dle; we must lay aside every
weight. Each of us has his special temptation, which becomes a weight,
a hindrance. One man is so weighted with the cares of business and
money-getting, that he cannot walk in the right path. The gold and the
silver weigh him down, and make him stumble. Another has piled up such
a load of troubles and worries upon his shoulders that he cannot
advance. One woman is so cumbered with her domestic concerns that she
makes no progress towards Heaven. Another is overwhelmed with
pleasures and amusements which cling about her, and hinder her from
going forward.

My brethren, do not let the world over-weight you, or drag you back
from the right way. There is one weight, however, which we must all
carry--our cross. I have heard of a picture which represents two
pilgrims along the road of life. One bears his cross on his shoulders,
and steps forward manfully, looking up to Heaven; the other is dragging
his cross after him along the rough road, with painful and unwilling
labour. We must _take up_ our cross and bear it if we would walk in
the Spirit. If we suffer it to drag behind us, it will only hinder
instead of helping us. Each sorrow, each loss, or bereavement, is as a
nail to fasten us closer to our cross. Let us stretch out our hands
willingly to receive the nail, sharp though it be. Remember we must be
_crucified_ with Jesus if we are to be glorified with Him. Again,
walking in the Spirit means _patient perseverance_. A religion of fits
and starts is worth nothing. There are many who come running to Jesus,
like the young ruler, but when they know what being a Christian means,
they go away. There are many who, at the time of a Confirmation or a
Mission, declare that they will follow Christ whithersoever He goeth.
But, after a little while, the enthusiasm dies out, they grow weary in
well-doing, unstable as water, they follow no more after Him. If we
would reach our journey's end, we must _keep on walking_, steadily,
patiently, perseveringly. "He that endureth to the end shall be
saved." Again, walking in the Spirit means _looking forward_ along the
road. Too much of our religion is _short-sighted_. We see the
pleasure or the sorrow at our feet, but we see nothing of the glorious
future, the rest that remaineth for the people of God. We are like
those who see the clod of earth against which their foot strikes, but
never lift their eyes aloft to look on the towering mountain.