On the cost of the cross of Christ to each one who would truly follow Him.

“No work that is set on following the Crucified escapes the cross. It would not wish to do so.  Sooner or later, if those who must give account to God do not weaken on some point of loyalty to Truth, they will find themselves bearing the reproach of Christ.”

“Kind people, wanting to console, make the usual observation; ‘It is very hard to see how this can be for the best.”  We are not asked to see.  Why need we when we know the incontestable fact that it is for the best?  It is an irreparable loss but is it faith at all if it is have to trust when things are entirely bewildering?”

“They overcame him (Satan) by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony (victory through apparent defeat).  And as we rest our hearts upon what we know (the certainty of ultimate triumph of good) leaving what we do not know to the Love that has led us all our life long, the peace of God enters into us and abides.”

“You are still under the same Captain.  Your orders have not changed: give up your right to yourself, take up the cross, follow.  The Captain has been over the course before.  Will you refuse to obey now?”

“From prayer that asks that I may be
Sheltered from winds that beat on Thee,
From fearing when I should aspire,
From faltering when I should climb higher,
From silken self, O Captain, free
Thy soldier who would follow Thee.

From subtle love of softening things,
From easy choices, weakenings,
(Not thus are spirits fortified,
Not this way went the Crucified,)
From all the dims Thy Calvary,
O Lamb of God, deliver me.

Give me the love that leads the way,
The faith that nothing can dismay,
The hope no disappointments tire,
The passion that will burn like fire,
Let me now sink to be a clod;
Make me Thy fuel, O Flame of God.