第2章
ThenPaulgoesfarther，andwithevengreaterboldnessadds，"WhethertherebyKNOWLEDGE，itshallbedoneaway。"Thewisdomoftheancients，whereisit？ItiswhollygoneAschoolboyto-dayknowsmorethanSirIsaacNewtonknew；hisknowledgehasvanishedawayYouputyesterday"snewspaperinthefire:itsknowledgehasvanishedawayYoubuytheoldeditionsofthegreatencyclopaediasforafewcents:theirknowledgehasvanishedawayLookhowthecoachhasbeensupersededbytheuseofsteamLookhowelectricityhassupersededthat，andsweptahundredalmostnewinventionsintooblivionOneofthegreatestlivingauthorities，SirWilliamThompson，saidinScotland，atameetingatwhichIwaspresent，"Thesteam-engineispassingaway。""Whethertherebeknowledge，itshallvanishaway。"Ateveryworkshopyouwillsee，inthebackyard，aheapofoldiron，afewwheels，afewlevers，afewcranks，brokenandeatenwithrustTwentyyearsagothatwastheprideofthecityMenflockedinfromthecountrytoseethegreatinvention；notitissuperseded，itsdayisdoneAndalltheboastedscienceandphilosophyofthisdaywillsoonbeold。
Inmytime，intheuniversityofEdinburgh，thegreatestfigureinthefacultywasSirJamesSimpson，thediscovererofcholoform。
Recentlyhissuccessorandnephew，ProfessorSimpson，wasaskedbythelibrarianoftheUniversitytogotothelibraryandpickoutthebooksonhissubject(midwifery)thatwerenolongerneeded。
Hisreplytothelibrarianwasthis:
"Takeeverytext-bookthatismorethantenyearsoldandputitdowninthecellar。"
SirJamesSimpsonwasagreatauthorityonlyafewyearsago:mencamefromallpartsoftheearthtoconsulthim；andalmostthewholeteachingofthattimeisconsignedbythescienceofto-daytooblivionAndineverybranchofscienceitisthesame"NowweknowinpartWeseethroughaglassdarkly。"Knowledgedoesnotlast。
Canyoutellmeanythingthatisgoingtolast？ManythingsPauldidnotcondescendtonameHedidnotmentionmoney，fortune，fame；buthepickedoutthegreatthingsofhistime，thethingsthebestmenthoughthadsomethinginthem，andbrushedthemperemptorilyasidePaulhadnochargeagainstthesethingsinthemselvesAllhesaidaboutthemwasthattheywouldnotlast。
Theyweregreatthings，butnotsupremethingsTherewerethingsbeyondthemWhatwearestretchespastwhatwedo，beyondwhatwepossessManythingsthatmendenounceassinsarenotsins；
buttheyaretemporaryAndthatisafavoriteargumentoftheNewTestamentJohnsaysoftheworld，notthatitiswrong，butsimplythatit"passethaway。"Thereisagreatdealintheworldthatisdelightfulandbeautiful；thereisagreatdealinitthatisgreatandengrossing；butItwillnotlast。
Allthatisintheworld，thelustoftheeye，thelustoftheflesh，andtheprideoflife，arebutforalittlewhileLovenottheworldthereforeNothingthatitcontainsisworththelifeandconsecrationofanimmortalsoulTheimmortalsoulmustgiveitselftosomethingthatisimmortalAndtheonlyimmortalthingsarethese:"Nowabidethfaith，hope，love，butthegreatestoftheseislove。"
Somethinkthetimemaycomewhentwoofthesethreethingswillalsopassaway——faithintosight，hopeintofruitionPauldoesnotsaysoWeknowbutlittlenowabouttheconditionsofthelifethatistocomeButwhatiscertainisthatLovemustlast。
God，theEternalGod，isLoveCovet，therefore，thateverlastinggift，thatonethingwhichitiscertainisgoingtostand，thatonecoinagewhichwillbecurrentintheUniversewhenalltheothercoinagesofallthenationsoftheworldshallbeuselessandunhonoredYouwillgiveyourselftomanythings，giveyourselffirsttoLoveHoldthingsintheirproportionHOLDTHINGS
INTHEIRPROPORTIONLetatleastthefirstgreatobjectofourlivesbetoachievethecharacterdefendedinthesewords，thecharacter——anditishecharacterofChrist——whichisbuiltroundLove。
IhavesaidthisthingiseternalDidyouevernoticehowcontinuallyJohnassociatesloveandfaithwitheternallife？IwasnottoldwhenIwasaboythat"GodsolovedtheworldthatHegaveHisonly-begottenSon，thatwhosoeverbelievethinHimshouldhaveeverlastinglife。"WhatIwastold，Iremember，was，thatGodsolovedtheworldthat，ifItrustedinHim，Iwastohaveathingcalledpeace，orIwastohaverest，orIwastohavejoy，orIwastohavesafetyButIhadtofindoutformyselfthatwhosoevertrustethinHim——thatis，whosoeverlovethHim，fortrustisonlytheavenuetoLove——hathEverlastinglife。
TheGospeloffersamanalifeNeverofferamanathimblefulofGospelDonotofferthemmerelyjoy，ormerelypeace，ormerelyrest，ormerelysafety；tellthemhowChristcametogivemenamoreabundantlifethantheyhave，alifeabundantinlove，andthereforeabundantinsalvationforthemselves，andlargeinenterpriseforthealleviationandredemptionoftheworldThenonlycantheGospeltakeholdofthewholeofaman，body，soulandspirit，andgivetoeachpartofhisnatureitsexerciseandrewardManyofthecurrentGospelsareaddressedonlytoapartofman"snature。
