persons, in particular, I would give this caution. You will probably find your greatest enemies amongst those of your own household : and as you must, of necessity, " obey God rather than man," you will be called to shew your fidelity to God in this respect: but do not, under the idea of quitting your- selves " like men," indulge a petulant and unbecoming spirit : (persons, so acting, " know not what spirit they are of.") Nor are you to indulge a querulous spirit behind the backs of your enemies; but to take up your cross meekly, and to bear it patiently, and to bless God that you are counted worthy to bear it for Jesus' sake. Remember, that " love is the very bond of perfectness ;" and that " without it, though you give your body to be burned, you are no better than sounding brass and tinkling cymbals."]
1 Cor. xvi. 22. If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maran-atha,
EVERY religion has some characteristic mark "vvhereby it may be distinguished from all others. The leading feature of Christianity is, that it requires a resolute adherence, and an inviolable attachment to Jesus Christ. Though it includes both morality and a regard to God, it does not stop there ; but leads us to Jesus Christ as the only mediator through whom divine blessings can flow down to us, or our services go up with acceptance before God. What- ever difference may exist between Christians with respect to other points, all are agreed in love to Christ. St. Paul did not hesitate to denounce the severest curse against all who should be wanting in this most essential point. He had finished this epistle by the hand of an amanuensis, and was going, as his man- ner was in every epistle, to write his benediction with his own hand; but deeply solicitous for the welfare of the Church, as well as for the glory of his Divine Master, he inserted between his salutation and his benediction these ever memorable words ; — " If any