In God's School. "The Law was our schoolmaster, till Christ." That is a reference to the pedagogue, or child-leader, who conducted the child from his house to the school. It must not be thought that we are free from school, because we are free from the law. For that, grace which bringeth salvation teacheth us. We are only truly in God's school when brought to Christ. And what a Teacher He is! It is not condemnation, not the harsh rebuke of One who is ready to mark the slightest slip from perfection, but rather the welcome and comfort of perfect love.

"Even when He chideth Tender is His tone."

And yet what lessons He teaches! Lessons of infinite purity, of unsullied holiness, a holiness that detects not only the glaring blemishes that the world might see, but is "a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."

"Who teacheth like Him?" (Job 36:22). First He gives rest and peace to the conscience:"Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matt. 11:28). This is the first thing He gives, not a distant goal to be attained, but "peace by the blood of His cross," and "therefore being justified by faith we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Rom. 5:1). Will the recipient prove worthy? Will he hold out to the end? Such would be the questions of human reserve; all blessing would be made contingent upon subsequent faithfulness. This would rob us of the very rest which divine love bestows – "I will give you rest." Blessed be His name, He does not fail.

But next He adds, "Take my yoke upon you and learn-of Me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and ye shall find rest to your souls." He gives us rest, and then calls us into His school where the Teacher imparts the blessed sense of what He Himself is, and what He will impart to us. He lays His yoke upon us.-Is it heavy? The world might think so. Paul in prison with his feet in the stocks seems to be bearing a heavy yoke-in the mob at Ephesus-beaten by the Jews-floating on a piece of broken ship-or "driven up and down in Adria" for fourteen days- it surely might seem a heavy yoke; but he says, "None of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I may finish my course with joy." No, it is a light and easy yoke, for love fills the heart, and "the love of Christ constrained! us." He teaches us by laying the yoke of His service on our hearts. "I am meek and lowly in heart." Oh, to be like our Lord! "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.'' Blessed lesson; perfect Teacher of love and grace, producing holiness, love and likeness to Himself! "Who teacheth like Him?"

"I have learned" (Phil. 4:11). Paul is not yet a graduate from the Lord's school; he will never be that this side of glory-"Not as though I had already attained." In a very real sense we shall never graduate.

"We want Thee here each hour of need, Shall want Thee too in glory."

But Paul had learned this lesson, that self, circumstances, joy or sorrow, were not to come between his soul and the Lord. Christ was his all. What a lesson! No wonder he adds, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."
Can we say, "I have learned"? Oh, beloved brethren, nothing can take the place of this. Intellectual grasp of truth, ability to present it eloquently and forcibly, untiring activity in service-these cannot, must not displace the blessed Teacher and His wondrous lesson, "Learn of Me." "Who teacheth like Him?" "That which I see not teach Thou me; if I have done iniquity, I will do no more" (Job 34:32). Here is the peaceable fruit of being in the school of God. Things which once had power over us-the world with its allurements, the flesh with its desires, Satan with his subtle wiles-these things are seen in their true light, and we learn to do folly no more. "I will hear what God the Lord will speak, for He will speak peace unto His people and to His saints:but let them not turn again to folly" (Ps. 85:8).

Lord, we are dull scholars, slow and wayward learners in Thy school, but we would know in practical experience the blessedness of that word, "Who teacheth like Him?"

The broken snare. "Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the hand of the fowlers:the snare is broken, and we are escaped" (Ps. 124:7). What a pitiful sight is a poor bird captured in a snare! Its vain struggles but render it more helpless, but then a strong kind hand breaks the snare! See the poor straggler soar aloft in freedom! Hear its song of joy! And oh, what joy fills the heart of the child of God who has been ensnared, when the Lord sets him free! "The snare is broken, and we are escaped." "I acknowledged my sin unto Thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid…. and Thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin… Thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance" (Ps. 32).

May we know in fuller measure the emancipating power of our blessed Lord.

Prayer. We must not overlook the place which Paul gave to prayer. "We cease not to make mention of you in our prayers." "For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." These and frequent scriptures shows how the beloved apostle labored fervently for the saints in prayer. Similarly, he yearned for their prayers. "Brethren, pray for us," "Withal praying also for us." We need for ourselves the quieting, strengthening effects of secret prayer, and others need our intercessions. We little realize the benefits we thus bring to many an individual and to companies of the Lord's people. May we give ourselves increasingly unto prayer.

A soldier of the Salvation Army entering a public house was addressed by some one thus:"You are a Salvation Army soldier, I see; but where are your arms?"-"Do you wish to see them?" answered the Salvationist. "Yes," said the man:"That's what I want."

The Salvationist drew out a little hymn-book from his pocket and sang a few stanzas. "This is my first weapon," he said. Then taking out a New Testament he read a few appropriate passages, and said, "This is my next weapon. But our third weapon is a powerful one," and the Salvationist dropped on his knees and prayed for his questioner. The result was that the man who had sought to make mirth at the expense of our friend became himself a soldier of Jesus Christ whom he called "My Saviour!"