learned that obedience was now trusted to a principle, to the very substance of life itself. Love was the fulfilment of their law. It was not hindered in its manifestation even by unworthiness. The pure love of the founder of Christianity which came to save sinners was the conquering impulse in His followers. It was the spectacle of love's descent. It descends without defilement. It is the only preservation from the impurity of the world and the withering forces about the heart, from the shrivelling and benumbing environment into which we are thrust. Christianity is the only religion based on love. It encircles every moral obligation and every path of duty. The law is not destroyed, but dignified and exalted. It is not a religion of fear, or idolatry, or pharisaism. The only question over the doorway to the Church of Christ is, "Lovest thou the Son of God?" That is profound, and sweeping, and allinclusive. Creed is partial and unjust, and does not carry everything essential. It may even be outside of any relation to the heart. There are few formulated theologies, but many Christians. Love is prophetic insight, and sympathetic touch and unbroken relation with everything pure, and true, and

lovely.

Answer that question honestly and you have answered all.

The heart has now unveiled its secret, and that is the essence of religion. That forced the cry from the lips of Matthew Henry, "I would count it a greater happiness to gain one soul to Christ than mountains of silver and gold to myself." That holy impulse made John Knox agonize in prayer, "Oh, God, give me Scotland, or I die." It was said that every word of some of Webster's great speeches weighed pounds, but every word of love's expression can never be balanced upon human scales. Richard Sheridan said, "I go to hear Rowland Hill because his heart is red-hot with love." Dr. John Mason declared that the secret of Chalmer's success was the blood-earnestness of his heart. The Chinese convert knew what would save the heathen world when he said, "We want men with red-hot hearts to tell us of the love of Christ."

"Go consult the Wiseacres," some one said to the young man who was anxious to make his life tell most for good.

Solomon Wiseacre-they called him "Uncle Sol" familiarly-said: "Young man, sharpen your wits so that you won't dare to draw your finger

across the edge. Then you'll cut your way through the knottiest problems. Brains rule in this world.”

The young man held his wits on the college grindstone for four years until they were as keen and polished as a Damascus blade. But with all his vigor of intellectual grasp on the truth, something seemed lacking. Men admired the truth he so clearly presented, but did not give a quick and hearty response to its demands. So he came back to his advisers.

The second Wiseacre, Jehu-better known as "Uncle Hustler "-spoke: "What you need is more energy. It is the men of tremendous vitality, the men who can push their purposes hard, that control other men. Earnestness is the watchword.

Go back and try hustling."

Then the young man went at it like a steamengine. He would win success by sheer force of personality. But, while this accomplished more than his clear-cut logic, yet people seemed to be drawn after him rather than after the truth. He still craved the power that would enable him to get close to them and touch their lives for good. So again he sought the Wiseacres.

This time it was Charity Wiseacre who spoke.

"My dear fellow, sit down and cross your right leg over your left knee. Now tell me what makes your right foot jump so every second. It is the power of heart-throbs; and that is the power that moves the world. It was not the keenness of Jesus' intellect, though none, surely, could boast a keener; nor was it the intense power of his unique personality that moved and still moves the multitudes, so much as the fact that he himself was moved with compassion for them. Go out and try heart-power, my boy."

The thought of his Master stirred the heart of the young worker with a profound, pitying love for men, and when he saw them again it was as though a new pair of eyes had been given him. There was something in them that appealed to his sympathies, and they began to draw to him as to a magnet. "Surely," said he to himself, "not intellect, nor push, but love, is the greatest thing in the world."

When Cromwell was to undertake the difficult task of conquering England for God and the people by destroying tyranny and dethroning the unrighteous king, he went to Parliament and said: "I want no more of this army. I want some few men who

make a conscience of what they do. I want some few men who are conscientious enough to perform their duties from motives of the heart. I want men who love God; not men who love Him a little, but they who love Him much." He demanded that these men be examined as to whether they loved God or not, and when they found a man ready to face death because of his love for God and humanity, they placed him in the ranks. He was greatly outnumbered by his opponents, but he established the liberty of England. Love wrought the mighty miracle. Washington was asked by General Lee if he had the least idea that he would be able to hold out against England. Lee was in favor of giving up the cause and of appointing commissioners between the English army and Washington, but Washington said, "Not while the Americans love their army.' This was the creator of their astonishing bravery, and true bravery can never be defeated. The snows and hardships of the severest winter could not thwart the holy purpose of love. Napoleon's soldiers, it is said, loved their cannon and called them by the sweet names of their mothers, and wives, and lovers. They regarded them as their protectors, and would even kiss them.