I. Secular work requires and cultivates certain active forces of character which are also required in the culture of the spiritual life, such, for example, as _clearness and definiteness of aim_: so that there shall be no working in the dark, or in ignorance of the special end to be attained. "This one thing I do." _Perseverance_, so that the end, once clearly ascertained and decided on, shall be steadily and unflinchingly pursued, until it is accomplished. _Prudence and foresight_, so that there shall be a wise adaptation of means. _Energy_, so that every opportunity and every appliance shall be used to the utmost. _Courage_, so that no difficulties shall dismay. All these forces acquire strength in the earthly sphere, which is a clear gain, and which may be brought to use in the spiritual. We, as Christians, have an end to pursue which must be clearly apprehended; we must not run uncertainly, or as one that beateth the air; we must persevere, running with patience the race that is set before us; our zeal must not be without knowledge; what our hands find to do we must do with our might; and we must be in nothing terrified by our adversaries. So far from being hindered in all this by the discipline of our common life, experience proves that indolence in secular business has a paralysing effect on spiritual exertion. In spiritual exertion man uses the same power as in secular, only the field of operation is different. But inasmuch as the same powers are wanted for both, the one may be a true auxiliary to the other. II. The same line of remark will apply to the _passive_ forces of character. They are wanted equally in the secular and the spiritual, and their cultivation in the one prepares them for use in the other. For example: _Submission._ Many a position in life is irksome and uncongenial; but nevertheless it should be accepted as God's providential arrangement on our behalf. "It is not in man that walketh to direct his steps."--_Patience._ Many a result has to be long worked for and long waited for, often with many disappointments and reverses.--_Contentment._ The worry of life, not its work, is that which burdens and kills. Looking on our position as one which God has appointed, we take it calmly as that which is best for us.--_Trust._ We have simply to rely on God for everything, remembering that our powers, opportunities, and results are all under His wise and loving control. "Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof," and sufficient also is the grace to bear it. Our hearts are wearied and worn only as we insist on carrying heavier burdens than God assigns to us. How clear it is that all these passive forces are needed in our secular work, if it is to be done well! But it is equally clear that they are needed just as much in our spiritual life. In it their growth is an essential element; and they have their bearing specially on Christian work--work done for the spread of religion in the world.