Ever to be remembered is that best and brightest of hours when first we saw the Lord, lost our burden, received the roll of promise, rejoiced in full salvation, and went on our way in peace. It was spring time in the soul; the winter was past. Then the flowers appeared in our heart: hope, love, peace

and patience sprung from the sod; and our resolve was, "Lord, I am your, wholly your; all I am, and all I have, I would devote to you. You have bought me with your blood; let me spend myself and be spent in your service. In life and in death let me be consecrated to you." How have we kept this resolve?

You will best know Christ by following in Ms footsteps. Poverty will reveal him who for our sakes became poor; sickness will show him whose visage was more marred than any man's; shame will teach you his shame, and suffering will reveal to you his suffering;

yes, even death itself, which shall uncover the foundations of your faith, shall give you conformity to his death that you may have part in his resurrection.