THERE is a picture of a woman in great sorrow. She is sitting beside the sea, looking out upon the dark waters, which have swallowed down her heart’s treasures. Close behind her is an angel with his harp, whose strings he is gently touching. But the woman is not aware of the angel’s presence and is uncomforted by the music of the celestial harp. So it ofttimes is with mourners when Jesus Himself comes to give them consolation. In their grief they are unaware of His presence and deaf to His words of love.

We go afar in quest of Christ, while all the time He is close beside us. Sir Launfal wandered over all the earth in search of the Holy Grail; and when at last, after long years had flown, he returned aged and bent to his old home, lo! there under his own castle walls did he find the object of his search. So often we will find close by us, in the Scriptures we already possess, in the circumstances in which we are placed, the help we are seeking and the truth we need.”

EVENING: FOLLOWING OUR WHITE BANNERS

WE talk about consecration. What is consecration? It is nothing less than doing the will of Christ, not our own, always, whatever the cost, the sacrifice, or the danger. There is too much mere sentiment in our religion. We say we believe in Christ; if we do, we must follow him wherever he leads, though not knowing whither. We say we love Christ, and quickly from His lips comes the testing word—”If ye love me, keep my commandments.” To be a Christian is to be devoted utterly, resistlessly, irrevocably, to Christ. Joan of Arc said the secret of her victoriousness was that she bade her white standard go forth boldly; then she followed it herself. Good intentions, and vows, and pledges of consecration are well enough as white banners, but when we have sent them forth we must be sure to follow them ourselves.

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