May 23

In him verily is the love of God perfected. — 1 JOHN ii. 5.

He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me; and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. — JOHN xiv. 21.

WHO will fathom the depth of this wonderful saying of Jesus? It contains words of direction and words of promise for all Christians.

Here we find the true test of spiritual life. We often torture ourselves with questions like these, "Am I indeed a Christian? Do I really love Jesus?" We fear that our feelings for him have not the warmth and rapture that should be found in his followers. But Jesus tells us that obedience — "keeping his commandments" — is the only trustworthy evidence of love. Let us not be disheartened because we know little of the inward raptures which some other Christians enjoy. If we are striving for Christ's sake to do the good and right unto all men, we really love him who "went about doing good." If we are striving for Christ's sake to forgive our persecutors and slanderers, we really love him who prayed on the cross. "Father, forgive them, they know not what they do." An obedient life is the sure token of a loving heart.

How precious and inspiring are the privileges here assured to those whose obedience proves them to be "the lovers of Jesus." They become in a special sense the beloved of the Father. The Saviour feels that they are linked to him by the tenderest ties. They enjoy continual and increasing revelations of the glory and power and beauty of Christ.

S. M. Hamilton

Abide in me! there have been moments blest When I have heard thy voice and felt thy power; When evil lost its grasp; and passion hushed, Owned the divine enchantment of the hour.

MRS H. B. STOWE.