第4章
Icopythevirtuesonebyone。"
ThedifficultyaboutthecopyingmethodisthatitisapttobemechanicalOnecanalwaystellanengravingfromapicture，anartificialflowerfromarealflowerTocopyvirtuesonebyonehassomewhatthesameeffectaseradicatingthevicesonebyone；
thetemporaryresultisanoverbalancedandincongruouscharacter。
SomeonedefinesaPRIGas"acreaturethatisover-fedforitssize。"OnesometimesfindsChristiansofthisspecies——over-fedononesideoftheirnature，butdismallythinandstarvedlookingontheotherTheresult，forinstance，ofcopyingHumility，andaddingitontoanotherwiseworldlylife，issimplygrotesqueA
rabidtemperanceadvocate，forthesamereason，isoftenthepoorestofcreatures，flourishingonasinglevirtue，andquiteobliviousthathisTemperanceismakingaworsemanofhimandnotabetter。
TheseareexamplesoffinevirtuesspoiledbyassociationwithmeancompanionsCharacterisaunity，andallthevirtuesmustadvancetogethertomaketheperfectman。
Thismethodofsanctification，nevertheless，isinthetruedirection。
Itisonlyinthedetailsofexecutionthatitfails。
4AfourthmethodIneedscarcelymention，foritisavariationonthosealreadynamedItisTheveryyoungman"smethod；
andthepureearnestnessofitmakesitalmostdesecrationtotouchitItistokeepaprivatenote-bookwithcolumnsforthedaysoftheweek，andalistofvirtues，withspacesagainsteachformarksthis，withmanysternrulesforpreface，isstoredawayinasecretplace，andfromtimetotime，atnightfall，thesoulisarraignedbeforeitasbeforeaprivatejudgmentbar。
ThislivingbycodewasFranklin"smethod；andIsupposethousandsmorecouldtellhowtheyhadhungupintheirbedrooms，orhidinlocked-fastdrawers，theruleswhichonesolemndaytheydrewuptoshapetheirlives。
Thismethodisnoterroneous，onlysomehowitssuccessispoor。
YoubearmewitnessthatitfailsAnditfailsgenerallyforverymatter-of-factreasons——mostlikelybecauseonedayweforgettherules。
Allthesemethodsthathavebeennamed——theself-sufficientmethod，theself-crucifixionmethod，themimeticmethod，andthediarymethod——areperfectlyhuman，perfectlynatural，perfectlyignorant，andastheystandperfectlyinadequateItisnotargued，Irepeat，thattheymustbeabandonedTheirharmisratherthattheydistractattentionfromthetrueworkingmethod，andsecureafairresultattheexpenseoftheperfectoneWhatthatperfectmethodisweshallnowgoontoask。
ITheformulaofsanctification。
Aformula，areceiptforSanctification——canoneseriouslyspeakofthismightychangeasiftheprocesswereasdefiniteasfortheproductionofsomanyvoltsofelectricity？
ItisimpossibletodoubtitShallamechanicalexperimentsucceedinfallibly，andtheonevitalexperimentofhumanityremainachance？Iscorntogrowbymethod，andcharacterbycaprice？
Ifwecannotcalculatetoacertaintythattheforcesofreligionwilldotheirwork，thenisreligionvainAndifwecannotexpressthelawoftheseforcesinsimplewords，thenisChristianitynottheworld"sreligion，buttheworld"sconundrum。
Where，then，shallonelookforsuchaformula？Whereonewouldlookforanyformula——amongthetext-booksAndifweturntothetext-booksofChristianityweshallfindaformulaforthisproblemasclearandpreciseasanyinthemechanicalsciencesIfthissimplerule，moreover，bebutfollowedfearlessly，itwillyieldtheresultofaperfectcharacterassurelyasanyresultthatisguaranteedbythelawsofnature。
ThefinestexpressionofthisruleinScripture，orindeedinanyliterature，isprobablyonedrawnupandcondensedintoasingleversebyPaulYouwillfinditinaletter——thesecondtotheCorinthians——writtenbyhimtosomeChristianpeoplewho，inacitywhichwasabywordfordepravityandlicentiousness，wereseekingthehigherlifeToseethepointofthewordswemusttakethemfromtheimmenselyimprovedrenderingoftheRevisedtranslation，fortheolderVersioninthiscasegreatlyobscuresthesense。
Theyarethese:
"Weall，withunveiledfacereflectingasamirrorthegloryoftheLord，aretransformedintothesameimagefromglorytoglory，evenasfromtheLord，theSpirit。"
