gain, you can adorn the doctrine by your _consistent living_. To
profess one thing and practise another is a blot on the profession, and
a despicable thing. What I may call mere Meeting piety, platform or
parlour Holiness, will not stand the weather. It is too much like the
painted sparrows sold as canaries--the paint comes off and the real
nature of the bird is revealed. For instance, how can you ornament the
truth if, after testifying here, you go out to gossip and slander and
injure your neighbour? The word lived out is more powerful than its
mere repetition. The teaching may be good and powerful, the testimony
still more so; but the evidence of the life and spirit is the most
powerful of all.

I heard somebody tell a story about a man who was too pious to shave
himself on Sunday, and yet he was pretty keen during the other six days
trying, in his business, to 'shave' other people. I hope you are not
among that sort.

If you want to adorn this doctrine, there must be the beauties of a
happy, consistent character and life, otherwise it goes for nothing.

I do not ask the adornment of education, nor the polish of culture,
so-called; neither do I ask a sanctimonious attitude; I only claim from
you professors of the blessing the beauties of grace in your personal
character and conduct. The endorsement of the lip by the life is only
equalled by the discount to the teaching caused by some inconsistent
action or unfaithfulness in the teacher or professor. An angry word,
even a flash of the eye, has been known to take the point off some
well-given talk or testimony. A lack of kindly consideration, which
looks like selfish indulgence, is not easily atoned for, even by
illuminating speeches. As one has said, 'The words ever go to the level
of the life--up or down'.

Talking about Holiness has small effect unless it is to be seen in your
disposition, in your ordinary life, in your loving consideration for
other people, or in your patient endurance of injury, real or
imaginary. Without that your profession of Holiness is mere talk
without adorning.

3. You must also adorn the doctrine by your _zeal for God and souls_.
Holiness means the possession of the Christ-spirit, the passion for
saving others, with reasonable efforts to secure what you seek.

When God sanctifies your soul He makes a great inward light; the
purpose is not to be your own selfish enjoyment, but that you may be
better qualified as a minister of blessing