The children of God are called to be representatives of Christ, showing
forth the goodness and mercy of the Lord. As Jesus has revealed to us the
true character of the Father, so we are to reveal Christ to a world that
does not know His tender, pitying love. "As Thou hast sent Me into the
world," said Jesus, "even so have I also sent them into the world." "I in
them, and Thou in Me; . . . that the world may know that Thou hast sent Me."
John 17: 18, 23. The apostle Paul says to the disciples of Jesus, "Ye are
manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ," "known and read of all
men." 2 Corinthians 3:3, 2. In every one of His children, Jesus sends a
letter to the world. If you are Christ's follower, He sends in you a letter
to the family, the village, the street, where you live. Jesus, dwelling in
you, desires to speak to the hearts of those who are not acquainted with
Him. Perhaps they do not read the Bible, or do not hear the voice that
speaks to them in its pages; they do not see the love of God through His
works. But if you are a true representative of Jesus, it may be that through
you they will be led to understand something of His goodness and be won to
love and serve Him.

Christians are set as light bearers on the way to heaven. They are to
reflect to the world the light shining upon them from Christ. Their life and
character should be such that through them others will get a right
conception of Christ and of His service.

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If we do represent Christ, we shall make His service appear attractive, as
it really is. Christians who gather up gloom and sadness to their souls, and
murmur and complain, are giving to others a false representation of God and
the Christian life. They give the impression that God is not pleased to have
His children happy, and in this they bear false witness against our heavenly
Father.

Satan is exultant when he can lead the children of God into unbelief and
despondency. He delights to see us mistrusting God, doubting His willingness
and power to save us. He loves to have us feel that the Lord will do us harm
by His providences. It is the work of Satan to represent the Lord as lacking
in compassion and pity. He misstates the truth in regard to Him. He fills
the imagination with false ideas concerning God; and instead of dwelling
upon the truth in regard to our heavenly Father, we too often fix our minds
upon the misrepresentations of Satan and dishonor God by distrusting Him and
murmuring against Him. Satan ever seeks to make the religious life one of
gloom. He desires it to appear toilsome and difficult; and when the
Christian presents in his own life this view of religion, he is, through his
unbelief, seconding the falsehood of Satan.

Many, walking along the path of life, dwell upon their mistakes and failures
and disappointments, and their hearts are filled with grief and
discouragement. While I was in Europe, a sister who had been doing this, and
who was in deep distress, wrote to me, asking for some word of
encouragement. The night after I had read her letter I dreamed that I was in
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the garden was conducting me through its paths. I was gathering the flowers
and enjoying their fragrance, when this sister, who had been walking by my
side, called my attention to some unsightly briers that were impeding her
way. There she was mourning and grieving. She was not walking in the
pathway, following the guide, but was walking among the briers and thorns.
"Oh," she mourned, "is it not a pity that this beautiful garden is spoiled
with thorns?" Then the guide said, "Let the thorns alone, for they will only
wound you. Gather the roses, the lilies, and the pinks."

Have there not been some bright spots in your experience? Have you not had
some precious seasons when your heart throbbed with joy in response to the
Spirit of God? When you look back into the chapters of your life experience
do you not find some pleasant pages? Are not God's promises, like the
fragrant flowers, growing beside your path on every hand? Will you not let
their beauty and sweetness fill your heart with joy?

The briers and thorns will only wound and grieve you; and if you gather only
these things, and present them to others, are you not, besides slighting the
goodness of God yourself, preventing those around you from walking in the
path of life?

It is not wise to gather together all the unpleasant recollections of a past
life,--its iniquities and disappointments,--to talk over them and mourn over
them until we are overwhelmed with discouragement. A discouraged soul is
filled with darkness, shutting out the light of God from his own soul and
casting a shadow upon the pathway of others.

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Thank God for the bright pictures which He has presented to us. Let us group
together the blessed assurances of His love, that we may look upon them
continually: The Son of God leaving His Father's throne, clothing His
divinity with humanity, that He might rescue man from the power of Satan;
His triumph in our behalf, opening heaven to men, revealing to human vision
the presence chamber where the Deity unveils His glory; the fallen race
uplifted from the pit of ruin into which sin had plunged it, and brought
again into connection with the infinite God, and having endured the divine
test through faith in our Redeemer, clothed in the righteousness of Christ,
and exalted to His throne--these are the pictures which God would have us
contemplate.

When we seem to doubt God's love and distrust His promises we dishonor Him
and grieve His Holy Spirit. How would a mother feel if her children were
constantly complaining of her, just as though she did not mean them well,
when her whole life's effort had been to forward their interests and to give
them comfort? Suppose they should doubt her love; it would break her heart.
How would any parent feel to be thus treated by his children? And how can
our heavenly Father regard us when we distrust His love, which has led Him
to give His only-begotten Son that we might have life? The apostle writes,
"He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall
He not with Him also freely give us all things?" Romans 8:32. And yet how
many, by their actions, if not in word, are saying, "The Lord does

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not mean this for me. Perhaps He loves others, but He does not love me."

