urpassing brilliance have been translated to
higher planes of being. Perhaps our Lord had reached this material
consummation, and was now on the wonderful border land, and could by
choice slip into "the glory!"

But He made another choice. And this was, of a truth, the "great
renunciation!" He turned His back on the glory, and deliberately faced the
darkening way which led to Calvary and the grave. I do not wonder that His
mysterious visitors spake with Him "of the decease which He should
accomplish at Jerusalem." He could talk about nothing else! He "set His
face to go."

And in my Master's choice of death I find my hope of life. Through "the
dark gate" I can find "the mount." My transfiguration is made possible in
His humiliation. If my Lord had never descended I could never have
ascended. If He had abode on the mount I should have remained in my sin.
He has "opened to me the gates of righteousness."

JULY The Eleventh

_THE FRIEND OF THE BRIDEGROOM_

"_He that hath the bride is the bridegroom._"
--JOHN iii. 23-36.

We ministers sometimes speak of "my church." I occasionally read of Mr.
So-and-So's church! I know that the phrase is colloquially used, but
nevertheless, it is unfortunate. Words that are perversely used tend to
pervert the spirit. And this phrase tends to displace the Bridegroom. It
helps to make us obtrusive, unduly aggressive, when we ought to be
reverently hiding our faces with our wings. The Bride is His!

"_But the friend of the bridegroom._" That is my place, and that is my
dignity. And what a title it is, making me a member of the finest and most
select aristocracy in heaven or on earth! The "friend of the bridegroom"
used to carry messages to the bride, to share in the wooing, and to help
to bring the wedding about. And that, too, is my gracious office, to be a
match-maker for my Lord, to testify concerning Him, to speak His praises,
until the soul "fall in love" with Him.

"_He must increase, but I must decrease._" Yes, when the sun is rising the
moon becomes dim! When the glory of the Bridegroom breaks upon the bride
He becomes "all in all," "the chief among ten thousand, and the altogether
lovely."

JULY The Twelfth

_PREPARING HIS SERVANTS_

JOHN i. 35-51.

Our Lord does not stumble upon His disciples by accident. His discoveries
are not surprises. He knows where His nuggets lie. Before He calls to
service He has been secretly preparing the servant. "I girded t