which must follow, not precede, conversion, and therefore not to
be received by the world. In this prayer the loving Master
revealed to His immediate disciples, and to those of all ages and
climes, the burning desire of His heart concerning His followers.
The petition ascends from His immaculate heart like incense from a
golden censer, and it has for its tone and soul, "Sanctify them
through thy truth." His soul longed for this work to be completed
quickly. During the last days of His ministry He talked frequently
of the coming Comforter. He admonished them to "tarry" until an
enduement came to them. He knew that unless they were energized
with a power, to which they were as yet strangers, their work
would be worse than futile.

HE PRAYED FOR SANCTIFICATION.

It is for the SANCTIFICATION of the disciples that Christ prayed.
He did not ask that they might fill positions of honor and trust;
He knew that there is no nobility but that of goodness. It was
more important that the early preachers should be holy men than
that they should be respected and honored. He did not pray for
riches for them; He knew too well the worthlessness of money in
itself. He did not desire for them thrones, nor culture, nor
refinement, nor name.

"'Tis only noble to be good.
True hearts are more than coronets,
And simple faith than Norman blood."

So Jesus prayed that these men who had for three years been His
daily and constant companions should receive an experience which