s, and how apt they are to turn out tinsel and
brass! Finery that is quite resplendent by gaslight often appears
tawdry and poor in the rays of the morning sun. So when the realities
of life are felt by the soul, when the mind's supreme need of truth and
of the fellowship with God are realized, then do the dollars and crowns
for which this poor world struggles seem mean enough to awaken the
contempt and even the hatred of those who have been deceived by them.
On the other hand, the true life which Jesus has revealed will stand
the test of the most searching investigation: when the blazing light of
eternity falls on it, it is still found to be real gold. The life which
follows Christ in doing good, which forsakes its own pleasure at the
call of those in need, which loves and works for God--the life which is
at harmony with God and at peace with its fellow-men--that life appears
more and more beautiful as we try it, and its reward more and more
worthy of our toil.

I say, therefore, that these paltry things which men call success and
honor are worth forgetting, if their place be taken by those ends of
living which Christ has taught us to be really great and good. We need
not fret if we lose them; we need not care if we never win them.
Seeking greater prizes, why should we repine if the baubles and tinsel
are not had? I say to you, forget them. Go higher up. Seek wisdom and
righteousness, truth and character. Lay up treasures in the heart, and
do not be bound and limited by fancied good which, at the longest, will
soon fade away.

IV. Once more, and most earnestly of all, do we say that it is worth
our while to forget our old sins and errors, in the joy of that
forgiveness which God has provided to every repentant sinner. Forget
them? It may be impossible wholly to forget them. The memory of them
will sting. Their effects often remain long after they have been
forgiven. As I have said, Paul did not literally forget them. He
mourned over them to the day of his death, and even thought himself the
chief of sinners, because he had persecuted the Church of God. But he
did not allow them to trouble him any longer, heinous though his sins
had been, for God's forgiveness of the repentant sinner is full and
complete. He does not receive us on probation. He does not promise
forgiveness hereafter. He offers it now. "Though your sins be as
scarlet, they shall be as white as snow." He welcomes every penitent as
the father of the prod