recognize it in our own, External and accidental differences are no sure ground on which to base a judgment as to who are God's own children and who are not, nor are they the points on which God will judge us. Even St, Paul confesses that no man knows whether he be praiseworthy or blameworthy in the sight of God, and whatever vague ideas we may acquire on the subject must be determined by the rule Christ laid down: " By their fruits — not by their opinions or outward observances — but by their fruits ye shall know them.,, This was precisely where the Pharisees erred. Christ refused to conform to their usages as to Sabbath observance and hand-washing, and though they saw Him going around doing good, they yet deemed Him a devil incarnate; and though they beheld Him miraculously feeding the multitudes, they saw therein only a violation of their ordinances. Let us live and let live, and think betimes of the beam in our own eye, and imitate more the good God who makes His sun to shine on the good and bad alike. But of all things let us beware of contenting ourselves with the accessories of religion and neglecting its substance. No such easy compromise between God and the world is possible. God will not be deceived as was Isaac: His eye will penetrate the disguise and detect Jacob, though the hands and the face be those of Esau. No matter how strict our outward observance may have been, no matter if we have even done miracles and prophesied in Christ's name, if we neglect our interior sanctification He will declare at the last that
