f 
 
 iO i 
 
 BS 2551 .F3 1916 
 Faris, John Thomson, 1871- 
 The Christian according to 
 Paul 
 
THE CHRISTIAN ACCORDING TO PAUL 
 
EVERYDAY LIFE SERIES 
 
 John T. Paris: The Christian According to Paul 
 
 Cleland B. McAfee: Psalms of the Social Life 
 
 (In preparation) 
 
 Fhilip E. Howard: The Many-Sided David (In preparation) 
 Other volumes to be announced later 
 
EVERYDAY LIFE SERIES 
 
 The Christian According 
 to Paul 
 
 JOHN T. PARIS 
 
 Author of "The Book of Faith in God,'' ''The Book of God's 
 Providence," etc. 
 
 ( 
 
 >> ^ 
 
 NOV 17 m^ 
 
 
 New York: 124 East 28th Street 
 
 London: 47 Paternoster Row, E. C. 
 
 1916 
 
Copyright. 19 i6, by 
 
 The International Committee of 
 
 Young Men's Christian Associations 
 
 The Bible Text used in this volume is taken from the 
 American Standard Edition of the Revised Bible, copyright 
 1 90 1, by Thomas Nelson & Sons, and is used by permission. 
 
CONTENTS 
 
 CHAPTER PAGE 
 
 I. In the Dark i 
 
 II. Into the Light 12 
 
 III. Blilding on Solid Foundation 22 
 
 IV. Armed for Conquest 32 
 
 V. The Worthy .Walk 43 
 
 VI. Living by Faith 54 
 
 VII. The Christian Go-\l 63 
 
 VIII. One With Christ 73 
 
 IX. The Law of Love 83 
 
 X. The Secret of Happiness 93 
 
 XI. Things to Pray For 103 
 
 XII. Reasons for Thanksgiving 112 
 
 XIII. Life That Lasts Forever 121 
 
CHAPTER I 
 
 In the Dark 
 
 DAILY READINGS 
 First Week, First Day 
 
 Ye were at that time separate from Christ, alienated 
 from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from 
 the covenants of the promise, having no hope and without 
 God in the world. — Eph. 2:12. 
 
 Times have changed, but have the hearts of men changed? 
 How truly do the outstanding words and phrases of this 
 verse, in which Paul vividly described to the Ephesians their 
 state before they accepted Christ, picture the condition of 
 those today who do not know Christ? What does it mean 
 that they are apart from the company of those who live 
 in Christ's light? What is the result of the fact that their 
 manner of life has set them in opposition to the friends of 
 Christ? Is it a loss that they are strangers to his ways, his 
 thoughts, his promises? Have they hope of any real good? 
 What is the effect of being without God? How much real 
 satisfaction can there be in the life that does not know him? 
 
 What book in the Bible has most to say about hope? Who 
 inspires hope? How important a place does Paul give to 
 hope? (Consult a concordance.) 
 
 First Week, Second Day 
 
 For the invisible things of him since the creation of 
 the world are clearly seen, being perceived through the 
 things that are made, even his everlasting power and 
 divinity; that they may be without excuse: because that, 
 knowing God, they glorified him not as God, neither 
 gave thanks; but became vain in their reasonings, and 
 their senseless heart was darkened. Professing them- 
 
II-3] THE CHRISTIAN ACCORDING TO PAUL 
 
 selves to be wise, they became fools, and changed the 
 glory of the incorruptible God for the likeness of an 
 image of corruptible man, and of birds, and four-footed 
 beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God gave them 
 up in the lusts of their hearts unto uncleanness, that 
 their bodies should be dishonored among themselves. — 
 Rom. 1 : 20-24. 
 
 There are those who say they cannot know God. But has 
 anyone a valid excuse for remaining in ignorance of him? 
 Why do some profess to think it an evidence of superior 
 wisdom to deny the existence of God? Why is the denial 
 in reality the final folly? The people of whom Paul spoke 
 revealed their folly by the substitution of man-made idols 
 for the only true God. Read in Isa. 44: 14-17 a vivid pic- 
 ture of such childish substitution. How is like folly shown 
 today? What are some of the things people worship instead 
 of God? What will be the result of worshiping fame, money, 
 position, ease, society? There is good in all of these things. 
 But when do they cease to be good? What is the one way 
 of making the most of them? 
 
 Is there anything in my life to which I am giving the alle- 
 giance that belongs to God? 
 
 First Week, Third Day 
 
 .. And even as they refused to have God in their knowl- 
 edge, God gave them up unto a reprobate mind, to do 
 those things which are not fitting; being filled with all 
 unrighteousness, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; 
 full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 
 backbiters, hateful to God, insolent, haughty, boastful, 
 inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, without 
 understanding, covenant-breakers, without natural affec- 
 tion, unmerciful: who, knowing the ordinance of God, 
 that they that practise such things are worthy of death, 
 not only do the same, but also consent with them that 
 practise them. — Rom. i: 28-32. 
 
 There is such a thing as dwelling on the thought of past 
 sin in an unwholesome manner. When we confess our sins 
 to. God he puts them behind his back. Then why should we 
 call them up? Why not, rather, spend our strength in fac- 
 ing up continually to our lives, like men? Shall we, like the 
 
 2 
 
IN THE DARK [I-4] 
 
 man who weakly stays away from the dentist because he 
 fears to face the fact that his teeth need instant attention, 
 Wind ourselves to the havoc that sin is working today in our 
 Hves? Is anyone free from the necessity of facing the facts 
 of sin? Are not many of the sins in that overwhelming list 
 Paul gave in the verses quoted above continually present, 
 even in the lives of many Christians? How do Matt. 5: 28 
 and I John 3: 15 help us to answer this question? Until 
 we understand our own weakness and our unused oppor- 
 tunities, there will be no impulse to seek the Power who can 
 bring us to mean something to the world. 
 
 First Week, Fourth Day 
 
 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are 
 these: fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, 
 sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousies, wraths, factions, divi- 
 sions, parties, envyings, drunkenness, revellings, and such 
 like; of which I forewarn you, even as I did forewarn 
 you, that they who practise such things shall not inherit 
 the kingdom of God. — Gal. 5: 19-21. 
 
 Know ye not that ye are a temple of God, and that the 
 Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man destroyeth 
 the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple 
 of God is holy, and such are ye. — i Cor. 3: 16, 17. 
 
 "My body is my own!" the objection is sometimes heard 
 from one who has been urged to give up a bad habit that 
 threatens the well-being of the body. How true is the 
 statement? If we are not our own, whose are we? What 
 right did creation give to God, the Creator? In whose 
 image are we created? If God's Spirit dwells in us, how 
 should we keep God's temple, the body? What did Jesus 
 do when he saw the temple at Jerusalem defiled by unworthy 
 deeds? What does cleansing the temple of the body involve? 
 What would be your reply to an acquaintance who says he 
 will commit some sin "just this once," or who offers the 
 specious argument, "I have given up so many bad habits, 
 surely God will not be hard on me if I cling to this one a 
 little longer"? Can you point to a passage in the Bible 
 that justifies such playing with sin? 
 
 How does the last chapter in the Bible describe those who 
 shall be shut out of the City of Godf 
 
 3 
 
[1-5] THE CHRISTIAN ACCORDING TO PAUL 
 
 First Week, Fifth Day 
 
 For all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God. — 
 Rom. 3: 23. 
 As it is written. 
 
 There is none righteous, no, not one; 
 
 There is none that understandeth, 
 
 There is none that seeketh after God; 
 
 They have all turned aside, they are together 
 
 become unprofitable; 
 There is none that doeth good, no, not so much 
 
 as one: 
 Their throat is an open sepulchre; 
 With their tongues they have used deceit: 
 The poison of asps is under their lips: 
 Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: 
 Their feet are sv^ift to shed blood; 
 Destruction and misery are in their ways; 
 And the way of peace have they not known: 
 There is no fear of God before their eyes. 
 
 — Rom. 3: 10-18. 
 
 "You forgot one thing, didn't you?" a father asked his 
 little daughter as she was making her evening prayer. He 
 referred to the omitted petition, "Make me a good girl.'* 
 "I didn't need to pray that tonight father," she said ; "I 
 have been such a good girl today." We smile at the child; 
 but do we take ourselves to task when we are as childish? 
 Are we ever tempted to think that we are not such miser- 
 able sinners, after all? If we are downright honest with 
 ourselves, how easy will it be to sum up the sins of which 
 we are guilty in the course of a single month? A single 
 week? A single day? Then what becomes of the com- 
 placent thought that we really deserve some consideration 
 at God's hands? What does God say about it? Then can 
 we afford to trifle with sin? We must confess not only 
 some sins, but all sins. "Lift them away!" the Psalmist 
 cried when he thought of his sins, using the picturesque 
 phrase that reminds us of Bunyan's portrayal of the Chris- 
 tian pilgrim struggling to the foot of the cross with his 
 burden of sins. "Lift them away!" will be our cry if we feel 
 the burden of sin as God wants us to feel it. 
 
 What reply does Matthew say Jesus made to the man 
 who called him Good Master? 
 
IN THE DARK [1-6] 
 
 First Week, Sixth Day 
 
 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, 
 sold under sin. For that which I do I know not: for not 
 what I would, that do I practise; but what I hate, that 
 I do. But if what I would not, that I do, I consent unto 
 the law that it is good. So now it is no more I that do 
 it, but sin which dwelleth in me. For I know that in me, 
 that is, in my flesh, dwelleth no good thing: for to will 
 is present with me, but to do that which is good is not. 
 For the good which I would I do not: but the evil which 
 I would not, that I practise. But if what I would not, 
 that I do, it is no more I that do it, but sin which 
 dwelleth in me. — Rom. 7: 14-20. 
 
 A boy of seven stood before a grocery store, attracted by 
 a barrel of luscious apples. He looked longingly on the 
 fruit. Twice his hand was reached out as if to take an apple, 
 but twice it was withdrawn. Then, slowly, jerkily, the hand 
 was stretched toward the barrel once more. Finally the 
 fingers clutched the fruit and the apple was lifted in air. 
 Then, for a long moment, the hand remained suspended. 
 How he did want that apple! Yet he knew he ought not 
 to take it. At length the hand moved toward the barrel — 
 the feeling of "ought not" was getting the upper hand. Then 
 the downward progress was arrested, and slowly, so slowly, 
 the apple approached the boy's pocket. It was almost there 
 when the observer breathed a sigh of relief, for, with a 
 decided movement, the young hero thrust the temptation 
 from him, dropped the apple in the barrel, then took to his 
 heels and ran from the spot as one might run from the 
 plague. 
 
 A hunter has told of finding a moose weakened by hunger, 
 fastened by his horns to the dead body of another moose, 
 which evidently had been killed as the two fought. The 
 live moose could not release himself from the dead body; 
 always it held him down and forced him slowly but surely 
 to his doom. "Who shall deliver me from this body of 
 death?" Is there any answer? 
 
 First Week, Seventh Day 
 For the wages of sin is death. — Rom. 6: 23. 
 
[I-c] THE CHRISTIAN ACCORDING TO PAUL 
 
 "Old man, will you let me tell you something?" a college 
 Junior said to a friend, as he put his arm over the man's 
 shoulder. "I know you have been wondering why you are 
 being gradually shelved by the fellows. The fact is, you 
 have been so wrapped up in yourself that you seem to think 
 of no one else. As one of the men said yesterday, you give 
 the impression that you are always thinking how you can 
 turn the misfortunes of others to your own advantage, 
 instead of hunting for ways to lighten the burden of the 
 other fellow." At first the man who listened was tempted to 
 resent the plain speaking, but thought convinced him that the 
 words were true. Warned in time, he called himself to 
 account and changed his manner of life. Once more he 
 won his old place among his fellows. How far is the expe- 
 rience of this student a picture of the sure result of sin? 
 How does self-indulgence separate a man from God, who 
 gives life? Does that separation come all at once, or is it 
 the result of a process? What is the inevitable result of the 
 separation? 
 
 What vivid picture is given in Luke, Chapter i6, of the 
 reward of the man who persists in living in sinf 
 
 COMMENT FOR THE WEEK 
 
 Did Paul exaggerate? Was there ever a time when the 
 heart of man was as black as it is painted in the passage 
 studied this week? Those who are familiar with condi- 
 tions on the foreign mission field can testify that Paul did 
 not exaggerate, while the best men and women who live in 
 lands where Christian influences are pervasive realize that 
 it is impossible to measure the capacity for evil of their 
 own hearts, which without the restraint of Jesus Christ 
 might have plunged them into the state so pitilessly described 
 by the apostle. 
 
 Jacob Chamberlain, long a missionary in India, tells in 
 The Kingdom in India, of a visit to a city in the land where 
 the name of Jesus had never been heard. "As an introduc- 
 tion," he says, "when we had assembled an audience in the 
 street, I asked my native assistant to read the first chapter 
 of Romans, that chapter which those who call themselves 
 liberal-minded tell us is too black to be true; that chapter 
 that describes the heart of man wandering away from God, 
 
 6 
 
IN THE DARK [I-c] 
 
 and then "wandering away further, until at last, 'though 
 they know the judgments of God that they which do such 
 things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have 
 pleasure in them that do them' ; the depth of which many 
 tell us is a libel on human nature. That chapter was read. 
 The most intelligent man in the audience, a Brahmin, stepped 
 forward and said to me, 'Sir, that chapter must have been 
 written for us Hindus. It describes tis exactly.' The photo- 
 graph was recognized. It had been taken centuries before 
 and among a Jewish people ; but the artist was divine, and 
 the heart that was photographed was not that of a Jew, but 
 of a man." 
 
 A second experience was equally startling. "I v/as reading 
 from the seventh chapter of Romans that declaration of 
 Paul of the power of sin over us, which says, 'When I would 
 do good, evil is present with me, and the good which I 
 would I do not, but the evil which I would not that I do.' 
 As I read it. the most intelligent man in the audience spoke 
 up, saying. 'That is it! That is exactly what is the matter 
 with us Hindus.' " 
 
 Like testimony to the universality of the feeling came from 
 a girl in America, who had been trained in a Christian home. 
 She had brought her Bible to her father for the usual Sun- 
 day morning chapter. "Let us read the verses I have just 
 been studying," he said. So together they read Rom. 7 : 
 14-20. As she finished the last verse the little girl's voice 
 broke, and she ran away. The father sought her. "What is 
 it, my little girl?" he asked, anxiously. "Oh, father!" came 
 the answer, "I know I'm bad, but when you want to scold 
 me won't j^ou please come right out and say so?" Explain- 
 ing that he had not thought of scolding her, he told her how 
 he had come to choose the chapter. "I was thinking how it 
 expressed my feelings," he said, "and now you think it 
 expresses your feelings." 
 
 All can sympathize with the child, for all know the rack- 
 ing torment of the never-ending contest between what one 
 ought to do and what one wants to do. regardless of the 
 rights of others, the best interests of self, or the things one 
 knows God wants. And to most people one of the madden- 
 ing features of this contest of ought and ought not is that 
 the things they are tempted to do are not what are gener- 
 ally looked on as the great sins that make one lift up the 
 
 7 
 
[I-c] THE CHRISTIAN ACCORDING TO PAUL 
 
 hands in horror, but so-called little sins, which so often are 
 dismissed with a contemptuous shrug and a Hght "Everybody 
 does them !" Thus the student may struggle between con- 
 scientious work and superficial preparation ; the business 
 man may hesitate between a fair and an underhand method 
 in competing with a rival ; the professional man may long 
 to use for his own advantage confidential information that 
 has come to him from a trusting client. 
 
 But is there such a thing as a trifling sin? Is the contest 
 between right and wrong ever without supreme importance? 
 Each time ought beats ought not, the fighter is stronger for 
 the next conflict. But what is the inevitable result of defeat? 
 What will happen to the temple of God, "which temple ye 
 are," if defeat is repeated until it becomes utter rout! 
 
 Is it worth while to fight temptation? Shall we join the 
 ranks of those jelly-fish folks who say they wish God had 
 made them in such a way that they would always do the right 
 thing, no matter what happens? 
 
 When God made man he planned that the heart of man 
 should be a temple for him. When it left his hands that 
 temple was clean and pure, a fit habitation for God. 
 
 Fit and good at the beginning, the temple might have 
 remained so, if God had retained the keys to the edifice, 
 giving man no voice in the direction of his life. But it was 
 God's plan that man should be in his likeness in everything, 
 and without the power to choose and act for himself an 
 essential part of God's likeness would be entirely lacking. 
 
 So he gave to man the direction of his own life, handed 
 over to him the keys of the temple, pleading with him to keep 
 himself pure and undefiled. Man thus became a moral 
 creature. 
 
 But man opened the doors of the temple entrusted to his 
 keeping and permitted the entrance of defiling, degrading 
 influences. The hosts of sin were welcomed. The corridors 
 of the temple became stained with dirt. The beautiful 
 columns were scratched and broken. The carved cornices 
 and stately pediments, robbed of their supports, fell a mass 
 of ruins. Rubbish accumulated among the heaps of broken 
 stones. Ivy fastened in the crevices made by decay. And 
 at last the stately temple erected by God himself for his 
 dwelling place afforded no shelter for him. The work which 
 God had pronounced very good had been made insupportably 
 
 8 
 
IN THE DARK [I-c] 
 
 bad by man's own acts, through the abuse of God's con- 
 fidence in him, Man had proven himself unworthy of God's 
 presence within him, and yet God did not leave him to him- 
 self. Somehow he had always kept a place, though man had 
 done all he could to crowd him out. But the Master Builder 
 had remained. Surely he would have been justified in say- 
 ing, "I entrusted to you the care of my temple. You have 
 let it go to wreck and ruin, until now it is unfit for me to 
 enter. I will therefore leave you to the dirt and filth and 
 pollution which you have chosen instead of me." 
 
 Vet God is not like man, to turn away from the wrongdoer 
 because of one or two or even a thousand failures. He does 
 not take from us the keys of the temple we have made unholy. 
 He desires to see the pollution removed. 
 
 It is as though a cyclone had passed over a beautiful city, 
 and laid it waste. The citizens stand appalled as they realize 
 the greatness of this calamity, and the first feeling is one 
 of hopelessness. How can they restore their homes? It is 
 as though war had ravaged a prosperous land, destroying 
 factories and railroads, making of gardens a wilderness and 
 of fertile farms a desert. What can be done when destruc- 
 tion is so complete? Our hearts, the temples of God, are 
 defiled and ruined by our sin, as cyclone never destroyed a 
 city, as the most disastrous war never laid waste a country. 
 
 There are not lacking those who say there is no need to 
 bother. "Human nature is always the same !" they say. Or, 
 "That fine scheme is all right in theory; but you can't 
 change human beings, they always act that way." 
 
 Yet God tells us the defilement must be cleansed, the ruins 
 must be restored. "Wash you, make you clean, put away 
 the evil of your doings from before mine eyes ; cease to do 
 evil; learn to do well" (Isa. i: i6, 17). How shall the work 
 be done? Too often we try to do it ourselves, because of 
 the pride that leads a man to say, "I have brought this diffi- 
 culty on myself, and I must get myself out of it as best I can 
 without asking help from anybody." As a result of our 
 attempts at restoration, the ruins of God's temple are sur- 
 rounded by unlovely constructions of man's devising. The 
 work is a stupendous failure, a failure that makes the temple 
 cry aloud for the Builder. 
 
 What supreme folly to attempt to purify one's own heart 
 and build up in magnificence that temple from which God 
 
[I-c] THE CHRISTIAN ACCORDING TO PAUL 
 
 has been driven. That is what the man does who says he 
 will not accept Jesus Christ until he is fit to come to Christ ; 
 who will not join the Church until he is able to live worthily 
 of the gospel of Christ ; who will build the temple, and then 
 God may have his dwelling place for himself. 
 
 Better might one go out in the forest and the fields in the 
 dead of winter, when frost has bound the earth in an iron 
 clasp, when trees are leafless and fields are bare, when all 
 looks lifeless and snow like a pall covers everything, and 
 take upon himself the task of driving the frost from its 
 hold on the soil, of clothing the trees with leaves and the 
 fields with verdure, than to stand in the presence of God 
 and promise him to present to him a heart made fit by man 
 for his dwelling place. 
 
 It is man's duty to see that this work of renovation is done, 
 but he cannot do it himself. Sven Hedin, on returning from 
 an expedition to the heart of Asia, told of finding a sacred 
 mountain about which pilgrims were walking many times 
 in a vain attempt to get rid of their sins. "If I wash myself 
 with snow water," said Job, "and make my hands never so 
 clean; yet wilt thou plunge me in the ditch, and mine own 
 clothes shall abhor me" (Job 9: 30, 31). "For though thou 
 wash thee with lye, and take thee much soap, yet thine 
 iniquity is marked before me, saith the Lord Jehovah" (Jer. 
 2: 22). 
 
 Death is the portion of everyone who is separated from 
 God's light, alienated from his love, a stranger to his 
 promises. For sin is separation from God, and the wages of 
 sin is death; and persistent sin steadily widens the chasm 
 between man and God. Man by his own acts drives himself 
 away from God, but he discovers to his sorrow that he can- 
 not simply by his own act return. The drunkard who has 
 sunk into the depths of evil as well as the ordinary man who 
 by long neglect has lost his sense of spiritual realities cries 
 despairingly, "I wish I were back where I was 1" 
 
 O God, may we hate sin wherever we see it, whether in 
 ourselves or in other people, but may we be charitable in 
 judging the sins of others and hard as adamant in judging 
 our own. We thank thee that we can take our sins to the 
 cross and not only lose them there but gain strength so 
 that we may not commit the same sins again. Make us like 
 
 10 
 
IN THE DARK [I-s] 
 
 tkcc in our readiness to forgive completely those zc'ho wrong 
 us. Let there be no treasured grudge in the secret place 
 of our hearts, but may love conquer enmities and unite us 
 all to him who loved us and gave himself for us. Amen. 
 
 SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER THOUGHT 
 AND STUDY 
 
 Study these passages which show how God feels about sin : 
 
 Gen. 6: 3-7; 18: 20; Ex. 34: 7; Lev. 26: 14-21; Deut. 
 25: 16; n Sam. 11: 27; Psalms 5:4; Prov. 15: 8, 9; Hab. 
 1 : 13; Luke 16: 15. 
 
 Study these passages which tell of the consequences of 
 sin: 
 
 Gen. 4: 13; Deut. 28; 65-67; Psalms 31: 10; Psalm 38; 
 Isaiah 6: 5. Find other similar passages. 
 
 Find in Acts, chapters 9 and 16, the stories of two men 
 who confessed their sin. How earnest were they? What 
 other Biblical instances do you recall? 
 
 Trace the steps in the downward path taken by Saul, the 
 first king of Israel. 
 
 II 
 
CHAPTER II 
 
 Into the Light 
 
 DAILY READINGS 
 
 Second Week, First Day 
 
 For while we were yet weak, in due season Christ died 
 for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will 
 one die: for peradventure for the good man some one 
 would even dare to die. But God commendeth his own love 
 toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died 
 for us. — Rom. 5: 6-8. 
 
 Why was Paul lost in wonder as he thought of the death 
 of Christ? Why does it seem unbelievable that Christ should 
 die for men? For whom did Christ die? Did he die under 
 protest, making an unwilling gift of himself? Christ gladly 
 gave his life, not for the lovable man, hut for him who is 
 unlovely; not for the just man, but for the unjust; not for 
 those who are on good terms with God, hut for those who 
 have turned their hack on God. Why? Why have Chris- 
 tians sung during nineteen hundred years of the "love beyond 
 degree" that gave Jesus to die? 
 
 Find in John, chapter 10, Jesus' own statement of his rea- 
 son for his death. 
 
 Second Week, Second Day 
 
 But now in Christ Jesus ye that once were far off are 
 made nigh in the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, 
 who made both one, and brake down the middle wall of 
 partition. — Eph. 2: 13, 14. 
 
 And you, being in time past alienated and enemies in 
 your mind in your evil works, yet now hath he reconciled 
 in the body of his flesh through death, to present you 
 holy and without blemish and unreprovable before him. 
 — Col. i: 21, 22. 
 
 12 
 
INTO THE LIGHT [II-3] 
 
 In the Jewish temple the Gentiles were allowed to go only 
 to an outer court called the Court of the Gentiles. A low 
 wall separated this court from the other parts of the temple ; 
 on the pillars of this wall was a warning which told that 
 death would be the lot of any Gentile passing beyond the 
 wall. Excavations at Jerusalem have disclosed one of the 
 pillars with this inscription of warning. How is this Gentile 
 wall a parable of the barriers we have built between ourselves 
 and God? What was Paul's meaning when he wrote to the 
 Ephesians that Christ has broken down for all men this 
 middle wall of partition? What part has the set will of a 
 stubborn man in keeping this wall intact? What may be the 
 result for us of the breaking down of the wall? To what 
 privileges are we entitled who cross the broken wall to the 
 presence of Christ? How many privileges can we have if 
 we do not let Christ lead us across the wall? What would 
 you reply to the man who says it is too hard to understand 
 how to cross the barrier? Read Christ's answer to such a 
 questioner (John 3: 5-13) • 
 
 Find in John, chapters 3 and 4, Jesus' o-jun statemeyit as to 
 what is required of those who would come to him. 
 
 Second Week, Third Day 
 
 Because if thou shalt confess with thy mouth Jesus as 
 Lord, and shalt believe in thy heart that God raised him 
 from the dead, thou shalt be saved: for with the heart 
 man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth 
 confession is made unto salvation. — Rom. 10: 9, 10. 
 
 Why does Paul insist that confession of Christ is as essen- 
 tial as belief in Christ? The temptation comes to all at some 
 time to conceal their allegiance, to Christ, as it came to a 
 Chinese convert in Boxer days who had been instrumental 
 in saving many of his comrades before he was apprehended 
 by his enemies. They inquired if he were a Christian. He 
 asked himself if it would not be as well to deny the charge; 
 but his hesitation was only momentary. "I am a Christian !" 
 he declared, firmly, and immediately he began to talk for 
 Jesus. They cut out his tongue, but he still mumbled of Jesus 
 and prayed for his murderers. Perhaps no such test as that 
 will come to us. But what is the best way to be ready for 
 
 13 
 
[II-4] THE CHRISTIAN ACCORDING TO PAUL 
 
 the test? How many of us live like the clerk of whom a co- 
 worker said, "I have been by his side for a year, and I never 
 knew till now that he was a Christian"? Are we ashamed 
 of the gospel? Why? Is it because we are giving to the 
 world such a poor exhibition of the gospel? Read Paul's 
 triumphant declaration (Rom, i: i6). 
 
 Second Week, Fourth Day- 
 There is therefore now no condemnation to them that 
 are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in 
 Christ Jesus made me free from the law of sin and of 
 death. For what the law could not do, in that it was 
 weak through the flesh, God, sending his own Son in the 
 likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, condemned sin in the 
 flesh: that the ordinance of the law might be fulfilled in us, 
 who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. — Rom. 
 8: 1-4. 
 
 What are we to think of one who says, "I couldn't help 
 doing it, though I knew it was wrong"? Who was master, 
 and who was slave? But does God intend that we shall be 
 slaves? Do we want to get the upper hand of our habits? 
 How are we to go about it? Why can Jesus help a fellow 
 to do the right thing? A lad whose mother asked him what 
 Jesus would think of a bit of bad conduct of which he had 
 been guilty, said to her, with yearning earnestness, "Does 
 Jesus know how hard it is for boys?" Read the answer in 
 Hebrews 2: 18. What would be the sensible thing to do 
 next time you feel you simply must do something you know 
 you have no business to do? Then why ask Jesus for help 
 only once in a while? Why not have him for a permanent 
 Helper? That is what it means to be "in Christ Jesus." 
 When a man is in Christ Jesus, he is free. He is free from 
 the throttling grip of sin. Does that mean there will be no 
 more sin in his life? Just what does it mean? And what 
 will be the result as to his past sins? What does it mean to 
 be free from condemnation? Answer the question asked in 
 Romans 8 : 34. 
 
 Second Week, Fifth Day 
 
 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are 
 sons of God. For ye received not the spirit of bondage 
 
 14 
 
INTO THE LIGHT [II-6] 
 
 again unto fear; but ye received the spirit of adoption, 
 whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit himself bear- 
 eth witness with our spirit, that we are children of God: 
 and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs 
 with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we 
 may be also glorified with him. — Rom. 8: 14-17. 
 
 It is said that in Japan an ambitious young man, if he 
 desires, can adopt some great man as his father, and that it 
 is the custom for the person thus chosen to care for the 
 young man, at least till he comes to the age of self-support. 
 In 1896 a student in Japan, hearing of a celebrated American, 
 decided on a daring action. "I have chosen you to be my 
 father," he wrote, in effect, "and will sail at once for the 
 United States." Not many weeks later the American was 
 surprised by a call from the foreigner, who announced simply, 
 "I have come," He was made welcome, and for five years 
 he was one of the family. He was given the same educa- 
 tion as his chosen father's own son. What likenesses and 
 contrasts do you discover in this incident to our adoption 
 as God's sons? 
 
 Which of the parables in Luke, chapter 15, is the best 
 commentary on the day's reading? 
 
 Second Week, Sixth Day 
 
 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that 
 ye should obey the lusts thereof: neither present your 
 members unto sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but 
 present yourselves unto God, as alive from the dead, 
 and your members as instruments of righteousness unto 
 God. For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye 
 are not under law, but under grace. — Rom. 6: 12-14. 
 
 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit 
 against the flesh; for these are contrary the one to the 
 other. — Gal. 5: 17. 
 
 F. B. Meyer writes : "\Vhen I was a boy my favorite 
 diversion was a diving-bell, which had seats around the 
 rim, and which at a given time was filled with people and 
 lowered into a tank. We used to go down deeper, deeper, 
 into the water, but not a drop came into the diving-bell, 
 though it had no bottom and the water was quite within 
 reach, because the bell was so full of air that, though the 
 
 15 
 
[11-;] THE CHRISTIAN ACCORDING TO PAUL 
 
 water lusted against the air, the air lusted against the water, 
 because the air was being pumped in all the time and the 
 water could not do what otherwise it would do." 
 
