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sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them。〃 Rev。 7：15。
〃Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness。〃 The sense of unworthiness will lead the heart to hunger and thirst for righteousness； and this desire will not be disappointed。 Those who make room in their hearts for Jesus will realize His love。 All who long to bear the likeness of the character of God shall be satisfied。 The Holy Spirit never leaves unassisted the soul who is looking unto Jesus。 He takes of the things of Christ and shows them unto him。 If the eye is kept fixed on Christ； the work of the Spirit ceases not until the soul is conformed to His image。 The pure element of love will expand the soul； giving it a capacity for higher attainments； for increased knowledge of heavenly things； so that it will not rest short of the fullness。 〃Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness； for they shall be filled。〃
The merciful shall find mercy； and the pure in heart shall see God。 Every impure thought defiles the soul； impairs the moral sense； and tends to obliterate the impressions of the Holy Spirit。 It dims the spiritual vision； so that men cannot behold God。 The Lord may and does forgive the repenting sinner； but though forgiven； the soul is marred。 All impurity of speech or of thought must be shunned by him who would have clear discernment of spiritual truth。
But the words of Christ cover more than freedom from sensual impurity； more than freedom from that ceremonial defilement which the Jews so rigorously shunned。 Selfishness prevents us from beholding God。 The self…seeking spirit judges of God as altogether such a one as itself。 Until we have renounced this； we cannot understand Him who is love。 Only the unselfish heart； the humble and trustful spirit； shall see God as 〃merciful and gracious； long…suffering； and abundant in goodness and truth。〃 Ex。 34：6。
〃Blessed are the peacemakers。〃 The peace of Christ is born of truth。 It is harmony with God。 The world is at enmity with the law of God；
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sinners are at enmity with their Maker； and as a result they are at enmity with one another。 But the psalmist declares； 〃Great peace have they which love Thy law： and nothing shall offend them。〃 Ps。 119：165。 Men cannot manufacture peace。 Human plans for the purification and uplifting of individuals or of society will fail of producing peace； because they do not reach the heart。 The only power that can create or perpetuate true peace is the grace of Christ。 When this is implanted in the heart； it will cast out the evil passions that cause strife and dissension。 〃Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree； and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree；〃 and life's desert 〃shall rejoice； and blossom as the rose。〃 Isa。 55：13； 35：1。
The multitudes were amazed at this teaching； which was so at variance with the precepts and example of the Pharisees。 The people had come to think that happiness consisted in the possession of the things of this world； and that fame and the honor of men were much to be coveted。 It was very pleasing to be called 〃Rabbi；〃 and to be extolled as wise and religious； having their virtues paraded before the public。 This was regarded as the crown of happiness。 But in the presence of that vast throng； Jesus declared that earthly gain and honor were all the reward such persons would ever receive。 He spoke with certainty； and a convincing power attended His words。 The people were silenced； and a feeling of fear crept over them。 They looked at one another doubtfully。 Who of them would be saved if this Man's teachings were true？ Many were convicted that this remarkable Teacher was actuated by the Spirit of God； and that the sentiments He uttered were divine。
After explaining what constitutes true happiness； and how it may be obtained； Jesus more definitely pointed out the duty of His disciples； as teachers chosen of God to lead others into the path of righteousness and eternal life。 He knew that they would often suffer from disappointment and discouragement； that they would meet with decided opposition； that they would be insulted； and their testimony rejected。 Well He knew that in the fulfillment of their mission； the humble men who listened so attentively to His words were to bear calumny； torture； imprisonment； and death； and He continued：
〃Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake： for theirs is the kingdom of heaven。 Blessed are ye； when men shall revile you； and persecute you； and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely； for My sake。 Rejoice； and be exceeding glad： for great is your
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reward in heaven： for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you。〃
The world loves sin； and hates righteousness； and this was the cause of its hostility to Jesus。 All who refuse His infinite love will find Christianity a disturbing element。 The light of Christ sweeps away the darkness that covers their sins； and the need of reform is made manifest。 While those who yield to the influence of the Holy Spirit begin war with themselves； those who cling to sin war against the truth and its representatives。
Thus strife is created； and Christ's followers are accused as troublers of the people。 But it is fellowship with God that brings them the world's enmity。 They are bearing the reproach of Christ。 They are treading the path that has been trodden by the noblest of the earth。 Not with sorrow； but with rejoicing； should they meet persecution。 Each fiery trial is God's agent for their refining。 Each is fitting them for their work as colaborers with Him。 Each conflict has its place in the great battle for righteousness； and each will add to the joy of their final triumph。 Having this in view； the test of their faith and patience will be cheerfully accepted rather than dreaded and avoided。 Anxious to fulfill their obligation to the world； fixing their desire upon the approval of God； His servants are to fulfill every duty； irrespective of the fear or the favor of men。
〃Ye are the salt of the earth；〃 Jesus said。 Do not withdraw yourselves from the world in order to escape persecution。 You are to abide among men； that the savor of the divine love may be as salt to preserve the world from corruption。
Hearts that respond to the influence of the Holy Spirit are the channels through which God's blessing flows。 Were those who serve God removed from the earth； and His Spirit withdrawn from among men； this world would be left to desolation and destruction； the fruit of Satan's dominion。 Though the wicked know it not； they owe even the blessings of this life to the presence； in the world； of God's people whom they despise and oppress。 But if Christians are such in name only； they are like the salt that has lost its savor。 They have no influence for good in the world。 Through their misrepresentation of God they are worse than unbelievers。
〃Ye are the light of the world。〃 The Jews thought to confine the benefits of salvation to their own nation； but Christ showed them that
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salvation is like the sunshine。 It belongs to the whole world。 The religion of the Bible is not to be confined between the covers of a book； nor within the walls of a church。 It is not to be brought out occasionally for our own benefit； and then to be carefully laid aside again。 It is to sanctify the daily life； to manifest itself in every business transaction and in all our social relations。
True character is not shaped from without； and put on； it radiates from within。 If we wish to direct others in the path of righteousness； the principles of righteousness must be enshrined in our own hearts。 Our profession of faith may proclaim the theory of religion； but it is our practical piety that holds forth the word of truth。 The consistent life； the holy conversation； the unswerving integrity； the active； benevolent spirit； the godly example；these are the mediums through which light is conveyed to the world。
Jesus had not dwelt on the specifications of the law； but He did not leave His hearers to conclude that He had come to set aside its requirements。 He knew that spies stood ready to seize upon every word that might be wrested to serve their purpose。 He knew the prejudice that existed in the minds of many of His hearers； and He said nothing to unsettle their faith in the religion and institutions that had been committed to them through Moses。 Christ Himself had given both the moral and the ceremonial law。 He did not come to destroy confidence in His own instruction。 It was because of His great reverence for the law and the prophets that He sought to break through the wall of traditional requirements which hemmed in the Jews。 While He set aside their false interpretations of the law； He carefully guarded His disciples against yielding up the vital truths committed to the Hebrews。
The Pharisees prided themselves on their obedience to the law； yet they knew so little of its principles through everyday practice that to them the Saviour's words sounded like heresy。 As He swept away the rubbish under which the truth had been buried； they thought He was swee