qf a sort calculated to mar their influence and to shake the faith of converts. The differences were less probably in the way of religious opinion than of methods of reli- gious work, Perhaps e. difference of temperament may have put them out of sympathy with each other, and a spirit of rivalry may have led to unseemly dissensions in the Ohurch. 8. There is an urgency m the apostolic appeal which dispfoys an anxiety on their account. He se.ys, "I exhort Euodias, and I exhort Syntyche," as if he regarded them both as equally open to censure. He thus addresses his appeal to each individu- ally. He counsels them to find in the Lord the true centre of their unity. Let them think as the Lord thinks, do as the Lord does, and submit to his supreme guidance in the sphere of their ChrisUan labours. 4. He appeals to his true 11okefellow-whoever he or she may have been-to use his influence to effect a reconciliation between the two ladies. "Yea, I ask thee to assist them, inasmuch as they laboured with me in the gospel." There is no more important, though delicate, service than to promote a better understanding between two Christian people whose paths have disagreeably crossed each other. 5. The importance of the case is manifest from the leading place that the apostle assigns to the two ladies, besides "Clement and other my fellow-workers, ,vhose names are written in the book of life." They held a distinguished place beside these labourers. If Clement was the well-known author of the Epistle to the Corinthians, they are distinguished by association with his venerable name. If the apostle's other fellow-workers are unnamed, they a.re named in the book of life. This suggestive phrase implies that (1) salvation is an individual thing, for individual names have their record on high; (2) that their salvation is an event already fore-ordained; and (3) therefore absolutely certain.-'!'. C. Ver. 4.-<Jhristian joy a duty. "Rejoice in the Lord." This sentence is the key- note of the Epistle. The world holds that believers have no joys. I. BELIEVERS OUGHT TO REJOICE. 1. Because it is a commanded duty. "Rejoice in the Lord." 2, Because, if commanded, it is provided by the Holy Spirit,for it is part of the Spirit'sfruil. (Gal. v. 22.) 3. Because foy is characteristic of the Chris- tian, The early Christians "ate their meat with gladness aud singleness of heart" (Acts ii. 46). This joy is not inconsistent with sorrow. The apostle himself was "sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing" (2 Cor. vi. 10). " Rejoice with trembling." II. THE NATURE OF THIS JOY, "lu the Lorcl." The world rejoices in the creaturP, but the believer rejoices in the Creator of aU things. 1. Because the Lord is. '.l. Because he is the Po,·tion of his people. 3. Because of all the manifestations of his power, wisdom, and grace. 4. Because the believer hopes for the glory to come. (Rom. v. 2.) III. THE BELIEVER IS TO CHERISH AN ABIDING JOY. "Rejoice in the Lord at all times." In dark days as well as bright days. A permanent habit of joy is reasonable, when we consider (1) that there is no change in the Lord, the Source of our joy; (2) that our relationship to him is unchangeable. IV. MARK THE EMPHATIC REPETITION OF THE 0OJIIMAND. "And again I will say, Hejoice." This attests its importance. 1. Joy is the spring of energy. ".A weary heart tires in a mile." A cheerful Christian is usually a very active one. "The joy ot the Lord is bis strength." 2. It kills the taste for sinful pleasures. It excludes from the heart every thing it cannot harmonize with itself. 3. It enables the believer to con- front persecution. 'rhe early Christians" took joyfully the spoiling of their goods." 4. It enhances the charm and influence of Christian life.-T. 0. Ver. 5.-The virtue of forbearance. "Let your forbearance be known to all men. The Lord is at hand." I. THE NATURE OF THIS VlllTUE, l. It is the opposite of contention and self- aggrandizement, rigour and severity. 2. It is the spirit that enables a man to bea,· injuries with patience and not to demand all that is rightly his dtte,for the sake of peace. 'fho apostle corrected the litigious spiri~ of the Corinthians by asking the1n, "Why do ye not rather take wrong?" (1 Cor. v1. 7.) II. Tm!: ADVANTAGES OF THIS VIRTUE, 1. It contributes greatly to the comfort , I life and the peace of society. There is always a tenJ.ency to friction in the rebtilln~ ,,: life where the spirit of forbenre.nce does not govern them. 2. It co-ntrilmtes to the me 168 '.l'HE EPISTLE TO '.l'HE P.HILIPPIANS. [OH, IV, 1-23.
fuln= of C'hn!tian people and promotes tM glory of God. This true spirit of Obrist will gi,·e a man gr'E&t influence with his fellows and will redound to the credit of the gospel. III. THE REASON TO ENFOROE THIS DUTY, "'l'h-c Lord is at hand," Let us bear with others, seeing the time is near when we may expect the Lord to boar with us. :All o~ rivalries and disputes ought to disappoar in the light of the judgment mornmg.-'I. C.