nd power for this undertaking." As he proceeded, his hand grew
steady, his eye awoke with slumbering genius. He forgot himself and
was filled with enthusiasm for his work. When the painting was
finished, the old master was carried into the studio to pass judgment
on the result. His eye rested on a triumph of art. Throwing his arms
about the young artist, he exclaimed, "My son, I paint no more."

There are some who shrink from undertaking the work which the Master
gives them to do. They are not worthy; they have no skill or power for
the delicate duty. But to all their timid shrinking and withdrawing,
the Master's gentle yet urgent word is, "Do your best." They have only
to kneel in lowly reverence and pray, for the beloved Master's sake,
for skill and strength for the task assigned, and they will be inspired
and helped to do it well. The power of Christ will rest upon them and
the love of Christ will be in their heart. And all work done under
this blessed inspiration will be acceptable unto God. We have but
truly to lay the living sacrifice on the altar; then God will send the
fire.

We need to get this matter of consecration down out of cloud-land into
the region of actual, common daily living. We sing about it and pray
for it and talk of it in our religious meetings, ofttimes in glowing
mood, as if it were some exalted state with which earth's life of toil,
struggle, and care had nothing whatever to do. But the consecration
suggested by the living sacrifice is one that walks on the earth, that
meets life's actual duties, struggles, temptations, and sorrows, and
that falters not in obedience, fidelity, or submission, but follows
Christ with love and joy wherever he leads. No other consecration
pleases God.

CHAPTER III.

CHRIST'S INTEREST IN OUR COMMON LIFE.

"So still, dear Lord, in every place
Thou standest by the toiling folk
With love and pity in thy face,
And givest of thy help and grace
To those who meekly bear the yoke."

One of our Lord's after-resurrection appearances vividly pictures his
loving interest in our common toil. While waiting for him to come to
Galilee, the disciples had gone back for a time to their old work of
fishing. They were poor men, and this was probably necessary in order
to provide for their own subsistence. Thus fishing was the duty that
lay nearest. Yet it must have been dreary work for them after the
exalted privileges they had enjoyed