Ver. 3.-Tlie relatwns of Gentile to Jewish Churches. Apart from the historical interest of this subject, which was one of the chief causes of anxiety to the apostle, it may be studied as illustrating for every age the principles on which older and younger Chnrcbes, richer and poorer Churches, can be brought into practical union and follow- .ship. Then the topic for consideration becomes this-How can the idea of the -011. xiv. 1-24.] THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS. 5il
·Christian brotherhood be applied to Churches? As introdnctory it may be well to show, concerning the duty of brotherliness, (1) its ground; (2) its character; (3) its -examples; (4) its natural forms of expre8sion. These may be treated in connection with the personal and individual relationships of life, and also in connection with the social and Church relationships. 'l'hen in practical detail, varying accordincr to the sent!ments and associations of the Christian bodies to which we may belong, ~ve may -cons1der- J; BROTHERLINESS AS EXPRESSED TO EQUAL CHURCHES. In this case the brotherliness will take such forms as: 1. Fellowship in worship. 2. Mutual aid in enterprise and work. 3. _Due watchfulness of each other's honour and spiritual health. 4. Anxious repression of all jealousies of each other's successes. G. Manifestations of sympathy in -times of Church depression or sorrow. Among equal Churches there is little oppor- tunity for the charity of material help. II. BROTHERLINESS EXPRESSED TO INFERIOR OR DEPEllDEllT CHURCHES. Besides those already dealt with, there should be these further expressions. 1. Careful con- servation of the rights of the dependent Church. 2. Readiness to give material and moral help, as occasion demands. 3. Avoidance of superior airs or assuJ]lptions of .authority. 4. Use of all opportunities that may be offered for the manifestation of .sympathy. While it is true that times of calamity find special occasions for brother- liness, it is also true that those in any way dependent on us would not have us wait for the trial-times. True Christian brotherhood wants to find utterance for itself every .day, and to fill all the ordinary associations of life with its helpful spirit.-R. T. Ver. 9.-The mission of our hindrances. "There are many adversaries." In life we always find that the "open door" and the "many hinderers" go together. Very seldom can we have the one without the other. For the use of the tet·m "doer" as a figure for "opportunity," see Acts xiv. 2i; 2 Cor. ii. 12; Col. iv. 3. For the narrative which illustrates the expression here used, see Acts xix. 19, 20. Of hindrances affecting St. Paul, we may think of (1) bis own frail health ; (2) the diflicuities and dangers of travelling; (3) the wilfulness sometimes showu by his trnvelling companions; (-!) the sudden and unexpected claims of the Churches altering his plans; (5) the persistent .and watchful opposition of his Jewish enemies; and we may even add (6) the some- t-imes strange and trying limitations put by the guiding Spirit, as in Acts xvi. 6, 7. "That which was so eviJently true of St. Paul is the common experience of God's ser- vants ; and we must accept the conditicns, and win virtue out of the very limitations. I. Goo's PROVIDENCE IS EVER MAKING OPEN DOORS F0R us. '!'his is true in educational life, and in business life, Every man sooner or later gets his turn and opportunity. But we observe how true it is both of personal Christian life and of Church life. Goel sets before us open doors, shows us spheres of service which we may occupy. .Antl such we enter upon with great hopes and expectations, assuming that if Providence has so manifestly opened the door, the path within must be straight and plain and easy. This we find is not always true; for- 11. Goo's PROVIDENCE IS ALSO EVER MAKING HINDRANCES. 1. Often health fails at the moment of opportunity. 2. Sometimes the will to do it fades when the opportt1nity for doing appears. 3. Events as providential seem to block the path ju-st inside the open door. 4. 'l'he work involves labour which seriously taxes energy and faiLh. 5. Too often we faint and fail, and prove the greatest hinJerers of our work. \Ve must fully .accept the fact that, here on earth, Got! has put open doors and hindrances together, that the combination might nurture and develop the noblest qualities in his servants. -R. T. Ver. 14.-The limitation of the robuster virtues. "Let all your things be done with ,charity." The connection in which this sentence stands suggests the topic. The apostle had been calling the Christians at Corinth to manlinc~s, strong anJ vigorous action, watchfulness, and firm holding of the foith. He kuew well how readily firmness ,could become stubbornness, anci strength roughness. The strong may forget the rights of the weaker brethren, and the manly may fail to realize that full manlit1css which focludes womanly tenderness and gentleness. Therefore, in an all-suggestive sentence, be says," Temper the whole of your relations wiU charity, heavenly Divine charity," 5i2 THE FIRST EPISTLE TO 'l'HE CORINTHIANS. [CH, XIV, 1-24-,