When one has had a measure of blessing in the Lord's service, how quickly Satan seeks to turn it to evil by stirring up the pride of our heart! He gets us then to think of ourselves more highly than we ought to think. We forget that it is not the vessel which, refreshes, but its contents. It is not the man who brings the message who blesses souls; it is the message itself. It is not the pitcher which quenches our thirst, but the water which the pitcher pours out.

How necessary, therefore, that each vessel whom the Lord calls and sends should be filled with that which edifies His people! Nothing but His word edifies them; therefore He says, " Preach the Word." How necessary, too, that the vessel should be in a state of soul suited to his message. If he realizes the responsibilities of his calling, it will prevent his being easily inflated over the success he may have. Every child added to the family brings its share of care as well as of joy.

Christ must needs fill our heart with Himself if we are going to be vessels for the refreshment of others. We must enjoy the Bread of Life if we set out to minister it to those who know it not. We must appreciate the grace which God has shown us if we are going to be proclaimers of His grace. There may be natural sweetness, courtesy, oratory; but that is not what meets the needs of dying men and women. I am very thirsty. Here on the table .is a showy pitcher. I cannot use it; it is filled with beautiful flowers. On the sideboard is a brilliant vessel of cut glass. I cannot use it; it is filled with sweetmeats. But there, in a corner of the pantry shelf, I find a plain tumbler; it is clean and bright, ready for use. It takes in the cool, refreshing water, and I drink from it with thankfulness. How constantly our natural things illustrate the spiritual! However superior the other vessels may have been in various ways, they were unsuited to my need. The plain tumbler, ready to be filled with fresh water, was the one which ministered to me. F.