ep Close!

The late Dr. Andrew Bonar once remarked in his own quaint fashion that
it was always easy to trace the footprints of a person if we walked
close behind him, but if we were some distance back we might fail to
find them; and accordingly, if we followed close after the Master we
would easily see the way, but if we tried to follow afar off we would
find it difficult to know the path of His will.

On Both Knees

William Dawson once told this story to illustrate how humble the soul
must be before it can find peace.

He said that at a revival meeting a little lad who was used to
Methodist ways, went home to his mother and said:

"Mother, John So-and-so is under conviction and seeking for peace, but
he will not find it to-night, mother."

"Why, William?" said she.

"Because he is only down on one knee, mother, and he will never get
peace until he is down on both knees."

Until conviction of sin brings us down on both knees, until we are
completely humbled, until we have no hope in ourselves left, we cannot
find the Savior.

Something New

A great many people seem to think that the Bible is out of date, that
it is an old book, that it has passed its day. They say it was very
good for the dark ages, and that there is some very good history in
it, but it was not intended for the present time; we are living in a
very enlightened age and men can get on very well without it; we have
outgrown it.

Now, you might just as well say that the sun, which has shone so long,
is now so old that it is out of date, and that whenever a man builds a
house he need not put any windows in it, because we have a newer light
and a better light; we have gaslight and electric light. These are
something new; and I would advise people, if they think the Bible is
too old and worn out, when they build houses, not to put windows in
them, but just to light them with electric light; that is something
new and that is what they are anxious for.

Bidding Christ Farewell

A rule I have had for years is to treat the Lord Jesus Christ as a
personal friend. It is not a creed, a mere empty doctrine, but it is
Christ Himself we have. The moment we receive Christ we should receive
Him as a friend. When I go away from home I bid my wife and children
good-bye; I bid my friends and acquaintances good-bye; but I never
heard of a poor backslider going down on his knees and saying:

"I have been near You for ten years. Your service has become