mny ultimately be given into the bargain, but it will asRUredly be miesed if made 0111' end. '' A great German poet and philosopher," says Dr. Martineau, "was fond of defining religion as consisting in a reverence for iln,feri<n beings. The definition is paradoxical ; but though it does not express the e8/l6'11a of relicion it aesuredly designates one of its effects. True, there could be no reverence for l;we: natures, were there not, to begin with, the recognition of a Supreme Mind; but the moment that recognition exists, wo certainly look on all that is beneath with a different eye. It becomes an object, not of pity and protection only, but of sacred respect; and our sympathy, which had been that of a humane fellow-creature, is converted into the deferential help of a devout worker of God's will. And so the "loving BeT"1Ti,;e of the wealc and wantim,g is an essential part of the discipline of the Christian life. Some habitual association with the poor, the dependent, the sorrowful, is an indispensable source of the highest elements of character." 1 IV. A BUOYANT, HOPEFUL SPmIT SHOULD BE OUBS m ALL OUR PUlll.IC WORK. For it is "the God of hope" with whom we have to do. And humanity is being lifted up by the Christian spirit of service. And great things are in store for the earth. Peace, joy, hope, should in consequence characterize every one who names the name of Jesus and professes to follow him in service. God grant it to llll all !-R. M. E. Vers. 14-33.-T/ie apostle's programme. The didactic and hortatory portions ol the Epistle are now over, and a few personal explanations and salutations are all that remain. They need not detain us long. And here we have- I. PAUL'S REASONS FOB WRITING TO THE RolilNS. (Vers.14-21.) It is not becanse the Church at Rome is deficient in either knowledge or preaching power. The list in last chapter shows how many able men and women composed the Church. But the reason is : 1. Beca'l/,Se Paul is apostle to the Genti1es. The Chnrch at Rome should enjoy his care as well as the other Gentiles. The only difference is that in th_jg case he has not been the pioneer, as he had been in eo many other Gentile Churches. And regarding this apostleship he is careful to speak of: (1) Its sacred character. He has not only been a minister of Jesus Christ (AEIToun~s), but has also been "doing holy service" (Z.poup-yovVTa) in the matter of the gospel of God, that the Gentiles might be got ready as an offering, It is a pre-eminently holy office which the apostle has been exercising. (2) The means employed have been the gospel of God. Paul carried "good tidings" from -God to the Gentiles, and this splendid Epistle shows how full a message he brought, Then : (3) Its end was that the Gentiles should become an acuptable offering. Consecration is the great purpose of salvation, to make them obedient in word and deed and dedicated in heart and life to God's glory. (4) He has had a wide success in his enterprise, Signs and wonders have been wrought by the power of the Spirit of God round a large district of the heathen world. 2. But having been prtwented hitherto from coming to Rome, lie indites this Epistle to them. It is as s token from the unavoidably absent apostle that he writes the Epistle. II. HE SKETCHES ms PROGRAMME FOB THEM. (Vers. 22-28.) And first he has to go up from Corinth with money for the poor saints of the mother Church at Jerusalem. From that Church the gospel has come to the Gentiles, and it is only reasonable that there should be now a return in the time of their need. A return in carnal things is to be expected after the reception of spiritual things. He hopes when he has got through this service at Jerusalem to come by Home to Spain. He hoped to make his ad vent to Rome as a free man-he did not then think it would be as a prisoner. III. H111 IB CERTAIN HE WILL OOMIII AS A BLESSING TO THEll,L (Ver. 29.) He is inspired with moral certainty that his advent will not be in vain. It is such an assurance of blessing through us that should animate every worker for the !faster. Rome wus to feel the offocts of Paul's visit for years, .And so it did. IV. PAUL'S REQUEST FOR INTEROESSION, (Vers.80--32.) 'His assurance of blessing, instend of minimizing, only iutensifiod his prayer, nnd led him to ask others to intercedo for bim. And hL•ro we notice: 1. 'l'he gro1111d o/ the ngucst. It is "for the Lord Josus Chl'ist's Mko, and for the love of tho Spirit." lly all t\iat Christ bas bean for them nnd the Spirit hns been with them und in them, he asks thom t0 inter- • Endeavoum after the Ohrilltie.n Life,' 4th edil., p. 48¼. THE EPISTLE OF PA:UL '1'0 THE ROMANS.• [on, :x.v1. 1-27,
cede. 2. The eub.!tance of the request. For deliverance from unboliovers in Jud!llll for acceptance among the poor B&i.nts, and for a joyful snd refreshing advent to Rome' Of these the _last two were answered and the first ,vae denied. Yet his apprehensio~ by the unbelievers was overruled for groot spiritual good. ' · THE BEJs~DICTION. (Ve_r. 33.) The God of pence, the great Peace-maker, ie asked to be with them, making them a peaceful, happy Church at Rome, It le a message of peace that an apostle brings.-R. M. E.