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，wasaskedbythelibrarianoftheUniversitytogotothelibraryandpickoutthebooksonhissubjectmidwiferythatwerenolongerneeded。
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。