anepileptos_
(without reproach).

Also Matt. xii. 5, where _anaitios_ (guiltless) is used.

Also 2 Pet. iii. 14, where _amometos_ (blameless) is employed.

Also Luke i. 6; Phil. ii. 15, and iii. 6; 1 Thess. ii. 10, iii. 13; and
v. 23, where _amemptos_ (without blame) is the word used.

These words describe a state or condition of heart and life which is not
only attainable here, but imperative; and the passages we have just been
reading prove that it _has_ been attained. This is what is meant by a
clean heart, to be "blameless," not "faultless."

"I was sitting alone in the twilight,
With spirit troubled and vexed,
With thoughts that were morbid and gloomy,
And faith that was sadly perplexed.

"Some homely work I was doing
For the child of my love and care;
Some stitches half wearily setting
In the endless need of repair.

"But my thoughts were about the building,
The work some day to be tried,
And that only the gold and the silver,
And the precious stones should abide.

"And remembering my own poor efforts,
The wretched work I had done,
And even when trying most truly,
The meager success I had won:

"'It is nothing but wood, hay and stubble,'
I said; 'it will all be burned;
This useless fruit of the talents
One day to be returned;

"'And I have _so_ longed to serve Him,
And sometimes I know I have tried;
But I'm sure when He sees such building,
He will never let it abide.'

"Just then as I turned the garment,
That no rent should be left behind,
Mine eye caught an odd little bungle
Of mending and patchwork combined.

"My heart grew suddenly tender,
And something blinded mine eyes
With one of those sweet inspirations,
That sometimes make us so wise.

"Dear child! she wanted to help me,
I knew 'twas the best she could do;
But oh! what a botch she had made of it,
The gray mismatching the blue!

"And yet, can you understand it?
With a tender smile and a tear,
And a half compassionate yearning,
I feel her grow more dear.

"Then a sweet voice broke the silence,
And the dear Lord said to me,
'Art thou tenderer for thy little child
Than I am tender for thee?'

"Then straightway I knew His meaning,
So full of compassion and love;
And my faith came back to its refuge,
Like the glad returning dove.

"So, I thought, when the Master Builder
Comes