All this is harming your own soul; for every word of doubt you utter is
inviting Satan's temptations; it is strengthening in you the tendency to
doubt, and it is grieving from you the ministering angels. When Satan tempts
you, breathe not a word of doubt or darkness. If you choose to open the door
to his suggestions, your mind will be filled with distrust and rebellious
questioning. If you talk out your feelings, every doubt you express not only
reacts upon yourself, but it is a seed that will germinate and bear fruit in
the life of others, and it may be impossible to counteract the influence of
your words. You yourself may be able to recover from the season of
temptation and from the snare of Satan, but others who have been swayed by
your influence may not be able to escape from the unbelief you have
suggested. How important that we speak only those things that will give
spiritual strength and life!

Angels are listening to hear what kind of report you are bearing to the
world about your heavenly Master. Let your conversation be of Him who liveth
to make intercession for you before the Father. When you take the hand of a
friend, let praise to God be on your lips and in your heart. This will
attract his thoughts to Jesus.

All have trials; griefs hard to bear, temptations hard to resist. Do not
tell your troubles to your fellow mortals, but carry everything to God in
prayer. Make it a rule never to utter one word of doubt or discouragement.
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life of others and strengthen their efforts, by words of hope and holy
cheer.

There is many a brave soul sorely pressed by temptation, almost ready to
faint in the conflict with self and with the powers of evil. Do not
discourage such a one in his hard struggle. Cheer him with brave, hopeful
words that shall urge him on his way. Thus the light of Christ may shine
from you. "None of us liveth to himself." Romans 14:7. By our unconscious
influence others may be encouraged and strengthened, or they may be
discouraged, and repelled from Christ and the truth.

There are many who have an erroneous idea of the life and character of
Christ. They think that He was devoid of warmth and sunniness, that He was
stern, severe, and joyless. In many cases the whole religious experience is
colored by these gloomy views.

It is often said that Jesus wept, but that He was never known to smile. Our
Saviour was indeed a Man of Sorrows, and acquainted with grief, for He
opened His heart to all the woes of men. But though His life was
self-denying and shadowed with pain and care, His spirit was not crushed.
His countenance did not wear an expression of grief and repining, but ever
one of peaceful serenity. His heart was a wellspring of life, and wherever
He went He carried rest and peace, joy and gladness.

Our Saviour was deeply serious and intensely in earnest, but never gloomy or
morose. The life of those who imitate Him will be full of earnest purpose;
they will have a deep sense of personal responsibility. Levity will be
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boisterous merriment, no rude jesting; but the religion of Jesus gives peace
like a river. It does not quench the light of joy; it does not restrain
cheerfulness nor cloud the sunny, smiling face. Christ came not to be
ministered unto but to minister; and when His love reigns in the heart, we
shall follow His example.

If we keep uppermost in our minds the unkind and unjust acts of others we
shall find it impossible to love them as Christ has loved us; but if our
thoughts dwell upon the wondrous love and pity of Christ for us, the same
spirit will flow out to others. We should love and respect one another,
notwithstanding the faults and imperfections that we cannot help seeing.
Humility and self-distrust should be cultivated, and a patient tenderness
with the faults of others. This will kill out all narrowing selfishness and
make us large-hearted and generous.

The psalmist says, "Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in
the land, and verily thou shalt be fed." Psalm 37:3. "Trust in the Lord."
Each day has its burdens, its cares and perplexities; and when we meet how
ready we are to talk of our difficulties and trials. So many borrowed
troubles intrude, so many fears are indulged, such a weight of anxiety is
expressed, that one might suppose we had no pitying, loving Saviour ready to
hear all our requests and to be to us a present help in every time of need.

Some are always fearing, and borrowing trouble. Every day they are
surrounded with the tokens of God's love; every day they are enjoying the
bounties of His providence; but they overlook these present

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blessings. Their minds are continually dwelling upon something disagreeable
which they fear may come; or some difficulty may really exist which, though
small, blinds their eyes to the many things that demand gratitude. The
difficulties they encounter, instead of driving them to God, the only source
of their help, separate them from Him because they awaken unrest and
repining.

Do we well to be thus unbelieving? Why should we be ungrateful and
distrustful? Jesus is our friend; all heaven is interested in our welfare.
We should not allow the perplexities and worries of everyday life to fret
the mind and cloud the brow. If we do we shall always have something to vex
and annoy. We should not indulge a solicitude that only frets and wears us,
but does not help us to bear trials.

You may be perplexed in business; your prospects may grow darker and darker,
and you may be threatened with loss; but do not become discouraged; cast
your care upon God, and remain calm and cheerful. Pray for wisdom to manage
your affairs with discretion, and thus prevent loss and disaster. Do all you
can on your part to bring about favorable results. Jesus has promised His
aid, but not apart from our effort. When, relying upon our Helper, you have
done all you can, accept the result cheerfully.

It is not the will of God that His people should be weighed down with care.
But our Lord does not deceive us. He does not say to us, "Do not fear; there
are no dangers in your path." He knows there are trials and dangers, and He
deals with us plainly. He does not propose to take His people out of a world
of sin and evil, but He points them to a never-failing

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refuge. His prayer for His disciples was, "I pray not that Thou shouldest
take them out of the world, but that Thou shouldest keep them from the
evil." "In the world," He says, "ye shall have tribulation: but be of good
cheer; I have overcome the world." John 17:15, 16:33.

