September 19

"Lord, is it I?"—Matthew 26:22.

THE eleven faithful disciples were exceeding sorrowful, and began everyone to say, Lord, is it I?

For the true heart will not accuse a brother so readily as it will suspect itself. It thinketh no evil of its neighbours and friends. It hopes all things and believes all things. And I would cherish and manifest this large and sanguine charity. I would beware of the cynicism which fixes all doubt upon the darker side. Week in and week out I would esteem others better than myself.

And the true heart is conscious of its own weaknesses and perils. Long after it has been redeemed and renewed, it knows that infinite capacities of shameful evil lurk within it. It feels that the thinnest partitions separate it from hateful sin. So would I be conscious of my proneness to fall, and would live in holy fear, and would take the humblest place—a place too high and too honourable for me.

And the true heart invites the scrutiny and verdict of its all-seeing Lord. It lifts itself into the light of His unerring gaze. It rests satisfied with the judgment of no lower and more fallible tribunal. To Him, who reads my secret soul like the page of an open book, would I make my appeal. To Him would I direct my prayer: See if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Even if it lacks full knowledge, even if it makes many mistakes, Lord, let my heart be true to Thee, as the needle to the pole. Thou wilt own and bless much love and little light, more than much light and little love. I would make sure that I love much.