Nowobserveattheoutsettheentirecontractionofallourpreviousefforts，inthesimplepassive:"WEARETRANSFORMED。"
WeARECHANGED，astheOldVersionhasit——wedonotchangeourselvesNomancanchangehimselfThroughouttheNewTestamentyouwillfindthatwhereverthesemoralandspiritualtransformationsaredescribedtheverbsareinthepassivePresentlyitwillbepointedoutthatthereisaRATIONALEinthis；butmeantimedonottossthesewordsasideasifthispassivitydeniedallhumaneffortorignoredintelligiblelawWhatisimpliedforthesoulhereisnomorethaniseverywhereclaimedforthebodyInphysiologytheverbsdescribingtheprocessesofgrowthareinthepassive。
Growthisnotvoluntary；ittakesplace，ithappens，itiswroughtuponmatterSohere"Yemustbebornagain"——wecannotbebornourselves"Benotconformedtothisworld，butBEYETRANSFORMED"——wearesubjectstotransforminginfluence，wedonottransformourselves。
Notmorecertainisitthatitissomethingoutsidethethermometerthatproducesachangeinthethermometer，thatitisSomethingoutsidethesoulofmanthatproducesamoralchangeuponhimThathemustbesusceptibletothatchange，thathemustbeapartytoit，goeswithoutsaying；
butthatneitherhisaptitudenorhiswillcanproduceit，isequallycertain。
Obviousasitoughttoseem，thismaybetosomeanalmoststartlingrevelationThechangewehavebeenstrivingafterisnottobeproducedbyanymorestrivingItistobewroughtuponusbythemouldingofhandsbeyondourownAsthebranchascends，andthebudbursts，andthefruitreddensundertheco-operationofinfluencesfromtheoutsideair，somanrisestothehigherstatureunderinvisiblepressuresfromwithouttheradicaldefectofallourformermethodsofsanctificationwastheattempttogeneratefromwithinthatwhichcanonlybewroughtuponusfromwithout。
TheradicaldefectofallourformermethodsofsanctificationwastheattempttogeneratefromwithinthatwhichcanonlybewroughtuponusfromwithoutAccordingtothefirstLawofMotion，everybodycontinuesinitsstateofrest，orofuniformmotioninastraightline，exceptinsofarasitmaybecompelledBY
IMPRESSEDFORCEStochangethatstateThisisalsoafirstlawofChristianityEveryman"scharacterremainsasitis，orcontinuesinthedirectioninwhichitisgoing，untilitiscompelledBY
IMPRESSEDFORCEStochangethatstateOurfailurehasbeenthefailuretoputourselvesinthewayoftheimpressedforcesThereisaclay，andthereisaPotter；wehavetriedtogettheclaytomouldtheclay。
Whence，then，thesepressures，andwherethisPotter？Theansweroftheformulais——"ByreflectingasamirrorthegloryoftheLordwearechanged。"ButthisisnotveryclearWhatisthe"glory"
oftheLord，andhowcanmortalmanreflectit，andhowcanthatactasan"impressedforce"inmouldinghimtoanoblerform？Theword"glory"——thewordwhichhastobeartheweightofholdingthese"impressedforces"——isastrangerincurrentspeech，andourfirstdutyistoseekoutitsequivalentinworkingEnglishItsuggestsatfirstaradianceofsomekind，somethingdazzlingorglittering，somehalosuchastheoldmasterslovedtopaintroundtheheadoftheirEcceHomosButthatispaint，merematter，thevisiblesymbolofsomeunseenthingWhatisthatunseenthing？Itisthatofallunseenthingsthemostradiant，themostbeautiful，themostDivine，andthatisCHARACTEROnearth，inHeaven，thereisnothingsogreat，sogloriousasthisThewordhasmanymeanings；inethicsitcanhavebutoneGloryischaracter，andnothingless，anditcanbenothingmoreTheearthis"fullofthegloryoftheLord，"becauseitisfullofHischaracterThe"BeautyoftheLord"ischaracter"TheGloryoftheOnlyBegotten"ischaracter，thecharacterwhichis"fullnessofgraceandtruth。"AndwhenGodtoldHispeopleHISNAME，HesimplygavethemHischaracter，HischaracterwhichwasHimself:"AndtheLordproclaimedthenamefortheLord……theLord，theLordGod，mercifulandgracious，long-sufferingandabundantingoodnessandtruth。"
Glorythenisnotsomethingintangible，orghostly，ortranscendental。
