Icopythevirtuesonebyone。\"
ThedifficultyaboutthecopyingmethodisthatitisapttobemechanicalOnecanalwaystellanengravingfromapicture，anartificialflowerfromarealflowerTocopyvirtuesonebyonehassomewhatthesameeffectaseradicatingthevicesonebyone；
thetemporaryresultisanoverbalancedandincongruouscharacter。
SomeonedefinesaPRIGas\"acreaturethatisover-fedforitssize。\"OnesometimesfindsChristiansofthisspecies——over-fedononesideoftheirnature，butdismallythinandstarvedlookingontheotherTheresult，forinstance，ofcopyingHumility，andaddingitontoanotherwiseworldlylife，issimplygrotesqueA
rabidtemperanceadvocate，forthesamereason，isoftenthepoorestofcreatures，flourishingonasinglevirtue，andquiteobliviousthathisTemperanceismakingaworsemanofhimandnotabetter。
TheseareexamplesoffinevirtuesspoiledbyassociationwithmeancompanionsCharacterisaunity，andallthevirtuesmustadvancetogethertomaketheperfectman。
Thismethodofsanctification，nevertheless，isinthetruedirection。
Itisonlyinthedetailsofexecutionthatitfails。
4AfourthmethodIneedscarcelymention，foritisavariationonthosealreadynamedItisTheveryyoungman\'smethod；
andthepureearnestnessofitmakesitalmostdesecrationtotouchitItistokeepaprivatenote-bookwithcolumnsforthedaysoftheweek，andalistofvirtues，withspacesagainsteachformarksthis，withmanysternrulesforpreface，isstoredawayinasecretplace，andfromtimetotime，atnightfall，thesoulisarraignedbeforeitasbeforeaprivatejudgmentbar。
ThislivingbycodewasFranklin\'smethod；andIsupposethousandsmorecouldtellhowtheyhadhungupintheirbedrooms，orhidinlocked-fastdrawers，theruleswhichonesolemndaytheydrewuptoshapetheirlives。
Thismethodisnoterroneous，onlysomehowitssuccessispoor。
YoubearmewitnessthatitfailsAnditfailsgenerallyforverymatter-of-factreasons——mostlikelybecauseonedayweforgettherules。
Allthesemethodsthathavebeennamed——theself-sufficientmethod，theself-crucifixionmethod，themimeticmethod，andthediarymethod——areperfectlyhuman，perfectlynatural，perfectlyignorant，andastheystandperfectlyinadequateItisnotargued，Irepeat，thattheymustbeabandonedTheirharmisratherthattheydistractattentionfromthetrueworkingmethod，andsecureafairresultattheexpenseoftheperfectoneWhatthatperfectmethodisweshallnowgoontoask。
ITheformulaofsanctification。
Aformula，areceiptforSanctification——canoneseriouslyspeakofthismightychangeasiftheprocesswereasdefiniteasfortheproductionofsomanyvoltsofelectricity？
ItisimpossibletodoubtitShallamechanicalexperimentsucceedinfallibly，andtheonevitalexperimentofhumanityremainachance？Iscorntogrowbymethod，andcharacterbycaprice？
Ifwecannotcalculatetoacertaintythattheforcesofreligionwilldotheirwork，thenisreligionvainAndifwecannotexpressthelawoftheseforcesinsimplewords，thenisChristianitynottheworld\'sreligion，buttheworld\'sconundrum。
Where，then，shallonelookforsuchaformula？Whereonewouldlookforanyformula——amongthetext-booksAndifweturntothetext-booksofChristianityweshallfindaformulaforthisproblemasclearandpreciseasanyinthemechanicalsciencesIfthissimplerule，moreover，bebutfollowedfearlessly，itwillyieldtheresultofaperfectcharacterassurelyasanyresultthatisguaranteedbythelawsofnature。
ThefinestexpressionofthisruleinScripture，orindeedinanyliterature，isprobablyonedrawnupandcondensedintoasingleversebyPaulYouwillfinditinaletter——thesecondtotheCorinthians——writtenbyhimtosomeChristianpeoplewho，inacitywhichwasabywordfordepravityandlicentiousness，wereseekingthehigherlifeToseethepointofthewordswemusttakethemfromtheimmenselyimprovedrenderingoftheRevisedtranslation，fortheolderVersioninthiscasegreatlyobscuresthesense。
Theyarethese:
\"Weall，withunveiledfacereflectingasamirrorthegloryoftheLord，aretransformedintothesameimagefromglorytoglory，evenasfromtheLord，theSpirit。\"
