In action following upon zeal expresses in a few words the history of every era in which responsibility to maintain a divine position has been entrusted to God's people. And, may it not be added, inaction following upon zeal expresses briefly the story of the various revivals which have occurred amongst Christians-those revivals to truth and to Christ, wrought by the Spirit of God, which have taken place again and again since Pentecost!

These movements begin with faith in God, and faith's consequences-spiritual energy, zeal, self-denial, and the spirit of victory. Then, as time passes on, the middle age of the movement develops subsidence into acquired privileges, spiritual sloth, and dependence upon leaders rather than on God. After this follow adhesion to the traditions of elders instead of obedience to the word of God, and holding on to some special creed instead of to God Himself. The spirit of the soldier contending for God's truth on the earth is lost; direct dealing with God departs from the soul, worldliness ensues; and as Israel mingled with the nations around them, so does the rearward of what was once a divine movement become a camp-following, which soon is absorbed in the world. A state of indifference sets in, and a spirit of self-confidence prevails. God not being depended on, the Scripture not being the only rule, the leadings of God's Spirit are neglected, and human complacency abounds. The memories of the past are substituted for the living energy of the present; the feather-bed of religious custom for the hardships of spiritual progress. Laxity and pretension are near neighbors in the soul. Lukewarmness in the things God loves in His people, and the assertion, "We have need of nothing" (Rev. 3:16, 17), are the twofold signs of a degenerate spirit.

Recovery from such a state is through the discipline of God's hand, often severe, always solemn. How the anguish of Israel, recorded in the book of Judges, evidences this truth! And it should not be forgotten that anguish was but the reaping of the fruits sown, as recorded in the latter part of the book of Joshua. God will not permit the inflation, the boast, the unreal state that pride begets, to continue amongst His people. His severe hand of government, inflicting suffering, leads, through His grace, to self-judgment in His people; to humiliation, and its invariable accompaniment, prayer. And then it is, sin and shame being honestly mourned over and confessed, and the sins truly forsaken, God once more becomes the present help of His own, revives their hearts, recovers their strength, and renews their victories. For God is God, and He changes not. H. F. W.