III. Confessing Christ. "LORD, Thou wilt ordain peace for us for Thou also has wrought all our works in us."ISAIAH XXVI. 12. "FOR it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure.”—PHILIPPIANS ii. 13. WHITHER should my soul be flying, Lo! in Thee I put my trust. THIRD DAY. WHILE he is in the world the Chris tian finds that he has a work given him to do to which it becomes him to devote himself more and more daily. It was the chief design of his redemption, that in passing through this life he might show himself at all times to be a true servant of Jesus Christ. This is at once his highest and noblest aim who loves the Saviour. We are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." And then, to what end hath God "wrought all our works in us?" Surely it is this, that in all our works, begun, continued, and ended in Him, we should "confess Him" always before men. As it is in the natural world so it is in the spiritual, our eyes become open, in process of time, to that which, at first, Every fresh we had very little idea of. attainment in the Divine life opens up to us more glorious objects. In the child's tale, I often think there is a very significant truth conveyed to us. Two children are walking together through the pleasant woods and fields; one of them beholds wonders and beauties in everything, and the other can pass such wonders by without a single observation. No pleasure is derived from such beauties, because they are not seen. It is just so in the Christian's walk through life. The good and bounteous blessings of Providence may lie thick around his path, but, unobservant of their presence, the way becomes dreary and solitary, instead of producing in the soul a time of exultation and joy! No better antidote to such human misery can there be found, than in a fixed resolve, by the Holy Spirit's help, to confess Christ under all possible circumstances. In this respect new converts often put to shame their older and more experienced fellow-believers. It is related of a native Christian in India, that, when some one was inquiring as to the state of her mind, she replied, "Happy, happy! I have CHRIST here," laying her hand on the Bengalee Bible; "and CHRIST here," pressing it to her heart; "and CHRIST there," pointing towards heaven. So that within, and around her, she felt her Saviour near! Surely such a one could exclaim with the Psalmist, "Whom have I in heaven but Thee? and there is none upon the earth that I desire besides Thee." "God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever!" O GOD, my strength and fortitude, Of force I must love Thee; Thou art my castle and defence, IV. Following Christ. "I WILL remember the works of the LORD: surely I will remember Thy wonders of old. I will meditate also of all Thy work, and talk of Thy doings."-PSALM lxxvii. 11, 12. "WHOSOEVER will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow ME."-MARK viii. 34. AND we would daily, nightly draw The while across the changeful sea, |