 Second Week, Seventh Day 
 
 "But thanks be to God, that though you were once in 
 thraldom to Sin, you have now yielded a hearty obedience 
 to that system of truth in which you have been instructed. 
 You were set free from the tyranny of Sin, and became the 
 bond servants of Righteousness — your human infirmity leads 
 me to employ these familiar figures — and just as you once 
 surrendered your faculties into bondage to Impurity and 
 ever-increasing disregard of Law, so you must now sur- 
 render them unto bondage to Righteousness ever advancing 
 towards perfect holiness. For when you were the bond- 
 servants of Sin, you were under no sort of subjection to 
 Righteousness. At that time, then, what benefit did you get 
 from conduct which you now regard with shame? Why, 
 such things finally result in death. But now that you have 
 been set free from the tyranny of Sin, and have become the 
 bondservants of God, you have your reward in being made 
 holy and you have the Life of the ages as the final result. 
 For the wages paid by Sin are death; but God's free gift is 
 the Life of the Ages bestowed upon us in Christ Jesus our 
 Lord."— Rom. 6: 17-23 (Weymouth). 
 
 What is your opinion of the man who is content to think 
 of a salvation that involves nothing more than forgiveness 
 of sins and freedom from the fear of punishment? What 
 more should he want? Which shall we prefer, to be free 
 from sin, or to be free from righteousness? Is there any 
 middle ground? Was the man who became a slave in the 
 West Indies in order that he might preach the gospel to other 
 slaves really a free man? Why? 
 
 COMMENT FOR THE WEEK 
 
 "The wages of sin is death." This is only half of the 
 picture God presents to us — the darker half.. "But the gift 
 of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." That 
 is the other half — the brighter half. 
 
 16 
 
INTO THE LIGHT [II-cI 
 
 In the year 1854, Murata, a noble of Japan, stationed in 
 the harbor of Nagasaki, found a book, printed in an unknown 
 tongue, floating on the water. He learned that it was an 
 English Bible. Quietly but persistently he began to learn 
 the contents. In 1866 he sought Guido Verbeck, the mis- 
 sionary, and asked for baptism. In the course of conver- 
 sation with the missionary, he said : "Sir, I cannot tell you 
 my feelings when for the first time I read the account of 
 the character and work of Jesus Christ. I had never seen 
 or heard or imagined such a person. I was filled with 
 admiration, overwhelmed with emotion, and taken captive 
 by the record of his nature and life." 
 
 But wonderful as was the life of Jesus on earth, that life 
 could not save men from sin. We are saved by his death. 
 
 The words are few and the sentences are brief that tell 
 the story of the cross. Yet every word has a volume behind 
 it ; each sentence compels the attention. Artists have painted 
 pictures, inspired by these words. Authors have written 
 whole libraries dwelling upon them. Christians have thought 
 upon them and have fallen on their knees, crying out, "My 
 Lord and my God !" And the end is not yet. For still 
 authors write, artists paint, Christians worship as they read. 
 Is it any wonder .-^ They are reading and thinking of the 
 central event of history. 
 
 They led Jesus to Golgotha. And he went, though he 
 knew it was to his death ; he went because he knew it was 
 to his death — for this he had come into the world. He sub- 
 mitted to gibes and taunts and sneers, he bore buffetings and 
 scourgings, and in all he manifested the same quiet dignity 
 that had astonished those who looked on as he was on 
 trial for his life. "He was oppressed, yet when he was 
 afflicted he opened not his mouth ; as a lamb that is led to 
 the slaughter, and as a sheep that before its shearers is dumb, 
 so he opened not his mouth." 
 
 What if the multitude could have read what was passing 
 in the heart and brain of him who was led at their will? 
 Thoughts, not of hate but of love; not of vengeance but of 
 forgiveness ; thoughts called forth by the knowledge that this 
 was the hour for which he had planned, for which he had 
 received strength in the Garden, in which he was to win 
 salvation for men. 
 
 Thus, bearing his cross, stumbling, falling, cursed, and 
 
 17 
 
ni-c] THE CHRISTIAN ACCORDING TO PAUL 
 
 beaten, he was led to Calvary. On that hill he was indeed 
 numbered with the transgressors, for he v/as crucified between 
 two thieves, "on either side one, and Jesus in the midst." 
 There the writing was placed above him, "This is Jesus the 
 King of the Jews." There the soldiers parted his garments 
 among them, and gave him vinegar to drink; there the spear 
 was thrust in his side. There Christ died, and man was 
 redeemed. 
 
 But Jesus did not die until he had uttered the words of 
 pardon to the repentant thief, who thus became the first 
 fruits of Calvar}^; and not until he had foreshadowed his 
 occupation for all the subsequent ages of the world's history 
 by crying out in the face of his tormentors, in the midst of 
 the agony they had inflicted, "Father, forgive them; for they 
 know not what they do." So he died, and so we were 
 redeemed; so the cross, the symbol of shame, became the 
 most precious symbol in the world, the symbol of God's for- 
 giving love. 
 
 And this is the measure of Christ's love. Think that he 
 might have ended his life on earth with the acclaim of 
 angels, under the light of a blazing sky, while men, hearing 
 the voice of the Father saying, "This Is my beloved Son," 
 fell on their faces for fear. Then think how he did go — no 
 glory Hght, but darkness; no welcoming chorus of angels, 
 but pain and wounds and a broken heart; no sudden con- 
 quest of his enemies, but taunts and mockery from those 
 who opposed him. For, as it was expedient for us that he 
 go away, it was expedient that he go as he did : a thorn 
 crown on his brow, a spear thrust in his side, his hands 
 fast to the cross — those hands on which were written in the 
 blood- of Calvary the names of those for whom he died. 
 
 He died for us. For us he was silent before Pilate. For 
 us he permitted himself to be delivered to the mob. Thoughts 
 of us sustained him in those hours of anguish on the cross, 
 and thoughts of us and longings for us fill his heart today 
 while he pleads with every one. "My son, give me thy heart." 
 And those who refused to heed his request are joining the 
 ranks of his enemies. 
 
 In 1891 the editor of a Bohemian freethinkers' journal 
 sat down to write the leader for the Christmas issue. Very 
 naturally he began to speak of the approaching holiday. But 
 he could not write the blasphemous words to which he had 
 
 18 
 
INTO THE LIGHT [II-c] 
 
 been accustomed. "I wrote of his birth in poverty, and of 
 his hfe of suffering," he said afterward. "I spoke of his 
 terrible death. But the central point of the article was the 
 argument that those who are blaspheming Christ now are 
 of the same character as those who crucified him — the most 
 miserable creatures of earth." Then, turning to a copy of 
 the paper in which the article was published, he translated 
 these sentences : "I am a freethinker, man of no dogma, 
 relying upon reason and heart only. But from the depth 
 of this heart I bow before the Saviour of men and with all 
 the power of my reason I tremble in wonder, and am 
 amazed before the life of Christ. The mob which cruci- 
 fied Christ is, to an extent, excusable ; they did not know 
 what they were doing; they were in the hands of their 
 deceivers. But whose instruments are our freethinkers, who 
 despise the memory of the Saviour, and curse him? . . . 
 Hundreds of our countrymen are infidels. I cannot char- 
 acterize their infidelity, except as I say it is a base insult 
 toward everything that is sacred to other people. Such 
 insult is blasphemy." The pubhcation of the article caused 
 a storm among the Bohemians; it led to the suspension of 
 the paper; it was ultimately responsible for the editor's 
 expulsion from the National Sokol, the Bohemian Free- 
 thinkers' society; it alienated his wife and family. But it 
 was the first step in the new life of the writer. 
 
 And every man who will may have, through Christ, life 
 that lasts, life that is free. 
 
 Some years ago a railway company announced as a Thanks- 
 giving gift to its employes, a clean record for all; every 
 demerit mark was to be removed from the books and all 
 would be permitted to start afresh. Now if, coupled with 
 the announcement of the proposed gift, the statement had 
 been made that every man who made personal application 
 at the office should receive a clean record, this would have 
 been much like God's arrangement for us : personal applica- 
 tion is necessary before God can accomplish his purpose of 
 forgiving our sins. We have nothing to do but to look to 
 Christ and tell him that we desire his life, and it will be 
 given to us. There is no deception, no delusion ; there can 
 be none. Every word of Christ's promises will be ful- 
 filled to the letter. Would he have died, only to deceive us? 
 Would he have lived those years on earth, borne up by the 
 
 19 
 
[II-c] THE CHRISTIAN ACCORDING TO PAUL 
 
 thought of the loving gift he was securing for us, and then 
 refuse to give it to us? Life for us was his reward; and 
 he will see that the life becomes ours. God has promised 
 it. His word is passed. And God has said, "Heaven and 
 earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away." 
 
 Is there any way to obtain eternal life but by accepting 
 the gift? Will right living do it? Can we live right without 
 Christ's help? Will almsgiving do It? Will self-sacrifice 
 do it? 
 
 Every one of the many schemes for restoring men is 
 doomed to failure hut the scheme that Paul made known to 
 the jailor at Philip pi: "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and 
 thou shalt be saved." 
 
 The imagination of Hawthorne conceived an immense 
 bonfire, built som.ewhere far out on the broad plains of the 
 West. To this fire flocked men from all over the globe, 
 bringing all the sin and error they could find, until every- 
 thing evil seemed to be burned out of the world. And as 
 the last bit of the load of sin vanished In smoke, a demon in 
 human form turned to his companion and said, "This Is no 
 world for us any longer. We must hang ourselves." "Pooh !" 
 was the answer, "there Is one thing that these wiseacres have 
 forgotten to throw into the fire, and without that all the rest 
 of the conflagration is just nothing at all! Yes, though they 
 had burned the earth to a cinder. They have forgotten the 
 human heart, and unless they hit upon some method of purify- 
 ing that foul cavern, forth from It will reissue all the shapes 
 of wrong and misery, the same old shapes and worse ones, 
 which they have taken such a vast deal of trouble to con- 
 sume to ashes. I have stood by the livelong night and laughed 
 In my sleeve at the whole business." 
 
 Yes, the demons laugh at man's own attempts to turn from 
 sin. But when man asks God to purify his foul heart in 
 the blood which Christ shed on Calvary, they no longer laugh. 
 For the transformation is sure, and death will give place to 
 life, life that begins below and Increases with the years, 
 mellowing, maturing, deepening until time stretches Into 
 eternity, till earth fades Into heaven, and we go to live with 
 God forever. 
 
 Master, we are ashamed as we think how slow we have 
 been to appreciate all that thou hast done for us, how care- 
 
 20 
 
INTO THE LIGHT [II-s] 
 
 less we have been of gifts that cost thee so much of self- 
 denial and suffering, how empty our lives have been of deeds 
 of loving service. Give us thy Spirit that we may resolve 
 to make tomorrow a better day than this has been, and then 
 to make each day still better than its predecessor. Make our 
 hearts thine, entirely thine, and give us thy peace that we 
 may pass it on to others in thy Name. Amen. 
 
 SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER THOUGHT 
 AND STUDY 
 
 What does the Cross mean to you? 
 
 How is your interpretation of the Cross affecting your 
 daily Hfe? 
 
 We sing, "In the Cross of Christ I glory!" Why? 
 
 If the story of the Cross is good news, why are people so 
 reluctant to tell it? 
 
 Turn to the account of one of Christ's miracles which 
 shows the emphasis he put on the confession of belief in 
 him. Why was he so emphatic on this point? 
 
 To how many people have you told the story this week? 
 
 What is the most effective way of telling it? 
 
 21 
 
CHAPTER III 
 
 Building on Solid Foundation 
 
 DAILY READINGS 
 Third Week, First Day 
 
 For other foundation can no man lay than that which 
 is laid, which is Jesus Christ. — I Cor. 3: ii 
 
 What does it mean to build the life on Jesus Christ as 
 foundation? Is it enough to think of Jesus as a good man, 
 and then to try to do as he did? Why is it more satisfy- 
 ing to believe that he is the Son of God, and to make this 
 belief the starting point of the life? Nations have tried to 
 get along without him; individuals without number have 
 attempted to find a substitute for him. What has been the 
 result? Consider the message of the French man of letters, 
 M. Lavredan : "How fearful, hov/ burning are the wounds 
 of a people in whose veins flows not a drop of the blood of 
 that Wonderful One as a healing balsam ! , . . What 
 would become of France if her children did not believe, if 
 her women did not pray? The past of France was great. 
 It was a believing France. France's present is tribulation. 
 . . . How hard it is to be an atheist in this natural grave- 
 yard! I can't! I can't! I have deceived myself and you 
 who have read my books and sing my songs." How far is 
 the poet's statement a true representation of the experience 
 of others? 
 
 Third Week, Second Day 
 
 So then ye are no more strangers and sojourners, but 
 ye are fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the house- 
 hold of God, being built upon the foundation of the apos- 
 tles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief 
 
 22 
 
BUILDING ON SOLID FOUNDATION [III-3] 
 
 corner stone; in whom each several building, fitly framed 
 together, groweth into a holy temple in the Lord; in 
 whom ye also are builded together for a habitation of 
 God in the Spirit. — Eph. 2: 19-22. 
 
 The pride of Ephesus, where the people lived to whom 
 Paul wrote this letter, was the great temple of Diana, whose 
 foundation was deep and strong, the stone for whose walls 
 had been carefully selected and fitted together, that the wor- 
 shipers of the heathen goddess might present it as a fit 
 habitation. This temple was in Paul's mind as he told the 
 Ephesian Christians that God wishes a temple in which he 
 may dwell. Christians are to be the stones in that temple, 
 cunningly fitted together on a prescribed foundation, for 
 which there is but one possible corner stone. How are we 
 to learn what is the foundation of the apostles and prophets, 
 and how to make Jesus the corner stone? Theodore Storrs 
 Lee, when a student at Andover, learned what the founda- 
 tion was for him by spending, every morning before he left 
 his room, a half hour in Bible study. Next, through his 
 morning prayer, he learned how to understand and apply 
 what he had learned, through Jesus Christ, who was the 
 corner stone of his Hfe. Then he went out among the 
 fellows and lived so well what he had learned that they were 
 glad to be in his company. Why is it people are always glad 
 when one is near whose life shows that he is getting the best 
 out of the Christian Hfe? 
 
 Third Week, Third Day 
 
 As therefore ye received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk 
 in him, rooted and builded up in him, and established in 
 your faith, even as ye were taught, abounding in thanks- 
 giving. — Col. 2: 6, 7. 
 
 Eugene Thwing, in his story, "The Man from Red-Keg," 
 says : "Go out into your own forest and notice how straight 
 and tall some of those great pines grew in among others of 
 their kind, sheltered and supported and encouraged to lift 
 their own heads high toward the heavens by the fact that 
 all around them tall pine trees were doing the same thing. 
 But just see what happened when the fire came and licked 
 up the carpet of needles over their roots and denuded the 
 
 2Z 
 
[1II-4] THE CHRISTIAN ACCORDING TO PAUL 
 
 branches, and then the tornado struck the flame stripped 
 trees. Down they went, thousands of them, prone to the 
 ground. They could not withstand the first good hard blow 
 of an adverse wind. Their roots had been spread out in 
 the shallow soil close to the surface; they had not struck 
 into and taken a hard grip upon the hard-pan deeper down. 
 It was too easy for them to grow into nice, handsome trees. 
 . . . Their hold on their foundation was shallow and super- 
 ficial." 
 
 Why is the man who is rooted in Christ and established in 
 the faith able to meet the shocks of everyday lifef 
 
 Third Week, Fourth Day 
 Being rooted and grounded in love. — Eph. 3: 17. 
 
 Think of some of the really great men you have known. 
 In what did they excel? What was the secret of their great- 
 ness? What is the secret of true greatness in anyone? What 
 do you think of the reply made by Dr. MacGregor to the 
 King of Siam vv^hen he visited Scotland in 1891 ? At a dinner 
 the king sought to know the secret of England's greatness. 
 Pointing to the guests at the table, the Scotchman replied: 
 "You see here twenty of Scotland's most distinguished men. 
 If you could look deep into the heart of each one you would 
 find there a great love for Jesus Christ. You can keep all 
 the good you can get from Buddha; but when you get the 
 heart of Jesus Christ to put on top of it you will have found 
 the secret of England's greatness." Is the answer any less 
 true for America and Americans than it was for England 
 and Englishmen? 
 
 Third Week, Fifth Day 
 
 Continue in the faith, grounded and stedfast, and not 
 moved away from the hope of the gospel which ye heard, 
 which was preached in all creation under heaven; whereof 
 I Paul was made a minister. — Col. i : 23. 
 
 Are we ever tempted to give up the Christian life? Why? 
 Because the job is a little bigger than we thought it would 
 be? Because we go so far without seeing clear results? 
 Because people are always misrepresenting us? These are 
 
 24 
 
BUILDING ON SOLID FOUNDATION [III-6] 
 « 
 
 not reasons for giving up a good fight ; they are reasons for 
 holding on with the bulldog grip of faith. This is what James 
 Stewart did in the midst of the perplexities of his missionary- 
 work in Africa. "We have nailed the flag of Africa to the 
 mast, and there it must remain till God himself takes it 
 down," he said. This is what Jesus did all through his life; 
 and when the end was near he "steadfastly set his face to 
 go to Jerusalem." And yet we talk of giving up because of 
 our trifling difficulties. Let us rather make the language of 
 Isaiah our own, "For the Lord Jehovah will help me; there- 
 fore have I not been confounded ; therefore have 1 set my 
 face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame." 
 What words in the latter part of the Sermon on the Mount 
 (Matt. 5-7) enforce the lesson of the day's reading f 
 
 Third Week, Sixth Day 
 
 I can do all things in him that strengtheneth me. — Phil. 
 4: 13. 
 
 And he hath said unto me, My grace is sufficient for 
 thee: for my power is made perfect in weakness. — II Cor. 
 12: 9. 
 
 A teacher was telling a company of business men of the 
 many boys who, having left his school morally earnest, came 
 back after a few years with a sadly different tone, because 
 of what they felt was the necessity of keeping step with the 
 organization in which they found themselves. "The strain 
 upon men who are at the points where temptation chiefly falls 
 is very great," the teacher said. Then he asked one of his 
 hearers, a railway president noted for his integrity, "Could 
 you tell a body of students who are going into large cor- 
 porate business, that success may be won with no loss of 
 ethical ideals?" After some hesitation the reply was given, 
 *T think that possible, // the man is very strong." How can 
 we be strong? 
 
 Third Week, Seventh Day 
 
 Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 
 for it is God who worketh in you both to will and to work, 
 for his good pleasure. — Phil. 2: 12, 13, 
 
 25 
 
[III-c] THE CHRISTIAN ACCORDING TO PAUL 
 
 A village storekeeper, a slave of strong drink, made many 
 vain efforts to reform. His townsmen thought his case was 
 hopeless. Then, all at once, he began to straighten up, to 
 look his fellows in the eye, to pay his bills, to be a man. 
 Some one called attention to the fact that the strange change 
 in him was coincident with the appearance of a new sign 
 over his store, "John Jones and Partner." Curious questions 
 were asked about the partner; and the storekeeper had no 
 answer but a smile. Yet, one day the man who had been 
 a hard drinker said to an intimate friend, "My Partner keeps 
 me straight." There were m.any shrewd guesses as to the 
 identity of the man whom no one ever saw. Finally the 
 storekeeper died. Then the identity of the Partner Avas 
 disclosed. Who was he? Who is the Partner who can and 
 will enable a man to keep straight? What has been your 
 experience when you have tried to get along without him? 
 
 This day's text tells of our partnership with God. What 
 further partnership is outlined in the first verse of John 15? 
 
 COMMENT FOR THE WEEK 
 
 "What have the builders of the new skyscraper been doing 
 all these weeks?" asked a man who had returned to the city 
 after an absence of three months. "When I last passed this 
 lot the ground had been cleared of rubbish and everything 
 was ready for the building. On my return I expected to 
 see the steel structure completed to the very top. And they 
 are just laying the first beams!" 
 
 "They have been working hard all the time," was the reply. 
 "You cannot see the results of their work, for what they 
 have done is out of sight. The great concrete pillars on which 
 the structure is to rest have been built up from the solid 
 rock. These pillars have been made in the most substantial 
 manner. Now that they have been completed, the superstruc- 
 ture will be added rapidly, in full assurance that it will stand 
 for centuries, if necessary." 
 
 Paul followed the example of Christ in employing this 
 figure of a foundation when he urged his friends to establish 
 their character firmly. He taught them that in character 
 building the foundation comes first and that, even if the 
 foundation is down out of sight, it is all important and must 
 be of the most solid material ; that there is but one solid 
 
 26 
 
BUILDING ON SOLID FOUNDATION [III-cJ 
 
 # 
 
 foundation, and that attempts to build on any other founda- 
 tion must fail. 
 
 The experience of those who try to build their lives on any 
 but this one foundation will be a disappointing one, as was 
 the experience of Chundra Lela. She was deeply troubled 
 because of the sense of wrong in her life. Longing to be rid 
 of the burden, she resolved to go beyond any of her country- 
 men in India in her attempts to propitiate the gods. So, for 
 three years, she spent the days of the hot season seated with 
 little protection in the direct rays of the sun, and with fires 
 burning close to her on every side. During the cooler 
 weather she spent her days in the water of a pond up to 
 her neck, telling over her beads with hands that grew numb 
 from the cold. At night she would stand on one foot before 
 the image of the god she desired to propitiate. But at the 
 end of the three years she was not a bit nearer peace than 
 at the beginning. She wondered what the difficulty was, 
 until she was told of Jesus Christ. Then she realized that 
 she had started wrong. At once she began life over again, 
 building everything on Jesus as her foundation. 
 
 Only those who build the life on Christ have power to do 
 what makes living worth while. On the occasion of the dedi- 
 cation of a Chinese church in San Francisco, a local Chinese 
 paper said : "The teachings of Jesus Christ are shown to be 
 right by his commandments, a perfect law for all nations. 
 These commandments are as solid as gold and as sound as 
 jade — whether you are a disciple of Jesus, of Confucius, of 
 Buddha, or of Alohammed, whether Greek or Jew; you can- 
 not live at peace without these commandments, but the dis- 
 ciple of Jesus alone keeps them." 
 
 A few years ago when a company of commercial agents 
 from Japan visited New York City, the Christian business 
 men of the city gave a dinner for them. One who wrote of 
 the event has told that the principal response on behalf of 
 the guests was made by the chairman of the party. Baron 
 Shibusawa, who spoke no English and therefore required 
 the services of an interpreter. Whether by intent or mis- 
 understanding, the interpreter quite failed to transfer to 
 the Americans present the sense of what was probably the 
 baron's most significant and emphatic utterance. But a mis- 
 sionary at the table caught the sentence, took it down, trans- 
 lated it and verified his translation by submitting it to a 
 
 27 
 
[III-c] THE CHRISTIAN ACCORDING TO PAUL 
 
 member of the Japanese party who was familiar with Eng- 
 Hsh. The baron's declaration, as thus rendered and verified, 
 was as follows : "Japan in the future must base her morality 
 on religion. It must be a rehgion that does not rest on an 
 empty or superstitious faith like that of some of the Budd- 
 hist sects in our land, but must be like the one that prevails 
 in your own country, which manifests its power over men by 
 filling them with good works." 
 
 The man whose life is built on Christ knows that right 
 living is not an accident, but that it is the result of definite 
 determination to belong to Christ and constant struggle to 
 live according to that determination. He will find that "none 
 of us can live well by an occasional good resolution," as Pro- 
 fessor William James says. He will realize that "everything 
 depends on stirring up in ourselves, by a habit of well doing, 
 a great and ever increasing fund of moral power that shall 
 be available to brace us against sudden temptation, to help 
 us to carry out better purposes and hold us steady and true 
 to the ideal." Thus we will come ever nearer to realizing 
 what has been called the ideal of human life, "in which all 
 that is good has become sheer habit and all that is bad is 
 so contrar}^ to nature that it gives us even a physically per- 
 ceptible and painful shock." 
 
 A young Scotch immigrant, who landed in New York with 
 three cents in his pocket, had laid the foundation that helped 
 him to do the right thing as a matter of habit. In his High- 
 land home he had been taught to love the Bible, to honor 
 God, and to keep the Sabbath. He landed on Monday, and 
 went to work the next day. When he had learned to walk 
 about the city he located the Scotch Church. On Sunday 
 morning several young men, who had been fellow passengers, 
 called on him and asked him where he was going. When 
 he told them of his plans to attend church, they made sport 
 of him and proposed a trip to Long Island on the plea that 
 health required the jaunt after the long confinement on ship- 
 board. The Scotchman's reply was to the point: "You may 
 go where you please, but I go to church. The last words my 
 father spoke to me as we parted on the shores of Scotland 
 were, 'Remember the Sabbath day.' I have not so soon for- 
 gotten." Throughout his long life he never forgot his alle- 
 giance to God. Day by day he tried to do the things that 
 pleased God. He formed habits of industry, frugality, gen- 
 
 28 
 
BUILDING ON SOLID FOUNDATION [III-c] 
 
 erosity, and earnestness that made him a marked man in 
 the section of the city where he lived, while his companions 
 who made fun of his religion were ruined by the habits of 
 evil into which they drifted. 
 
 Only those who live on familiar terms with Jesus Christ, 
 the one sure Foundation for the life, can have the nature 
 that will be shocked by the mere suggestion of evil; and the 
 sure result of slipping from him is the fading away of the 
 sensitiveness to evil that safeguards the life from disaster. 
 
 In 1910 a Philadelphia house wrecking company wished 
 to demolish a great factory chimney more than two hundred 
 feet high. The workmen were appalled at the task before 
 them ; for a time they thought it would be necessary to take 
 down the stack brick by brick. Thej'^ were relieved when 
 the engineers told them how the work was to be done. First 
 a corner stone was taken from the chimney, a few feet from 
 the ground. In its place was put a large timber. Then, stone 
 by stone, two-thirds of several courses of the foundation were 
 replaced by wood. Still the structure stood, apparently as 
 solid as it had been for fifty years. But it was not to stand 
 long. A laborer poured oil over the timber which had taken 
 the place of the stones. A lighted match was held to the 
 oil. Soon the flames were devouring the wood. Twenty min- 
 utes longer the chimney stood, then, without warning, the 
 pile crumbled and fell. 
 
 The fall of the chimney is a picture of the fall of some 
 who have been looked upon by their acquaintances as models 
 of integrity. "Who would have thought that such an upright 
 man could be wrecked !" — the remark is heard after the 
 revelation of a fresh downfall. How did it happen? The 
 careless man replaces gradually the things of Christ by other 
 things which cannot sustain the load upon them. The result 
 of repeated yielding to secret sin is sure: some day, when 
 a time of testing comes suddenly, the life will fall in ruins. 
 
 The world is always ready to sneer at the man who has 
 been destroyed as a result of a bad foundation, but it respects 
 the man whose life is built surely and unmistakably on the 
 life of Jesus Christ. Many people told a young lawyer that 
 he was ruining his brilliant prospects when he became an 
 earnest Christian. Some of his clients deserted him for a 
 time. One of these was a saloon keeper who said he did not 
 want his business done by a canting Christian. But not many 
 
 29 
 
IIII-c] THE CHRISTIAN ACCORDING TO PAUL 
 
 months passed before he was once more in the office of the 
 lawyer. "Some of these other fellows will do when I have 
 my ordinary work on hand," he said, in explaining his pres- 
 ence, "but it is different today. Now I want my will drawn 
 up, and I come to you for this; you are a Christian man on 
 whom I can depend." 
 
 One who had sat through many trying conferences of an 
 important committee asked a friend, "Other things being 
 equal, why is a Christian the best committeeman?" "Let me 
 answer by asking another question," came the response : 
 "Why does the man who is not a Christian lack an essen- 
 tial equipment for all the duties of life?" 
 
 The Christian has in his heart the grace of God, brought 
 to him in the person and example of Jesus, that enables him 
 to overcome opposition and destroys prejudice, but the man 
 who is not a Christian is ignorant of the principles of unsel- 
 fish love that are the very foundation of profitable and accept- 
 able intercourse. 
 
 In other words, the man whose life is built on Christ as 
 foundation will be rooted and grounded in love. That is a 
 bold figure, but it is the figure we are authorized to use. As 
 there is a soil adapted to the growth of wheat, as there is 
 a soil fitted for cotton, so there is a soil which favors the 
 Christian's growth, the only soil, in fact, in which he can 
 grow. That soil is love, rich, deep, boundless love, the love 
 of God. We must be grounded in his love until our roots 
 cannot be torn up by the mightiest tempests of evil, until 
 they are thrust so deep into the love of God that his measure- 
 less, endless life courses through our veins, making every 
 nerve to tingle and the face to glow with a beauty which is 
 not of the earth. 
 
 We thank thee, our Father, that we have a work to do for 
 thee, and that we are to do it in partnership with thee. Give 
 us thy Holy Spirit that we may have power in the world. 
 Keep us from complaint because of the feeling that thou 
 hast shut us up to service in some obscure corner, but show 
 us hozv to do our best for thee where thou hast put us. We 
 gladly leave our lives in thy hands, for with thee we are safe, 
 and we know that by thy grace we shall be of use in hastening 
 the day of the coming of thy kingdom. Through Jesus Christ. 
 Amen. 
 
 30 
 
BUILDING ON SOLID FOUNDATION [III-s] 
 
 SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER THOUGHT 
 AND STUDY 
 
 How did Paul's own experience fit him to talk of the neces- 
 sity of a proper foundation for the Christian life? What 
 was his experience at the beginning of his Christian career? 
 (Acts, chapters 9, 22, and 26). 
 
 By whom were the foundations laid in Timothy's life? 
 (II Timothy, chapters i and 3). How fully are parents 
 responsible for teaching their children of God, and how are 
 they to fulfil this responsibility? 
 
 What would you say to one who insists that he can build 
 his life without Christ? What argument could you give him 
 from your own experience? 
 
 What verb of four letters repeated a number of times in 
 I John, chapter 3, tells of the solid foundation of the author's 
 Christian life? 
 
 Find in II Timothy, chapter i, a famous saying of Paul in 
 which the same verb occurs. Why are people so ready to 
 say, "I hope I am a Christian," instead of coming out with a 
 strong message of certainty? 
 
 A young man was asked by a skeptical friend if he were 
 certain that Christ was with him. "I am as certain as I am 
 that I see the tree yonder," was the reply. What does cer- 
 tainty like that do for us? How may it be attained? 
 
 31 
 
CHAPTER IV 
 
 Armed for Conquest 
 
 DAILY READINGS 
 Fourth Week, First Day 
 
 But ye did not so learn Christ; if so be that ye heard 
 him, and were taught in him, even as truth is in Jesus: 
 that ye put away, as concerning your former manner of 
 life, the old man, that waxeth corrupt after the lusts of 
 deceit; and that ye be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 
 and put on the new man, that after God hath been K:reated 
 in righteousness and holiness of truth. — Eph. 4: 20-24. 
 
 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not pro- 
 vision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof. — Rom. 13: 14. 
 