Theyofferpeace，notlife；faith，notLove；justification，notregenerationAndmenslipbackagainfromsuchreligionbecauseithasneverreallyheldthemTheirnaturewasnotallinitItofferednodeeperandgladderlife-currentthanthelifethatwaslivedbeforeSurelyitstandstoreasonthatonlyafullerlovecancompetewiththeloveoftheworld。
Toloveabundantlyistoliveabundantly，andtoloveforeveristoliveforeverHence，eternallifeisinextricablyboundupwithloveWewanttoliveforeverforthesamereasonthatwewanttoliveto-morrowWhydowewanttoliveto-morrow？Isitbecausethereissomeonewholovesyou，andwhomyouwanttoseeto-morrow，andbewith，andloveback？ThereisnootherreasonwhyweshouldliveonthanthatweloveandarebelovedItiswhenamanhasnoonetolovehimthathecommitssuicideSolongashehasfriends，thosewholovehimandwhomheloves，hewilllive，becausetoliveistoloveBeitbuttheloveofadog，itwillkeephiminlife；butletthatgo，hehasnocontactwithlife，noreasontoliveHediesbyhisownhand。
EternallifealsoistoknowGod，andGodisloveThisisChrist"sowndefinitionPonderit"Thisislifeeternal，thattheymightknowTheetheonlytrueGod，andJesusChristwhomThouhastsent。"
LovemustbeeternalItiswhatGodisOnthelastanalysis，then，loveislifeLoveneverfaileth，andlifeneverfaileth，solongasthereisloveThatisthephilosophyofwhatPaulisshowingus；thereasonwhyinthenatureofthingsloveshouldbethesupremething——becauseitisgoingtolast；becauseinthenatureofthingsitisanEternalLifeItisathingthatwearelivingnow，notthatwegetwhenwedie；thatweshallhaveapoorchanceofgettingwhenwedieunlesswearelivingnow。
Noworsefatecanbefallamaninthisworldthantoliveandgrowoldalone，unlovingandunlovedTobelostistoliveinanunregeneratecondition，lovelessandunloved；andtobesavedistolove；andhethatdwellethinlovedwellethalreadyinGodForGodisLove。
NowIhaveallbutfinishedHowmanyofyouwilljoinmeinreadingthischapteronceaweekforthenextthreemonths？AmandidthatonceanditchangedhiswholelifeWillyoudoit？ItisforthegreatestthingintheworldYoumightbeginbyreadingiteveryday，especiallytheverseswhichdescribetheperfectcharacter"Lovesufferethlong，andiskind；loveenviethnot；
lovevauntethnotitself。"Gettheseingredientsintoyourlife。
TheneverythingthatyoudoiseternalItisworthdoingItisworthgivingtimetoNomancanbecomeasaintinhissleep；
andtofulfilltheconditionrequireddemandsacertainamountofprayerandmeditationandtime，justasimprovementinanydirection，bodilyormental，requirespreparationandcareAddressyourselvestothatonething；atanycosthavethistranscendentcharacterexchangedforyours。
Youwillfindasyoulookbackuponyourlifethatthemomentsthatstandout，themomentswhenyouhavereallylived，arethemomentswhenyouhavedonethingsinaspiritofloveAsmemoryscansthepast，aboveandbeyondallthetransitorypleasuresoflife，thereleapforwardthosesupremehourswhenyouhavebeenenabledtodounnoticedkindnessestothoseroundaboutyou，thingstootriflingtospeakabout，butwhichyoufeelhaveenteredintoyoureternallifeIhaveseenalmostallhebeautifulthingsGodhasmade；IhaveenjoyedalmosteverypleasurethatHehasplannedforman；andyetasIlookbackIseestandingoutaboveallthelifethathasgonefourorfiveshortexperiences，whentheloveofGodreflecteditselfinsomepoorimitation，somesmallactofloveofmine，andtheseseemtobethethingswhichaloneofallone"slifeabideEverythingelseinallourlivesistransitoryEveryothergoodisvisionaryButtheactsoflovewhichnomanknowsabout，orcaneverknowabout——theyneverfail。
InthebookofMatthew，wheretheJudgementDayisdepictedforusintheimageryofOneseateduponathroneanddividingthesheepfromthegoats，thetestofamanthenisnot，"HowhaveIbelieved？"
but"HowhaveIloved？"Thetestofreligion，thefinaltestofreligion，isnotreligiousness，butLoveIsaythefinaltestofreligionatthatgreatDayisnotreligiousness，butLove；notwhatIhavedone，notwhatIhavebelieved，notwhatIhaveachieved，buthowIhavedischargedthecommoncharitiesoflifeSinsofcommissioninthatawfulindictmentarenotevenreferredtoBywhatwehavenotdone，BYSINSOFOMISSION，wearejudgedItcouldnotbeotherwiseForthewithholdingofloveisthenegationofthespiritofChrist，theproofthatweneverknewHim，thatforusHelivedinvainItmeansthatHesuggestednothinginallourthoughts，thatHeinspirednothinginallourlives，thatwewerenotoncenearenoughtoHimtobeseizedwiththespellofHiscompassionfortheworldItmeansthat——
"Ilivedformyself，Ithoughtformyself，Formyself，andnonebeside——
JustasifJesushadneverlived，AsifHehadneverdied。"
ThankGodtheChristianityoftodayiscomingnearertheworld"sneedLivetohelpthatonThankGodmenknowbetter，byahair"sbreadth，whatreligionis，whatGodis，whoChristis，whereChristisWhoisChrist？Hewhofedthehungry，clothedthenaked，visitedthesickAndwhereisChrist？Where？——"WhososhallreceivealittlechildinMynamereceivethMe。"AndwhoareChrist"s？
"EveryonethatlovethisbornofGod。"
LessonsfromtheAngelus。
Godoftenspeakstomen"ssoulsthroughmusic；HealsospeakstousthroughartMillet"sfamouspaintingentitled"TheAngelus"
