For the eyes of the Lord, run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. _II Chron. 16:9._ [Illustration: COPYRIGHT, 1895, BY FRED’K L. CHAPMAN & CO. COVERING HIS SINS.] [Illustration] THE SELF MADE MAN. Paul was not “a self made man,” for he said, “I can do all things through Christ that strengtheneth me.” That was his claim, and it is in pleasing contrast with those individuals whose boast is that their successful careers are monuments of their own endeavor. Crowned with pride, clothed with the tattered rags of self-righteous egotism, with garments a patch work of shabby gentility, such men divide their worship between their unworthy selves and the idol of Mammon which they draw in their train. The track over which they glide in such confident security is slippery and treacherous. Based simply upon reputation it is full of breaks and seams into which any moment the unsuspecting egotist may plunge. Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. _Prov. 16:18._ [Illustration: COPYRIGHT, 1896, BY FRED’K L. CHAPMAN & CO. THE SELF MADE MAN. “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.”――Prov. XII:15] [Illustration] THE STRAIT GATE. The invitations which God has extended for men to come into His kingdom are all broad and generous. “Every one,” and “whosoever,” these are the key words of His gracious command. And yet the summons to a better life and to future bliss is not entirely unqualified or unconditional. No man can with confidence approach the portals of heaven with a proud heart or with unclean lips or with hands stained with sin. The gate of heaven is high, but narrow. It will not admit the evidence of any worldly possession and by no means of the fruits of self-love or base ambition or sensuality, covetousness, pride or deceit. The strait gate is big enough for any sinner, but it is too small to admit his sins. And there shall in no wise enter into it anything that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life. _Rev. 21:27._ [Illustration: COPYRIGHT, 1895, BY FRED’K L. CHAPMAN & CO. ROOM FOR THE SINNER, BUT NONE FOR THE SINS.] [Illustration] PAY DAY. It is a solemn thought that life has no ending, but that some day there will be a season of harvest and a time of accounting, when each man must render a report of his stewardship and be rewarded or punished for the deeds done in the body. In that dread hour of settlement there will be no respect of persons. The rich and the poor, the great and lowly, must subject their moral natures to the same inflexible standard. The winnowing fan of God’s justice will spare not the proud nor powerful. They will all go to their own place. The chaff from the wheat, the sheep from the goats will be forever separate.