Ifitwerethis，howcouldPaulaskmentoreflectit？StrippedofitsphysicalenswathementitisBeauty，moralandspiritualBeauty，Beautyinfinitelyreal，infinitelyexalted，yetinfinitelynearandinfinitelycommunicable。
Withthisexplanationreadoverthesentenceoncemoreinparaphrase:WeallreflectingasamirrorthecharacterofChristaretransformedintothesameImagefromcharactertocharacter——fromapoorcharactertoabetterone，fromabetteronetoalittlebetterstill，fromthattoonestillmorecomplete，untilbyslowdegreesthePerfectImageisattainedHereThesolutionoftheproblemofsanctificationiscompressedintoasentence:ReflectthecharacterofChrist。
Youwillbechanged，inspiteofyourselfandunknowntoyourself，intothesameimagefromcharactertocharacter。
(I。)Allmenarereflectors——thatisThefirstlawonwhichthisformulaisbasedOneoftheaptestdescriptionsofahumanbeingisthatheisamirrorAswesatattableto-nighttheworldinwhicheachofuslivedandmovedthroughthisdaywasfocusedintheroomWhatwesawwhenwelookedatoneanotherwasnotoneanother，butoneanother"sworldWewereanarrangementofmirrorsThesceneswesawwereallreproduced；thepeoplewemetwalkedtoandfro；theyspoke，theybowed，theypassedusby，dideverythingoveragainasifithadbeenrealWhenwetalked，wewerebutlookingatourownmirroranddescribingwhatflittedacrossit；ourlisteningwasnothearing，butseeing——webutlookedonourneighbor"smirror。
AllhumanintercourseisaseeingofreflectionsImeetastrangerinarailwaycarriageThecadenceofhisfirstwordstellmeheisEnglishandcomesfromYorkshireWithoutknowingithehasreflectedhisbirthplace，hisparents，andthelonghistoryoftheirraceEvenphysiologicallyheisamirrorHissecondsentencerecordsthatheisapolitician，andafaintreflectioninthewayhepronouncesTHETIMESrevealshispartyInhisnextremarksI
seereflectedawholeworldofexperiencesThebookshehasread，thepeoplehehasmet，thecompanionshekeeps，theinfluencesthathaveplayeduponhimandmadehimthemanheis——theseareallregisteredtherebyapenwhichletsnothingpass，andwhosewritingcanNeverbeblottedout。
WhatIamreadinginhimmeantimeheisalsoreadinginme；andbeforethejourneyisoverwecouldhalfwriteeachother"slives。
Whetherwelikeitornot，weliveinglasshousesThemind，thememory，thesoul，issimplyavastchamberpaneledwithlooking-glass。
Anduponthismiraculousarrangementandendowmentdependsthecapacityofmortalsoulsto"reflectthecharacteroftheLord。"
(2)ButthisisnotallIfallthesevariedreflectionsfromourso-calledsecretlifearepatenttotheworld，howclosethewriting，completetherecordwithinthesoulitself!FortheinfluenceswemeetarenotsimplyheldforamomentonthepolishedsurfaceandthrownoffagainintospaceEachisretainedwherefirstitfell，andstoredupinthesoulforever。
Thislawofassimilationisthesecond，andbyfarthemostimpressivetruthwhichunderliestheformulaofsanctification——thetruththatmenarenotonlymirrors，butthatthesemirrors，sofarfrombeingmerereflectorsofthefleetingthingstheysee，transferintotheirowninmostsubstance，andholdinpermanentpreservationthethingsthattheyreflect。
NooneknowshowthesoulcanholdthesethingsNooneknowshowthemiracleisdoneNophenomenoninnature，noprocessinchemistry，nochapterinnecromancycaneverhelpustobegintounderstandthisamazingoperationFor，thinkofit，thepastisnotonlyFOCUSEDthere，inaman"ssoul，itISthereHowcoulditbereflectedfromthereifitwerenotthere？Allthingsthathehaseverseen，known，felt，believedofthesurroundingworldarenowwithinhim，havebecomepartofhim，inpartarehim——hehasbeenchangedintotheirimageHemaydenyit，hemayresentit，buttheyarethereTheydonotadheretohim，theyaretransfusedthroughhimHecannotalterorrubthemoutTheyarenotinhismemory，theyareinHIMHissoulisastheyhavefilledit，madeit，leftitThesethings，thesebooks，theseevents，theseinfluencesarehismakersIntheirhandsarelifeanddeath，beautyanddeformityWhenoncetheimageorlikenessofanyoftheseisfairypresentedtothesoul，nopoweronearthcanhindertwothingshappening——itmustbeabsorbedintothesoulandforeverreflectedbackagainfromcharacter。