isanilluminatedtext，uponwhichIamgoingtosayafewwordstoyouto-night。
Therearethreethingsinthispicture——apotatofield，acountryladandacountrygirlstandinginthemiddleofit，andonthefarhorizonthespireofavillagechurchThatisallthereistoit——nogreatsceneryandnopicturesquepeopleInRomanCatholiccountriesattheeveninghourthechurchbellringsouttoremindthepeopletopraySomegointothechurch，whilethosethatareinthefieldsbowtheirheadsforafewmomentsinsilentprayer。
ThatpicturecontainsthethreegreatelementswhichgotomakeupaperfectlyroundedChristianlifeItisnotenoughtohavethe"rootofthematter"inus，butthatwemustbewholeandentire，lackingnothingTheAngelusmaybringtoussuggestionsastowhatconstitutesacompletelife。
I。
ThefirstelementinasymmetricallifeisWORK。
Three-fourthsofourtimeisprobablyspentinworkOfcoursethemeaningofitisthatourworkshouldbejustasreligiousasourworship，andunlesswecanworkforthegloryofGodthree-fourthsofliferemainsunsanctified。
TheproofthatworkisreligiousisthatmostofChrist"slifewasspentinworkDuringalargepartofthefirstthirtyyearsofHislifeHeworkedwiththehammerandtheplane，makingploughsandyokesandhouseholdfurnitureChrist"spublicministryoccupiedonlyabouttwoandahalfyearsofHisearthlylife；thegreatbulkofHistimewassimplyspentindoingcommoneverydaytasks，andeversincethenworkhashadanewmeaning。
WhenChristcameintotheworldHewasrevealedtothreedeputationswhowenttomeetandworshipHimFirstcametheshepherds，orworkingclass；second，thewisemen，orstudentclass；andthird，thetwooldpeopleinthetemple，SimeonandAnna；thatistosay，Christisrevealedtomenattheirwork，Heisrevealedtomenattheirbooks，andHeisrevealedtomenattheirworshipItwastheoldpeoplewhofoundChristattheirworship，andaswegrowolderwewillspendmoretimeexclusivelyinworshipthanweareabletodonowInthemeantimewemustcombineourworshipwithourwork，andwemayexpecttofindChristatourbooksandinourcommontask。
WhyshouldGodhaveprovidedthatsomanyhoursofeverydayshouldbeoccupiedwithwork？ItisbecauseWorkmakesmen。
Auniversityisnotmerelyaplaceformakingscholars，itisaplaceformakingChristiansAfarmisnotaplaceforgrowingcorn，itisaplaceforgrowingcharacter，andamanhasnocharacterexceptthatwhichisdevelopedbyhislifeandthought。
God"sSpiritdoesthebuildingthroughtheactswhichamanperformsfromdaytodayAstudentwhoconsouteverywordinhisLatinandGreekinsteadofconsultingatranslationfindsthathonestyistranslatedintohischaracterIfheworksouthismathematicalproblemsthoroughly，henotonlybecomesamathematician，butbecomesathoroughmanItisbyconstantandconscientiousattentiontodailydutiesthatthoroughnessandconscientiousnessandhonorablenessareimbeddedinourbeingsCharacterisThemusicofthesoul，andisdevelopedbyexerciseActiveuseofthepowerentrustedtousisoneofthechiefmeanswhichGodemploysforproducingtheChristiangracesHencethereligionofastudentdemandsthathebetruetohiswork，andthathelethisChristianitybeshowntohisfellowstudentsandtohisprofessorsbytheintegrityandtheconscientiousnessofhisacademiclifeAmanwhoisnotfaithfulinthatwhichisleastwillnotbefaithfulinthatwhichisgreat。
Ihaveknownmenwhostruggledunsuccessfullyforyearstopasstheirexaminationswho，whentheybecameChristians，foundanewmotiveforworkandthuswereabletosucceedwherepreviouslytheyhadfailedAman"sChristianitycomesoutasmuchinhisworkasinhisworship。
Ourworkisnotonlytobedonethoroughly，butitistobedonehonestlyAmanisnotonlytobehonorableinhisacademicrelations，buthemustbehonestwithhimselfandinhisattitudetowardthetruthStudentsarenotentitledtododgedifficulties，theymustgodowntothefoundationprinciplesPerhapsthetruthswhicharedeartousgodowndeepereventhanwethink，andwewillgetmoreoutofthemifwedigdownforthenuggetsthanwewillifweonlypickupthosethatareonthesurfaceOthertheoriesmayperhapsbefoundtohavefalsebases；ifso，weoughttoknowitItiswelltotakeoursurroundingsineverydirectiontoseeifthereisdeepwater；ifthereareshoalsweoughttofindoutwheretheyareTherefore，whenwecometodifficulties，letusnotjumplightlyoverthem，butletusbehonestasseekersaftertruth。
ItmaynotbenecessaryforpeopleingeneraltosiftthedoctrinesofChristianityforthemselves，butastudentisamanwhosebusinessitistothink，toexercisetheintellectwhichGodhasgivenhiminfindingoutthetruthFaithisneveropposedtoreason，thoughtitissometimessupposedbyBibleteachersthatitis；butyouwillfinditisnotFaithisopposedtosight，butnottoreason，thoughtitisnotlimitedtoreasonInemployinghisintellectinthesearchfortruthastudentisdrawingnearertotheChristwhosaid，"Iamtheway，thetruthandthelife。"WetalkagreatdealaboutChristasthewayandChristasthelife，butthereisasideofChristespeciallyforthestudent:"Iamthetruth，"
