第3章

Ishouldbewrong，eventhoughmythemeisthebrighterside，toignorethecrossandminimizethecostOnlyitgivestothecrossamoredefinitemeaning，andararervalue，toconnectitthusdirectlyandcasuallywiththegrowthoftheinnerlifeOurplatitudesonthe"benefitsofaffliction"areusuallyaboutasvagueasourtheoriesofChristianExperience"Somehow"webelieveafflictiondoesusgoodButitisnotaquestionof"Somehow。"

Theresultisdefinite，calculable，necessaryItisunderthestrictestlawofcauseandeffectThefirsteffectoflosingone"sfortune，forinstance，ishumiliation；andtheeffectofhumiliation，aswehavejustseen，istomakeonehumble；andtheeffectofbeinghumbleistoproduceRestItisaroundaboutway，apparently，ofproducingRest；butNaturegenerallyworksbycircularprocesses；anditisnotcertainthatthereisanyotherwayofbecominghumble，oroffindingRestIFamancouldmakehimselfhumbletoorder，itmightsimplifymatters；butwedonotfindthatthishappensHencewemustallgothroughthemill。

Hencedeath，deathtothelowerself，isthenearestgateandthequickestroadtolife。

YetthisisonlyhalfthetruthChrist"slifeoutwardlywasoneofthemosttroubledlivesthatwaseverlived:tempestandtumult，tumultandtempest，thewavesbreakingoveritallhetimetillthewornbodywaslaidinthegraveButtheinnerlifewasaseaofglassThegreatcalmwasalwaysthereAtanymomentyoumighthavegonetoHimandfoundRestEvenwhentheblood-houndsweredoggingHiminthestreetsofJerusalem，HeturnedtoHisdisciplesandofferedthem，asalastlegacy，"Mypeace。"NothingeverforamomentbroketheserenityofChrist"slifeonearthMisfortunecouldnotreachHim；HehadnofortuneFood，raiment，money——fountain-headsofhalftheworld"sweariness——Hesimplydidnotcarefor；theyplayednopartinHislife；He"tooknothought"

forthemItwasimpossibletoaffectHimbyloweringHisreputation。

HehadalreadymadeHimselfofnoreputationHewasdumbbeforeinsultWhenhewasreviled，HerevilednotagainInfact，therewasNothingthattheworldcoulddotohimthatcouldrufflethesurfaceofHisspirit。

Suchliving，asmereliving，isaltogetheruniqueItisonlywhenweseewhatitwasinHimthatwecanknowwhatthewordRestmeansItliesnotinemotions，orintheabsenceofemotions。

ItisnotahallowedfeelingthatcomesoverusinchurchItisnotsomethingthatthepreacherhasinhisvoiceItisnotinnature，orinpoetry，orinmusic——thoughinallthesethereissoothingItisthemindatleisurefromitselfItistheperfectpoiseofthesoul；theabsoluteadjustmentoftheinwardmantothestressofalloutwardthings；thepreparednessagainsteveryemergency；thestabilityofassuredconvictions；theeternalcalmofaninvulnerablefaith；thereposeofaheartsetdeepinGod。

Itisthemoodofthemanwhosays，withBrowning，"God"sinHisHeaven，all"swellwiththeworld。"

TwopainterseachpaintedapicturetoillustratehisconceptionofrestThefirstchoseforhissceneastilllonelakeamongthefar-offmountainsThesecondthrewonhiscanvasathunderingwaterfall，withafragilebirch-treebendingoverthefoam；attheforkofabranch，almostwetwiththecataract"sspray，arobinsatonitsnestThefirstwasonlySTAGNATION；thelastwasREST。

ForinResttherearealwaystwoelements——tranquilityandenergy；

silenceandturbulence；creationanddestruction；fearlessnessandfearfulnessThisitwasinChrist。

ItisquiteplainfromallthisthatwhateverelseHeclaimedtobeortodo，HeatleastKnewhowtolive。

Allthisistheperfectionofliving，oflivinginthemeresenseofpassingthroughtheworldinthebestwayHenceHisanxietytocommunicateHisideaoflifetoothersHecame，Hesaid，togivemenlife，truelife，amoreabundantlifethantheywereliving；"thelife，"asthefinephraseintheRevisedVersionhasit，"thatislifeindeed。"ThisiswhatHeHimselfpossessed，anditwasthiswhichHeofferstomankindAndhenceHisdirectappealforalltocometoHimwhohadnotmademuchoflife，whowerewearyandheavy-ladenTheseHewouldteachHissecretThey，also，shouldknow"thelifethatislifeindeed。"

IIWhatyokesarefor。

ThereisstillonedoubttoclearupAfterthestatement，"LearnofMe，"Christthrowsinthedisconcertingqualification:

"TAKEMYYOKEuponyou，andlearnofMe。"

Why，ifallthisbetrue，doesHecallitaYOKE？Why，whileprofessingtogiveRest，doesHewiththenextbreathwhisper"BURDEN"？IstheChristianlife，afterall，whatitsenemiestakeitfor——anadditionalweighttothealreadygreatwoeoflife，someextrapunctiliousnessaboutduty，somepainfuldevotiontoobservances，someheavyrestrictionandtrammelingofallthatisjoyousandfreeintheworld？Islifenothardandsorrowfulenoughwithoutbeingfetteredwithyetanotheryoke？

