July 9

Clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands.

REV. vii. 9.

He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. — REV. iii. 5.

WHAT earnestness there must be in the life of a Christian if we either look upon how much he has to overcome, or how much he is in danger of losing! We, as Christians, have before us difficulties and temptations, enemies within and without, especially that dreadful and deadly disease, self-confidence, when we are pleased with what we are and therefore do not press on toward the goal unto the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. But no matter what is in our way it ought not to discourage, still less deject us, as if it would be almost hopeless to think of overcoming. The last words in our text not only show us the glorious things we may lose, but they at the same time hold up before our eyes what we will gain by continuing the fight till the last enemy is overcome: yea, they are properly promises that ought to give us courage and strength to hold out to the end. Then what a victory, — white raiment, having our names in the book of life as members of the heavenly commonwealth, and confessed by our Saviour as being his before God and the world!

T. N. Rasmussen

Ten thousand times ten thousand, In sparkling raiment bright, The armies of the ransomed saints Throng up the steeps of light.

'T is finished, ali is finished, Their fight with death and sin! Fling open wide the golden gates And let the victors in!

DEAN ALFORD.