October 30

Grieve not the Holy Spirit of God.—Ephesians 4:30.

DO I endeavor to be always obedient to the dictates of divine truth, and to listen to the voice of conscience, when it speaks, either as to duty or danger? Am I careful, in these things, not to grieve the Holy Spirit, who is ever seeking to enlighten, and sanctify, and guide, and comfort, all who are striving to be faithful? Do I avoid those worldly allurements, and besetting sins, and evil passions, and unhallowed thoughts, which lead the soul away from God? In all things do I seek to cherish the Spirit of Christ?

To grieve the Holy Spirit, is to shut the door of heaven against one's own entrance.

The sorrow for sin which is the effect of heated feeling only, will surely die away: and that which proceeds from remorse of conscience, is seldom lasting. But the contrition which is lodged in the soul by the Spirit of God, nothing can destroy. No length of time can efface, and no sense of pardon can weaken it.—BRADLEY.

Gracious Spirit, love divine, Let thy light within me shine; All my guilty fears remove; Fill me with thy heavenly love; Let me never from thee stray; Keep me in the narrow way; Fill my soul with joy divine; Keep me, Lord, for ever thine!

—STOCKER.