ItisastoundinghowsoglaringamisunderstandingofthisplainsentenceshouldeverhavepassedintocurrencyDidyoueverstoptoaskwhatayokeisreally？Isittobeaburdentotheanimalwhichwearsit？ItisjusttheoppositeItistomakeitsburdenlightAttachedtotheoxeninanyotherwaythanbyayoke，theploughwouldbeintolerableWorkedbymeansofayoke，itislightAyokeisnotaninstrumentoftorture；itisAninstrumentofmercy。

Itisnotamaliciouscontrivanceformakingworkhard；itisagentledevicetomakehardlaborlightItisnotmeanttogivepain，buttosavepainAndyetmenspeakoftheyokeofChristasifitwereslavery，andlookuponthosewhowearitasobjectsofcompassionForgenerationswehavehadhomilieson"TheYokeofChrist"——somedelightinginportrayingitsnarrowexactions；

someseekinginthoseexactionsthemarksofitsdivinity；othersapologizingforit，andtoningitdown；stillothersassuringusthat，althoughitbeverybad，itisnottobecomparedwiththepositiveblessingsofChristianityHowmany，especiallyamongtheyoung，hasthisonemistakenphrasedrivenforeverawayfromthekingdomofGod？InsteadofmakingChristattractive，itmakesHimoutataskmaster，narrowinglifebypettyrestrictions，callingforself-denialwherenoneisnecessary，makingmiseryavirtueunderthepleathatitistheyokeofChrist，andhappinesscriminalbecauseitnowandthenevadesitAccordingtothisconception，Christiansareatbestthevictimsofadepressingfate；theirlifeisapenance；andtheirhopeforthenextworldpurchasedbyaslowmartyrdominthis。

Themistakehasarisenfromtakingtheword"yoke"hereinthesamesenseasintheexpression"undertheyoke，"or"wearheyokeinhisyouth。"ButinChrist"sillustrationitisnotthe"jugum"oftheRomansoldier，butthesimple"harness"or"ox-collar"oftheEasternpeasantItistheliteralwoodenyokewhichHe，withHisownhandsinthecarpentershop，hadprobablyoftenmadeHeknewthedifferencebetweenasmoothyokeandaroughone，abadfitandagoodfit；thedifferencealsoitmadetothepatientanimalwhichhadtowearitTheroughyokegalled，andtheburdenwasheavy；thesmoothyokecausednopain，andtheloadwaslightlydrawnThebadlyfittedharnesswasamisery；thewell-fittedcollarwas"easy。"

Andwhatwasthe"burden"？ItwasnotsomespecialburdenlaidupontheChristian，someuniqueinflictionthattheyalonemustbear。

ItwaswhatallmenbearItwassimplylife，humanlifeitself，thegeneralburdenoflifewhichallmustcarrywiththemfromthecradletothegraveChristsawthatmentooklifepainfullyTosomeitwasaweariness，toothersafailure，tomanyatragedy，toallastruggleandapainHowtocarrythisburdenoflifehadbeenthewholeworld"sproblemItisstillthewholeworld"sproblemAndhereisChrist"ssolution:"CarryitasIdoTakelifeasItakeitLookatitfromMypointofviewInterpretituponMyprinciplesTakeMyyokeandlearnofme，andyouwillfinditeasyFormyyokeiseasy，workseasily，sitsrightupontheshoulders，andTHEREFOREMyburdenislight。"

ThereisnosuggestionherethatreligionwillabsolveanymanfrombearingburdensThatwouldbetoabsolvehimfromliving，sinceitislifeitselfthatistheburdenWhatChristianitydoesproposeistomakeittolerable。

Christ"syokeissimplyHissecretforthealleviationofhumanlife，HisprescriptionforthebestandhappiestmethodoflivingMenharnessthemselvestotheworkandstressoftheworldinclumsyandunnaturalways。

TheharnesstheyputonisantiquatedArough，ill-fittedcollaratbest，theymakeitsstrainandfrictionpastenduring，byplacingitwheretheneckismostsensitive；andbymerecontinuousirritationthissensitivenessincreasesuntilthewholenatureisquickandsore。

Thisistheorigin，amongotherthings，ofadiseasecalled"touchiness"——adiseasewhich，inspiteofitsinnocentname，isoneofthegravestsourcesofrestlessnessintheworldTouchiness，whenitbecomeschronic，isamorbidconditionoftheinwarddispositionItisself-loveinflamedtotheacutepoint；conceit，WITHAHAIR-TRIGGERThecureistoshifttheyoketosomeotherplace；toletmenandthingstouchusthroughsomenewandperhapsasyetunusedpartofournature；tobecomemeekandlowlyinheartwhiletheoldsensitivenessisbecomingnumbfromwantofuse。

ItisthebeautifulworkofChristianityeverywheretoadjusttheburdenoflifetothosewhobearit，andthemtoitIthasaperfectlymiraculousgiftofhealingWithoutdoinganyviolencetohumannatureitsetsitrightwithlife，harmonizingitwithallsurroundingthings，andrestoringthosewhoarejadedwiththefatigueanddustoftheworldtoanewgraceoflivingInthemerematterofalteringtheperspectiveoflifeandchangingtheproportionsofthings，itsfunctioninlighteningthecareofmanisaltogetheritsown。

Theweightofaloaddependsupontheattractionoftheearth。

Supposetheattractionoftheearthwereremoved？Atononsomeotherplanet，wheretheattractionofgravityisless，doesnotweighhalfatonNowChristianityremovestheattractionoftheearth；andthisisonewayinwhichitdiminishesman"sburden。

