elves at Jesus' feet, and let Him do it, there would be
accomplishment and rest. On that cross He has provided for our death as
well as our life, and our part is just to let His death be applied to our
nature just as it has been to our old sins, and then leave it with Him,
think no more about it, and count it dead, not recognizing it any longer
as ourselves, but another, refusing to listen or fear it, to be identified
with it, or even try to cleanse it, but counting it utterly in His hands,
and dead to us forever, and for all our new life depending on Him at every
breath, as a babe just born depends upon its mother's life.

MAY 19.

"He purgeth it that it may bring forth more fruit" (John xv. 2).

Recently we passed a garden. The gardener had just finished his pruning,
and the wounds of the knife and saw were just beginning to heal, while the
warm April sun was gently nourishing the stricken plant into fresh life
and energy. We thought as we looked at that plant how cruel it would be to
begin next week and cut it down. Now, the gardener's business is to revive
and nourish it into life. Its business is not to die, but to live. So, we
thought, it is with the discipline of the soul. It, too, has its dying
hour; but it must not be always dying: Rather reckon ourselves to be dead
indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Death
is but a moment. Live, then, ye children of the resurrection, on His
glorious life more and more abundantly, and the fulness of your life will
repel the intrusion of self and sin, and overcome evil with good, and your
existence will be, not the dreary repression of your own struggling, but
the springing tide of Christ's spontaneous overcoming and everlasting
life.

MAY 20.

"Ye are not your own" (I. Cor. vi. 19).

What a privilege that we may consecrate ourselves. What a mercy that God
will take us worthless worms. What rest and comfort lie hidden in those
words, "Not my own." Not responsible for my salvation, not burdened by my
cares, not obliged to live for my interests, but altogether His; redeemed,
owned, saved, loved, kept in the strong, unchanging arms of His
everlasting love. Oh, the rest from sin and self and cankering care which
true consecration brings! To be able to give Him our poor weak life, with
its awful possibilities and its utter helplessness, and know that He will
accept it, and take a joy and pride in making out of it the utmost
pos