Upontheseastoundingyetperfectlyobviouspsychologicalfacts，PaulbaseshisdoctrineofsanctificationHeseesthatcharacterisathingbuiltupbyslowdegrees，thatitishourlychangingforbetterorforworseaccordingtotheimageswhichflitacrossitOnestepfurtherandthewholelengthandbreadthoftheapplicationoftheseideastothecentralproblemofreligionwillstandbeforeus。
IIThealchemyofinfluence。
Ifeventschangemen，muchmorepersonsNomancanmeetanotheronthestreetwithoutmakingsomemarkuponhimWesayweexchangewordswhenwemeet；whatweexchangeissoulsAndwhenintercourseisverycloseandveryfrequent，socompleteisthisexchangethatrecognizablebitsoftheonesoulbegintoshowintheother"snature，andthesecondisconsciousofasimilarandgrowingdebttothefirst。
Now，webecomelikethosewhomwehabituallyreflectIcouldprovefromsciencethatapplieseventothephysicalframeworkofanimals——thattheyareinfluencedandorganicallychangedbytheenvironmentinwhichtheylife。
Thismysteriousapproximatingoftwosouls，whohasnotwitnessed？
Whohasnotwatchedsomeoldcouplecomedownlife"spilgrimagehandinhand，withsuchgentletrustandjoyinoneanotherthattheirveryfacesworetheself-samelook？Thesewerenottwosouls；itwasacompositesoulItdidnotmattertowhichofthetwoyouspoke，youwouldhavesaidthesamewordstoeitherItwasquiteindifferentwhichreplied，eachwouldhavesaidthesame。
Halfacentury"sREFLECTINGhadtolduponthem；theywerechangedintothesameimageItistheLawofInfluencethatWEBECOME
LIKETHOSEWHOMWEHABITUALLYREFLECT:thesehadbecomelikebecausetheyhabituallyreflectedThroughalltherangeofliterature，ofhistory，andbiographythislawpresidesMenareallmosaicsofothermenTherewasasavorofDavidaboutJonathan，andasavorofJonathanaboutDavidMetempsychosisisafactGeorgeEliot"smessagetotheworldwasthatmenandwomenmakemenandwomenTheFamily，thecradleofmankind，hasnomeaningapartfromthisSocietyitselfisnothingbutarallyingpointfortheseomnipotentforcestodotheirworkOnthedoctrineofInfluence，inshort，thewholevastpyramidofhumanityisbuilt。
ButitwasreservedforPaultomakethesupremeapplicationoftheLawofInfluenceItwasatremendousinferencetomake，butheneverhesitatedHehimselfwasachangedman；heknewexactlywhathaddoneit；
ItwasChrist。
OntheDamascusroadtheymet，andfromthathourhislifewasabsorbedinHisTheeffectcouldnotbutfollow——onwords，ondeeds，oncareer，oncreedThe"impressedforces"didtheirvitalworkHebecamelikeHimWhomhehabituallyloved"Soweall，"
hewrites，"reflectingasamirrorthegloryofChrist，arechangedintothesameimage。"
Nothingcouldbemoresimple，moreintelligible，morenatural，moresupernaturalItisananalogyfromanevery-dayfactSincewearewhatwearebytheimpactsofthosewhosurroundus，thosewhosurroundthemselveswiththehighestwillbethosewhochangeintothehighestTherearesomemenandsomewomeninwhosecompanyweareAlwaysatourbest。
WhilewiththemwecannotthinkmeanthoughtsorspeakungenerouswordsTheirmerepresenceiselevation，purification，sanctity。
Allthebeststopsinournaturearedrawnoutbytheirintercourse，andwefindamusicinoursoulsthatwasnevertherebefore。
SupposeevenTHATinfluenceprolongedthroughamonth，ayear，alifetime，andwhatcouldnotlifebecome？There，evenonthecommonplaneoflife，talkingourlanguage，walkingourstreets，workingsidebyside，aresanctifiersofsouls；here，breathingthroughcommonclay，isHeaven；here，energieschargedeventhroughatemporalmediumwiththevirtueofregenerationIftolivewithmen，dilutedtothemillionthdegreewiththevirtueoftheHighest，canexaltandpurifythenature，whatboundscanbesettotheinfluenceofChrist？TolivewithSocrates——withunveiledface——musthavemadeonewise；withAristides，justFrancisAssisimusthavemadeonegentle；Savonarola，strongButtohavelivedwithChristmusthavemadeonelikeChrist:thatistosay，ACHRISTIAN。
