world forgot ; the soul alone with its God, pleading in tones that will take no refusal, till at last the answer comes, not in the fire, not in the storm, not in the earthquake, but in the still, small voice, I will ; be thou clean ! my blood wasbed away thy sins : my spirit will sanctify thee to myself. Now as to the great reward, the blessedness of seeing God. We observe that it is enjoyed in the present life. Christ went away, that the Spirit might come ; and in nature, in revelation, and in their mental conditions, the pure in heart expe- rience the Divine presence. Their blessedness arises from a sense of God's protecting care ; sotbat they are not afraid "for the terror by night ; nor for the arrow that flietb by day; nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness ; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. A thousand shall fall at their side, and ten thousand at their right hand ; but it shall not come nigh them. He shall give his 30 LOVE TRUTHS FROM THE BIBLE. angels charge over them, to keep them in all their ways. They shall bear them up in their hands, lest at any time they dash their foot against a stone." Their blessedness arises also from a sense of God's boundless love ; for to them it is given to " comprehend with all saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ, which passeth all knowledge;" and from it they cannot be separated, by tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword, or death, or life, or angels, or principalities, or powers, or things present, or things to come, or height, or depth, or any other creature; for all are theirs, and they are Christ's, and Christ is God's." Their blessedness arises also from the hope, with which they are inspired ; for " God according to his abundant mercy, hath begotten them unto a lively hope by the resurrec- tion of Jesus Christ from the dead." " O hope delicious, O conception grand, That pictures visions of the flowery land ; That wafts the fragrance of its fields of bliss Across the deserts of a world like this ! Extatic hope, that gives to mortal eyes A passing glimpse of its refulgent skies ! Transporting hope; that lifts the soul above To wondrous regions of eternal love ! O hope divine, thou art the voice of God ! By thee allured we seek his grand abode." They are thus made blessed in this life by some- thing far better than mere pleasure, or worldly possessions. They have a deep and abiding trust in God, whom they see by faith ; and they have the assurance, that in the life to come, they will no LOVE TRUTHS FROM THE BIBLE. 31 longer see as through a glass darkly, but face to face. After the farewell with friends, after the flood has been crossed, after the pearly gates have been reached, after the city has been entered ; the vision of God to the pure in heart shall be perfect. Yes ! They shall see Him as He is ; worthy of blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honor, and power, and might. They shall see him, as the chief among ten thousand, and the altogether lovely. They shall see him to be like him, and shall be sat- isfied with the likeness. They shall see him to glorify and enjoy him forever. The seraphim will still proclaim to one another, saying, "holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of Hosts : the whole earth is full of His glory:" but none there will tremble with fear because of unclean lips ; and there will be no need of a coal from off the altar. Guiltless and pure, the redeemed shall be in free communion with God, to behold the King in his beauty, to expe- rience the joy of his presence, to be enraptured with the affluence of his love: and surpassing bliss ! the coming ages will bring no change. How glorious and sublime the prospect of living with God for all eternity ! Amid the difficulties and trials of life, there is no greater source of encourage- ment, strength and hope. It was this that caused St. Paul to say, "I reckon that the sufferings of the present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed." In conclusion, let it be ever borne in mind, that the requisite to the privilege of seeing God — is purity of heart, only attainable by acceptance of Christ. Men have tried philosophy ; which, by its wondrous 32 LOVE TRUTHS FROM THE BIBLE. power of diversifying the appearance of truth, flat- ters the mind with a promise of success. They have also tried asceticism, (self-torture,) in the hope, that cruelty to the flesh would leave the mind unobstructed in aspiring toward the divine. They have also tried retirement from the world, that the mind might be lifted above things seen and tempo- ral, to those unseen and eternal. And strange to say ! men have even tried to buy the privilege of seeing God ; who, together with all those who encourage the blasphemous practice, deserve the rebuke of Peter to the sorcerer ; " Thy money perish with thee." All these attempts are vain, and worse than vain ; for often their only effect is to widen the gulf between earth and heaven. Accord- ingly, if we would see God in this life, if we would have a sense of his presence continually with us, if we would kneel at the feet of Jesus, not as Mary, here on earth in tears, but in that better country where no tears ever fall ; if We would dwell with God forever ; let us keep our lives consecrated to his service ; let us have our affections sanctified by his spirit : in a word let us keep our hearts with dili- gence ; for out of them are the issues of life. " Blessed are the pure in heart ; for they shall see God." LOVE TRUTHS FROM THE BIBLE. 