The Pulpit Commentary — Galatians — Section 270

sympathetic emotions. The same applies to the great Christian anniversaries, aud the power of association may help us to profit by the lessons of the Incarnation at Christmas and of the Resurrection at Easter. H. THERE IS A DANGEROUS OBSERVANCE OF SEASONS. 1. Regardin,q the mere observ- ance of the seasons as a 'Virtue on i"ts own account. The means receives the credit due only to the end. Mere "sabbatb-keeping" is no good thing. The question is, "What good do we do or gain through use of the privileges of the day?" 2. The idea that the holy season sanctifies what would be otherwise common. 3. Making the sanctity of the day an excuse for neglecting duty. This was the fault of hypocritical Pharisees in the time of our Lord. Charity was sinned against that the sabbath might be respected. 4. Treat mg the religious observance of the holy season as an 6/Ccusefor irreligion at other seasons. How many in Roman Catholic countries seem to think that attendance at Mass in the morning gives an indulgence for attendance at the theatre in the evening ! How many Protestants seem to think that cessation from business on Sunday shows so much respect for religion that all the work of the week may be carried on in utter worldliness! Surely it is best not to put up the shutters on the first day of the week, if this act is only a piece of hypocrisy intended to cover the sin of using false weights and measures and selling adulterated goods on the other six days. In conclusion, let us remember that each man must draw the line between the harm- less use and the dangerous observance of seasons for himself. It depends much on natural constitution and on early habits. If some Christians seem rather over-observant of days, those who with St. Paul regard all days, the sabbath included, as in themselves equally holy, are not to judge their weaker brethren, but to reverence their devotion and to be charitable to their failing (Rom. xiv. 5, 6).-W. F. A. Ver. 11.-Labour bestowed in vain. I. Ali .APOSTLE lll.AY BESTOW LABOUR IN VAIN. If Sl Paul might thus fail. we are not to be surprised when we do not meet with success. W c a.re not responsible for the results of our work, but only for the faithfulness of our efforts. II. A TRUE WORKMAN WILL BE ANXIOUS NOT TO BESTOW LABOUR IN VAIN. Christian work is not mere treadmill drudgery. It is labour of interest, of sympathy, of love. The servant of Christ will be anxious, not only that he may be saved, though, perhaps, "so as by fire," but that bis work may be preserved (1) for the honour of Christ; (2) for the welfare of men; (3) for the personal interest occasioned by self-sacrificing toil. If we care nothing for the results of our work, this is a manifest proof that our heart is not in it, and therefore that the work will be ill done. We must earnestly desire a. good harvest if ever we are to be rewarded with the sight of the ripe golden ears. fil THE PROSPECT OF FAILURE IN WORK WILL LEAD AN EARNEST MAN TO DO ALL BE cc- TO PREVE:-S-T IT. It was the dread of such failure that called forth the whole Epistle to the Galatians from St. Paul. 1. Failure, though in prospect, may often be obviated by improved methods, for we may be ourselves to blame for the want of success that we attribute to the stubbornness of the soil. It is a mistake to be wedded to any one method. The slavery of routine is fatal to success. New emergencies demand new plans. Beware of sacrificing the work to the machinery. 2. Failure may be avoided by more earnest efforts. St. Paul expostulates· with the Galatians. He exhibits some- thing of the long-suffering of God. It is foolish and weak and wrong to despair a.t the first lack of success. God despairs of no soul. If we were more hopeful and more patient we should be more fruitful. IV. IT IS LAMENTAllLE TO BE IN THE CONDITION OF THOSE UPON WHOM LABOUR HAS BEEN BESTOWED IN VAIN. They who thus fail are without excuse. All that has been done for them will rise up in judgment against them. How terrible t~ have been privileged with the ministry of an apostle, of a St. Paul, and, in spite of all bis eloquence, bi~ zeal, his self-sacrificing devotion, his inspiration, to make shipwreck at last I We who have the New Testament in our hands have that ministry for our benefit. Ir aft.er enjoying the privileges of living in a Christian country and rec~iving Christian teaching we fail of entering into the Christian life, all the labour spent ~n vam u~on us will condemn us. The responsibility rests on each individual soul. It 1s a delusion to throw the blame on the preachers. The highest influences, even up to the preaching of a St. Paul, will fail, unless we yield our own hearts in obedience to the truth.-W. I<'. A. CU. IV. 1-31.] 'l'HE EPISTLE 'fO THE GALATIANS, 237