die." So may we die to the old
life of self and sin, and live the new life of entire surrender to our
risen Lord!

"If Christ would live and reign in me,
I must die, I must die.
Like him I crucified must be,
I must die, I must die.
So dead that no desire may rise,
To pass for good, or great, or wise,
To any but my Savior's eyes,--
Let me die, let me die."

STUDY X.

THE SPIRIT'S WITNESS.

Memory Verse: "The Spirit Himself beareth witness with our spirit that
we are children of God."--(Rom. viii, 16, R.V.)

Scripture for Meditation: 1 John v, 1-15.

When the life has been wholly surrendered to God, and Christ, the
crucified and risen Savior, is enthroned in the heart and confessed
before men, then the blessed assurance of our sonship with God will be
clear and joyous. No longer shall we say, "I hope I am a Christian," or,
"I am trying to be a Christian;" but, like Paul, we shall exclaim, "I
know whom I have believed."

The witness of the Spirit will give a holy confidence to the
soul-winner.

"What we have seen and felt,
With confidence we tell."

Much of the timidity and reluctance shown by Christians toward personal
work may be traced to a refusal or neglect to live the surrendered life
and have the clear assurance of acceptance with God.

This direct testimony to our adoption is given only by the Holy Spirit,
and given only to believers because they are the sons of God. It is
God's seal which he places upon his own, and we then no longer receive
the spirit of bondage unto fear; but we receive the spirit of adoption
whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The voice of God is heard in the soul
bearing witness to our acceptance, and then the fruit of the Spirit
speedily follows in the life to corroborate the inner voice and "give
unmistakable confirmation to the testimony which was primary and
direct."

To some, this assurance comes like a sudden flash from the sky; to
others, like the gentle breathing of the evening zephyr. But it comes,
_it surely comes_; and no soul should be satisfied until it comes; for
it is essential to a useful, joyous life. Look up now, and with eager
expectancy await the "blessed assurance."

"Why should the children of a King
Go mourning all their days?
Great Comforter, descend and bring
The tokens of thy grace.

Assure my conscience of her part
In the Redeemer's blood;
An