and fair there. You and I cannot, whatever may be our hindrances in
living a consistent Christian life, have anything like the
difficulties that this man had and surmounted. For us all, whatever
our conditions, such a life is possible.

And then there is another lesson that he teaches us, viz. that such
a life is consistent with the completest discharge of all common
duties. The outline, as far as appearance was concerned, of this
man's life was the same as the outline of those of his ancestors and
successors. They are all described in the same terms. The formula is
the same. Enoch lived, Mahalaleel, and all the rest of the half-
unpronounceable names, they lived, they begat their heirs, and sons
and daughters, and then they died. And the same formula is used
about this man. He walked with God, but it was while treading the
common path of secular life that he did so.

He found it possible to live in communion with God, and yet to do
all the common things that men did then. Anybody's house may be a
Bethel--a house of God--and anybody's work may be worship; and
wherever we are and whatever we do, it is possible therein to serve
God, and there to walk with Him.

2. And now a word about the crown of this life of communion. 'He was
not, for God took him'

What wonderful reticence in describing, or rather hinting at, the
stupendous miracle that is here in question! Is that like a book
that came from the legend-loving and legend-making brains of men; or
does it sound like the speech of God, to whom nothing is
extraordinary and nothing needs to have a mark of admiration after