November 10

Whoso shall confess me before men, him will I also confess before my Father which is in heaven.—Matthew 10:32.

DO I feel it to be a duty, not only to believe on Christ, but to confess him before men? If unwilling or ashamed to acknowledge him as my Saviour now, how can I expect that he will acknowledge me, as one of his followers and redeemed ones, before the assembled universe, at the final judgment? What is there in the person, doctrines, service, or friendship of Christ, of which any one should be ashamed; in which all should not glory?

It is wonderful what strength and boldness of purpose and energy of will come from the feeling that we are in the way of duty.—J. FOSTER.

Christ would have us decided. He would have us willing witnesses; living epistles, known and read of all men. He asks the whole heart; the whole purpose; the whole life; and he well deserves them all. If we are ashamed of his name, or his cause, or his service, or his people here, he will be ashamed of us hereafter.

Ashamed of Jesus! yes, I may,

When I've no guilt to wash away;

No tear to wipe; no good to crave;

No fears to quell, no soul to save.

Till then—nor is my boasting vain—

Till then I boast a Saviour slain!

And oh may this my glory be,

That Christ is not ashamed of me!

—J. GRIGO.