Nowobserveattheoutsettheentirecontractionofallourpreviousefforts，inthesimplepassive:\"WEARETRANSFORMED。\"
WeARECHANGED，astheOldVersionhasit——wedonotchangeourselvesNomancanchangehimselfThroughouttheNewTestamentyouwillfindthatwhereverthesemoralandspiritualtransformationsaredescribedtheverbsareinthepassivePresentlyitwillbepointedoutthatthereisaRATIONALEinthis；butmeantimedonottossthesewordsasideasifthispassivitydeniedallhumaneffortorignoredintelligiblelawWhatisimpliedforthesoulhereisnomorethaniseverywhereclaimedforthebodyInphysiologytheverbsdescribingtheprocessesofgrowthareinthepassive。
Growthisnotvoluntary；ittakesplace，ithappens，itiswroughtuponmatterSohere\"Yemustbebornagain\"——wecannotbebornourselves\"Benotconformedtothisworld，butBEYETRANSFORMED\"——wearesubjectstotransforminginfluence，wedonottransformourselves。
Notmorecertainisitthatitissomethingoutsidethethermometerthatproducesachangeinthethermometer，thatitisSomethingoutsidethesoulofmanthatproducesamoralchangeuponhimThathemustbesusceptibletothatchange，thathemustbeapartytoit，goeswithoutsaying；
butthatneitherhisaptitudenorhiswillcanproduceit，isequallycertain。
Obviousasitoughttoseem，thismaybetosomeanalmoststartlingrevelationThechangewehavebeenstrivingafterisnottobeproducedbyanymorestrivingItistobewroughtuponusbythemouldingofhandsbeyondourownAsthebranchascends，andthebudbursts，andthefruitreddensundertheco-operationofinfluencesfromtheoutsideair，somanrisestothehigherstatureunderinvisiblepressuresfromwithouttheradicaldefectofallourformermethodsofsanctificationwastheattempttogeneratefromwithinthatwhichcanonlybewroughtuponusfromwithout。
TheradicaldefectofallourformermethodsofsanctificationwastheattempttogeneratefromwithinthatwhichcanonlybewroughtuponusfromwithoutAccordingtothefirstLawofMotion，everybodycontinuesinitsstateofrest，orofuniformmotioninastraightline，exceptinsofarasitmaybecompelledBY
IMPRESSEDFORCEStochangethatstateThisisalsoafirstlawofChristianityEveryman\'scharacterremainsasitis，orcontinuesinthedirectioninwhichitisgoing，untilitiscompelledBY
IMPRESSEDFORCEStochangethatstateOurfailurehasbeenthefailuretoputourselvesinthewayoftheimpressedforcesThereisaclay，andthereisaPotter；wehavetriedtogettheclaytomouldtheclay。
Whence，then，thesepressures，andwherethisPotter？Theansweroftheformulais——\"ByreflectingasamirrorthegloryoftheLordwearechanged。\"ButthisisnotveryclearWhatisthe\"glory\"
oftheLord，andhowcanmortalmanreflectit，andhowcanthatactasan\"impressedforce\"inmouldinghimtoanoblerform？Theword\"glory\"——thewordwhichhastobeartheweightofholdingthese\"impressedforces\"——isastrangerincurrentspeech，andourfirstdutyistoseekoutitsequivalentinworkingEnglishItsuggestsatfirstaradianceofsomekind，somethingdazzlingorglittering，somehalosuchastheoldmasterslovedtopaintroundtheheadoftheirEcceHomosButthatispaint，merematter，thevisiblesymbolofsomeunseenthingWhatisthatunseenthing？Itisthatofallunseenthingsthemostradiant，themostbeautiful，themostDivine，andthatisCHARACTEROnearth，inHeaven，thereisnothingsogreat，sogloriousasthisThewordhasmanymeanings；inethicsitcanhavebutoneGloryischaracter，andnothingless，anditcanbenothingmoreTheearthis\"fullofthegloryoftheLord，\"becauseitisfullofHischaracterThe\"BeautyoftheLord\"ischaracter\"TheGloryoftheOnlyBegotten\"ischaracter，thecharacterwhichis\"fullnessofgraceandtruth。\"AndwhenGodtoldHispeopleHISNAME，HesimplygavethemHischaracter，HischaracterwhichwasHimself:\"AndtheLordproclaimedthenamefortheLord……theLord，theLordGod，mercifulandgracious，long-sufferingandabundantingoodnessandtruth。\"
Glorythenisnotsomethingintangible，orghostly，ortranscendental。