andeverystudentoughttobeatruth-loverandatruth-seekerforChrist"ssake。
II。
Anotherelementinlife，whichofcourseisfirstinimportance，isGOD。
TheAngelusisperhapsthemostreligiouspicturepaintedthiscenturyYoucannotlookatitandseethatyoungmanstandinginthefieldwithhishatoffandthegirloppositehimwithherhandsclaspedandherheadbowedonherbreast，withoutfeelingasenseofGod。
DowecarryaboutwithusthethoughtofGodwhereverwego？Ifnot，wehavemissedthegreatestpartoflifeDowehaveaconvictionofgod"sabidingpresencewhereverweare？ThereisnothingmoreneededinthisgenerationthanalargerandmoreScripturalideaofGodAgreatAmericanwriterhastoldusthatwhenhewasaboytheconceptionofGodwhichhegotfrombooksandsermonswasthatofawiseandverystrictlawyerIrememberwelltheawfulconceptionofGodwhichIhadwhenaboyIwasgivenanillustratededitionofWatts"hymns，inwhichGodwasrepresentedasagreatpiercingeyeinthemidstofagreatblackthundercloudTheideawhichthatpicturegavetomyyoungimaginationwasthatofGodasagreatdetective，playingthespyuponmyactions，asthehymnsays:
"Writingnowthestoryofwhatlittlechildrendo。"
ThatwasaverymistakenandharmfulideawhichithastakenmeyearstoobliterateWethinkofGodas"upthere，"orasonewhomadetheworldsixthousandyearsagoandthenretiredWemustlearnthatHeisnotconfinedeithertotimeorspaceGodisnottobethoughtofasmerelybackthereintime，orupthereinspaceIfnot，whereisHe？"Thewordisnighthee，eveninthymouth。"TheKingdomofGodiswithinyou，andGodHimselfisamongmenWhenarewetoexchangetheterrible，far-away，absenteeGodofourchildhoodfortheeverywherepresentGodoftheBible？ToomanyoftheoldChristianwritersseemtohaveconceivedofGodasnotmuchmorethanthegreatestman——akindofdivineemperor。
Heisinfinitelymore；Heisaspirit，asJesussaidtothewomanatthewell，andinHimweliveandmoveandhaveourbeingLetusthinkofGodasImmanuel——Godwithus——anever-present，omnipresent，eternalOneLong，longago，Godmadematter，thenHemadetheflowersandtreesandanimals，thenHemademanDidHestop？IsGoddead？IfHelivesandactswhatisHedoing？HeisMakingmenbetter。
Heitisthat"workethinyou。"Thebudsofournaturearenotalloutyet；thesaptomakethemcomesfromtheGodwhomadeus，fromtheindwellingChristOurbodiesarethetemplesoftheHolyGhost，andwemustbearthisinmind，becausethesenseofGodiskeptup，notbylogic，butbyexperience。
UntilshewassevenyearsofagethelifeofHelenKeller，theBostongirlwhowasdeafanddumbandblind，wasanabsoluteblank；
nothingcouldgointothatmindbecausetheearsandeyeswereclosedtotheouterworldThenbythatgreatprocesswhichhasbeendiscovered，bywhichtheblindsee，andthedeafhear，andthemutespeak，thatgirl"ssoulbecameopened，andtheybegantoputinlittlebitsofknowledge，andbitbybittheybegantoeducateherTheyreservedherreligiousinstructionforPhillipsBrooks。
Aftersomeyears，whenshewastwelveyearsold，theytookhertohimandhebegantotalktoherthroughtheyoungladywhocouldcommunicatewithherbytheexceedinglydelicateprocessoftouch。
HebegantotellheraboutGodandwhatHehaddone，andhowHelovedmen，andwhatHeistousThechildlistenedveryintelligently，andfinallysaid:
"MrBrooks，Iknewallthatbefore，butIdidn"tknowHisname。"
Howoftenwehavefeltsomethingwithinusimpellingustodosomethingwhichwewouldnothaveconceivedofbyourselves，orenablingustodosomethingwhichwecouldnothavedonealone。
"ItisGodwhichworkethinyou。"ThisgreatsimplefactExplainsmanyofthemysteriesoflife，andtakesawaythefearwhichwewouldotherwisehaveinmeetingthedifficultieswhichliebeforeus。
TwoAmericanswhowerecrossingtheAtlanticmetonSundaynighttosinghymnsinthecabinAstheysangthehymn，"Jesus，LoverofmySoul，"oneoftheAmericansheardanexceedinglyrichandbeautifulvoicebehindhimHelookedaround，andalthoughhedidnotknowthefacehethoughtthatherecognizedthevoiceSowhenthemusicceasedheturnedandaskedthemanifhehadnotbeenintheCivilwarThemanrepliedthathehadbeenaConfederatesoldier"Wereyouatsuchaplaceonsuchanight？"askedthefirst"Yes，"hesaid，"andacuriousthinghappenedthatnight；
thishymnrecalledittomymindIwasonsentrydutyontheedgeofthewoodItwasadarknightandverycold，andIwasalittlefrightenedbecausetheenemywassupposedtobeverynearathandIfeltveryhomesickandmiserable，andaboutmidnight，wheneverythingwasverystill，IwasbeginningtofeelverywearyandthoughtthatIwouldcomfortmyselfbyprayingandsingingahymnIremembersingingthishymn，"AllmytrustonTheeisstayed，AllmyhelpfromTheeIbring，CovermydefencelessheadWiththeshadowofThywing。"
AfterIhadsungthosewordsastrangepeacecamedownuponme，andthroughthelongnightIrememberhavingfeltnomorefear。"
"Now，"saidtheotherman，"listentomystoryIwasaUnionsoldier，andwasinthewoodthatnightwithapartyofscoutsI
sawyoustandingup，althoughIdidn"tseeyourface，andmymenhadtheirriflesfocuseduponyouwaitingthewordtofire，butwhenyousangout，"CovermydefencelessheadWiththeshadowofThywing。"
