+III. In learning to do well, we need both inspiration and help.+ We have both; the _inspiration_ in the example of our Lord (Acts x. 38; Heb. xii. 2); the _help_ in the gracious assistance of the Holy Ghost (Rom. viii. 26). Therefore, difficult as the task is, we may address ourselves to it with good hope of success.--_William Jones._ FOOTNOTES: [1] All the religion of some men runs upon _nots._ "I am not as this publican." That ground is nought, though it brings not forth briars and thorns, if it yieldeth not good increase. Not only the unruly servant (Matt. xxiv. 48, 49) is cast into hell, but also the _idle_ servant (Matt. xxv. 30). Meroz is cursed not for opposing and fighting, but for not helping. Dives did not take away food from Lazarus, but he did not give him any of his crumbs. "I set up no other gods;" ay, but dost thou reverence and obey the true God? "I do not profane the Sabbath." Dost thou sanctify it? Thou dost not wrong thy parents; but dost thou reverence them? Thou dost not murder; but dost thou do good to thy neighbour? Usually men cut off half of their bill, as the unjust steward bade the man who owed a hundred set down fifty. We do not think of sins of omission. If we are no drunkards, adulterers, and profane persons, we do not think what it is to omit respects to God, not to reverence His holy majesty, not to delight in Him and His ways.--_Monton,_ 1620-1667. [2] Fighting faults is the most discouraging thing in the world. When corn reaches a certain height, no more weeds can grow among it. The corn overshadows and grows them down. Let men fill themselves full of good things. Let them make their love and purity and kindness grow up like corn, that every evil and noxious thing within them may be overshadowed and die.--_Beecher._ [3] No man is born into the full Christian character, any more than he is born into the character of a man when he comes into the world. A man at conversion is in the state of one who has just come in to the possession of an old homestead. He had the title, and he can make for himself a beautiful home. But the dust, the dirt, and the cobwebs of years choke all the rooms, and must be cleared away. Many sills and beams are rotten, and must be replaced by new ones. Chambers must be refitted, walls newly plastered, the whole roof must be searched over, and every leak stopped. There must be a thorough cleansing and repair before the mansion is habitable; and when all this is done, it is only _an empty house_ that the man has. The same kind of thing that man has _who has trained himself into freedom from wrong, without having become faithful in right deeds._--_Beecher._