33 FROM SAUL OF TARSUS TO ST. PAUL. "All that heard Him were amazed." — Acts, ix : 21. They at Damascus knew that Saul had come there to persecute the Christians ; and when they heard Him preaching in the synagogue, as our text tells us, they were amazed. The 9th chapter of Acts contains the first account of Paul's conver- sion ; one of the most remarkable and important events in church history ; its far-reaching results are beyond computation. The apostle preached everywhere the salvation he had found himself ; and though we might arrive at some estimate as to the number of churches he established in his various missionary journeys, there is no estimating how many individual souls have been brought to a know- ledge of the truth through his instrumentality. It is a vast multitude which no man can number. His writings also went far to revolutionize opinion, life and religion in his own time ; and to-day they are ever increasing in their influence over the minds and hearts of men. This conversion was peculiar in its attendant cir- cumstances, which made a profound impression upon the apostle's mind ; inasmuch as they occa- sioned to him an intimate communion with Christ, and forever attached him to the Master's person and cause, through every vicissitude imagination can conceive. Paul several times refers to them in proof of his apostleship, and also to enforce the 3 34 LOVE TRUTHS FROM THE BIBLE. truth with all classes of men, Jews and Gentiles, unbelievers and Christians, enemies and friends. These circumstances were the sudden shining of a great light round about him on his. way to Damas- cus ; the audible voice of the Lord from Heaven,, remonstrating with him against his conduct ; the loss of sight, with its subsequent recovery by the laying on of the hands of Ananias ; and the gift of the Holy Ghost, received at the same time. This was doubtless that extraordinary communication of the spirit giving power to work miracles, possessed by the apostles and many others. Evidently supernatural, Paul's conversion was genuine and complete. He, who persecuted and wasted the Church of God, now became most active in its defence and extension. He, who pro- fited in the Jews' religion above his fellows, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of his fathers, now, when it pleased God to reveal his Son in him, delighted in the word of God, uncor- rupted by the views of men. He, who had stood by and had consented to the death of the first Christian martyr, now was ready to die in the same cause, to which Stephen had testified with his blood. He, who had done all things contrary to Jesus of Nazareth, now became His most devoted disciple ; willing to spend and be spent to advance the truth. You know the difference between an arctic and a tropical clime ; between the rough, unpolished mass of stone and the beautiful statue ; between the bab- ble of a child and the utterances of a Milton or Newton ; and certainly the difference is great ; yet not half so great, as between Saul of Tarsus who is LOVE TRUTHS FROM THE BIBLE. 35 an object of aversion, and St. Paul, whom we reverence and love. No wonder that they at Damascus were amazed. Let us now consider the progress of this transformation in its successive manifestations, which are set forth in the 9th of Acts — in a sequence, precisely answering to that of reason and experience. First then, there was humility. "And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus : and suddenly there shined round about him a light from Heaven: and he fell to the earth." His prostration was not chiefly because of the physical effect produced ; though that may have had some influence. The light directly from the throne and possessed of spiritual power, penetrated his very soul ; shone there as in a place long kept in darkness, and so revealed its deformity and repulsiveness, that he felt unworthy to stand in the divine presence. Im- mediately he realized, that his zeal had not been according to knowledge ; that while his motives to some extent, had been commendable, his conduct and spirit were to be condemned ; and that his previous life had been in direct antagonism to the divine will. Gamaliel, his distinguished teacher, had once warned the Jewish council, not to molest apostles of Christ, lest haply, as he % said, they should be found "fighting against God." This wise advice had been unheeded by Saul at the time ; but now doubtless it was re-called with the keenest pain of regret ; for the fact, that he him- self had been fighting against God, was terribly and distressingly evident. But now there he lay upon the ground, humble, helpless, self-condemned ; all his self-righteousness, 36 LOVE TRUTHS FROM THE BIBLE. self-sufficiency, intolerance and blood-thirstiness gone for ever ; but leaving scars and wounds upon His soul, which only balm from Heaven could heal. Accordingly, when he asked, who- art thou, Lord ? And the answer came, I am Jesus of Nazareth whom thou persecutest ; he could only answer, from out the depth of his humiliation, "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?" "I am Jesus of Nazareth whom thou persecutest." How kind and gentle the reproof of the Master ! yet, oh how effec- tive ! It was the touching complaint of unappre- ciated mercy. It was the sorrowful remonstrance of unselfish goodness. It was the resistless pro- test of injured innocence. It was the heart-cry of neglected love ; making Saul of Tarsus, not so much afraid of retribution, as ashamed of his hatred and ingratitude ; and to a man of his type, who had prided himself on his religious zeal, that was the surest way to bring him to submission. A bold, true nature can only be effectually reached by appeals to its nobler impulses, to its manhood, to its chivalry. It may not be driven ; it may, however, be won. Threats will only excite its opposition ; but love may bind it in chains, that can never be removed. God is fully acquainted with every^ impulse and sentiment of human nature, and is quick to improve the very best means of accomplishing His purposes, as in the case before us ; for Saul was immediately and thoroughly sub- dued. He always proved himself to be one of the most gifted ; yet he always remained one of the most humble disciples of Christ. He was always one of the most privileged in receiving divine reve- lations ; yet his determination was — to glory, not in LOVE TRUTHS FROM THE BIBLE. 