Asamatteroffact，tolivewithChristdidproducethiseffect。
ItproduceditinthecaseofPaulAndduringChrist"slifetimetheexperimentwastriedinanevenmorestartlingformAfewraw，unspiritual，uninspiringmen，wereadmittedtotheinnercircleofHisfriendshipThechangebeganatonceDaybydaywecanalmostseethefirstdisciplegrowFirsttherestealsoverthemthefaintestpossibleadumbrationofHischaracter，andoccasionally，veryoccasionally，theydoathingorsayathingthattheycouldnothavedoneorsaidhadtheynotbeenlivingthereSlowlythespellofHisLifedeepensReachafterreachoftheirnatureisovertaken，thawed，subjugated，sanctifiedTheirmannersoftens，theirwordsbecomemoregentle，theirconductmoreunselfishAsswallowswhohavefoundasummer，asfrozenbudsthespring，theirstarvedhumanityburstsintoafullerlifeTheydonotknowhowitis，buttheyaredifferentmen。
OnedaytheyfindthemselvesliketheirMaster，goingaboutanddoinggoodTothemselvesitisunaccountable，buttheycannotdootherwisetheywerenottoldtodoit，itcametothemtodoitButthepeoplewhowatchthemknowwellhowtoaccountforit——"Theyhavebeen，"theywhisper，"withJesus。"Alreadyeven，themarkandsealofHischaracterisuponthem——"TheyhavebeenwithJesus。"Unparalleledphenomenon，thatthesepoorfishermenshouldremindothermenofChrist!StupendousvictoryandmysteryofRegenerationthatmortalmenshouldsuggestGODtotheworld!
Thereissomethingalmostmeltinginthewayhiscontemporaries，andJohnespecially，speakoftheinfluenceofChristJohnlivedhimselfindailywonderatHim；hewasoverpowered，over-awed，entranced，transfiguredTohisminditwasimpossibleforanyonetocomeunderthisinfluenceandeverbethesameagain"WhosoeverabidethinHimsinnethnot，"hesaidItwasinconceivablethatheshouldsin，asinconceivableasthaticeshouldliveinaburningsun，ordarknesscoexistwithnoonIfanyonedidsin，itwastoJohnthesimpleproofthathecouldneverhavemetChrist。
"Whosoeversinneth，"heexclaims，"hathnotseenHIM，neitherknownHIM。"SinwasabashedinthisPresenceItsrootwitheredItsswayandvictorywereforeveratanend。
ButthesewereHiscontemporariesItwaseasyforTHEMtobeinfluencedbyHim，fortheywereeverydayandallthedaytogether。
Buthowcanwemirrorthatwhichwehaveneverseen？HowcanallthisstupendousresultbeproducedbyaMemory，bythescantiestofallBiographies，byOnewholivedandleftthiseartheighteenhundredyearsago？Howcanmodernmento-daymakeChrist，theabsentChrist，theirmostconstantcompanionstill？
TheansweristhatFriendshipisaspiritualthing。
ItisindependentofMatter，orSpace，orTimeThatwhichI
loveinmyfriendisnotthatwhichIseeWhatinfluencesmeinmyfriendisnothisbodybuthisspiritHeinfluencesmeaboutasmuchinhisabsenceasinhispresenceItwouldhavebeenanineffableexperiencetrulytohavelivedatthattime——
"IthinkwhenIreadthesweetstoryofold，HowwhenJesuswashereamongmen，Hetooklittlechildrenlikelambstohisfold，IshouldliketohavebeenwithHimthen。
"IwishthatHishandhadbeenlaidonmyhead，ThatHisarmshadbeenthrownaroundme，AndthatIhadseenHiskindlookwhenhesaid，"Letthelittleonescomeuntome。""
Andyet，ifChristweretocomeintotheworldagain，fewofusprobablywouldeverhaveachanceofseeingHimMillionsofhersubjectsinthelittlecountryofEnglandhaveneverseentheirownQueenAndtherewouldbemillionsofthesubjectsofChristwhocouldnevergetwithinspeakingdistanceofHimifHewerehereWerememberHesaid:"Itisexpedientforyou(notFORME)
thatIgoaway"；becausebygoingawayHecouldreallybenearertousthanHewouldhavebeenifHehadstayedhereItwouldbegeographicallyandphysicallyimpossibleformostofustobeinfluencedbyHispersonhadHeremainedAndsoourcommunionwithHimisaspiritualcompanionship；butnotdifferentfrommostcompanionships，which，whenyoupressthemdowntotheroots，youwillfindtobeessentiallyspiritual。
Allfriendship，alllove，humanandDivine，ispurelyspiritual。
