all who are in suffering and persecution. Behold the elevated position of the Christian! Banished by sin from Paradise, dead in trespasses, and condemned by the law, he has, through the grace of Christ and the power of the Spirit, been brought into the favour and light of God; he is one with Christ. When he appears before the Father, he appears not merely as a creature in humility, as a sinner in contrition, as a suppliant, full of wants and weakness, but he appears as one with Christ, possessed of the spirit of the Son of God, a royal priest, seeking the Father's glory, longing for the Father's kingdom, and supplicating in Christ's name the fulfilment of God's promises concerning the Church and the world. It is in intercession that the Christian most fully enters into his glorious liberty. Then he is not a servant, but a friend, to whom God has revealed His plans and purposes; as Jesus intercedes above, he intercedes below; He fulfils the measure of prayer, for Christ and the Church are one. And while his heart is filled with love, the wings of faith carry him beyond all difficulties and storms of time, so that, calm, collected, and hopeful, he looks forward to the victory of God's holy cause upon earth.
Pray especially for the ministers of the gospel, that they may set forth the love of God to the conversion of many souls. Pray for them that they may not shun to declare the whole counsel of God, so that they may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. Remember their difficulties. To be anxious for souls
