See to it, O beloved, that you do not lose the deep fervency of love.  Keep it burning in all its brightness and warmth; and the works and labor and patience are sure to follow.  But do not let your works, and labor, and patience deceive you.  See that there is an underlying principle of love in all you do.  If your works and labor and patience be devoid of love, there will be a secret desire in your heart to attract attention, and a longing for a bit of praise.  But if all is done in purest sincere godly love, the joy you will find in doing is a full and sufficient reward.  And, may the Lord give you understanding.

THE LITTLE FOXES.

One little fox is, “Some other time.”  If you track him up, you come to his hole—­never.

Another little fox is, “I can’t." Just set on him a plucky little “I can,” and he will kill him for you.

Another bad little fox is, “Just a little” pride, self-will, worldly conformity, etc.  That little mischief will strip the whole vine if left go.

Another malignant little fox is “I haven’t faith." He slips into the vineyard through a knot-hole called self.  You can shut him out by removing the self-plank and filling up with Jesus only.

Another bad little fox is, “I haven’t power." Be sure and catch him.  If you will take the pains to dig him up, you will find his nest some where beyond the end of your present consecration.  It will pay you to take him, if you have to “dig deep” and work hard.

Another devouring little fox is, “My church.”  “Salt” and “fire” is the sure and only antidote for such nasty vermin.

We will point out one more little fox, and he is able to devour all the fruit of the vineyard and kill the very vines.  His species is “Fear.”  One good dose of “perfect love” will kill him stone-dead.  And a constant application of the blood of Christ will prevent this, with all other little or big foxes, yea, and all other animals, ever coming to life again.

SPIRITUAL DECLENSION.

A want of interest in the duties of secret devotion is a mark of religious declension.  It is well said that prayer is the Christian’s vital breath.  A devout spirit is truly the life and soul of godliness.  The soul can not but delight in communion with what it loves with warm affection.  The disciple, when his graces are in exercise, does not enter into his closet and shut the door, that he may pray to his Father who is in secret, merely because it is a duty which must be done, but because it is a service which he delights to render, a pleasure which he is unwilling to forego.  He goes to the mercy-seat as the thirsty hart goes to the refreshing brook.  The springs of his strength are there.  There he has blessed glimpses of his Savior’s face, and unnumbered proofs of his affection.