Simply asking that we may love God will never make us love Him; but the longing to be better and holier, — Patience. expressed in daily watchfulness, and in striving to assimilate more of the divine character, — this will mould and fashion us anew, until we awake in His likeness. We reach the Science of Christianity through demonstration of the divine nature; but in this world goodness will “be evil spoken of,” and patience must work experience.
Audible prayer can never do the works of divine understanding, which regenerates; but silent prayer, Veritable devotion. watchfulness, and devout obedience enable us to follow Jesus' example. Long prayers, ecclesiasticism, and creeds have clipped the divine pinions of Love, and clad religion in human robes. They materialize worship, hinder the Spirit, and keep man from demonstrating his power over error.
Sorrow for wrong-doing is but one step towards reform, and the very easiest step. The next and great Sorrow and reformation. step required by Wisdom is the test of our sincerity, — namely, reformation. To this end we are placed under the stress of circumstances. Temptation bids us repeat the offence, and woe comes in return for what is done. So it will ever be, till we learn that there is no discount in the law of justice, and that we must pay “the uttermost farthing.” The measure ye mete “shall be measured to you again,” and it will be full “and running over.”
Saints and sinners get their full award, but not always in this world. The followers of Christ must drink his cup. Ingratitude and persecution will fill it to the brim; but God pours the riches of His love into the under-
