Constant communion will surround us with an atmosphere through
which none of the many influences which threaten our Christian
life and our Christian work can penetrate. As the diver in his
bell sits dry at the bottom of the sea, and draws a pure air
from the free heavens far above him, and is parted from that
murderous waste of green death that clings so closely round the
translucent crystal walls which keep him safe, so we, enclosed
in God, shall repel from ourselves all that would overflow to
destroy us and our work, and may by His grace lay deeper than
the waters some courses in the great building that shall one
day rise, stately and many-mansioned, from out of the conquered
waves. (Text.)--ALEXANDER MCLAREN.
(1253)