services for his good, we have not seen, as it were, a load taken off his mind, and his sorrow turned into joy? Have not persons so comforted looked up to God with grateful adoration for the blessings bestowed ? Have not their friends and attendants, too, been often filled with admiration of the persons manifesting these dispositions ; and been constrained to cry out, " Behold, how these Christians love one another!" There is no knowing where the benefit arising from these efforts stops, or to how many one single exercise of love may reach. In this view, then, this blessed principle commends itself to us, and should fill with joy and comfort every one who beholds it in active operation.]
4. What an evidence it gave of substantial piety in him who possessed it —
[Almsgiving affords no criterion for piety ; nor do the common offices of love. But love to the sai7its for Christ's sake, is both to the person himself, and to all who behold him, a decided evidence that he is born of God. To himself, I say, it is an evidence: for it is said, "We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren \" And again, " Let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth : and hereby we knoiv that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him^." Nor is it a less clear evidence to others : for our Lord has said, " By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another''." Say then, was there not occasion for joy in the Apostle's mind, when the piety of his friend stood so con- fessed, that it was impossible for any one to entertain a doubt of it? Yes: and wherever we behold similar fruits of faith, we do, and tvill, rejoice.]
Let me now improve the subject,
L In a way of thankful acknowledgment — [I bless God that the commendation given to Philemon is justly applicable to many of you : to you especially, who are engaged in visiting the sick, instructing the ignorant, com- forting the afflicted, and relieving the necessitous. I can bear witness that your efforts have been crowned with success, not only in refreshing the bowels of the saints, but in awakening also and saving the souls of sinners'^. Yes, * brother; yes, sister ; I have much joy and consolation in the grace exer- cised by thee, and in the good effected by thee. May God recompense it into thy bosom an hundred-fold ! To you, also,
a 1 John iii. 14. '' 1 John iii. 18, 19. <= John xiii. 35.
'1 This is adapted to a Visiting or Benevolent Society. Of course, this part of the subject must be made to suit the particular occasion.