r sense, let us
keep the heavenly flame aglow upon the altar of the heart.

It takes very much less effort to maintain a good habit than to form it. A
true spiritual habit once formed becomes a spontaneous tendency of our
being, and we grow into delightful freedom in following it. "Let us not be
ever laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, but let us
go on unto perfection; and whereto we have already attained, let us walk
by the same rule, let us mind the same things."

Every spiritual habit begins with difficulty and effort and watchfulness,
but if we will only let it get thoroughly established, it will become a
channel along which currents of life will flow with divine spontaneousness
and freedom.

JANUARY 16.

"Prove what is that good, and acceptable and perfect will of God" (Rom.
xii. 2).

There are three conditions in which the water in that engine may be.
First, the boiler may be full and the water clean and clear; or, secondly,
the boiler may not only be full but the water may be hot, very hot, hot
enough to scald you, almost boiling; thirdly, it may be just one degree
hotter and at the boiling point, giving forth its vapor in clouds of
steam, pressing through the valves and driving the mighty piston which
turns the wheels and propels the train of cars across the country.

So there are three kinds of Christians. The first we will call cold water
Christians, or, perhaps better, clean water Christians.

Secondly, there are hot water Christians. They are almost at the boiling
point.

One degree more, we come to the third class of Christians, the boiling
water Christians. The difference is a very slight one; it simply takes one
reservation out, drops one "if," eliminates a single touch, and yet it is
all the difference in the world. That one degree changes that engine into
a motive power, not now a thing to be looked at, but a thing to go.

JANUARY 17.

"It is God which worketh in you" (Phil. ii. 13).

God has not two ways for any of us; but one; not two things for us to do
which we may choose between; but one best and highest choice. It is a
blessed thing to find and fill the perfect will of God. It is a blessed
thing to have our life laid out and our Christian work adjusted to God's
plan. Much strength is lost by working at a venture. Much spiritual force
is expended in wasted effort, and scattered, indefinite and inconstant
attempts at doing good. There is spirit