Ifitwerethis，howcouldPaulaskmentoreflectit？StrippedofitsphysicalenswathementitisBeauty，moralandspiritualBeauty，Beautyinfinitelyreal，infinitelyexalted，yetinfinitelynearandinfinitelycommunicable。
Withthisexplanationreadoverthesentenceoncemoreinparaphrase:WeallreflectingasamirrorthecharacterofChristaretransformedintothesameImagefromcharactertocharacter——fromapoorcharactertoabetterone，fromabetteronetoalittlebetterstill，fromthattoonestillmorecomplete，untilbyslowdegreesthePerfectImageisattainedHereThesolutionoftheproblemofsanctificationiscompressedintoasentence:ReflectthecharacterofChrist。
Youwillbechanged，inspiteofyourselfandunknowntoyourself，intothesameimagefromcharactertocharacter。
(I。)Allmenarereflectors——thatisThefirstlawonwhichthisformulaisbasedOneoftheaptestdescriptionsofahumanbeingisthatheisamirrorAswesatattableto-nighttheworldinwhicheachofuslivedandmovedthroughthisdaywasfocusedintheroomWhatwesawwhenwelookedatoneanotherwasnotoneanother，butoneanother\'sworldWewereanarrangementofmirrorsThesceneswesawwereallreproduced；thepeoplewemetwalkedtoandfro；theyspoke，theybowed，theypassedusby，dideverythingoveragainasifithadbeenrealWhenwetalked，wewerebutlookingatourownmirroranddescribingwhatflittedacrossit；ourlisteningwasnothearing，butseeing——webutlookedonourneighbor\'smirror。
AllhumanintercourseisaseeingofreflectionsImeetastrangerinarailwaycarriageThecadenceofhisfirstwordstellmeheisEnglishandcomesfromYorkshireWithoutknowingithehasreflectedhisbirthplace，hisparents，andthelonghistoryoftheirraceEvenphysiologicallyheisamirrorHissecondsentencerecordsthatheisapolitician，andafaintreflectioninthewayhepronouncesTHETIMESrevealshispartyInhisnextremarksI
seereflectedawholeworldofexperiencesThebookshehasread，thepeoplehehasmet，thecompanionshekeeps，theinfluencesthathaveplayeduponhimandmadehimthemanheis——theseareallregisteredtherebyapenwhichletsnothingpass，andwhosewritingcanNeverbeblottedout。
WhatIamreadinginhimmeantimeheisalsoreadinginme；andbeforethejourneyisoverwecouldhalfwriteeachother\'slives。
Whetherwelikeitornot，weliveinglasshousesThemind，thememory，thesoul，issimplyavastchamberpaneledwithlooking-glass。
Anduponthismiraculousarrangementandendowmentdependsthecapacityofmortalsoulsto\"reflectthecharacteroftheLord。\"
(2)ButthisisnotallIfallthesevariedreflectionsfromourso-calledsecretlifearepatenttotheworld，howclosethewriting，completetherecordwithinthesoulitself!FortheinfluenceswemeetarenotsimplyheldforamomentonthepolishedsurfaceandthrownoffagainintospaceEachisretainedwherefirstitfell，andstoredupinthesoulforever。
Thislawofassimilationisthesecond，andbyfarthemostimpressivetruthwhichunderliestheformulaofsanctification——thetruththatmenarenotonlymirrors，butthatthesemirrors，sofarfrombeingmerereflectorsofthefleetingthingstheysee，transferintotheirowninmostsubstance，andholdinpermanentpreservationthethingsthattheyreflect。
NooneknowshowthesoulcanholdthesethingsNooneknowshowthemiracleisdoneNophenomenoninnature，noprocessinchemistry，nochapterinnecromancycaneverhelpustobegintounderstandthisamazingoperationFor，thinkofit，thepastisnotonlyFOCUSEDthere，inaman\'ssoul，itISthereHowcoulditbereflectedfromthereifitwerenotthere？Allthingsthathehaseverseen，known，felt，believedofthesurroundingworldarenowwithinhim，havebecomepartofhim，inpartarehim——hehasbeenchangedintotheirimageHemaydenyit，hemayresentit，buttheyarethereTheydonotadheretohim，theyaretransfusedthroughhimHecannotalterorrubthemoutTheyarenotinhismemory，theyareinHIMHissoulisastheyhavefilledit，madeit，leftitThesethings，thesebooks，theseevents，theseinfluencesarehismakersIntheirhandsarelifeanddeath，beautyanddeformityWhenoncetheimageorlikenessofanyoftheseisfairypresentedtothesoul，nopoweronearthcanhindertwothingshappening——itmustbeabsorbedintothesoulandforeverreflectedbackagainfromcharacter。
