THE HOLIDAY SPIRIT

"Come ye yourselves apart, and rest awhile: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat."-- Mar_6:31.

There is something in our blood which cries out at certain times for rest and change.

We may love our home, our work, and chance of doing our share in the toil of this work-a-day world, but when the summer comes we long to escape from the crowded city, the continuous work, and we ache for recovery and rest.

The love of Nature is a sacred heritage from the love of God, and it is His voice that calls to us: "Come, My children, Be glad with Me, breathe the scented air which I have flavored in its passage through clover-fields, gorse, and heather; rejoice in the woods and flowers, golden sunsets and purple mountains; the glory of the ocean and the sea-shore."

But we must be unselfish, if we would really enjoy our holiday. It is difficult to resist the temptation to obtain the best possible return for our money, and a little over, even at the expense of others.

Always think of some one else--the short Zacchaeus who cannot see over your shoulder! The child who loves to look out of the carriage window; the invalid who cannot stand the draught; the tired mother with the restless children! Look out for daily opportunities for showing the gentleness, sweetness, and unselfishness of the Lord Jesus.

Make time to be alone sometimes. It is a mistake always to be in the presence of another. The soul must be still and quiet. There are accents in the voice of God so deep and still, that the breathing of a companion may make them inaudible.

But it is delightful to have a choice friend and companion with whom you can hold sweet fellowship, and "there is a Friend that sticketh closer than a brother." He will draw near and walk with you, and as He talks with you by the way, your hearts will bum within you.

Remember those who are in poverty, in sickness, and in need, and amidst your own gladness and joy, send a portion unto them for whom nothing is prepared (Neh_8:10-12).

A story is told by William Gilbert of how Dante, wandering one day over the mountains of Lunigiana, eventually drew near to a lone, secluded monastery.

It was at a time when his mind was wracked with internal conflict and was seeking refuge from the strife. So he loudly knocked at the monastery gate. It was opened by a monk, who in a single glance at the sad, pale face, read its pathetic message of misery and sorrow. "What do you seek here?" said he.

With a gesture of despair, the poet replied, "Peace." It was the same old craving followed by the same old search. But neither the solitary places, nor the anchorite's cell ever brought true peace to the afflicted heart.

Peace comes not from without but from within.

We can have it in the winter of age or the spring of youth; in the lowly cottage or the stately mansion; in distressing pain or in buoyant health. The secret of it is in comradeship with Christ. You can have peace in the midst of the storm, if you have Christ. He is the shelter from the tempest, the soul's haven of rest. If we have learned to value His friendship, we have mastered the secret of the "peace which passeth all understanding."

"And another also said, 'Lord, I will follow Thee; but let me first go bid them farewell which are at home at my house.'And Jesus said to him, 'No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God'" (Luk_9:61-62).

"I will follow You, Lord, but first let me see if my parents approve."

"I will follow You, Lord, but first let me go to a few more parties. And as soon as I get that out of my system, I will settle down."

"I will follow You, Lord, but first let me get married. As soon as I establish a home, I will follow you."

"We will follow You, Lord, but first let us raise our children. They are so small now, and it is difficult to carry them along while following You."

"We will follow You, Lord, but first let us get our children through high school. We have to work six days a week to pay the bills, and the children are so busy with school activities that there just is not time to follow You."

"I would like to follow You now, Lord, but I must first see if my husband will come, too. I do not want to follow You alone."

"I will follow You, Lord, but first let me retire. Then I will have time to follow you."

"I would like to follow You, Lord, but it is too late now. I have not done it all these years, and You cannot teach an old dog new tricks."

Death comes at last, and the day of salvation is over. One is separated from God eternally because one put off following Christ until it was too late.