J. 'J.'HE LAW OF CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN SOWING A1''1> -REAPmG IS A JUST LAW. Jt is an appointment of a Goa of righteousness. It is in harmony with the principles of his government. Its maintenance is evidently productive of the welfare of Christian society: II. '!.'ms LAW IS ONE THE OPERATIONS OF WHICH WE CAN IJ:, SOME MEASURE' TRACE. 1. It may be obser.,ed that illiberality stunts the spiritual stature of the giver, whilst generosity promotes his growth. There is noticeable in large-hearted arid _generou~ natures an expansion which is its own reward ; a happy disposition, a co,nstan~ satis~. faction in the result of gifts and efforts; a width of view which removes sufh froni tho petty and miserable emotions of envy, jealousy, and suspicion. 2. In connection with.' this it may be remarked that the treatment of the generous by others is in itself a rich reward. The liberal man is hououred, appreciated, loved. Small services, sliah'.t' tokens of respect, are oflercd him which are evidences of deep feeling, and which can;o~. be received without gratification. It may be left to observation whether the reverse. of this picture is not equally just-whether the mean, selfish, and nigga'rdly do n'ot suffer: personal det.erioration, and whether they do not receive from their neighbours a Illerited contempt. . : • III. THERE .ARE OPERATIONS OF THIS LAW wmcn IT IS BEYOND OUB,POWER,TO TRACE. If we believe that the results of earthly labour extend .into the. future '.eternity, ·,what ~• solemnity docs this conviction impart to the principles upon wl:jich we are accust,oined' to act! The labours of the evangelist, the teachings of the pastor, the. gins ,of, the supporters of religion, all beax fruit in the world to come. The nature and the measure of the harvest are largely determined by the way in which the field is tilled 'and sown'. in time. A motive this to that di~cronce and devotedness which is comme!J,~~d, ip .the text by the inspired apostle. Only sow liberally, and ·hy all waters, and, eyeif if you sow in tears, it is promised that you shall reap in joy.-T. ' •'
Ver. 7.-" .A choorful giver." Paul here supports his appeal for lil;mrality 'by a quo-'. tation from Old Testament Scripture. The words are almost literaHY 'those. o( :the. Septuagint Version of the Book of Proverbs. If the most powerful and pra~tical motive to benevolence and especially to almsgiving is that which comes from the incarnation and from the cross of Christ, still all revelation enjoins and connnenps "'r virtue which is always beneficial to the giver, even when the'advai;i,tage to t4e re~ipieht is questio~able. . , . . '·· ,/' I. Gon HWSELF IB A CHEERFUL GIVEB. There is no grudging in his benevolep,c'e. If he shows mercy, he delights in mercy. If he gives, he gives with open. ha11d ll-!J,_d smiling face. , . . . . .. , li. CHEERFULNESS IN THE GIVER EI>"BANCES TO THE RECIPIENT THE ,VALUJ,!: •OF .TBE GIFT. "One may give with his hand and pull it back with his Jooks/' ·, Some' ',bciicvci'.- lent characters give with such a grace that those who receive at their ·hq:~cls ,tl;tink, more of the giver than of the gift. Even a. trifle in such case is more welcome the,n a handsome donation from an unsympathizirlg aud uninterested donor: A foreigp,scholnr waited upon a theological professor in London, who was a man w~ll known for, his exquisite grace and suavity of manner, to lay before him his position aa.o,ne of peculil}r'. destitution. That he was assisted, and assisted generously, is c,ertain.;' but as he Jeft the house he was beard to break forth into the exclam,ition, "Oh, the modus,. tlie ,,,.c,d;u,s, tbe modw;J" i.e. the manner of the giver in the bestowal of his liberil_io/.• ,,·1 , III. CHEERFULNEBS IN THE GIVF,R REACTS, UPON RIB OWN BPiBITUAL ~ATUBE;, pp .'who, gives coldly, ungraciously, and grudgingly, is none the better for the.act. But the re~dy, liberal, and cheerful giver is a happier and a more truly Christian man, bccau,~e 9f th~ spirit in which he has discharged a duty and rendered a service. cH. 1x. 1-lu.] 'l'IIE SECOND EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS.