November 9

"He saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding-garment?"—Matthew 22:12.

THE wedding-garment: that is the one thing needful.

Not social position. There is many a house on earth into which I have no right of entrance: mine is not a rank sufficiently high. The lords and ladies ride by me in silver and furs, as they did in William Langland's day, while I may stalk gaunt and pensive along the city streets. But God is not led captive by the gold ring and the purple robe.

Nor intellectual distinction. The princes in philosophy, the wise and the prudent, perhaps hold me in scorn—so ignorant I am, and uncultured, and commonplace. But if "large-browed Verulam" pass me unnoticed, not so Jesus Christ. His marriage-feast is not got ready for scholars and savants; and, when these come to it, they come as little children, with humble wills and teachable souls and contrite spirits.

Nor ecclesiastical approbation. It is good to be within the Church, and to be held in esteem by its members. But the men who stand high in the Lord's house have sometimes dealt harshly with the Lord's little ones. I may be of no account in His earthly shrine, and yet may be cherished in His secret heart. Not everyone who worships Him outwardly is of His spiritual kin.

But the wedding-garment; there is the essential thing. Christ's righteousness received by me, to make me white and royal in the sight of God. Christ's holiness dwelling within me, to change me into the same image from glory to glory. I cannot come in to our King's high festival without the King's forgiving grace and something of the King's unearthly beauty.