September 21

Every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

ROMANS xiv. 12.

And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. — MATT. xxv. 30.

THE "unprofitable servant" did not meet his fearful doom through accident, sudden temptation, necessity, or lack of knowledge. He admits he knew the character of his lord and what would be the natural result of his own negligence. And now our loving Master holds this picture before our eyes that we may escape that servant's doom. This closing sentence is one of the beacon lights kindled by the hand of love, to warn men against the infatuation of sin that pushes them on to ruin. Love divine stands before men to-day who "know their Lord's will and do it not," seeking their salvation. It will woo or warn, draw or drive, inspire hope or waken dread, promise peace to the troubled or sting a torpid conscience into life, speak in "the still small voice" or thunder in the storm, and while pointing the weary to the rest in heaven, it will dare to tell the careless of the horrors of hell.

J. Ramsay

See the Judge, our nature wearing,

Clothed in majesty divine!

You who long for his appearing,

Then shall say, "This God is mine!"

Gracious Saviour,

Own me in that day for thine!

JOHN NEWTON.