August 24

So shalt thou find labour. — PROV. iii. 4.

If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. — JOHN XV. 10.

KEEP my commands, abide in my love, — obedience the condition of favor. Nature everywhere teaches and enforces this same law.

All abiding art, all the triumphs of science and industry, bear witness that success is attained only in strict conformity to Nature's commands. Then even the lightning will become a useful, peaceful partner.

God in Christ, the incarnation of the divine love, wisdom, and power, woos the soul of man, offering forgiveness and seeking to secure in us a voluntary, loving obedience to the unchangeable truth of the universe, — the commands of God. All blessings follow if we "abide in his love."

There is no possible prosperity for the soul of man save in this obedience of faith. The abiding oneness of the Father and the Son, the glory of that loving communion, stands over against the perfected obedience of the Son of God. "My meat is to do the will of him that sent me and to finish his work."

"If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them."

Wm. Bayard Craig

Teach me to do the thing that pleaseth thee;

Thou art my God, in thee I live and move.

Oh, let thy loving Spirit lead me forth

Into the land of righteousness and love!

MONSELL