body could gather whether they were on
the Lord's side or not, as they stood and sang their neutral songs. The
banner that was displayed in the class-room was furled in the
drawing-room. Now, my friends, you who have or may have far greater
opportunities of displaying that banner than we womenkind, why should you
be less brave and loyal than your sisters? We are weak and you are strong
naturally, but recollect that want of decision always involves want of
power, and compromising Christians are always weak Christians. You will
never be mighty to the pulling down of strongholds while you have one
foot in the enemy's camp, or on the supposed neutral ground, if such can
exist (which I doubt), between the camps. You will never be a terror to
the devil till you have enlisted every gift and faculty on the Lord's
side. Here is a thing in which you may practically carry out the splendid
motto, 'All for Jesus.' You cannot be all for Him as long as your voice
is not for Him. Which shall it be? _All_ for Him, or _partly_ for Him?
Answer that to Him whom you call Master and Lord.

When once this drawing-room question is settled, there is not much need
to expatiate about other forms of singing for Jesus. As we have
opportunity we shall be willing to do good with our pleasant gift in any
way or place, and it is wonderful what nice opportunities He makes for
us. Whether to one little sick child or to a thousand listeners,
according to the powers and openings granted, we shall take our happy
position among those who minister with singing (1 Chron. vi. 32). And in
so far as we really do this unto the Lord, I am quite sure He gives the
hundred-fold now in this present time more than all the showy songs or
self-gratifying performances we may have left for His sake. As we
steadily tread this part of the path of consecration, we shall find the
difficulties left behind, and the real pleasantness of the way reached,
and it will be a delight to say to oneself, 'I _cannot_ sing the old
songs;' and though you have thought it quite enough to say, 'With my song
will I please my friends,' especially if they happen to be pleased with a
mildly sacred song or two, you will strike a higher and happier, a richer
and purer note, and say with David, 'With my song will I praise _Him_.'
David said also, 'My lips shall greatly rejoice _when_ I sing unto Thee,
and my soul, which Thou hast redeemed.' And you will find that this comes
true.

Singing for Jes