Page:Spiritual Reflections for Every Day in the Year - Vol 2.pdf/227

 the natural love of rule becomes the spiritual love of usefulness; when it prays that the Lord's kingdom may come, and that his will may be done on earth, as it is in heaven; when it desires rather to serve than to govern; it then begins to be a child of heaven—a follower of him who was among men as one that serveth—a brother of those ministering spirits who delight in doing the Lord's will—a companion of those who have come out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb, and who are therefore before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple. It is then that old things are passed away, and all things are become new: new thoughts, new affections, new desires, new views of truth, new fields of use, new love of brethren—in short. ALL NEW.

While we see so much selfishness abroad, let us remember, that man is as yet but imperfectly prepared to receive the truths of the New Dispensation; but let those who have received them so exhibit their virtue in life and conversation, that they may ultimately become as the little leaven, which shall hereafter leaven the whole lump.

HETHER we view each other as citizens of this world only, or as probationers to become citizens of an eternal world, we can, by reflection, still