ItmakesthemcitizensofanotherworldWhatwasatonyesterdayisnothalfatontodaySowithoutchangingone"scircumstances，merelybyofferingawiderhorizonandadifferentstandard，italtersthewholeaspectoftheworld。

ChristianityasChristtaughtisthetruestphilosophyoflifeeverspokenbutletusbequitesurewhenwespeakofChristianitythatwemeanChrist"sChristianityOtherversionsareeithercaricatures，orexaggerations，ormisunderstandings，orshortsightedandsurfacereadingsForthemostparttheirattainmentishopelessandtheresultswretchedButIcarenotwhothepersonis，orthroughwhatvaleoftearshehaspassed，orisabouttopass，thereisanewlifeforhimalongthispath。

IIIHowfruitsgrow。

WereRestmysubject，thereareotherthingsIshouldwishtosayaboutit，andotherkindsofRestofwhichIshouldliketospeak。

ButthatisnotmysubjectMythemeisthattheChristianexperiencesarenottheworkofmagic，butcomeunderthelawofCauseandEffectIhavechosenRestonlyasasingleillustrationoftheworkingofthatprincipleIfthereweretimeImightnextrunoveralltheChristianexperiencesinturn，andshowthesamewidelawappliestoeach；butIthinkitmayservethebetterpurposeifIleavethisfurtherexercisetoyourselvesIknownoBiblestudythatyouwillfindmorefulloffruit，ofwhichwilltakeyounearertothewaysofGod，ormaketheChristianlifeitselfmoresolidormoresureIshalladdonlyasingleotherillustrationofwhatImean，beforeIclose。

WheredoesJoycomefrom？IknewaSundayscholarwhoseconceptionofJoywasthatitwasathingmadeinlumpsandkeptsomewhereinHeaven，andthatwhenpeopleprayedforit，piecesweresomehowletdownandfittedintotheirsoulsIamnotsurethatviewsasgrossandmaterialarenotoftenheldbypeoplewhooughttobewiserInreality，JoyisasmuchamatterofCauseandEffectaspainNoonecangetJoybymerelyaskingforitItisoneoftheripestfruitsoftheChristianlife，and，likeallfruits，mustbegrownThereisaveryclevertrickinIndiacalledthemangotrickAseedisputinthegroundandcoveredup，andafterdiverseincantationsafull-blownmango-bushappearswithinfiveminutes。

Inevermetanyonewhoknewhowthethingwasdone，butInevermetanyonewhobelievedittobeanythingelsethanaconjuringtrickTheworldisprettyunanimousnowinitsbeliefintheorderlinessofNatureMenmaynotknowhowfruitsgrow，buttheydoknowthattheycannotgrowinanhourSomeliveshavenotevenastalkonwhichfruitscouldhang，eveniftheydidgrowinanhourSomehaveneverplantedoneseedofJoyinalltheirlives；

andotherswhomayhaveplantedagermortwohavelivedsolittleinsunshinethattheynevercouldcometomaturity。

Whence，then，isjoy？ChristputHisteachinguponthissubjectintooneofthemostexquisiteofHisparablesIshouldinanyinstancehaveappealedtoHisteachinghere，asinthecaseofRest，forIdonotwishyoutothinkIamspeakingwordsofmyownButitsohappensthatHehasdealtwithitinwordsofunusualfullness。

IneednotrecallthewholeillustrationItistheparableoftheVineDidyoueverthinkwhyChristspokethatparable？HedidnotmerelythrowitintospaceasafindillustrationofgeneraltruthsItwasnotsimplyastatementofthemysticalunion，andthedoctrineofanindwellingChristItwasthat；butitwasmoreAfterHehadsaidit，HedidwhatwasnotanunusualthingwhenHewasteachingHisgreatestlessons——HeturnedtothedisciplesandsaidHewouldtellthemwhyHehadspokenitItwastotellthemHowtogetjoy。

"ThesethingsIhavespokenuntoyou，"Hesaid，"thatMyJoymightremaininyou，andthatyourJoymightbefull。"ItwasapurposedanddeliberatecommunicationofHisSecretofHappiness。

Gobackovertheseverses，then，andyouwillfindtheCausesofthisEffect，thespring，andtheonlyspring，outofwhichtrueHappinesscomesIamnotgoingtoanalyzethemindetailIaskyoutoenterintothewordsforyourselves。

Remember，inthefirstplace，thattheVinewastheEasternsymbolofJoyItwasitsfruitthatmadegladtheheartofmanYet，howeverinnocentthatgladness——fortheexpressedjuiceofthegrapewasthecommondrinkateverypeasant"sboard——thegladnesswasonlyagrossandpassingthingThiswasnottruehappiness，andthevineofthePalestinevineyardswasnotthetruevine。

"CHRISTwastheTRUEVine。"Here，then，istheultimatesourceofJoyThroughwhatevermediaitreachesus，alltrueJoyandGladnessfindtheirsourceinChrist。

Bythis，ofcourse，isnotmeantthattheactualJoyexperiencedistransferredfromChrist"snature，orissomethingpassedonfromHimtousWhatispassedonisHismethodofgettingitThereis，indeed，asenseinwhichwecanshareanother"sjoyoranother"ssorrowButthatisanothermatterChrististhesourceofJoytomeninthesenseinwhichHeisthesourceofRestHispeopleshareHislife，andthereforeshareitsconsequences，andoneoftheseisJoyHismethodoflivingisonethatinthenatureofthingsproducesJoyWhenHespokeofHisJoyremainingwithusHemeantinpartthatthecauseswhichproduceditshouldcontinuetoactHisfollowers，(thatistosay)，byREPEATINGHislifewouldexperienceitsaccompanimentsHisJoy，HiskindofJoy，wouldremainwiththem。

