PILGRIM WATCH THY CROWN. Life is a journey and as pilgrims we tread its pathway, resting now and then for refreshment or ease. It is during these periods of rest that Satan employs every art to wrest from the traveler his dearest possession, his crown of life, which secures him an ample entrance to the heavenly city beyond. Folly, which represents the sensuous pleasures of the world, is employed to display her gaudy charms in order that the eye of the wayfarer may be turned aside and give Satan the opportunity to snatch the coveted treasure. At such moments let the Christian keep his crown before his eye, nor let him look back at the allurements and false pleasures which he has left behind. For, as a reward for this vigilance, a crown of life is assured him, one that is imperishable and brilliant and that fadeth not away. Behold, I come quickly; hold that fast which thou hast that no man take thy crown. _Rev. 3:11._ [Illustration: COPYRIGHT, 1895, BY FRED’K L. CHAPMAN & CO. PILGRIM WATCH THY CROWN.] [Illustration] THE BACKSLIDER. At the brink of Niagara where the mists rise above tons of water which fall two hundred feet below, there is a rainbow seen almost constantly when the sun is shining, and within the circle of color some have seen the form of a beautiful maiden. One who was in a boat above the falls might see this entrancing vision and drop his oars and gaze rapturously, until, all unconscious, his boat glides over the brink and to destruction. The Christian also is in danger of such a fate. The world offers beauty and pleasure, and in such fascinating forms that it takes resolute will to keep from dropping the oars and drifting with the current of temptation and letting the good boat, which would save us, glide over the precipice into sin and into death. So will not we go back from thee; quicken us, and we will call upon thy name. Turn us again, O Lord God of hosts, cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved. _Psalms 80:18–19._ [Illustration: COPYRIGHT, 1895, BY FRED’K L. CHAPMAN & CO. THE BACKSLIDER.] [Illustration] DARE TO BE A DANIEL! The resolute faith that enabled Daniel to face the den of lions is at the command of any child of God today, and nothing else will avail as an armor and defense when the ravenous beasts of passion, appetite, covetousness and revenge attack us in temptation’s hour. The source of strength in such emergencies is a childlike faith in God and the fount of that faith is His Holy Word. In the security which faith inspires, the den of torture and trial becomes luminous as the Mount of Transfiguration to those who resist evil and dare to stand true. For in that He himself hath suffered being tempted, He is able to succor them that are tempted. _Heb. 2:18._ [Illustration: COPYRIGHT, 1895, BY FRED’K L. CHAPMAN & CO. DARE TO BE A DANIEL!] [Illustration] THE REMAINING GUEST.