+V. Let us remember certain things for our own encouragement.+ 1. _We are not left to learn this art alone:_ we have the constant help of the most reasonable, patient, and successful of all teachers. We are disciples of _Christ._ How much that means! He does not expect us to become proficients in a few lessons. He remembers that the most advanced of us are only little children in His great school. If He sees in us the earnest _desire_ and the resolute _endeavour_ to learn, He is well satisfied.[5] He will most carefully adapt His methods of instruction to our individual capacity. He will lead us on to the goal step by step. Already in countless thousands of instances He has dealt successfully with most intractable materials: scholars who seemed hopelessly dull and inapt He has so instructed that they have passed the great examination that awaits us all at death; and they are now carrying on their studies in the great university of heaven. 2. _In no other art does progress bring so much happiness:_ the testimony of a good conscience; consciousness of the approval of God; a pleasant retrospect, brightening hopes. 3. _In no other art does proficiency ensure such rich rewards._ Proficiency in any other art can but win for us the honours and joys of earth; proficiency in this will secure for us the honours and joys of heaven. It is one great doctrine of Scripture, that we are _saved_ through our faith: it is another, that we are _rewarded_ according to our works. FOOTNOTES: [1] The process of being born again is like that which a portrait goes through under the hand of the artist. When a man is converted, he is but the outline sketch of a character which he is to fill up. He first lays in the dead colouring. Then come the work of laying in the colours, and he goes on, day after day, week after week, month after month, year after year, blending them, and heightening the effect. It is a life's work; and when he dies he is still laying in and blending the colours, and heightening the effect. And if men suppose the work is done when they are converted, why should we expect anything but lopsided Christian character?--_Beecher._ Who starts up a finished Christian? The very best men come from their graves, like Lazarus, "bound with grave-clothes,"--not like Jesus, who left the death-dress behind Him; and, alas! in their remaining corruptions all carry some of these cerements about with them, nor drop them but at the gate of heaven.--_Guthrie._ [2] God deals in spiritual proceedings, as in natural, to extremes by the mean. We are not born old men; but first an infant, then a man, then old. We are conceived of immortal seed, born of the Spirit, so go on to perfection. There is first a seed, then a plant, then a tree. We go not at one jump into heaven, nor at one stroke kill the enemy.--_Adams,_ 1643.