Vera. 18-21.-The true antidote to drunkenness. There is n. real contrast here exhibited between fulness of wine and fulness of the Spirit. There is an intensity of feeling produced in both cases. "There is one intensity of feeling produced by stimu- lating the senses ; another, by vivifying the spiritual life within. The one commences with impulses from without, the other is guarded by forces from within." The one tenus to ruin, the other to salvation. The Spirit-fulness "will keep the soul holy, the body chaste, and render the Christian fit for the service of God on earth and meet for the fruition and enjoyment of God in heaven." The exhilaration ea.used by the Spirit finds a threefold expression. I. IN PSALMS, HYMNS, AND SPIRITUAL ·BONGS. 1. The heathen festivals were remarkable for songs of drunken revelry. The excitement of the worshippers found vent in singing. Christians are likewise to express their exhilaration in songs. "The hearts and spirits of good men arc full of spiritual mirth and joy; they a.re as meny in the Lord as sinners in their lust; it is, therefore, lawful and laudable for them to express their mirth and give vent to their spiritual joy by singing." 2, '!'here is a happy variety in such songs adapted to the various moods of the singers. We have the Psalms of David; we have the hymns composed by pious men like Zacharias and Simeon; and we have the compositions, for public assemblies, of those inspired by tho Holy Spirit (1 Cor. xiv.). 3. There must be a harmony in these songs between the art.istic service of the voice and tho inner melody of the heart. Otherwise the spirit and meaning of the exercise will disappear. 4. Singing has always been a powerful instrument. of promoting the spread of true religion (Reformation, periods of revival). 5. The singing here enjoined was for social intercourse as well as for' tho public assem- blies of worship. Christians ought to exercise their gifts of song to spiritual ends. II. IN GIVING OF THANJIS. Tho heart which is filled with the Spirit brims over with thankfulness. 1. To whom thanl,s are to be given. "To God, even the Father." 'l'o God as the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and therefore our Father in him. (1) Because it is only from him we have anything that is good (Jas. i. 17); (2) ,bocauso it is only by him we arc preserved from evil (Ps. cxxi. 'i); (3) because he only is good in himself (Luke xviii. 19). 2. How should we give thanlcs to him 1 (1) By humblo confessio!l of our unworthiness (Gen. xxxii. 10; eh. iii. 8); (2) by humble acknowledg- ment of his mercies (Prov. iii. 6; Ps. cxlv. 1-9); (3) by improving everything to his glory (Prov. iii. 9); (4) by walking before him in all well-pleasing. 3. W11at must we tl1anlc him/or 1 "For all things." (1) For our mercies-for sparing mercy, for recover- ing mercy, for mercies both received and expected. Yon cannot expect a blessing in them unless you are thankful for them ; and the more thankful you are for mercies receiven the more reason is there for your expecting more. (2) For all providences-for pros- perity or adversity, for health or sickness. 'l'he afflictions may be mixed with mercies, and may be the means of quickening our graces (Ps. cxix. 67). 4. How often must we thank him 1 "Alwnys." It must be continuous. The hcnrt must be kept in a con- stantly th:mkful fmme, and not expend itself at mere intervals in nets of devout thanksgiving. 5. Through whom are our thanksgivings to be made acceptable to God, "In the Na.me of our Lord Jesus Christ." We are authorized to use this Name as our warrant for expecting the acceptance of our services as well as the fullest enjoyment of all spiritual mercies . . Ill. MUTUAL SUBMISSION. The effect of the Spirit's full enjoyment is to produce a humble and loving spirit among Christian people. 1. The duty of mutual submission. This piinciple, which is inconsistent with a perverse egotism or a self-opinionated suveriority, has great and happy effects. It reduces the friction of human life, nnd contributes greatly to its comfort and peace. It has nothing in common with the servile aml obsequious temper which is such a dishonour to manhood. Let us mutually condescend to each other. "In lowline~s of mind let each esteem other better than themselves" (Phil. ii. 3). "All of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility" (1 Pet. v. 6). We ore not isolated units in society. "'fho esscotinl equality of men and their mutual dependence lay tho foundation for the obligation of mutual subjection." 2. The element or sphere in which this duty is to be maintained. "In the fear of Christ." 'l.'his is not terror, but the solemn revorenco with which we bow to the authority of our Divine Lord. Our submission is grounded iu our reverence for him, in our fear of olfonJin:; him by our o.irs of assumption or authority, in our supreme 'l'HE liPISTLE TO THE EPHESIANS. (CH. V. 1-33.
regard for hi~ holy u-ill. Thus Christi8.ll.ity lifts the commonest dut.ies and civilities and am<'niti,>s of socil\l life into the highest sphere, 1Jy connecting them with the supreme lc,rdship of Christ over his saints.-T. C.