the observation of such ns are associated in the tenderest intimacies of life. There is no desire and prayer so all-penetrating and all-influential as the desire and prayer fol" the spiritual and eternal welfare of those who are nearest and dearest, united by the most sacred and endearing of earthly ties. Ill. AN OPPOR'rUNITY 1B GIVEN IN THESE RELATIONSHIPS FOR EXPRESS INSTRUCTION AND PERSUASION WHICH MA y ISSUE IN SPIRITUAL GOOD. In many instances it may be unwise to make a special and formal effort to convince and to persuade; it may be better to leave religion to tell its own tale and do its own work. But cases do occur in which Provid1mce i;nakes an opening for an effort. Stanley's remark upon this verse is well worth quoting: "The verse so understood has probably conduced to the frequent instances of the conversion of unbelieving husbands by believing wives. Even the stern severity of Chrysostom relaxes in its presence into the declaration, 'that no teacher has such an effect in conversion as a wife,' and this passage, thus interpreted, probably had a direct influence on the marriage of Clotilde with Clovis, and Bertha with Ethelbert, and consequently on the subsequent conversion of the two great king- doms of France and England to the Christian faith." There are few Christian ministers who from their own observation could not tell of similar instances in lowlier life, where God has blessed the influence of wife to husband, or of husband to wife, so that they have become heirs together of the grace of life. Whilst, on the one hand, the mere hope of exercising such influence should never lead a man or a woman to marry an unbeliever, on the other hand, when unequal unions have been formed, the possibility opened up in this verse should lead to wise and affectionate effort, and to earnest and unwearying prayer.-T. Yer. 19.-0bedience is everything. One great result of the introduction of Chris- tianity into the world was to diminish the importance of trifles and to elevate great things into their due prominence. True religion thus acts by restoring to all things their due proportions, by putting all things in their due perspective. In religions of human device the greatest stress is laid upon what is valueless and things of supreme moment are ignored. In nothing is the religion of Christ more signally in contrast with and in advance of the religions of the heathen than in this vital point. L THE INDIFFERENOE OF OUTWARD POSITION AND ODSERVANCE. The great distinction in the time of the apostles and in the society in which they moved was the distinction between Jews and Gentiles, or, as it was the custom to express it, between the cir- cumcision and the uncircumcision. But this distinction stands before us as represen- tative of all external lines of d4)marcation, of all parties sundered by associations and observances amongst men. When the apostle says that circumcision and uncircum- cision are "nothing," he uses very strong language, but be thus sets forth the insignificance of a man's birth, religious associations, reputation in this world, com- pnred with his personal character. A lesson this which we find also in bis Epistle to the Galatians, who, like the Corinthians, were assailed by false teachers who sought to substitute formality for spirituality. The inference is valid from this instance to all instances embraced in the general principle. It is to be observed that this apostolic teaching has two applications. 1. Those who insist upon forms are blamed for their narrowness. 2. Those who insist upon the neglect of forms are equally blamed for their intolerance. Neither one way nor the other is it allowable for one to dictate to another or to boast over another. The temperaments, habits, education, opinions, of Christians will probably decide whether or not they incline to express their religion in ceremonies or to dispense with such. II. THE ALL-IMPORTANCE OF AN ODEDIENT HEART AND LIFE. Whon it is affirmed that circumcision and uncircumcision are "nothing," it is suggested that the keeping of the Divine commandments is everything-that this is the ono thing of supremo importance. 1. There is implied the evangelical motive to Christian obedience. Cer- tainly Paul was the last to teach that the mere outward compliance and conformity were sufficient. 'l'he prohibitions of the Law may be observed, yet the Searcher of hearts is not satisfied if the soul be not surrendered and devoted to him. And our Lord Jesus has very clearly and pointedly shown the relation between motive and practice in his saying, "If ye love me, keep my commandments;"" Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you." 2. There is implied the supreme and righteous 1. conrnTHIA ~s. 11 242 TJIE FrnST EPISTLE TO 'l'HE COillNTHIANS. [orr, vn. 1-10.
"11fi1ti1·ity of God. It is too common, in representincr the Creator as the Bestower or all ec1ft? and as the ~ource of all grace, !o overlook tl10 very important and scriptural ':1cw 01 God as the Jmt G,)Vernor and Kmg of men. He has a rio-ht 0 to command• all l1is or,linances and directions are in perfect harmony with the eternal and fla~less moral law. It is not merely a superior power, it is a rightful authority to which we ar~ bidde:1 t.o su?mit, and t? this our own reason and conscience unequivocally testify. 3. J here 1s 1mphcd the muversal i·ange and sphere of the religious life. Not in an occasional act, not in an exceptional observance, lies our conformity to the Divine wilt The commandments of God apply to. the whole moral life of man, leave nothing untouched, unblcst-thcy are" exceeding broad." All the activities of our nature and all the a~pects ol our life are contemplated and included in this comprehensive condition of true religion. The Jew and the Gentile, the young and the old, the learned and the i Iliterate, ho1Ye"l'er they may be related to ceremonial observances, are all one in this- all can recognize the obligation to Christian obedience, and all can find in their several p_ositions and a1:ocations a?d ~elationships a~un?ant opportunity for practically and cuecrfully fulfillmg the obhgat10n they are alike m acknowledging.-T.