The initiative of the saint is not towards self-realization, but towards knowing Jesus Christ. The spiritual saint never believes circumstances to be haphazard, or thinks of his life as secular and sacred; he sees everything he is dumped down in as the means of securing the knowledge of Jesus Christ.

There is a reckless abandonment about him. The Holy Spirit is determined that we shall realize Jesus Christ in every domain of life, and He will bring us back to the same point again and again until we do. Self-realization leads to the enthronement of work; whereas the saint enthrones Jesus Christ in his work. Whether it be eating or drinking or washing disciples' feet, whatever it is, we have to take the initiative of realizing Jesus Christ in it. Every phase of our actual life has its counterpart in the life of Jesus. Our Lord realized His relationship to the Father even in the most menial work. "Jesus knowing . . . that He was come from God, and went to God . . . took a towel . . . and began to wash the disciples' feet."

The aim of the spiritual saint is "that I may know Him." Do I know Him where I am to-day? If not, I am failing Him. I am here not to realize myself, but to know Jesus. In Christian work the initiative is too often the realization that something has to be done and I must do it. That is never the attitude of the spiritual saint, his aim is to secure the realization of Jesus Christ in every set of circumstances he is in.

Not to sit on a lifted throne, nor to rule superbly alone; not to be ranked on the left or right in the kingdom’s glory, the kingdom’s might; not to be great and first of all, not to hold others in humble thrall; not to lord it over the world, a scepter high and a flag unfurled; not with authority, not with pride, vain dominion, mastery wide— nothing to wish for, nothing to do—not, in short, to be ministered to! Ah, but to minister! Lowly to sup with the servant’s bread and the servant’s cup; down where the waters of sorrow flow; full-baptized in the stream of woe; out where the people of sorrow are, walking brotherly, walking far; known to bitterness, known to sin, to the poor and wretched comrade and kin; so to be helper, the last and the least serf in the kingdom, slave at the feast; so to obey, and so to defer, and so, my Savior, to minister. Yes, for never am I alone: this is Thy glory and this is Thy throne. Infinite Servant, well may I be bondman and vassal and toiler—with Thee. AMOS R. WELLS

I would be simply used, Spending myself in humble task or great, Priest at the altar, keeper of the gate, So be my Lord requireth just that thing Which at the needful moment I may bring. O joy of serviceableness Divine! Of merging will and work, dear Lord, in Thine, Of knowing that results, however small, Fitly into Thy stream of purpose fall. I would be simply used! ANONYMOUS

I want to be a humble soul commended in the sky. JOHN SHOBER KIMBER

There was . . . a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest.

And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors. But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.

For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth.—Even the Son man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

Jesus riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments, and took a towel, and girded himself. After that he poureth water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.