God, in fitting any servant for special service, often subjects him to painful discipline of soul: the end of this training is the breaking down self-confidence, so that when at last the servant goes forth to his work he says, "Who am I?" The flesh will not say, "Who am I?" But to this we must be brought ere God can put us to honourable use. We are not the most useful when most wordy, but when most prayerful. Though God marks that which is wrong in His servants, notwithstanding all their faithfulness, He never forgets that which is right in them, notwithstanding all their imperfections. If we do not live _beyond_ time, we are not fit to live _in_ time. We cannot bestow kindnesses upon the unconverted for Christ's sake without obtaining peculiar fellowship with God. That man is miserable who is wrapped up in himself and cares not for others; such a man keeps happiness outside, and bolts the door against her. The ways of Christ in the days of His flesh are the true pattern for His people. It is a mark of steady progress in the ways of God, when a servant of Christ, like his Master, makes no choice of service, seeking only to please his Lord. If by walking before God we rise above the praise of men, we shall not be vexed or discouraged by their disapproval and blame. He that is humble, and ever desiring to serve others, will surely find others desiring to serve him. If we have but the heart to serve Christ, He will surely employ us; and if He have any special service for us, He will grant us special guidance. (Acts 8:26.) The conversion of sinners, the prosperity of saints—these are precious things, but not the object of the soul: that should be to please God. The moment a servant acts independently, he acts from himself, and out of character. (John 21:3.) In all you do be the servant of Christ, forgetting yourself -- engrossed with Him. We need readiness of heart, and skilfulness of hands, to serve the church of God aright. Service to Christ There is much that the Lord's true servants do which no human eye takes knowledge of. What they do they are to do as to the Lord, and to look for reward from Him; learning also to have fellowship with Christ in His sufferings and service. It is our wisdom not to seek praise of men: if, in our intercourse with saints, rather than look after a good name, we seek to approve ourselves to God, a good name will surely follow us. Look not at the quantity, but at the quality of your service, whatsoever that service may be. If it be preaching, preaching is not the first thing: the heart must first be kept; then two or three words spoken in the power of the Spirit may avail more than many a long discourse. Forgiveness