w&B Christ'& "concealed designation," a Messianic identification which implied spiritual insight or knowledge (John vi. 69; x. 36; Rev. iii. 7). Kn01JJledge without love. How fruitless I '!'hey knew him as the Holy One of God, but not as their Saviour. Belief and obedience, but no salvation I So near, yet so far I How was this? (1) Because there was no inward loving a.cceptance of him as their moral Ruler. (2) This was probably due to the utter corruption of their moral nature. They had become wholly evil, even whilst they perceived the uselessness and misery of sin. They knew the gooa; but had lost the power to will it, Even to this may any moral 'being come who continues in sin, or rather continues out of Ohrut. There is no tenderness in Christ's tone to the demona, only rebuke. A day is coming when the blasphemer, the hypocrite, the liar too, wiil be silenced. It is from such a fate that Christ would save us whilst yet it might be said of us, "And this is life eternal, that they should know thee, the only true God, and him whom thou didst send, even Jesus Christ,. (John xvii. 3).-M. Ver. 28.-" The regi()'TI, ... round about." L THE POSITION OJ.I' TllB CHUBOB. 1. Centre of the worU's life, (1) This by virtue of what she is, the principles of righteousness which she inculcates and practises. These "doctrines of the cross" are keys to the chambers of power and authority. They are the true solution of the mysteries of human life. Questions of biography or of history, of individual lives or of eras, can only be under- stood from their underlying and determining spiritual principles-the relations of man to the Divine. Because of this connection of righteousness with the laws of the universe, Christian faith and virtue are the conditions of true possession and influence, whether in the region of the material or that of the spiritual The beatitudes illustrate tbia truth. Only to the central principle does the world yield up its wealth. Herein, too, lies the reason of the Church's responsibility and stewardship. She holds what sbe has, not for herself alone, but for others. Her power is a moral one, as being guardian of the best interests of man. (2) This by virtue of her relation to Christ. He is the Centre of humanity, and in him all things are created and sustained. It is, however, only through doctrines and belief that vital connection with him is maintained. Being, so to speak," in Christ," she is bis representative in proportion to her faithfulness and vitality. It is as constituted of individual members, each believing in Christ and living in him, that this character belongs to her, and not from any mystic corporate prerogative. What is true, therefore, of the Church, is so because, in the first instance, it is true of individual believers. Christ himself is the great attractive force of the Church; "I, if I be lifted up, will draw all men unto me." (3) This by virtue of her present circumstances. Although not of the world, she is in it, sent into it, and kept there. The great reason of her institution is that she may influence-evangelize-her neighbourhood. For a season in the midst of the world, as Christ was in its midst, she is to radiate forth light and life upon mankind. The minster, "of the whole city centre," is typical of the spiritual temple in the midst of world-life. 2. .A moving centre. Wherever our Saviour went be oarrie,l on bis work in" the region round about,'" and "they came to him from every quarter" ( ver. 45). In the same manner must it be with bis followers. Like him, they must go about continually doing good. Christian work is not exclusively associated with a special place or building, a sacred day or an official service; it is inseparable from the individual personality of the believer, and must constantly proceed wherever he is. 3. .A multiplyi11g centre. The powers of the individual believer increase and multiply. His command of new truths, and attain- ment of fresh spiritual life, add to bis facilities and capacities for usefulness. And every person added to the faith is a new evangelist, with a sphere and fitness of his own. It is the glory of Christianity thus to propagate itself. The " Society of Jesus" was described as "a sword, with the handle at Rome and the point everywhere." The ideal this represents is only realized in the spiritual society of Jesus-the Church saved through bis blood, and in all her members, loyal and loving, ca.rrying out the great commission, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to the whole creation" (eh. xvi. 15). II. THE FIELD OF TBB CHURCH. 1 . .Always at hand. The sphere of the Christian is described from himself a>.1 a centre, He can never escape it or be destitute of it. He ought to be always ready and furnished for his work, however poor or i~orant he may 36 THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. MARK. [011. t.1-45>.
be; for "onr sufficiency is of God." "Of whom are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God le made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, Rnd redemption." Even the 011e tRlent is given for use and service. Men often lose themselves in vague dreams and extensive ideas. For this reason it may be, as Bishop Butler suggests,. that we are first told to" love our neighbour "-a duty which develops into many graces. It is a bad sign when the immediate neighbourhood, the family, the servants, the friends, etc., of a professing Christian, a.re neglected. 2, PracticaUy infinite. It is undefined save at its centre. Each region is a centre to others. The pressure of spiritual responsibility is as constant and necessary to the Christian's soul as that of the atmosphere in relation to bis body. The ever-increasing and widening vistas of possible usefulness are occasions of inspiration and ennoblement to the earnest worker. 3. Constantly varied. New subjects of Christian solicitude present themselves, new adaptations of spiritual truth and agency. The adaptability, capacity, and sympathy of the Christian ought to be continually developing. And when "the region round about" has received its due labour and attention and prayer, there is ever some "region beyond" whither the hastening feet of the Saviour have already made a way.-M.