pure.'

To be certain whom he intends by _us_ might perhaps help us to see his
meaning. Does he intend _all of us men_? Does he intend 'my father and
me'? Or does he intend 'you and me, John'? If the saying mean what I
have suggested, then the _us_ would apply to all that have the knowledge
of good and evil. 'Every being that can, must devote himself to
righteousness. To be right is no adjunct of completeness; it is the
ground and foundation of existence.' But perhaps it was a lesson for
John himself, who, mighty preacher of righteousness as he was, did not
yet count it the all of life. I cannot tell.

Note that when the Lord began his teaching, he employed, neither using
nor inculcating any rite, the same words as John,--'Repent, for the
kingdom of heaven is at hand.'

That kingdom had been at hand all his infancy, boyhood, and young
manhood: he was in the world with his father in his heart: that was the
kingdom of heaven. Lonely man on the hillside, or boy the cynosure of
doctor-eyes, his father was everything to him:--'Wist ye not that I must
be in my father's things?'




_JESUS IN THE WORLD._

'Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have
sought thee sorrowing.' And he said unto them, 'How is it that ye sought
me? wist ye not that I must be about my father's business?' And they