THE Spirit of God already moves on the face of the waters. New tides of blessing are beginning to flow in all directions. The revival which we have hoped and prayed for is at hand. There is a sound of a going in the tops of the trees, the audible stirring of the wind of God, bringing with it fertility and freshness and the promise of new life. Unless every sign be false, there is a great wave of spiritual power about to pass over our land. If we would be ready as channels of a new spiritual power, we must seek a deeper spiritual life.

Joshua said to the children of Israel before crossing the Jordan:

“Sanctify yourselves: for to-morrow the Lord will do wonders among you.” The principle which lies beneath his words has been so often exemplified that it has become an axiom in the Christian Church. Do not expect increased usefulness apart from increased holiness. The indispensable condition of equipment for service is the kind of spiritual force which springs from a deep and intense spiritual life. No man is “meet for the Master’s use” in the highest sense except on condition that he is fully consecrated and pure. We are channels through which Divine grace is conveyed to other souls, but if the channel be choked by pride, by low and sinister aims, by selfishness and earthliness, and other hidden evils, how can a full tide of heavenly life flow along and carry blessing to those around? In our hospitals the instruments used in operations are kept constantly in carbolic acid, that they may not carry the slightest contagion to the open wound. We cannot touch the open and festering wounds, which sin has caused, without injury to our-selves and others, unless we are cleansed ourselves from all the defilement of sin. We are God’s instruments, but if the instrument be not meet or fit for His use, there will be a blank and a blur, even in God’s work, where there ought to have been something beautiful. While it is true the efficiency of an instrument depends upon him who uses it, and that in Christian work “the excellency of the power” is of God, and not of us, it is also true that the adaptation of the instrument has something to do with the result. The clearness and elegance of writing depends in part upon the pen used. Even the touch of genius cannot transform the marble into a thing of beauty without proper tools. There is a sense in which the poet was right who said: — “Not God Himself can do best work, Without best men to help Him.”

This is neither irreverence nor heresy. God works through human instrumentalities, and only those who are entirely set apart for His service and will are always ready for use. God uses us for all that we are fit for; As Dr. Mc’Laren says: “You cannot make man-of-war’s masts out of crooked sticks.” Nor can God use men for the highest forms of spiritual work unless they are themselves spiritual, and filled with the vitalising power of the Holy Ghost. “Every branch that beareth fruit, He purgeth” or cleanseth it, “that it may bring forth more fruit.” To bear “much fruit,” the branch of the vine must be quite sound, without rottenness, free from mildew and blight, and fully cleansed from the parasites which would destroy its beauty and verdure. It is a sign of the times that Christians are everywhere seeking to know more of the all-transforming and sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit, which means that they are realising the full importance of their position and work. They are waking up to duty and privilege. They are rubbing the rust from their weapons and looking out for the enemy. They are shaking the dust from their garments. Their aim is now not to get good for themselves only, but to do good to others. Many wait for the Lord “more than they watch for the morning.” These are signs of revival. May we all be ready, “with alert feet and lighted lamps, to meet the Bridegroom, who even now draws nigh.”