likeness. Only they who have the Spirit of Christ are hiR. Tlic one call of Chriat i~ "lt'ollow me." St. Paul carries this truth out very fully in his descriptions of the assimi_lat_ion of the qhristi,m to ~hrist through every stage-birth (in the new birth), hum1lmt1on, self-donml antl service in life, death (to sin and the old life), resurrection (to the newer spiritual life), and ascension (the setting our atrections on heavenly things). We must hewn.re of mero servile imitation in following the footsteps of our Lord. We aro to seek to have the mind that was in him. If our circumstances arc tlilferent from those of the first disciples, we have to inquire, not simply what was done in Galilee in the first century, but what would Christ do in England in the nineteenth centnry? II. CHRIST INSPIRER 'l'HE PURPOSE OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE. The Christian is the servant of Christ. His object in life should not be to seek his own welfare, but to do Christ's work. It may be that he will su IIer personal loss. That will not stand in bis way if his spirit is right. For if Christ has died for us the least we can do is to Ii ve for him; and even though hardships ensue, we have to remember that we have only to be like Simon, bearing the cross, whilst Christ was nailed to it. So long, therefore, as our object is simply to secure the salvation of our own souls, to be sure of peace here and of heaven hereafter, we have not learnt the very alphabet of the Christian life. That life consists in denying ourselves and living for Cbri,;t. III. CHRIST INSPIRES THE POWEB NECESSARY FOR THE CHRISTIAN LIFE. To live as Christ lived ! To deny ourselves anJ. serve Christ! These are hard things, impossible simply as duties to be performed in our own strength. But the gospel of the cross ie "the power of God." Morally, the influence of the love of Christ constraining us is great. Spiritually, the power of the indwelling Christ is the real secret of the Christian life.-W. F. A. Vera. 23, 24.-A strait. St. Paul -is in a strait bt:tween his personal desire to depart and be with Christ, and his unselfish willingness to remain on earth for the good of the Church. I. 'l'HE PERSONAL DESIRE TO DEPART AND BE WITH CHRIST. This is no mere senti- mental yearning for death, such as very young people sometimes dream about. St. Paul is an old man, and old men commonly cling to life. He is in bonds, however; he has fought a good fight; he feels the weariness of a life of extraordinary hardship and toil; soberly, earnestly, reverently, he longs to be with Christ. 1. St. Paul had a grand faith in thefiiture life, He was not simply resigned, he longed for the great change. His was not J:lamlet's wish- " To die,-to sleep,- N o more: and, by e. sleep, to say we end The hee.rt-aohe, and the thousand natural shookB That flesh is heir to." Many have devoutly wished for this consummation, longing only to be at peace, "where the wicked cease from troubling and the weary are at rest." St. Paul's great desir.e was positive-life with Christ. 2. The essential Christian blessedness is to be with Ghrist. We know exceedingly little about the future life. When we pass from rheto- rical images to distinct facts, the chief, almost the only, thing we know is that Christiane will be with Christ (John xiv. 3). "My knowledge of that life is small,- The eve of fe.ith is dim; But 'tis ·enough thn.t Christ knows ell, And I shall be with him." Note: (1.) Only they who have followed Christ on earth can dwell with Christ in heaven. (2) Only they who have loved Christ on earth ea.a rejoice to dopart and be with Christ in heaven. It is far better to depart, just because, and only because, Christ is far dearer than all earthly things; for where our treasure is, there will our heart be also. II. THE UNSELFISH WILLINGNESS TO REllIAIN ON EARTH TO SERVE 'l'HE CHURCH, St. Paul was resigned to life. His conception of Chri~tianity was unselfish service. Men sometimes ask-Why are not Christians taken straight to heaven out of the troubles a.nu temptations of this world? One reason for remaining bore is their own discipline. Another is the work they have to do. As Christ came iuto the world to bless mankiud, 58 'lHl~ EPJSTLE TO THE l'HILIPPIANS. [M. II, 1-30,
ChriRtiRn~ nrc rC'tnincd in the world that they may be the salt of the enrth. But they i;hould remember that they are pilgrims and strangers; in tho world, but not of it i 1<C'rring ~he world, but looking for their greatest joy above it. Let every man ask him- ~C'lf-Is 1t for the good of my fellow-men that I should be continued in lifo? How many useful lives are cut down I How many cumberers of the ground are sp1ned by the lon~-suffering mercy of God, in the hope that they may yet bear fruit, though at the eleventh hour !-W. F. A.