September 14

Repent ye therefore and be converted that your sins may be blotted out. Acts 3, 19.

O you who know that you are not yet temples of the Holy Ghost, resist not when He speaks to you with power. Grieve Him not by shutting the door against Him; for if you do, He will perhaps never again knock at your heart with such power and grace. Do not slam the door in the face of a friend, or he will perhaps never again approach your steps. "To-day if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness," lest God say of you as He did of them: "Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and I sware in My wrath, They shall not enter into My rest." When you hear His voice, postpone not to open the door; for that is a dangerous thing.

And O ye Christians who already are temples of the Holy Ghost: "Grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed." We who have received the Holy Ghost, we who have experienced His testimony in our hearts, we are exhorted not to grieve Him. By what is He grieved? All sins in thought, word, and deed grieve the Holy Ghost. He is grieved by every unholy act, word, and even desire, as it is written: "The Spirit lusteth against the flesh." And to the Corinthians, Paul writes: "If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are." Now, is it right to defile the temple of God by sin? Should you thus grieve the Holy Ghost?

Remember, He has done great things for you. You know that in your Savior you have forgiveness of sins and are made meet

to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light. Who has kindled this light in you? It was God, your gracious and merciful God. And would you grieve Him who has done so much for you? What is your attitude towards God? Remember the fate that awaits every one who forsakes his God, breaks his baptismal vow, and serves the world and the flesh and Satan! Turn back before it is too late!

Prayer.

O merciful God, I prostrate myself before Thee in penitence, and with a contrite heart I confess unto Thee all my sins — those I was conceived and born in and those with which I offended Thee, not only during the past year, but all the days of my life. O Lord God, let my sins be blotted out by the blood of Jesus and let me partake anew of Thy grace. Let me not postpone my repentance, but seek Thy grace now, this very day and hour. Amen.

Think not, 'tis time enough, nor say, God, who is gracious beyond measure, Shuts not the door of grace to-day; I'll first enjoy some carnal pleasure. No, God forbid! If you are wise, Grace offered now do not despise; Who slights to-day the invitation May ever miss of his salvation. Come now to Jesus, come and live; To-day He sinners doth receive.