Upontheseastoundingyetperfectlyobviouspsychologicalfacts，PaulbaseshisdoctrineofsanctificationHeseesthatcharacterisathingbuiltupbyslowdegrees，thatitishourlychangingforbetterorforworseaccordingtotheimageswhichflitacrossitOnestepfurtherandthewholelengthandbreadthoftheapplicationoftheseideastothecentralproblemofreligionwillstandbeforeus。
IIThealchemyofinfluence。
Ifeventschangemen，muchmorepersonsNomancanmeetanotheronthestreetwithoutmakingsomemarkuponhimWesayweexchangewordswhenwemeet；whatweexchangeissoulsAndwhenintercourseisverycloseandveryfrequent，socompleteisthisexchangethatrecognizablebitsoftheonesoulbegintoshowintheother\'snature，andthesecondisconsciousofasimilarandgrowingdebttothefirst。
Now，webecomelikethosewhomwehabituallyreflectIcouldprovefromsciencethatapplieseventothephysicalframeworkofanimals——thattheyareinfluencedandorganicallychangedbytheenvironmentinwhichtheylife。
Thismysteriousapproximatingoftwosouls，whohasnotwitnessed？
Whohasnotwatchedsomeoldcouplecomedownlife\'spilgrimagehandinhand，withsuchgentletrustandjoyinoneanotherthattheirveryfacesworetheself-samelook？Thesewerenottwosouls；itwasacompositesoulItdidnotmattertowhichofthetwoyouspoke，youwouldhavesaidthesamewordstoeitherItwasquiteindifferentwhichreplied，eachwouldhavesaidthesame。
Halfacentury\'sREFLECTINGhadtolduponthem；theywerechangedintothesameimageItistheLawofInfluencethatWEBECOME
LIKETHOSEWHOMWEHABITUALLYREFLECT:thesehadbecomelikebecausetheyhabituallyreflectedThroughalltherangeofliterature，ofhistory，andbiographythislawpresidesMenareallmosaicsofothermenTherewasasavorofDavidaboutJonathan，andasavorofJonathanaboutDavidMetempsychosisisafactGeorgeEliot\'smessagetotheworldwasthatmenandwomenmakemenandwomenTheFamily，thecradleofmankind，hasnomeaningapartfromthisSocietyitselfisnothingbutarallyingpointfortheseomnipotentforcestodotheirworkOnthedoctrineofInfluence，inshort，thewholevastpyramidofhumanityisbuilt。
ButitwasreservedforPaultomakethesupremeapplicationoftheLawofInfluenceItwasatremendousinferencetomake，butheneverhesitatedHehimselfwasachangedman；heknewexactlywhathaddoneit；
ItwasChrist。
OntheDamascusroadtheymet，andfromthathourhislifewasabsorbedinHisTheeffectcouldnotbutfollow——onwords，ondeeds，oncareer，oncreedThe\"impressedforces\"didtheirvitalworkHebecamelikeHimWhomhehabituallyloved\"Soweall，\"
hewrites，\"reflectingasamirrorthegloryofChrist，arechangedintothesameimage。\"
Nothingcouldbemoresimple，moreintelligible，morenatural，moresupernaturalItisananalogyfromanevery-dayfactSincewearewhatwearebytheimpactsofthosewhosurroundus，thosewhosurroundthemselveswiththehighestwillbethosewhochangeintothehighestTherearesomemenandsomewomeninwhosecompanyweareAlwaysatourbest。
WhilewiththemwecannotthinkmeanthoughtsorspeakungenerouswordsTheirmerepresenceiselevation，purification，sanctity。
Allthebeststopsinournaturearedrawnoutbytheirintercourse，andwefindamusicinoursoulsthatwasnevertherebefore。
SupposeevenTHATinfluenceprolongedthroughamonth，ayear，alifetime，andwhatcouldnotlifebecome？There，evenonthecommonplaneoflife，talkingourlanguage，walkingourstreets，workingsidebyside，aresanctifiersofsouls；here，breathingthroughcommonclay，isHeaven；here，energieschargedeventhroughatemporalmediumwiththevirtueofregenerationIftolivewithmen，dilutedtothemillionthdegreewiththevirtueoftheHighest，canexaltandpurifythenature，whatboundscanbesettotheinfluenceofChrist？TolivewithSocrates——withunveiledface——musthavemadeonewise；withAristides，justFrancisAssisimusthavemadeonegentle；Savonarola，strongButtohavelivedwithChristmusthavemadeonelikeChrist:thatistosay，ACHRISTIAN。
