performing it should be exceptional, impressive, and great-hearted, and thus the very mode of the act should prove a blessing as well as the thing done. For this coursu another reason existed. Appearances should always be consulted. No one cau afford to put him~elf above them, to neglect, and still less to despise, them. Circumstances ha,•e their laws, and they must be obeyed. The contribution was" abundant," and ho would take all possible precaution in the administration, lest the enemies of his apostleship should invent and propagate some new slander about him, 'l'he inspired mnn, the ambassador, the pioneer of a new Europe, Willi not ashamed to practise the lowly code of common sense and put a very strong emphasis on prndcnce. Hence hie extreme caution. Blameless in the sight of God, he would be blameless in the eyes of men. And now a commendation of our brother, and a special word in behalf of Titus, "my partner and fellow-helper," not forgetting to say "partner and fellow- helper concerning you," and to exhort the Corinthians to make good his boasting to the Macedonian Churches on their behalf. So ends this admirable chapter. Is it not a beautiful pendant to that lamp which, for eighteen hundred years, in the thirteenth chapter of First Corinthians, bas bung out its blaze of splendour before the world ?-L. Ver. 5.-Dedication. If it seems strange to us that a large portion of an inspired Epistle should be occupied with directions as to a charitable collection which was going forward at the time, it should be remembered that Christianity introduced into human society new and more powerful principles of benevolence, and further, that the new and Divine revelation was one which laid the foundation for this llll for all human duties in the character and action of God himself. I. THE PRIMARY AND ALL-IMPORTANT DEDICATION JS THAT OF THE WHOLE PERSONAL NATURE m.ryo THE LoBD. 1. This appears when it is recollected that the Lord has first given himself for us. His sacrifice thus becomes the ground of our consecration. 2. Our very constitution, taken in connection with our natural relation to our Lord, points to such a dedication. "No man liveth unto himself." Our "chief end is to glorify God." 3. This spiritual consecration is pre-eminently acceptable to God. His demand is, "Give me thine heart." Every gift which does not flow from this is vain and worthless in his sight. II. THE DEDICATION OF SELF TO THE LORD SHOULD BE FOLLOWED BY THE DEDICATION OF SELF TO THE LoBD's PEOPLE. Paul looked for the brotherhood, the confidence, the co-operation of his converts, and indeed of all Christian people whom Divine providenco might bring into contact with him. The Corinthians apparently wished to be per- sonally associated with him in the ministration to the Judaian Christians who were in poverty, and their wish was a source of satisfaction and joy to him. Ill. TRUE CHRISTIAN CONSECRATION INVOLVES TJIE GIFT OF PROPERTY TO THE LORD'S CAUSE. It is sometimes objected against calls for liberality that God cannot be enriched by our giving. This is true, yet God's people may receive advantage, and Christ has shown us that what is done for his people is done for himself. As most people value their -qossessions, their generosity is a proof of the sincerity of their love and the reality .jf their consecration. " How can I, Lord, withhold Life's brightest holll' From thee ; or gathered gold, Or any power? Why should I keep one precious thing from thee, When thou hast given thine own dear self for me?" T. Ver. 8.-Si.'Tl~e love. Jn gi1ing liberally towards the collection made for the poor Christians of Judrea the Corinthians showed their love to the objects of their charity, to the apostle to wh~se appeal they responde~, and also to the uns~en Lord and Saviour by whose desire and for whose sake they befriended the least of his brethren. I. LOVE TO CHRIST 18 THE MIGHTIEST OF ALL SPIRITUAL PRIN0IPLEB. Human life abounds with evidence of the might of love; every family, every society, has. some exemplifications of the power of love to overcome difficulties, to prorr.pt to exert10n, to sustain under self-denial. And all Christendom in every age has shown that love to 011. vnr. 1--21.) THE SECO~D EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS. 20:,
ChriAt is nn unrivnlled motive to holiness, to patience, to benevolence. The hymns ol the Church's literature, and the gifts and labours recorded in the Church's annflls, arc alike proof of the vitnlity and efficacy of Christian love. II. THE PROFESSION OF LOVE TO CHRIST IS NOT ALWAYS ACCOMPANIED BY TIIE REALITY. The early disciples were admonished to "love unfeigned," were warned "Let love be without dissimulation." Doubtless in all ages there have been those who have deceiveu themse]ves! and have imagined that t?ey _loved Ch_rist, because th~y have felt some glow of <idm1mtion towards him, but who m time of tnal have made 1t manifest that they had no depth of love. Weighed in the balance, they are found wanting. The soul is brought face to face with its own weakness and worthlessness, inconsistency and treachery. III. THE LORD JESUS TESTS IN MANY WAYS THE SINCERITY OF' RIB PEOPLE'S PRO- FESSION OF LOVE. 1. By his bodily absence from them, which shows whether they have an attachment to their professed Lord which can abide even though not fostered by sight and constant personal intercourse. 2. By permitting rival powers and persons to invite the supreme affection of the heart. These, though they cannot satisfy, may please, and the Lord of all suffers their attractiveness; for the love which cannot abide amid rival attractions is poor indeed. 3. By his demand that we should surrender what is dear to us, if to retain it conflicts with our supreme attachment to Christ. The young ruler was subjected to this test. In some form it comes to many. Feigned love will then go away, even though it go away grieved. 4. By onr necessary and pro- bationary contact with an unloving world. In the presence of the unspiritual and unsympathizing, the sincerity of the Christian's love is often sorely tested. 5. The trials and sufferings of life not only exercise the faith, they test the love, of the pro- fessed follower of Jesus. The storm proves whether the vessel is seaworthy or not. 6. By enjoining upon his people obedience to commandments which are contrary to our natural inclinations. Love can vanquish even the attachment to a "darling sin." 7. Love is tested when it is invited to direct itself towards others also, for Jesus' s:i.ke. Who can love Christ, and yet hate his brother, for whom Christ died ?-T.