n sense of the expression; but puts it rather as dying
daily; and therefore, as one "in deaths oft," he was never surprised,
or stumbled by any hardship or danger involved in his work.

We wish, however, to draw attention to another aspect of self-denial
which is often overlooked, and perhaps we shall do this most
intelligibly by use of the antithetical expression, self-assertion.
What does the Word of GOD teach us about our rights, our claims, our
dues? Does it not teach us that condemnation, banishment, eternal
misery, are our own deserts? As unbelievers, we were condemned
criminals; as believers, we are pardoned criminals; and whatever of
good is found in us is but imparted, and to GOD alone is due the
praise. Can we, then, consistently with such a position, be
self-asserting and self-claimant?

It is clear that if we choose to remit a claim due to us by one who
is free and our equal, that may not invalidate or affect his claim on
his neighbour--no matter whether that claim be larger or smaller than
the one we remitted. But what did our SAVIOUR intend to teach us by
the parable of Matthew xviii. 23-35? There the King and Master and
Owner of a slave remits His claim in clemency and pity (and does so,
as our LORD elsewhere clearly shows, on express condition of His
servant's forgiving as he is forgiven--Matthew vi. 14, 15); can that
slave, under these circumstances, assert and claim his rights over
his fellow?

And is not this principle of non-assertion, this aspect of
self-denial, a far-reaching one? Did our LORD claim His rights before
Pilate's bar, and assert Himself; or did His self-denial and
cross-bearing go the length of waiting for His FATHER'S vindication
of His character and claims? And shall we, in the prosecution of our
work as ambassadors of Him whose kingdom is not of this world, be
jealous of our own honour and rights, as men and as citizens of
Western countries, and seek to assert the one and claim the
other,--when what our MASTER wants is witness to, and reflection of,
His own character and earthly life, and illustrations of the
forbearing grace of our GOD and FATHER?

May GOD work in us, and we work out in daily life, not self-assertion
but self-denial--not ease and honour-seeking and right-maintaining,
but right-abandoning and cross-taking--and this for the glory of His
own holy Name, and for the better forwarding of His interests,
whether among His own people or among the unsaved!

All