 Is it enough to admit that Christ is the Son of God? Real 
 belief in Christ leads to the formation of new habits. Why 
 is Paul's demand reasonable that one who has learned of 
 Christ must change his way of living, putting a full stop to 
 many of the ways that were a part of him and forming new 
 ways in accordance with the lesson he has learned from 
 Christ? 
 
 A missionary has told of a young farmer of whom he asked, 
 "Have you heard of the Jesus religion?" "Oh, yes!" was 
 the reply, "I have heard much of it. Many people do that 
 doctrine; it is very good." "Do you believe also?" "No, 
 I cannot be a believer. Those Christians spend their time 
 and money doing good to others. I must do for myself. I 
 cannot afford to practice their doctrine." The missionary met 
 a woman. He asked her if she knew the Jesus doctrine. "Oh, 
 yes; it is very good." "Then why do you not believe?" 
 "Oh, I sell liquor. I cannot do that and be a Christian," 
 Have you ever heard anything like that in Christian America? 
 If everyone who is intellectually convinced that the teach- 
 ings of Jesus are right should act on his belief, how much of 
 
 32 
 
ARMED FOR CONQUEST [IV-2] 
 
 a change would there be in the world? What does it mean 
 to put on the Lord Jesus Christ? 
 
 Fourth Week, Second Day 
 
 Ye were running well; who hindered you that ye should 
 not obey the truth? — Gal. 5: 7. 
 
 Lay hold on the life eternal. — I Tim. 6: 12. 
 
 Stand fast therefore, and be not entangled again in a 
 yoke of bondage. — Gal. 5: i. 
 
 Be alert! Centuries ago it was a common method of 
 defense in time of war to dig ditches before an advancing 
 army, and to mask these cleverly. When the army reached 
 these, the horses and chariots and engines of war would 
 plunge in and the entire army would be put to confusion. 
 Evidently Paul had some such picture in mind, for v/hen he 
 wrote the question which has been translated, "Who did 
 hinder you," he used words whose literal meaning was, "Who 
 dug ditches for you?" "You were getting on so well," he 
 said to the people. "I was 'proud of your progress. And 
 suddenly you fell headlong! How did it happen?" How 
 does it happen today that -the Christian gets into the ditch? 
 Or is "happen" a good word to use? What are some of the 
 ditches into which a Christian is apt to fall? How can one 
 get out of the ditch? Romans 14: 21 and Matthew 18: 6 
 indicate that there is something more to be on guard against 
 than falling into a ditch oneself. Is there anything in our lives 
 that is proving a temptation, a pitfall, to others? For the 
 sake of others as well as for our own sake, we need to lay 
 hold on Christ, and never to let go. Those who have tight 
 hold of Christ will keep out of the ditch themselves and will 
 help others to get out and keep out. 
 
 Into what ditch did Abraham fall twice f 
 
 What was Jacob's ditch f 
 
 Into what ditch did Achan fall? Saul, King of Israel? 
 Elijah? Peter? Ananias? James and John? 
 
 Who of these got out and kept out? Hoiv did they do it? 
 
 Fourth Week, Third Day 
 
 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed 
 lest he fall. There hath no temptation taken you but such 
 
IIV-4] THE CHRISTIAN ACCORDING TO PAUL 
 
 as man can bear: but God is faithful, who will not suffer 
 you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with 
 the temptation make also the way o£ escape, that ye may 
 be able to endure it. — I Cor. lo: 12, 13. 
 
 It doesn't do to be too sure of oneself. A man who had 
 succeeded for months in keeping his resolution to avoid a 
 had habit that had all but wrecked his hfe, one day said to a 
 friend, "There is no longer fear of a fall." How was his 
 state of mind dangerous? Why is a man more likely to yield 
 to a temptation to which he thinks he is not liable than to a 
 temptation concerning which he is always on guard? Paul 
 puts Christians on their guard not simply about the danger 
 of overconfidence, but also about the folly of despondency 
 concerning temptation. To a friend who had expressed sym- 
 pathy for him and who urged the need of greater confidence 
 in God, a discouraged man said : *Tt is all very well for you 
 to speak; your life has been a bed of roses. Just wait till 
 3^ou have had trials and burdens like mine !" What would have 
 been Paul's reply? When temptations came to him thick and 
 fast, he could say, with a confident smile, **I can do all things 
 through Christ who strengtheneth me." Christ could help 
 Paul, and he can help us, no matter what our temptations 
 may be — he was "in all points tempted Hke as we are" (Heb. 
 4: 15). Then let no one say, "My temptations are peculiar; 
 there is no escape from them." Can you think of a temptation 
 too peculiar for Christ's effective help? 
 
 What do you think of Peter's attitude as indicated in 
 Mark 14: 29, Luke 22: 33, and John 13: 37? 
 
 What happened to the man who made the indignant state- 
 ment given in II Kings 8: 13? 
 
 What was the secret of the wonderful change in Peter that 
 enabled him to take the stand described in Acts 4: 13-21? 
 
 Fourth Week, Fourth Day- 
 Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ 
 Jesus. No soldier on service entangleth himself in the 
 affairs of this life; that he may please him who enrolled 
 him as a soldier. — II Tim. 2: 3, 4. 
 
 Paul urges most reasonably that we train for the fight. 
 Two difficulties are raised by many who read this verse. For 
 
 34 
 
ARMED FOR CONQUEST . [IV-5] 
 
 one tiling, they resent what they interpret as a demand that 
 those who become Christians shall cut themselves off from 
 ordinary pleasures and occupations. But does Paul ask this? 
 There are some things that interfere with service as a soldier 
 of Jesus Christ, and we must get rid of them. A young 
 Scotchman who took great delight in studying birds and 
 beasts and insects, enlisted in the army. One day, while the 
 soldiers were marching on the moor, a butterfly fluttered on 
 the face of the nature lover. Recognizing a rare specimen, 
 the man broke from the ranks and was after the butterfly. 
 Naturally his commander demanded that thereafter his love 
 of butterflies should not interfere with his services as a 
 soldier. 
 
 ]\Iany people persist in quoting Paul's words, "Suffer hard- 
 ship with me," as a proof that the Christian is expected to 
 have a hard time. There are those who even say that the 
 Christian must expect nothing but a hard time, and they 
 therefore go out of their way to find difficulties and hard- 
 ships that they may face these. But what is to be thought of 
 the man who hunts for hardships? The boy who, when 
 asked to define the word "difficulty," said, "something to be 
 overcome," w^as not altogether right. A difficulty is also 
 something to be avoided, whenever this may be done with 
 propriety. No one is properly equipped for fighting life's 
 battles if he is unskilled in avoiding difficulties when these 
 may be avoided without loss, or timid in facing difficulties 
 when they demand attention. 
 
 What are two or three things which, while entirely proper 
 in themselves, viight become a hindrance to the Christian f 
 
 Fourth Week, Fifth Day 
 
 Do all things without murmurings and questionings; 
 that ye may become blameless and harmless, children of 
 God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and per- 
 verse generation, among whom ye are seen as lights in 
 the world. — Phil. 2: 14, 15. 
 
 The worth-while Christian is all wool and a yard wide. An 
 unknown first century author gave this testimony to the 
 earnestness of the early Christians : "They live in their own 
 countries, but simply as sojourners. They are in the flesh, 
 
 35 
 
[IV-6] THE CHRISTIAN ACCORDING TO PAUL 
 
 but they do not live after the flesh. They pass their days 
 on earth, but they are citizens of heaven. They obey the 
 prescribed laws, and at the same time surpass the prescribed 
 laws by their lives." An accepted doctrine of the heathen 
 world was briefly expressed, "Man is a wolf to a man whom 
 he does not know"; but the surprised comment of some of 
 the heathen who looked on the early Christians was, "Behold 
 how they love one another ; they love each other without 
 knowing each other." They believed that God reveals himself 
 to his people for two reasons : that they may know him, and 
 that they may reveal him to others. And they acted as if 
 they really believed that people would form their ideas of 
 God from what they, God's followers, did. Do you see in 
 this fact any explanation of the rapid growth of the Church 
 in early days? How does the inconsistent life of Christians 
 affect the world today? 
 
 Fourth Week, Sixth Day 
 
 So then let us not sleep, as do the rest, but let us watch 
 and be sober. For they that sleep sleep in the night; and 
 they that are drunken are drunken in the night. But let 
 us, since we are of the day, be sober, putting on the breast- 
 plate of faith and love; and for a helmet, the hope of 
 salvation. For God appointed us not unto wrath, but 
 unto the obtaining of salvation through our Lord Jesus 
 Christ.— I Thess. 5: 6-9. 
 
 Paul knew the Christian's need of a high standard. An 
 apprentice in a printing office worked listlessly. In vain the 
 foreman tried to rouse him by warning him of the conse- 
 quences of failure. But, later on, the foreman realized that 
 it was no longer necessary to drive the boy. He was driving 
 himself. The editor had given him a watch. The first day he 
 owned it he timed his work. Finding that he could set a 
 stickful in twelve minutes, he made this a standard. Every 
 twelve minutes the stick must be filled, or he would have to 
 account to himself. It was not long before the boy became 
 the speediest compositor in the oflice. How does the expe- 
 rience of the apprentice illustrate God's method of dealing 
 with the Christian? The wrath of the foreman was powerless 
 to waken him up. What was responsible for his progress? 
 What spur to action does a loving God provide for us? 
 
 36 
 
ARMED FOR CONQUEST [IV-7] 
 
 How do faith and hol>e protect the Christian and make 
 him ready for the hard fight with the things he has no business 
 to like? 
 
 Fourth Week, Seventh Day 
 
 Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of 
 his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may 
 be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For our 
 wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the 
 principalities, against the powers, against the world-rulers 
 of this darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness 
 in the heavenly places. Wherefore take up the whole 
 armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the 
 evil day, and, having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, 
 having girded your loins with truth, and having put on 
 the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your 
 feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; withal 
 taking up the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able 
 to quench all the fiery darts of the evil one. And take 
 the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which 
 is the word of God: with all prayer and supplication 
 praying at all seasons in the Spirit, and watching there- 
 unto in all perseverance and supplication for all the saints, 
 and on my behalf, that utterance may be given unto m.e 
 in opening my mouth, to make known with boldness the 
 mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in 
 chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. 
 — Eph. 6: 10-20. 
 
 In Paul's plea for Christian preparedness four things are 
 vividly presented. There is the appeal to be strong; there is 
 repeated urging to stand against evil ; there is the assurance 
 that all-sufificient armor for every possible contingency is 
 provided ; and there is the clarion call to appreciate the fact 
 that the impending struggle is fraught with momentous con- 
 sequences, for "our foe strives to take heaven from us," to 
 use the words of an early Christian leader. 
 
 Why is strength demanded? Why is so great emphasis 
 laid on the necessity of standing one's ground? Note other 
 parts of the defensive armor : a man needs to know for cer- 
 tain that he belongs to Christ, and he must believe in Christ 
 with all his might. Then nothing more is needed but weapons 
 of offense ; and two are provided — the Bible and prayer. 
 
 37 
 
[IV-c] THE CHRISTIAN ACCORDING TO PAUL 
 
 Why Is the Bible called the sword of the Spirit? (See Heb. 
 4: 12). How does Bible study help the Christian for offense 
 as well as for defense? What is the offensive value of 
 prayer? How could a man who for years was unable to stir 
 hand or foot, become his pastor's right hand man simply by 
 
 COMMENT FOR THE WEEK 
 
 No bigger mistake was ever made than is made by those 
 who declare that the earnest Christian must give up every- 
 thing that makes life worth while. The Master asks his 
 people to give up only those things that interfere with their 
 service of him; that is, the things that interfere with having 
 the best time a man can possibly have. The thing that inter- 
 feres may be money, or love of pleasure, or desire for 
 applause. Whatever it is it must be offered to Christ. Instead 
 of taking it away, he may choose to permit its retention, 
 that it may be used then for him. 
 
 It is so easy to hold on to things one does not want to give 
 up ; it is alv\7ays possible to find a good excuse for holding on. 
 The business man is tempted to adopt questionable methods 
 in trade because he fears that otherwise he will be unable to 
 hold his own with unscrupulous competitors. The official, 
 having his eyes on reelection, is tempted to determine each 
 act, not according to what is right but according to what he 
 thinks will be the effect on the future he wants for himself. 
 
 Unless Christ is given complete control of the life, no one 
 can be sure of being big enough to withstand the temptation 
 to use power for selfish ends. A man thinks he will be, per- 
 haps, in the days of looking forward to the power ; but he 
 puts off getting in training for the day of responsibility, per- 
 mitting shady transactions in the day of small things. "Time 
 enough to pull up when pulling up is worth while," he thinks. 
 But he finds at length that pulling up is not so easy. It is 
 much easier to drift, and he keeps on drifting. The thing 
 that seemed so safe becomes his undoing. He is like the 
 New Bedford ship captains who had been lured by whales 
 into dangerous quarters in the Arctic ice pack. The Eskimos 
 flocked to the ships and told the captains they had a last 
 chance to escape. The captains laughed, and continued to 
 catch whales. But in four days the ice closed in, and it was 
 
 38 
 
ARMED FOR CONQUEST ElV-c] 
 
 necessary to abandon the ships and make a perilous journey 
 over the ice before a point of safety could be reached, 
 
 A young Christian was so eager to have a little more 
 money than he could get by ordinary methods, that he used 
 his Sundays to oversee the building of cottages on two lots 
 he had bought in an addition to the town. Because he was 
 out of town during the entire week, he felt he should be 
 excused for absence from church, just for a little while; 
 when he had the fifteen per cent, on his investment which 
 the cottages would bring to him, he thought it would be easy 
 to settle down to active, earnest Christian service. But he 
 did not settle down. The worship of the dollar made him 
 forget the worship of God. 
 
 That man was right w^ho said : "All the good things that 
 you can put a man into won't make any better man of him, 
 if, when he didn't have 'em, he wasn't trying to make a better 
 man of himself." 
 
 The first thing for a Christian to do when he realizes that 
 he is permitting something to drag him away from God is to 
 ask God's forgiveness and his help to enable him to stand 
 firm. Do we hesitate to make this prayer? Do we feel that 
 we have made the prayer so often that God may grow weary 
 of hearing it? Then we need to take to heart the assurance 
 that "we have boldness and access in confidence through our 
 faith" in Christ (Eph. 3: 12). 
 
 God will stand by those who show a desire to stand with 
 him, who are willing to let him decide what they are to have 
 and l:ow they are to use it. 
 
 But the Christian must not lose sight of the fact that,'while 
 he is to be on guard lest he slip away from God, he is to 
 stand fast not only for his own sake but for the sake of others. 
 Why has God revealed himself to us, giving us his light, 
 enabling us to understand his truth? Is it simply that we 
 may be well content with ourselves, gloating over the light 
 as a miser gloats over his gold? 
 
 When a famous Scotchman was a boy he originated the 
 game of lantern bearers. Every September the boys who 
 knew the secret would sally forth at night, each with a lighted 
 lantern fastened under his coat. No ray of light was allowed 
 to escape. "To be a boy with a bull's eye under his coat was 
 enough for us." the one who devised the game explained. 
 When one lantern bearer met another greetings were ex- 
 
 39 
 
[IV-c] THE CHRISTIAN ACCORDING TO PAUL 
 
 changed: "Have you got your lantern?" was asked. If the 
 answer was "Yes," well and good. The boys would strut 
 about in darkness, conscious of the hidden light. 
 
 What a difiference it would make in the world if only every 
 under-the-bushel Christian were a real, downright, outright, 
 upright Christian ! And what a difference it would make to 
 the Christian himself ! For if the Christian does not give 
 light to the world, the world will give darkness to him. 
 
 Christ does not ask the Christian to take himself out of 
 touch with the world, but he does ask that his touch with 
 the world shall always be a hearty, helpful, loving touch. 
 There is good reason to doubt the sincerity of one who, pro- 
 fessing to be a Christian, is not eager to share his religion 
 with others. "The Bible knows nothing of soHtary rehgion," 
 a friend said to John Wesley. "You cannot serve God alone ; 
 you must, therefore, find companions or make them." 
 
 The opportunities to make companions continually present 
 themselves, if we would only keep looking for them. But 
 we don't. An earnest Christian once told how he lost a 
 chance to reach a man who was hungering for the word he 
 might have spoken. A woman came to his office and told him 
 that her husband had gone to him that morning hoping he 
 would talk about religion. "Did he come ?" she asked. "Yes," 
 was the reply. "Well, what did he say?" "Why, he just 
 talked about the price of brass." "But that was just an excuse 
 for coming," the visitor explained. "What did you say to 
 him?" "I am sorry to say that all I talked about was just 
 brass, too," was the reply. 
 
 The world suffers so much from those who are lukewarm, 
 half hearted, or even indifferent, that there is always a wel- 
 come for the worker who is ''all there," to use a phrase that 
 is expressive even if it has not yet become good English. It 
 was said of a young railroad man who reached a high place 
 in his chosen work that one reason for his progress was this : 
 "Whatever has B at all, has the whole of him." Thus he 
 put himself in line with the teaching, "Whatsoever thy hand 
 findeth to do, do it with thy might." The only kind of Chris- 
 tian he would have approved is the Christian who shows his 
 appreciation of and consent to the precept, "Thou shalt love 
 the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thj'- soul, 
 and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength." Whole 
 hearted service wins, everywhere and always, but those who 
 
 40 
 
ARMED FOR CONQUEST [IV-c] 
 
 are in the habit of making venture with the feehng, "I don't 
 need to put too much energy into this," deserve to fail. 
 
 God asks Christians to put all their energy into his service, 
 and he provides a way for them to do this. He arms them 
 completely, so that they can be "all there" when they do 
 their daily tasks, when they take their recreation, when they 
 try to win others to him. 
 
 Every part of the armor he has provided is important, 
 but there is one portion that is especially important — "the 
 Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God." Those 
 who know how to use this weapon have all the rest of the 
 armor, for defense as well as offense. 
 
 Yet so often the Christian is tempted to lay aside the Bible 
 and to substitute some book of devotion based on the Bible. 
 Then it is but a step to reading moral essays written from the 
 point of view of men of the world, and then it is but one 
 more step to purely secular reading. 
 
 A thoughtful author has written of a man who enjoyed 
 long walks. At first he was accustomed to take his lunch 
 with him, but he felt that to carry lunch was a useless 
 burden. So he substituted for the wholesome food a little 
 Indian pellet which made him feel strong and vigorous, lifted 
 him into a seventh heaven of delight and gave him visions 
 which ordinary men -could not see. After the effects of the 
 drug had worn off, the reaction came, and he felt the lack 
 of true food. At length he died miserably. He had been 
 seeking relief and pleasure, but he had not sought them in 
 the right way. 
 
 'The Christian who neglects Bible reading, substituting for 
 it some other food, starves his soul and endangers his use- 
 fulness. 
 
 Learn a lesson from a convert from heathenism, a patient 
 in a hospital in China. A missionary, seeing her well worn 
 Bible, asked, "Do you read your Bible much?" "I read it 
 constantly," she said. "I never wish for 'the last dish' when 
 I am reading it." The missionary, in telling the incident, 
 explained that "the last dish" announces the close of a Chinese 
 feast. 
 
 Those who study the Bible with eagerness and constancy 
 will not come away disappointed. They will know what it 
 is to lift the hanging hands, clasp the nerveless fingers, and 
 grip eternal life with the purpose of holding it fast. For 
 
 41 
 
[IV-s] THE CHRISTIAN ACCORDING TO PAUL 
 
 them the search for eternal life will become the chief business 
 of life. The things that interfere, whether in business, in 
 home life, or in social life, will be brought under Christ's 
 control, so that it will seem natural to look not only upon 
 church attendance and church work as service of Christ, 
 but upon all the actions of hfe as sacred through his blessing 
 and guidance. 
 
 The Hne that has been drawn between things secular and 
 things sacred must be erased. God must be carried into 
 business and travel and social pleasure. Thus every action 
 of life will take on new meaning, and joy will be at the full, 
 for the way to victory will be plain. 
 
 Teach us, O God, the joy of turning from sin unto thee, 
 and of presenting the Christian life in such an attractive 
 light that others zvill desire to yield themselves to thee. Teach 
 us that the blessings thou dost give us are not for our- 
 selves only, but for others as well; and not only for those 
 with whom we are in heartiest sympathy but for those with 
 whom we have felt we have little in common. By the com- 
 ing of the Spirit into the hearts of all of us, may we become 
 one great brotherhood, forgetting enmities and differences 
 and jealousies, through Jesus Christ. Amen. 
 
 SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER THOUGHT 
 AND STUDY 
 
 What are some common ways of hiding one's light? 
 
 What did Jesus mean when he said, "Ye are the salt of the 
 earth?" How is the faithful Christian like salt? 
 
 What effect does it have on a Christian to point another to 
 Christ? What is the effect on the character of the Christian 
 who never thinks of anybody's salvation but his own? 
 
 What promises has God made to those who study his 
 Word? How were men of whom the Bible tells helped by 
 reading the Bible which they had? (Use your Concordance). 
 How have people you know been helped by the Bible ? What 
 help has it given you? 
 
 42 
 
CHAPTER V 
 
 The Worthy Walk 
 
 DAILY READINGS 
 Fifth Week, First Day 
 
 To walk worthily of the Lord unto all pleasing. — CoL 
 i: 10. 
 
 What would an employer say to a workman whose heart 
 is no more than half in his work? What is your honest 
 opinion of a Christian who is not willing to give whole-hearted 
 service to God? Paul had no sympathy for such a Christian. 
 He taught the necessity of absolute surrender in order that 
 God's best gifts may be received. Note his use of the 
 word "all" in the passage from which today's reading is 
 taken : he prayed that the Colossians might have all spir- 
 itual wisdom (v. 9) ; that they might walk worthily of the 
 Lord unto all pleasing, (v. 10) ; that they might be strength- 
 ened with all power, (v. 11) ; that they might attain to all 
 patience (v. 11). God's glory is revealed to those who are 
 dissatisfied with anything short of such complete surrender 
 to him. 
 
 Fifth Week, Second Da}^ 
 
 For ye were once darkness, but are now light in the 
 Lord: walk as children of light (for the fruit of the light 
 is in all goodness and righteousness and truth), proving 
 what is well-pleasing unto the Lord; and have no fellow- 
 ship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather 
 even reprove them; for the things which are done by them 
 in secret it is a shame even to speak of. But all things 
 when they are reproved are made manifest by the light: 
 for everything that is made manifest is light. Wherefore 
 he saith, Awake, thou that sleepest, and arise from the 
 dead, and Christ shall shine upon thee. 
 
 A3 
 
[V-3] THE CHRISTIAN ACCORDING TO PAUL 
 
 Look therefore carefully how ye walk, not as unwise, 
 but as wise; redeeming the time, because the days are 
 evil. Wherefore be ye not foolish, but understand what 
 the will of the Lord is. — Eph. 5: 8-17. 
 
 A missionary in Japan has told of a young man who pre- 
 sented himself for church membership, to the surprise of all 
 who knew him. The most surprised of all was the mission- 
 ary to whom he applied for baptism. He was asked how he 
 had been led to become a Christian. He replied that the 
 reading of the life of Chinese Gordon had impressed him 
 deeply. He wondered if the gospel could really transform a 
 man, as the biography said the Christian soldier was trans- 
 formed. Some time later he met a Christian family during 
 their vacation stay at the seashore. "He coupled what he 
 had read of Christ's life, reproduced in the life of General 
 Gordon, with what he saw of Christ's influence in the life 
 of the missionary and his family, and he concluded that 
 Jesus, to have exerted such a power, must have been more 
 than a man, and that the Gospels were at least worthy of 
 imitation." 
 
 What impression do we make on strangers when we are 
 away from home? 
 
 Does the feeling that we are not on dress parade ever get 
 possession of us and make us careless f 
 
 Fifth Week, Third Day 
 
 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuf- 
 fering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, self- 
 control; against such there is no law. And they that are 
 of Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with the passions 
 and the lusts thereof. 
 
 If we live by the Spirit, by the Spirit let us also walk. 
 Let us not become vainglorious, provoking one another, 
 envying one another. — Gal. 5: 22-26. 
 
 A young man was accused of questionable conduct. Those 
 who knew him well, said, "The charge is absolutely without 
 foundation. His name and the action spoken of cannot be 
 connected." Events proved that they were right. Similarly 
 the story is told in the biography of Dr. Alexander Maclaren 
 that one who had met him only once mistook for him a 
 
 44 
 
THE WORTHY WALK [V-4I 
 
 stranger who bore a marked resemblance to him. For some 
 reason the stranger accepted the identification, and walked 
 down the street with the man who had accosted him. They 
 passed a saloon. The stranger said, "Let's go in and have a 
 drink." Then the error was evident. When one hears of 
 incidents like these, the questions come unbidden : Would 
 a mistake have been revealed as conclusively if the stranger 
 had been impersonating one of us? What would be the judg- 
 ment of our acquaintances if evil should be spoken of us? 
 What is our safeguard? 
 
 Fifth Week, Fourth Day 
 
 Be not unequally yoked v^rith unbelievers: for what fel- 
 lov/ship have righteousness and iniquity? or what com- 
 munion hath light with darkness? And what concord 
 hath Christ with Belial? or what portion hath a believer 
 with an unbeliever? And what agreement hath a temple 
 of God with idols? for we are a temple of the living God; 
 even as God said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; 
 and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 
 Wherefore 
 
 Come ye out from among them, and be ye separate, 
 saith the Lord, 
 
 And touch no unclean thing; 
 
 And I will receive you. 
 
 And will be to you a Father, 
 
 And ye shall be to me sons and daughters, saith the 
 Lord Almighty. — II Cor. 6: 14-18. 
 
 Translate into everyday language the questions asked by 
 Paul. Does he mean that a man is to hold himself aloof 
 from other people with an "I am holier than thou !" expres- 
 sion on his face? Read in Luke 18: 9-14 Jesus' opinion of 
 a man who takes that attitude to others. Then how are we 
 to solve the problem of mingling with those who are just a 
 little careless about trying to do what is right? Is it enough 
 that we shall be unharmed by coming in touch with what is 
 evil? How about our responsibility to help those we touch? 
 A hard drinker confessed that he had led twenty of his boy- 
 hood companions into the saloon, and that eleven of the 
 twenty became criminals or suicides. Put that record by the 
 side of the words written of George Williams, the founder 
 of the Young Men's Christian Association, who, at nineteen 
 
 45 
 
years of age, entered a city store as a clerk: "When he went 
 there It was almost impossible for a young man in the house 
 to be a Christian; three years afterwards it was almost 
 impossible to be anything else." 
 
 Fifth Week, Fifth Day 
 
 Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel 
 of Christ: that . . .1 may hear of your state, that 
 ye stand fast in one spirit, with one soul striving for the 
 faith of the gospel. — Phil, i: 27. 
 
 A student in college was not doing well. He made a 
 rather poor showing in an examination, A few days later 
 a professor called him aside and said : "What did you mean 
 by putting in such a paper? It was passably good, of course, 
 but it was not what it should have been. It was not worthy 
 of you." What did the professor mean? What should a 
 student do to walk worthily? A business man? A profes- 
 sional man? What, then, is meant by the appeal to the 
 Christian to walk worthily? Of whom is the Christian to 
 walk worthily? What has our walking worthily to do with 
 the gospel of Christ? A missionary has told of a Chinese 
 official who felt obliged to make request through the foreign 
 consul for the recall of a certain missionary, because he did 
 not know how to control his temper. Was this missionary 
 responsible for his failure to commend the gospel to the 
 official? Once In a Boston morning paper this editorial note 
 was printed : "The day was dark and gloomy, but Phillips 
 Brooks walked down through Newspaper Row and all was 
 bright." One good look at a man like that is enough to make 
 one think twice before declaring that Christianity is a failure. 
 
 Fifth Week, Sixth Day 
 
 But I hold not my life of any account as dear unto 
 myself, so that I may accomplish my course, and the 
 ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify 
 the gospel of the grace of God. — Acts 20: 24. 
 
 What is the best thing in life? What are men most eager 
 for? Is it power? money? fame? happiness? What was 
 Paul's ambition? What do you think of his method of find- 
 ing satisfaction in Hfe? Scores of busy men in New York, 
 
 46 
 
THE WORTHY WALK [V-7I 
 
 deciding that they might as well give up trying to be happy 
 while looking out for themselves only, began to look out 
 also for poor boys who needed friends to help them to keep 
 out of mischief. Each one of these men has agreed to look 
 out for one boy who needs a friend, to be his chum and his 
 helper, his Big Brother. Every one of them who has kept 
 this agreement faithfully says there is nothing like the new 
 plan to make life seem worth while. And the greatest joy 
 has come to those who, by their word and by their life, have 
 been able to persuade their Little Brothers to keep step with 
 them as they try to walk in the way that pleases Christ. 
 
 Why is a man who is unselfish attractive to others? 
 
 Why does he get more out of life than his fellow who is 
 always keeping his eyes open for "the main chance"? 
 
 Fifth Week, Seventh Day 
 
 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye 
 do, do all to the glory of God. — I Cor. 10: 31. 
 
 It is important that a man shall make a living. But what is 
 more important? Do you agree with one who said that a 
 young man, in choosing his vocation, should plan to make the 
 world better by the efforts that provide his living? It was 
 a turning point in the career of Matthias W. Baldwin, a 
 Philadelphia manufacturer of the last century, when he real- 
 ized that, while he had been making a living, he had not 
 been making the most of life. "One night I sat down to 
 think my life over, and what account I should give in the 
 judgment for all my labors," he wrote in his reminiscences. 
 "I made up my mind I could not bear to say I had spent my 
 time in making gewgaws !" Then he turned from his work as 
 a manufacturing jeweler, and set his feet in the path that 
 led him to become in a few years the great locomotive builder. 
 The conscientious asking and answering of that young man's 
 question would prove a turning point in the lives of thousands 
 in this twentieth century. 
 
 COMMENT FOR THE WEEK 
 
 There is no more characteristic phrase in the writings of 
 Paul than that of Colossians i: 10: "To walk worthily of 
 
 47 
 
tV-c] THE CHRISTIAN ACCORDING TO PAUL 
 
 the Lord unto all pleasing." The earnestness of his own soul 
 and his conception of the seriousness of the Christian life 
 are revealed by the words. 
 