ItwasafterHewasrisenthatHeinfluencedeventhedisciplesmostHence，inreflectingthecharacterofChrist，itisnorealobstaclethatwemayneverhavebeeninvisiblecontactwithHimself。
TherelivedonceayounggirlwhoseperfectgraceofcharacterwasthewonderofthosewhoknewherSheworeonherneckagoldlocketwhichnoonewaseverallowedtoopenOneday，inamomentofunusualconfidence，oneofhercompanionswasallowedtotouchitsspringandlearnitssecretShesawwrittenthesewords——
"WhomhavingnotseenIlove。"
ThatwasthesecretofherbeautifullifeShehadbeenchangedintotheSameImage。
Nowthisisnotimitation，butamuchdeeperthingMarkthisdistinction，forthedifferenceintheprocessaswellasintheresult，maybeasgreatasthatbetweenaphotographsecuredbytheinfalliblepencilofthesun，andtherudeoutlinefromaschool-boy"schalkImitationismechanical，reflectionorganic。
Theoneisoccasional，theotherhabitualIntheonecase，mancomestoGodandimitateshim；intheother，GodcomestomanandimprintsHimselfuponhimItisquitetruethatthereisanimitationofChristwhichamountstoreflectionButPaul"stermincludesallthattheotherholds，andisopentonomistake。
What，then，isthepracticallesson？Itisobvious"MakeChristyourmostconstantcompanion"——thisiswhatitpracticallymeansforusBemoreunderHisinfluencesthanunderanyotherinfluence。
TenminutesspentinHissocietyeveryday，ay，twominutesifitbefacetoface，andhearttoheart，willmakethewholedaydifferentEverycharacterhasaninwardspring，——letChristbeitEveryactionhasakey-note，——letChristsetit。
YesterdayyougotacertainletterYousatdownandwroteareplywhichalmostscorchedthepaperYoupickedthecruelestadjectivesyouknewandsentitforth，withoutapangtodoitsruthlesswork。
YoudidthatbecauseyourlifewassetinthewrongkeyYoubeganthedaywiththemirrorplacedatthewrongangle。
Tomorrowatday-break，turnittowardsHim，andeventoyourenemythefashionofyourcountenancewillbechangedWhateveryouthendo，onethingyouwillfindyoucouldnotdo——youcouldnotwritethatletterYourfirstimpulsemaybethesame，yourjudgementmaybeunchanged，butifyoutryittheinkwilldryonyourpen，andyouwillrisefromyourdeskanunavenged，butgreaterandmoreChristianmanThroughoutthewholedayyouractions，downtothelastdetail，willdohomagetothatearlyvision。
YesterdayyouthoughtmostlyaboutyourselfTodaythepoorwillmeetyou，andyouwillfeedthemThehelpless，thetempted，thesad，willthrongaboutyou，andeachyouwillbefriendWherewereallthesepeopleyesterday？Wheretheyaretoday，butyoudidnotseethemItisinreflectedlightthatthepoorareseenButyoursoultodayisNotattheordinaryangle。
"Thingswhicharenotseen"arevisibleForafewshorthoursyoulivetheEternalLifeTheeternallife，thelifeoffaith，issimplythelifeofahighervisionFaithisanattitude——amirrorsetattherightangle。
Whentomorrowisover，andintheeveningyoureviewit，youwillwonderhowyoudiditYouwillnotbeconsciousthatyoustroveforanything，orimitatedanything，orcrucifiedanythingYouwillbeconsciousofChrist；thatHewaswithyou，thatwithoutcompulsionyouwereyetcompelled；thatwithoutforce，ornoise，orproclamation，therevolutionwasaccomplishedYoudonotcongratulateyourselfasonewhohasdoneamightydeed，orachievedapersonalsuccess，orstoredupafundof"Christianexperience"
toensurethesameresultagainWhatyouareconsciousofis"thegloryoftheLord。"Andwhattheworldisconsciousof，iftheresultbeatrueone，isalso"thegloryoftheLord。"Inlookingatamirroronedoesnotseethemirror，orthinkofit，butonlyofwhatitreflectsForamirrornevercallstheattentiontoitself——exceptwhenthereareflawsinit。
Letmesayawordortwomoreabouttheeffectswhichnecessarilymustfollowfromthiscontact，orfellowship，withChristI
neednotquotethetextsuponthesubject——thetextsaboutabidinginChrist"HethatabidethinHimsinnethnot。"YoucannotsinwhenyouarestandinginfrontofChristYousimplycannotdoit。
Again:"IfyeabideinMe，andMywordsabideinyou，yeshallaskwhatyewill，anditshallbedoneuntoyou。"Thinkofthat!
