THE INDWELLING CHRIST.

That spiritual life, which is the innermost recieving of Christ, that new life, which no man knows but he that has recieved it, that quickening of the spirit, which makes the christian as much superior to ordinary men, as men are above, dumb, driven cattle-if we recieve that blessed gift, then shall we with emphasis be entertaining our Lord as a stranger.
Profession is abundant, but the secret life is rare. The name to live is everywhere, but where is the life fully seen? To be rather than to talk, to enjoy rather than to pretend, to have Christ truly within, this is not every man's attainment, but those who have it are among the God-like ones, the true sons of God.
A strange thing is the fact that Jesus will deign to dwell in our hearts. Such a One as Jesus in such a one as I am! The King of glory in a sinner's bosom! This is a miracle of grace, yet the manner of it is simple enough. A humble repenting faith opens the door, and Jesus enters the heart at once. Love shuts to the door with the hand of penitence, and holy watchfulness keeps out intruders. Thus is the promise made good, "if any man hear My voice, and open the door I will come in to him, and will sup with him and he with Me." Meditation, contemplation, prayer, praise and daily obedience, keep the house in order for The Lord, and then follows the consecration of our entire nature to His use as a temple. The dedication of spirit, soul and body, and all their powers as holy vessels of the sanctuary, the writing of "holiness unto the Lord" upon all that is about us. until our everyday garments become vestments, our meals sacraments, our life a ministry and ourselves priests unto the Most High. Oh the supreme condescension of this indwelling! He never dwelt in an angel, but He resides in a contrite spirit. There is a world of meaning in the Redeemer's words " I in them. " May we know them as Paul translates them, "Christ in you, the hope of glory."