And so in the first place we need these quiet times apart to deepen our sense of the reality and immi-nonce of God. And then, realizing afresh the reality of God's presence, and the paramount importance of spiritual things, life will be seen in its true proportions; its details will appear in their true perspective. We need this vision for we all know how in certain relationships, small things We sometimes forget that the best and most effective sermons, are not preached in pulpits, but by man to his brother man, and in the way of duty. the so called secular duty, wherever and whatever our work ray be. And this morning we have come back after another week of work for him, into this place, hallowed by so many associations,—th place apart where we can spend hour with him. We have come for worship, and for communion. We have come for private and corporate prayer. Like the disciples of old we draw near to tell him about our work, its encouragements, and its failures, In petition and intercession we bring to him our needs and those of others, And we come confessing our mistakes, and our failures, and jour sins; asking for forgiveness and cleansing. We plead not any · merit of our own, not anything we have done or deserve, but the merit of him who gave his life for us upon the Cross of Calvary. And while there is comfort and peace as we stand at the foot of the Cross,—and the Bread and the Wine are to us the blessed remembrance of His Body broken, and His Blood poured ow "A full perfect, and sufficient sacrifice, oblation and satisfaction for the sins of the whole world"—that is not all We have come for refreshment and renewal, for strength to go out into the world again for Christ. And 50 it is that we never cease to remind you that in the. Lord's. Supper,—which we keep this morning—there is more than remembrance. We eat the bread, and we drink the wine, witnessing by this sacred symbolism to the great fact in the appear imposing,—things within na row walls assume alarming proportions. How often we use the phrase. "A storm in a tea-cup," to explain away something which looms large and yet is really insignificant. We need this vision in relation to our daily life in the world, in every field of human endeavour. For every life has its cares and worries which fill the whole field of consciousness. ud only when we get the larger do we see how foolish we to let them hide the sun shin-and cause us needless p: fearfulness. How threatening crises, as they appear at the roren}, would dwindle into harmless proportions, if only we looked beyond ourselves to God.
Come ye apart—Some things must be seen at a distance in order to see hem properly. For instance, an oil painting an inch away. be it ever so fine, is a mere blotch of colours; but give it a position, and view it from the right distance. and its beauty and harmony appear. "Come ye apart with me." His cry Comes to us each one thís morning. and we shall do well to heed his counsel; to take time, to make it, if necessary, to step aside and let the tide of lile sweep by. To meditate upon the true purpose of human existence.—To consider whether we have been emphasizing the allmportant things, lest we find that we are neglecting that which alone really matters, Like the man the Pilgrims were shown in the Interpre tor's house, so intent upon the sticks and the stubble at his feet, that he had no eyes for the crown within reach, Like the Scribes and religious life of every, true believer that we feed on him in our hearts by faith. Not only are we cleansed and forgiven, we are restored and sanctified. New life is given by the indwelling power of Christ in us. Divine life is communicated to u: sees, of whom we read hei tent on tithing herbs and other minute details, that we are neglecting the weightier matters, of faith and hope, and love.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.