September 13

It is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing.— Galatians 4:18.

IF earnestness of feeling and action should correspond to the importance of the cause in which one is engaged, then can I have too much zeal in the service of Christ, and for the spread of his kingdom in the world? Am I indeed zealous so to live and act, as to honor God and do good to men? Am I diligent and unwearied as a laborer in God's vineyard, working in season and out of season? Am I at all times decided and earnest as a faithful follower of Christ?

Zeal without knowledge, is like haste to a man who is walking in the dark.—JOHN NEWTON.

Let us not call that zeal for God, which is only our own tempestuous and stormy passion. True zeal is a sweet, heavenly, and gentle flame, which maketh us active for God, but always within the sphere of love. It never calls for fire from heaven to consume those who differ from us. It strives to save the soul, but hurteth not the body.—CUDWORTH.

Go, labor on; spend and be spent;

Thy joy to do the Father's will;

It is the way the Saviour went;

Should not his followers tread it still?

Go, labor on; 'tis not for naught;

Thine earthly loss is heavenly gain;

Men heed thee, love thee, praise thee not;

The Master praises:—what are men?

—H. BONAR.