37 these, but in his infirmities. From Jesus himself he had learned to be meek and lowly in heart. Next, there was prayer. "And the Lord said to unto him," (That is, unto Ananias,) " arise and go into the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus : for behold, he prayeth." The weight of his sin bears the misguided man to the earth ; but sorrow, taking the form of repentance, soon directs his thoughts heavenward. He thinks per- haps that he may not be forgiven ; that his crimes are too numerous and of too flagrant a character to be regarded with mercy : yet the consciousness of having wronged one, who has shown him only kindness and compassion, compels him to an ac- knowledgment of his faults. But of course it is also true, that hope, ever rising anew from her own ashes, likewise suggests prayer Speak, she whis- pers : "God is slow to anger and plenteous in mercy:" "A bruised reed will he not break ; " "a smoking flax he will not quench." It may be, he will hear. — Accordingly, as a disobedient child hastens to its mother, assured that no disobedience on its part can destroy that mother's love ; so this strong man, weak in the consciousness of guilt, hastens to his Heavenly Father, trusting to that love which nothing can change : the same yester- day, to-day, and forever. How comforting the truth, that however much steeped in iniquity, how- ever far down in the cesspool of sin His creatures may be ; if they will only lift the hand, only cry for help, G-od will heed and save. Behold, he prayeth. Is there not a mark of advancement here? We were hopeful, when the 38 LOVE TRUTHS FROM THE BIBLE. sinner was prostrate upon the ground : are we not much more encouraged, when told, that he prays ? He is not now subject to the heat and glare of the noon-day sun on the way to Damascus. He is under the refreshing shelter of a friendly home : therefore his brain is clear ; he has full opportunity for sober thought ; and as his first care on receiving the revelation of Christ, was the enormity of his sin ; so now his great concern is, may I be forgiven ? may I be freed from the " body of this death?" wretched man ! let thy tears fall ; let thy soul rise up; let thy petitions ascend; pray! pray! for every sin of thine weighs heavier upon the heart of God, than all nature's frame upon His hands : every aspiration of thine for purity and innocence is to Him a dearer treasure, than the brightest star that shines : every effort of thine for a higher life, is hailed by Him with more rejoicing, than the creation of new worlds ; and every prayer of thine for acceptance in Christ is to Him far sweeter music, than the richest harp in heaven. Next we contemplate Saul as connecting himself with the visible church. "And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales : and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was bap- tized." To a mind, well disciplined like that of Saul of Tarsus, organization and government were of the highest consideration. He was naturally compelled to regard division as weakness, union as strength. Besides this, from the nature of his edu- cation in Greek, Latin and Hebrew learning, he doubtless from his youth had entertained a respect for law. This opinion finds confirmation in the fact, that when about to enter upon the persecution LOVE TRUTHS FROM THE BIBLE. 39 of the Christians at Damascus, he went first to the High Priest to obtain letters giving him authority. After his conversion this constructive tendency of his disposition led him at once to identify himself with the people of Grod : therefore he was baptized. At that time baptism signified connection with the visible church ; and it would be so to-day, (in prac- tice as well as theory,) were it not for the neglect of parents, elders and pastors. If the church were more attentive to her baptized members, her extent would soon be more commensurate with the faithful- fulness of her doctrine to the teachings of scrip- ture. Humility had begotten prayer, and prayer had brought both the converting power of the Spirit immediately from God, and the miracle working power of the spirit mediately by the laying on of the hands of Ananias. Then after this when the scales had fallen from his eyes, when he also beheld the light of the other world which is Jesus Christ, he made a public profession of his faith in the act of baptism. He knew that the way to see Christ — was to see him, as exemplified in his true disciples ; that one of the highest proofs of his love for Christ would be a regard for those who love the Lord ; that the means of enjoying communion with Christ was by association with those who, when even two or three are gathered together, have the promise of the divine presence, that the appointed channel of receiving nourishment and strength from Christ was through his body, which is the church : and hence the promptness of his action . It was the lying down of the wolf with the lamb, of the leopard 40 LOVE TRUTHS FROM THE BIBLE. with the kid. It was the fierce enemy of the cross, taking position with its most devoted friends. It was the Samson of the world's wisdom giving up his