Part 18

"Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I can not perceive him: on the left hand, where he doth work, but I can not behold him: he hideth himself on the right hand, that I can not see him." Job 23:8,9. This may be your experience some days. In fact, if you are making progress and at all approaching maturity, you will have such experiences. Some dear conscientious Christians become much troubled because they are not more conscious of God's presence. They do not feel him, and thus they conclude they must be very formal. I have always believed and taught that we should have a consciousness of God's presence with us; I still believe and teach it; but I must admit that the most spiritual ofttimes can not perceive God on either hand. They may fear that they are lifeless, because there is not a fresh and sweet spontaneous feeling in their souls. It seems to them that they merely go through the form of worshiping God instead of being in the Spirit. They pray, but their prayers seem to have no depth of heart. In consequence they may be troubled. They need not be. We are not necessarily lukewarm because we do not feel God. The most humble men are those who are least conscious of their humility. The greatest of men are those who take no note of their greatness. The Christian has life; but when we get in the habit of living, we are not so conscious of life.

Let me illustrate the point in this way: Suppose your weakness to be selfishness. You struggle hard against that selfish principle; you notice that you are becoming more unselfish; you are conscious of it because you have had to put forth such effort to attain it; but after you have gained the victory and have become habituated to living an unselfish life, you will be less conscious of your unselfishness. The musician is not so conscious of his skill after he has mastered the art as he is while learning it. Those who are the meekest and have the most intimate converse with heaven, diffusing a fragrance round about them from their holy lives and seeming to be visitants from some world where there is no sin--these are least conscious of their high spiritual attainments.

Live a holy life, obey the commandments of God, have a will to serve God, and if sometimes you do not feel him nor perceive him, do not be troubled, but consider that he knows the way you take and that when he has tried you, you shall come forth as gold.

"Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love." Rom. 12:10. Brotherly love is precious in the sight of angels. It is the most convincing proof of the Christian religion. "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one for another." But in addition to brotherly love there should be kind affection. This is love felt and expressed. There are those who really love, yet whose nature is such that they do not feel much love. Kind affection, like every other grace, is capable of cultivation.

"In honor preferring one another; not slothful in business; fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer." Rom. 12:10-12. These words contain depth of experience, but only by prayer and deep meditation can we descend to their depth.

But we must close by referring you to the whole of the Bible. It is a holy book, yea, the holiest of books. A life in harmony with its precepts is the holiest life. Such a life will grace the earth and shine as a star forever in heaven. Cleave to the Bible, study its pages, appropriate its truths to your own heart by faith. By living upon the Word of God, we become more like God. Heavenly words taken into the heart form a heavenly life.

Let your soul be fed each day from the blessed Book of God. Take the time. Drink deep into its pure, crystal stream, and the beauty of the Lord will grow upon you. Watch the little things in every-day life--the thought, the word, the act--until you bring the whole of your life into the habit of acting godly. Be as kind as you can be today, and you can be kinder tomorrow. This is for the Christian. We do not become Christians by growth, but we must grow after we become Christians. We can be more patient tomorrow by being as patient as we can be today. We can be better men tomorrow by being our best today. We grow as we live. If we live the right way, we shall grow that way, and the longer we grow that way, the more natural and easy the way.

Therefore let your whole life flow out in a trend with the Bible, until it wears a channel in holiness and Christian character. Gather food daily for your soul from the sacred page; live in the most intimate communion with God that is possible; meditate in his law day and night; let the love of your heart grow warmer; let life be the holiest possible. Do this, and you will be one of the jewels God will gather to bedeck the temple of the skies.

A tender blue is in the sky As sets the golden sun; Another day is passing by, And thus the moments run;

The song-bird's note is soft and low, Flying to leafy nest; In evening's peaceful twilight glow All nature sinks to rest;

The fields are wrapped in somber shroud As fades the light of day; A tender flush is on the cloud Beside the milky way;

A hush is on this world of ours; Day, dying, drops a tear; Angels' hands unveil the stars, Which one by one appear;

Now Pleiades grow sparkling bright In deepening blue above: O mild, serene autumnal night! Thy voice is full of love.

Such sacred awe my soul doth fill! Such quietness doth reign! The Voice that uttered, "Peace, be still," Has whispered once again.

The silver bars that streak the West Are short'ning one by one; Another day has gone to rest, And thus the moments run.

I've one day less to watch and wait, My Savior's face to see, Some day, and ope will be the gate. Sweet heaven, I come to thee.

Oh, may it be when sets the sun So peacefully and calm! Oh, may I hear the sweet, "Well done," When evening sings her psalm!

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It is a pleasant autumn eve; The blue is in the sky; My task is done; I take my leave. Good-by, dear friend, good-by!

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Dear reader, live alone for God; Walk blameless in his blessed Word. We may not meet each other here, But let us live in Heaven's fear, So when our work on earth is done, We'll meet each other round God's throne. Just one request I make of thee: Until we meet, pray oft for me.