constitution of the individual's nature and of human society are evidence that the declaration regarding our first father holds good of his posterity-that is, in normal circumstances-" It is not good for the man to be alone." II. Suon COMPANIONSHIP SUPPLIES A MOTIVE AND A RECOMPENSE FOR TOIL. A man can work better, more efficiently, perseveringly, and happily, when he works for others than when he works only for himself. Many a man owes his habits of industry and self-denial, his social advancement and his moral maturity, to the necessity of labouring for his family. He may be called upon to maintain aged parents, to provide for the comfort of a sickly wife, to secure the education of his sons, to save a brother from destitution. And such a call may awaken a willing and cheerful response, and may, under God, account for a good work in life. III. THE ABSENCE OF SU0H COMPANIONSHIP MAY BE A SORE AFFLICTION, AND MAY BE TJIE OCCASION OF UNWISE AND BLAMABLE DISSATISFACTION AND MURMURING, Under the pressure of loneliness, a man may relax his efforts, or he may fall into a dis- contented, desponding, and cynical frame of mind. He may lose his interest in life and in human affairs generally. He may even become misanthropic and sceptical. IV. THE TRUE CORRECTIVE OF SUCH UNHAPPY TENDENCIES IS TO BE FOUND IN THE CULTIVATION OF SPIRITUAL FELLOWSHIP WITH CHRIST, AND IN A WIDE CIRCLE OF SYMPATHY AND BENEVOLENCE. No one need be lonely who can call his Saviour his Friend; and Christ's friendship is open to every l;,eliever. And all Christ's disciples and brethren are of the spiritual kindred of him who trusts and loves the Redeemer. Where kindred" according to the flesh" are wanting, there need be no lack of spiritual relatives and associates. All around the lonely man are those who need succour, kindly aid, education, guardianship, and the heart purifies and refines as it takes in new objects of pity, interest, and Christian affection. And the day shall come when the Divine Saviour and Judge shall say to those who have responded to his appeal, "Inasmuch as ye did it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye did it unto me."-T. Vers. 9-12.-The advantages of fellowship. There is a sense in which we have no choice but to be members of society. We are born into a social life, trained in it, and in it we must live. "None of us liveth unto himself." But there is a sense in which it rests with us to cultivate fellowship with our kind. And such voluntary association, we are taught in this passage, is productive of the highest benefits. I. FELLowsmP MAKES LABOUR EFFECTIVE. "Two have a good reward for their labour." If this was so in the day of the writer of Eccle.iastes, how ,much more strikingly and obviously is it so to-day I Division oflabour and co-operation in labour are the two great principles which account for the success of industrial enterprise in our own time. There is scope for such united efforta in the Church of Christ--for unity and brotherly kindness, for mutual help, considerntion, and endeavour. IL FELLOWSHIP PROVIDES succoUB IN 0ALAMITY. When two are together, he who falls may be lifted up, when if alone he might be left to perish. This is a common- place truth with reference to travellers in a strange land, with reference to comrades in war, etc. Our Lord Jeslll! sent forth his apostles two a.nd two, that one might supply his neighbour's deficiencies; that the healthy might uphold the sick; and the brave might cheer the timid. The history of Christ's Church is o. long record of mutual succour and consolation. To raise the fallen, to cherish the weakly, to relieve the needy, to assist the widow and fatherless,-this is true religion. Here is the sphere for the manifestation of Christian fellowship. III. FELLOWSHIP IS PROMOTIVE OF OOMFORT, WELL-BEING, AND HAPPINESS. "How can one be warm alone?" asks the Preacher. Every household, every congregation, every Christian society, is a proof that there is a spirit of mutual dependence wherever the will of the great Father and Saviour of mankind is honoured and obeyed. 'l'he more there is of brotherly love within the Church, the more effective will be the Church's work of benevolence and missionary aggression upon the ignorance and sin of the world. IV. :FELLOWSHIP IMPARTS STRENGTH, STABILITY, AND POWER OF REBISTAN0E. Two, placing themselves shoulder to shoulder, can withst:ind an onset before which one alone would fall. "'l'he threefold cord is not quickly broken." It must be remembered that the work of religious men in this world is no child's play; thern are forces of evil to 011, IV. 1-16.] ECCLESIASTES; OR, THE PREACHER. 101
resist, there ie a warfare to be maintained. And in order to succeed, two things an. needful: first, dependence upon God; a.nd secondly, brotherhood with our comrades and fellow-soldiers in the holy war.-T.