half-way house. We are so prone
to be satisfied if only we bring them a little way along the road. If we
get them to pray! If we get them to attend the Lord's house! If we get
them to be truthful and gentle! All of which is unspeakably good. It is a
blessed thing to be in "the ways of Zion"; it is a far more blessed thing
to be in the palace with Zion's King and Lord. When we are dealing with
little children, every road must lead to Jesus, and not until the road is
trodden and we arrive at Him must we think our ministry accomplished.

And, therefore, if I am talking to the little ones about Samuel, or David,
or Paul, I must always see the short lane which leads to the Lord. "Suffer
the little children to come unto _Me_!" And once they really own Him, we
may trust their instincts for the rest. The heart in the child will leap
to the love of the Lord, "for of such is the Kingdom of Heaven." When a
little one sees the Saviour, it is "love at first sight"!

NOVEMBER The Third

_THE LORD'S OWN_

JOHN xv. 11-25.

The "Lord's own" possess the Lord's love. "_I have loved you._" And love
is not a beautiful sentiment, a passive rainbow stretched over the realm
of human life. It is a glorious, active energy, infinitely more powerful
than electricity, and always besieging the gates of the soul, or
ministering to its manifold needs. Love is the greatest force in the
world.

And the "Lord's own" are taken into the inner circle of intimacy, where
the deepest secrets dwell. We are not kept on the door-step, or left
standing in the hall, or limited to one or two "public rooms"; we are
privileged to enter the King's privacy, and be nourished at the King's
table, and listen to the King's table-talk concerning "all things" which
He has heard of the Father. We have "the glorious liberty of _the
children_ of God."

And the "Lord's own" will experience the world's hatred. "_Therefore the
world hateth you._" Our very friendship with the Lord pronounces judgment
on the world, and its hostility is aroused. If we are "partakers of the
glory" we shall most assuredly be "partakers of the sufferings of
Christ."

NOVEMBER The Fourth

_THE HOLY SPIRIT AS WITNESS_

JOHN xv. 26--xvi. 11.

The Holy Spirit is to be a witness of Jesus. "_He shall testify of Me._"
He shall be "the Friend of the Bridegroom," and He shall sing the
Bridegroom's grace, and goodness, and prowess, in the eager ear of the
bride. And the early love o