 That word walk is picturesque. The Christian is to be 
 active. He Is to keep moving. He is not to walk as does the 
 baby, who takes one, two, three steps — and then falls into 
 his mother's arms. We are not to be content with a step 
 or two in the Christian life, after which we say we are so 
 tired that we must rest awhile. We are not to be satisfied 
 with a little following of the Master, and afterv/ard, perhaps 
 for days and weeks together, to live our own lives just as 
 we choose, till another spasm of activity takes possession of 
 us. From the Greek verb here used by Paul for walk the 
 name of the Peripatetic school of philosophers was derived. 
 Aristotle, the founder of this school, was accustomed to teach 
 his students while he walked about in his garden; his suc- 
 cessors also were peripatetics, philosophers who walked 
 about. To us a peripatetic means a traveler. We are to he 
 peripatetics in the Christian life. We are to walk. We are 
 to keep on walking. We are to be active always. 
 
 And our walk, our activity, is to be worthy of Christ, not 
 only in some things, but in all things. There is no room for 
 a weak determination to be worthy of Christ in a few things, 
 but not in others; no justification for the plea sometimes 
 heard, "God does not expect me to pattern my life according 
 to his standards in everything; I can take up the Chris- 
 tian Hfe by degrees, and in time I will come to all these 
 things." There are Christians who make scarcely any effec- 
 tive, aggressive impact on the lives of others because they 
 are not trying to please Christ in all things. Perhaps they 
 have had a season of fruitfulness, but for some reason they 
 have gradually ceased to bear fruit. As, frequently, a fruit 
 tree has nothing on it but leaves, so some Christians have 
 nothing but words by which to manifest to the world their 
 claim to be called God's sons. Their words are as plentiful 
 as the leaves on the fruitless tree, but somehow the world 
 refuses to accept words unless they are backed up by actions. 
 No more can God accept protestations of affection to him, 
 unless these are proved by an effort to overcome sin and live 
 a fruitful Hfe. 
 
 The necessity of living carefully cannot he overemphasized. 
 If the words we speak are to he effective, they must be backed 
 
THE WORTHY WALK [V-c] 
 
 by a life that inspires confidence. The message given to 
 Christian workers by Doctor Maclaren should never be for- 
 gotten : "Be, and then do, and then speak." Because he Hved 
 in accordance with this precept, his Hfe was effective and his 
 speech was powerful. The world has no use for a man's 
 words unless his acts and his speech correspond. 
 
 Other people may make great pretensions and fail to carry 
 them out, if they will, but the Christian must make every 
 effort to live in accordance with his professions, A mission- 
 ary has told of the chief of a tribe in South Africa who, 
 while he himself was still a heathen, proved to be a good 
 friend of Christianity. He used to say to those of the 
 tribe who professed to be converted to the new faith : "If 
 you become better men and women by being Christians, you 
 may remain so; but if not, I won't let you be Christians at 
 all." Could the requirements have been stated more clearly? 
 
 A sure test of the reality of a convert's Christianity is the 
 manner of his life after conversion. Is he still content to 
 do the things that stained his life before? Or is he con- 
 stantly making such efforts to conquer sin that those who 
 know him will realize the change and ask what has come 
 over him? The fruits of earnest Christian living are so 
 well known in this country that few are at a loss to answer 
 such a question. Even in heathen lands the change that 
 Christ brings into the life is becoming known by its results. 
 An unconverted Chinese merchant asked a traveler from 
 Manchuria if the Christians in that land were like the Chris- 
 tians in China, adding that, if so, they were good men. Then 
 he gave his reason: "A man owed us an account of twenty 
 dollars five j^ears ago. He refused to acknowledge more 
 than ten dollars ; and we had no redress. A few months ago 
 he became a Christian, and came and asked us to look up that 
 old account. Then he insisted on paying the full amount, 
 with interest for all these years." The testimony of a life 
 like that goes far toward undoing the harm worked by an 
 inconsistent Christian ; but think what the effect on the world 
 would be if every Christian should be content with nothing 
 short of consistent living. The true Christian proves his 
 Christianity by his desire to permit not even the smallest 
 sin in his life. 
 
 It is impossible to ivalk worthily of the Lord without zualk- 
 ing worthily also of the truest manhood and womanhood. 
 
 49 
 
rv-c] THE CHRISTIAN ACCORDING TO PAUL 
 
 For the triiest men and women are those whose daily lives 
 are shaped in accordance with what the Master likes — the 
 things that are eternally and invariably right and proper. A 
 college professor knew what would reach the careless stu- 
 dent when he said to him, "Your conduct is not worthy of 
 your father, and it is not worthy of your grandfather." 
 He felt that the young man needed to compare himself, 
 soberly and honestly, with men who had been remarkable 
 for sterling integrity and irreproachable character. The 
 result, he believed, would be an earnest purpose to follow 
 in the footsteps of men who had tried to walk worthily of 
 the Lord Jesus Christ. Frequently an appeal like that will 
 effectually open the eyes to the fact that the truest manhood 
 is Christian manhood. 
 
 The Christian who would walk worthily of the Lord must 
 he really humble, that is, he should be manly enough to real- 
 ize that he himself is of but small importance as compared 
 with the cause he serves. 
 
 Paul spoke of meekness as a mark which distinguishes the 
 Christian from men of the world. Perhaps this was never 
 better illustrated than during General Sherman's last cam- 
 paign in the South, when certain changes in commanders were 
 made. General Howard was placed at the head of a special 
 division. Soon after this the war closed and there was to be 
 a grand review of the army at Washington. The night before 
 the review Sherman sent for Howard, and said : "The polit- 
 ical friends of the officer you succeeded are determined that 
 he shall ride at the head of the corps, and I want you to 
 help me out." "It is my command," said Howard, "and I am 
 entitled to ride at its head." "Of course you are," replied 
 Sherman, "you led the men through Georgia and the Caro- 
 linas; but, Howard, you are a Christian." "If you put it 
 on that ground," said Howard, "there is but one answer. 
 Let him ride at the head of the corps." "Yes, let him have 
 the honor," said Sherman, "but you will report to me at nine 
 o'clock, and will ride by my side at the head of the army." 
 Howard protested, but his commander's orders were positive. 
 
 The Christian who would walk worthily of the Lord will 
 hy his life discourage evil. 
 
 Of Theodore Storrs Lee this was said by his biograp^ier: 
 "His influence for good on his associates was marvelous, 
 simply because he proved by his life the reality of his Chris- 
 
 50 
 
THE WORTHY WALK [V-c] 
 
 tian profession. It was said of him by a friend that 'no 
 deadlier enemy of vice ever entered Amherst College,' while 
 another friend wrote, 'When his tall, rigid form moved 
 through a company, whether in the fraternity house or on the 
 campus, we all felt instinctively that here was one who could 
 be relied upon for truest, staunchest friendship and unbend- 
 ing integrity. He unconsciously purified the atmosphere 
 wherever he went.' " 
 
 The Christian zvho would walk worthily of the Lord will 
 be as earnest in his Christianity at home as he is among those 
 outside the home. 
 
 When Gypsy Smith became a Christian there were those in 
 the gypsy encampment who doubted the worth of his new 
 profession. But when they observed his changed conduct 
 to those about him, especially his relatives, there was an end 
 of doubt ; they knew that the boy's religion was worth some- 
 thing and they wanted to know more of Christ who helped 
 him to help them. 
 
 A famous Scotch preacher of the nineteenth century fre- 
 quently made the remark, "I have no use for a man's religion 
 if even his cat is not better because of it." Is there not a 
 serious truth behind his words? If our religion does not 
 improve our relations to those with whom we are most 
 closely associated, something is wrong somewhere. 
 
 The Christian who would walk worthily of the Lord must 
 he ready always to serve his fellows in the name of Christ. 
 
 The day has passed when a Christian man can say without 
 shame that he is so busy with his own affairs that he must 
 leave definite service for others to "ministers and those who 
 are paid to do it." Years ago such a letter as the following 
 might have caused surprised comment: "I have just suc- 
 ceeded in persuading a citizen of 'X' to give me a building 
 which has, hitherto, been rather a disreputable dance hall, 
 along with the piano, furniture, and considerable land. I 
 am going to establish a rural Young Men's Christian Asso- 
 ciation, and the land will be used for terraced courts and 
 children's gardens. We are aiming to have a Community 
 Welfare Building. The dance hall will be turned into a 
 gymnasium." That such a letter does not attract wide- 
 spread attention today is an indication that the layman is 
 coming into his own. 
 
 The biographer of William Henry Baldwin, once President 
 
 51 
 
[V-c] THE CHRISTIAN ACCORDING TO PAUL 
 
 of the Long Island Railroad, tells an illuminating incident of 
 his life of service. "On a European trip he had noticed on 
 board ship — I think in the second cabin — a distressed woman 
 with a sick child. He found that she was not only alone, but 
 had a poor and inconvenient stateroom. His own spacious 
 apartment became at once uncomfortable to him, and was 
 turned over during the remaining days to mother and child." 
 Mr. Baldwin's friends said that this act was typical. Busi- 
 ness perplexities never blinded him to the troubles of those 
 about him — even those who would have been thought outside 
 the range of his vision. One day, from the window of an 
 elevated train, he saw in the street below the face of a child 
 that sent to his heart a message of suffering. At the first 
 opportunity he descended to the street. When he found the 
 child he saw that he was ill. Business was forgotten until the 
 sufferer was in the hospital. 
 
 Unless it is an essential part of one's daily life to do 
 such things, and to do them quietly and unostentatiously, 
 there is something radically wrong. Thousands of years ago, 
 by the mouth of his prophet, God reminded his people that 
 he had no pleasure in those who professed to serve him 
 \vhile they gave no heed to the cries of the needy, and that 
 he rejoiced in the service of those who found pleasure in 
 giving their bread to the hungry and in bringing the poor 
 that are cast out to their houses. This was the Old Testament 
 form of the assurance given in the New Testament that 
 "Pure religion and undefiled ... is this, to visit the father- 
 less and widows in their affliction" (James i: 27). 
 
 God wants us to remember this half of the sentence, but he 
 does not want us to forget the other half : "and to keep one- 
 self unspotted from the world," 
 
 There is but one way to keep unspotted from the world. 
 We must live on intimate terms with the spotless Lamb of 
 God, who found comfort in comforting others, who gave his 
 life that sorrow and sighing might flee away, and that all 
 might have abundant life. Those who do this will "walk 
 worthily of the Lord unto all pleasing." 
 
 We glorify thy name, O God, as we sing of thy goodness to 
 us. Teach us to glorify thee also by living in such intimate 
 fellowship with thee that those who knozv us shall desire to 
 serve him who fills our lives with joy and gives us strength 
 
 52 
 
THE WORTHY WALK [V-s] 
 
 for the conquest of evil. Enable us to give a true idea of 
 what it is to he a Christian, not merely once in a while, but 
 always. Be with us zvhen the temptation comes suddenly 
 to speak or act hastily and thoughtlessly, and save us and 
 those who know us from the sad consequences of our unfaith- 
 fulness. Let it be evident to all who know us that there has 
 been a change in our thinking and in our life, because of our 
 trust in thee. Thus may our witness for thee be such that 
 thou canst use it for thy glory. For thy name's sake. Amen. 
 
 SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER THOUGHT 
 AND STUDY 
 
 Why was it a mistake for Lot to pitch his tent toward 
 Sodom? (Genesis 13: 12, 13). 
 
 How Hterally should we interpret Paul's appeal to do every- 
 thing to God's glory? 
 
 Do those who try to live to God's glory abridge their lib- 
 erty of action? 
 
 What do you think of the statement that the greatest proof 
 of the reality of a man's liberty is his readiness to do only 
 the things he is sure will please God? 
 
 53 
 
CHAPTER VI 
 
 Living by Faith 
 
 DAILY READINGS 
 
 Sixth Week, First Day 
 
 For by grace have ye been saved through faith; and 
 that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God. — Eph. 2: 8. 
 
 What is your idea of grace? What was the meaning of 
 the father's reply to his son who did not see why he should 
 be helpful to a stranger : "No, you do not have to help him, 
 but to do so would be a gracious act"? Then, what did 
 Peter mean when he said that the Lord is gracious? (I 
 Peter 2: s). What clause in Ephesians 2: 8 defines grace? 
 How would you define faith? Does Hebrews i: i help 
 you to frame a definition? What is meant by the man 
 who says of an acquaintance, "I have faith in him"? What 
 is meant by one who says, "I have faith in Christ"? Should 
 he mean any less than this : that he takes Christ for his 
 friend, that he depends on Christ for salvation, on the basis 
 of what he has learned of Christ and of Christ's readiness 
 to supply his need? 
 
 Turn to the definitions of grace and faith in the unabridged 
 dictionary. Study these. Then make your own definition 
 if these do not seem to you to cover the ground. 
 
 Sixth Week, Second Day 
 
 Not of works, that no man should glory. For we are 
 his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, 
 which God afore prepared that we should walk in them. 
 — Eph. 2: 9, 10. 
 
 We reckon therefore that a man is justified by faith 
 apart from the works of the law. — Rom. 3; 28. 
 
 54 
 
LIVING BY FAITH [VI-3] 
 
 What have good works to do with a man's salvation? Is 
 there any contradiction between the passage in Romans and 
 the passage in Ephesians? Is there any conflict between 
 Paul's teaching in the passage in Romans and the teaching 
 of James 2: 14-20? Paul was talking of the works of the 
 law; James was talking of the works of love. Love can- 
 not be satisfied unless it is proving itself by action. Then 
 what does faith amount to unless it shows itself by works? 
 A freshman in college who had been rather careless in his 
 life told his fellows of his purpose to become a Christian. 
 He was surprised that his announcement made little impres- 
 sion. One of the students gave the explanation : "We'll see 
 if he means what he says." Was the demand unreasonable? 
 God asks of us faith that shows itself by doing things. 
 
 Read Matthew 19: 16-22. How did the young man's con- 
 ception of works differ from Christ's conception? 
 
 Sixth Week, Third Day 
 
 O foolish Galatians, who did bewitch you, before whose 
 eyes Jesus Christ was openly set forth crucified? This 
 only would I learn from you, Received ye the Spirit by 
 the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? — Gal. 
 3: I, 2. 
 
 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye 
 now perfected in the flesh? Did ye suffer so many things 
 in vain? if it be indeed in vain. He therefore that sup- 
 plieth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among 
 you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hear- 
 ing of faith? Even as Abraham believed God, and it was 
 reckoned unto him for righteousness. Know therefore 
 that they that are of faith, the same are sons of Abraham. 
 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify 
 the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand 
 unto Abraham, saying. In thee shall all the nations be 
 blessed. So then they that are of faith are blessed with 
 the faithful Abraham. — Gal. 3: 3-9. 
 
 What is to be thought of one who, having known the joy 
 of belief in Christ, forgets the cross and once more depends 
 on his own unaided efforts to keep the law of God? Was 
 Paul justified in saying to a company of such people, "O 
 foolish Galatians, who did bewitch you?" Through faith 
 God's blessing is offered to all the world. Why, then, turn 
 
 55 
 
[VI-4] THE CHRISTIAN ACCORDING TO PAUL 
 
 to some other way of seeking salvation? If Christ is neces- 
 sary at the beginning, why is he not necessary throughout 
 life? What, then, shall be thought of those who say, "Oh, 
 this was all very well for us when we were young, but now 
 that we have learned more of the world we see that we do 
 not need to depend on these childish, impractical teachings." 
 What shall we substitute for faith in Christ? 
 
 Sixth Week, Fourth Day 
 
 For I am not ashamed of the gospel: for it is the power 
 of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the 
 Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is revealed 
 a righteousness of God from faith unto faith: as it is 
 written, But the righteous shall live by faith. — Rom. i: 
 i6, 17. 
 
 In "The Kingdom in India," Dr. Chamberlain tells of 
 seeing a venerable Brahmin engaged in his devotions on a 
 stone platform around the central trunk of a banyan tree. 
 "Slowly, with beads in hand, he performed his circum- 
 ambulations, keeping his face toward the shrine, reciting his 
 prayers." Asked what he sought, he said, "I am seeking 
 to get rid of the burden of sin. Each effort that I make is 
 as unsuccessful as the one before. My pilgrimages and pen- 
 ances and prayers for sixty years have all been in vain." He 
 had spent two years in bathing in the Ganges, "but," he 
 said, "the Ganges water washed the foulness from my skin, 
 not the foulness from my soul." Then he asked, "Does 
 your Veda tell how I can get rid of the burden of sin and 
 be at peace?" Gladly the missionary told him that freedom 
 from the burden of sin would come if he was ready to accept 
 Christ and show his faith in him by his life. Eagerly the 
 Brahmin listened and anxiously he read the gospels given 
 him. When he went away, there was such a look on his 
 face that the missionary was convinced he had learned the 
 meaning of faith in Christ. 
 
 Sixth Week, Fifth Day 
 
 Being therefore justified by faith, we have peace with 
 God through our Lord Jesus Christ; through whom also 
 we have had our access by faith into this grace wherein 
 
 56 
 
LIVING BY FAITH [VI-6] 
 
 we stand; and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. — 
 
 Rom. 5: I, 2. 
 
 Thus Paul tells us of two consequences of faith. First, 
 there is peace. When a man believes in the Master there 
 is no longer any excuse for turmoil or confusion in his life, 
 and he does not need to be bothered about his relation to 
 God ; he knows that he and God are friends. Alore than this, 
 the man who believes in Christ is able to take his stand on 
 the grace of God. "What is grace?" a Christian was asked. 
 "Grace is everything for nothing," was the reply. It is the 
 undeserved favor of God, given to us because he loves us, 
 and for the sake of Christ. It gives a sense of security, a 
 knowledge of companionship, an assurance of strength for 
 the struggle with the things that threaten to make life sordid 
 and unpleasant. And the best of it is that when a man 
 stands on the grace of God that grace gets into his heart and 
 proves a foundation on which he is able to build a life of 
 the graces that make him a favorite with his fellows. 
 
 How does faith give access to God's grace? Is Christian 
 life possible without faith? See Hebrews 11: 6; Acts 16: 31. 
 
 Sixth Week, Sixth Day 
 
 And my God shall supply every need of yours accord- 
 ing to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. — Phil. 4: 19. 
 
 Note carefully every word of the text. See how definite 
 is the promise. God will supply every need, and in fullest 
 measure, for his supply is according to his riches in glory, 
 not according to human measurement. How can we expect 
 to measure the gift of Christ? Is it possible to determine 
 the hmits of eternity? Can we tell how far the East is 
 from the West? God ministers to us at all times and satis- 
 fies us abundantly. Then what excuse can there be for con- 
 tinuing to live an incomplete life? 
 
 Find, in the first part of Matthew, chapter 7, the warrant 
 for Paul's assurance that God supplies the needs of those 
 who have faith in him. 
 
 Sixth Week, Seventh Day 
 
 For I received of the Lord that which also I delivered 
 
 57 
 
[VI-c] THE CHRISTIAN ACCORDING TO PAUL 
 
 • 
 
 unto you, that the Lord Jesus in the night in which he 
 was betrayed took bread; and when he had given thanks, 
 he brake it, and said, This is my body, which is for you: 
 this do in remembrance of me. In Hke manner also the 
 cup, after supper, saying. This cup is the new covenant 
 in my blood: this do, as often as ye drink it, in remem- 
 brance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink 
 the cup, ye proclaim the Lord's death till he come. — 
 I Cor. II : 23-26. 
 
 A thoughtful man overtook two plumbers. As he passed 
 them, he heard these words : "I have a bit of iron tubing 
 at home that I wouldn't part with. It was picked up down 
 in Panama. I keep it for a momentum." The man who 
 overheard the words smiled at the odd blunder. But later 
 he wondered if the workman's use of momentum instead 
 of memento was, after all, such a blunder. A real memento 
 should be a spur to action, an impulse to better living. 
 When Jesus presided as host at the first Lord's Supper 
 he said : "This do in remembrance of me." Memento is the 
 imperative form of the Latin verb to remember. Then may 
 we not think of the Lord's Supper as a memento? More, 
 does it not give momentum to him who eats the bread and 
 drinks the wine because he has faith in Christ as his Saviour? 
 How does it help a harassed and troubled assistant to feel 
 the encouraging touch of his chief on his shoulder? How is 
 a Christian helped by feeling the touch of Christ in the com- 
 munion service, looking by faith into the face of the Con- 
 queror of sin and death, and receiving Christ's very life in 
 his appointed way? 
 
 Read the account of the first Lord's Supper, in Luke 22: 
 14-20. 
 
 COMMENT FOR THE WEEK 
 
 A Swiss paper tells of a j^oung student on an express 
 train between Frankfort and Basel who sneered when he 
 saw a church in course of construction in a village. "It's 
 only imbeciles who attend church," he insisted. "Then I'm 
 an imbecile," quietly answered one of the men in the same 
 coach. "I, too," broke in a third traveler. "I go every Sun- 
 day to church, and although an imbecile, am nevertheless 
 professor in the University of Leipsig." Another traveler 
 added, "I am chief councilor in the city government of 
 
 58 
 
LIVING BY FAITH [VI-c] 
 
 Strassburg, and a churchgoer." And still another chimed 
 in, "I'm head of the Berne gymnasium, and a convinced 
 Christian." 
 
 These imbeciles were in good company. They knew that 
 Paul had been willing to be called a fool for Christ's sake. 
 They knew that their Master had been accused of being 
 beside himself. Why, then, should they refuse to let the 
 student know that they were of the "imbecile" party? And 
 why should not we be as ready to stand by our colors when 
 we find ourselves in the presence of those who sneer at others 
 who are foolish enough to own that they believe in Christ? 
 
 Paul stood by his colors. To those who wished to put 
 faith in Christ in the background of their lives, who thought 
 it a sign of manliness to belittle the cross of Christ, he wrote, 
 "God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our 
 Lord Jesus Christ." 
 
 There can be no life worth v/hile without Christ. Note 
 well what the Bible says on this point. "Without faith it 
 is impossible to be well-pleasing unto him" (Heb. ii: 6). 
 Christ rebuked Peter when his faith was small. "O thou 
 of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?" (Matt. 14: 31). 
 To the disciples he said, "O ye of little faith, why reason ye 
 among yourselves?" (Matt. 16: 8). And again, "O faith- 
 less generation, how long shall I be with you?" (Mark 9: 
 19). The emphasis placed on faith by Christ is indicated 
 also by his careful efforts to develop the faith of the Syro- 
 phoenecian woman (Mark 7: 26). 
 
 In "Instans Tyrannus" Browning tells us of a man whose 
 faith was so stedfast that his godless king tried in vain to 
 break his spirit. The king exhausted his ingenuity in plan- 
 ning punishment. At last he thought of one supreme torture. 
 He tells thus of the result: 
 
 "So, I soberly laid my last plan, 
 
 To extinguish the man. 
 
 Round his creep-hole, with never a break, 
 
 Ran my fires for his sake ; 
 
 Over-head, did my thunder combine 
 
 With my under-ground mine : 
 
 Till I looked from my labor content 
 
 To enjoy the event. 
 
 When sudden . . . how think j^e, the end? 
 
 Did I say 'without friend'? 
 
 59 
 
[VI-c] THE CHRISTIAN ACCORDING TO PAUL 
 
 Say rather, from marge to blue marge 
 
 The whole sky grew his targe 
 
 With the sun's self for visible boss, 
 
 While an Arm ran across 
 
 Which the earth heaved beneath like a breast 
 
 Where the wretch was safe prest ! 
 
 Do you see? Just my vengeance complete, 
 
 The man sprang to his feet, 
 
 Stood erect, caught at God's skirts, and prayed ! 
 
 — So, / was afraid !" 
 But, while works must not take the place of faith, it must 
 he remembered that faith cannot be divorced from the works 
 that prove it real, vital. 
 
 Paul agreed with James that a living faith proves itself 
 by works. Faith is important ; so are works. Our faith is 
 judged by our works. Christ indicated this when he said, 
 "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter 
 into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of 
 my Father" (Matt. 7: 21). To the churches he said, "I 
 know thy works" (Rev. 3: i, 8). And this knowledge was 
 the warrant for what he said to them of their life. Thus 
 faith and works go hand in hand. 
 
 That faith and works must go together was taught by a 
 Highland boatman of whom Dr. Guthrie once told. A pas- 
 senger crossing a lake in a rowboat was caught in a storm. 
 Terrified, he called on the boatman to join him in prayer 
 for deliverance. But the boatman said, "You pray, and I'll 
 row." Prayer and rowing might have been combined, but 
 at any rate the boatman knew that it was no time to let go 
 of the oars. Jesus teaches us to pray, "Lead us not into 
 temptation," but he is just as insistent in teaching, "Watch 
 and pray, that ye enter not into temptation." Faith and 
 works have been united by God, and, "what . . . God hath 
 joined together, let no man put asunder." 
 
 A bhnd man on a city street gave an object lesson of faith 
 proved by works. He was feeling his way with his stick. 
 A friend met him and said he would walk a few squares 
 with him. Instantly the blind man took the arm of his 
 friend. This movement would not have been the expression 
 of real faith if he had then shown himself unwilling to go 
 •where his friend led him. But that the blind man's faith 
 was real was proved as he instantly moved ahead, dragging 
 
 60 
 
LIVING BY FAITH [VI-c] 
 
 his stick behind him and following unquestioningly his com- 
 panion's slightest movement. 
 
 We can well afford to put ourselves in God's hands, ask- 
 ing him to supply our needs, trusting in him for the things 
 that will make life gloriously rich. God is all powerful, and 
 when we trust him there is nothing he will not do for us. 
 
 God's problem with his children is not the problem of 
 what he shall give to them; it is rather the problem of get- 
 ting them into the right attitude for receiving what he is 
 so able and willing to give them. He has rich gifts awaiting 
 the true prayers of his children, gifts that are to be had 
 for the asking and not to be had unless they are asked for. 
 He can be depended upon to keep his promises to his chil- 
 dren, but he can keep them only when his children comply 
 with the conditions necessary for the answer. 
 
 Here, too, it must he remembered that faith and works go 
 together. God gives to those who come to him believing in 
 him, but he gives his best to those who are ready to follow 
 his plan to receive the best. 
 
 The addresses of a mission worker who has wonderful 
 power to win men to Christ, are packed full of Scripture. 
 "I wish I had his gift of using the Bible!" has been the 
 remark of more than one hearer. The worker has told how 
 the gift came to him. When he was converted it was, of 
 course, necessary to quit the use of profane language. To 
 his surprise he found that half of his vocabulary was gone. 
 For two years the Bible formed practically his only read- 
 ing, until he became saturated with Bible words and phrases. 
 Now he thinks Bible, talks Bible, lives the Bible. He has 
 a gift — God's gift to a man who toiled. 
 
 Jesus wanted to make it the simplest possible matter for 
 people to cooperate with him, so he planned the feast of 
 faith that would be at once a reminder of man's need of 
 Christ and a help in reaching out and taking hold of him, 
 and, with him, of all things that are necessary. 
 
 Those who accept Christ's invitation to the feast he has 
 appointed, feed upon him by faith, eating the body broken 
 for them, drinking the blood shed for them. This is a 
 mystery. But Jesus said it would be so, and countless 
 millions have proved and are daily proving the truth of his 
 words. 
 
 Sometimes Christians feel that they have no right to go to 
 6i 
 
[VI-s] THE CHRISTIAN ACCORDING TO PAUL 
 
 the Lord's Supper because they have sinned. If they come 
 at all, they rob themselves of comfort by saying to them- 
 selves, "I ought not to be here ; I am not fit." Of course 
 they are not fit — until the Lord gets hold of them. Con- 
 fession of sin and earnest desire to get a new grip on Jesus 
 Christ gives to anybody a right to return to the table of 
 Christ, and so to get in position to receive his best. 
 
 For "the righteous shall live" — not by church attendance, 
 not by mingling with God's people, not by good deeds, but 
 **the righteous shall live by faith." 
 
 Master, teach us how to abide in thee, to feed upon thee, 
 to receive thy life, to go in thy strength day by day. We 
 thank thee that, knowing our need of thee, thou hast shown 
 us how we may come to thee. We thank thee that thou 
 hast spread the table for us, and that we may feast upon 
 thee. Let the Lord's Supper mean more to tis each time 
 we eat the bread and drink the wine. And give us the joy 
 of bringing with us to thy table others who have not yet 
 given their hearts to thee. Amen. 
 
 SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER THOUGHT 
 AND STUDY 
 
 What is the meaning of the words, "the righteous," as 
 appHed to those who are saved by their faith in Christ? 
 Read Romans 3 : 24, 25. 
 
 How would you reply to one who says that faith is unrea- 
 sonable; that he cannot believe in what he does not see or 
 feel? 
 
 Why is the Lord's Supper helpful to the one who would 
 act on Jesus' words in John 15: 4? 
 
 Paul said (Phil. 4: 13), "I can do all things in him that 
 strengtheneth me." What is the significance of the phrase, 
 "in him?" 
 
 What does the Lord's Supper mean to me? 
 
 62 
 
CHAPTER VII 
 
 The Christian Goal 
 
 DAILY READINGS 
 
 Seventh Week, First Day 
 
 Be perfected. — II Cor. 13: 11. 
 
 Not that I have already obtained, or am already made 
 perfect: but I press on, if so be that I may lay hold on 
 that for which also I was laid hold on by Christ Jesus. 
 Brethren, I count not myself yet to have laid hold: but 
 one thing I do, forgetting the things which are behind, 
 and stretching forward to the things which are before, 
 I press on toward the goal unto the prize of the high 
 calling of God in Christ Jesus. — Phil. 3: 12-14. 
 
 In the Authorized Version, Paul's message is translated 
 "Be perfect," but the Revised Version gives it "Be perfected." 
 What is the difference? Which form do you prefer? There 
 are those who criticize the assumption that a Christian can 
 be perfect. But who can object to the urgent entreaty "be 
 perfected"? that is, "be completed"? An employer, speak- 
 ing of a young man who had recently taken a desk in his 
 office, said, "He is wonderfully good in so many ways, but 
 he lacks initiative." What should that young man do when 
 he discovers his failing? Would it be enough to sigh over 
 it? How long would his employer be apt to retain him 
 after being forced to the conclusion that he was doing 
 nothing to complete himself? How would you go about 
 the task of completing yourself if you were in his place? 
 How is the Christian to begin to be completed, to be per- 
 fected ? 
 
 Seventh Week, Second Day 
 
 Know ye not that they that run in a race run all, but 
 one receiveth the prize? Even so run; that ye may attain. 
 
 63 
 
[VII-31 THE CHRISTIAN ACCORDING TO PAUL 
 
 And every man that striveth in the games exerciseth self- 
 control in all things. Now they do it to receive a cor- 
 ruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so 
 run, as not uncertainly; so fight I, as not beating the 
 air: but I buffet my body, and bring it into bondage: 
 lest by any means, after that I have preached to others, I 
 myself should be rejected. — I Cor. 9: 24-27. 
 