ThemediumthroughwhichthisJoycomesisnextexplained:"HethatabidethinMe，thesamebringethforthmuchfruit。"Fruitfirst，Joynext；theonethecauseormediumoftheotherFruit-bearingisthenecessaryantecedent；JoyboththenecessaryconsequentandthenecessaryaccompanimentItlaypartlyinthebearingfruit，partlyinthefellowshipwhichmadethatpossiblePartly，thatistosay，JoylayinmereconstantlivinginChrist"spresence，withallthatthatimpliedofpeace，ofshelter，andoflove；

partlyintheinfluenceofthatLifeuponmindandcharacterandwill；andpartlyintheinspirationtoliveandworkforothers，withallthatthatbroughtofself-riddanceandjoyinothers"

gainAllthese，indifferentwaysandatdifferenttimes，areSourcesofpurehappiness。

Eventhesimplestofthem——todogoodtootherpeople——isaninstantandinfalliblespecificThereisnomysteryaboutHappinesswhateverPutintherightingredientsanditmustcomeoutHethatabidethinHimwillbringforthmuchfruit；andbringingforthmuchfruitisHappinessTheinfalliblereceiptforHappiness，then，istodogood；andtheinfalliblereceiptfordoinggoodistoabideinChristThesurestproofthatallthisisaplainmatterofCauseandEffectisthatmenmaytryeveryotherconceivablewayoffindinghappiness，andtheywillfailOnlytherightcauseineachcasecanproducetherighteffect。

ThentheChristianexperiencesareourownmaking？InthesamesenseinwhichgrapesareourownmakingandnomoreAllfruitsGROW——whethertheygrowinthesoilorinthesoul；whethertheyarethefruitsofthewildgrapeoroftheTrueVineNomancanMAKEthingsgrowHecanGETTHEMTOGROWbyarrangingallthecircumstancesandfulfillingalltheconditionsButthegrowingisdonebyGodCausesandeffectsareeternalarrangements，setintheconstitutionoftheworld；fixedbeyondman"sordering。

WhatmancandoistoplacehimselfinthemidstofachainofsequencesThushecangetthingstogrowButthepoweristheSpiritofGod。

WhatmoreneedIaddbutthis——testthemethodbyexperimentDonotimaginethatyouhavegotthesethingsbecauseyouknowhowtogetthemAswelltrytofeeduponacookerybookButIthinkIcanpromisethatifyoutryinthissimpleandnaturalway，youwillnotfailSpendthetimeyouhavespentinsighingforfruitsinfulfillingtheconditionsoftheirgrowthThefruitswillcome，mustcomeWehavehithertopaidimmenseattentiontoEFFECTS，tothemereexperiencesthemselves；wehavedescribedthem，extolledthem，advisedthem，prayedforthem——doneeverythingbutfindoutwhatCAUSEDthemHenceforthLetusdealwithcauses。

"Tobe，"saysLotze，"istobeinrelations。"AbouteveryothermethodoflivingtheChristianlifethereisanuncertaintyAbouteveryothermethodofacquiringtheChristianexperiencesthereisa"perhaps。"Butinsofarasthismethodisthewayofnature，itcannotfailItsguaranteeisthelawsoftheuniverse——andtheseare"theHandsoftheLivingGod。"

Thetruevine。

"Iamthetruevine，andmyFatheristhehusbandmanEverybranchinmethatbearethnotfruithetakethaway；andeverybranchthatbearethfruit，hepurgethit，thatitmaybringforthmorefruit。

NowyearecleanthroughthewordwhichIhavespokenuntoyouAbideinme，andIinyouAsthebranchcannotbearfruitofitself，exceptitabideinthevine；nomorecanye，exceptyeabideinmeIamthevine，yearethebranches:Hethatabidethinme，andIinhim，thesamebringethforthmuchfruit:forwithoutmeyecandonothingIfamanabidenotinme，heiscastforthasabranch，andiswithered；andmengatherthem，andcastthemintothefire，andtheyareburnedIfyeabideinme，andmywordabideinyou，yeshallaskwhatyewill，anditshallbedoneuntoyou。

HereinismyFatherglorified，thatyebearmuchfruit；soyeshallbemydisciplesAstheFatherhathlovedme，sohaveIlovedyou:continueyeinmyloveIfyekeepmycommandments，yeshallabideinmylove；evenasIhavekeptmyFather"scommandments，andabideinhisloveThesethingshaveIspokenuntoyou，thatmyjoymightremaininyou，andthatyourjoymightbefull。"

"FIRST!"AnAddresstoboys。

IhavethreeheadstogiveyouThefirstis"Geography，"thesecondis"Arithmetic，"andthethirdis"Grammar。"

I。

FirstGeographytellsuswheretofindplaces。

WhereistheKingdomofGod？ItissaidthatwhenaPrussianofficerwaskilledintheFranco-Prussianwar，amapofFrancewasveryoftenfoundinhispocketWhenwewishtooccupyacountry，weoughttoknowitsgeographyNow，WHEREistheKingdomofGod？

