"To this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembles at My word." Stoop if you would climb to Heaven. Do we not say of Jesus, "He descended that He might ascend?" so must you. You must grow downwards, that you may grow upwards; for the sweetest fellowship with Heaven

is to be had by humble souls, and by them alone. God will deny no blessing to a thoroughly humbled spirit. Humility makes us ready to be blessed by the God of all grace, and fits us to deal efficiently with our fellow-men. Whether it be prayer or praise, whether it be work or suffering, the genuine salt of humility cannot be used in excess.

We are not far from being purged from our dross when we are perfectly willing to undergo any refining process which divine wisdom may appoint us. Self and sin have a great affinity, and until our selfishness is taken away our sin will not leave us; but

when we can truly pray, "not as I will, but as you will," then have we lost much of our alloy, and are ready to receive the image of the great King.