 An ancient writer says : "Wouldst thou conquer in the 
 games? Thou must be orderly, spare in food, must abstain 
 from confections, exercise at a fixed hour whether in heat 
 or cold, drink no cold water nor wine." Today similar 
 training is required of those who are preparing for athletic 
 contests. What is the incentive that makes a man ready to 
 undertake the training? If it is worth while to deny one- 
 self hurtful things that he may be able to wear the college 
 initial on his jersey, is it v/orth while for us to put out of the 
 life things that interfere with the purpose to be a real man? 
 How is a careless Christian like an uncertain runner or a 
 wrestler who spends his strength on the air instead of on 
 his opponent? Under what sort of discipline should a Chris- 
 tian put himself if he is to live at his best? 
 
 Seventh Week, Third Day 
 
 Till we all attain unto the unity of the faith, and of 
 the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a fullgrown man, 
 unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: 
 that we may be no longer children, tossed to and fro 
 and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the 
 sleight of men, in craftiness, after the wiles of error; 
 but speaking truth in love, may grow up in all things 
 into him, who is the head, even Christ. — Eph. 4: 13-15. 
 
 What is conveyed by the expressive phrase sometimes used 
 of a man, "He has arrived"? Substitute arrive for attain 
 in the first clause of the day's passage. Is the meaning 
 clearer? It cannot be said of the Christian that he has 
 arrived until he has become a man through his knowledge of 
 the only full-grown Man who ever lived. What indication 
 is there in the first clause that a Christian cannot arrive 
 alone? How many should we take along with us in our 
 struggle to reach the goal? But it is not a simple matter 
 
 64 
 
THE CHRISTIAN GOAL [VII-4] 
 
 either to advance to the goal ourselves or to take others with 
 us. It is so much simpler to be like children, to listen to 
 every hare-brained teacher vi^ho has some new hobby to 
 exploit, or to follow those who play with religion even when 
 their play proves dangerous to those whom they should 
 help. How shall we arm ourselves against these dangers? 
 
 Seventh Week, Fourth Day 
 
 And the Lord make you to increase and abound in 
 love one toward another, and toward all men, even as 
 we also do toward you; to the end he may establish 
 your hearts unblameable in holiness before our God and 
 Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his 
 saints. — I Thess. 3: 12, 13. 
 
 The author of "Pastor Hsi" has told of a man of some 
 position and property in China who became a Christian. 
 His income was derived largely from the cultivation of 
 opium and tobacco. At first he did not see the harm in con- 
 tinuing to grow these crops. But after a time he came to see 
 that such action was inconsistent with his profession. He 
 hesitated to turn his land to less profitable uses, but he real- 
 ized that there was only one course open to him, "He 
 unhesitatingly made a clean sweep of the whole business, 
 though it involved the sacrifice of a considerable portion of 
 his income. Not content with banishing opium from his 
 estate, he also abandoned the growth of tobacco. Nor 
 would he continue to keep pigs on his farm. 'No,' he insisted, 
 'they are filthy' ; which is certainly true in China. 'We must 
 have nothing to do with that which is impure.' " 
 
 How much do zve think of soul health in comparison with 
 bodily health f How does the prayer of III John 2 appeal 
 to us? 
 
 Seventh Week, Fifth Day 
 
 Being confident of this very thing, that he who began 
 a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Jesus 
 Christ.— Phil, i: 6. 
 
 A runner who is doubtful of his ability to distance his 
 competitors, who dwells on the thought of failure, has not 
 
 65 
 
[VII-6] THE CHRISTIAN ACCORDING TO PAUL 
 
 much chance of winning. The professional man who thinks 
 oftener, "What if I should fail," than "I intend to succeed," 
 is not likely to get very far. What chance of growth has the 
 Christian who feels that it should not be expected of him 
 that he will progress very far on the way to manhood in 
 Christ Jesus? There is a vast difference between proper 
 confidence and foolish conceit. Why is it reasonable to think 
 that when the Lord Jesus Christ begins to do something 
 in us he knows what his plan is, and will not give up until 
 his plan is perfected? But lack of confidence hinders his 
 work. You have your opinion of a passenger in an auto- 
 mobile who grabs the hand at the steering wheel in a 
 moment when danger seems to threaten. Have you put your 
 life's steering wheel into the hands of the one safe Pilot? 
 Then show your confidence in him! 
 
 Seventh Week, Sixth Day 
 
 But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror 
 the glory of the Lord, are transformed into the same 
 image from glory to glory, even as from the Lord the 
 Spirit.—II Cor. 3: 18. 
 
 A writer in "Daily Bible" told this incident : "A few min- 
 utes before noon daily, by the eastern standard time, every 
 Western Union Telegraph Company's instrument cuts its 
 connection, and is put in communication with the instru- 
 ment in the Naval Observatory in Washington. At five 
 seconds before twelve a warning tick sounds over the wires. 
 When the skilled operator in the observatory sees . . . 
 that the sun is directly over the imaginary line of longitude 
 passing through the city, that moment the fact is flashed 
 over miles of wire, and every one of the company's clocks 
 made true. Then business is resumed. The work of the 
 day is planned with reference to this appointment. The com- 
 pany's rule is to be absolutely accurate; ... to test this 
 accuracy every day, and to test it by the standard set in the 
 heavens, and all this purely for commercial purposes. Shall 
 not we, whose lives are so utterly dependent on the Master, 
 cut clean our connections with every outside thing at least 
 once in every twenty-four hours, and put our hearts beating 
 in time and tune with his heart, that he may have a chance 
 
 6S 
 
THE CHRISTIAN GOAL [VII-7] 
 
 to set and keep us true, and that we may not be misrepresent- 
 ing him?" 
 
 What will be the effect of indulgence in things that are 
 evil on the vision of one who looks at Christ? 
 
 Seventh Week, Seventh Day 
 
 Having therefore these promises, beloved, let us cleanse 
 ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfect- 
 ing holiness in the fear of God. — II Cor. 7: i. 
 
 The meaning of the day's text can be expressed by the 
 use of three of its words, promises . . . therefore . . . 
 holiness. The previous sentence recorded God's promise to 
 receive his people, to dwell with them, and to be a father to 
 them. But how can one expect to be on familiar terms with 
 God if there is permitted in the life what defiles or soils — for 
 this is the literal meaning of the word? Now note that little 
 word all. What would Paul have said to one who declared 
 his purpose to follow Christ in the main? How successful 
 can one be in growing like Christ if he attempts any such 
 partial process? Why didn't Paul stop after speaking of 
 the necessity of thoroughgoing cleansing? What is likely 
 to happen to one who is freed from bad habits, unless there 
 is something added to his life to take their place? See what 
 Matthew 12: 43-45 says about this. For this reason Paul 
 told what more is necessary. Let holiness in! There are 
 those who sneer at the idea of holiness. But why? Holiness 
 is a manly quality. Jesus was holy, and he was the most 
 glorious man who ever walked the earth. 
 
 COMMENT FOR THE WEEK 
 
 Paul did not raise the question, "Can a man he perfect 
 in this life?" But he did say that it is our duty to try to 
 be perfect — to be unsatisfied with anything short of perfec- 
 tion in holiness. 
 
 It is the Christian's business to strive toward perfect 
 manhood in Christ. Day by day he is to see to it that his 
 life is nearer to the ideal set by God himself — his own holi- 
 ness. This is the goal set before him. It makes no difference 
 
 67 
 
[VII-c] THE CHRISTIAN ACCORDING TO PAUL 
 
 that this goal seems a long, long way off. Common-sense, 
 matter-of-fact Paul says that it is a Christian's duty and 
 privilege to reach out continually after the ideal in the 
 assurance that some day, when God takes him from earth, 
 it will be an actual possession. 
 
 Here, as always, Paul's impatience with half measures 
 shows itself. His prayer was that God's people might be 
 sanctified wholly, that, spirit and soul and body, they might 
 be preserved entire and without blame. To his way of think- 
 ing, Christians are never good enough; nothing is good 
 enough but perfection. Since perfection cannot be attained 
 here, the Christian must never be satisfied with his progress 
 in life. 
 
 In calling attention to the necessity and the possibility of 
 advancing toward the ideal, Paul used his favorite figure 
 of a foot race. The successful runner must have his goal 
 in mind, and he must determine that nothing is to be allowed 
 to stand in the way of his reaching his goal. The Christian 
 has a race to run. Shall he be less careful? He needs to 
 fix his eyes on Jesus, and then lay aside every weight that 
 he may not be hindered in his progress in Christian living. 
 
 Let no one think the task will be easy. Many times will 
 come the temptation to turn aside from a course of action 
 that is plainly demanded by faithfulness to Christ. "I would 
 do this, but" — the excuse will be on the lips of the Chris- 
 tian, introducing the statement of the reason why it seems 
 inconvenient or impossible to take the particular step in 
 question. There is no room for a but if one would follow 
 Christ. He calls for unquestioning, unqualified obedience. 
 Nothing must stand in the way of following him. The 
 instant something seems to hinder a Christian's obedience, 
 that moment he is in frightful peril. The something — what- 
 ever it is — must be sacrificed. 
 
 It is a proverb in the printing office that the typesetter 
 must follov/ copy, that is, he is expected to set all matter 
 exactly as it is given to him by the foreman. "Follow copy, 
 even if it goes out of the window," Is a time-honored joke 
 repeated to the boy when he begins to learn the printer's 
 trade. His instructor wishes him to understand that obe- 
 dience is not a matter for discussion or quibbling; obedience 
 is sinipl}' obedience, nothing more and nothing less. So man^' 
 who learned to give such obedience in the home, hesitate 
 
 68 
 
THE CHRISTIAN GOAL [VII-c] 
 
 to give it to him whom they call Father! God's blessing 
 waits for those who are ready to obey him under all cir- 
 cumstances, that they may be perfected. 
 
 In urging the Christian to be perfected, Paul's desire was 
 that he be coviplctcd. As he became acquainted with Christ, 
 he was filled with admiration of his well-rounded, sym- 
 metrical character and he longed to have each of his friends 
 grow into the symmetry and beauty of Christ. So he said 
 to them, "Be completed"; that is, "Do not be content with 
 a one-sided life. Be many-sided, ready for every duty, 
 earnest in every act, able for every emergency." 
 
 What did he mean? A careful look at Paul himself will 
 show. He was an illustration of a many-sided man. He 
 hated sin, but he sympathized with the sinner and longed 
 to help him. He loved life, but he was ready to yield his 
 life in God's service. He loved men, and he could accom- 
 modate himself to the rich as well as to the poor. He was 
 all things to all men. There was no situation to which 
 he was not equal. He had learned in whatsoever state he 
 was therewith to be content. Everyv/here and in all things 
 he knew how both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound 
 and to suffer need. 
 
 Paul was too humble to dream of putting himself forward 
 as an example of what he meant by becoming complete. He 
 pointed to Christ as the sole example of completeness. But 
 he had been so long looking at Christ as his example that 
 he was becoming conformed to him; he was himself becom- 
 ing complete, perfected. 
 
 Pain made such great progress in his aim to become com- 
 plete in Christ because he 'would not allow anything in his 
 life that interfered zvith his great purpose. The supreme 
 object of his life was service of God in God's way. This 
 way he took. "This one thing I do," he said ; and b}'' doing 
 one thing, and that the thing God wanted him to do, he was 
 a successful man, in the highest, richest sense of the word. 
 
 The matter of greatest importance for every Christian Is 
 to find the way in which God wants him to travel, and to 
 keep to this no matter what may be the temptations to leave 
 it. If he does this he will reach the Christian's goal. One 
 who served God for more than half a century on the mis- 
 sion field was, on the occasion of his first furlough in 
 America, invited to become pastor of a rich city church. He 
 
 69 
 
'•{VII-c] THE CHRISTIAN ACCORDING TO PAUL 
 
 declined the attractive call, because he felt that God wanted 
 him to go back to the foreign field. Later he was urged to 
 become head of his denomination's foreign mission board, 
 but his insistent "this one thing I do" led him to decline. 
 Even when President Arthur named him United States 
 Minister to Persia, he would not swerve from the path of 
 duty. Specious arguments in favor of accepting each of 
 these appointments could have been found very easily, but 
 he had the sound Christian sense not to look for them. 
 
 Christians who would learn Paul's secret need to take to 
 heart the message given in an advertising journal: "Per- 
 manent success is oftener won by holding on than by a 
 sudden dash, however brilliant. The easily discouraged, who 
 are pushed back by a straw, are all the time dropping to the 
 rear to perish or to be carried along on the stretcher of 
 charity. They who understand and practice Abraham Lin- 
 coln's homely maxim of 'pegging away' have achieved solid 
 success." 
 
 The Christian who is really successful must become a well- 
 rounded m.an himself, and he must help others in their efforts 
 to become complete or lead them to desire completeness. 
 But It is impossible for one to become well rounded himself 
 without influencing others in the same direction. A woman 
 who was compelled to live in intimate touch with a number 
 of people whose habits were not agreeable to her, wrote, as 
 a result of years of experience: "I know of nothing that 
 meets the case so well as to set about the earnest cultivation 
 of those graces In ourselves which we would like to see in 
 the troublesome sister or brother, the love, joy, peace, long- 
 suffering goodness, gentleness, faith, meekness, and temper- 
 ance, which alone can make them or us beloved or useful. It 
 is a good thing to call a halt at regular intervals and ask 
 ourselves : 'Have I little ways that are likely to be a trial to 
 my fellow workers? Am I given to bursts of temper or 
 other forms of Impatience? Am I cold or unaccommodat- 
 ing? Am I selfish, or given to underhanded ways of 
 accomplishing my purposes, Vv^ays not very wrong, perhaps, 
 but not exactly straight? Am I overbearing or inclined to 
 hold grudges? Am I always willing to give place to others, 
 or do I claim and take the foremost place for myself, and 
 sulk if I do not get it?'" These, and other forms of self- 
 interrogation which our own consciences can suggest, to- 
 
 70 
 
THE CHRISTIAN GOAL [VII-c] 
 
 gether with the maintenance of a constant state of watch- 
 fulness and prayer, will help us in our effort to become per- 
 fect as Christ is perfect, and to take others with us on the 
 same road. 
 
 Be perfected ! Be completed ! This is God's appeal to 
 the Christian. He makes it because he wants us to be on 
 intimate terms with him. He grieves when anything separ- 
 ates us from him or dims our vision of him, and he longs 
 to have the separation removed. When the mists of sum- 
 mer or the frost of winter or the accumulated dust of weeks 
 and months cloud the window glass, it is impossible to see 
 the outer world with any satisfaction. When the glass is 
 cleansed everj'thing may be distinguished clearly. Why 
 do we not learn a similar lesson when we complain that we 
 have not as much comfort as usual in prayer; that it is 
 difficult to feel God's nearness? When the mists and frosts 
 of selfishness and the grime of impure and unholy thoughts 
 cloud the heart's vision, it is impossible to see God's glory. 
 And if, while one is on earth, he is content to have his vision 
 clouded thus, how can he expect to see God throughout 
 eternity? The promise is plain, "Blessed are the pure in 
 heart, for they shall see God." Then why be content with 
 anything short of absolute purity? 
 
 Of course there are difficulties in the way of those whom 
 God calls to be completed. But for those who speak the 
 word of readiness to follow where God shows the way, God 
 will sweep aside all hindrances, helping them onward and 
 upward, till they all "attain unto the unity of the faith and 
 of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a full-grown man, 
 unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ." 
 
 Our heavenly Father, there is so much that is unlovely 
 in our lives that zve would be afraid to come to thee if we 
 were not sure of thy welcome. Search our hearts and reveal 
 every wicked way in us. Then show us what we may he 
 if we permit thy Spirit to transform us. Take away the 
 mists that hide thee from us. Satisfy us every day with the 
 knowledge that thou art dwelling within us. By our faith- 
 fulness, and courtesy, and gentleness, and love for those who 
 are about us, may we prove that we are dwelling zuith thee. 
 Thus wilt thou use us in revealing thee to those to whom 
 thou art as yet unknown. For the sake of thy Son. Amen, 
 
 71 
 
[VII-s] THE CHRISTIAN ACCORDING TO PAUL 
 
 SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER THOUGHT 
 AND STUDY 
 
 What would j^ou say is the secret of Christian progress? 
 
 How much is it worth while to sacrifice in the effort to 
 achieve a well-rounded character? 
 
 What is your conception of a full-grown man? 
 
 God's promises have been called an incitement to holiness. 
 Are they? Why? 
 
 72 
 
CHAPTER VIII 
 
 One With Christ 
 
 DAILY READINGS 
 
 Eighth Week, First Day 
 
 I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I 
 that Hve, but Christ liveth in me: and that life which I 
 now Hve in the flesh I Hve in faith, the faith which is in 
 the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself up for 
 me. — Gal. 2: 20. 
 
 The little girl was just alive, and that was all. The physi- 
 cian said that unless new blood could be infused into her 
 veins she must die. The mother bared her arm that the 
 physician might open the artery and cause the rich blood to 
 flow from her body into that of the child. And the child 
 lived. When she grew strong once more she was told of 
 the operation. From that day she felt that her mother's life 
 had become hers ; that she belonged to her mother in a new, 
 real sense. 
 
 How far is this an illustration of Christ's victhod of giv- 
 ing new life to his people? 
 
 Eighth Week, Second Day 
 
 If then ye were raised together with Christ, seek the 
 things that are above, where Christ is, seated on the right 
 hand of God. Set your mind on the things that are 
 above, not on the things that are upon the earth. For 
 ye died, and your life is hid with Christ in God. — Col. 
 3: 1-3. 
 
 Forty years ago a young man in England thought of 
 nothing but going into his father's brewery business. There 
 came a day when a friend asked him to read the third chapter 
 
 7Z 
 
rvIII-3] THE CHRISTIAN ACCORDING TO PAUL 
 
 of John. Carelessly he made the promise and carelessly he 
 began to read. But carelessness was suddenly ended as he 
 saw his need of Christ. Then he resigned his inheritance, 
 and, penniless, he went out into the world to fight evil in 
 his Master's name. 
 
 A young man thought he was thoroughly enjoying life. 
 His daily program was like that of many of his fellows — 
 he was occupied from morning until night with work that 
 appealed to him and pleasures with which no one could find 
 fault. But he did not realize that he was always thinking 
 of himself. Then came a change. "God spoke to me," he 
 said, in teUing of his change. "He told me he wanted me 
 to give him my time. Then that seemed to me the only 
 thing worth while in life. Though years have passed, I 
 have never changed my mind." 
 
 What would men think of one who hopes some day to be 
 President of the United States, yet today is content to keep 
 a saloon f What shall be said of one who looks forward to 
 immortality, yet who today wherever he goes makes no effort 
 to be like Christ? 
 
 Eighth Week, Third Day 
 
 Henceforth let no man trouble me; for I bear branded 
 on my body the marks of Jesus. — Gal. 6: 17. 
 
 Always bearing about in the body the dying of Jesus, 
 that the life also of Jesus may be manifested in our body. 
 — II Cor. 4: 10. 
 
 In Paul's day slavery was universal, and slaves often 
 secured their freedom by gift or purchase. But since a man 
 who was known to have been a slave was never safe from 
 imprisonment as a runaway unless there was some mark to 
 indicate freedom, it became a custom in some places to take a 
 freed slave to the temple that he might be branded with the 
 seal of one of the heathen gods. Thenceforth the slave was 
 the property of that god, and no one could sell him again 
 into slavery. So Paul said, "Let no man trouble me, for I 
 bear branded in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus." 
 
 What did Paul mean by the marks branded on his body? 
 Does a reading of II Cor. 11: 23-27 help you to answer? 
 
 Have zue a right to claim that marks received in the service 
 of Jesus are marks of the Lord Jesus? 
 
 74 
 
ONE WITH CHRIST [VIII-43 
 
 Why was Paul justified in being proud of his marks? 
 What is your opinion of a Christian who is ashamed of 
 such marks? 
 
 Eighth Week, Fourth Day 
 
 As therefore you have received the Christ, even Jesus our 
 Lord, live and act in vital union with Hirn. — Col. 2 : 6 (Wey- 
 mouth). 
 
 Much has been said of the Christian's privilege to imitate 
 Christ, but it has been pointed out that what is needed is 
 not so much imitation as appropriation. What is the dis- 
 tinction? Do you agree? Try appropriation, and see. The 
 next time you are in trouble, and you feel that you must give 
 up the battle you have been fighting, suppose you remember 
 Christ's bearing when he v/as surrounded by foes ; then 
 breathe a prayer, "Thy courage, Lord." Do not ask for cour- 
 age like his, but the courage which helped him. See if the 
 realization of a power such as you have never known doesn't 
 come to you. When you are tempted to sin ; when impure 
 desires seek an entrance to your heart and unholy ambitions 
 fight for the possession of your soul, look up, and pray, "Thy 
 purity, Lord," and the temptation will be conquered for that 
 time. 
 
 Can we hope to appropriate Christ in this way without 
 shaping our daily Hves according to his standards? What 
 these standards are we know, not merely from his words 
 but from his acts. Then sometimes let us think of his life 
 on earth, asking ourselves such questions as these: How did 
 he treat his parents? How did he act toward his teachers? 
 What was his habit about attending religious service? What 
 was his conduct in the house of God? What were his habits 
 of prayer? What a revelation would be worked in our lives 
 if we should reverently make these inquiries and obediently 
 ask him to guide our feet, our hands, our voices in his way. 
 
 Eighth Week, Fifth Day 
 
 That Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. — 
 
 Eph. 3: 17. 
 
 What did Christ mean when he said to his disciples, "Abide 
 
 75 
 
[VIII-6] THE CHRISTIAN ACCORDING TO PAUL 
 
 in me"? (John 15: 4). How fully do Christians do as he 
 asks? Find a clause in Mark 10: i which indicates how we 
 are likely to come to him. Then note the clause which tells 
 how Christ treats those who come to him off and on. A 
 student who attends one lecture in five given in a course 
 gains some benefit, but the real reward is likely to go to a 
 student who never wishes to miss a lecture. If it is worth 
 while to go to Christ at all, why is it not far better to be 
 with him all the time? The opportunity for such constant 
 intercourse is given to us. What is Christ's promise to those 
 who abide in him? Read John 15: 1-4 once more. In the 
 light of that promise Paul was justified in making the petition 
 in Ephesians which is this day's Bible reading. Why was he 
 not content to make the petition that Christ may at times be 
 a visitor in the heart? What is attractive in the idea that 
 he will make his home in the heart? What should we do 
 to make him feel at home in our hearts? What is the impli- 
 cation of the fact that the same Greek word is translated 
 dwell in Ephesians 3: 17 and Colossians 2:9? What should 
 it mean that Christ is to dwell in us in the same sense that 
 God dwells in Christ? Now read John 14: 23. 
 
 Eighth Week, Sixth Day 
 
 For to me to live is Christ. — Phil, i: 21. 
 
 Do you sympathize with the man who said, "If I could 
 be such a Christian as Paul was, it would be worth while 
 to put aside the things that keep me from being a Christian"? 
 Why cannot anybody be as earnest as Paul was? Paul tells 
 the secret of his progress : "To me to live is Christ." But 
 did he learn this secret all at once? Recall passages which 
 tell of Paul's struggles with temptation. How would it help 
 him in his struggle with temptation to remind himself that 
 Christ was to be his life — that he and Christ were to be 
 always together? Together with him (Col. 2: 13) was his 
 cry. What does it m.ean to you that you are invited to the 
 same intimacy with the Lord? 
 
 Eighth Week, Seventh Day- 
 Have this mind in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 
 who, existing in the form of God, counted not the being 
 
 76 
 
ONE WITH CHRIST [VIII-7] 
 
 on an equality with God a thing to be grasped, bizt 
 emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, iDcing 
 made in the likeness of men; and being found in fashion 
 as a man, he humbled himself, becoming obedient even 
 unto death, yea, trie death of the cross. Wherefore also 
 God highly exalted him, and gave unto him the name 
 which is above every name; tliat in the name of Jesus 
 every knee should bow, of things in heaven and things 
 on earth and things under the earth, and that every 
 tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the 
 glory of God the Father. — Phil. 2: 5-1 1. 
 
 Some years ago residents of Philadelphia expressed sur- 
 prise when workmen began to resurface every square inch 
 of stone in the walls of a large office building. "Why do 
 they go to all that expense?" the question was asked. 
 "Surely the building is much less grimy than others near 
 by." But when the work was completed it was agreed that, 
 after all, the expense was justified; the appearance of the 
 building was wonderfully improved. Then it was learned 
 that the owners had thought, with others, that the building 
 was well enough as it was till a change in tenants made 
 necessary the cutting of a new name in the stone above the 
 main door. The dazzling brightness of the new surface 
 exposed made the rest of the building look so dingy that it 
 was at once decided to freshen the entire structure. Is it 
 not likely to be just so when we compare our lives with 
 those of other men and women about us? "I am as good 
 as the rest of them," we are tempted to say. But when we 
 compare ourselves with the perfect Man, Christ Jesus, what 
 disgust and loathing for ourselves is the result! Then, if 
 we are honest, we can be satisfied only with daily, hourly 
 struggle to make our lives like his, to have his mind, to be 
 like him. 
 
 How would the first three words of Hebrews 12: 2 do for 
 the watchword of the Christian who wants to have in him 
 the mind of Christ f 
 
 Philippians 2: 5-11 is one of the most tremendous passages 
 in the Bible. Learn it, then repeat it frequently. Think the 
 words over when temptation comes or when discouragement 
 darkens the day. Think of them when you are joyful. Re- 
 peat them aloud as you walk in the fields or in the woods. 
 Say them over when you lie awake at night. Your life 
 
 77 
 
[VIII-c] THE CHRISTIAN ACCORDING TO PAUL 
 
 will be enriched, for they will bring you into new touch with 
 Christ. 
 
 COMMENT FOR THE WEEK 
 
 Christ is born in the hearts of all who believe in him and 
 yield themselves to him, at the very moment they ask him to 
 become their Lord. And he promises to dwell in their hearts 
 forever. 
 
 There is a vast difference in the Hfe of everyone v^rho asks 
 Christ to be born in his heart. *No longer need the days be 
 dreary rounds of uncongenial employment; everything may 
 be transformed because Christ's presence gives a nev^r ideal 
 of hfe. 
 
 Every man has some ideal. There are some who feel that 
 they are to secure as much from the world as possible, at 
 all cost to others; if they should state their ideal, they could 
 honestly do no more than say, "For to me to live is self." 
 But the ideal of those who are a real power in the world is 
 altogether different. Resolutely trampling upon self, they 
 are continually thinking of the needs and desires of other 
 people, seeking to be true neighbors to them in the name of 
 Christ. 
 
 When Christ is born in us all partial or unworthy ideals 
 are forgotten. At first Paul had no higher ideal than to keep 
 the letter of the Jewish law, and to protect the law by 
 uprooting the heresy of Christ. Only when Christ appeared 
 to him and proved to him that the whole course of his life 
 was wrong did he see the necessity of changing his ideals. 
 Christ shov/ed him that he is the Son of God; that his teach- 
 ing is not designed to overthrow the law, but to fulfill it, and 
 that to attempt to keep the law is only to die. Knowing 
 these things, there was just one thing for Paul to do: make 
 Christ the Lord of his life. 
 
 When Christ is born in us we learn that we are asked to 
 give up no worthy ideals. Paul found that he could still 
 revere the law of Israel as he followed the Fulfiller of the 
 law. He could still be zealous for the protection of that 
 law from the assaults of all its enemies. But there was one 
 great difference as he retained these ideals : Christ became 
 the chief figure in everything. Before, Paul himself had 
 been the central figure in his acts and purposes. At last he 
 
 78 
 
ONE WITH CHRIST [VIII-c] 
 
 understood the glad fact that his Hfe had been surely 
 changed, and he said, "It is no longer I that live, but Christ 
 liveth in me." 
 
 Would you live so near to Christ that you, too, can say, 
 "For to me to live is Christ"? God is no respecter of per- 
 sons. The gifts and graces he gives to one Christian he will 
 give to another; and there is no limit to his giving. "The 
 same Lord is Lord of all, and is rich unto all that call upon 
 him" (Rom. lo: 12). This is not the mere advertising 
 phrase of an unscrupulous merchant ; it is the gracious 
 promise of the unchanging God, who says, "Heaven and 
 earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away" 
 (Matt. 24: 35). 
 
 Now if Christ is to live in us as he did in Paul, there 
 must be room for him. Two presidents cannot be at the head 
 of the government at the same time. Two families whose 
 tastes and interests are conflicting cannot live peaceably in 
 the same house. No more can Christ find room in the heart 
 defiled by sin ; Christ and sin cannot dwell together. We 
 cannot make a compromise, reserving part of the heart for 
 sin and asking Christ to take the rest. He asks for permis- 
 sion to enter the heart, to take complete possession of it, and 
 when this permission is given he will teach us of himself so 
 that we, too, can say with truth, "To me to live is Christ." 
 
 There is a story told of a somewhat eccentric preacher 
 who was driving along a country road, when he was attracted 
 by the appearance of a farmhouse. Leaving his carriage he 
 went to the door. A middle aged woman answered the sum- 
 mons, and he asked v.'ithout hesitation, "Madam, does Jesus 
 Christ live here?" The woman stared, but though he repeated 
 his inquiry he received no answer; and when he had gone 
 she ran out to where her husband was chopping wood, and 
 told him of her caller. "Didn't you tell him we belonged to 
 the Church?" demanded the old man. The wife shook her 
 head. "Didn't you tell him we give money every Sunday?'^ 
 Again she shook her head. " 'Twasn't anything like that 
 he wanted to know, John. He wanted to know if Jesus 
 Christ lives here— that's different." 
 
 This is what God tells us is the ideal. He wants us 
 so completely to identify ourselves, our thoughts, our inter- 
 ests, with Christ and his thoughts and ideals and interests, 
 that each of us may say with Paul, "To me to live is Christ.'* 
 
 79 
 
[VIII-c] THE CHRISTIAN ACCORDING TO PAUL 
 
 Though this ideal is possible for every Christian, it does 
 not become actual for many Christians. We do not permit 
 Christ to live in us. We want to mix our life and his, our 
 ways and his, our plans and his ; we want to take his views 
 of life when these are pleasing to us, and to adopt our own 
 views when these please us better. 
 
 The man who is clinging to definite wrong in his life 
 cannot say, "To me to live is Christ." If we desire Christ 
 in us so completely that we can truly use Paul's words as 
 our own, we must tell him of our desire and declare our pur- 
 pose to strive to keep down all that offends him. 
 
