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。
TherewasaboyinGlasgowapprenticedtoagentlemanwhomadetelegraphsThegentlemantoldmethishimself。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-byhegoestohismasterHesaystoHIMSELF，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。