ThatisanotherinevitableconsequenceAndthereisyetanother:
"HethatabidethinMe，thesamebringethforthmuchfruit。"
Sinlessness——answeredprayer——muchfruit。
Butinadditiontothesethings，seehowmanyofthehighestChristianvirtuesandexperiencesnecessarilyflowfromtheassumptionofthatattitudetowardsChristForinstance，themomentyouassumethatrelationtoChristyoubegintoknowwhattheCHILD-SPIRIT
isYoustandbeforeChrist，andHebecomesyourTeacher，andyouinstinctivelybecomedocileThenyoulearnalsotobecomeCHARITABLEandTOLERANT；becauseyouarelearningofHim，andHeis"meekandlowlyinheart，"andyoucatchthatspiritThatisabitofHischaracterbeingreflectedintoyoursInsteadofbeingcriticalandself-asserting，youbecomehumbleandhavethemindofalittlechild。
Ithink，further，theonlywayoflearningwhatFAITHisistoknowChristandbeinHiscompanyYouhearsermonsabouttheninedifferentkindsoffaith——distinctionsdrawnbetweentherightkindoffaithandthewrong——andsermonstellingyouhowtogetfaithSofarasIcansee，thereisOnlyonewayinwhichfaithisgot，anditisthesameinthereligiousworldasitisintheworldofmenandwomenIlearntotrustyou，mybrother，justasIgettotrustmejustasyougettoknowmeI
donottrustyouasastranger，butasIcomeintocontactwithyou，andwatchyou，andlivewithyou，Ifindoutthatyouaretrustworthy，andIcometotrustmyselftoyou，andtoleanuponyouButIdonotdothattoastranger。
ThewaytotrustChrististoknowChristYoucannothelptrustingHimthemYouarechangedByknowingHimfaithisbegotteninyou，ascauseandeffectTotrustHimwithoutknowingHimasthousandsdo，isnotfaith，butcredulityIbelieveagreatdealofprayerforfaithisthrownawayWhatweshouldprayforisthatwemaybeabletofulfillthecondition，andwhenwehavefulfilledthecondition，thefaithnecessarilyfollowsTheway，therefore，toincreaseourfaithistoincreaseourintimacywithChristWetrustHimmoreandmorethebetterweknowHim。
AndthenanotherimmediateeffectofthiswayofsanctifyingthecharacteristhetranquilitythatitbringsovertheChristianlifeHowdisturbedanddistressedandanxiousChristianpeopleareabouttheirgrowthingrace!Now，themomentyougivethatoverintoChrist"scare——themomentyouseethatyouareBEING
changed——thatanxietypassesawayYouseethatitmustfollowbyaninevitableprocessandbyanaturallawifyoufulfillthesimplecondition；sothatpeaceistherewardofthatlifeandfellowshipwithChrist。
ManyotherthingsfollowAman"susefulnessdependstoalargeextentuponhisfellowshipwithChristThatisobviousOnlyChristcaninfluencetheworld；butallthattheworldseesofChristiswhatitseesofyouandmeChristsaid:"TheworldseethMenomore，butyeseeMe。"YouseeHim，andstandinginfrontofHimreflectHim，andtheworldseesthereflectionItcannotseeHim。
SothataChristian"susefulnessdependssolelyuponthatrelationship。
Now，IhaveonlypointedoutafewofthethingsthatfollowfromthestandingbeforeChrist——fromtheabidinginChristYouwillfind，ifyourunoverthetextsaboutabidinginChrist，manyotherthingswillsuggestthemselvesinthesamerelationsAlmosteverythinginChristianexperienceandcharacterfollowsandfollowsnecessarily，fromstandingbeforeChristandreflectinghischaracterButthesupremeconsummationisthatwearechangedintoTHESAMEIMAGE，"evenasbytheLordtheSpirit。"Thatistosaythatinsomeway，unknowntous，butpossiblynotmoremysteriousthanthedoctrineofpersonalinfluence，wearechangedintotheimageofChrist。
ThismethodcannotfailIamnotsettingbeforeyouanopinionoratheory，butthisisAcertainlysuccessfulmeansofsanctification"Weall，withunveiledface，reflectinginamirrorthegloryofChrist(thecharacterofChrist)assuredly——withoutanymiscarriage——withoutanypossibilityofmiscarriage——arechangedintothesameimage。"ItisanimmensethingtobeanchoredinsomegreatprinciplelikethatEmersonsays:"Theheroisthemanwhoisimmovablycentered。"GetimmovablycenteredinthatdoctrineofsanctificationDonotbecarriedawaybythehundredandonetheoriesofsanctificationthatarefloatingaboutinreligiousliteratureofthecountryatthepresenttime；butgotothebottomofthethingforyourself，andseetheRATIONALEofitforyourself，andyouwillcometoseethatitisamatterofcauseandeffect，andthatifyouwillfulfilltheconditionlaiddownbyChrist，theeffectmustfollowbyanaturallaw。