Aboyovertheresays，"Itisinheaven。"No；itisnotinheaven。

Anotherboysays，"ItisintheBible。"No；itisnotintheBibleAnotherboysays，"ItmustbeintheChurch，"No；itisnotintheChurchHeavenisonlythecapitaloftheKingdomofGod；

theBibleistheguide-booktoit；theChurchistheweeklyparadeofthosewhobelongtoitIfyouturntotheseventeenthchapterofLukeyouwillfindoutwheretheKingdomofGodreallyis:"TheKingdomofGodiswithinyou"——withinYOUTheKingdomofGodisINSIDEPEOPLE。

IrememberoncetakingawalkbytherivernearwheretheFallsofNiagaraare，andInoticedaremarkablefigurewalkingalongtheriverbankIhadbeensometimeinAmericaIhadseenblackmen，andredmen，andyellowmen，andwhitemen；blackmen，theNegroes；redmen，theIndians；yellowmen，theChinese；whitemen，theAmericansButthismanlookedquitedifferentinhisdressfromanythingIhadeverseenWhenhecamealittlecloser，I

sawhewaswearingakilt；whenhecamealittlenearerstill，I

sawthathewasdressedexactlylikeaHighlandsoldierWhenhecamequietnear，Isaidtohim:

"Whatareyoudoinghere？"

"WhyshouldInotbehere？"hereplied；"don"tyouknowthisisBritishsoil？WhenyoucrosstheriveryoucomeintoCanada。"

ThissoldierwasthousandsofmilesfromEngland，andyethewasintheKingdomofEnglandWhereverthereisanEnglishheartbeatingloyaltotheQueenofBritain，thereisEnglandWhereverthereisaboywhoseheartisloyaltotheKingdomofGod，theKingdomofGodiswithinhim。

WhatistheKingdomofGod？EveryKingdomhasitsexports，itproductsGodowntheriverhereandyouwillfindshipscominginwithcotton；youknowtheycomefromAmericaYouwillfindshipswithtea；youknowtheyarefromChinaShipswithwool；

youknowtheycomefromAustraliaShipswithsugar；youknowtheycomefromJava。

WhatcomesfromtheKingdomofGod？Again，wemustrefertoourGuide-bookTurntoRomans，andweshallfindwhattheKingdomofGodisIwillreadit:"TheKingdomofGodisrighteousness，peace，joy"——threethings"TheKingdomofGodisrighteousness，peace，joy。"Righteousness，ofcourseisjustdoingwhatisright。

AnyboywhodoeswhatisRIGHThastheKingdomofGodwithinhim。

Anyboywho，insteadofbeingquarrelsome，livesatpeacewiththeotherboys，hastheKingdomofGodwithinhimAnyboywhoseheartisfilledwithjoybecausehedoeswhatisright，hastheKingdomofGodwithinhimTheKingdomofGodisnotgoingtoreligiousmeetings，andhearingstrangereligiousexperiences；theKingdomofGodisdoingwhatisright——livingatpeacewithallmen，beingfilledwithjoyintheHolyGhost。

Boys，ifyouaregoingtobeChristians，beChristiansasboys，andnotasyourgrandmothersAgrandmotherhastobeaChristianasagrandmother，andthatistherightandthebeautifulthingforher；

butifyoucannotreadyourBiblebythehoursasyourgrandmothercan，ordelightinmeetingsasshecan，don"tthinkyouarenecessarilyabadboyWhenyouareyourgrandmother"sageyouwillhaveyourgrandmother"skindofreligionMeantime，beaChristianasaboyLiveaboy"slifeDothestraightthing；seekthekingdomofrighteousnessandhonorandtruthKeepthepeacewiththeboysaboutyou，andbefilledwiththejoyofbeingaloyal，andsimple，andnatural，andboy-likeservantofChrist。

Youcanveryeasilytellahouse，oraworkshop，oranofficewheretheKingdomofGodisNOTThefirstthingyouseeinthatpaceisthatthe"straightthing"isnotalwaysdoneCustomersdonotgetfairplayYouareindangeroflearningtocheatandtolie。

Betterathousandtimestostarvethantostayinaplacewhereyoucannotdowhatisright。

Or，whenyougointoyourworkshop，youfindeverybodysulky，touchy，andill-tempered，everybodyatdaggers-drawnwitheverybodyelse，someofthemennotonspeakingtermswithsomeoftheothers，andthewholeFEELoftheplacemiserableandunhappyTheKingdomofGodisnotthee，forITispeaceItistheKingdomoftheDevilthatisanger，andwrathandmalice。

IfyouwanttogettheKingdomofGodintoyourworkshop，orintoyourhome，letthequarrelingbestoppedLiveinpeaceandharmonyandbrotherlinesswitheveryoneFortheKingdomofGodisakingdomofbrothersItisagreatSociety，foundedbyJesusChrist，ofallthepeoplewhotrytolivelikeHim，andtomaketheworldbetterandsweeterandhappierWhereverboyistryingtodothat，inthehouseoronthestreet，intheworkshoporonthebaseballfield，thereistheKingdomofGodAndeveryboy，howeversmallorobscureorpoor，whoisseekingthat，isamemberofit。

Youseenow，Ihope，whattheKingdomis。

II。

Ipass，therefore，tothesecondhead；Whatwasit？Arithmetic。

Arethereanyarithmeticwordsinthistext？"Added。"Whatotherarithmeticwords？"First。"

