Very bitter is the enmity of the world against the people of Christ. Men will forgive a thousand faults in others, but they will magnify the most trivial offence in the follower of Jesus. Instead of vainly regretting this, let us turn it to account, and since so many are watching for our halting, let

this be a special motive for walking very carefully before God. If we live carelessly, the lynx-eyed world will soon see it, and they will shout triumphantly, "See how these Christians act!" The cross of Christ is in itself an offence to the world; let us take heed that we add no offence of our own, for thus can much damage be done to the cause of Christ, and much insult offered to his name.

There is no power in this world so vital, so potent at this day as the power of Christ. I say nothing just now of heavenly or spiritual things; but I speak only of temporal and moral influences; even in these the cross is to the front. He of whom Voltaire

said that he lived in the twilight of his day, is going from strength to strength. The infidel truly said that it was the twilight, but it was the twilight of the morning, and the full noon is coming.