Isaid，"Boys，putdownyourrifles，wewillgohome。"Icouldn"tkillyouafterthat。"
Godwasworkingineachofthem，inHisownwaycarryingoutHiswillGodkeepshispeopleandguidesthemandwithoutHimlifeisbutalivingdeath。
III。
ThethirdelementinlifeaboutwhichIwishtospeakisLOVE。
Inthispicturewenoticethedelicatesenseofcompanionship，broughtoutbytheyoungmanandtheyoungwomanItmattersnotwhethertheyarebrotherandsister，orloverandloved；thereyouhavetheideaoffriendship，thefinalingredientinourlife，afterthetwoIhavenamedIfthemanorthewomanhadbeenstandinginthatfieldaloneitwouldhavebeenincomplete。
Loveisthedivineelementinlife，because"Godislove。""HethatlovethisbornofGod，"therefore，assomeonehassaid，letus"keepourfriendshipsinrepair。"Letuscultivatethespiritoffriendship，andlettheloveofChristdevelopitintoagreatlove，notonlyforourfriends，butforallhumanityWhereveryougoandwhateveryoudo，yourworkwillbeafailureunlessyouhavethiselementinyourlife。
Thesethreethingsgofartowardformingawell-roundedlifeSomeofusmaynothavetheseingredientsintheirrightproportion，butifyouarelackinginoneortheotherofthem，thenprayforitandworkforitthatyourlifemayberoundedandcompleteasGodintendeditshouldbe。
PaxVobiscum。
Ionceheardasermonbyadistinguishedpreacherupon"Rest。"
Itwasfullofbeautifulthoughts；butwhenIcametoaskmyself，"HowdoeshesayIcangetRest？"therewasnoanswerThesermonwassincerelymeanttobepractical，yetitcontainednoexperiencethatseemedtometobetangible，noranyadvicethatIcouldgrasp——anyadvice，thatistosay，whichcouldhelpmetofindthethingitselfasIwentabouttheworld。
Yetthisomissionofwhatis，afterall，theonlyimportantproblem，wasnotthefaultofthepreacherThewholepopularreligionisinthetwilighthereAndwhenpressedforreallyworkingspecificsfortheexperienceswithwhichitdeals，itfalters，andseemstoloseitselfinmist。
Thewantofconnectionbetweenthegreatwordsofreligionandevery-daylifehasbewilderedanddiscouragedallofusChristianitypossessesthenoblestwordsinthelanguage；itsliteratureoverflowswithtermsexpressiveofthegreatestandhappiestmoodswhichcanfillthesoulofmanRest，Joy，Peace，Faith，Love，Light——thesewordsoccurwithsuchpersistencyinhymnsandprayersthatanobservermightthinktheyformedthestapleofChristianexperience。
Butoncomingtoclosequarterswiththeactuallifeofmostofus，howsurelywouldhebedisenchantedIdonotthinkweourselvesareawareofhowmuchourreligiouslifeisMadeupofphrases；
howmuchofwhatwecallChristianExperienceisonlyadialectoftheChurches，amerereligiousphraseologywithalmostnothingbehinditinwhatwereallyfeelandknow。
Tosomeofus，indeed，theChristianexperiencesseemfurtherawaythanwhenwetookthefirststepsintheChristianlifeThatlifehasnotopenedoutaswehadhopedWedonotregretourreligion，butwearedisappointedwithitTherearetimes，perhaps，whenwanderingnotesformadivinermusicstrayintoourspirits；buttheseexperiencescomeatfewandfitfulmomentsWehavenosenseofpossessioninthemWhentheyvisitus，itisassurprise。
Whentheyleaveus，itiswithoutexplanationWhenwewishtheirreturn，wedonotknowhowtosecureit。
Allofwhichmeansareligionwithoutsolidbase，andapoorandflickeringlifeItmeansagreatbankruptcyinthoseexperienceswhichgiveChristianityitspersonalsolaceandmakeitattractivetotheworld，andagreatuncertaintyastoanyremedyItisasifwekneweverythingabouthealth——exceptthewaytogetit。
IamquitesurethatthedifficultydoesnotlieinthefactthatmenarenotinearnestThisissimplynotthefactAllaroundusChristiansarewearingthemselvesoutintryingtobebetter。
Theamountofspirituallongingintheworld——intheheartsofunnumberedthousandsofmenandwomeninwhomweshouldneversuspectit；amongthewiseandthoughtful，amongtheyoungandgay，whoseldomassuageandneverbetraytheirthirst——thisisoneofthemostwonderfulandtouchingfactsoflifeItisnotmoreheartthatisneeded，butmorelight；notmoreforce，butawiserdirectiontobegiventoveryrealenergiesalreadythere。
Theusualadvicewhenoneasksforcounselonthesequestionsis，"Pray。"ButthisadviceisfarfromadequateIshallqualifythestatementpresently；butletmeurgeithere，withwhatyouwillperhapscalldaringemphasis，thattoprayforthesethingsisnotthewaytogetthemNoonewillgetthemwithoutpraying；butthatmendonotgetthembyprayingisasimplefactWehaveallprayed，andsincerelyprayed，forsuchexperiencesasIhavenamed；
prayed，believingthatthatwasthewaytogetthemAndyethavewegotthem？ThetestisexperienceIdarenotlimitprayer；
stilllessthegraceofGodIfyouhavegottheminthisway，itiswellIamspeakingtothose，betheyfewormany，whohavenotgotthem；toordinarymeninordinarycircumstancesButifwehavenotgotthem，itbynomeansfollowsthatprayerisuseless。
