34 But when the Pharisees had heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered to- gether.
35 Then one of them, which was a Lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying,
36 Master, which is the great com- mandment in the law ?
37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
38 This is the first and great com- mandment.
39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thy- self.
40 On these two commandments
hang all the law and the Proph- ets.
41 While the Pharisees were gath- ered together, Jesus asked them,
42 Saying, what think ye of Christ ? whose son is he ? They say unto him, The Son of David.
43 He saith unto them. How then doth David in spirit call him Lord, saying,
44 The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool ?
45 If David then call him Lord, how is he his son ?
46 And no man was able to answer him a word, neither durst any man, from that day forth ask him any more questions.
In the beginning of this passage we find our Lord replying to the question of a certain lawyer, who asked him which was " the great commandment of the law ?" That question was asked in no friendly spirit. But we have reason to be thankful that it was asked at all. It drew from our Lord an answer full of precious instruc- tion. Thus we see how good may come out of evil
Let us mark ivliat an admirable summary these verses contain of our duty towards God and our neighhor. Jesus says, " Thou shalt love the Lord thy Grod with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind." He says again, " Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thy-
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self." And He adds, "On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets."
How simple are these two rules, and yet how compre- hensive ! How soon the words are repeated, and yet how much they contain ! How humbling and condemn- ing they are ! How much they prove our daily need of mercy and the precious blood of atonement ! Happy would it be for the world, if these rules were more known and more practised !
Love is the grand secret of true obedience to God. When we feel towards Him as children feel towards a dear father, we shall delight to do His will. We shall not find His commandments grievous, and work for Him like slaves under fear of the lash. We shall take pleasure in trying to keep His laws, and mourn when we transgress them. None work so well as they who work for love. The fear of punishment, or the desire of reward, are principles of far less power. They do the will of God best, who do it from the heart. Would we train children right ? Let us teach them to love God.
Love is the grand secret of right behavior towards our fellow men. He who loves his neighbor will scorn to do him any wilful injury, either in person, property, or character. — But he will not rest there. He will desire in every way to do him good. He will strive to promote his comfort and happiness in every way. He will endeavor to lighten his sorrows, and increase his joys. When a man loves us, we feel confidence in him. We know that he will never intentionally do us harm, and that in every time of need he will be our friend. Would we teach children to behave aright towards