 Those whose lives are hid with Christ, who can say with 
 Paul, "For to me to live is Christ," know the secret of happi- 
 ness. Misfortunes and disappointments will continue to 
 come to us, but they no longer will have their old power to 
 distract and annoy us. Paul found it so. Year after year 
 he became, in the eyes of the world, poorer and more 
 wretched, but in his ov/n eyes he was ever happier because 
 he endured as seeing Christ who was Invisible to his tor- 
 mentors. 
 
 The man who understands what Paul meant has a wonder- 
 ful power to help others. An American editor, traveling in 
 France, spoke one Sunday in the pulpit of Charles Wagner. 
 After the service a man said to him, "I came to hear Mr. 
 Wagner, and I was disappointed when you got up to speak. 
 But I shall always be glad I heard you. I remember only 
 one thing you said, but this I shall never forget. I refer to 
 your definition of religion ; you said, 'To me religion means 
 just one thing: Jesus and I are friends.'" 
 
 If Christ is to be our friend, if he is to live in us, we must 
 become acquainted with him. One visited a house where 
 two old people had lived for years. They were sisters, but 
 their interests were not the same. Gradually they came to 
 live apart, though in the same house. From day to day they 
 met without a greeting. At night they separated without 
 a word. They did not know one another's thoughts or plans ; 
 they were as strangers. Jesus can never live with us on 
 any such terms as these. We must grow to know him, for 
 he is to be our life. And how can he be our life unless we 
 know how he thinks and acts, and what he wants us to do 
 for him? We must learn of him, study his life, talk to 
 him, take him as our intimate friend. 
 
 80 
 
ONE WITH CHRIST [VIII-£,] 
 
 A traveler tells of his ride through a lonely wood in a 
 Southern State, in the course of which he came to the cabin 
 of a negro woman. He talked with her a few moments. 
 As he was about to go, he said, "Are you living here all 
 alone?" With a bright smile came the answer, "Just me and 
 Jesus !" The silent forest was to her a paradise, for she 
 had wonderful company. She would have been able to 
 appreciate the answer made by a busy woman to one who 
 asked her if she knew the Lord Jesus. "Oh, yes! I walk 
 with Jesus, I eat with Jesus, I drink with Jesus." That was 
 her simple way of saying that Jesus was her companion, her 
 intimate friend. 
 
 There is a temptation that is likely to come to those who 
 are living thus close to Christ. When the day is to be more 
 than usually full of service for other people, when the home 
 cares are weighty, and the business perplexities are severe, 
 it is easy to feel that there is no time for the morning season 
 of Bible reading and prayer, and that we can safely let 
 this go. 
 
 Yet is it not true that the days when we have had most 
 satisfying fellowship with Christ have been those days when 
 we have had a little time apart with him, reading his word, 
 speaking to him, and hearing him speak to usf And what 
 of the days when the morning reading and prayer have been 
 omitted f 
 
 We thank thee, Lord Jesus, for the blessings that come to 
 us through thy word. May the remembrance of Paul's 
 readiness to serve strengthen its so that, as we hear thy call, 
 "Follow me," we may not in self confidence say, "Lord, I will 
 follozv thee whithersoever thou goest," only to fall by the 
 zvayside, but, relying on thee, may be obedient to the vision 
 of duty as thou dost reveal it to us. Show us how to grow 
 in grace — by resisting sin, by abiding in thee, and by pointing 
 others to thee. Amen. 
 
 SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER THOUGHT 
 AND STUDY 
 
 How can Christ make his home in the heart of his fol- 
 lower? 
 
 8t 
 
[VIII-sJ THE CHRISTIAN ACCORDING TO PAUL 
 
 What will be the effect of Christ's dwelling in a man's 
 heart: on the man himself; on those who associate with him? 
 
 How does Christ make hard things easier? 
 
 What is the real test of the genuineness of the Christian's 
 profession? 
 
 Think of the friends and acquaintances who attract you 
 most. What is it in them that attracts you? Do you know 
 the secret of this attraction? 
 
 82 
 
CHAPTER IX 
 
 The Law of Love 
 
 DAILY READINGS 
 
 Ninth Week, First Day 
 
 Now we that are strong ought to bear the infirmities 
 of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each one 
 of us please his neighbor for that which is good, unto 
 edifying. — Rom. 15: i, 2. 
 
 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of 
 Christ.— Gal. 6: 2. 
 
 Who are the strong? Has anyone a right to excuse him- 
 self from the operation of this law of love because he thinks 
 he is so weak? Who wants to own himself a weakling? 
 Yet. might not one who is always leaning on others just as 
 well make such a confession? If there is love in the heart 
 the way will be found by everyone, anyone, no matter what 
 his circumstances, to pass on to others God's good gifts. 
 One would have thought a little crippled girl, who lived in 
 a poor tenement room, could do nothing. But one day a 
 visitor came to her bedside. "Would you like to hear me 
 sing?" "Oh yes!" the cripple said, "but, first, won't you open 
 the door a crack? There's lots of folks in the house who'd 
 like to hear the singing. I'd feel selfish if I kept it all to 
 myself." 
 
 What is the world's opinion of the one who is always tak- 
 ing in and never giving out? What is the sneering but 
 expressive name given to such an individual? 
 
 Who do most for the world's happiness — the few who give 
 millions to endow hospitals and colleges, or the millions in 
 humble life who perforin little deeds of helpfulness? 
 
 Ninth Week, Second Day 
 
 Owe no man anything, save to love one another: for 
 
 83 
 
[IX-3] THE CHRISTIAN ACCORDING TO PAUL 
 
 he that loveth his neighbor hath fulfilled the law. For 
 this, Thou shalt not commit adultery. Thou shalt not 
 kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not covet, and if 
 there be any other commandment, it is summed up in 
 this word, namely. Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thy- 
 self. Love worketh no ill to his neighbor: love therefore 
 is the fulfilment of the law. — Rom. 13: 8-10. 
 
 "I have no debts. I pay my bills as I go along. No one 
 has any claim on me." It is a common thing to hear such 
 a statement. But can anyone say this with truth? Of 
 course there are those who have no financial obligations. 
 But how about the debt to God? How about the obligation 
 of love and service to family and friends? How about "Love 
 one another as I have loved you" ? Not only are we told that 
 we owe to those about us a debt of love, but the measure of 
 that debt is revealed to us : "Love thy neighbor as thyself" 
 is the definite injunction. What does regard for our own 
 welfare make us desire for ourselves? Very well, let us 
 do that for our neighbor. Who is our neighbor? Can we 
 ask that question in the light of Luke 10: 25-37? 
 
 Ninth Week, Third Day 
 
 Nay, already it is altogether a defect in you, that ye 
 have lawsuits one with another. Why not rather take 
 wrong? why not rather be defrauded? Nay, but ye your- 
 selves do wrong, and defraud, and that your brethren. — 
 I Cor. 6: 7, 8. 
 
 When one is unjustly attacked, why is it a temptation to 
 give the attacking party "a taste of his own medicine?" But 
 note the way taken by a pastor who lived in a town where, 
 unfortunately, the churches were not always on the best 
 of terms. As the culmination of a long series of petty slights 
 and insinuations, the pastor of one church preached a bitter 
 sermon denouncing various doctrines and customs of the 
 church of which the man in question was pastor. At first 
 the latter was incensed. He spent much time in the effort to 
 devise a cutting rejoinder. But, fortunately, he prayed for 
 guidance. Then he preached a sermon devoted to setting 
 forth the good points of the church to which the attacking 
 minister belonged. Lessons were drawn from the lives of 
 
THE LAW OF LOVE [IX-4] 
 
 men of might who had been prominent in the councils of 
 the denomination. Not one reference was made to the ser- 
 mon of detraction and criticism. What do you think would 
 be the effect of such a course? Why is not a method like 
 this used oftener? Why is the kind course the wiser 
 course? Have you an opportunity to test the matter with 
 one who is at swords' points with you just now? 
 
 Ninth Week, Fourth Day 
 
 Doing nothing through faction or through vainglory, 
 but in lowliness of mind each counting other better than 
 himself; not looking each of you to his own things, but 
 each of you also to the things of others. — Phil. 2: 3, 4. 
 
 A minister in a small town has told how, when the fire 
 bell rang, he saw a man running frantically up the hill toward 
 the fire. Soon the man turned and walked leisurely back. 
 "Where is the fire?" the minister asked. "I really don't 
 know," was the reply. "I got near enough to see that it 
 was not our house, and I stopped and turned back." But 
 in a European paper appeared a note about a man in a 
 Danish village who went with others to the help of a family 
 whose house was burning. While he was at work the mes- 
 sage was brought that his own house was in flames. "Let 
 it burn," he said; "there is a sick man in this house and I 
 am not going to leave him to die while I save my furniture." 
 It is easy to decide which of these incidents is more pleas- 
 ing. But which is more natural? Why? Why is it so much 
 easier to heed the advice of the world, "Look out for your- 
 self," than to listen to the appeal of Christ, "Look out for 
 the other fellow"? 
 
 Ninth Week, Fifth Day 
 
 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but 
 judge ye this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock in 
 his brother's way, or an occasion of falling. — Rom. 14: 13. 
 
 After the death of a man in an Illinois town there were 
 many eulogies of his life, but perhaps the most effective 
 word was that of an observer who said, "For years it was 
 his habit, as he walked the streets, to take every banana peel 
 
 85 
 
[IX-6] THE CHRISTIAN ACCORDING TO PAUL 
 
 or stone or fallen branch from the sidewalk, and to make 
 the path of others as safe as possible in every waj' he could." 
 In the same town lived a man who said once, "I guess I can 
 safely leave this little patch of ice on my walk ; everybody 
 will pick his steps carefully on a day like this," 
 
 It is easy to see the need of taking physical difficulties out 
 of the way of others. If we were as careful to remove diffi- 
 culties from the way of their progress toward God, what 
 change would we have to make in our lives? 
 
 Ninth Week, Sixth Day 
 
 Put on therefore, as God's elect, holy and beloved, a 
 heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, long- 
 suffering; forbearing one another, and forgiving each 
 other, if any man have a complaint against any; even as 
 the Lord forgave you, so also do ye: and above all these 
 put on love, which is the bond of perfectness. And let 
 the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to the which also 
 ye were called in one body; and be ye thankful. — Col. 3: 
 12-15. 
 
 What is meant by the statement that the Christian is to be 
 "in the world, but not of it"? Paul speaks of the Chris- 
 tian's attitude to the world as the putting off of old gar- 
 ments for new apparel. These garments he names : com- 
 passion — the Christian is to be sympathetic with others; 
 kindness — he needs to have that feeling toward another that 
 is fitting in those who are kin; humility — it is necessary not 
 only that we keep free from thinking of ourselves more 
 highly than we ought to think, but also that we appreciate 
 the good qualities of others ; forbearance and forgiveness — 
 the habit of mind that will enable one to say, as did Edward 
 Everett Hale on his eightieth birthday, "I never had but 
 one enemy, and last week, when I was trying to think of 
 his name, I found I had forgotten who he was." 
 
 Are these qualities named by Paul manly qualities? Why? 
 
 Why is the Christian urged to forgive others as the Lord 
 forgives him? How completely does God forgive? See 
 Psalm 103. 
 
 Ninth Week, Seventh Day 
 If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but 
 86 
 
THE LAW OF LOVE [IX-7] 
 
 have not love, I am become sounding brass, or a clang- 
 ing cymbal. And if I have the gift of prophecy, and 
 know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all 
 faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I 
 am nothing. And if I bestow all my goods to feed the 
 poor, and if I give my body to be burned, but have not 
 love, it profiteth me nothing. Love suffereth long, and 
 is kind; love envieth not; love vaunteth not itself, is not 
 puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not 
 its own, is not provoked, taketh not account of evil; 
 rejoiceth not in unrighteousness, but rejoiceth with the 
 truth; beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all 
 things, endureth all things. Love never faileth: but 
 whether there be prophecies, they shall be done av/ay; 
 whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there 
 be knowledge, it shall be done away. For we know in 
 part, and we prophesy in part; but when that which is 
 perfect is come, that which is in part shall be done away. 
 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I felt as a child, 
 I thought as a child: now that I am become a man, I 
 have put away childish things. For now we see in a 
 mirror, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in 
 part; but then shall I know fully even as also I was fully 
 known. But now abideth faith, hope, love, these three; 
 and the greatest of these is love. — I Cor. ch. 13. 
 
 Is it a true statement that the love that is kind, envies 
 not, and is humble, will win its way through doors that are 
 closed to those who are self-assertive and overbearing? Do 
 you know one who is perfectly described by these words, 
 "thinketh no evil"? Do you know another who habitually 
 puts the worst construction on the actions of all his ac- 
 quaintances? No need to ask which of the two wins friends 
 and holds them with a grip of steel. Then why are we so 
 slow to choose the way that wins friends? Why are people 
 more fond of quoting these words to others than of applying 
 them to themselves? Is it because we are not fond of vigor- 
 ous heart searching? They cut like a surgeon's knife. How 
 do we bear the test? Are we guilty of self seeking? Do 
 we envy or grieve at the good of others? Do we rejoice 
 as we see the good things that come into the lives of our 
 acquaintances? The mirror is held up to us not that we may 
 be discouraged as we see how far short we come, but that, 
 seeing our lack, we may come in humility to Him who will 
 teach us how to love truly. 
 
 87 
 
[IX-c] THE CHRISTIAN ACCORDING TO PAUL 
 
 How fully did Paul show the characteristics of the love 
 of which he wrote? Think of some of the trying circum- 
 stances in which he was placed. How did he act? How 
 would you be tempted to act under similar conditions? 
 
 COMMENT FOR THE WEEK 
 
 One who has described the conditions of life in Germany 
 and France during the Middle Ages says that men had no 
 sense of obligation to right living; they lived by preying 
 on one another. The universal rule seemed to be, "Might, 
 makes right." The upper classes oppressed the lower, while 
 the lower classes in turn oppressed those lower still. Every 
 man Avas apparently living for himself, with no thought of 
 his neighbor, no care for his interests. The situation was 
 thus summed up : "Men apparently had lost the sympathetic 
 imagination by which the pain and grief of the unfortunate 
 are transferred from the hearts of others." 
 
 The root of the difficulty then — as it is the root of social 
 difficulty today — was that men persisted in thinking that 
 the way to happiness is through self-seeking. The world is 
 being transformed, and this transformation is due 'to the 
 fact that from year to year the conviction is gaining ground 
 that the way to happiness is not found in self-seeking, but in 
 service ; not in looking out for one's self, but in planning 
 for the well-being of others. The transformation is slow 
 because so many scorn the teaching; but the faithfulness of 
 those who have made it a part of their lives is constantly 
 bearing fruit in the transformation of self-seekers into serv- 
 ants of their fellows. 
 
 Life Is not worth while unless it is full of deeds of thought- 
 fulness like those told of a community of Jewish immigrant 
 farmers in New England. One farmer in the community lost 
 his barn by fire. All the contents were destroyed. His 
 capital had been exhausted in the purchase of the farm, and 
 he and his family were destitute at the beginning of winter. 
 "As soon as his pHght became known a group of his neighbors 
 assembled. 'What can we do to put this man. on his feet?* 
 was the question that occupied them. In less than one hour 
 the victim of the fire had two hundred and fifty dollars to 
 his credit, and was able to start all over again." Another 
 farmer was busy plowing when his best horse died. "Once 
 
 88 
 
THE LAW OF LOVE [IX-c] 
 
 more the neighbors got together, raised a fund and bought 
 him a horse, the cost of which he paid back in instalments." 
 
 There is in the world far more of such unselfishness than 
 the pessimist is willing to own. An ambitious young man 
 employed in a bank knew of a chance to prepare himself by 
 extra effort for a longed-for promotion. He was eager, till 
 he learned that another clerk, who was supporting an invalid 
 mother, was working for the same position. Without say- 
 ing a word, the young man resolved to make no effort to 
 secure the new position ; there would be time enough for 
 him when the needy man was taken care of. 
 
 Some years ago, when a bill was pending in Congress 
 prohibiting the use of disease-breeding phosphorus in the 
 manufacture of matches, it was realized that the greatest 
 danger to the bill lay in the fact that the Diamond Match 
 Company owned the patent to the only safe process of manu- 
 facturing phosphorous matches. President Taft appealed to 
 the company to surrender its patent that the law might not 
 fail of passage, or, if passed, that other manufacturers might 
 not be thrown out of business. The patent rights were 
 surrendered at once. 
 
 A man past middle age, the father of a family, who had 
 found difficulty in securing work because of his years, be- 
 came engineer in a city factory. On his very first day in his 
 new position he noticed a number of unsafe contrivances as 
 well as the omission of certain precautions for the safety 
 of employes which in most establishments were deemed 
 absolutely essential. When he called the attention of his 
 superior to these irregularities, he was advised to forget 
 about them, and a hint was given that protest would cost 
 him his job. The engineer's next hope was in the city's 
 inspector of steam boilers, but a perfunctory visit from this 
 official was followed by approval of the plant. Then the 
 engineer saw that the only hope of securing the correction 
 of abuses lay in calling themito the attention of the inspector, 
 who could not be silent about them under such circum- 
 stances. An unfavorable report from the inspector would 
 compel the company to protect their men. Yet — and here 
 was the problem — the engineer could thus protect his fellow 
 workmen only by endangering his own position and so the 
 welfare of his family. What was he to do? What would 
 you have done? 
 
 89 
 
[IX-c] THE CHRISTIAN ACCORDING TO PAUL 
 
 And what would you have been tempted to do if you had 
 been in the place of Alice Freeman Palmer, to whom a 
 friend protested because she was devoting time to doing little 
 things for needy people when she might have written books 
 that would have brought her fame ? "When you are gone 
 people will ask who you were, and nobody will be able to 
 say," the friend urged. "Well, why should they say?" was 
 her reply. "It is people that count. You want to put your- 
 self into people; they touch other people; these, others still, 
 and so you go on working forever." Not "How much fame 
 may I win?" but "How much help may I give?" is the ques- 
 tion to be answered by every earnest individual. 
 
 There are those who are perfectly willing to serve when 
 the service does not require too much effort or when it does 
 not involve danger to self. But Paul sets before us the 
 privilege of serving others in entire forgetfulness of self. 
 The Christian who has a passion for service will not worry 
 about himself. 
 
 A Christian business man once gave a reporter an inter- 
 view in which he spoke freely of abuses connected with the 
 business in which he earned his living. The reporter con- 
 gratulated himself on the good story he was able to write, 
 until he realized that the printing of it, unchanged, might 
 have a serious effect on the future of the business man. So 
 he wrote to him and asked him if it would not be wise to 
 leave out many things in the story which, from the reporter's 
 point of view, made it really worth printing. Reasons were 
 stated ; the danger to the man of publishing the story 
 unchanged was explained carefully. A few days later came 
 the business man's response. He said he had carefully 
 read the story to his wife, in view of the reporter's sugges- 
 tions, and that both of them agreed it ought to be printed 
 exactly as it stood. "We feel that God will use that article 
 to waken some director's conscience or startle to action some 
 conscientious official," he wrote. Then he went on : "In any 
 event, worse than the risk I am running is the fearful con- 
 dition of the one thousand employes of the company who 
 are suffering from such unprincipled management." 
 
 There are those who do not find it difficult to forget self 
 in the service of others, who fail utterly when the call comes 
 to show the love that forgives injuries. Yet no one can 
 claim to be a true follower of Christ who cannot forgive an 
 
 90 
 
THE LAW OF LOVE [IX-c] 
 
 injury as completely as a minister to whom an editor wrote 
 for the verification of an incident he had heard, which he 
 wished to use in his paper. The incident told how the min- 
 ister had been led into the greatest work of his Hfe after 
 he had been forced out of his own church by the opposition 
 of one of his leading members. This was the reply to the 
 letter of inquiry: "The incident referred to in your letter 
 is a garbled statement of something which happened in 1874. 
 The good man spoken of has been in heaven for a long 
 time ; and there may have been undue heat on each side. 
 I should be glad if the matter could be relegated to oblivion." 
 Love like that is the unfailing mark of the true Christian. 
 
 An African missionary has told of an old woman v/hose 
 face was much scarred by tribal tattoo marks. When the 
 missionary asked her why the women so disfigured their 
 faces, she replied that the tattoos were marks of beauty. 
 "But," said the missionary's wife, "European women do not 
 have any such marks." "No," replied the African, "you have 
 face marks of love, for you feed the hungry and clothe the 
 naked without asking any return; you are patient and un- 
 complaining when our people abuse you. You have the face 
 marks of love." 
 
 Love is the solution for all of Hfe's difficulties. Does the 
 young man wonder how to be on good terms with his 
 friend? Love him! Does the teacher long for a better 
 understanding with the boys of his Sunday school class? 
 Love them! Does the man of business ponder the problem 
 of saving one of his clerks from a reckless life? Love him I 
 Does the mother yearn after her neighbor who is bringing 
 gloom to her home by an unhappy disposition? Love her I 
 Is it your desire to win your friend to Christ? Love him I 
 "He loved me out of the pit!" was the true description 
 given by one who had been reclaimed from sin, in speaking 
 of the method employed by the friend who reached him. 
 
 "Love is of God; and every one that loveth is begotten 
 of God, and knoweth God." I John 4: 7. Love Hfts us 
 above the earth and puts us in touch with heaven. It closes 
 our eyes to the unworthy and the mean and opens them to 
 the splendid and the beautiful. It empties our hearts of 
 everything that is base and fills them with highest aspira- 
 tions and noblest impulses. It makes us companions and 
 friends of Jesus and equips us to do his work in the world. 
 
 91 
 
[IX-s] THE CHRISTIAN ACCORDING TO PAUL 
 
 O thou who hast loved us from the beginning of the world, 
 who didst die for us that we might know the meaning of 
 thy love, who dost not turn away from us even when we 
 spurn thy love, teach us what love is. Show us thy heart. 
 May the vision humble us to confession of our failures, to 
 appreciation of our own littleness, to longing for a purer, 
 truer life. Dwell in us that our lives may be beautiful and 
 winning. Give us thy Spirit that we may know we are the 
 children of eternal love, and that all fear may be cast out 
 forever. And to thee shall be the glory. Amen. 
 
 SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER THOUGHT 
 AND STUDY 
 
 How would you answer the man who says it is impossible 
 to live in the spirit of the thirteenth chapter of First Corin- 
 thians and get along in the world? 
 
 Who gets closer to his fellows — the successful pusher who 
 disregards the interests of others, or the one who is always 
 planning to see that others have a good time? 
 
 What do you think of the inventor of the milk-test machine, 
 who refused to patent it because he wanted to help other 
 people? 
 
 Is it possible to live the life of love without learning from 
 the love of the Son of God? 
 
 92 
 
CHAPTER X 
 
 The Secret of Happiness 
 
 DAILY READINGS 
 Tenth Week, First Day 
 
 The fruit of the Spirit is . . . joy. — Gal. 5: 22. 
 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. — Phil. 3: i. 
 
 Why is the long faced Christian a disgrace to his profes- 
 sion? Where in the Bible will he find his authority for 
 gloom? What was the message of the angels on the first 
 Christmas day? What did Jesus say about joy in John, 
 chapters 16 and 17? Turn to your concordance and note 
 how many times occur the words joy, joyous, joyful, re- 
 joice, and the like. How do you think Jesus looked? Would 
 the children have crowded about him if he had been sad 
 and gloomy? Would people have been attracted by his 
 message if he had been mournful? What are the elements 
 in the Christian's joy? What does the orchardist do with 
 the tree that bears no fruit, or only perverted fruit? What 
 would Christ be justified in doing with the Christian who does 
 not show the fruit he has a right to expect? If ever 'you 
 are at a loss for reasons for gladness, read Zeph. 3: 14-17, 
 and see what a good partner the prophet would have bQ,en 
 for Paul. 
 
 Tenth Week, Second Day 
 
 Concerning this thing I besought the Lord thrice, 
 that it might depart from me. And he hath said unto me, 
 My grace is sufficient for thee: for my power is made 
 perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather 
 glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may 
 rest upon me. Wherefore I take pleasure in v/eaknesses, 
 
 93 
 
IX-3] THE CHRISTIAN ACCORDING TO PAUL 
 
 in injuries, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, 
 for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. 
 -—II Cor. 12: 8-10. 
 
 A young Italian who had been unjustly committed to 
 prison chafed under the ordeal, but long after he came from 
 the prison he realized that blessings he enjoyed later could 
 never have been his but for the trials that preceded. He 
 passed the lesson on in the form of a parable, the text being 
 the suit of frustagno (Italian homespun) v^hich took the 
 place of his convict garb. He said : "Frustagno is made of 
 liemp and cotton, . two weak materials, but when combined 
 they become a cloth of the strongest and most durable 
 <iuality. The hemp and cotton are woven closely together, 
 and thoroughly soaked in water. Then the cloth is laid upon 
 a smooth, square stone and beaten with stout sticks until 
 it is perfectly dry. There is no wearing out of a suit of frus- 
 tagno. That which gives the cloth such strength and dura- 
 hility is the thrashing it receives ; and is this not true of 
 liuman life? Man is made strong and self-dependent by 
 having passed under the hard knocks of experience. It 
 sometimes takes almost as severe treatment as the cloth 
 receives to knock out self conceit and make one useful to 
 society. The knocks and grindings I have received were 
 indeed severe, but they were all for my good, to prepare me 
 for life's battle," How may a privation become a source 
 of happiness? 
 
 Tenth Week, Third Day- 
 Wherefore we faint not; but though our outward man 
 is decaying, yet our inward man is renewed day by day. 
 For our light affliction, which is for the moment, worketh 
 for us more and more exceedingly an eternal weight of 
 glory; while we look not at the things which are seen, 
 but at the things which are not seen: for the things which 
 are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen 
 are eternal. — II Cor. 4: 16-18. 
 
 Have you looked with wonder at a Christian who suffers 
 constant pain, yet is a messenger of cheer to all who come 
 into the home? How have you explained the fact? What 
 do you think of Paul's explanation? Do you think that 
 
 94 
 
THE SECRET OF HAPPINESS [X-4] 
 
 Paul's assurance, "to them that love God all things work: 
 together for good," is literally true, or do you sometimes 
 feel like taking it at a discount? Those who take literally 
 this assurance, as well as the statement made in this day's 
 reading, cannot afford to forget two things. First, they must 
 be patient. It may seem sometimes that the coming of the 
 promised blessing is long delayed. Why not? God has a 
 lifetime — our lifetime — to fit us for eternity. Years may 
 pass before we see the place of a particular trial in his plan 
 for our happiness. It will not always be so. But let us 
 comfort ourselves with the thought that it is an eternal weight 
 of glory God is working out for us. The second thing ta 
 remember is that, while physical blessings do come to Chris- 
 tians which are distinctly the result of suffering and trial, 
 often the only result of trial and disappointment is the 
 increase of the spiritual life, the added beauty of the inner 
 life. Shall we say that suffering is not worth while if this 
 is all it brings to us? If we say this, how does our attitude' 
 differ from that taken by those who sneer at religious bless^ 
 
 Tenth Week, Fourth Day 
 
 But this I say, He that sowcth sparingly shall reap also 
 sparingly; and he that soweth bountifully shall reap also 
 bountifully. Let each man do according as he hath pur- 
 posed in his heart; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for 
 God loveth a cheerful giver. — II Cor. 9: 6, 7. 
 
 Remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that he him- 
 self said, It is more blessed to give than to receive. — 
 Acts 20: 35. 
 
 An American resident in India, accustomed to all sorts of 
 accommodations when traveling in the interior, once came 
 to a village where the head man had a hiijra, or guest house. 
 The host, a Mohammedan, had already retired, but he rose 
 from his bed to receive the traveler who asked if the hujra 
 belonged to him. "No, it is God's, but I am in charge of 
 it," was the answer, which was not mere form, as was proved 
 by the welcome freely accorded the visitor. 
 
 What difference would it make in our gifts, and in our 
 pleasure in making gifts, if we should take a like attitude 
 to what God has intrusted to us? 
 
 95 
 
[X-5] THE CHRISTIAN ACCORDING TO PAUL 
 
 How much of what God has given to us is to be admin- 
 istered for him? 
 
 Dare we make the prayer that God will use for his glory 
 every dollar we spend, whether or not it is given directly for 
 the support of his work? 
 
 Tenth Week, Fifth Day 
 
 But I hold not my life of any account as dear unto 
 myself, so that I may accomplish my course, and the min- 
 istry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify 
 the gospel of the grace of God. — Acts 20: 24. 
 
 Why should a man be glad to be the bearer of the invita- 
 tion, "Come unto me . . . and I will give you rest"? 
 George Sherwood Eddy says that the gospel is still good 
 news in Korea, and that the native Christians are glad because 
 they can ask others to give their hearts to Christ. "If a 
 man spends all night at an inn without telling the message 
 to all the inmates he feels that he has missed a great oppor- 
 tunity," Mr. Eddy says. "We saw a young student whose 
 diary shows thirty-four hundred interviews during the year. 
 One day he confessed with shame that he had spoken to 
 only four persons about Christ that day." What if every 
 Christian felt a like responsibility and privilege? How much 
 joy do you take in speaking of your Master to your asso- 
 ciates ? 
 
 Tenth Week, Sixth Day 
 
 For now life is for us life indeed since you are standing fast 
 in the Lord. — I Thess. 3: 8 (Weymouth). 
 
 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of glorying? 
 Are not even ye, before our Lord Jesus at his coming? 
 For ye are our glory and our joy. — I Thess. 2: 19, 20. 
 
 How does the average Christian look upon the call to do 
 Christian work? Why do so many act as if taking part in 
 service for Christ were a disagreeable incident in life? What 
 is the true attitude? One who had spent years as a mission- 
 ary, said, "I have dwelt for years by myself in Africa, have 
 been thirty times stricken with fever, have been ambushed 
 
 96 
 
THE SECRET OF HAPPINESS [X-7] 
 
 by natives, have eaten everything from ants to rhinoceroses, 
 but I would gladly go through the same experiences again 
 for the joy of teaching those people to know the Saviour." 
 Why did he feel so? Why is it such pleasure to lead a 
 friend or an acquaintance to Jesus Christ? Why should 
 it be a keen pleasure to watch the progress in Christian 
 living of those whom one has been instrumental in leading 
 to Christ? 
 
 Tenth Week, Seventh Day 
 
 Singing and making melody with your heart to the 
 Lord. — Eph. 5: 19. 
 Rejoice always. — I Thess. 5; 16. 
 
