PRAYING FOR HOLINESS by Morning Star

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Feb 17, 1888

PRAYING FOR HOLINESS.

By Morning Star

MEN pray for holiness as if it were something apart from their every-day life, something that had nothing at all to do with their conduct in their domestic, social, and business relations. They sing, "Nearer, my God, to thee," with glowing fervor, but never think that the prayer can be answered only by the uplifting of their own lives to the plane of God's requirements. Holiness is not a mere sentiment, not a vague vision of glory overhanging us like a heavenly cloud, not a rapture or an ecstasy, not something that God sends down to wrap us like a garment in its radiant folds. If being holy means anything at all, it means being true, honest, upright, pure, gentle, patient, kind, and unselfish. We really have no more religion than we get into our every-day practice. Wherein our devotion is higher than our living, it counts for nothing.