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 thoroughly convinced  it  is  true? Has our  past  life  shown proof of  it? Is our  present  life  modelled  upon  it? Are we taking  pains  that  our  future  life  shall  be  so?

What is  the  result  when  we  compare  our  worldly  promptitude and  industry  with  our  preference  of  the  service  of God  over  all  other  things? Are we  in  any  way  on  the look out  for  His  greater  glory,  or  our  own  greater  union with Him? Is it  plain  at  first  sight  that  we  have  no object  or  pursuit  so  engrossing  and  so  decidedly  paramount as  the  service  of  God?

The spirit  in  which  we  serve  Him  should  be  entirely without reserve. Need I  prove  this? What is  to  be reserved? Can there  be  reserves  with  God? Can His sovereignty be  limited,  or  our  love  of  Him  ever  reach  the measure of  enough? But have  no  reserve  with  Him  now? Is there  really  no  corner  of  our  heart  over  which  He  is  not absolute Lord? Does He  ask  of  us  freely  what  He  wills, and do  we  do  our  best  to  give  Him  all  He  asks? Have we no  implicit  condition  with  Him  that  He  is  only  so  far with us  and  no  further? Is our  outward  life  utterly  and unconditionally dependent  on  Him? And if  it  is,  is  the kingdom of  our  inward  intentions  reposing  peaceably beneath His  unquestioned  sceptre?

It is  of  importance  not  to  allow  ourselves  to  rest  in  any pursuit except  the  service  of  God. By resting  I  mean feeling at  home,  reposing  on  what  we  do,  forgetting  it  is  a mere  means  even  when  we  do  not  err  so  far  as  to  mistake it for  an  end,  being  contented  with  what  we  are,  not  pushing on,  nor  being  conscious  that  we  are  fighting  a  battle and climbing  a  hill. Nothing can  excuse  the  neglect of the  duties  of  the  position  in  life  which  God  has  conferred upon  us. All is  delusive  where  these  are  not  attended to and  made  much  of. They are  as  it  were  private  sacraments to  each  one  of  us. They are  our  chief,  often  our sole, way  of  becoming  saints.