intensity sounds through the apostle's words I Here is a man who believes in prayer and is greatly anxious to secure it. It would be wonderful if somo prayers were answered. When the prayer does not affect the heart of the suppliant how can it touch the heart of God? A half-hearted pray1ir can bring no blessing from heaven because it is too feeble even to reach h~aven. 2. Spirituality. We must pray in the Spirit. Our own thoughts must be spiritual and we must seek the inspiration of God's Spirit to give light and life to our praying (Rom. viii. 26). 3, Indep~ of hindering circumstances. "At all seasons." Prayer is always in season. But we are not always inclined to pray. Yet when we least desire to pray prayer is most necessary. 4. Watching, in order that our prayers may be apposite to the occasion, that we may discern the Divine response, and that we may be roused to renewed earnestness in face of the dangers and needs of the times. 6. Earnest prayer will be persevering prayer. It need be so, for God sometimes delays his reply to test our faith, IL THE OBJECTS OF TRUE FB.A.YEB. 1, On behalf of all saints. We should pray for e.11 mankind, but especially for those who are of the household of the faith. Christian brotherhood should be seen in prayer. Mutual prayer is the greatest bond of union in the Church. 2. For any in trouble. St. Paul, the "ambassador in chains," seeks the prayers of his friends. He in Rome can find comfort from the prayers of Christiaus in Asia. It would be well if, instead of condemning our brother when he falls beforo temptation, we would pray for him while he is in it, 3. For the spread, of the gospel, St. Paul is not so anxious that prayer should be offered for the alleviation of his harsh imprisonment and for safe deliverance from the hands of his foes, as for grace to be faithful and bold in his declaration of the mystery of the gospel----a. noble, self-forgetrul request. If the Church at home believed more in the efficacy of prayer and practised it more earnestly, the missionary abroad would be more successful in his work.-W. F. A. Ver. 24.-The notes of a true (Jhristian. This benediction differs from the beneJ.ic- tions with which all other Epistles of St. Paul close in one respect, viz. while on every other occasion the second person is used, here the blessing is described in the thinl person. Elsewhere we read," Grace be to you,'' etc. Here and hem only wo rca,\, " Grace be with all them," etc. This variation is in keeping with the catholic charnct('1· of the whole Epistle, which is much concerned with the unity of the Church. It is a rebuke to the narrowness of Christians who care only for the prosperity of their own community, and even labour to win adherents from other Christian denomiuations ('r regard the prosperity of neighbouring congregations with the jealousy of a trauesm3n for a rival shop-keeper. How miserably low, narrow, worldly and unchrist-like is the competitive Christianity of our day I St. Paul prays for a blessing on all true Christians. In doing so he describes the essential character of ~uch men: they "love our Lord Jesl\s Christ in uncorruptness." The question has been so much abused and misunucrstoo,l that it is quite as important to point out what is not requisite RB what is requisite. l. WHAT THINGS .A.RE NOT REQUISITE IN MEN IN ORDEllTHAT THEY MAY BE llECl.A.BDED AS TRUE CHRISTI.ANS. 1. External badges of unity, We need not speak the same shibboleth, practise the same external habits, etc. The test is internal. 2. .Agreement in tl1eologicul opinion. Men may love the Lord Jesus Christ while they differ profoundly on many points of doctrine. 3. Uniformity of ritual. Love may express itself in various voices, from the shouting hallelujahs of a crowd of street revivalists to the elaborate !lnthem of a cathedral choir. If the love is there we have all that is essential. 4. Unity of Church order, Equal lovo for Christ may be found in Churches that observe the greatest variety of discipline. The proud bigotry of orthodoxy will have to be ~reutly humbled when many a des1,ised sectary proves his right to a higher place Ill the marriage feast because he has possessed a warmer love for his Lor<l. Il. WHAT IS BEQUISITE IN ALL PEOPLE WHO ARE TO BE REGARDED AS TRUE CHRISTl.A.NB. To" love our Lord Jesus Christ in uncorruptness." 1. The first essential iH personal attachment to Christ. Our assent to a creed, diligent performance of devotional exercises, and connection with a Church fellowship count just for nothing if we are not in living relation to Christ. What think ye of Jesus? How does your Honl's affection regard him? These a.re the primary questions. 2. This attachment i~ to be one of love. A cold devotion of conscientious but heartless duty will not suffice. Happily, Christ does inspire love in his disciples by his wonderful loveo.bll!ne:;,1 THE EPISTLE TO THE EPHESIANS. [CB. VI. 1-24.
his love to them, his great sacrifice of himself. 3.. This love must be uncornipttd. A c..,rrupte.i lo.e is one that is lowered by selfish thoughts. If we only love for whnt we are t.:i receive our love is, of course, worthless. If, therefore, we only turn to Ch1ist in selfish anxiety to be delivered from trouble to secul'e certain benefits, if this be tho secret of our apparent warmth of devotion, the thing is a mockery. They love in uncorruptness who love purely, unreservedly, simply. The idea also implies a 1,er- manence of devotion. It is not a mere passing emotion, stirred, perhaps by a se11ti- rnental hymn, but a deep, strong affection that outlasts time and persists through nil our varying moods, and shows itself in action, and, when occasion requires, in sacrifioe.-W. I<', A. HOMILETICAL INDEX TO
THE EPISTLE OF
ST. PAUL TO THE EPHESIANS.