confident'E' bc-tween mAn and mAn. They destroy don1csUo pence, eoolnl interoourse, and commercial morality. Truthfulness And sincerity Are muoh needed. II. DJFCBTMINATION. "Abhor t.hat which is evil; cleave to that which ia good" (ver. ~). The spirit of indifference is another prevalent evil·of our time. "Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil." Dr. Arnold at Rugby, trying to elevate the i:tandard. of ch&l'I\Cter there, found this difficulty-indifference about evil. He said, "What I mmt to see in the school, and what I cannot find, is an abhorrence of evil ; I always think of the psalm,• Neither doth he abhor; that which is evil.'" We want more discrimin&tion. The young espxially need to discriminate in their friendships, and to choose the society of gooJ men and good women. m G~"'EROSITY. "Distributing to the necessity of saints" (ver. 13). In exer- cising generosity, God's people, our brethren in Christ, should have the first claim upon us. But we are not to limit our attentions to them. "Given to hospitality," we shall show kindness to strangers, just because they are strangers and are away from home and friends. How truly the Christian religion teaches men consideration for others! IV. SYMPATHY. "Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep" (ver. 15). Sympathy is a Christ-like quality. Sympathy for the perishing brought Jesus Christ t.o earth. Sympathy sent Henry Martyn to Persia, Adoniram Judson to Burmab., David Brainerd to the Red Indians, David Livingstone and Bi11hop Han.nington to Africa. Sympathy led Mr. E. J. Mather to brave the dangers of the deep in order to do something for the temporal and spiritual welfare of the deep-sea :fishermen of the North Se&. We want more sympathy for those near us-for the poor, the sick, the suffering, the careless, at our own doors. We need to learn also how to sympathize with innocent enjoyment. The mission of the Christian Church is not a mission of amusement, bnt it can show that it does not frown upon, and can thoroughly enter into, the innocent pleasures and recreations of life. We are not only to "weep with them that weep," but also "rejoice with them that do rejoice." V. HUKILITY. "Mind not high things, but condescend to man of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits." There is too much pride even in the Church of Christ-pride of rank, pride of wealth, pride of learning. The condition of things so severely satirized and rebuked in the second chapter of James is still too common in the Christian Church. The Church of Christ needs to condescend a little more than it does "t.o men of low est.ate." Christian ministers need to think more of the humbler members of their congregations, while they do not neglect the spiritual welfare of the rich. A little more of the humility of Christ would make the Church of Christ and the ministers of religion more respected among the working classes and the poor. VI. PEACEFULNESS. " If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men" (ver. 18). This peaceful relation may be secured: 1. By not cherishing a vindict-if1t! spirit. "Recompense to no man evil for evil" (ver. 17). "Dearly beloved, avenge not yoarselves" (ver. 19). Offenders against peace would do little harm if they did not find others only too ready t.o take offence. What an example is that of Cranmer!- " To do him any wroDg was to beget A kindneB& from him; for his heart was rioh, Of S11cb fine mould, that if you sowed therein The Beed of bate, it bloBBOmed charity." 2. By meeting enmity with ki'IUVMIB. "BleSB them which persecute you: bless, and curse not" (ver. 14). "Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him d.rin.k: : for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head." Your kindness will be li.k..e coals of fire to melt h.i.B hardened heart, just as Jaoob's prudent act of kind- IJt,&, following on his prayer, turned away the anger of h.i.B injured brother Esau. Bo we may destroy our enemies, as the Chinese emperor is eaid to have done, by making t,b.tm our friends. ThWI we shall "overcome tvil with good."-C. H. L
Vers. 11, 12.-77ie Ohrl,Ua,1,'s dutg to himself. Whlle we are to think of others, we are to think of our11el'f'ea also. Herbert Spencer has contrasted the "religion of enmity,". or the religion of heatheni1m, with what he ea.lie the " religion of amiti," or thB religiun of Ghrii,tiattity. :Uut he epee.kl .. if_ the Chrilltian precept was, "Thou shoJt mt. xn. 1-21.] THE EPIBTtE Ot PAt/L TO TBE ROMANS. 373