Asamatteroffact，tolivewithChristdidproducethiseffect。
ItproduceditinthecaseofPaulAndduringChrist\'slifetimetheexperimentwastriedinanevenmorestartlingformAfewraw，unspiritual，uninspiringmen，wereadmittedtotheinnercircleofHisfriendshipThechangebeganatonceDaybydaywecanalmostseethefirstdisciplegrowFirsttherestealsoverthemthefaintestpossibleadumbrationofHischaracter，andoccasionally，veryoccasionally，theydoathingorsayathingthattheycouldnothavedoneorsaidhadtheynotbeenlivingthereSlowlythespellofHisLifedeepensReachafterreachoftheirnatureisovertaken，thawed，subjugated，sanctifiedTheirmannersoftens，theirwordsbecomemoregentle，theirconductmoreunselfishAsswallowswhohavefoundasummer，asfrozenbudsthespring，theirstarvedhumanityburstsintoafullerlifeTheydonotknowhowitis，buttheyaredifferentmen。
OnedaytheyfindthemselvesliketheirMaster，goingaboutanddoinggoodTothemselvesitisunaccountable，buttheycannotdootherwisetheywerenottoldtodoit，itcametothemtodoitButthepeoplewhowatchthemknowwellhowtoaccountforit——\"Theyhavebeen，\"theywhisper，\"withJesus。\"Alreadyeven，themarkandsealofHischaracterisuponthem——\"TheyhavebeenwithJesus。\"Unparalleledphenomenon，thatthesepoorfishermenshouldremindothermenofChrist!StupendousvictoryandmysteryofRegenerationthatmortalmenshouldsuggestGODtotheworld!
Thereissomethingalmostmeltinginthewayhiscontemporaries，andJohnespecially，speakoftheinfluenceofChristJohnlivedhimselfindailywonderatHim；hewasoverpowered，over-awed，entranced，transfiguredTohisminditwasimpossibleforanyonetocomeunderthisinfluenceandeverbethesameagain\"WhosoeverabidethinHimsinnethnot，\"hesaidItwasinconceivablethatheshouldsin，asinconceivableasthaticeshouldliveinaburningsun，ordarknesscoexistwithnoonIfanyonedidsin，itwastoJohnthesimpleproofthathecouldneverhavemetChrist。
\"Whosoeversinneth，\"heexclaims，\"hathnotseenHIM，neitherknownHIM。\"SinwasabashedinthisPresenceItsrootwitheredItsswayandvictorywereforeveratanend。
ButthesewereHiscontemporariesItwaseasyforTHEMtobeinfluencedbyHim，fortheywereeverydayandallthedaytogether。
Buthowcanwemirrorthatwhichwehaveneverseen？HowcanallthisstupendousresultbeproducedbyaMemory，bythescantiestofallBiographies，byOnewholivedandleftthiseartheighteenhundredyearsago？Howcanmodernmento-daymakeChrist，theabsentChrist，theirmostconstantcompanionstill？
TheansweristhatFriendshipisaspiritualthing。
ItisindependentofMatter，orSpace，orTimeThatwhichI
loveinmyfriendisnotthatwhichIseeWhatinfluencesmeinmyfriendisnothisbodybuthisspiritHeinfluencesmeaboutasmuchinhisabsenceasinhispresenceItwouldhavebeenanineffableexperiencetrulytohavelivedatthattime——
\"IthinkwhenIreadthesweetstoryofold，HowwhenJesuswashereamongmen，Hetooklittlechildrenlikelambstohisfold，IshouldliketohavebeenwithHimthen。
\"IwishthatHishandhadbeenlaidonmyhead，ThatHisarmshadbeenthrownaroundme，AndthatIhadseenHiskindlookwhenhesaid，\'Letthelittleonescomeuntome。\'\"
Andyet，ifChristweretocomeintotheworldagain，fewofusprobablywouldeverhaveachanceofseeingHimMillionsofhersubjectsinthelittlecountryofEnglandhaveneverseentheirownQueenAndtherewouldbemillionsofthesubjectsofChristwhocouldnevergetwithinspeakingdistanceofHimifHewerehereWerememberHesaid:\"Itisexpedientforyou(notFORME)
thatIgoaway\"；becausebygoingawayHecouldreallybenearertousthanHewouldhavebeenifHehadstayedhereItwouldbegeographicallyandphysicallyimpossibleformostofustobeinfluencedbyHispersonhadHeremainedAndsoourcommunionwithHimisaspiritualcompanionship；butnotdifferentfrommostcompanionships，which，whenyoupressthemdowntotheroots，youwillfindtobeessentiallyspiritual。
Allfriendship，alllove，humanandDivine，ispurelyspiritual。
