Page:Spiritual Reflections for Every Day in the Year - Vol 3.pdf/138

 in order to expel the iniquitous traders which carry on their unholy traffic in what ought to be the Lord's living temple—the temple of the heart. Is it not true, that, even in our places of worship, we find a difficulty to keep our thoughts from the world and worldly things? Ostensibly assembled for worship, instead of praying to be exclusively with God, and keeping our hearts open for the reception of the divine influences, do we not often spend our time in devising schemes of worldly advantage, while the Lord is standing and pleading in vain for admission, yea, even earnestly entreating in the words, "My son, give me thy heart?" We speak not to one only, but we desire each to consult his own bosom, and let the voice from within give the answer. Is it not true, then, that when the Lord of life and glory visits His own place of worship—and that place of worship is the human heart—His very first act, after He has gained admission, is to cast out all therein which is connected with the spirit of the world and of selfishness? Nay, is not the crash which He makes among the tables and seats of that worldly and selfish spirit, which, under the shelter of religion, would make the truths of heaven and innocence itself subservient to its purposes, almost appalling! almost enough to excite indignation at the treatment of what we have been so long wont to regard as devout? Woe unto us if it be so! The crucifixion of our Lord and Master will speedily follow, and His blood will be required at our hands.

We want you to see the state of the heart; we want you to raise the veil that has so long covered it. Look closely into it, is it not really hideous? ,