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BE YE SEPARATE."

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obtain the crown. Referring to this mark, the Apostle says, "Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended; but this one thing I do; forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus" (Phil. iii. 13, 14).

I have said this much by way of illustration, to show the difference between the reward or crown which is given for our works, and salvation, which is given for believing in the Lord Jesus Christ. As the race was not necessary, but voluntary, so the Christian's work which is to be rewarded must be voluntary. It is not necessary for salvation; but it is necessary in order to show forth the full thankfulness of the believer's heart.

This is especially the character of Christian work which is to be rewarded. Our salvation is given us that we may show forth the praises of Him who hath called us unto His eternal glory by Christ Jesus" (1 Peter v. 10).

Be Ye Separate."

2 COR. vi. 17.

By Lucy A. Bennett.

MUCH has been said and written on the subject of the separation of Christians from the world; and yet it would seem that the professed Church of Christ is still strangely blind to her privilege in this respect. I say privilege, for, far be it from us, dear readers, to speak or write of this matter as if it were an irksome and painful duty, and nothing more. A painful duty it has indeed sometimes. been. In many cases the following of the Lord's command has involved the taking up of a very definite cross, and

the step has required prayerful effort and holy courage But I am sure that wherever any child of God has, in obedience to the Lord's will, faithfully and loyally bowed to the "yoke" of Christ, it has been found, as dear old Rutherford would say, that "the cross of Christ is worth house-room," and that "the cross receiveth a beautiful lustre and a perfumed smell from Jesus." Let us not, then, bring up "an ill report of His cross." No, a thousand times, no! You may be very sure that St. John wrote truly when, inspired by the Holy Spirit, he penned those words, "His commandments are not grievous" (1 John v. 3). Oh that those who love the Lord Jesus would make it a point of honour to let their life and conversation testify that they know and prove the commandments to be "not grievous."

Unhesitatingly we say that those who have practically known most of the length and breadth of the Lord's declared will in reference to separation, have been amongst the happiest and most useful of Christians, and have set to their seal that God is true.

Thank God, we have met some such Christians! But, alas! how many of us have been shrinking back from our privilege in this direction. Alas! that, in too many instances, the dividing lines have become so faint that they can hardly be distinguished at all! The barriers have become so low, it would seem, that no effort is required to cross and re-cross them.

Is it not in this thing-perhaps more than in any otherthat the weakness of the Church's testimony lies to-day?

"Is it true that Mr. of it," was asked of one borne the name of Christ.

is a Christian?

I had no idea who for many a long year had

He had failed to let his light shine, and his neighbour, who had herself recently been brought to Jesus, was

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astonished to hear that he was a professed disciple of the same Master. She, rejoicing in her newly-found Saviour, could hardly understand the possibility of keeping her happiness to herself.

Oh, surely we should blush for shame if those who know us were to ask if we are the Lord's.

And yet, when we see, on all hands, Christians joining in all the world's ambitions, customs, and habits, imitating its sports and frivolities, etc., etc., is it not time to realize that the 66 narrow road" has, to a large degree, become unpopular; and that the Bride of Christ is in danger of forgetting her absent Lord's command, "Be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind" (Rom. xii. 2)? Are the readers of Christian Progress aiming at the fulfilment of this injunction in their own lives? Thank God, we believe that many of them are. But, oh, let us remember that the not being "conformed" is an essential condition of the being “transformed."

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O that Christians would honestly search the Word of God upon this matter, and from Genesis to Revelation they would find the mind of God shining forth with wondrous charms. In a brief paper, such as the present, it would be impossible to touch upon the many points involved; but we would, above all things, urge that our readers would prayerfully ponder God's own teaching; turning away from all man's interpretations to hear the very voice of the Master Himself.

It will then, I think, be clearly seen that consecration involves separation; runs parallel with it; cannot be severed from it. Consecration unto God obviously implies separation from all that is contrary to God,-separation "from all iniquity," and from all that is "of the world."

The Cross of Christ stands not only between us and our sin, but-similarly-between us and the world. The world

is to us, henceforth, the world that crucified our Lord. As crucified with Him, and raised from the dead with Him, we stand in the same relation to it that He does. This is the position He gives us by reason of our union with Him. Oh for the holy energy of faith that will voluntarily, yea, joyfully, accept the position, and cheerfully hasten to "go forth with Him without the camp, bearing His reproach" (Heb. xiii. 13). This is what is wanted to-day: the wholehearted leap that would place us side by side with earth's rejected One. Oh, believer, it is a safe, a blessed place. But Satan employs his most subtle arts to prevent our taking it; too often, successfully.

Repeatedly we hear it argued that it is necessary to make some concessions in order to win outsiders. "If we are too strict," it is pleaded, "we shall lose our influence with those we wish to help." There could hardly be a greater mistake. It is not necessary to prove this by argument, for your own experience, dear reader, will certainly do this, it you will candidly look at it.

You surely know, quite well, that unworthy compromises and worldly compliances do not really help you to win souls to Christ; do not assist you to wrestle for them in prayer. It could not be so.

Do you find that an evening spent together at the dance, the entertainment, or the worldly party has ever really helped you to influence a single soul for Christ? Do you use the opportunity in such a way as to lead your unconverted friend to Him? When you meet again, do you speak of the Lord Jesus or of the entertainment? Would not words of earnest warning, and loving solicitude for the soul's welfare, seem out of place" under such circumstances?

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Poor Lot may have been supposed to have rare opportunities for exerting a good influence on the Sodomites. Had his testimony any power? Ah! no. Even in the

"BE YE SEPARATE."

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matter of intercession, it was Abraham-the separated one-and not Lot, who could stand before God to plead for the doomed and guilty city.

Moses might have reasoned that his position in the household of Pharoah was quite a providential opening for him; a God-given means of using his influence on behalf of his oppressed brethren. (And the position was one which had come to him unsought.) But, no; divinely taught, and endowed with the true spirit of consecration, he forsook Egypt; refused to be called the son of Pharoah's daughter; choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season.

It would be easy to multiply such instances, but space forbids.

But whilst urging the importance of separation, let us never forget that it is a separation "unto God." Herein lies the privilege and true sacredness of the position. "I have severed you from other people, that ye should be Mine," ," is still the Lord's loving and solemn reminder to the Israel of faith. The vessel is "purged" that it may be "meet for the Master's use." Separation is a wretched form, unless it is the outgoing of the heart after its beloved object. It is most acceptable when it is the Bride forgetting her own people and her father's house, because enraptured and satisfied with her kingly Lord.

True separation will be active, too, and unselfish-willing to spend and be spent for Christ and for souls. The life in unison with His as 66 separate from sinners" will, like His, too, be the life which is a long yearning over the perishing ones around a life whose one business it is to glorify God and to seek and to save the lost ones. Ah, how far removed from the contemptible and un-Christlike spirit of "I am holier (or more separate) than thou!" As a writer

* Lev. xx. 26.

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