is
children. "Ye are God's temple; ye are God's building." As the life of
the vine is the life of the branches, so is Christ our life. The Lord
is ever at hand; not only _around_ us, but _in_ us. And he is not only
able but ready at all times to do us all the good we are capable of
receiving from his hand. Say not then, "I cannot repent;" for one
earnest, believing, trusting look to him, with whom all things are
possible, will cause the tears of penitence to flow down your face in
a stream that will "make glad the city of our God," rebuilt with its
walls, in your heart.

But the Lord tries to encourage his _lost-love_ children with promises
additional to those of his presence, love and power. He sets forth
inducements of a character that surpasses all worldly considerations
as far as the heaven is high above the earth. Notice some of them: "To
him that overcometh, to him will I give to eat of the tree of life,
which is in the midst of the paradise of God." To eat of the tree of
life is to enjoy all the blessedness and happiness of a heavenly life.
"In the paradise of God" is a figure taken from the garden of Eden,
for paradise means garden. We sometimes wonder at the folly of our
first parents in disobeying God's commands, and thus bringing upon
themselves the disgrace and ruin which followed. But do we not act
after the same manner when we disobey the Lord? We as surely deprive
ourselves of the enjoyments of his favor and conscious presence as
they did. But through his abounding love in Christ Jesus we can be
reclaimed and reinstated sooner than they. Thanks be to God, the
scheme of redemption and salvation is now complete; and we are not now
required to wait four thousand years to have the head of the serpent
bruised under our feet. Neither is there a flaming sword of
threatening vengeance to guard the gate against our return. We are
invited to return. The gate is open. Yea, the Lord himself is the
gate. He stands beckoning, even calling and saying: "I am the way; I
am the door. By me, if any man enter in, he shall be saved." The
paradise of God, the garden of Eden, is planted by the Lord in the
heart of every true follower of his. This is a great truth. When we
are in heavenly frames of feeling we are in a state to enjoy its cool
shade and partake of its fruits. There the sun does not light upon us,
nor any unpleasant heat.

Hoping that what I have said in much weakness may be made strong by
the Spirit of God, unt