Whataprospect!TobechangedintothesameimageThinkofthat!ThatiswhatwearehereforThatiswhatweareelectedforNottobesaved，inthecommonacceptation，but"whomHedidforeknowHealsodidpredestinatetobeconformedtotheimageofHisSon。"Notmerelytobesaved，butTOBECONFORMEDTOTHEIMAGE
OFHISSONConservethatprincipleAndaswemustspendtimeincultivatingourearthlyfriendshipsifwearetohavetheirblessings，sowemustSpendtimeincultivatingthefellowshipandcompanionshipofChristAndthereisnothingsomuchworthtakingintoourlivesasaprofoundersenseofwhatistobehadbylivingincommunionwithChrist，andbygettingnearertoHimItwillmattermuchifwetakeawaywithussomeofthethoughtsabouttheology，andsomeofthenewlightthathasbeensheduponthetextofScripture；itwillmatterinfinitelymoreifourfellowshipwiththeLordJesusbecomealittlecloser，andourtheoryofholylivingalittlemorerationalAndthenaswegoforth，menwilltakeknowledgeofus，thatwehavebeenwithJesus，andaswereflectHimuponthem，theywillbegintobechangedintothesameimage。
ItseemstomethepreachingisofinfinitelysmalleraccountthanthelifewhichmirrorsChristThatisboundtotell；withoutspeechorlanguage——likethevoicesofthestarsItthrowsoutitsimpressionsoneverysideTheonesimplethingwehavetodoistobethere——intherightrelation；togothroughlifehandinhandwithHim；tohaveHimintheroomwithus，andkeepinguscompanywhereverwego；todependuponHimandleanuponHim，andsohaveHislifereflectedinthefullnessofitsbeautyandperfectionintoours。
IIIThefirstexperiment。
ThenyoureducereligiontoacommonFriendship？AcommonFriendship——whotalksofaCOMMONFriendship？Thereisnosuchthingintheworld。
OnearthnowordismoresublimeFriendshipisthenearestthingweknowtowhatreligionisGodisloveAndtomakereligionakintoFriendshipissimplytogiveitthehighestexpressionconceivablebymanButifbydemurringto"acommonfriendship"ismeantaprotestagainstthegreatestandtheholiestinreligionbeingspokenofinintelligibleterms，thenIamafraidtheobjectionisalltorealMenalwayslookforamysterywhenonetalksofsanctification，somemysteryapartfromthatwhichmusteverbemysteriouswhereverSpiritworksItisthoughtsomepeculiarsecretliesbehindit，someoccultexperiencewhichonlytheinitiatedknowThousandsofpersonsgotochurcheverySundayhopingtosolvethismysteryAtmeeting，atconferences，manyatimetheyhavereachedwhattheythoughtwastheverybrinkofit，butsomehownofurtherrevelationcamePoringoverreligiousbooks，howoftenweretheynotwithinaparagraphofit；thenextpage，thenextsentence，woulddiscoverall，andtheywouldbeborneonaflowingtideforeverButnothinghappenedThenextsentenceandthenextpagewereread，andstilliteludedthem；
andthoughthepromiseofitscomingkeptfaithfullyuptotheend，thelastchapterfoundthemstillpursuing。
Whydidnothinghappen？Becausetherewasnothingtohappen——nothingofthekindtheywerelookingforWhydiditeludethem？Becausetherewasno"it。"WhenshallwelearnthatthepursuitofholinessissimplyThepursuitofChrist？
Whenshallwesubstituteforthe"it"ofafictitiousaspiration，theapproachtoaLivingFriend？Sanctityisincharacterandnotinmoods；Divinityinourownplaincalmhumanity，andinnomysticraptureofthesoul。
Andyetthereareotherswho，forexactlyacontraryreason，willfindscantsatisfactionhereTheircomplaintisnotthatareligionexpressedintermsofFriendshipistoohomely，butthatitisstilltoomysticalTo"abide"inChrist，to"makeChristourmostconstantcompanion，"istothemthepurestmysticismTheywantsomethingabsolutelytangibleandabsolutelydirectThesearenotthepoeticalsoulswhoseekasign，amysticisminexcess，buttheprosaicnatureswhosewantismathematicaldefinitionindetailsYetitisperhapsnotpossibletoreducethisproblemtomuchmorerigidelementsThebeautyofFriendshipisitsinfinity。