unknown to us, but possibly not more mysterious than the doctrine of
personal influence, we are changed into the image of Christ.

This method cannot fail. I am not setting before you an opinion or a
theory, but this is

A CERTAINLY SUCCESSFUL MEANS

of sanctification. "We all, with unveiled face, reflecting in a mirror
the glory of Christ (the character of Christ) assuredly--without any
miscarriage--without any possibility of miscarriage--are changed into
the same image." It is an immense thing to be anchored in some great
principle like that. Emerson says: "The hero is the man who is
immovably centered." Get immovably centered in that doctrine of
sanctification. Do not be carried away by the hundred and one theories
of sanctification that are floating about in religious literature of
the country at the present time; but go to the bottom of the thing for
yourself, and see the _rationale_ of it for yourself, and you will
come to see that it is a matter of cause and effect, and that if you
will fulfill the condition laid down by Christ, the effect must follow
by a natural law.

What a prospect! To be changed into the same image. Think of that!
That is what we are here for. That is what we are elected for. Not to
be saved, in the common acceptation, but "whom He did foreknow He also
did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son." Not merely
to be saved, but _to be conformed to the image of His Son_. Conserve
that principle. And as we must spend time in cultivating our earthly
friendships if we are to have their blessings, so we must