ItwasafterHewasrisenthatHeinfluencedeventhedisciplesmostHence，inreflectingthecharacterofChrist，itisnorealobstaclethatwemayneverhavebeeninvisiblecontactwithHimself。
TherelivedonceayounggirlwhoseperfectgraceofcharacterwasthewonderofthosewhoknewherSheworeonherneckagoldlocketwhichnoonewaseverallowedtoopenOneday，inamomentofunusualconfidence，oneofhercompanionswasallowedtotouchitsspringandlearnitssecretShesawwrittenthesewords——
\"WhomhavingnotseenIlove。\"
ThatwasthesecretofherbeautifullifeShehadbeenchangedintotheSameImage。
Nowthisisnotimitation，butamuchdeeperthingMarkthisdistinction，forthedifferenceintheprocessaswellasintheresult，maybeasgreatasthatbetweenaphotographsecuredbytheinfalliblepencilofthesun，andtherudeoutlinefromaschool-boy\'schalkImitationismechanical，reflectionorganic。
Theoneisoccasional，theotherhabitualIntheonecase，mancomestoGodandimitateshim；intheother，GodcomestomanandimprintsHimselfuponhimItisquitetruethatthereisanimitationofChristwhichamountstoreflectionButPaul\'stermincludesallthattheotherholds，andisopentonomistake。
What，then，isthepracticallesson？Itisobvious\"MakeChristyourmostconstantcompanion\"——thisiswhatitpracticallymeansforusBemoreunderHisinfluencesthanunderanyotherinfluence。
TenminutesspentinHissocietyeveryday，ay，twominutesifitbefacetoface，andhearttoheart，willmakethewholedaydifferentEverycharacterhasaninwardspring，——letChristbeitEveryactionhasakey-note，——letChristsetit。
YesterdayyougotacertainletterYousatdownandwroteareplywhichalmostscorchedthepaperYoupickedthecruelestadjectivesyouknewandsentitforth，withoutapangtodoitsruthlesswork。
YoudidthatbecauseyourlifewassetinthewrongkeyYoubeganthedaywiththemirrorplacedatthewrongangle。
Tomorrowatday-break，turnittowardsHim，andeventoyourenemythefashionofyourcountenancewillbechangedWhateveryouthendo，onethingyouwillfindyoucouldnotdo——youcouldnotwritethatletterYourfirstimpulsemaybethesame，yourjudgementmaybeunchanged，butifyoutryittheinkwilldryonyourpen，andyouwillrisefromyourdeskanunavenged，butgreaterandmoreChristianmanThroughoutthewholedayyouractions，downtothelastdetail，willdohomagetothatearlyvision。
YesterdayyouthoughtmostlyaboutyourselfTodaythepoorwillmeetyou，andyouwillfeedthemThehelpless，thetempted，thesad，willthrongaboutyou，andeachyouwillbefriendWherewereallthesepeopleyesterday？Wheretheyaretoday，butyoudidnotseethemItisinreflectedlightthatthepoorareseenButyoursoultodayisNotattheordinaryangle。
\"Thingswhicharenotseen\"arevisibleForafewshorthoursyoulivetheEternalLifeTheeternallife，thelifeoffaith，issimplythelifeofahighervisionFaithisanattitude——amirrorsetattherightangle。
Whentomorrowisover，andintheeveningyoureviewit，youwillwonderhowyoudiditYouwillnotbeconsciousthatyoustroveforanything，orimitatedanything，orcrucifiedanythingYouwillbeconsciousofChrist；thatHewaswithyou，thatwithoutcompulsionyouwereyetcompelled；thatwithoutforce，ornoise，orproclamation，therevolutionwasaccomplishedYoudonotcongratulateyourselfasonewhohasdoneamightydeed，orachievedapersonalsuccess，orstoredupafundof\"Christianexperience\"
toensurethesameresultagainWhatyouareconsciousofis\"thegloryoftheLord。\"Andwhattheworldisconsciousof，iftheresultbeatrueone，isalso\"thegloryoftheLord。\"Inlookingatamirroronedoesnotseethemirror，orthinkofit，butonlyofwhatitreflectsForamirrornevercallstheattentiontoitself——exceptwhenthereareflawsinit。
Letmesayawordortwomoreabouttheeffectswhichnecessarilymustfollowfromthiscontact，orfellowship，withChristI
neednotquotethetextsuponthesubject——thetextsaboutabidinginChrist\"HethatabidethinHimsinnethnot。\"YoucannotsinwhenyouarestandinginfrontofChristYousimplycannotdoit。
Again:\"IfyeabideinMe，andMywordsabideinyou，yeshallaskwhatyewill，anditshallbedoneuntoyou。\"Thinkofthat!