Now，don"tyouthinkyoucouldnothaveanythingbettertoseek"first"thanthethingsIhavenamedtodowhatisright，toliveatpeace，andbealwaysmakingthoseaboutyouhappy？YouseeatoncewhyChristtellsustoseekthesethingsfirst——becausetheyareThebestworthseeking。

Doyouknowanythingbetterthanthesethreethings，anythinghappier，purer，nobler？Ifyoudo，seekthemfirstButifyoudonot，seekfirsttheKingdomofGodIdonottellyoutobereligiousYouknowthatIdonottellyoutoseektheKingdomofGodItellyoutoseektheKingdomofGodFIRSTFIRST。

NotmanypeopledothatTheyputalittlereligionintotheirlife——onceaweek，perhapsTheymightjustaswellletitalone。

ItisnotworthseekingtheKingdomofGodunlessweseekitFIRST。

Supposeyoutakethehelmoutofashipandhangitoverthebow，andsendthatshiptosea，williteverreachtheotherside？

CertainlynotItwilldriftaboutanyhowKeepreligioninitsplace，anditwilltakeyoustraightthroughlifeandstraighttoyourFatherinheavenwhenlifeisoverButifyoudonotputitinitsplace，youmayjustaswellhavenothingtodowithit。

ReligionoutofitsplaceinahumanlifeisthemostmiserablethingintheworldThereisnothingthatrequiressomuchtobekeptinitsplaceasreligion，anditsplaceiswhat？second？third？

"First。"Boys，FIRSTtheKingdomofGod；makeitsothatitwillbenaturaltoyoutothinkaboutthattheveryfirstthing。

TherewasaboyinGlasgowapprenticedtoagentlemanwhomadetelegraphs(Thegentlemantoldmethishimself。)Onedaythisboywasuponthetopofafour-storyhousewithanumberofmenfixingupatelegraphwireTheworkwasallbutdoneItwasgettinglate，andthemensaidtheyweregoingawayhome，andtheboywastonipofftheendsofthewirehimselfBeforegoingdowntheytoldhimtobesuretogobacktotheworkshop，whenhewasfinished，withhismaster"stools。

"Donotleaveanyofthemlyingabout，whateveryoudo，"saidtheforeman。

TheboyclimbedupthepoleandbegantonipofftheendsofthewireItwasaverycoldwinternight，andtheduskwasgathering。

Helosthisholdandfellupontheslates，sliddown，andthenoverandovertothegroundbelowAclothes-ropestretchedacrossthe"green"onwhichhewasjustabouttofall，caughthimonthechestandbrokehisfall；buttheshockwasterrible，andhelayunconsciousamongsomeclothesuponthegreen。

Anoldwomancameout；seeingherropebrokenandtheclothesallsoiled，thoughttheboywasdrunk，shookhim，scoldedhim，andwentforthepolicemanTheboywiththeshakingcamebacktoconsciousness，rubbedhiseyes，andgotbackonhisfeetWhatdoyouthinkhedid？Hestaggered，half-blind，upthestairsHeclimbedtheladderHegotontotheroofofthehouseHegathereduphistools，putthemintohisbasket，tookthemdown，andwhenhegottothegroundagainfainteddeadaway。

Justthenthepolicemancame，sawtherewassomethingseriouslywrong，andcarriedhimawaytothehospital，wherehelayforsometimeIamgladtosayhegotbetter。

Whatwashisfirstthoughtatthatterriblemoment？Hisduty。

Hewasnotthinkingofhimself；hewasthinkingabouthismaster。

First，theKingdomofGod。

ButthereisanotherarithmeticwordWhatisit？"Added。"

YouknowthedifferencebetweenADDITIONandSUBTRACTIONNow，thatisAveryimportantdifferenceinreligion，because——anditisaverystrangething——veryfewpeopleknowthedifferencewhentheybegintotalkaboutreligion。

TheyoftentellboysthatiftheyseektheKingdomofGod，everythingelseisgoingtobeSUBTRACTEDfromthemTheytellthemthattheyaregoingtobecomegloomy，miserable，andwillloseeverythingthatmakesaboy"slifeworthliving——thattheywillhavetostopbaseballandstory-books，andbecomelittleoldmen，andspendalltheirtimeingoingtomeetingsandinsinginghymns。

Now，thatisnottrueChristneversaidanythinglikethat。

Christsaidweareto"SeekfirsttheKingdomofGod，"andEverythingelseworthhavingistobeADDEDuntousIfthereisanythingIwouldlikeyoutoremember，itisthesetwoarithmeticwords——"first"and"added。"

Idonotmeanby"added"thatifyoubecomereligiousyouareallgoingtobecomeRICHHereisaboy，who，insweepingouttheshoptomorrow，findsaquarterlyingamongtheorangeboxesWell，nobodyhasmisseditHeputsitinhispocket，anditbeginstoburnaholetherebybreakfasttimehewishesthatmoneywereinhismaster"spocketAndby-and-byhegoestohismasterHesays(toHIMSELF，andnottohismaster)，"IwasattheBoys"BrigadeyesterdayandIwastoldtoseekFIRSTthatwhichwasright。"Thenhesaystohismaster:

"Please，sir，hereisaquarterthatIfounduponthefloor。"

ThemasterputsitinthetillWhathastheboygotinhispocket？

Nothing；BUTHEHASGOTTHEKINGDOMOFGODINHISHEARTHehaslaiduptreasureinheaven，whichisofinfinitelymoreworththanthequarter。

