fathers and mothers in the homes, you are there to look after God’s interests and to promote His kingdom. You must be Christian business men, Christian lawyers, Christian doctors, Christian teachers, Christian politicians, Christian parents. Be faithful to your trust! _So_ live, _so_ labour, that God’s kingdom may come! No wish or prayer of ours can make the summer come an hour before its time, or stave off by one hour the approach of grim winter, but it _does depend_ upon our prayers and labours whether it shall be soon or late that summer gladness shall come into the souls of men; whether it shall be soon or late that Christ shall see of the travail of His soul and be satisfied. Let me now proceed to the question, “_How is this kingdom to be established?_” Let me first say how it _cannot_. It cannot be established by force. Alexander, Cæsar, Napoleon built up their empires with the sword, and cemented them with blood, but not so is the kingdom of God to be established. Men have tried that method; they have used fire and sword to make God’s kingdom come. Peter had that spirit when he pointed to the two swords the disciples possessed. Mahomet followed this plan when he gave to men the alternative, either Islam or death. The Crusaders, spurred on by the burning eloquence of Peter the Hermit, committed the same blunder. The old Saxon and Gothic kings, who when they accepted Christianity themselves compelled their people to be baptised as well, followed the same mistaken method. But these people did not advance the kingdom of God one whit. You do not make a man a member of this kingdom by baptising him, or enrolling him among the adherents of a church, or by _calling_ him a Christian. Men must have their hearts changed, they must be born again. They must be willing to render glad obedience to their _Father_ King before they become members of this kingdom. Force may increase the numbers of a sect, it cannot add one to the membership of the kingdom. The sword may compel a man to change his name; it can never compel him to change his heart! Oh no; it is not by the sword that God’s kingdom will come. To all ecclesiastical persecutors Christ says, “Put the sword up into its sheath.” Not by the sword is the kingdom to come, but by the Cross! Constantine of old, when on the eve of a critical battle, dreamed he saw a cross in the sky, and around it this legend, Σὑ τουτῷ vῖκᾳ, “by this conquer.” That is the weapon we have to use in our warfare. That is the weapon whereby God’s kingdom is to be established. We are to conquer “by the Cross.” We are to conquer by the power of love. For the Cross means love—love at its best, love in the glory of sacrifice. The Cross is the power of God. It is by the story of the Cross that men’s hearts are to be broken, and their affection and allegiance won. “By this conquer” is the charge given to us. Preach the Cross! Exalt the dying Redeemer of men! When we lift Him up He will draw all men unto Him.