Ver. 32 (latter part).-Ths privi1ege of spiritual maturity. "When thou art con- verted, strengthen thy brethren." 'l.'his forward-looking injunction of Christ reminds us of- I. Otra NEED OF BTRIINOTHENINO POWER. Such are the manifold and effective forces opposed to us, invisible as well as visible and human (see Eph. vi. 12); eo strong and so subtle are the temptations that beset us on every side; that we urgently need, not only the presence of resisting principles within us, but the aid of friendly and helpful auxiliaries around us. We want, indeed, the help which is from above; that is tho first thing to seek. And, having besought that, we do well to avail ourselves of all the strength we can gain from other sources. For the battle is severe, and we are often hard pressed by our vigilant and relentless foes. II. TBE BELP WE CAN FIND IN MAN. God is, as stated, tlie Source of spiritual strength. He renews our strength by the direct communications of his Divine Spirit. But man helps us also. ".A man shall be as an hiding-place .•• as rivers of water . . . as the shadolV of a ~reat rock." Paul went through the region of Galatia, "strengthen- ing the disciples' (Acts xviii. 23). Peter was to "strengthen his brethren." We can and we should do much to strengthen one another, to build one another up on our holy faith. ,ve can do this: 1. By the force of a beautiful and attractive example. 2. By the utterance of invigorating truth. 3. By the inspiration of a cheerful, hopeful, loving spirit. III. TJIE INCOMPETENCE OF INEXPERIB'l'l'CE. Peter was not in a position to afford spiritual strength then. He was too inexperienced. He had not yet learned what the fierceness of the fire of temptation meant. He did not then under,tand where his true strength lay. He had not yet graduated in the school of experience. It is they, and only they, who know what spiritual struggle means who can impart to others the help they need. ·we must have passed through the waters before we can undertake to teach others how to swim the strong stream of trial and temptation. lV. THE UNFITNESS OF UNFAITHFULNESS. Peter was about to fall. A few hours would find him in the power of the nd versary. Before another day dawned ho would have to reproach himself as a disloyal disciple. He was about to rest under the shadow of great guilt and he would have to wait until he came forth from that shadow. Not until he" wa~ converted," not until the spirit or overweening self-confidence had given p)11co to that of hqmble trust iQ. God, not untll the ~nowle<lge of Ghrist "after tho 2Z2 TITE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. LUKE. [err. xxn. 1-71.
flesh" !!ii.cl passed, lin.l risen into a knowlcJge of him that was truly spiritunl nnd real, -not till then would be be fitted to" strengthen his brctb1en." His case was strikingly parallel with thnt of Dnvid (see Ps. Ii. 11-13). ,ve bnve similar experiencos now. "\Yhen the Christian disciple loses ground spiritually and morally, it becomes him to " return 11nt-0 the Lord" himself, and "then to teach transgressors" the way of God; it becomes him to undergo a change of spirit, to be "renewed in the spirit of his mind,'' and then to speak the helpful and sustaining truth of Christ. Unfaithfulness to our Lord, departure and distance from him,-this bas no teaching function; its first duty is penitential; then it may think of useful work. Dut we should understand that ::di true usefulness rests on the foundation of spiritual integrity; it can find no other foot.ing. V. ''rim PRIVILEGE OF CHRISTIAN MATURITY. Peter was to look forward to a not distant future, when, having learnt truth by what he suffered, ho should strengthen his brethren in aL that was true and wise and good. This he did, and in this he found a noble heritage. To this we may look forward as the reward of spiritual struagle as the goal of earthly good. ,vhat better portion can we ask for th1m to be the so"urc~ of spiritual strength to our brethren and sisters as they bear the burdens and fiaht 0 the battles of their life ?-C.