Thecorrectconclusionisonlythatitisuseless，orinadequaterather，forthisparticularpurposeTomakeprayerthesoleresort，theuniversalpanaceaforeveryspiritualill，isasradicalamistakeastoprescribeonlyonemedicineforeverybodilytrouble。
Thephysicianwhodoesthelastisaquack；thespiritualadvisorwhodiesthefirstisGrosslyignorantofhisprofession。
Todonothingbutprayisawrongdonetoprayeritself，andcanonlyendindisasterItisasifonetriedtoliveonlywiththelungs，asifoneassimilatedonlyairandneglectedsolidfood。
Thelungsareafirstessential；theairisafirstessential；butthebodyhasmanymembers，givenfordifferentpurposes，secretingdifferentthings，andeachhasamethodofnutritionasspecialtoitselfasitsownactivityWhileprayer，then，isthecharacteristicsublimityoftheChristianlife，itisbynomeanstheonlyone。
Andthosewhomakeitthesolealternative，andapplyittopurposesforwhichitwasnevermeant，arereallydoingthegreatestharmtoprayeritselfTocoupletheword"inadequate"withthismightwordisnottodethroneprayer，buttoexaltit。
WhatdethronesprayerisunansweredprayerWhenmenprayforthingswhichdonotcomethatway——praywithsincerebeliefthatprayer，unaidedandalone，willcompasswhattheyask——then，notgettingwhattheyask，theyoftengiveupprayer。
Thisisthenaturalhistoryofmuchatheism，notonlyanatheismofatheists，butamoreterribleatheismofChristians，anunconsciousatheism，whoserootshavestruckfarintomanysoulswhoselastbreathwouldbespentindenyingitSo，Irepeat，itisamistakenChristianitywhichallowmentocherishablindbeliefintheomnipotenceofprayerPrayer，certainly，whentheappropriateconditionsarefulfilled，isomnipotent，butnotblindprayer。
BlindprayerissuperstitionPrayer，initstruesense，containsthesanerecognitionthatwhilemanpraysinfaith，GODACTSBYLAW。
Whatthatmeansintheimmediateconnectionweshallseepresently。
What，then，istheremedy？Itisimpossibletodoubtthatthereisaremedy，anditisequallyimpossibletobelievethatitisasecretTheideathatsomefewmen，byhappychanceorhappiertemperament，havebeengiventhesecret——asifthereweresomesortofknackortrickofit——iswhollyincredibleandwrongReligionmustbeforall，andthewayintoitsloftiestheightsmustbebyagatewaythroughwhichthepeoplesoftheworldmaypass。
Ishallhavetoleaduptothisgatewaybyaveryfamiliarpath。
Butasthispathisstrangelyunfrequentedwhereitpassesintothereligioussphere，Imustaskyourforbearancefordwellingforamomentuponthecommonestofcommonplaces。
IEffectsRequireCausesNothingthathappensintheworldhappensbychanceGodisaGodoforderEverythingisarrangedupondefiniteprinciples，andneveratrandomtheworld，eventhereligiousworld，isgovernedbylawCharacterisgovernedbylawHappinessisgovernedbylawTheChristianexperiencesaregovernedbylawMen，forgettingthis，expectRest，Joy，Peace，FaithtodropintotheirsoulsfromtheairlikesnoworrainButinpointoffacttheydonotdoso；
andiftheydid，theywouldnolesshavetheirorigininpreviousactivitiesandbecontrolledbynaturallawsRainandsnowdodropfromtheair，butnotwithoutalongprevioushistoryTheyarethematureeffectsofformercausesEquallysoareRestandPeaceandJoyThey，too，haveeachaprevioushistoryStormsandwindsandcalmsarenotaccidents，butbroughtaboutbyantecedentcircumstancesRestandPeacearebutcalmsinman"sinwardnature，andarisethroughcausesasdefiniteandasinevitable。
Realizeitthoroughly；itisamethodical，notanaccidentalworld。
Ifahousewifeturnsoutagoodcake，itistheresultofasoundreceipt，carefullyappliedShecannotmixtheassignedingredientsandfirethemfortheappropriatetimewithoutproducingtheresultItisnotshewhohasmadethecake；itisnatureShebringsrelatedthingstogether；setscausesatwork；thesecausesbringabouttheresultsheisnotacreator，butanintermediary。
Shedoesnotexpectrandomcausestoproducespecificeffects——randomingredientswouldonlyproducerandomcakesSoitisinthemakingofChristianexperiencesCertainlinesarefollowed；certaineffectsaretheresultTheseeffectscannotbutbetheresult。
Buttheresultcannevertakeplacewithoutthepreviouscause。
ToexpectresultswithoutantecedentsistoexpectcakeswithoutingredientsThatimpossibilityispreciselyThealmostuniversalexpectation。
NowwhatImainlywishtodoistohelpyoufirmlytograspthissimpleprincipleofCauseandEffectinthespiritualworldAndinsteadofapplyingtheprinciplegenerallytoeachoftheChristianexperiencesinturn，IshallexamineitsapplicationtooneinsomelittledetailTheoneIshallselectisRestAndIthinkanyonewhofollowstheapplicationinthissingleinstancewillbeabletoapplyitforhimselftotheothers。
Takesuchasentenceasthis:Africanexplorersaresubjecttofeverswhichcauserestlessnessanddelirium。
Notetheexpression，"causerestlessness。"RESTLESSNESSHASACAUSE。
