September 6

If our heart condemn us not then have we confidence toward God. — 1 JOHN iii. 21.

If thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; leave there thy gift before the altar and go thy way: first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. — MATT. v. 23, 24.

THE enthusiasm of love is the soul of devotion. The rapture of heart to heart communion with God comes only to souls fully “reconciled by the blood of the cross.” We can never hope to have God at peace with us if we are not at peace with our brother. The richest gifts and sacrifices will lie like Cain’s rotting fruits and wilted flowers upon the altar, unaccepted, if we are conscious of being unreconciled to our brother. Holy affections must conquer all personal antipathies. The injured one can most readily and easily take the first steps toward reconciliation. Jesus was made a sacrifice, and his last words upon the “offering up of himself” were in prayer pleading with the Father for his enemies. When our religion becomes impassioned with Christ’s love, like a fire fusing and refining the gold from the dross, we will waive aside weak formalities and travel a long distance to conquer the heart of our brother. When reconciled, our offerings and gifts on the altar will become “a sweet-smelling savor” like Abel’s, and we shall hold the inward testimony of the Holy Spirit that we “please God.”

Thomas Chalmers Easton

Kindle thou the sacrifice That upon my lips is lying; Clear the shadows from mine eyes, That, from every error flying, No strange fire may in me glow That thine altar doth not know.

FROM THE GERMAN.