gher, holier mood. We grow toward
that which we much desire. Hence prayers for Christ-likeness have a
transfiguring effect.

Holy thoughts in the heart have also a transfiguring influence on the
life. "As he thinketh in his heart, so is he." If we allow
jealousies, envies, ugly tempers, pride, and other evil things to stay
in our heart, our life will grow into the likeness of these unlovely
things. But if we cherish pure, gentle, unselfish, holy thoughts and
feelings, our life will become beautiful.

Professor Drummond tells of a young girl whose character ripened into
rare loveliness. Her friends watched her growing gentleness and
heavenliness with wonder. They could not understand the secret of it.
She wore about her neck a little locket within which no one was allowed
to look. Once, however, she was very ill, and one of her companions
was permitted then to open this sacred ornament, and she saw there the
words, "Whom having not seen I love." This was the secret. It was
love for the unseen Christ that transfigured her life. If we think
continually of the Christ, meditating upon him, thinking over sweet
thoughts of him, and letting his love dwell within us, we shall grow
like him.

Communion with Christ transfigures a life. Every one we meet leaves a
touch upon us which becomes part of our character. Our lives are like
sheets of paper, and every one who comes writes a word, or a line, or
leaves a little picture painted there. Our intimate companions and
friends, who draw very close to us, and are much with us, entering into
our inner heart-life, make very deep impressions upon us.

If, therefore, we live with Christ, abide in him, the close, continued
companionship with him will change us into his likeness. Personal
friendship with Christ in this world is as possible as any merely human
friendship. The companionship is spiritual, but it is real. The
devout Christian has no other friend who enters so fully into his life
as does the Lord Christ Jesus. The effect of this companionship is the
transfiguring of the character. It is not without reason that the
artists paint the beloved disciple as likest his Lord in features. He
knew Jesus more intimately than any of the other disciples, and, in his
deeper, closer companionship, was more affected and impressed by the
Lord's beauty of holiness.

Again, keeping the eye upon the likeness of Christ transfigures the
life. The old monks intently gazed upo