Clearly，then，anyonewhowishedtogetridofrestlessnesswouldproceedatoncetodealwiththecauseIfthatwerenotremoved，adoctormightprescribeahundredthings，andallmightbetakeninturn，withoutproducingtheleasteffectThingsaresoarrangedintheoriginalplanningoftheworldthatcertaineffectsmustfollowcertaincauses，andcertaincausesmustbeabolishedbeforecertaineffectscanberemovedCertainpartsofAfricaareinseparablylinkedwiththephysicalexperiencecalledfever；thisfeverisinturninfalliblylinkedwithamentalexperiencecalledrestlessnessanddeliriumToabolishthementalexperiencetheradicalmethodwouldbetoabolishthephysicalexperience，andthewayofabolishingthephysicalexperiencewouldbetoabolishAfrica，ortoceasetogothere。
NowthisholdgoodforallotherformsofRestlessnessEveryotherformandkindofRestlessnessintheworldhadadefinitecause，andtheparticularkindofRestlessnesscanonlyberemovedbyremovingtheallottedcause。
AllthisisalsotrueofRestRestlessnesshasacause:mustnotRESThaveacause？NecessarilyIfitwereachanceworldwewouldnotexpectthis；but，beingamethodicalworld，itcannotbeotherwiseRest，physicalrest，moralrest，spiritualrest，everykindofresthasacause，ascertainlyasrestlessnessNowcausesarediscriminatingThereisonekindofcauseforeveryparticulareffectandnoother，andifoneparticulareffectisdesired，thecorrespondingcausemustbesetinmotionItisnouseproposingfinelydevisedschemes，orgoingthroughgeneralpiousexercisesinthehopethatsomehowRestwillcomeTheChristianlifeisnotcasual，butcausalAllnatureisastandingprotestagainsttheabsurdityofexpectingtosecurespiritualeffects，oranyeffects，withouttheemploymentofappropriatecausesTheGreatTeacherdealtwhatoughttohavebeenthefinalblowtothisinfiniteirrelevancybyasinglequestion，"Domengathergrapesofthornsorfigsofthistles？"
Why，then，didtheGreatTeachernoteducateHisfollowersfully？
WhydidHenottellus，forexample，howsuchathingasRestmightbeobtained？TheansweristhatHEDIDButplainly，explicitly，insomanywords？Yes，plainly，explicitly，insomanywords。
HeassignedResttoitscause，inwordswithwhicheachofushasbeenfamiliarfromhisearliestchildhood。
Hebegins，youremember——foryouatonceknowthepassageIreferto——almostasifRestcouldbehadwithoutanycause；"Comeuntome，"Hesays，"andIwillGIVEyouRest。"
Rest，apparently，wasafavortobebestowed；menhadbuttocometoHim；HewouldgiveittoeveryapplicantButthenextsentencetakesthatallbackThequalification，indeed，isaddedinstantaneouslyForwhatthefirstsentenceseemedtogivewasnextthingtoanimpossibilityForhow，inaliteralsense，canRestbeGIVEN？OnecouldnomoregiveawayRestthanhecouldgiveawayLaughterWespeakof"causing"laughter，whichwecando；butwecannotgiveitawayWhenwespeakof"giving"pain，weknowperfectlywellwecannotgivepainawayAndwhenweaimat"giving"pleasure，allthatwecandoistoarrangeasetofcircumstancesinsuchawayasthattheseshallcausepleasure。
Ofcoursethereisasense，andaverywonderfulsense，inwhichaGreatPersonalitybreathesuponallwhocomewithinitsinfluenceanabidingpeaceandtrustMencanbetoothermenastheshadowofagreatrockinawearyland；muchmoreChrist；muchmoreChristasPerfectMan；muchmorestillasSavioroftheworldButitisnotthisofwhichIspeakWhenChristsaidHewouldgivemenRest，HemeantsimplythathewouldputtheminthewayofitBynoactofconveyancewouldorcouldHemakeoverHisownResttothemHecouldgivethemHisreceiptforitThatwasallButHewouldnotmakeitforthemForonethingitwasnotinHisplantomakeitforthem；foranotherthing，menwerenotsoplannedthatitcouldbemadeforthem；andforyetanotherthing，itwasathousandtimesbetterthattheyshouldmakeitforthemselves。
Thatthisisthemeaningbecomesobviousfromthewordingofthesecondsentence:"Learnofme，andyeshallFINDRest。"Rest，(thatistosay)，isnotathingthatcanbeGIVEN，butathingtobeACQUIREDItcomesnotbyanact，butbyaprocessItisnottobefoundinahappyhour，asonefindsatreasure；butslowly，asonefindsknowledgeItcouldindeedbenomorefoundinamomentthancouldknowledgeAsoilhastobepreparedforitLikeafinefruit，itwillgrowinoneclimate，andnotinanother；atonealtitude，andnotatanotherLikeallgrowthitwillhaveanorderlydevelopmentandmaturebyslowdegrees。
ThenatureofthisslowprocessChristclearlydefineswhenHesayswearetoachieveRestbyLEARNING"Learnofme，"Hesays，"andyeshallfindresttoyoursouls。"
NowconsidertheextraordinaryOriginalityofthisutterance。
hownoveltheconnectionbetweenthesetwowords"Learn"and"Rest。"
Howfewofushaveeverassociatedthem——everthoughtthatRestwasathingtobelearned；everlaidourselvesoutforitaswewouldtolearnalanguage；everpractiseditaswewouldpracticetheviolin？DoesitnotshowhowentirelynewChrist"steachingstillistotheworld，thatsooldandthreadbareanaphorismshouldstillbesolittleknown？ThelastthingmostofuswouldhavethoughtofwouldhavebeentoassociateRESTwithWORK。
Whatmustoneworkat？WhatisthatwhichifdulylearnedwillfindthesoulofmaninRest？ChristanswerswithouttheleasthesitationHespecifiestwothings——MeeknessandLowliness。
