We all understand more or less of this earthly competition—this great endeavour to do our best, to see some result of our hard work, to have the joy of receiving a prize or of earning the approbation of the master who helps us to the attainment of our ideal. This is in an earthly school—now we are going to turn to the heavenly side of life. So when our Lord Jesus Christ, from that rocky eminence raised above the multitude, spoke to them and said— "Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven—" It seems to me that there is hidden in His words a Promise; and also a Way made plain, to obtain the Prize. So the first "Blessed" is: "Blessed are the poor in spirit"; and the promise is: "For theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven." "The poor in spirit" does not mean a weak man, but one who knows how likely he is to fail, and therefore does not trust in himself or his pride, but looks up into God's face, instead of into his own faulty doings. In a little country town in the West of England, about a hundred years ago, there lived a man who was spoken of as "half-witted." He was a general favourite; but if, at any time, he was twitted by the boys, or good-humouredly questioned by older people, his invariable answer was— "I'm a poor Sinner, and nothing at all; But Jesus Christ is my All-in-All." Whatever else he had missed, he had learned the blessedness of being "poor in spirit," and his reward has been, for many a long day, an entrance into "the Kingdom of Heaven." "Thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, Whose name is Holy: I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones." And now comes the Second "Blessed." "Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted." Ah! It is a sad thing to mourn! We know something about that in these sorrowful days. To lose the one whom we have loved so tenderly! To lose that which we have prized above any other earthly joy, and to know that it can never come back to us here! And yet our Lord says: "Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted." So the weary, sorrowful heart must turn to Jesus! "He healeth the broken in heart and bindeth up their wounds." "As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you." In Jesus is infinite comfort, if we will go to Him. The Third "Blessed." "Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth." "Now the man Moses was very meek." He was so ready to be taught, and to do God's Will, that "the Lord spoke to him face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend."