at once. At the same time, we are not sure that they are quite right. The result of it is, that, to all intents and purposes, they operate on our minds and hearts exactly like positive transgressions, only there is no remedy at hand. They remain upon the conscience, and hinder the communion with God, and make the heart heavy. The heart-experience of every true Christian will re-echo St. Paul's words, "Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth " (Rom. xiv. 22).

Then, in dealing with others about things which we consider doubtful, let us honestly say that this is what we think, and that for this reason we leave them alone. We should clearly explain to them what we feel about doubtful things, and how they involve sin, at all events to us. We must be very careful to show then that we have no wish to condemn them in other people.

Following such a line, we should quickly see its advantageous effects on those around us. They would see that while we were thoroughly in earnest, we were also large-minded enough not hastily to condemn. They would be led to think for themselves about these doubtful things, far more than if we too quickly condemned them. They would respect us, while we are making up our minds; and when we have done so, thoughtfully and carefully, they would be far more easily influenced by our example, and we should be quite equal to giving that plain and intelligent reason for what we do or for what we leave undone, which those who differ from us so often and so reasonably ask, and which Christians are so very seldom able to give.

(To be continued, God willing, next month.)

Bealising.

By Lucy A. Bennett.

"Do you realise much of the presence of Christ?" I enquired of a dear Christian who was evidently on the very borders of the "glory-land" (he passed away a few days later), and whose every word and look bore sweet testimony to the cloudless peace and joy within.

"I do not think that I do realise' it very much,” he replied; "but I know He is here. I know that His arms are underneath me." I had waited with deep interest for his reply, for the whole question of realising had been much in my thoughts, and it was with a desire to obtain his testimony that the question had been put. As coming, at such a time, from one who was privileged to rejoice exceedingly in the Lord's love to him, I think those dying words may well have weight with us.

It is very surprising to notice how strong a hold this word "realise" has upon us! There are many Christians with whom you can hardly talk for five minutes without hearing it. In the correspondence of such Christians it occurs over and over again. It generally comes with a sigh, too, “Oh that I could realise more of the love of Christ!" falters one; "If only I could live in the realisation of my portion in Christ!" mourns another. How many a soul that ought to be basking in the full joy of light and liberty is held in bondage by insisting on this "realising" as something in addition to the knowing and believing which are enjoined upon us in the holy Word of God. And has there not been in our own experience much that enables us to sympathise deeply with such ?

I'shall not soon forget the intense relief with which my

own soul welcomed the discovery that there is not a word in the Bible about "realising," and that the Lord Jesus never once asked anyone to "realise" anything.

How often in times of spiritual darkness (the darkness that arises from our forgetting that our safety depends on His hold of us, rather than on our hold of Him!) how often, at such times, have we thought and struggled, and wept and prayed, for more of this realising? If only we could have "realised" the sufferings of Christ; "realised" His presence; "realised" our love to Him; "realised " our own faith in Him, what a comfort it would have been! But the very effort has been, as it always must be, suicidal. The vain quest has only made everything seem more unreal. For there is surely nothing more useless and comfortless than the attempt to believe in one's own faith.

Oh what rest, at such times, to fall back upon the old foundation! Jesus saves. Faith only unites to Him, and is only omnipotent when lost in its object. May it ever be ours to "subordinate faith to HIM."

Is not this "realising" of which we hear so much only another name for "feelings?" We have heard so much about "feeling," have been warned so often, and so wisely, against trusting to it, that we are ashamed to say we want to "feel" And yet does not "realising" come to very much the same thing?

Undoubtedly it is very nice and very desirable to "realise," when we understand that realisation is not any mere emotional feeling, but the consciousness that what we believe is really true, and that this is as inseparably connected with faith as feeling is.

When anxious and seeking ones say to us "I cannot feel; I want to feel;" we reply, do we not?" Believe, you will know it, and the feeling will come in the form of rest, and joy, and peace. You cannot feel a thing until you have it.

You cannot feel saved until you are saved through faith in Jesus."

Shall we not take the same lesson to ourselves with regard to every advance in spiritual life and experience? Believe and you shall know. Take the full salvation, and then, in the experience of it, you shall realise that it is yours. Claim the power which is yours in Christ, and you shall surely realise its possession.

St. Paul did not say and I realise that He is committed unto Him!" "realise Him, and the power of His resurrection !"

"I realise Whom I have believed, able to keep that which I have He did not yearn that he might

And

yet surely St. Paul did realise to a degree of which many of us know very little, experimentally.

Oh that this little paper may encourage some weak and trembling child of God to trust in Him more simply, more confidingly; to hang in utter dependence upon the "nail" fastened in "a sure place" (Isa. xxii. 23).

Thank God, these things ARE real, whether we "realise them or not; real because they are in Him-Christ Jesus Himself, the great all-satisfying "Reality."

realisation," be per

If you are in quest of "faith" or suaded to give up following the shadow-a very "will o' the wisp " in itself-and seek instead for the blessed Substance. Uplift your weary eyes to the ascended Son of God—the glorified Man in Heaven. In proportion as you do this (forgetting all about your own faith," and your Own "realisation," and your own "self" in every form as you cling to the divine Person), we believe that you cannot fail to enjoy all that is right in feeling and realisation.

For they are indivisible, even as they are alike invisible : strong only as they are subjected to Him; nothing apart from Him; but the medium of untold wealth as they lay hold of and appropriate Him.

Even should the sensible enjoyment of that which we mysteriously call "realising" be withheld for a time, may it ever be ours to trust on bravely, content with the promises and the Promiser.

"Nothing before, nothing behind

The steps of Faith;

Fall on the seeming void, and find
The Rock beneath."

Thoughts on 1 Thessalonians v. 16-23.

By E. Jane Whately.

(Continued from page 72.)

To "rejoice evermore" rightly, we must also carry out the next precept, "Pray without ceasing." It is the praying Christian who will ever be the rejoicing one. But what is "unceasing prayer?" Literally, it could not be carried out on this earth. Many sincere but unenlightened persons have tried to compass it by prayers fixed for so many times in the day, or relays of worshippers in perpetual adoration, or "contemplative orders," whose prayers should make up for the deficiencies of others. But all these are attempts quite wide of the mark, and commonly end, as such attempts do, in mere formalism. To "pray without ceasing," is simply to bring the spirit of prayer into our daily life: to make prayer part of our life-work, knitting earth to heaven, as has been well remarked, "by a golden chain of supplications and heavenward thoughts." It is to bring our daily tasks, our letters, whatever work we have in hand, to the Lord for His blessing-to seek wisdom from Him, like Nehemiah before the King, in a secret "cry to Him," in all our dealings with others—to lay all our cares and perplexities at His feet, and encounter all difficulties, great or small,