hould ask concerning his personal observance of the
Master's counsel of prayer and self-denial and cross-bearing. It is
pleasanter, no doubt, to seek the reasons for one's unbelief in
intellectual than in moral directions. The former method may flatter
us a little; the latter is often very painful!

And yet by inquiring as to our moral condition the whole secret will
often be discovered. There is also another question to ask:--If we
understand the promises of our Lord, in even a slight degree, He gives
to all whom He calls into the holy ministry the assurance of a
Comforter who will guide them into all truth, and bring all things to
their remembrance whatsoever He has said. Are we quite able, we who
are afflicted with doubts which sometimes make it hard to preach, are
we quite able to say that we have honoured Him in putting His promises
to the proof as we might have done? Was not one of the Master's words
to us "It shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak"?
There was no uncertainty in the Upper Room in that glad but awful
moment when the pledge of the ages was fulfilled to the children of the
new and better covenant. Let us seek that experience again. Let us
begin our quest at the cross, with a prayer for forgiveness, and a vow
of reconsecration. Let us wait upon Him for a renewal of that divine
outpouring of which He has never disappointed His chosen messengers
when they have sought it at His hand, meanwhile denying themselves,
taking up their cross and following Him. Let us but obtain that
baptism, and all our crippling and alarming scepticisms will vanish,
and the full round tone of fearless confidence return. Such a return
is the need of the present hour--spiritual certainty in an age of
materialism, the one sure antidote for all its cares. Thus only can
come that revival of religion for which we have sighed and looked so
long. Be assured that there can be no such work of grace as this
unless the message of the pulpit be with definiteness and confidence.
Here would the answer to many a question, the solution of many a
problem be found. Hearers would be conscious of a new tone in the
delivery of the weekly word. Truth would be spoken as if it were truth
indeed, and in their very consciences men would know it to be true. No
longer would the way of life be pointed with trembling finger. Once
again the ambassador would stand forth in all his royal glory and cry
"Thus saith the Lord," and