In His Sermon on the Mount, Christ taught His disciples precious lessons in
regard to the necessity of trusting in God. These lessons were designed to
encourage the children of God through all ages, and they have come down to
our time full of instruction and comfort. The Saviour pointed His followers
to the birds of the air as they warbled their carols of praise, unencumbered
with thoughts of care, for "they sow not, neither do they reap." And yet the
great Father provides for their needs. The Saviour asks, "Are ye not much
better than they?" Matthew 6:26. The great Provider for man and beast opens
His hand and supplies all His creatures. The birds of the air are not
beneath His notice. He does not drop the food into their bills, but He makes
provision for their needs. They must gather the grains He has scattered for
them. They must prepare the material for their little nests. They must feed
their young. They go forth singing to their labor, for "your heavenly Father
feedeth them." And "are ye not much better than they?" Are not you, as
intelligent, spiritual worshipers, of more value than the birds of the air?
Will not the Author of our being, the Preserver of our life, the One who
formed us in His own divine image, provide for our necessities if we but
trust in Him?

Christ pointed His disciples to the flowers of the

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field, growing in rich profusion and glowing in the simple beauty which the
heavenly Father had given them, as an expression of His love to man. He
said, "Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow." The beauty and
simplicity of these natural flowers far outrival the splendor of Solomon.
The most gorgeous attire produced by the skill of art cannot bear comparison
with the natural grace and radiant beauty of the flowers of God's creation.
Jesus asks, "If God so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and
tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall He not much more clothe you, O ye of
little faith?" Matthew 6: 28, 30. If God, the divine Artist, gives to the
simple flowers that perish in a day their delicate and varied colors, how
much greater care will He have for those who are created in His own image?
This lesson of Christ's is a rebuke to the anxious thought, the perplexity
and doubt, of the faithless heart.

The Lord would have all His sons and daughters happy, peaceful, and
obedient. Jesus says, "My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth,
give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."
"These things have I spoken unto you, that My joy might remain in you, and
that your joy might be full." John 14:27; 15:11.

Happiness that is sought from selfish motives, outside of the path of duty,
is ill-balanced, fitful, and transitory; it passes away, and the soul is
filled with loneliness and sorrow; but there is joy and satisfaction in the
service of God; the Christian is not left to walk in uncertain paths; he is
not left to vain regrets and disappointments. If we do not have the

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pleasures of this life we may still be joyful in looking to the life beyond.

But even here Christians may have the joy of communion with Christ; they may
have the light of His love, the perpetual comfort of His presence. Every
step in life may bring us closer to Jesus, may give us a deeper experience
of His love, and may bring us one step nearer to the blessed home of peace.
Then let us not cast away our confidence, but have firm assurance, firmer
than ever before. "Hitherto hath the Lord helped us," and He will help us to
the end. 1 Samuel 7:12. Let us look to the monumental pillars, reminders of
what the Lord has done to comfort us and to save us from the hand of the
destroyer. Let us keep fresh in our memory all the tender mercies that God
has shown us,--the tears He has wiped away, the pains He has soothed, the
anxieties removed, the fears dispelled, the wants supplied, the blessings
bestowed,--thus strengthening ourselves for all that is before us through
the remainder of our pilgrimage.

We cannot but look forward to new perplexities in the coming conflict, but
we may look on what is past as well as on what is to come, and say,
"Hitherto hath the Lord helped us." "As thy days, so shall thy strength be."
Deuteronomy 33:25. The trial will not exceed the strength that shall be
given us to bear it. Then let us take up our work just where we find it,
believing that whatever may come, strength proportionate to the trial will
be given.

And by and by the gates of heaven will be thrown open to admit God's
children, and from the lips of the King of glory the benediction will fall
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ears like richest music, "Come, ye blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom
prepared for you from the foundation of the world." Matthew 25:34.

Then the redeemed will be welcomed to the home that Jesus is preparing for
them. There their companions will not be the vile of earth, liars,
idolaters, the impure, and unbelieving; but they will associate with those
who have overcome Satan and through divine grace have formed perfect
characters. Every sinful tendency, every imperfection, that afflicts them
here has been removed by the blood of Christ, and the excellence and
brightness of His glory, far exceeding the brightness of the sun, is
imparted to them. And the moral beauty, the perfection of His character,
shines through them, in worth far exceeding this outward splendor. They are
without fault before the great white throne, sharing the dignity and the
privileges of the angels.

In view of the glorious inheritance that may be his, "what shall a man give
in exchange for his soul?" Matthew 16:26. He may be poor, yet he possesses
in himself a wealth and dignity that the world could never bestow. The soul
redeemed and cleansed from sin, with all its noble powers dedicated to the
service of God, is of surpassing worth; and there is joy in heaven in the
presence of God and the holy angels over one soul redeemed, a joy that is
expressed in songs of holy triumph.