September 13

"They served idols, whereof the Lord had said unto them, Ye shall not do this thing."—2 Kings 17:12.

THERE is much danger lest I should fall into the same sin of idolatry. It is prevalent to-day as well as yesterday, in Christendom no less than in heathendom.

There are the idols of wood and stone. Lurking in my heart I find too strong a sympathy with the grosser forms of evil; untold possibilities of positive sin are within me still. But these impure gods must go.

There are the idols of silver and gold. I pay an undue deference to fashion and wealth. I covet a high position and a place among the prominent ones of the earth. But these gods too must be dethroned.

There are the carved images. I may easily be beguiled by my regard for the culture and art of the world. Contagion and poison haunt its literature, its painting, its amusement. At whatever cost, these deities must be cast out.

There are the molten images. Sudden fires of appetite, swift flames of temptation, leap up within me; and before I know I may be overcome by them. These powers of darkness must be conquered in a heavenlier strength than my own.

There are the teraphim—the idols made in the likeness of men. I am in peril of exalting friends, wife, children, to the seat which Jesus Christ alone should occupy. But my dearest idol must be thrown down, and He must be Lord of all.

"Ich hab' eine Passion, und die ist Er, nur Er"—may Count Zinzendorf's motto be mine:—I have one passion, and it is He, He only.