Now，thatboydoesnotfindadollaronhiswayhomeIhaveknownthattohappen，butthatisnotwhatismeantby"adding。"ItdoesnotmeanthatGodisgoingtopayhiminhisowncoin，forHepaysinbettercoin。

YetIrememberoncehearingofaboywhowaspaidinbothways。

Hewasvery，verypoorHelivedinaforeigncountry，andhismothersaidtohimonedaythathemustgointothegreatcityandstartinbusiness，andshetookhiscoatandcutitopenandsewedbetweentheliningandthecoatfortygoldendinars，whichshehadsavedupformanyyearstostarthiminlifeShetoldhimtotakecareofrobbersashewentacrossthedesert；andashewasgoingoutofthedoorshesaid:

"Myboy，Ihaveonlytwowordsforyou——"FearGod，andnevertellalie。""

Theboystartedoff，andtowardseveninghesawglitteringinthedistancetheminaretsofthegreatcityButbetweenthecityandhimselfhesawacloudofdustItcamenearerPresentlyhesawthatitwasabandofrobbers。

Oneoftherobberslefttherestandrodetowardhim，andsaid:

"Boy，whathaveyougot？"

Theboylookedhiminthefaceandsaid:

"Ihavefortygoldendinarssewedupinmycoat。"

Therobberlaughedandwheeledaroundhishorseandwentawayback。

Hewouldnotbelievetheboy。

Presentlyanotherrobbercameandhesaid:

"Boy，whathaveyougot？"

"Fortygoldendinarssewedupinmycoat。"

Therobbersaid:"Theboyisafool，"andwheeledhishorseandrodeawayback。

Byandbytherobbercaptaincameandhesaid:

"Boy，whathaveyougot？"

"Ihavefortygoldendinarssewedupinmycoat。"

Therobberdismounted，andputhishandovertheboy"sbreast，feltsomethinground，countedone，two，three，four，five，tillhecountedoutthefortygoldencoinsHelookedtheboyinthefaceandsaid:

"Whydidyoutellmethat？"

Theboysaid:"BecauseofGodandmymother。"

Therobberleanedonhisspearandthoughtandsaid:

"Waitamoment。"

Hemountedhishorse，rodebacktotherestoftherobbers，andcamebackinaboutfiveminuteswithhisdresschangedThistimehelookednotlikearobber，butlikeamerchantHetooktheboyuponhishorseandsaid:

"Myboy，IhavelongwantedtodosomethingformyGodandformymother，andIhavethismomentrenouncedmyrobber"slifeIamalsoamerchantIhavealargebusinesshouseinthecityI

wantyoutocomeandlivewithme，toteachmeaboutyourGod；andyouwillberich，andyourmothersomedaywillcomeandlivewithus。"

AnditallhappenedByseeingfirsttheKingdomofGod，allthesethingswereaddeduntohim。

Boys，banishforeverfromyourmindstheideathatreligionisSUBTRACTIONItdoesnottellustogivethingsup，butrathergivesussomethingsomuchbetterthattheygivethemselvesup。

Whenyouseeaboyonthestreetwhippingatop，youknow，perhaps，thatyoucouldnotmakethatboyhappierthanbygivinghimatop，awhip，andhalfanhourtowhipitButnextbirthday，whenhelooksbackhesays，"WhatagooseIwaslastyeartobedelightedwithatopWhatI

wantnowisabaseballbat。"

Thenwhenhebecomesanoldman，hedoesnotcareintheleastforabaseballbat；hewantsrest，andasnugfiresideandanewspapereverydayHewondershowhecouldeverhavetakenuphisthoughtswithbaseballbatsandwhipping-tops。

Now，whenaboybecomesaChristian，hegrowsoutoftheevilthingsonebyone——thatistosay，iftheyarereallyevil——whichheusedtosethisheartupon；(ofcourseIdonotmeanbaseballbats，fortheyarenotevils)；andsoinsteadoftellingpeopletogiveupthings，wearesafertotellthemto"seekfirsttheKingdomofGod，"andthentheywillgetnewthingsandbetterthings，andTheoldthingswilldropoffofthemselvesThisiswhatismeantbythe"newheart。"ItmeansthatGodputsintousnewthoughtsandnewwishes，andwebecomequitedifferent。

III。

Lastly，andveryshortlyWhatwasthethirdhead？"Grammar。"

Right。

Now，IrequireacleverboytoanswerthenextquestionWhatistheverb？"Seek。"Verygood:"seek。"Whatmoodisitin？

"Imperativemood。"Whatdoesthatmean？"Acommand。"Whatisthesoldier"sfirstlesson？"Obedience。"Haveyouobeyedthiscommand？Remembertheimperativemoodofthesewords，"SEEKfirsttheKingdomofGod。"

ThisisthecommandofyourKingItMUSTbedoneIhavebeentryingtoshowyouwhatasplendidthingitis；whatareasonablethingitis；whatahappythingitis；butbeyondallthesereasons，itisathingthatMUSTbedone，becauseweareCOMMANDEDtodoitbyourCaptainNow，thereisHiscommandtoseekFIRSTtheKingdomofGodHaveyoudoneit？

"Well，"Iknowsomeboyswillsay，"wearegoingtohaveagoodtime，enjoylife，andthenwearegoingtoseek——LAST——theKingdomofGod。"

Now，thatismean；itisnothingelsethanmeanforaboytotakeallthegoodgiftsthatGodhasgivenhim，andthengivehimnothingbackinreturnbutHiswastedlife。

