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: — You may say to your clerks, "Now let us search into our accounts and balance our books," but while you are doing it do not forget to pray, "Lord, search me."

I. LET US ASK THE LORD TO SEARCH OUR PRINCIPLES. Our government have now appointed officers to see that ships which are outward-bound are not deeper in the water than the "load-line" of safety. Now, like a ship, every man has a load-line; and he says within himself, "Beyond that line I will not go." Nevertheless, many men do go beyond their lead-line, and founder in the sea of vice. Every man draws the line somewhere; and, alas! it is generally as far off the standard directed by Christ as it can possibly be. Men make "load-lines" for themselves, and say, "I am all right on this side the line." But what does the Bible say about it? Is your line in the correct place for the salvation of your soul? A thief will steal, and draw his line, saying, "I will not hurt or murder anybody." Most men draw a line of conduct somewhere, and say, "I am all right so long as I do not pass beyond that line." How important to pray this prayer, "Search me, O God!"

II. LET US ASK OF GOD TO SEARCH OUR PROFESSION. You may say, "Ah, I have got you there; I make no profession." Don't you? Why, you must be a rogue indeed if you make no profession of honesty or gratitude. What, have you never told anybody you were thankful to God for having created you? Are you not thankful to Jesus for having died for you? Christianity means honesty, virtue, truth, gratitude to God, and helpfulness to our neighbour; and do you make no profession of these? Well, if you don't I should not like to meet you in a lonely road at night. Of course you make professions. You profess to be honest, upright, and lovable. Now, let us ask God to search our professions. Do we act accordingly?

III. WE ALSO SHOULD ASK GOD TO SEARCH OUR LIVES. We often fall and wander from the way. The text goes on to say, "and see if there be any wicked way in me." But we need not say "if"; we know full well that there is much wickedness in us. It may be the Lord will show us that we need to be more resolute. O brothers, be decided to give up sin. Rouse yourselves! It is all nonsense for you to complain clay after day, saying, "I cannot help myself!" Have you not the power of God to help you?

IV. WE OUGHT TO ASK GOD TO SEARCH OUR CHARACTER. Do you remember reading of the Californian mine swindle? Some men went into the interior and plastered pieces of silver upon the rocks. Then they got up a grand Mining Co. Limited, and people believed them. Engineers saw the silver on the rocks and then reported favourably of it: it was all a sham. But it is not so in your case. You are not barren rock. There is a streak of gold in every man. If it were not so Christ would not have told us to preach the Gospel to every creature. God has given you the power of noble manhood, and you shall not be disappointed if you press towards it. If you strive for the manhood that thinks nobly, speaks truthfully, and lives virtuously, you shall attain it.

V. ASK GOD TO SEARCH YOUR SOUL. Is it pardoned?

(W. Birch.)

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KJV: Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:

WEB: Search me, God, and know my heart. Try me, and know my thoughts.