consequence of this freedom from divinely appointed rules for the conduct of public worship, Christians of different lands and of different races are allowed a liberty in regard to forms and ceremonies which is much misunderstood by those who are not Christians. Seeing much difference between different methods of conducting public worship in various Churches, those who imagine that outward rites are of the essence of religion fancy that Christians are in this matter divided into an immense number of irreconcilably opposed parties and sects. There are differences of opinion among Christians, and some of them are very important. But variety of forms and ceremonies is not a difference of any real importance at all. The great advantage which Christians enjoy in having freedom from obligation to observe any special ceremony is that they may thus learn that outward observances are not in themselves necessary to religion or pleasing to God, 'for ¹ man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart,' and that 'they ² that worship him must worship in spirit and truth.' From the holy Scriptures it is clear that not agreement and uniformity in outward forms of worship but accord in faith and in obedience to God's commandments is what is requisite and necessary in His worshippers.

IV. Another result of the salvation which the Lord Jesus Christ bestows is that the true believer in Christ becomes enlightened with God's light, strives

hard to attain perfection in all good qualities, and endeavours to render his heart pure and his outward conduct holy and acceptable to God. He longs that he may worthily enjoy the perfect approval of his heavenly Father and be firmly knit in heart to his truest friend. Just as man's heart has grown corrupt and defiled through sin, so his understanding in things pertaining to God has become darkened thereby, according as it is written: 'The ¹ natural man (ψυχικος ανθρωπος) receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him; and he cannot know them, because they are spiritually judged.' But when a man believes in the Lord Jesus Christ and obtains remission of sin, the darkness of his heart is dispelled, his spirit is enlightened by God's Holy Spirit, he becomes spiritual, and his intellect is enabled to grasp heavenly truths and to understand God's teaching, according as it is written in the Gospel that Christ Himself said: 'I ² am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in the darkness, but shall have the light of life.' And He said to those of the Jews who had professed belief in Him: 'If ³ ye abide in my word, then are ye truly my disciples; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.' Again, when, shortly before His crucifixion, He promised His disciples that the Holy Spirit would soon ⁴ come to them,