They abode with Him that day. That is about all some of us ever do, then we wake up to actualities, self-interest arises and the abiding is passed.

There is no condition of life in which we cannot abide in Jesus.

"Thou art Simon, thou shalt be called Cephas." God writes the new name on those places only in our lives where He has erased the pride and self-sufficiency and self-interest.

Some of us have the new name in spots only, like spiritual measles. In sections we look all right. When we have our best spiritual mood on, you would think we were very high-toned saints; but don't look at us when we are not in that mood.

The disciple is one who has the new name written all over him; self-interest and pride and self-sufficiency have been completely erased.

Pride is the deification of self, and this to-day in some of us is not of the order of the Pharisee, but of the publican.

To say "Oh, I'm no saint," is acceptable to human pride, but it is unconscious blasphemy against God.

It literally means that you defy God to make you a saint, "I am much too weak and hopeless, I am outside the reach of the Atonement."

Humility before men may be unconscious blasphemy before God.

Why are you not a saint? It is either that you do not want to be a saint, or that you do not believe God can make you one.

It would be all right, you say, if God saved you and took you straight to heaven. That is just what He will do!

"We will come unto him, and make our abode with him." Make no conditions, let Jesus be everything, and He will take you home with Him not only for a day, but for ever.

I wonder what it was that lured your feet to follow Him upon His homeward way. Was it mere eagerness to see the street, and house in which He sojourned, and to stay at closer quarters with Him for one day?

Or, did you feel a strange attractive Power, which lured you from your boat beside the bay; when, heeding not the passing of the hour, and caring not what other folk might say, you made your home with Him for that brief day?

Perhaps you felt a holy discontent, after the hours spent in that presence fair? Certain it is you thenceforth were intent on fishing men; for, from His side you went, and straightway brought your brother to Him there!

Oh, Andrew! you could never be the same, after the contact of that wondrous day. You ne’er again could play with passion’s flame, or harbor pride or hate, or grasp for fame, or give to avarice a place to stay.

Rather, I think, you might be heard to say, “Something about Him burned my pride away, and cooled my hate and changed it for Love’s way. After the healing contact of that stay, I must bring Simon to have one such day!”

And, ever after, as men passed your way, they would be conscious of some strange, new spell; some unexplained, mysterious miracle. Then, in an awe-filled whisper they would say, “Andrew is greatly altered since that day!”

Oh! Wondrous Sojourner on life’s dark way. Savior! Who understands what sinners say, Grant me to come beneath Thy magic sway, lest, rough-edged, loveless, sin-stained, I should stay, lacking the impress of just such a day! ELEANOR VELLACOTT WOOD

Stradivari of Cremona is said to have marked every one of the priceless violins which he made with the name of Jesus, and so well-known did this become that his work is still called “Stradivarius del Gesu.”

If our lives might become equally well known because of that sacred mark by which He said that all men shall know, there would be more people who, like the blind beggar, would come to Him that they might receive their sight and who, too, would worship Him.

In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.—To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne.

Thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.

Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.—How excellent is thy loving-kindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings.