the girt of tongues draws :ittention to the possessor himself, whilst charity goes forth from him who cultivates it to others. The gift in question was one Hplcndid and daz_zling. "\Vb?ther it con_sisted in a P?wer to _speak intelligibly in foreign language~, or m the pouring forth ot sounds-art1culatc, mdeed, but not corresponding with any language known to the auditors-in either case it was a brilliant faculty, drawing all eyes to the 8peakcr and all cars to his voice. On the other hand, the affectionate minis~rant to the wants of his paor or afflicted neighbours would usually go his way unnohceJ and unadn11red. It 1s better that a mau should be drawn out as it were from himself, than that his attention should be, because the attention ~f others is' concentrated upon himself. 2. In the fact that the grace of love is far more serviceabl~ to the Church and to the world than the gift of tongues. There was a purpose sub- served by this gift-it impressed carnal listeners, it was a proof to the Church itself of a special Divine pre.~ence. Ilut love led men and women to sympathize with one another, to minister to the wants of the needy, to raise the fallen, to stren"then the 0 weak, to nurse the sick, to comfort the bereaved, to rear the orphan. 'l'hus its fruits Yindicated its supremacy. 3. In the fact that the Lord Jesus loved, but never spakc with tongues. 4. In the fact that the gift of tongues is but for a season, whilst love is indestrnctible and eternal. II. IlY WHAT COMPARISON THE SUPERIORITY OF LOVR IS ILLUSTRATED. The gift with- out the grace is likened to the sounding of brass, to the clashing of a cymbal of bronze. There is noise, but it is vox et prreterea nihil; there is no melody and no meaning. On the other hand, love is like a strain of exquisite music vibrating from the strings, warbling from a flute, or pealing from the pipes of an organ; or, better still, it is like the clear bell-like voice of a boy in some cathedral choir, rendering an immortal passage of sacred poetry to an air sounding like an echo from the minstrelsy of Paradise. 'fhe former arrests attention ; the gong when struck produces a shock ; but the latter sweetly satisfies the soul, then soothing and refreshing the spirit's longings for a heaven-born strain, and leaving behind the precious memory of a melting cadence.-T.
Ver. 2.-Love and knowledge. Different gifts have nttractions for different minds. To the Corinthinns the charisms of language seem to have had an especial charm and value. It might be supposed that those possessions here mentioned-prophecy, unravelling of mysteries, and knowledge, especially of spiritual things-would have a deeper interest for such a one as Paul. And that he did prize these is not to b6 questioned. Yet such was his appreciation of love, that in this eulogium of it he sets it above those half-inielJectual, ball~spiritual gifts. I. THESE GIFTS ARE IN THEMSELVES VALUABLE. There is nothing here said to disparage the gifts. On the _contrary, th_ey are introduced i_n a way which witn~sses to their excellence. Prophecy 1s the speakrng forth of the mind of God-a function the most honourable the mind can conceive. 'l'o understand and reveal mysteries would universally be acknowledged to be a high distinction. Knowledge ranks high in con- nection with a religiou which addres8es man's intelligence. All these are, so to speak, aspects of religion peculiarly congenial to a thoughtful Christian, and peculiarly advantageous to a Christian community. JI. BuT IT IS POSSIDLE THAT THESE GIFTS MAY BE OF NO VALUE TO THE POSSESSOR. That is, in case they be unaccompanied by love. 'l'he pmely intellectual character is the unlovely character. The man may be the vehicle of truth, and yet the truth may pass through him without affecting his character, his spiritual positiun. Who does not know such men-men c,f Biblical scholarship, sound theology, great teaching power, yet loveless, and because loveless unlovely? 'fo themselves they may be great men, and in the view of the Church; hut in reality, and before God, they are nothing! III. IT 18 LOVE WHICH MAKES THESE GIFTS V.ALUAnLE TO THEIR POSSESSOR. How needful love is to impart a spiritual flavour and quality to these great endowments, is clear enouo-h, i.e. to every enlightened mind. 1. Love infuses the spirit in which they are t~ be used. How differently the man of intellect or of learning uses his powers when his soul is pen,adcd by the spirit of brotherly love, every observer must have noticed, "Let all your things be done in charity" is an admonition appropriate to all but especially so to the mnn of genius or of ability. 2. Love controls the purposo tc 'which they are to be applied. Not for self-exaltation, not for the advancement of a. CH. xm. 1-13.) 'l'llE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE COinN'Tll I .\;\S. 4U
great cause, but for the general welfare, will love i □ spire the great to consecrate their· talent8, according to the mind and method of the great Master himself.-T.