strength, not in a Delilah's lap, but in the embrace of the heavenly bride, descending out of heaven from God, " having the glory of God : and the light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper-stone clear as crystal." Next we find Paul at work. " And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God." Of an ardent and resolute nature, possessed of quick sympathies and a clear judgment, Paul doubtless never held a half-way opinion on any question, he was never lukewarm in any cause. Whatever was his faith, Jewish or Christian, he embraced it with energy and zeal ; and therefore he was ready, not only to contend for its defence, but also to labor for the extension of its influence. Accordingly, as soon as he had fallen under the power of the spirit, had acknowledged his allegiance to Christ, and had been enrolled among the disciples ; the work of serving the Master by making known the truth to others immediately began. Rejoicing now himself in the liberty of the sons of God, he longed to bring freedom to others ; especially as he had for years endeavored to fasten upon others the sin-fetters of unbelief. The remembrance of his opposition to Christ and of his violent persecution of the Christians urged him to make the utmost en- deavors as far as possible to recompense for the evil he had done. He therefore entered upon his work, with all the enthusiasm of one, who had long been wandering in darkness but had suddenly come to the light ; of one, who had been committing a fear- LOYE TRUTHS FROM THE BIBLE. 41 ful wrong against God and man, but now had dis- covered his mistake, and was determined henceforth to live for no other cause than to establish the kingdom of Christ throughout the world. • There is a beautiful, little tract, called — The Star- less Crown. It tells of a maiden, who in a dream went to heaven and was given a crown ; but was much grieved, when she saw that the crowns of many others were begemmed with stars ; while hers had none, because she had brought no souls to Christ. For the sake of the cause Paul was willing to be considered the very off-scouring of the earth ; but he was ambitious of being a nobleman, a prince in heaven ; and knowing the great compensation to those, who labor in the Master's vineyard, he con- secrated all that he was and had, to the saving of souls. Whatever were his circumstances on earth, he was content ; but he aimed at nothing else than the highest honors in the future world ; and these he sought to attain, not by the frauds and shams of modern politicians. He endeavored to earn them by faithful service ; for, though it is true, that all the gifts of God are of grace ; it is also true, that even so small an act as the giving of a cup of cold water in a Christian spirit, will by no means lose its re- ward. " And the King shall answer and say unto them, verily, I say unto you, inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." Consider the advancement now reached by St. Paul. From the uncompromising foe, he has changed to the earnest advocate of the truth. He has not only deserted the ranks of the enemy ; he has enlisted for life in the army of the Lord : and never 3* 413 LOVE TRUTHS FROM THE BIBLE. in any warfare, never on any battle-field did soldier ever contend more faithfully, more gallantly, more successfully for victory, than did this grand old Christian warrior, in endeavoring to conquer the world for the King of kings. No land was too dis- tant ; no danger too threatening ; no difficulty too arduous ; no trial too severe ; wherever and when- ever there was an opportunity of preaching the gospel. As his own statement is, " in all things approving ourselves as the minsters of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in dis- tresses, in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in watchings, in fastings ; by pureness, by knowledge, by long-suffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned, by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righte- ousness on the right hand and on the left, by honor, and dishonor, by evil report and good report ; as deceivers, and yet true ; as unknown, and yet well known ; as dying, and behold we live ; as chastened, and not killed ; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing ; as poor, yet making many rich ; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things." He could therefore well exclaim at the close of his useful and eventful life; "I have fought a good fight ; I have finisbed my course ; I have kept the faith ; henceforth tbere is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day." We come now to what was most commendable, most praiseworthy in St. Paul's record ; namely, his suffering for Christ, finally culminating in his martyr's death at Rome. " And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill LOVE TRUTHS FROM THE BIBLE. 43 him." If religion were all happiness, the gate of course would not be strait, the way not narrow ; and instead of a few, there would be many in search of eternal life. Unfortunately to the discomfort of indolence and selfishness, but fortunately for the development of true character, the commandment is, " he that would come after me, let him deny him- self, and take up his cross daily, and follow me." Another declaration is, "all that will live godly in Christ Jesus, shall suffer persecution." Now the cause of this necessity is the presence of sin ; yet the enduring of trials by Christians should always be regarded as a gracious ordering of God for the perfecting of his children. Are not our souls whitened by the waters of affliction ? Are they not purified by the fires of suffering ? As some one has beautifully said,