The Pulpit Commentary — Galatians — Section 363

of favour th11t we may minister to their necessity? And we should miniijter to their necessity were it only for our own good, to counterBCt that greed which is apt to grow insidiously upon men who are proepeting. And for this reason it were, perhaps, to ho wished that there were more poor in some of our Churches, that there might be a greater flow of Ohrietian charity. We are to bear this burden for them, as those who have the same heavenly bread to eat of. A little sacrifice on our part may do much to lighten thoir burdens and cheer their hearts. And we should be quick to know where we can do good in this way. If there are not always those who are in clamant need, there are always those whose struggle for subsistence might well be made easier, whose difficulties might well be made fewer, and whose comforts might well be added to. As to the way in which we are to do it, we are to do it with discrimination, as good stewards of what we have been.entrusted with for others. We are to do it as though it were a luxury to ourselves, and not as though we were conferring an obligation. We may do it secretly when it is no object to manifest personal kindness. We are always to do it with rever- ence. For, if there is 11.nything in our bearing calculated to destroy the self-respect of the recipient, when he is taken at a disadvantage, then we may be removing one burden, but we are at the same time laying another upon him which it will be more difficult for him to bear. When we give help to any one we should be very studious to make him feel that he is our equal in being a man, and, in the case before us, a Christian. (2) Burden of ajftiction. We mean the burden of sickness or bereavement. For we are all mortal. "Death has set his mark and seal" on <>Ur bodies. We are all liable to sickness and decay. And, when we come within the precincts of the Church, we do not leave our ills behind us. But here, of this one and of that one it is said, "He is Bick." Now, we· are to consider the case of the afflicted members of the Church. They have a burden to bear. When of those beloved one after another is laid in the grave, the burden of mortality presses heavily enough upon them. " What could be heavier?" they seem to say through their tears. When, by a succession of premonitory symptoms, they are :tnade aware that their own health is failing, tbe burden seems to press yet more heavily. It is something more to feel for themselves as if life were slipping out of their grasp. When, at last, they are prostrated upon the bed of sickness and are withdrawn, perhaps for ever, from the wonted scene, from the sanctuary, from the sphere of usefulness, the burden seems to be weighted as with lead, a.nd there is a multitude of thoughts within them. Now, Christ has appointed for such; and his law laid upon fellow-members is," Bear ye this burden for them." We are to bear this burden for them; for we may yet be in their case, and we should like the same office to be per- formed for us. We are to· bear this burden for them ; for so closely are we related to theni, that it is as though part of ourselves were suffering. If we have a fine spiritual organism, then, what a fellow-Christian suffers will, as it were, vibrate throngh us. We are to bear this burden in the way of sympathy. We may show oar sympathy by a visit to the sick-bed, by a kind inquiry, by a kind office, by a kind expression, by a kind look. We are to be studious to show that we are not wholly taken up with ourselves, but have a place and a tender feeling for them. For, oh, when life is ebbing, it is hard to think that they are forsaken; while it is cheering to think that there are around them messengers of Christ, each, as it were, conveying to them a portion of the Master's sympathy. It is a great accomplishment to be able to administer consolation. " The noblest o.rt Is his, who skills of comfort best: Whom by the softest step and gentlest tone Enfeebled spirits own, And love to raise the languid eye, When like an angel's wing, they feel him :fleeting by:- Feel only, for iu silence gently gliding Fain would he shun both ear and sight." We should cultivate this Divine art, that we may become proficients in it. We ~bould seek each to be a. Barnabas, a son of consolation, especially to the Lord's affl.icteu ones. It is a fine spectacle to see a pilgrim bearing the b'!-rden of a fellow-pilgrim who may be nearing hisjourney'.s end. May the Lor~, by his grace! break our ~earts, so.that we shall feel, as with his own fineness of feeh ng, for every sick Lazarus lil our nudst 1 '330 'l'IlE EPISTLE '1'0 TBE GALATIAN~