about the
Christian's 'separateness', and about Christ being the satisfying
portion of the human heart, if people see him seeking satisfaction with
the multitude that go to do evil? How will the world be influenced by
Christian talkers who sacrifice honour, truth, and perhaps honesty, in
their daily associations? How often people's tongues are tied, when
they ought to speak and act? They are half paralysed through a sense of
their personal inconsistency.

Holiness is not only the inspiration to holy effort; it is a necessary
qualification. The power of a holy life is the best evidence of what
God can do. Platform and Meeting-Holiness, or glass-case sanctity, are
feeble when compared with the exhibition of the blessing in daily
association. Therefore, 'Let your light so shine before men, that they
may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in Heaven'.
These words indicate my meaning when I urge you to seek and maintain
the blessing of Holiness in the interests of those around you. Holy
lives are the most convincing sermons and testimonies. We often say
'Holiness is power'; and I am sure that you need all the power which
can be obtained to influence the world around for God and Salvation.

3. Then, as a last motive to stimulate you in the pursuit of Holiness,
I will name _self-interest_. That may seem rather a low-down motive,
seeing that Holiness, which is perfect love, is the extreme opposite of
that selfishness which is the essence or root of all sin. It seems like
a paradox or contradiction to say that self-denial can harmonize with
enjoyment; and yet it is true. A man does advance his highest interests
and truest well-being when he submits to the sanctifying conditions of
the Holy Ghost; for what the world counts loss, he finds to be gain.

I would point out that we find God Himself appealing to men just at
that point of self-interest. What a chapter is that fifty-fifth of
Isaiah, beginning, 'Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the
waters', and so on, the second verse finishing, 'Eat ye that which is
good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness'. As much as to say,
'You will find it worth while to come into right relations with Me'.

There is no doubt that people are moved when they properly understand
the fact which Paul set forth in the words: 'Godliness is profitable
unto all things, having the promise of the life that now is, and of
that which is to come'; 'Godliness with contentment i