April 18

Let thy garments be always white.—Ecclesiastes 9:8.

DO I pass through the world fulfilling the part which God has appointed as mine, not going out of it to avoid temptations, but endeavoring to overcome them in Christ's strength? Do I so live that all can see that though in the world I am not of it, but above it? Have I washed my soul white in the blood of the Lamb? By prayer and watchfulness, and in humble dependence on the Holy Spirit, do I keep myself unspotted from the world?

The religion of the gospel calls us both out of the world, and into the world; out of it, as to its principles and maxims and temper; into it, as a field of labor and a sphere of usefulness, where we are to be diligent in business, to relieve the distressed, to teach the ignorant, to reclaim the vicious, and to do good to all as Christ did.—W. JAY.

Alas! how defiled in thy most holy sight, are my garments and walk! No doubt from day to day I brush away the dust, but ah! how little good it does! Forgive me, O my Father, and cleanse me, granting me so to walk that I may at last enter, pure and unsullied, thy holy city!—GOTTHOLD.

Teach me to live Thy purpose to fulfill;

Bright for thy glory let my taper shine:

Each day renew, remould this stubborn will;

Closer round thee my heart's affections twine;

Keep me unspotted while a pilgrim here;

Then bring me, sinless, to the heavenly sphere!