 Christianity has been called "the religion that sings." What 
 is there in heathen religions to prompt one to sing? Why 
 is it that the attempt has been made to adapt Christian 
 hymns to the uses of Buddhism? Can you picture an atheist 
 singing because he does not believe in God? How would 
 a church service with all singing eliminated appeal to you? 
 W'hat does it mean to sing with the heart? How can one 
 sing in the heart? Is it possible for the heart to be singing 
 all the time? How close must one keep to Christ if this is 
 to be the condition in his heart? How close to Christ did 
 Paul keep? Is there any reason why we cannot keep as 
 close as he did? Does Christ show any favoritism? 
 
 COMMENT FOR THE WEEK 
 
 Why are so many Christians content to he gloomy, or 
 sullen, or unpleasant, or dictatorial, or unsympathetic? 
 They may he true servants of God, and exhihit these traits; 
 hut how much happier they would he, and how much more 
 useful, without them! 
 
 Dr. Hastings tells of a friend who spoke of a neighbor, 
 saying, "I am sure he is a Christian, but he is a rather dis- 
 agreeable one." Is it not a certainty "that part of a Chris- 
 tian's duty to his Lord is to learn at his feet the kindliness, 
 the gentleness, the sympathy, the considerateness, w^hich win 
 and are attractive for him"? By what right are any of us 
 content with less than that? The Psalmist's prayer was, 
 "Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us." 
 
 97 
 
[X-c] THE CHRISTIAN ACCORDING TO PAUL 
 
 How can the Christian who offers that prayer be disagree- 
 able? And why should not every Christian try to live that 
 prayer every day of his life? 
 
 There is no excuse for an existence that is cheerless, empty, 
 unsatisfied, no matter how much privation there may be in 
 the life. Those who make God their constant companion, 
 their unfailing Friend, say that burdens are lightened and 
 that life is transformed because of his presence. 
 
 The Master tells the secret of being glad. When Hfe is 
 hard we must look, not at men about us, but at the Father 
 above us. When we are discouraged, perplexed, dismayed, 
 we have only to lift our thoughts to God, to tell him about 
 the hard things, to ask him to show us how to understand 
 them. "If we "look up and not down," there will be a song 
 of thanksgiving in the heart. 
 
 Paul and Silas, in the prison, after a form of punishment 
 so severe that death was frequently caused by it, did not 
 stop to rub their sorely wounded backs and groan in their 
 misery; they rejoiced that they were counted worthy to 
 suffer dishonor for Christ. That is the spirit that will yet 
 conquer the world. There is abundant reason for such 
 rejoicing. Paul rejoiced in spite of troubles many times 
 greater than any that can come to us. 
 
 One of Paul's greatest trials was his thorn in the flesh, the 
 physical ailment which he does not describe for us. Three 
 times he earnestly asked to be freed from this burden, but 
 •Christ chose to answer his prayer, not by taking away the 
 .ailment but by giving him strength to bear it. It is to be 
 everlasting honor that he no longer urged his prayer ; he 
 knew he had received his answer. Thereafter he took pleas- 
 ure even in his ailment, for it was helping him to live as 
 God's companion. 
 
 God's method of dealing with his children Is far wiser 
 than that taken by many earthly parents whose love for their 
 children frequently finds expression in the effort to remove 
 all difficulties from their path. But their activity is not 
 always the blessing it is intended to be. A traveler has told 
 of meeting in Europe a mother who said to her daughter, 
 "If I had had your opportunities when I was young, I should 
 have been a very happy girl." But the daughter was not 
 happy ; she felt that she had too many advantages and not 
 enough difficulties. "You do not know what life is when all 
 
 98 
 
THE SECRET OF HAPPINESS [X-c] 
 
 the difficulties are removed," she said. "I am simply smoth- 
 ered and sickened with advantages. It is like eating a sweet 
 dessert the first thing in the morning." God in his wisdom 
 sometimes allows difficulties to remain in our way. He 
 knows that without the discipline of overcoming difficulties 
 our lives would be one-sided, our development would be 
 hindered and our capacity for real joy would be limited. 
 
 It is a mistake to think that all the hard things must be 
 hindrances to happiness and achievement. "Wouldn't this 
 world be a great place to live in if there were no weeds in 
 it!" a traveler who had been looking out on a beautiful 
 landscape remarked to his companion. "But isn't it a good 
 thing to have to fight the weeds?" was the unexpected reply. 
 "Life would lose its zest if everything could be had without 
 a struggle." He was right. Happiness comes not so much 
 through freedom from trials and troubles and hardships, 
 as through God-given ability to rise above such things. 
 
 An English book tells the story of a London poHce court 
 missionary who found satisfying life work as a result of an 
 accident that seemed to sound the death knell of all his 
 hopes. He was playing with his little son in the fields, when 
 the boy said, "Father, roll !" The boy rolled gleefully along 
 the ground. Then the father rolled. The next thing he 
 knew the boy was asking, "Are you awake, father?" He 
 had rolled into a ditch, where painful injuries had made him 
 unconscious. A blood vessel had been broken, and he was 
 never strong thereafter. Several years of hardship followed. 
 Then the way was opened to undertake the London employ- 
 ment, which would not have been offered to him if he had 
 not had his accident. He was successful from the first, 
 because his own suffering fitted him to sympathize with other 
 sufferers. 
 
 Faith in God should be so strong that there will never be 
 a doubt in our minds that "to them that love God all things 
 work together for good." All things that come to an earnest 
 servant of God are God's gifts. They are sent in love, and 
 they are to be received with joy. 
 
 But are we to permit the giving to be all on one side? 
 How about our gifts to God? We start by giving ourselves 
 to him. But is there not something lacking in the promise 
 that dedicates the life to God and holds back the possessions? 
 All that we have is the Lord's ; it all came from him. God 
 
 99 
 
[X-c] THE CHRISTIAN ACCORDING TO PAUL 
 
 asks us to give only a portion of this for his work; it must 
 be remembered, however, that all is to be used for his glory. 
 The question to be answered, whenever the pocket book is 
 opened, should be, "Will this use to which I propose to put 
 this money be for God's glory?" Those who spend on them- 
 selves and give to others in that spirit, are on the right track ; 
 they will become cheerful givers. 
 
 Do we ever feel like patting ourselves on the back because 
 we are so generous in our gifts? When we have such a feel- 
 ing it would do us good to think of some people who have 
 learned the real joy of giving. When Matthias W. Baldwin, 
 the builder of the first American locomotive, was a young 
 man struggling for a foothold, he attended a meeting called 
 to raise money. After an hour of despondent debate, he 
 rose and said, "Brethren, we have talked long enough. It is 
 time something was done. We need not expect others to 
 give until we set them the example. I have laid aside twenty- 
 five dollars for a new suit of clothes; but I can wear my 
 old ones one winter longer. Put my name down for twenty- 
 five." This example of self-denial changed the spirit of the 
 meeting in an instant. 
 
 One of the richest women in a western city was a cook. 
 She gave the savings of a lifetime to buy a manse for the 
 church of which she was a member. Thus she gave up every- 
 thing; but she had riches that no man could take from her. 
 The sage of old who wrote, "There is that scattereth, and 
 increaseth yet more," knew what he was talking about. 
 
 In Korea a little band of Christians were building a 
 church, but they lacked fifteen dollars. For a long time the 
 building stood half finished, when an earnest young man be- 
 came burdened about it. His possessions were only a small 
 piece of ground, a bullock, and a little mud hut. One morn- 
 ing after prayer he led away the bullock to the house of a 
 friend, who gave him in exchange fifteen dollars. The little 
 church was finished. Springtime came and the farmers began 
 to plow their fields. But what of Pai Ni II, who was without 
 his bullock? He and his brother got into the traces and drew 
 the plow, while his old father held the handles. 
 
 But no Christian has really learned the joy of giving until 
 he has begun to throw his life into the service of his fellows, 
 ministering to them, helping them, encouraging them, point- 
 ing them to Christ. There is no pleasure like that which 
 
 100 
 
THE SECRET OF HAPPINESS [X-cl 
 
 comes to the winner of souls. There is no higher privilege 
 than that giving to the man who can say to his fellows, "O 
 taste and see that the Lord is good." 
 
 Because he realizes this, a talented Christian in China is 
 glad to serve in obscurity, that he may find the way to the 
 hearts of his countrymen. "He might have been a professor 
 in his college. He might have had one of a hundred posi- 
 tions of influence at a princely salary, as salaries go in China; 
 he might have been secretary to the viceroy if he had chosen. 
 He might have been the leading Christian layman in any one 
 of a thousand cities. Where is he now? Pastor of a church 
 in the Yangtze valley at fifteen dollars a m.onth, in a city 
 where not one in ten thousand people can talk with him 
 in English or appreciate him." Some of that man's friends 
 make fun of him. But what of that? 
 
 There were those in a western town who laughed at the 
 men of a Bible class who longed to know the joy of the soul- 
 winner. They studied prospects with care, and they decided 
 that the men most worth while winning were four of the 
 worst drinkers in the town, as well as- two men who had 
 served time in the county jail. The six men consented to 
 come to the class. They were made welcome, though some 
 declared that their presence would lower the tone of the 
 class. The reward came when two of the men united with 
 the church. "And we have reason to think the other four 
 will come soon," the soul-winner said, happily. 
 
 Christians like these Bible class men would have delighted 
 the heart of Maltbie D. Babcock, who appealed to Christians : 
 
 "Be strong! 
 We are not here to play, to dream, to drift. 
 We have hard work to do, and loads to lift. 
 Shun not the struggle — face it, 'tis God's gift." 
 
 We thank thee, our Father, for the place prepared for its, 
 for the joy we are to have in thy presence, for the knowl- 
 edge that we are to serve thee forever. May we not be alone 
 as we enter thy presence and stand before thy throne, but 
 may we take zvith us many of those with whom we have 
 lived, for whom we have prayed, to whom we have given the 
 invitation to seek the Lord with us. Make us faithful serv- 
 ants every moment, that our associates out in the world or 
 
 lOI 
 
[X-s] THE CHRISTIAN ACCORDING TO PAUL 
 
 in the home may he won by litHe acts of love to desire to 
 know the Lord who is directing our ways. In the name of 
 him who died that we might live. Amen. 
 
 SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER THOUGHT 
 AND STUDY 
 
 How has the promise, 'To them that love God all things 
 work together for good," been fulfilled in your life? 
 
 What is your conviction as to the best way to give to God's 
 work? How does your plan succeed? What gift has brought 
 you most joy? Why do you give? 
 
 What do you think of the Christian who is content to sing, 
 "Where is the blessedness I knew, when first I knew the 
 Lord"? Why should the Christian's joy increase as the years 
 
 102 
 
CHAPTER XI 
 
 Things to Pray For 
 
 DAILY READINGS 
 
 Eleventh Week, First Day 
 
 Pray without ceasing. — I Thess. 5: 17. 
 Continue stedfastly in prayer, watching therein with 
 thanksgiving. — Col. 4: 2. 
 
 What is to be thought of the Christian who is content to 
 plan for stated seasons of prayer, while between times he 
 never thinks of prayer? Yet we may speak to God at any 
 time. Is it hard to realize this? Why not try speaking to 
 him at any moment through the day? Earnest Christians 
 testify that there is nothing like this method of reahzing the 
 constant presence of God. The prayers made during the 
 hours of business may be mere ejaculations — a plea for help 
 in temptation, or for guidance at a time of special difficulty, 
 a request that God will be with a sick friend of whom word 
 has just been received, a heart uplifted in parssing a house, 
 it may be of a stranger, on the door of which there has 
 been placed the sign that God has taken to himself one of 
 the family within. Everywhere, on the car, on the street, in 
 the office, in the lecture room, we are in God's presence and 
 we may speak to him. 
 
 Weymouth translates Colossians 4: 2, "Be earnest and 
 unwearied in prayer, being on the alert in it." How does 
 this help in the understanding of Paul's message f 
 
 Eleventh Week, Second Day 
 
 I exhort . . . that supplications, prayers ... be 
 made for all men. — I Tim. 2: i. 
 
 103 
 
[XI-3] THE CHRISTIAN ACCORDING TO PAUL 
 
 How often do we pray for other people? Why is it far 
 easier to devote most petitions to ourselves and our fancied 
 needs, while we speak of the needs of others in a few words 
 or sentences at the end of the rather formal morning or 
 evening prayer? How far was the cynic justified who said 
 that the prayer of many Christians was something like this : 
 "Lord, bless me and my wife, my son John and his wife, us 
 four and no more"? Note how Paul used his privilege of 
 pra3ang for others (Eph. i: 16-19). 
 
 What proportion of Christ's prayers zvere for himself f 
 
 Eleventh Week, Third Day 
 
 Epaphras . . . sends greeting to you, always wrestling 
 on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand firm — 
 Christians of ripe character and of clear conviction as to 
 everything which is God's will. — Col. 4: 12 (Weymouth). 
 
 Vv^hat would it mean to you in an hour of severe tempta- 
 tion to know that some friend was asking God to help you? 
 What do you think it meant to Peter to have the assurance 
 that Christ was praying for him? Luke 22: 31, 32. What 
 do you think of a man who wants a friend to do for him 
 what he is unwilling to do for his friend? What idea do you 
 get from Paul's use of the word wrestling? Read the account 
 of Jacob's intense experience in prayer (Genesis 32: 24-31). 
 How accurately would, the word wrestling describe the aver- 
 age prayer? How completely did Epaphras' prayer cover 
 the deepest needs of his friends? Can you suggest any- 
 thing he might have added to his prayer? 
 
 Eleventh Week, Fourth Day 
 
 To which end we also pray always for you, that our 
 God may count you worthy of your calling, and fulfil 
 every desire of goodness and every work of faith, with 
 power; that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified 
 in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God 
 and the Lord Jesus Christ. — II Thess. i: 11, 12. 
 
 What do you do when a friend asks you to pray for him? 
 You promise, but how long do you remember the promise? 
 Probably the request is soon crowded from the mind. Many 
 
 104 
 
THINGS TO PRAY FOR [XI-5] 
 
 men keep a prayer list, on which they enter the names of 
 those .who ask for their prayers, as well as the names of 
 those for whom they wish to pray even if they have not 
 been asked to do so. Such a list as this would be a help in 
 making definite the prayers that sometimes seem so labored. 
 Friends of Ding Li Mei, the Chinese evangelist who has 
 been so wonderfully successful, say that he carries the names 
 of several thousand people on his prayer list. What do you 
 think would be likely to be the effect on the personal life of 
 a man who prays earnestly for a friend that he may be a 
 worthy Christian, and that his life may glorify God? Can 
 one pray for such things for another and not strive for 
 them himself? What would be your reply to the man who 
 scoffs at prayer? What argument from experience can you 
 make? 
 
 Eleventh Week, Fifth Day 
 
 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of 
 glory, may give unto you a spirit of wisdom and revela- 
 tion in the knov^^ledge of him; having the eyes of your 
 heart enlightened, that ye may know what is the hope of 
 his calling, what the riches of the glory of his inheritance 
 in the saints, and what the exceeding greatness of his 
 power to us-ward who believe, according to that working 
 of the strength of his might which he wrought in Christ, 
 when he raised him from the dead, and made him to sit 
 at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all 
 rule, and authority, and power, and dominion, and every 
 name that is named, not only in this world, but also in 
 that which is to come. — Eph. i: 17-21. 
 
 Note the three things which Paul prays that the Christian 
 may understand. The first is hope. What do we hope for 
 in the Christian life? We ought to have a definite idea. 
 Is it only that we may win heaven at last? What else? 
 The second is the riches of God's inheritance in his people. 
 Does that seem like turning things wrong end to? We speak 
 of the riches of our inheritance in God; but — wonder of 
 wonders — we have a right to speak of God's riches in us. 
 Does that thought bring a new sense of responsibility to us? 
 The third thing we need to understand is the wonderful 
 pozver of God which will enable us to realize our hope in life 
 
 105 
 
[XI-6] THE CHRISTIAN ACCORDING TO PAUL 
 
 and to become what he wants us to be that he may rejoice 
 in us. 
 
 Eleventh Week, Sixth Day 
 
 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father, from 
 whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, 
 that he would grant you, according to the riches of his 
 glory, that ye may be strengthened with power through 
 his Spirit in the inward man; that Christ may dwell in 
 your hearts through faith; to the end that ye, being 
 rooted and grounded in love, may be strong to appre- 
 hend with all the saints what is the breadth and length 
 and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ 
 which passeth knowledge, that ye may be filled unto all 
 the fulness of God. — Eph. 3: 14-19. 
 
 A timber explorer in Louisiana was engaged to estimate 
 the amount of growing cypress in a section of land. So sure 
 was he of the speedy completion of his task that he took no 
 lunch with him, leaving word at the hotel that he would 
 return for an early dinner. At first his progress through 
 the forest was rapid, and his confidence increased. Sud- 
 denly, however, he was confronted by a dense thicket of 
 briers. Without hesitation he pushed into them, thinking 
 to pass through in a moment. But the thorns were long and 
 sharp, and the branches were so closely interlaced that he 
 found it out of the question to advance more than ten feet 
 in five minutes. Hour after hour the contest was continued. 
 Still he persevered, resolved to win his way through that 
 section of forest. But his strength was finally exhausted, 
 and he had to give up until he could return v/ith reenforce- 
 ments. 
 
 In what respects is the experience of the lumberman like 
 the experience of the Christian who fights the temptation to 
 do what he knows is not right? . 
 
 How can the knowledge of the love of Christ make us 
 strong? 
 
 Eleventh Week, Seventh Day 
 
 And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more 
 and more in knowledge and all discernment; so that ye 
 may approve the things that are excellent; that ye may 
 
 106 
 
THINGS TO PRAY FOR [XI-cI 
 
 be sincere and void of offence unto the day of Christ; 
 being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are 
 through Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God. 
 —Phil, i: 9-1 1. 
 
 Judging from his prayers, what was Paul's idea of the 
 comparative importance of physical blessings and spiritual 
 blessings? How does his idea correspond to the teaching^ 
 cf Jesus as indicated by the petitions in the Lord's prayer? 
 Why is it necessary that the Christian have as complete a 
 knowledge of Christ as possible? How will an abounding 
 love to Christ and knowledge of him help us to choose the 
 best things in life, and to live in such a way that others will 
 be glad that they know us? Why should we desire the love, 
 knowledge, judgment, sincerity, perseverance, and fruitful- 
 ness for which Paul teaches us to pray? 
 
 COMMENT FOR THE WEEK 
 
 Always there are those who point to Paul's injunction to 
 "Pray without ceasing" as an evidence of the impracticability 
 of so many Christian teachings. But is it impracticable f 
 
 Paul was writing to his friends at Thessalonica — the 
 modern city of Salonika. At the close of the letter he told 
 them certain things they must do if they would be earnest 
 disciples of the Lord. "Do not be content with spasmodic 
 efforts at Christian living," he said ; "follow good, make the 
 pursuit of good your one controlling purpose in life." Again 
 he said, "Pray without ceasing; let your life be a life of 
 prayer." 
 
 A passenger who asked a London cab driver if he loved 
 God was told he had no time for such things. Then the 
 passenger asked him if he had a wife. When an affirm- 
 ative answer was given, he said, "I am sorry for her." "Why 
 are you sorry?" the astonished cabby asked. "Because you 
 have no time to love her," was the reply. "No time to love 
 her! Why, I loves her every j^ard I drives!" the man said. 
 If we love God every step of the way, we will be, in spirit 
 at least, in communion with him at all times, living so close 
 to him that it will seem the most natural thing in the world 
 to speak to him at any moment or under all circumstances. 
 
 10/ 
 
[XI-c] THE CHRISTIAN ACCORDING TO PAUL 
 
 - We must have an appointed time for prayer when we can 
 have a little talk with God. The prayer then v/ill be as 
 definite as that offered daily by a group of earnest young 
 people: "Take me, Lord, and use me today as thou wilt. 
 Whatever work thou hast for me to do, give it into my hands. 
 If there are those thou wouldst have me to help in any way, 
 send them to me. Take my time and use it as thou wilt. 
 Let me live close to thy hand and be fit for thy service, to 
 be employed only for thee and for ministry to others, in 
 his name." 
 
 Then there will be special times when it will seem neces- 
 sary to go apart for prayer. Do we know how to retire to 
 a mountain top for prayer when we are perplexed and need 
 strength and guidance for the duties before us? Jesus did; 
 and here is the secret of his wonderful achievements. He 
 was at home with God, as he asks us to be. We can find 
 our mountain top in an instant's time, if we will only pour 
 out our hearts to God with earnest desire for his blessing. 
 And what blessed days those prove when the mountain top 
 blessing comes! And what dreary days those are when we 
 grope along the ground in the valleys and have no mountain- 
 top experiences with God! A son has told of the difference 
 the mountain-top experiences made in the life of his mother. 
 *T came soon to know that there was a little, sacred interval 
 in each busy day, not ahvays won, but always sought and 
 planned for, when no ordinary knocking would gain an 
 entrance to her closed door or bring her to my side. She 
 and her Bible were alone with God. And I knew without 
 her telling that I and my concerns were a part of her con- 
 cerns in that time of prayer. Once or twice I had even been 
 called in, when sin or sorrow 'was to be spoken of between 
 us. And Hfe had a different look when I came out through 
 her door after that speaking. In ordinary hours my mother 
 was not only one of the dearest, but one of the gayest com- 
 panions ; but when she came down from that mount of 
 silence, it seemed to my childish eyes that her face shone." 
 
 The Christian is to be constantly in the presence of God, 
 consciously keeping in touch with him. Sometimes, for 
 hours, not a word of prayer may be spoken or thought. But 
 as one may walk with his friend, enjoying every instant of 
 fellowship with him, unconscious, it may be, that no words 
 are uttered, so the Christian may hold true communion with 
 
 io8 
 
THINGS TO PRAY FOR [XI-cl 
 
 God while engaged in the business of the day, or as he talks 
 to others. "How do you manage to get time alone with 
 God?" a busy man was asked. "He is my companion on 
 street car rides, or when I walk from my office or my home," 
 he answered. 
 
 Did you ever, consciously, take a walk in God's company? 
 Try it. You will be surprised to find how short the way 
 seems. Next time 3^ou take a long walk repeat the Psalms 
 3'OU know, and any other chapters you have learned. And 
 after you have repeated a few Psalms, pray for a while 
 as you walk. Perhaps the idea will seem strange just at 
 first — but why should it? God is the best companion in the 
 world. Try him, and see ! 
 
 Frequently surprise is expressed that some man or some 
 woman, who seems to have less thorough equipment for life 
 than many others, is able to accomplish so much more than 
 any of those others. In many cases the secret of the achieve- 
 ments that cause surprise would be disclosed if we could 
 have a glimpse into the prayer life of the workers. Such 
 a glimpse is given us in the journal of a missionary whose 
 biographer lifted the veil of privacy long enough to dis- 
 close this prayer, made at a time of great trial and uncer- 
 tainty : "Make me patient under calumny, whether it be at 
 home or abroad. Give me patience to labor at details as 
 much as if they were the highest work. Let me not get dis- 
 appointed with the opposition that may be thrown in the way. 
 If it shall prove not to be thy call to labor here, help me to 
 take the lesson thou givest for my good. Help me to be 
 content with thy work in me if not by me, and out of all 
 vexation and trial it has brought, only let my heart be 
 brought nearer thee." There need be no surprise that the 
 Christian who is in the habit of making a prayer like that, 
 and is daily trying to live in accordance with the prayer, is 
 used by God for the glory of his kingdom. 
 
 God has rich gifts awaiting the true prayers of his chil- 
 dren; gifts that are to be had for the asking and not to be 
 had unless they are asked for. Of course, in all our asking, 
 it is understood that we seek to ask in accordance with his 
 will. "This is the boldness," says John, "which we have 
 toward him, that, if we ask anything according to his will, 
 he heareth us : and if we know that he heareth us whatso- 
 ever we ask, we know that we have the petitions which we 
 
 109 
 
rXI-c] THE CHRISTIAN ACCORDING TO PAUL 
 
 have asked of him" (I John 5: 14, 15). God can be depended 
 upon to keep his promises to his children. Can we be 
 depended on to ask him, and to fulfil the conditions neces- 
 sary for the answer? 
 
 A Christian business man was fulfilling the conditions God 
 has made known to those who would expect an answer to 
 their prayers, at a time when he was about to receive a 
 promotion. He asked himself these questions: "What is 
 my aim? Is it money, honor, dignity, ease, luxury? What 
 is there in money that will satisfy thee, O my soul?" Then 
 he made this prayer concerning the possible promotion : "If 
 
 it is thy will, wilt thou cause Mr. H so to appoint, but 
 
 if otherwise, maj' his mind be set against it. Enable me to 
 feel that I am in the path where thou wouldst have me go." 
 Life would be simplified for all of us if we were always 
 ready to pray in that spirit, and God would just as surely use 
 us and bless us in his service as he did this young man. 
 
 Unless when we offer prayer we are ready to do God's will, 
 whatever this may be, the prayer is of little value. Do we 
 ask for a greater knowledge of God? Then are we ready 
 to spend the hours necessary in earnest Bible study? We 
 plead for the conversion of a friend. Are we ready to go 
 to that friend and invite him to become a Christian? We 
 pray, "Thy kingdom come." Do we realize what is involved 
 in this prayer? The Christian who makes this prayer in 
 the spirit desired by Him who taught it is thereby consecrat- 
 ing to God's service his whole life, to be used as God sees 
 fit in the spread of that kingdom ; and the follower of Jesus 
 who from the heart asks that laborers be sent forth to gather 
 the harvest of souls must be willing to be himself thrust out, 
 if God wants him. 
 
 All real prayer costs. The Master's prayers cost him 
 strong crying and tears and great drops of blood. They led 
 him to Calvary and the tomb. Where do our prayers lead 
 
 O, God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and our 
 Father, teach us to know the love of Christ which passcth 
 knowledge. As our knozvledge of his love grows, may our 
 dissatisfaction with ourselves and our own unloveliness grow 
 also. Adorn us with his beauty. Keep us close to him that 
 we, looking ever at our Pattern, may be transformed into 
 
 1 10 
 
THINGS TO PRAY FOR [XI-sl 
 
 his likeness, and may be able to look upon him who suffered 
 for us all. Amen. 
 
 SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER THOUGHT 
 AND STUDY 
 
 What were some of the things which were prayed for by- 
 David? What did Abraham's servant Elcazar pray for? 
 What did Moses pray for? Solomon? EHjah? Daniel? 
 
 What prayers by Paul are recorded in The Acts? 
 
 How is a man's character revealed by his prayers? 
 
 What is the cost of true prayer? 
 
 Ill 
 
CHAPTER XII 
 
 Reasons for Thanksgiving 
 
 DAILY READINGS 
 
 Twelfth Week, First Day 
 
 Giving thanks always for all things in the name of our 
 Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father. — Eph. 5: 20. 
 
 What will become of worry and anxiety for those who 
 live in accordance with this message? What room is there 
 for discontent? Is it possible to be thankful for every- 
 thing that comes to us when we are trying to do what God 
 wants us to do? Why, then, should the reader feel that 
 Paul's urgent plea to give thanks always for everything is 
 not to be interpreted literally? Do we interpret literally the 
 promise of Christ, "I will never leave you nor forsake you"? 
 Then why is not literal interpretation of Paul's message pos- 
 sible and action in accordance with it desirable? 
 
 How does Paul's statement in regard to himself in Philip- 
 pians 4: II, point the way to the thanksgiving that lasts? 
 
 Twelfth Week, Second Day 
 
 Giving thanks unto the Father, who made us meet to 
 be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light. — 
 Col. i: 12. 
 
 There are in these phrases almost as many specific rea- 
 sons for thanksgiving as there are words. First, there is the 
 word Father. How does the Father of the Lord Jesus 
 Christ become our Father? By what act is an outsider taken 
 into one of our families and given the right to call father 
 one who is no blood relation to him? What reason for 
 thanksgiving is wrapped up in the word us? What pleasure 
 
 112 
 
REASONS FOR THANKSGIVING tXII-3] 
 
 is there in sharing experiences with friends? What is 
 involved in the fact that Christians can be associated as they 
 receive God's blessings? How has God made us fit to receive 
 his blessings? It is a mistake to think that Christ's followers 
 may at some future time have a right to all the privileges 
 of the sons of God ; they have that right now, for they 
 have been made fit. What does it mean to be a partaker in 
 the inheritance? Ask one who has been named with others 
 in the will of a rich m.an. There is one fundamental dif- 
 ference, however; the heirs of the rich man must divide 
 the inheritance, whereas each one of God's heirs has a right 
 to the entire inheritance. Do not turn away from the phrase, 
 of the saints. In the Bible the saints are not impossible, 
 unreal, soft-minded folks ; the saints are the redeemed — 
 all of God's people are included, no matter how feeble their 
 efforts to follow him. 
 
 Twelfth Week, Third Day 
 
 We are bound to give thanks to God always for you, 
 brethren, even as it is meet, for that your faith groweth 
 exceedingly, and the love of each one of you all toward 
 one another aboundeth; so that we ourselves glory in 
 you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in 
 all your persecutions and in the afflictions which ye 
 endure. — II. Thess. i : 3, 4. 
 
 Note that the word zve is editorial merely; Paul is speak- 
 ing of himself. Paul gave — without knowing it — an indica- 
 tion of at least four of the qualities for which his own life 
 was remarkable. In the first eleven words three of these 
 qualities are recorded. First, there was the fact that duty 
 always appealed to him ; second, he was humble ; third, he 
 was unselfish. Why are these qualities attractive? How 
 often is the object of thanksgiving some one else than the 
 one who gives the thanks? And how many men who had 
 done as much work for other people as Paul had done would 
 give all the credit to some one else, leaving themselves 
 entirely out of account? Now read a few words more in 
 the sentence and find the hint that to Paul duty was pleasure. 
 Another word, in the final clause, helps the impression ; what 
 is it? What, in Paul's opinion, were the things most worth 
 while in life? 
 
 113 
 
IXII-4] THE CHRISTIAN ACCORDING TO PAUL 
 
 Twelfth Week, Fourth Day 
 
 I thank my God always concerning you, for the grace 
 of God which was given you in Christ Jesus; that in 
 everything ye were enriched in him, in all utterance and 
 all knowledge; even as the testimony of Christ was con- 
 firmed in you: so that ye come behind in no gift; waiting 
 for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ. . . . God 
 is faithful, through whom ye were called into the fellow- 
 ship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. — I Cor. i: 4-7, g. 
 