"Learnofme，"Hesays，"forIamMEEKandLOWLYinheart。"
NowthesetwothingsarenotchosenatrandomTotheseaccomplishments，inaspecialway，RestisattachedLearnthese，inshort，andyouhavealreadyfoundRestTheseastheystanddirectcausesofRest；willproduceitatonce；cannotbutproduceitatonceAndifyouthinkforasinglemoment，youwillseehowthisisnecessarilyso，forcausesareneverarbitrary，andtheconnectionbetweenantecedentandconsequentherandeverywhereliesdeepinthenatureofthings。
Whatistheconnection，then？Ianswerbyafurtherquestion。
Whatarethechiefcausesofunrest？
Ifyouknowyourself，youwillanswer——Pride，Selfishness，Ambition。
Asyoulookbackuponthepastyearsofyourlife，isitnottruethatitsunhappinesshaschieflycomefromthesuccessionofpersonalmortificationsandalmosttrivialdisappointmentswhichtheintercourseoflifehasbroughtyou？Greattrialscomeatlengthenedintervals，andwerisetobreastthem；butitisthepettyfrictionofourevery-daylifewithoneanother，thejarofbusinessorofwork，thediscordofthedomesticcircle，thecollapseofourambition，thecrossingofourwillorthetakingdownofourconceit，whichmakeinwardpeaceimpossibleWoundedvanity，then，disappointedhopes，unsatisfiedselfishness——thesearetheold，vulgar，universalSourcesofman"sunrest。
NowitisobviouswhyChristpointedoutasthetwochiefobjectsforattainmenttheexactoppositesoftheseTomeeknessandlowlinessthesethingssimplydonotexistTheycureunrestbymakingitimpossibleTheseremediesdonottriflewithsurfacesymptoms；theystrikeatonceatremovingcausesTheceaselesschagrinofaself-centeredlifecanberemovedatoncebylearningmeeknessandlowlinessofheartHewholearnsthemisforeverproofagainstitHeliveshenceforthacharmedlifeChristianityisafineinoculation，atransfusionofhealthybloodintoananaemicorpoisonedsoulNofevercanattackaperfectlysoundbody；nofeverofunrestcandisturbasoulwhichhasbreathedtheairorlearnedthewaysofChrist。
MensighforthewingsofadovethattheymayflyawayandbeatRestButflyingawaywillnothelpus"TheKingdomofGodisWITHINYOU。"WeaspiretothetoptolookforRest；itliesatthebottomWaterrestsonlywhenitgetstothelowestplaceSodomenHence，BELOWLYThemanwhohasnoopinionofhimselfatallcanneverbehurtifothersdonotacknowledgehimHence，BE
MEEKHewhoiswithoutexpectationcannotfretifnothingcomestohimItisself-evidentthatthesethingsaresoThelowlymanandthemeekmanarereallyaboveallothermen，aboveallotherthingsTheydominatetheworldbecausetheydonotcareforit。
Themiserdoesnotpossessgold，goldpossesseshimButthemeekpossessit"Themeek，"saidChrist，"inherittheearth。"Theydonotbuyit；theydonotconquerit；buttheyinheritit。
Therearepeoplewhogoabouttheworldlookingoutforslights，andtheyarenecessarilymiserable，fortheyfindthemateveryturn——especiallytheimaginaryonesOnehasthesamepityforsuchmenasfortheverypoorTheyarethemorallyilliterate。
Theyhavehadnorealeducation，fortheyhaveneverlearnedHowtolive。
FewmenknowhowtoliveWegrowupatrandomcarryingintomaturelifethemerelyanimalmethodsandmotiveswhichwehadaslittlechildrenAnditdoesnotoccurtousthatallthismustbechangedthatmuchofitmustbereversed；thatlifeisthefinestoftheFineArts；thatithastobelearnedwithlife-longpatience，andthattheyearsofourpilgrimagearealltooshorttomasterittriumphantly。
YetthisiswhatChristianityisfor——toteachmenTheartoflife。
Anditswholecurriculumliesinoneword——"Learnofme。"Unlikemosteducation，thisisalmostpurelypersonal；itisnottobehadfrombooks，orlecturesorcreedsordoctrinesItisastudyfromthelifeChristneversaidmuchinmerewordsabouttheChristiangracesHelivedthem，HewasthemYetwedonotmerelycopyHimWelearnHisartbylivingwithHim，liketheoldapprenticeswiththeirmasters。
Nowweunderstanditall？Christ"sinvitationtothewearyandheavy-ladenisacalltobeginlifeoveragainuponanewprinciple——uponHisownprinciple"Watchmywayofdoingthings，"
Hesays；"FollowmeTakelifeasItakeitBemeekandlowly，andyouwillfindRest。"
Idonotsay，remember，thattheChristianlifetoeveryman，ortoanyman，canbeabedofrosesNoeducationalprocesscanbethisAndperhapsifsomemenknewhowmuchwasinvolvedinthesimple"learn"ofChrist，theywouldnotenterHisschoolwithsoirresponsibleaheartForthereisnotonlymuchtolearn，butMuchtounlearn。
ManymennevergotothisschoolatalltilltheirdispositionisalreadyhalfruinedandcharacterhastakenonitsfatalsetTolearnarithmeticisdifficultatfifty——muchmoretolearnChristianityTolearnsimplywhatitistobemeekandlowly，inthecaseofonewhohashadnolessonsinthatinchildhood，maycosthimhalfofwhathevaluesmostonearthDowerealize，forinstance，thatthewayofteachinghumilityisgenerallybyHUMILIATION？ThereisprobablynootherschoolforitWhenamanentershimselfasapupilinsuchaschoolitmeansaverygreatthingThereismuchRestthere，butthereisalsomuchWork。