germs continue so long inactive, and then suddenly become injurious and fatal-much that is mysterious occurs in all morbid processes: but the main cause is found in the alternations of the general health of the body and the tree; the fullness and brightness of the life holding the malady in check, whilst any abatement in that life gives the dismal elements and tendencies opportunity to assert themselves. It is much the same with our higher life. Who can say how many and formidable are the germs of evil sleeping in the best of us? "Who can understand his errors? cleanse Thou me from secret faults." Strange, sad predispositions, sympathies, and affinities lurk obscurely in the brain and sensual nature, waiting their opportunity; all the grounds of our personality are sown with tares yearning to sprout into the harvest of shame. What will keep this seed of sin's disease from springing? Richness of thought, intensity of holy feeling, the spirit of prayerfulness, devout companionships, the enthusiastic pursuit of noble ends, absorption in the interests of Christ's kingdom, the supreme love of God, and the self-sacrificing love of humanity, ―these are the atmospheres which sterilize the threatening germs of brain, heart, and flesh; but once let the fullness of life abate, and the " sleeping eyes" are fungi and cankers, the "lethargic" germs the tumors and cancers of the moral life. A great, fresh, sweet, spiritual soul holds down

the evil in the triumphant power of righteousness and love.

The evil that is about us is best disarmed and paralyzed by the robustness of the soul. In vain do we contend against the manifold temptations of life by any kind of external precaution; we are never safe until we know also what the apostle calls "the power that worketh in us." It has long been seen that it is unsatisfactory to attempt to defend the trees of the forest and orchard by whitewashing or anointing, or indeed by any exterior precaution, from the parasites which afflict them; therefore the forester now bores into the very heart of the tree, and introduces chemical solutions which mingle with the sap and circulate through every branch and leaf, thus rendering the tree absolutely safe from its old foes-they refuse to touch it. How little the New Testament approves of coddled character! how sparingly it legislates for external defense! Christ and His disciples were ever insistent that the understanding should be full of light, the conscience exercised into acuteness, the will dowered with strength, the heart filled with love, because they well knew that these the wicked one toucheth not. Oriental women are isolated in harems, thickly veiled, and jealously guarded to preserve their honor: our own women seek no such artificial immunity; discarding latticed chambers, veils, and watchmen, they walk abroad

entrenched in the simple, availing power of personal purity. After the same fashion must all be saved from besetting sins and perils. The shield of health quenches every fiery dart.

"Thy saving health." All attempts to restore the soul are ineffectual, until we invoke the healing touch and breath of God," who forgiveth all thine iniquities, who healeth all thy diseases." What grand restorative influences reside in nature! What a splendid salvation is the sunshine, the mighty orb bringing healing in his wings! What a sublime fountain of health is the sea! What essences of life distil on the mountain and moor! What a glorious elixir is the atmosphere, full of the balm of summer, and pulsating with vital ethers! And if nature exerts such virtue upon the body, how much more shall the sovereign Spirit bring health, power, and immortal life into the soul of all who seek Him!

XI

ETHICAL ATHLETICISM

Herein do I also exercise myself to have a conscience void of offense towards God and men alway.-Acts 24: 16.

T

HE province of the conscience is threefold: viz. first, to inform us that an act is right or wrong, therefore a good conscience is sensitive; second, to command us to do the right and avoid the wrong, therefore it is imperative; and third, to applaud or punish us according to our conduct, therefore it is approving. To realize such a conscience is not easy; only by the most sincere and serious efforts we can succeed. "I exercise myself." In the study of the law, the presence of the cross, and fellowship with the throne,-in this threefold exercise and discipline the apostle hoped to find and keep in its integrity the moral sense. We know how real was this exercise. His study of the divine oracles was most profound; he could never get away from the cross; he continued day and night in prayer. "Exercise" was not a word that he used lightly; but as the athlete submits to vigorous discipline that he may train to perfection his bodily powers, so the apostle concentrated him

self on revelation, redemption, and supplication that he might attain a conscience at once illuminated, purified, and peaceful.

Only thus do we preserve the conscience sensitive. Its province is to discriminate, to declare whether an action is right or wrong; and, fully educated, to declare that this action is right, and that wrong. Scientists have balances of precision so delicate that they determine to a thousandth part of a grain, and weigh a pencil mark; and a fine conscience promptly determines nice points in questions of character and conduct.

But it is liable to be blunted and its judgments confused. It does not act mechanically like the instinct of an animal. In the Old Testament we read of those who "put light for darkness and darkness for light." Our Saviour reminds us that "the light which is in" us may "become darkness." And St. Paul speaks of those "whose mind and conscience are defiled," i. e. perverted from the truth, delivering false judgments. Our disordered passions tend to corrupt this great faculty, and society clouds and destroys it. How, then, shall we preserve the integrity and delicacy of the moral sense? We can do this only by constant fellowship with Him who is light, and in whom is no darkness at all; by prayerful study of the Scriptures, which give the best expression of the eternal law of righteousness; and by living at the foot of that cross which speaks so elo