e.n opportunity slip w11s more than they could bear. AncJ. thi9 conduct exceeded hie expectations; for they bad given themselves first to the Lord Jesus, and then, anxious to show their affection for the apostlo, had given themselves in thls special matter to him. Heart and property ; what a consecration! What a page in spiritual biography I Out of" deep poverty;" what chorus of voices ever rose like this, pleading that these lllacedonians might be permitted to share the grace of ministration I "The short and simple annals of the poor" have added much to our English literature, nor is it cxtragavant to claim that this is one of the most praiseworthy marks of that dis- tinctive genius which bas signalized its excellence in so many department.a of poetry nnd fiction. But do we realize our indebtedness to the Bible for this beautiful and humanizing element in English literature? Here, in this single chapter from the Apostle Paul, what a touching picture of Christian poverty, snrrendering means it could ill afford to spare, and doing it "with a self-dedication which involved a complete renunciation of all personal interests" (Kling) !-L.
Vers. 7-15.-Appeal to the Corinthians. A wise use had been made by the apostle of the example of the Macedonians. He had not appealed to pride, vanity, or any selfish feeling, but had simply presented a remarkable case of Christian philanthropy. Robertson very properly remarks, " Had the apostle said, 'Be not beaten by those Macedonians;' had he called natural prejudices into play-a Corinthian to yield to a Macedonian !-then all the evil passious of our nature had been stimulated." Emula- tion is a true principle, and may be a religious principle. The danger lies, not in the thing itself, but in its abuses, and particularly m the encouragement which it may afford to false rivalry and jealousy. In a large measure, the spirit and conduct or others make the social atmosphere we breathe, nor can we live in the world without contact with it. Goodness assumes its most attractive forms in noble examples, and, except for these, our own ideals, if they exifted at all, would be very imperfect. Con- sistently, then, with his purpose of stimulating the Corinthians to seek-a high degree of' Ch1istian excellence, the apostle sets before them in most vivid colours the liberality of the Macedonian Churches. Titus had begun, and he would have him "finish in them the same grace also." Men are channels of Divine influence to our souls, and, as such, should be acknowledged in their work. St. Paul saw God's blessing on the labours of his young friend, and he would not deprive him of the honour of completing the task. He stood out of his way, encouraged bis efforts, and lent him a fatherly band in furtherance of bis undertaking. This sympathy with young men is one of his characteristic qualities, and it is worthy of warm admiration. Many an elderly officer in the Church might heed it to great advantage. Titus should have all the credit. Let the brethren at Corinth heartily second bis exertions in behalf of the poor saints at Jerusalem. If they abounded "in everything, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence," and in their love for the apostle, let them "abound in this graco also." 'l'he quality being pure, quantity was a favourite idea which he never lost an opportunity to urge. "Abound" and "abundant" flow freely from his pen. "Not by commandment" was this ,vritten. Free hearts, joyous impulses, could alone be recognized in this enterJirise of humanity. This was the value of example, it was a sympathetic influence; and hence bis reference to "the forwardness of others," which would test the " sincerity of their love." What a great truth is taught here, and that too so incidentally as to escape the attention of all save those who make the cultiva- tion of discernment a constant duty! Noble examples are Divine tests; they prove, as we have said, the depth and activity of our sympathies, and in this respect supply the means of a discipline otherwise lacking. "l•'orwardness of others;" study its meaning. God commissions the leaders. Vast enterprises are never bor& o! m:isses, but of individuals; apostles first, and then Churches; Bunyan, and two centuries of literature for the poor and illiterate; Watts and the sacred poets following; Haikes and Wesley; Martyn and Judson; successors mu_ltiplied becau~~ of. their "forward~e~s.'' Having dwelt on the example of the Macedomans, the trans1t10n 1s easy to the D1vmci Exemplar. A single verse reminds them of" the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ," the surrender of bis eternal glory, the riches of his Godhead's state, the extent of tho abnegation, the earthly poveriy assumed, and all far their sakes, that " through his poverty'' they "might be rich." 'l'he supreme consideration must be kept in full on. v1u. 1-24.] THE SECOND EPISTLE TO 'l'HE CORINTHIANS. 203