 Ask a group of a dozen Christians to tell their chief 
 reason for thanksgiving. What would they be likely to say? 
 What are the first things that come to your mind as you 
 think of reasons for thanksgiving? Now note what came 
 first into Paul's thoughts. He had neither time nor tempta- 
 tion to speak of things that so many people think are abso- 
 lutely necessary to a pleasurable existence: These were good, 
 but there were so many other better things that he turned 
 his attention at once to these things. There was the knowl- 
 edge of the truth. Why is this a good thing? Then there 
 was the desire and the ability to pass on to others this knowl- 
 edge. How many Christians think of this as a privilege? 
 There was the assurance that Christ would help them in 
 their efforts to please him. Finally, there was the knowledge 
 that God, who cannot lie, would fulfill his promise to his 
 people, the promise that they should share the good things 
 that Christ gives to his own. 
 
 What do you think of Paul's way of estimating values? 
 
 Twelfth Week, Fifth Day 
 
 Woe is unto me if I preach not the gospel. — I Cor. 9 : 16. 
 
 I thank my God, I say, for your cooperation in spreading 
 the Good News. — Phil, i : 4, 5 (Weymouth). 
 
 Why should a Christian 'be thankful that he can tell the 
 Good News to others? How universal is this feeling of 
 thanksgiving among Christians? Why is there so little per- 
 sonal, man to man, testimony for Christ? What would be 
 the result if, in any community, one Christian in every ten 
 should make it a habit to tell to one person each day what 
 Christ means to him? 
 
 114 
 
REASONS FOR THANKSGIVING [XII-6] 
 
 Twelfth Week, Sixth Day 
 
 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus 
 Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort; 
 who comforteth us in all our affliction, that we may be 
 able to comfort them that are in any affliction, through 
 the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of 
 God.— II Cor. 1 : 3, 4. 
 
 It was Paul's custom in his letters to give, immediately fol- 
 lowing the words of address, a message of thanksgiving. 
 Usually his thanksgiving was for others ; here he spoke first 
 of himself. But was this an indication of selfishness? He 
 was thankful because God had comforted him in his afflic- 
 tion. Why? That he might comfort others! Is it worth 
 while to experience privation and suffering in order that 
 we may sympathize with others? If we can have God's com- 
 fort in our trouble, as Paul had it, we can be of real use to 
 others in their time of need. People everywhere are hungry 
 for comfort; eagerly they turn to one who can comfort 
 them. A stranger who visited a city church which was 
 crowded to the doors wondered why the people came, because 
 half of those present could not hear the speaker's feebly 
 uttered words. He was more surprised when he learned that 
 the house was always full. "Why do they come?" he asked. 
 "If you were in trouble, and our pastor called on you, or 
 wrote to you, you would not ask that question again," was 
 the reply. 
 
 Which would you prefer, the power to move thousands 
 for the moment by your eloquence, or the ability to comfort 
 those that mourn? 
 
 Twelfth Week, Seventh Day 
 
 Thanks be to God for his unspeakably precious gift. — II 
 Cor. 9: 15 (Weymouth). 
 
 Ordinarily Paul did not lack words to express his thoughts. 
 But there were occasions when even he was dumb. Once he 
 started to describe the love of God, but he gave up the 
 attempt ; "it passeth knowledge," was all that he could say. 
 Again, when he was speaking of God's gift in Christ, words 
 failed him. He could only call the Gift unspeakable. Then 
 
 115 
 
[XII-c] THE CHRISTIAN ACCORDING TO PAUL 
 
 he paused in eloquent silence. Everything can be described 
 but that which is boundless. There is but one way to know 
 God's unspeakably precious Gift: those who give Christ the 
 chance he wants to make over their lives will begin to under- 
 stand him. To others who ask for a definition of Christ the 
 only possible answer is, "Come and see !" 
 
 COMMENT FOR THE WEEK 
 
 Always Paul was thankful for the privilege of telling to 
 others the good news of Christ's life and death and resur- 
 rection. We say that his was a pecuHar privilege. Do we 
 really think so? Then why do we not take advantage of our 
 opportunities to tell the same story? Are we to rest content 
 with congratulating others on their rare opportunity to tell 
 their friends of him who will fill their lives with the best 
 things? We are so slow to tell the story, although right 
 at our elbow are those who have never heard it. A city 
 girl, visiting in the mountains of Georgia, found one of these 
 hungry hearts when she mentioned the Saviour to a young 
 girl. "He ain't never been roun' these here parts," was her 
 wondering answer. "I ain't never hcarn about him. You 
 tell me !" And when the story was simply told, the mountain 
 girl cried, "Oh, I wish my Saviour would come to me !" 
 
 Unless zve are thankful for the privilege of passing on the 
 good news to those who have never heard it, or to those who 
 have never heeded what they have heard, there is something 
 radically wrong with us. 
 
 It is related of a man who lived centuries ago that when- 
 ever he received a gift for the charitable institution with 
 which he was connected, he exclaimed, "Deo Gratia" — Thanks 
 to God. His name was Felix, but in the course of years 
 even the children came to know him as Brother Deo Gratia 
 — Brother Thankful. 
 
 In like manner Paul might have been called Brother Thank- 
 ful by the early Christians. He was continually breaking 
 out in words of thanksgiving and praise to God for some 
 blessing received and appreciated. Twenty-eight times in his 
 epistles he used the words, "I thank." More than twenty times 
 in his messages to the churches he called on the Christians 
 to join him in thanksgiving. 
 
 ii6 
 
REASONS FOR THANKSGIVING [XII-c] 
 
 It is not difficult to picture Paul. He had a strong face, 
 even if his bodily presence was weak. And surely it was a 
 kindly, smiling, beaming face to which anyone, child or 
 man, would be attracted instantly. 
 
 Paul would have enjoyed going with a modern Christian 
 worker who went one Sunday afternoon to a home for 
 invalids, to hold a brief service. An eager congregation 
 awaited him ; there were perhaps sixty men and women in 
 wheeled chairs. "What a gloomy atmosphere for a service," 
 some one said when he was told of the gathering. But he 
 was wrong. There was no gloom; there was brightness. 
 The faces of the blind were ahght, the hands of the cripples 
 were trembling with anticipation, the attitude of nearly all 
 indicated expectation of something good to come to them 
 from God's Book which would stay with them through the 
 week. 
 
 It was a glorious half hour for the leader, but it was made 
 still more glorious by the words of the people as they gave 
 personal greetings before being wheeled by their attendants 
 to their own rooms. "How thankful I am for the Bible !" 
 one helpless woman said. "I like to think of God with me!" 
 said a blind man. There were many similar messages. God 
 had been good to them, and they were thankful. 
 
 Did you ever hear someone speak of the impossibility, for 
 him, of entering with heartiness into a service of praise and 
 rejoicing because the year has brought to him so many per- 
 plexities, sorrows, losses ? Tell him to stop thinking about 
 these, and to rejoice because of the things that have not been 
 taken from him and the things he has not suffered. Remind 
 him of the words spoken by Charles Dickens when he 
 learned of the sad plight of Laura Bridgman, the child who 
 was blind and deaf and dumb : "Ye who have eyes and see 
 not, and have ears and hear not ; ye who are as the hypo- 
 crites of sad countenances, and disfigure your faces that you 
 may seem unto men to fast ; learn healthy cheerfulness, and 
 mild contentment, from the deaf and dumb and blind. Self- 
 deluded saints with gloomy brows, this sightless, earless, 
 voiceless child may teach you lessons you would do well to 
 follow." Let the thankless man dwell a little while on such 
 thoughts, and see how he will begin to remember blessings 
 he has forgotten, until he is readier to give thanksgiving to 
 God than he has ever been before. 
 
 117 
 
[XII-c] THE CHRISTIAN ACCORDING TO PAUL 
 
 There is need of great care, however, when we think of 
 those who are unfortunate as an incitement to our thanks- 
 giving. There is danger lest we become Pharisees in our 
 thanksgiving, emphasizing our own good fortune until we 
 feel like thanking God that we are not as other men are. 
 Do we see a blind man? The natural thought is, "How glad 
 I am that I have eyes." We see one who is in the depths of 
 poverty, and we feel grateful that we can live in comfort. 
 Such thoughts are good in themselves, but there is need to 
 guard them lest nominal thanksgiving degenerate into selfish 
 carelessness of the wants and needs of others. There are 
 people who sympathized at one time with the poor and un- 
 fortunate, but who have been led by increasing prosperity 
 to think so much of the many ways in which their lot is 
 superior to that of others that in time their neighbors became 
 mere object lessons by which to impress upon themselves and 
 others their own good fortune. 
 
 Paul was saved from any such error. He was thankful for 
 the good things he had, but he was even more thankful for 
 the good things others had. By practicing in his own thanks- 
 giving his own teaching, "Look not every man on his own 
 things but every man on the things of others," he added to 
 his own happiness so that he bubbled over with thanksgiving. 
 
 It is noteworthy also that Paul's thanksgiving did not easily 
 expend itself. He was not one of those who feel that when 
 they have expressed their gratitude once, there is no neces- 
 sity to bring the matter up a second time. Paul taught by 
 his own words and by his deeds that real gratitude lasts. 
 
 The biographer of Clara Barton tells how this devoted 
 woman, on the battlefield, in the absence of a surgeon, saved 
 the life of a soldier who was bleeding to death from a 
 wound inflicted by a bursting shell. An hour after dressing 
 his injuries, when she had forgotten the occurrence, she was 
 stopped near his cot by a feeble pull at her dress. Stooping 
 over the cot she was passing, she saw the man whom she 
 had saved. The tears were sliding quietly down his brown, 
 dust-covered cheeks as he whispered, "You saved my life." 
 Nothing more was said; he assured her he wanted nothing 
 but to thank her. Again, after an hour, the same thing 
 occurred, "And so, day after day, until he was removed," 
 Miss Barton wrote, "whenever I came within reach of him 
 I could feel my dress slipping gently through his fingers, 
 
 ii8 
 
REASONS FOR THANKSGIVING [XII-c] 
 
 and, as often as he dared, he arrested me with the same 
 four Httle words, 'You saved my hfe!'" He never said 
 anything but this. Weeks after his departure for the hDS- 
 pital, Miss Barton heard a rap at her door. On opening it 
 siie saw the same man, this time on crutches. As before he 
 spoke but four words, "You saved my life!" and limped 
 avva3\ 
 
 An attractive story of feudal times tells of a knight who 
 felt that it was his duty to deliver his people from a cruel 
 duke, a usurper. At first the knight had no followers, and 
 the statement of his purpose to displace the duke seemed 
 absurd. But, one after another, men were won to his banner 
 until he had sturdy, dependable leaders for the forces he 
 needed. Once he came to the rescue of a man who was in 
 the hands of robbers; delivered, the man dedicated his life 
 to the knight. Later the knight found one who was fleeing 
 from the duke, and cared for him and assured him of safety; 
 this man, also, in thankfulness, made known his purpose to 
 attach himself to the knight. A third man, saved from 
 dire disaster, became his follower. And through all the 
 strenuous times that followed these men had but one idea, 
 to show by deeds of daring, by sacrifice of self, by regard 
 for the wishes of their chosen commander, their gratitude 
 to him for his gift of life to them. They did not say to their 
 preserver, "You saved my life," but their actions spoke for 
 them. 
 
 Like Miss Barton's soldier and the knight's companions, 
 Paul did not believe in stopping with one expression of 
 thanks. He assured the Thessalonians, "We give thanks to 
 God always for you all." To the Corinthians he wrote, "I 
 cease not to give thanks for you." Then what are we to 
 conclude as to the number of times he thanked God for the 
 gift of life in Christ Jesus? He wrote, simply, "Thanks be 
 imto God for his unspeakably precious gift" — but the utter- 
 ance of his thanks must have been repeated times without 
 number. 
 
 For Paul had "the habit of thankfulness" — the cultivation 
 of a disposition of fundamental, intelligent, trusting optimism 
 based on faith in God. Everything strengthened the habit, 
 even the trying experiences of which he told so vividly: "In 
 journeyings often, in perils of rivers, in perils of robbers 
 . . . in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in 
 
 119 
 
[XII-s] THE CHRISTIAN ACCORDING TO PAUL 
 
 perils in the sea ... in labor and travail." ... In every- 
 thing he gave thanks. 
 
 What is our thanksgiving to Christ like? Is it a mere 
 form, easily satisfied by the utterance of a few words, or 
 is it a vital matter that controls all our speech and all our 
 actions? Christ saved our life, he is our life; so we are not 
 our own. Both words and deeds belong to him. "Giving 
 thanks always for all things" is Paul's inclusive way of 
 expressing the Christian's duty and privilege. 
 
 We thank thee, O God, that thou think est of us in our 
 needs and art able to supply our wants. We thank thee that 
 we can ask thee even for daily bread and know that we 
 shall have it. We thank thee for the health and strength thou 
 givest so that we are able to work for our daily bread. While 
 we seek for the supply of our bodily wants, may we also 
 seek for supplies for our spiritual needs. And when we 
 have received rich gifts from thee, may zve be glad to share 
 them zvith others, who need thee. We ask this through Jesus 
 Christ our Lord. Amen. 
 
 SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER THOUGHT 
 AND STUDY 
 
 // you had nothing to depend on but the extracts from the 
 epistles which form the subjects of this week's readings, how 
 complete a picture of Paul would it be possible to construct? 
 
 How many of Paul's characteristics are revealed in the 
 verses of this week's readings? 
 
 Why is thanksgiving an essential element in the life of the 
 Christian? 
 
 120 
 
CHAPTER XIII 
 
 Life That Lasts Forever 
 
 DAILY READINGS 
 
 Thirteenth Week, First Day 
 
 All things are yours; whether . . . life, or death, 
 . . . or things to come. — I Cor. 3: 21, 22. 
 
 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we 
 should live together with him. — I Thess. 5: 10. 
 
 Faithful is the saying: For if we died with him, we shall 
 also live with him. — II Tim. 2: 11. 
 
 What is your frank opinion about the catalogue Paul makes 
 of the Christian's possessions? How far are you ready to 
 agree with him? What makes this life and the things we 
 enjoy here worth while? Why does life pall on so many 
 people? One who was speaking of the suicide of a man 
 who had the world at his feet, said that he had never learned 
 how essential Christ's friendship is to one who would enjoy 
 life. What do you think of his explanation? How can 
 death as well as life be reckoned a cherished possession? 
 Christ teaches us that the life after death will be wonder- 
 fully worth while. If we believe him, why should we not 
 feel that the means of transition from the life here to the 
 life over yonder is a boon to be welcomed when the time 
 comes to make the journey? Here is a man who has long 
 dreamed of making his first trip to Europe. What shall be 
 thought of him if he looks on the vessel that would carrj-- 
 him over as an enemy to be dreaded? And why should not 
 every Christian feel as did one who was about to die, "Why, 
 death is no more than going into the next room !" Death is 
 only the passage to the room which Christ has made ready 
 for those who love him, because he wants them to live with 
 him forever. 
 
 121 
 
tXIII-2] THE CHRISTIAN ACCORDING TO PAUL 
 
 What is the significance of the present tense used in 
 Christ's promise in John 5: 24? 
 
 What is meant by the words, "hath passed out of death 
 into life"f 
 
 Thirteenth Week, Second Day 
 
 But when this corruptible shall have put on incorrup- 
 tion, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then 
 shall come to pass the saying that is written, Death is 
 swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy victory? 
 O death, where is thy sting? The sting of death is sin; 
 and the power of sin is the law: but thanks be to God, 
 who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 
 —I Cor. 15: 54-57. 
 
 When John Quincy Adams was eighty years old he met 
 on a Boston street an old friend who shook his trembling 
 hand and said : "Good morning ! and how is John Quincy 
 A-dams today?" "Thank you!" was the reply, "John Quincy 
 Adams himself is v/ell, sir, quite well, I thank j^ou. But the 
 house in which he lives at present is becoming dilapidated. 
 It is tottering upon its foundation. Time and the seasons 
 have nearly destroyed it. Its roof is pretty well worn out. 
 Its walls are much shattered, and it trembles with every 
 wind. The old tenement is becoming almost uninhabitable, 
 and I think John Quincy Adams will have to move out of it 
 soon; but he himself is quite well, sir, quite well," Not long 
 afterv/ard he had his second and fatal stroke of paralysis. 
 "This is the last of earth," he said; "I am content." 
 
 Thirteenth Week, Third Day 
 
 If we have only hoped in Christ in this life, we are of 
 all men most pitiable. 
 
 But now hath Christ been raised from the dead, the 
 first fruits of them that are asleep. For since by man 
 came death, by man came also the resurrection of the 
 dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all 
 be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the 
 first fruits; then they that are Christ's, at his coming. 
 Then cometh the end, when he, shall deliver up the king- 
 dom to God, even the Father; when he shall have abolished 
 all rule and all authority and power. For he must reign, 
 
 122 
 
LIFE THAT LASTS FOREVER [XIII-4] 
 
 till he hath put all his enemies under his feet. The last 
 enemy that shall be abolished is death. For, He put all 
 things in subjection under his feet. But when he saith, 
 All things are put in subjection, it is evident that he is 
 excepted who did subject all things unto him. — I Cor. 
 15: 19-27. 
 
 What would life mean to you if you thought that death 
 would be the end instead of the passage to a larger, richer, 
 more glorious existence? What inspiration would there be 
 for the daily struggle with evil and the effort to make the 
 most of oneself if it were impossible to feel that every con- 
 quest of evil makes one better fitted to enjoy the blessings 
 Christ has promised to his people? What is the meaning of 
 Paul's decisive, triumphant assurance that this life is not the 
 end? 
 
 Read John, chapter 14, in the light of today's Scripture pas- 
 sage. What did Jesus mean when he said he is the way to 
 God? 
 
 Thirteenth Week, Fourth Day 
 
 But God, being rich in mercy, for his great love where- 
 with he loved us, even when we were dead through our 
 trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace 
 have ye been saved), and raised us up with him, and made 
 us to sit with him in the heavenly places, in Christ Jesus: 
 that in the ages to come he might show the exceeding 
 riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 
 — Eph. 2: 4-7. 
 
 Analyze this wonderful passage, which tells the whole story 
 of salvation. Note the reference to the time when we lived 
 in the dark. Why did God pay any attention to us when we 
 had chosen to go so far from him? What did he do for us? 
 How was our conversion a more wonderful resurrection than 
 the resurrection of Lazarus? How have we been made to 
 sit with Christ in heavenly places? It would be natural to 
 interpret this part of the passage as something to be fulfiled 
 in the future. Why did Paul use the past tense? What new 
 content does Christ give to life that makes it seem like 
 heaven? How do the words of Browning become true to 
 the one who lives with Christ ? 
 
 123 
 
rXIII-5] THE CHRISTIAN ACCORDING TO PAUL 
 
 "I find earth not gray, but rosy; 
 
 Heaven not grim, but fair of hue. 
 Do I stoop? I pluck a posy. 
 Do I stand and stare? All's blue." 
 
 And how does the last clause of the Scripture passage 
 emphasize this message of the poet? 
 
 "Do your joys with age diminish? 
 When mine fail me, I'll complain. 
 Must in death your daylight finish? 
 My sun sets to rise again." 
 
 Thirteenth Week, Fifth Day 
 
 But we would not have you ignorant, brethren, con- 
 cerning them that fall asleep; that ye sorrow not, even as 
 the rest, who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus 
 died and rose again, even so them also that are fallen 
 asleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we 
 say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we that are 
 alive, that are left unto the coming of the Lord, shall in 
 no wise precede them that are fallen asleep. For the 
 Lord himself shall descend from heaven, with a shout, 
 with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of 
 God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first; then we that 
 are alive, that are left, shall together with them be caught 
 up in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall 
 we ever be with the Lord. — I Thess. 4: 13-17. 
 
 In some cemeteries it is customary to inscribe "Our home" 
 on the stones erected over the graves. Why should the Chris- 
 tian feel otherwise about the tomb? Where is our home? 
 All who believe in Christ shall be called to Hve with him. 
 First those who have died before his coming shall rise, then 
 those who are still alive at his coming shall be summoned to 
 meet him. No man can know to which class he will belong. 
 But for all alike there is the absolute certainty of enjoying 
 the companionship of the Lord forever. 
 
 Read in Revelation 7: 14-17 the description of the joys of 
 eternal life with Christ. 
 
 Thirteenth Week, Sixth Day 
 For I am already being offered, and the time of my 
 124 
 
LIFE THAT LASTS FOREVER [XIII-7] 
 
 departure is come. I have fought the good fight, I have 
 finished the course, I have kept the faith: henceforth 
 there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which 
 the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give to me at that 
 day; and not to me only, but also to all them that have 
 loved his appearing. — II Tim. 4: 6-8. 
 
 Paul likened himself to a drink offering which was being 
 poured out. He knew that the close of his earthly life could 
 not be far away. How did he feel as he looked back on 
 his years of service of Christ? Was he justified in feeling 
 that he had tried to do his best? What do the three figures 
 which are employed — the fight, the course, the crown — • 
 mean? What right had he to feel that a crown of victory 
 awaited him? How can we be sure of receiving a like crown 
 for ourselves? How should this assurance make us feel in 
 the face of death? Is the love of Christ's appearing of which 
 Paul spoke consistent with the fear of death? 
 
 Thirteenth Week, Seventh Day 
 
 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall 
 tribulation, or anguish, or persecution, or famine, or naked- 
 ness, or peril, or sword? . . . Nay, in all these things 
 we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 
 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor 
 angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things 
 to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other 
 creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of 
 God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. — Rom. 8: 35, 37-39. 
 
 Can life bring to the Christian any experience that will be 
 too severe, too trying for Christ's help to avail? Paul insisted 
 that this was impossible. Had he the right to speak so posi- 
 tively? Think what he had gone through. Then let him 
 who says that his difficulties are peculiar, that Christ cannot 
 help him to overcome, hide his head for shame. Is anything 
 too hard for the Son of God? And he is on the side of those 
 who will be on his side. His love fills the heart with glad- 
 ness and makes the life one round of satisfaction. Those 
 who keep company with the Master are lifted above the dis- 
 appointments of Hfe, into the supreme satisfaction of those 
 who say in confident trust, "Whom have I in heaven but 
 thee and there is none upon earth that I desire beside theel"" 
 
 125 
 
rXIII-c] THE CHRISTIAN ACCORDING TO PAUL 
 
 Paul's language was the language of certainty. He knew. 
 He was persuaded. Christ was his and he was Christ's ; 
 and he was conqueror through Christ of all the things in life 
 or in death that might have had power to disturb him. What 
 more could he ask? What more can any Christian ask? No 
 condemnation ! No separation ! For it is given to us to lean 
 on the love of him who was, and is, and is to come, the 
 Almighty, who says, "And they shall be mine . . . and I 
 will spare them as a man spareth his own son that serveth 
 him." 
 
 COMMENT FOR THE WEEK 
 
 Norman Duncan has told of the death of a rough teamster 
 in the Minnesota woods, whose work it had been to haul logs 
 from the woods to the landing at the lake. Frank Higgins, 
 the "lumber jack's sky pilot," sat by his side. 
 
 "I've a heavy load, pilot — a heavy load," the dying man 
 said. "Do you think I can make the grade?" 
 
 "With help, Alex," was the reply. 
 
 "You mean that I need another team of leaders?" he asked. 
 
 "The Great Leader, Alex." 
 
 "Oh, I know what you mean," said the teamster. "You 
 mean that I need the help of your Christ." 
 
 And then Frank Higgins told the story of Him who was 
 waiting to help the dying man, told it simply and effectively. 
 
 The man said Httle at the moment, but later in the night, 
 just before he drew his last breath, he whispered in the 
 pilot's ear: 
 
 "Tell the boys I made the grade." 
 
 Thus he entered into eternal life. 
 
 How do we know he did? 
 
 Christ is a perfect workman. He came to earth to accom- 
 plish certain definite things. Shall we say that he did accom- 
 plish some of them, but that other things were left undone — 
 that he conquered temptation, and disease, and suffering, but 
 did not conquer death? "The last enemy that shall be abol- 
 ished is death" ; and he overcame it. It was our enemy, he 
 made it his enemy. In his triumph we triumph, because he is 
 ours and we are his, and we now can cry in exultation, "O 
 death, where is thy victory? O death, where is thy sting?" 
 
 When Paul said, "If we have only hoped in Christ in this 
 126 
 
LIFE THAT LASTS FOREVER [XIII-cl 
 
 life, we are of all men most pitiable," he must have thought 
 of his own experience since his conversion. There was joy- 
 in following Christ, but there was hardship, and suffering, 
 and tribulation. He thought nothing of these things, because 
 of the hope of dwelling with Christ, and of winning others 
 from death to life. But what if there were no resurrection? 
 And, if there is no resurrection, what of the disappointments, 
 the vexations, the difficulties that come to us day by day? 
 Could we bear them? But, courage! There is a resurrection. 
 
 When Paul learned that there were some in the Church 
 who denied the resurrection of the body, he declared that 
 they were cutting the foundation from under their religion. 
 If we cannot look forward to resurrection, then Christ is not 
 risen but is still in the grave. Faith crumbles at once, and 
 preaching is vain. Moreover, those whom death has taken 
 from us have perished. Against this hopeless view of life 
 Paul earnestly set himself: the Christian must not deprive 
 himself of all the joys of life. Christ is risen, the dead 
 shall rise, our faith is not vain. 
 
 Then why should death be such a distasteful idea to us? 
 Christ died that he "might deliver all them who through 
 fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage," 
 (Hebrews 2: 15). Fear of death is doubt of Christ. 
 
 There is no way to escape death. But why should we wish 
 to escape it, when it is but the passage from this world to 
 the presence of God? No death, no glory. Then death is 
 our friend ! If we remind ourselves continually that what 
 we call death is only the gateway to life, our thought will 
 more and more be given with joy to the anticipations of the 
 glorious future. Dwight L. Moody learned this lesson. He 
 said : 
 
 "I like to think of the time when the dead shall rise from 
 their graves. We read of this in what we call the 'burial 
 service.' It is an unfortunate expression. Paul never talked 
 of 'burial.' He said the body was 'sown' — 'sown in corrup- 
 tion,' 'sown in weakness,' 'sown in dishonor,* 'sown a natural 
 body.' If I bury a bushel of wheat, I never expect to see 
 it again, but if I sow it, I expect results. Thank God, our 
 friends are not buried ; they are only sown !" 
 
 So, when the blinds are drawn and the bell is muffled and 
 all the house is still because one who has been sick has closed 
 his eyes for the last time on earth ; when eyes are burning 
 
 127 
 
[XIII-c] THE CHRISTIAN ACCORDING TO PAUL 
 
 with tears and hearts are heavy because of fearful anticipa- 
 tion of years spent without the presence of one dear to us, 
 let the words of Christ sink into our hearts, "He is not 
 dead, but sleepeth," The life of those who love Jesus does 
 not end when their eyes close in death ; the eyes will open 
 again to see the glory of the King. Some day our eyes, too, 
 will close in sleep, and we shall awaken where he is and 
 where are our loved ones who have gone before us. 
 
 From China comes the story of Li, a native Christian, 
 who had faith hke this in the hour of death. The Boxers 
 were about to kill him, with his family. The father knelt 
 with both hands outstretched to heaven. "Father, if you 
 want us to go" — he began. But his sentence was never fin- 
 ished. His spirit went to God while he was yet speaking. 
 In like manner Chao Hsi Mao and his family were bound 
 and placed in a cart by order of a Boxer chief, who directed 
 that they be taken away to death. As the cart took them 
 to the place of execution, they sang : 
 
 "He leadeth me ; O blessed thought ! 
 O words with heavenly comfort fraught !" 
 and again : 
 
 "E'en death's cold wave I will not flee. 
 Since God through Jordan leadeth me." 
 
 It does not seem a far cry from this modern Christian's 
 experience to the experience of Stephen, the witness for 
 Christ in whose martyrdom Paul had a part. What a peace- 
 ful conclusion to the story of bloodshed is given in the words, 
 "He fell asleep !" There was no uncertainty in Stephen's 
 heart as to the future; he was merely answering the call to 
 leave the earth with its service for heaven and its larger 
 service. Having begun here the life that was to be continued 
 "over yonder," he gladly welcomed the sleep from which he 
 was to awake in the presence of his Lord. 
 
 It is a mistake to think that the risen life becomes ours only 
 after the death of the body. It is ours now — the life of Christ, 
 given to us as we confess sin and as we struggle against sin. 
 Then let us not delay to enter on our inheritance as sons of 
 God, turning our backs on the sin that must not be given 
 even the smallest corner of our hearts and revelling in the 
 faith and hope and love that belong to those who have eternal 
 life. 
 
 128 
 
LIFE THAT LASTS FOREVER [XIII-s] 
 
 Faith and hope and love! All that is worth while in life 
 comes from these, even though in incompleteness. So, all 
 the joy of heaven will be in these; but it will be complete. 
 The doubts that darken faith and the clouds that obscure 
 hope and the sin that opposes love, while we live here, will 
 then all be swept aside, and faith and hope and love will 
 possess our souls unhampered and unhindered. The joy they 
 bring to earthly life may be only like the streamlet which 
 threads its way under the burning sun, but the joy they bring 
 in heaven will be like the ocean, and more ; it will be unlim- 
 ited as eternity, wide as infinity, and deep as the heart of our 
 Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that, whether we wake 
 or sleep, we should live together with him. 
 
 Lord, as we gace into thy vacant tomb our hearts are filled 
 with joy. We hear thee speaking to us. "Because I live, 
 ye shall live also." We think of those we "have loved long 
 since, and lost awhile," and our tears become smiles as we 
 remind ourselves that those who love thee are called to be 
 with thee. Make the resurrection truth a real power in our 
 lives. Let the prospect before us of a life that never ends 
 lead to the silencing of complaints, patience in trial, joy in 
 service for thee, and the revelation of our risen Lord in every 
 word and action. In his name. Amen. 
 
 SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER THOUGHT 
 AND STUDY 
 
 What does the resurrection of Christ mean to you? 
 
 What may the resurrection of Christ mean to you? 
 
 Why did the early Church grow so rapidly? Do you think 
 the vividness of the belief in the resurrection and the thought 
 that Christ would come soon, had anything to do with it? 
 
 Why are Christians today so lukewarm in their efforts for 
 Christ? What would be the effect if we really believed that 
 "the Lord is at hand"? 
 
 It was once said of a Christian : "He has been so busy liv- 
 ing for other people, in the name of God, that he has had no 
 time to think of death," What do you think of the life of 
 which such a thing could be said? 
 
 How shall a man make the most out of both worlds? 
 
 129 
 
DATE DUE 
 
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 m^. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 GAYLORD 
 
 
 
 PRINTED IN U.S.A.