spirit of self-denial. Let us hear what our
blessed Lord and Master says upon this subject. "He that loveth father
or mother more than me, is not worthy of me; and he that loveth son or
daughter more than me, is not worthy of me." "If any man will come after
me, let him _deny himself_, and take up his cross and follow me. For,
whosoever will save his life shall lose it; and whosoever will lose his
life for my sake shall find it." "If any man come to me, and hate not
his father and mother, and wife and children, and brethren and sisters,
yea, and his _own life_ also, he _cannot be my disciple_." "He that
loveth his life, shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this
world shall keep it unto life eternal." "If thy right eye offend thee,
(or cause thee to offend,) pluck it out and cast it from thee." _We must
follow Christ._ Here we are taught that, unless we put away all
self-seeking, and willingly surrender the dearest objects of our
affections on earth, yea, and _our own lives also_, if need be, we have
no claim to the character of disciples of Christ. The glory of God and
the general good must be our ruling principle of action; and we must not
gratify ourselves in opposition to the will of God, or the interest of
our fellow-beings. Every action must be brought to this test. Here is
heart-work and life-work. Self must be denied in all our spiritual
feelings, and in all our devotions, or they will be abominable in the
sight of God. Here is work for self-examination. Every exercise of our
minds should be tried by this standard. Again; we must deny self in all
our conduct. And here we have the examples of many holy men, recorded in
Scripture, with a host of martyrs and missionaries, but especially of
our Lord himself, to show what influence the true spirit of self-denial
exerts upon the Christian life. In the passage quoted above, our Lord
expressly declares that, in order to be his disciples, we must _follow_
him. And how can this be done, but by imitating his example? He was
willing to make _sacrifices_ for the good of others. He led a life of
toil, hardship, and suffering, and _gave up his own life_, to save
sinners. His immediate disciples did the same. They submitted to
ignominy, reproach, suffering, and death itself, for the sake of
promoting the glory of God, in the salvation of men. Cultivate, then,
this spirit. Prefer the glory of God to everything else. Prefer the
general good to your own private interest. Be