(5) '!'be direct evidenoe qf Jestts. "Feed my lambs." This was a final proof that his love was g~nuine. Christ would not entrust his lambs but to the bosom of genuine love, nor bis sheep but to the arms of warm affection. His employment in We service w~s the etron,rcet proof of the sinoeri ty of hie love. II. THE BERVIOE DEMANDED. 1. This sen,ice i, specwl. "Feed my lambs," etc. (1) (Jhrist has his lambs and shup. He hRS his little, wMk, young, helpless, ignorant and wayw&rd ODE!!'; and he also h&S some th&t are more mature and strong. (2) Tl1ese f'fJqUire feeding. Neither the Wel\k nor the strong can live without food. The weak &re not too wel\k to t&ke it, the strong are not too strong to require it. Food ie as essential to the health &nd growth of spiritual life &S it is of the physical. (8) It is the special duty of the pastO'T' to wpply them with food. The provision must be appro- priat.e and suitable in quality and que.ntity. It must be spiritual, &nd not carnal &nd m&terial. It must be real, and not illusive. Souls will starve if they have to breakfast on mere rhetoric, dine on mere words, and sup on empty ceremonies. The food must be appropriate, plentiful, and timely; otherwise the sheep and lambs of Christ will not thrive. 2. T/i£ service t$ various. (1) Some portions of it are comparatively easy and simp"le. " Feed my lambs." Compared with other portions of the pastoral office, this is simple. It embraces the first elements of knowledge, the first principles of truth, the alphabet of Christianity, and the milk of the Word. (2) Some portions of it e.re more difficult and lwrwurabl,e. "'!'end and feed my sheep." This requires great wisdom, intellect, and spiritual power and penetration to dive down for the hidden treasures, and climb some of the higher branches of the tree of life for the ripest fruits. (3) '!'he varioUB portions of the office demand all our energiea. Food must be provided and wiRely ad.ministered. Thie will involve thought, search, energy, and tender care, and will demand all the vitality of head e.nd heart; and this must be supplied by the great Shepherd.. (4) Those who faithfully peiform the simplest duties of the sfflfice are fitted and allowed to perform the mcst difficult and MnOf/,rable. He who is willing and able to feed the lambs is allowed to feed the sheep. Those who teach the young in the Sunday school are specially trained to teach the more advanced in the congre- gation. ThOBe who are faithful over a few things shall rule over many. If you will not feed the lambs, who will entrust you the sheep? (6) T/i£ perfO'T'mance of tlie ,ii,mpkst portions of the service re'l"'ire, the mcst love. After the answer to the question, " Lovest thon me more than these? " Jesus said, " Feed my le.m bs." To feed and nurse the little, weak, and invalid ones requires tenderer and more patient love than to satisfy the strong and healthy. If the latter require more wisdom and eloquence, the former reqnire more love. The father will rule and instruct the healthy and robust of his family ; but the mother alone will nurse the babe, and watch over the invalid child, The more honourable portions of Christian service may be performed from the love of fame, popularity, and self-iat.erest; but its drudgery can scarcely be Inspired by anything but the pure love of Christ. If you wish to manifest disinterested love for Christ, feed his lambs, and this is the only training for advancement. 3. This. is a 11ervice which can Of'Lly be properly peiforme,d by supreme love to Christ. (1) This alone can make it pollllihk. It involves physical, mental, and spiritual energy, and self- sa.crifice, tender and patient care and watching ; and these can only be inspired and sustained by supreme love to Christ. (2) This alone can make it valuable to the shepherd, to the sheep, and to Christ. (8) This alone can make it pleasant and delightful. Otherwise it will be a burden and an unbearable drudgery; but love will make its most unpleasant duties a sweet delight. (4) '!'his alone can make it really stlU,688/uZ. The food provided and administ.ered in love will alone be multiplied and blessed; and in its participation the lambs and sheep of Christ will lie down in green pastures, beside the still wateI'II. LF.BSO.b!S. 1. It was proper that Peter', wve ,hould be severely tried. This was required by the nature of the case. He denied Christ thrice, and thrice was the question of love put to him. A damaged vessel must be well examined e.nd repaired before being sent to sea age.in. 2. T/i£ omniscumce of the Master ill a great comfort to th£ fflleere ~ - Ou account of his essential failings and shortcomings at best, he is liable to be upon the whole ~d~ by men ; but from their pett! court h~ can appeal to tLe " King's bench," and, if nght there, he has a consolation m the duties of bis office, which will inspire him in all difficulties, and which no man can te.ke e.way, oR. xxr. 1-2/i,] THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. JOHN. !'i2i,
8. Let the paBtO'T' e,IJ'I' remember that the sheep are not his own, but ahrise'a. Although he le the shepherd, the provider, and the feeder, yet he is not the owner. Their owner is Christ, and let them be treated as such in all their peculiarities and failings for hie sake. 4. Those who love (J/,rist are commissioned 1Yy him lo do his wMk. Let the fact of personal,. genuine love to him be established, and their commission follows as a matter of cour~e. Love to Christ is entitled to 1'/ork for him, and will work for him. It will ever find employment, and the fidelity with which it performs its duties is the final proof of its power and einceri ty. In the degree we love Christ we shall feed and tend his lambs and sheep.-B. 'l'.