It is adoption into the noblest and richest of all families, the family of God ! Let ns not heed the opinion of the world in this matter. They speak evil of things which they know not. Let us, with Levi, consider every fresh conversion as a cause .for great rejoicing. Never ought there to be such joy, gladness, and congratulation, as when our sons, or daughters, or brethren, or sisters, or friends, are bom again and brought to Christ. The words of the prodigal's father should be remembered : — ** It was meet that we should make merry and be glad : for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again ; and was lost, and is found." (Luke xv. 32.)
We are taught,'thirdly, in this passage, (hat converted souk desire to promote the conversion of others. We are told that when Levi was converted, and had made a feast on the occasion, he invited '^ a great company of publicans" to share it. Most probably these men were his old friends and companions. He knew well what their souls needed, for he had been one of them. He desired to make them acquainted with that Saviour who had been merciful to himself. Having found mercy, he wanted them also to find it. Having been graciously delivered from the bondage of sin, he wished others also to be set free.
This feeling of Levi will always be the feeling of a true Christian. It may be safely asserted that there is no grace in the man who cares nothing about the salva- tion of his fellow men. The heart which is really taught by the Holy Ghost, will always be full of love, charity, and compassion. The soul which has been truly called of God, will earnestly desire that others may experience
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tlie same calling. A converted man will not wish to go to heaven alone.
How is it with ourselves in this matter? Do we know anything of Levi's spirit after his conversion P Do we strive in every way to make our friends and relatives acquainted with Christ ? Do we say to others, as Moses to Hobab, " Come with us, and we will do you good ? " (Num. X. 29.) Do we say as the Samaritan woman, "Come, see a man that told me all that ever I did P " Do we cry to our brethren as Andrew did to Simeon, "We have found the Christ?" — ^These are very serious questions. They supply a most searching test of the real condition of our souls. Let us not shrink from appljring it. There is not enough of a missionary spirit amongst Christians. It should not satisfy us to be safe ourselves. We ought also to try to do good to others. All cannot go to the heathen, but every believer should strive to be a missionary to his fellow men. Having received mercy, we should not hold our peace.
We are taught, lastly, in this passage, one of the chief objects of Christ* 8 coming into the world. We have it in the well-known words, "I came not to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance."
This is that great lesson of the Gospel which, in one form or another, we find continually taught in the New Testament. It is one which we can never have too strongly impressed upon our minds. Such is our natural ignorance and self-righteousness in religion, that we are constantly losing sight of it. We need to be frequently reminded, that Jesus did not come merely as a teacher, but as the Saviour of that which was utterly lost, and