July 12

Friday in Whitsun Week

(Ember Day.)

Be led of the Spirit. Galatians 5:18.

THE soul that is enriched by the indwelling of the Spirit, that soul's desire is to desire nothing, its will to will for nothing, its care to care for nothing, its wealth to possess nothing, out of God, its one, its everlasting Treasure. This is the experience of those who have heard within themselves that there is a Holy Ghost. This is the subjective side of lives which have been spent in the purest and most unselfish benevolence, but the secret of whose strength has escaped the notice of ordinary lookers-on. No changes of human opinion can affect the irrevocable gifts of God. One day we shall look back upon its blessed opportunities, upon its high responsibilities, with what feelings of self-reproach or of gratitude, who shall say? Let us be wise while we may.

The first step of Christian lore

Is to depart from sin:

True faith will leave the world no more

A place thy heart within.

Thy Saviour's Spirit first

The heavy bonds must burst

Wherein death bound thee in thy need.

Then the freed spirit knows

What strength He gives to those

Who with their Lord are risen indeed;

And what Thy Spirit, Lord, began,

Help Thou with inner might!

Give strength, whene'er our strength must fail,

Give strength the flesh to curb;

Give strength when craft and sin prevail

To weaken and disturb.

The world doth lay her snares

To catch us unawares,

Give strength to sweep them all away;

So in our utmost need,

And when death come indeed,

Thy strength shall be our perfect stay.