January 6

First Week in Advent.—Friday

Fight the good fight of faith. 1 Timothy 6:12.

MEMBERS of a Church militant, you have a post to gain and to maintain, and this cannot be done without an arduous and continuous struggle. This post can only be gained, can only be maintained by Faith. Faith must lead you to desire it, Faith must rouse you to seek it, Faith must strengthen you to conquer it, Faith must give you endurance and watchfulness to preserve it. You have a formidable enemy to battle against, Sin, in all its forms. You have to fight against Sin, both within your own hearts and in the world; but above and before all within you. Nothing effectual can be achieved outwardly, no victory of any moment can be gained, until Sin is subdued and quelled within your own hearts. Strive therefore, in the first place, to cast out the Evil Spirit from your own hearts; pray to God to cast it out, pray to God to strengthen that Faith in you which will enable you to cast out and to keep out the Evil Spirit, even the Faith of Jesus.

PEACE—

Again, again thou must return, And of that holy childhood learn; Clothed in this form of wisdom mild, He there would teach thee as a child To turn from manhood's wisdom high, And learn of helpless infancy.

VIRTUE—

Meek pilgrim, sore beset with foes, And marked with scars that speak thy woes, Upon thy way still onward press, And look to Him in thy distress. He gives hinds' feet to climb on high, And eagles' wings wherewith to fly.