openness between these friends; nothing is
hid. They have the run of each other's hearts.

"I tell Him all my joys and fears,
And He reveals His love to me."

NOVEMBER The Twenty-first

_THE EARLY BUILDERS_

1 KINGS viii. 1-21.

It is always a healthy means of grace to link my own accomplishments with
the fidelity and achievements of the past. Solomon traced his finished
Temple to the holy purpose in the heart of David his father. I lay the
coping-stone, but who turned the first sod? I lead the water into new
ministries, but who first dug the well?

There is the temple of liberty. In our own day we are enriching it with
most benignant legislation, but we must not forget our dauntless fathers,
in whose blood the foundations were laid. When I am walking about in the
finished structure, let me remember the daring architects who "did well"
to have it in their hearts.

Such retrospect will make me humble. It will save me from the isolation
and impotence of foolish pride. It will confirm me in human fellowship by
showing me how many springs I have in my fellow-men.

And such retrospect will make me grateful to my God. Noble outlooks always
engender the spirit of praise. The fine air of wide spaces quickens the
soul to a song.

NOVEMBER The Twenty-second

_RECOVERING LOST STRENGTH_

1 KINGS viii. 22-36.

In this portion of this great prayer I discern the unalterable mode in
which nations and individuals recover their moral health and strength.

How do they lose it? Two words tell the story. They "_sin_" and are
"_smitten_." It is an inevitable sequence. Every sin is the minister of
disease. Sometimes we can see it, when the disease flaunts its flags in
the flesh; lust and drunkenness have glaring placards, and we know what is
going on within. But even when sin makes no visible mark the wasting
process is at work. It is as true of falsehood as of drunkenness, of
treachery as of lust. "Evil shall slay the wicked."

And how do we recover our lost estate? There are three words which tell
the story. "_Turn!_" "_Confess!_" "_Make supplication!_" The words need no
exposition. I must turn my face to my despised and neglected Lord; I must
tell them all about my miserable revolt, and I must humbly crave for His
restoring grace.

And the answer is sure. Such humble exercise sets the joy-bells ringing,
and the rich forgiveness of the Lord fills the soul with peace. "O taste
and see how graciou