Many Christians have expressed the regret that they could not carry the high moments of a convention or the spiritual grip of a communion service back into the life of school, office, store, shop, factory, or home. The difference between the daily round of life and the climax of a spiritual assembly comes from a profound truth that is revealed in the Word of God.
It is necessary for us to have a fixed purpose if we are to do that which is well pleasing to our Lord and Master. There are too many Christians who seem to live and move by whim instead of by the will of the Lord. They are not steadfast to their tasks in life. Let us draw an illustration from the nature of the Scotch shepherd dog. If he is left to guard his master's coat, for example, he will not leave it until the master returns. Nothing can draw him from the task to which he was appointed.
The Christian life is presented to us in the Scriptures as a great warfare in which we are partakers. We have a great enemy, but we also have a great Ally. There is one, near at all times, who is the great hinderer and there is one, also near at all times, who is the great Helper.
Girls are accustomed to being told that their slip is showing, if such is the case. One who is told too often may be considered a careless dresser. Worse than letting a slip show, though, is letting one's soul show. I quote from a letter which said, "There are some awful souls talking in Christian speech." Awful souls? I began to think about it. I knew what was meant, of course, but there was something here that needed clarification.
Words are more interesting than any puzzle. Sometimes the history of a word opens up a window on the habits and customs of a past generation. The common English word "butcher," for example, takes us back through the French "boucher," when "bouc" or goat meat was the chief meat on the diet.
