many and various testings, but we could not feel that it was perfect, e.nd Indeed the infinite example, if he had not kept H through the trial of that agonizing death. He not only " hazarded," he actually yielded his life in maintaining that obedience. Dy the same test Barn0bas and Paul had been proved, and in their first missionary journey their lives had again and again been in peril ; once indeed Paul had been left for dead after the riotous stoning of the populace (eh. xili. 50; xiv. 19). From the Christian standpoint the noblest and best men are- I. THOSE wno OAN BAORIFICE SELF. Self-seeking is the marked characteristic of the unrenewed man, toned, however, by amiability, kindness of dispodition, generosity, motherhood, etc., as elements of the natural character. Self-denial is the hi"hest con- ception of purely human virtue, and is the noblest adornment of human ?character. In a thousand forms "self-denial" is demanded in our common life and relations; and none of the responsible positions in life can be occupied without this virtue being demanded. Self-sacrifice is seldom required; but the man who can meet this demand gains the first place in the world's esteem. Illustrate by the doctor who dies for his patient; the mother who dies for her child; the rescuer who dies in rescuing; the missionary who yields his life in bis mission. The extreme demand may not alwliys be made; it often has to be faced. And we may test our own hold of truth, duty, or hope, by putting to ourselves this question, "Could I die for it?" Show what kind of moral power the heroic leaders in self-sacrifice gain over their fellows. 1. They declare that duty is before pleasure. 2. They attest the grandeur of a cherished idea. 3. They glorify the conception of right. 4. They uphold faith in God. 5. They affirm the insignificance of this life in view of the life that is to come. 6. They keep up the standard of life for us all; and are, as angel-ministrants, ever beckoning us on to higher and nobler things. II. THOSE WHO CAN SACRIFICE SELF FOB THE SAKE OF CHRIST'S NAME. Taken in two senses: 1. For the sake of upholding the honour of Christ's Name, seeing that be is ever honoured in the conduct of his servants. Men praise him through what they see of him in us. He " laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren." 2. For the sake of making witness for Christ. No witness can have the power of a martyrdom. Illustrate Stephen's witness in bis death. (1) Self-sacrifice sets Christ up in the view of men, for all gather round the martyr, and wonder over his calmness and victory. (2) Self-sacrifice proves the truth of doctrine (see Paley's argu- ment from the persecutions and sufferings of the early teachers). (3) Self-sacrifice for Christ impresses upon us the extraordina.ry fascination which the Lord Jesus can exert on men's souls. How we must love those for whom we are willin~ to die I None can take our love so that for the sake of it we will yield our life, as aoes the Lord Jesus Christ. Conclude by showing that passing ages do not change the Divine demands, only change the forms in which they find expression. The heroic life of self-denial in many things, and even of self-sacrifice sometimes, as our witness to Christ, is still demanded, i.u these indulgeut times, of all who name the Name of the Lord Jesus.-R. T.
Vere. 28, 29.-Reasoncib'le and "'nreasonable burden,. "To lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things." The precise nature of the things which the council thought essential to Christian standing and life are discllssed in the Expository portion of !his Commentary, and materials for the introduction of our subject will be found in it. "'£he letter does not say why these things were necessary, and the term was probably chosen as covering alike the views of those who held, like the Pharisee Christians. that they were binding on the Church for ever, and those who, like St. Paul, hcld that they were necessary only for a time, and as a measure of wise expediency." The letter is a most wise and careful one; it avoi<ls the details of the dispute, or any report of the discussion in the council. It accu~es no one, but by impli- cation supports the position which St. Paul bad taken. It effectually checked for a time the agitation created by th• Judaizing party. Two dangers attended the young Christian Church. 1. A false conception of liberty in Ch1ist, which really meant. •• Jicence., and ruinous loosenin" of self-restraint and reasonable rule. 2. A mis- chievous' bondage io mere forms, ;,_it of which the life and meaning had long faclrd, and passed. The council wisely met the twofold danger by declaring thnt the old forms dlt. XV, 1--41.] THE A()TS OF THE APOSTLES. 25