ThatisanotherinevitableconsequenceAndthereisyetanother:
\"HethatabidethinMe，thesamebringethforthmuchfruit。\"
Sinlessness——answeredprayer——muchfruit。
Butinadditiontothesethings，seehowmanyofthehighestChristianvirtuesandexperiencesnecessarilyflowfromtheassumptionofthatattitudetowardsChristForinstance，themomentyouassumethatrelationtoChristyoubegintoknowwhattheCHILD-SPIRIT
isYoustandbeforeChrist，andHebecomesyourTeacher，andyouinstinctivelybecomedocileThenyoulearnalsotobecomeCHARITABLEandTOLERANT；becauseyouarelearningofHim，andHeis\"meekandlowlyinheart，\"andyoucatchthatspiritThatisabitofHischaracterbeingreflectedintoyoursInsteadofbeingcriticalandself-asserting，youbecomehumbleandhavethemindofalittlechild。
Ithink，further，theonlywayoflearningwhatFAITHisistoknowChristandbeinHiscompanyYouhearsermonsabouttheninedifferentkindsoffaith——distinctionsdrawnbetweentherightkindoffaithandthewrong——andsermonstellingyouhowtogetfaithSofarasIcansee，thereisOnlyonewayinwhichfaithisgot，anditisthesameinthereligiousworldasitisintheworldofmenandwomenIlearntotrustyou，mybrother，justasIgettotrustmejustasyougettoknowmeI
donottrustyouasastranger，butasIcomeintocontactwithyou，andwatchyou，andlivewithyou，Ifindoutthatyouaretrustworthy，andIcometotrustmyselftoyou，andtoleanuponyouButIdonotdothattoastranger。
ThewaytotrustChrististoknowChristYoucannothelptrustingHimthemYouarechangedByknowingHimfaithisbegotteninyou，ascauseandeffectTotrustHimwithoutknowingHimasthousandsdo，isnotfaith，butcredulityIbelieveagreatdealofprayerforfaithisthrownawayWhatweshouldprayforisthatwemaybeabletofulfillthecondition，andwhenwehavefulfilledthecondition，thefaithnecessarilyfollowsTheway，therefore，toincreaseourfaithistoincreaseourintimacywithChristWetrustHimmoreandmorethebetterweknowHim。
AndthenanotherimmediateeffectofthiswayofsanctifyingthecharacteristhetranquilitythatitbringsovertheChristianlifeHowdisturbedanddistressedandanxiousChristianpeopleareabouttheirgrowthingrace!Now，themomentyougivethatoverintoChrist\'scare——themomentyouseethatyouareBEING
changed——thatanxietypassesawayYouseethatitmustfollowbyaninevitableprocessandbyanaturallawifyoufulfillthesimplecondition；sothatpeaceistherewardofthatlifeandfellowshipwithChrist。
ManyotherthingsfollowAman\'susefulnessdependstoalargeextentuponhisfellowshipwithChristThatisobviousOnlyChristcaninfluencetheworld；butallthattheworldseesofChristiswhatitseesofyouandmeChristsaid:\"TheworldseethMenomore，butyeseeMe。\"YouseeHim，andstandinginfrontofHimreflectHim，andtheworldseesthereflectionItcannotseeHim。
SothataChristian\'susefulnessdependssolelyuponthatrelationship。
Now，IhaveonlypointedoutafewofthethingsthatfollowfromthestandingbeforeChrist——fromtheabidinginChristYouwillfind，ifyourunoverthetextsaboutabidinginChrist，manyotherthingswillsuggestthemselvesinthesamerelationsAlmosteverythinginChristianexperienceandcharacterfollowsandfollowsnecessarily，fromstandingbeforeChristandreflectinghischaracterButthesupremeconsummationisthatwearechangedintoTHESAMEIMAGE，\"evenasbytheLordtheSpirit。\"Thatistosaythatinsomeway，unknowntous，butpossiblynotmoremysteriousthanthedoctrineofpersonalinfluence，wearechangedintotheimageofChrist。
ThismethodcannotfailIamnotsettingbeforeyouanopinionoratheory，butthisisAcertainlysuccessfulmeansofsanctification\"Weall，withunveiledface，reflectinginamirrorthegloryofChrist(thecharacterofChrist)assuredly——withoutanymiscarriage——withoutanypossibilityofmiscarriage——arechangedintothesameimage。\"ItisanimmensethingtobeanchoredinsomegreatprinciplelikethatEmersonsays:\"Theheroisthemanwhoisimmovablycentered。\"GetimmovablycenteredinthatdoctrineofsanctificationDonotbecarriedawaybythehundredandonetheoriesofsanctificationthatarefloatingaboutinreligiousliteratureofthecountryatthepresenttime；butgotothebottomofthethingforyourself，andseetheRATIONALEofitforyourself，andyouwillcometoseethatitisamatterofcauseandeffect，andthatifyouwillfulfilltheconditionlaiddownbyChrist，theeffectmustfollowbyanaturallaw。