Godwantsboys"LIVES，notonlytheirsoulsItisforactive，servicethatsoldiersaredrilled，andtrained，andfed，andarmed。

ThatiswhyyouandIareintheworldatall——nottopreparetogooutofitsomeday，buttoserveGodactivelyinitNOWItismonstrous，andshameful，andcowardlytotalkofseekingtheKingdomLASTItisshirkingduty，abandoningone"srightfulpost，playingintotheenemy"shandbydoingnothingtoturnhisflank。

EveryhouraKingdomiscominginyourheart，inyourhome，intheworldnearyou，beitaKingdomofDarknessoraKingdomofLight。

Youareplacedwhereyouare，inaparticularbusiness，inaparticularstreet，tohelpontheretheKingdomofGodYoucannotdothatwhenyouareoldandreadytodieBythattimeyourcompanionswillhavefoughttheirfight，andlostorwonIftheylose，willyounotbesorrythatyoudidnothelpthem？WillyounotregretthatonlyatthelastyouhelpedtheKingdomofGod？

PerhapsyouwillnotbeabletodoitthenAndthenyourlifehasbeenlostindeed。

VeryfewpeoplehavetheopportunitytoseektheKingdomofGodattheendChrist，knowingallthat，knowingthatreligionwasathingforourlife，notmerelyforourdeath-bed，haslaidthiscommanduponusnow:"SeekFIRSTtheKingdomofGod。"

IamgoingtoleaveyouwiththistextitselfEveryboyintheworldshouldobeyit。

Boys，beforeyougotoworkto-morrow，beforeyougotosleepto-night，resolvethat，Godhelpingyou，youaregoingtoseekFIRSTtheKingdomofGodPerhapssomeboysherearedeserters；

theybeganoncebeforetoserveChrist，andtheydesertedComebackagain，comebackagaintoday!OthershaveneverenlistedatallWillyounotdoitnow？YouareoldenoughtodecideThegrandestmomentofaboy"slifeisthatmomentwhenhedecidesto"SEEKFIRSTTHEKINGDOMOFGOD。"

TheChangedLife:TheGreatestNeedoftheWorld。

Godisallforquality；manisforquantityTheimmediateneedoftheworldatthismomentisnotmoreofus，but，ifImayusetheexpression，abetterbrandofusTosecuretenmenofanimprovedtypewouldbebetterthanifwehadtenthousandmoreoftheaverageChristiansdistributedallovertheworldThereissuchathingintheevangelisticsenseaswinningthewholeworldandlosingourownsoulAndthefirstconsiderationofourownlife——ourownspiritualrelationstoGod——ourownlikenesstoChristAndIamanxious，briefly，tolookattherightandthewrongwayofbecominglikeChrist——ofbecomingbettermen:therightandthewrongwayofsanctification。

Letmebeginbynaming，andinpartdiscardingsomeprocessesinvoguealreadyforproducingbetterlivesTheseprocessesarefarfromwrong；intheirplacetheymayevenbeessentialOneventurestodisparagethemonlybecausetheydonotturnoutthemostperfectpossiblework。

1ThefirstimperfectmethodistorelyonResolution。

Inwillpower，inmerespasmsofearnestness，thereisnosalvation。

Struggle，effort，evenagony，havetheirplaceinChristianity，asweshallsee；butthisisnotwheretheycomein。

Inmid-AtlantictheEtruria，inwhichIwassailing，suddenlystoppedSomethinghadgonewrongwiththeenginesTherewerefivehundredable-bodiedmenonboardtheshipDoyouthinkthatifwehadgatheredtogetherandpushedagainstthemastwecouldhavepushediton？

Whenoneattemptstosanctifyhimselfbyeffort，heistryingtomakehisboatgobypushingagainstthemastHeislikeadrowningmantryingtolifthimselfoutofthewaterbypullingatthehairofhisownhead。

ChristheldupthismethodalmosttoridiculewhenHesaid，"Whichofyoubytakingthoughtcanaddacubittohisstature？"Putdownthatmethodforeverasbeingfutile。

Theoneredeemingfeatureoftheself-sufficientmethodisthis——thatthosewhotryitfindoutalmostatoncethatitwillnotgainthegoal。

2Anotherexperimentersays:"ButthatisnotmymethodIhaveseenthefollyofamerewildstruggleinthedarkIworkonaprincipleMyplanisnottowastepoweronrandomeffort，buttoconcentrateonasinglesinBytakingOneatatimeandcrucifyingitsteadily，Ihopeintheendtoextirpateall。"

Tothis，unfortunately，therearefourobjections:Foronething，lifeistooshort；thenameofsinislegionForanotherthing，todealwithindividualsinsistoleavetherestofthenatureforthetimeuntouchedInthethirdplace，asinglecombatwithaspecialsindoesnotaffecttherootandspringofthedisease。

Ifyoudamupastreamatoneplace，itwillsimplyoverflowhigherupIfonlyoneofthechannelsofsinbeobstructed，experiencepointstoanalmostcertainoverflowthroughsomeotherpartofthenaturePartialconversionisalmostalwaysaccompaniedbysuchmoralleakage，forthepent-upenergiesaccumulatetotheburstingpoint，andthelaststateofthatsoulmaybeworsethanthefirstInthelastplace，religiondoesnotconsistinnegatives，instoppingthissinandstoppingthatTheperfectcharactercanneverbeproducedwithapruningknife。

3Butathirdprotests:"SobeitImakenoattempttostopsinsonebyoneMymethodisjusttheopposite。