September 11

“Be ye separate.” — 2 Corinthians vi. 17.

JSMSa^HE Christian, while in the world, is not to be of Ihp world. He should be distinguished from it in iht great object of his life. To him, “to live,” should bo “Christ.” AYhcthcr he eats, or drinks, or whatever he doe.?, he should do all to God’s glory. You may lay up treasure; but lay it up in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, where thieves break not through nor steal. You may strive to be rich; but be it your ambition to be “rich in faith “and good works. You may have pleasure; but when you are merry, sing psalms and make melody in your hearts to the Lord. In your spirit, as well as in your aim, you should differ from the world. “Waiting humbly before God, always conscious of Ilis presence, delighting in communion with Him, and seeking to know His will, you will prove that you are of heavenly race. And you should be separate from the world in your actions. If a thing be right, though you lose by it, it must be done; if it be wrong, though you would gain by it, you must scorn the sin for your Master’s sake. You must have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. Walk worthy of your high calling and dignity. Remember, 0 Christian, that thou art a son of the King of kings. Therefore, keep thyself unspotted from the world. Soil not the fingers which are soon to sweep celestial strings; let not those eyes become the windows of lust which are soon to see the King in His beauty — let not those feet be defiled in miry places which are soon to walk the golden streets; ht not those hearts be filled with pride and bitterness which are ere long to be filled with heaven, and to overflow with ecstatic joy.

Then rise, my soul! and soar away, Up where eternal beauties bloom, Above the thoughtless crowd; And pleasures all divine; sume.

Above the pleasures of the gay, Where wealth that never can co»- And splendors of the proud; And «ndle8s gloriea shins.