say, "We have erred and strayed from Thy ways,
like lost sheep:" let us never forget these truths; let us never
forget, on the one hand, that we are sinners; let us never forget, on
the other hand, that Christ is our Guide and Guardian. He is "the Way,
the Truth, and the Life[34]." He is a light unto our ways, and a
lanthorn unto our paths. He is our Shepherd, and the sheep know His
voice. If we are His sheep, we shall hear it, recognize it, and obey
it. Let us beware of not following when He goes before: "He goes
before, and His sheep follow Him, for they know His voice." Let us
beware of receiving His grace in vain. When God called Samuel, he
answered, "Speak, Lord, for Thy servant heareth." When Christ called
St. Paul, he "was not disobedient to the heavenly vision." Let us
desire to know His voice; let us pray for the gift of watchful ears and
a willing heart. He does not call all men in one way, He calls us each
in His own way. To St. Peter He said, "Follow thou Me;" of St. John,
"If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee?" Nor is it
always easy to know His voice. St. John knew it, and said, "It is the
Lord," before St. Peter. Samuel did not know it till Eli told him.
St. Paul asked, "Who art Thou, Lord?" We are bid, "try the spirits,
whether they be of God." But whatever difficulty there be in knowing
when Christ calls, and whither, yet at least let us look out for His
call. Let us not be content with ourselves; let us not make our own
hearts our home, or this world our home, or our friends our home; let
us look out for a better country, that is, a heavenly. Let us look out
for Him who alone can guide us to that better country; let us call
heaven our home, and this life a pilgrimage; let us view ourselves, as
sheep in the trackless desert, who, unless they follow the shepherd,
will be sure to lose themselves, sure to fall in with the wolf. We are
safe while we keep close to Him, and under His eye; but if we suffer
Satan to gain an advantage over us, woe to us!

Blessed are they who give the flower of their days, and their strength
of soul and body to Him; blessed are they who in their youth turn to
Him who gave His life for them, and would fain save it to them and
implant it in them, that they may live for ever. Blessed are they who
resolve--come good, come evil, come sunshine, come tempest, come
honour, come dishonour--that He shall be their Lord and Master, their
King and God!