tion. The deepest prayer comes from the striving of God's Spirit within us. "Th o Spirit nlso holpeth our infirmities . . . the Spirit himself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered" (Rom. viii. 26).-W. F. A. Ver. 6 (first clause).-The wisdom of the <Jhurch in its relations to the world. J. THE CHABA0TERISTICB OF THIS WIBDOll. The Church needs wisdom. Cbristiaus must be wise as serpents as well as harm less ag cloves. We are to blame for lack of wisdom as well as for lack of other graces, for this is a gift of God (Jas. i. 5). 1. Tbis wisdom is practical. It concerns itself with behaviour rather than with speculation. 2. It must be pure. There must not be the slightest unfaithfulness to Obrist, tampering with truth, or casuistic deviation from the highest principles. II. THE OCCASIONS FOR THIS WISDOM. It was most necessary in the apostolic age, when the Christians existed only as small communities scattered about among adverse populations. But it is always more or less called for. 1. For lawful self-protection. If persecuted in one city the servant of Christ was to flee to another. He was not to court opposition. Martyrdom is only a glory when it comes in the path of duty, and never when men go out of that path to seek it. 'rheu it degenerates into little better than suicide. 2. To conqww opponents. The Church has a mission to the world, and she will fail in this mission if she cannot win her enemies over to her own side. For Christ's sake, and for the good of men who need his gospel, this wisJom must be observed in conciliating foes that they may themselves be brought into the Church. III. THE :MANNER OF EXERCISING THIS WISDOM. 1. In understanding those who are without. We often provoke oppositiou because we do not study the weaknesses and prejudices of others. On the other band, Christians have shown a needless scorn for the good in others. True charity will take note of all that is admirable, and think of wh,t- soever things are worthy in the world outside the Church. 2. In an attractive exhtbi- tion of the blessings of <Jhristianity. Souls are not saved by rating and scolding men. 'l'he world must be drawn, not driven, to Christ. A morose Church will only rerel an unsympathetic world. Wisdom towards them that are without will forbid the scandal of quarrelling among Christians.-W. F. A. , Ver. 6.-Salt. Our speech is to be" seasoned with salt." The context shows that this advice is given especially in regard to the conversation of Christian people with ::nen of the world. It is part of the "wisdom towards them that are without." Instead of offensive fault-finding, haughty self-assertion, or morose indifference, our speech is to be courteous-" with grace;" and pleasant-" seasoned." Salt stands for wit in Greek references to it as seasoning speech. But with St. Paul it seems rather to mean a pleasant, kindly, interesting characteristic of speech. I. SPEECR SHOULD BE COURTEOUS. "Be courteous" is advice that comes to us from the sturdy fisherman (1 Pet. iii. 8). If we cannot agree with another there is no reason why we should treat him unkindly. If we must even oppose him, still we can do it with consideration and gentleness of manner. In general intercourse it is well that an aITability of behaviour should characterize the Christian. How courteous Christ was with all classes I St. Pau I is a model of the true Christian gentleman. The essence of courtesy is sympathy for others in small things. It is hollow if we manifest hostility or sclfisbuess in large things. The courtesy of II Chesterfield has a flavour of hypocrisy about it because it is based on selfishness. Still, if we are sympathetic in serious matters we may be much misunderstood, and we may really give much pain by a needless brusqueness of manner. II. SPEECH SHOULD m, INTERESTING. Salt is seasoning. It gives pungency. Some- thing similar should ho found in our conversation. Dulness is an offence. It is an infliction of intolerable weariness on tbo listener. On the part of the speaker it shows either want of interest in his subject (in which case he should let it o.lone), or want of interest in his hearer (which is a direct result of lack of sympathy). Moreover, tho Christian is called to bo frequently bearing testimony for his Master. He weakens that testimony by giving it in an uninteresting manner. He should study his words. But, better than that, he should have his theme so much at heart as to speak with the eloquence of enthusiasm. IIL SPEECH snouLD DE PUilE. Salt is antiseptic. The Christian shonld not only COLOSSIANS, B TIIE EPISTLE 'l'O THE COLOSSlANS. [en. IV. 1-18.
iwoid unwholc~ome topics and styles of speech; he should bring into convol'sation a positirn, purilying influence. 'l'his does not mean that he shottld be always quotina (t•x Is and set rdil(ious rhrases, or ahrnys dragging in religious subjects out of place and season. He degrades them, provokes his hearas, and stultifies himself by so doin"'. Bnt he should seek to elcrate the tone of conversation, to guide it from unworthy suhj ects and to infuse into it a pure tone. There are Christ-like men whose very 1•rcsence in a room seems to rebuke cl"il talk and to breathe a higher atmosphere into the con 'l"ersation. How purifying was the conversation of Christ !-W. F . .A.