No, says St. Paul. More than dead works are wanted to purge a man's
conscience. Nothing will do that but the blood of Christ. And that
will do it. He, the spotless Lamb, has offered himself to God, as a
full and perfect and sufficient sacrifice, offering, and satisfaction
for the sins of the whole world; and therefore for thy sins, whoever
thou art, be thy sins many or few. Believe that; for thou art a man
for whom Christ died. Claim thy share in Christ's blood. Believe
that he has died for thee; that he has blotted out thy sins in the
blood of his cross; that thou needest not try to blot them out by any
dead works, forms, or ceremonies whatsoever; for Christ has done and
suffered already all for thee. Thou art forgiven. Put away thy
sins, for God has put them away; rise, and be a new man. Thou art
one of God's holy Church. God has justified thee. Let him sanctify
thee likewise. God's spirit is with thee to guide thee, to inspire
thee, and make thee holy. Serve thy Father and thy Master, the
Living God, sure that he is satisfied with thee for Christ's sake;
that thou art in thy right state henceforward; in thy right place in
this world; and that he blesses all thy efforts to live a right life,
and to do thy duty.

But how to serve him, and where? By doing something strange and
fantastic? By giving up thy business, money, time? Going to the
ends of the earth? Making what some will call some great sacrifice
for God?

Not so. All that may be, and generally is, the fruit of mere self-
will and self-conceit. God has made a sacrifice for thee. Let that
be enough. If he wants thee to make a sacrifice to him in return, he
will compel thee to make it, doubt it not. But meanwhile abide in
the calling wherein thou art called. Do the duty which lies nearest