Whataprospect!TobechangedintothesameimageThinkofthat!ThatiswhatwearehereforThatiswhatweareelectedforNottobesaved，inthecommonacceptation，but\"whomHedidforeknowHealsodidpredestinatetobeconformedtotheimageofHisSon。\"Notmerelytobesaved，butTOBECONFORMEDTOTHEIMAGE
OFHISSONConservethatprincipleAndaswemustspendtimeincultivatingourearthlyfriendshipsifwearetohavetheirblessings，sowemustSpendtimeincultivatingthefellowshipandcompanionshipofChristAndthereisnothingsomuchworthtakingintoourlivesasaprofoundersenseofwhatistobehadbylivingincommunionwithChrist，andbygettingnearertoHimItwillmattermuchifwetakeawaywithussomeofthethoughtsabouttheology，andsomeofthenewlightthathasbeensheduponthetextofScripture；itwillmatterinfinitelymoreifourfellowshipwiththeLordJesusbecomealittlecloser，andourtheoryofholylivingalittlemorerationalAndthenaswegoforth，menwilltakeknowledgeofus，thatwehavebeenwithJesus，andaswereflectHimuponthem，theywillbegintobechangedintothesameimage。
ItseemstomethepreachingisofinfinitelysmalleraccountthanthelifewhichmirrorsChristThatisboundtotell；withoutspeechorlanguage——likethevoicesofthestarsItthrowsoutitsimpressionsoneverysideTheonesimplethingwehavetodoistobethere——intherightrelation；togothroughlifehandinhandwithHim；tohaveHimintheroomwithus，andkeepinguscompanywhereverwego；todependuponHimandleanuponHim，andsohaveHislifereflectedinthefullnessofitsbeautyandperfectionintoours。
IIIThefirstexperiment。
ThenyoureducereligiontoacommonFriendship？AcommonFriendship——whotalksofaCOMMONFriendship？Thereisnosuchthingintheworld。
OnearthnowordismoresublimeFriendshipisthenearestthingweknowtowhatreligionisGodisloveAndtomakereligionakintoFriendshipissimplytogiveitthehighestexpressionconceivablebymanButifbydemurringto\"acommonfriendship\"ismeantaprotestagainstthegreatestandtheholiestinreligionbeingspokenofinintelligibleterms，thenIamafraidtheobjectionisalltorealMenalwayslookforamysterywhenonetalksofsanctification，somemysteryapartfromthatwhichmusteverbemysteriouswhereverSpiritworksItisthoughtsomepeculiarsecretliesbehindit，someoccultexperiencewhichonlytheinitiatedknowThousandsofpersonsgotochurcheverySundayhopingtosolvethismysteryAtmeeting，atconferences，manyatimetheyhavereachedwhattheythoughtwastheverybrinkofit，butsomehownofurtherrevelationcamePoringoverreligiousbooks，howoftenweretheynotwithinaparagraphofit；thenextpage，thenextsentence，woulddiscoverall，andtheywouldbeborneonaflowingtideforeverButnothinghappenedThenextsentenceandthenextpagewereread，andstilliteludedthem；
andthoughthepromiseofitscomingkeptfaithfullyuptotheend，thelastchapterfoundthemstillpursuing。
Whydidnothinghappen？Becausetherewasnothingtohappen——nothingofthekindtheywerelookingforWhydiditeludethem？Becausetherewasno\"it。\"WhenshallwelearnthatthepursuitofholinessissimplyThepursuitofChrist？
Whenshallwesubstituteforthe\"it\"ofafictitiousaspiration，theapproachtoaLivingFriend？Sanctityisincharacterandnotinmoods；Divinityinourownplaincalmhumanity，andinnomysticraptureofthesoul。
Andyetthereareotherswho，forexactlyacontraryreason，willfindscantsatisfactionhereTheircomplaintisnotthatareligionexpressedintermsofFriendshipistoohomely，butthatitisstilltoomysticalTo\"abide\"inChrist，to\"makeChristourmostconstantcompanion，\"istothemthepurestmysticismTheywantsomethingabsolutelytangibleandabsolutelydirectThesearenotthepoeticalsoulswhoseekasign，amysticisminexcess，buttheprosaicnatureswhosewantismathematicaldefinitionindetailsYetitisperhapsnotpossibletoreducethisproblemtomuchmorerigidelementsThebeautyofFriendshipisitsinfinity。
