December 26

I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus. — PHIL. iii. 8.

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it. — MATT. xiii. 45, 46.

THIS is a parable for believers: the man was "seeking goodly pearls." But there are some converted people who are not represented by this eager merchantman. They are satisfied with the salvation which grace gives to penitent faith. These have found a pearl in the possession of a hope: but they have not found the pearl of great price, — they do not know Jesus as a personal friend. The knowledge that I am saved is the lowest round on the ladder of Christian attainment: there is a richer knowledge than this. It is the knowledge of Christ, who is the truth.

This knowledge has two conditions. One is intense eagerness, "I press toward the mark." Christ does not reveal the riches of his grace to him who is not longing and praying for clearer light. The other condition is sacrifice, — "He sold all that he had and bought it." When we have caught a glimpse of his preciousness, we count all things but loss to "know him and the power of his resurrection." They are the true "higher life" disciples who can say, "I live, yet not I, but Christ liveth in me."

Abbott E. Kittredge

I bless the Christ of God, I rest in love divine, And with unfaltering lip and heart I call this Saviour mine.

H. BONAR.