You may be bearing a heavy cross—a cross that bears you to the very earth with its weight and crucifixion, and yet receive no power of life from it, because Jesus is not on it. Jesus said: "If any man will be my disciple, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me." Surely the Master did not mean the rich crosses that glitter on high altars, and tower above lofty domes, or the beautiful crosses that crowd richly-furnished dwellings, or the crosses worn as ornaments, alike by the rich and poor. These bring no life from the dead. Too often they are meaningless symbols that mock Heaven and mislead men. But there is a true cross with Christ upon it, that brings life, joy, and gladness to dead souls. It is the cross of doing duty when it is hard to do it; of standing by the right, even unto death if need be; of following Jesus, even though he leads through desert places and fiery furnaces. It is the cross of yielding heart, life, and will to him, and walking humbly and obediently in his commandments; toiling on patiently in the sphere of duty he assigns; meekly and patiently doing his will, and joyfully accepting trials because of love for him.