wit.h It the oblige.tion of underte.king missione.ry enterprises. 3. The trust of the gnspel must be di..<charged to the approval, of God. It is his trust. He will ce.11 the ~t.C"wards to e.ccount. Their aim, therefore, mu1t be, Dot &o pletll!e men, but "God which proveth our hearts."-W. F. A. Ven. 7, 8.-The ,w of a.fl~tumatene81 ifl comfM'nding UM, gospel, . . It la very interesting to ohsen•e what a wealth of affection St. Paul poured out upon &he Churches wliich came under his ea.re. He wa.s not satisfied with declaring the facts of the gospel ,rnd demonstrating the truth of them to the conviction of his hearers. He we.s very different from a cold philosopher who simply e.ims at establishing a certain thesis. Deep feeling entered into his work. A touching gentleness and affeotionateness may L,., fdt as the pervading tone of his treatment of hi• converts. He does not behave as a rna~ter who is ambitious to lord it over the heritage of Christ. He is like e. nurse with her children. The example of the great apostle is worthy of the study of all Ch1istian teachers, I. THE GOSPEL IS BEST COMMENDED BY AFFEOTIONATENESS IN THE CHRISTIAN PKEACHEB. The gospel ba.ses its first claims on its own truth and reasonableness, and it is necessary that men should be convinced on these points if due respect for the rights of the human intellect is to be observed. Nevertheless the most persuuive power is not to be found in hard reason; nor does it reside in the splendours of eloquence. It is much more effective when it comes from simple, natural affectionate- ness. Men are more vulnerable in the heart than in the head. 'l'he Christian tee.cher must attRck both strongholds ; he will be foolish indeed if he neglect the more aooessible one. It is often seen in experience that affectionateness conquers where convincing logic falls dead, and where glowing rhetoric only dazzles the hearers. 1. The inflwnce '!I tAe preacher depends chufty <m Aill ajfectionatenua. His relations with his hearers &re personal He ia more than the herald. He is the shepherd of the flock, the Cather or brother of the family, the nurse of the babes in Christ. Thus ties of love between pastor and people not only make the association in Church life happy; they also afford the greatest aids to the work of the ministry. 2. The trutA of t/w, go-i,el i, but revealed through a,jfectionatenesa. The gospel is no dreamy dogma, no hard law, no pompous manifesto. It is a mesa.age from a father to his children, and a story of love in death. The Bible is a most human book, homely, brotherly, fathetio in Its affectionate character. But this character of the Bible and of the gospe is marred and almost lost to view when harsh language and cold feelings e.ccompany the preaching of it. The gOBpel of love should be offered in a kindred spirit of love. II. A RIGHT FEELING OF THE SPIRIT OF THE GOSPEL WILL LEAD TO .AFFEOTION.ATBNBSS lN TD Cmusn..ui PRE.AOBEB. It is moat important that the desired affectionat.eness should be genuine. The pretence of it is mere hypocrisy. Affectionate language which does not spring from a heart of love is a mockery. It is better to have an honest hardn- than this 8S8umed unctuou,,ness. It is important, also, that the affectiol;Ulte- ness should be healthy and manly, and should Dot degenerate into effeminate aenti- mentality. The gospel itself should inspire the right affectionatenesa. 1. The 1pirit of the gospel being love, if toe trvl,y re~ve the goapel it will impire low. The greatest change which it produces in men is to cast out aelfuihness, and to give a heart of love to God and man. 2. We bat ,how our l.ove to <JAriat by loving our brethren. We love, Christ in them. He who loves Christ warmly will have the spirit which St. Paul manifested to the Churches under his care.-W. F. A. Ver. 12.-Worthy '!f God. L To BE WOBTBY OF GvD IS TBE HIGHEST AD( or SPIJUTD'.AL .ASPIRATION. It is so high an aim that it seems to be hopelessly out of our reach. Are we not in enrything unworthy of God? Our sinfulness iH direct ill-desert, onr unbelief, weakness, and imperfection dishonouring to Divine grace, our very virtues and good deeda of no absolute worth, because at best we are unprofitable aervants,. who have but done that which it was our duty to do. Nevertheless: 1. We ahould aim at the highlllt attainment, though a.s yet we may be far from reaching it. 2. We may become ~ingly la, t1111,worlhy of God. 3. We may truly Aonour God by our cbanat.er md deeds. 4. We may hope at laat to be worthy of God in the sense that wuhall be fit to dwell with him; no disgrace to hia Name when we bear lt,and able to ake our pmition u membn of hiB family. oH. u. 1-20.J THE FIRS'f EPISTLE TO THE THESBALONIANS. 61
II. To BE WORTHY OJ' Goo 18 TO BE LIVING IN A BIGHT COURSE OJI' DAILY LIJl'E. This ie expressed by the word "walk." 1. It mu.~t be a rontin1touB course. To have passing phaseH of very pure spiritual thought is not to be so worthy of Uod as to walk continuously in obedience to his will though on a much lower plain. 2. It ia to be striven after in daily life. We do not want angels' wings wherewith to soar into unearthly altitudes. We can walk on the lowly earth and yet be worthy of God. 'l'he worthiness depends on the spirit of our conduct, not on the sphPre in which we live. With coarse surroundini;s, in toilsome drudgery, by humble tasks, the soul can so live as to be worthy of God. Ill. IT 18 THE DOTY OJ' ALL CHRISTIANS TO BE WORTHY OJ' GOD. The requirement does not belong to a counsel of perfection which a few rare souls may adopt at their will. It is laid upon all Christians as a duty. The special ground of the obligation is in what God h11s done for his people. He has called them "into his own kingdom and glory.'' 1. Gratitude requires us to walk worthy of God. His gifts and his promises reveal love and s11crifice on his part which naturally call for love ar.d devotion on oure. 2. Thefuture destiny of Ohristiuns also demands this conduct. The heir should behave as befits bis future position. "Prince Hal" was an unworthy prince in his youth, especially because he disgraced himself in view of an exalted future. Christians are heirs of God's kingdom. Therefore they should walk worthily of him who has called them into it. IV, IT IS THE OBJECT OJI' CHBIBTIAN PREACHING TO LEAD MEN TO BE THUS WORTHY OJI' Gon. If the aim of the spiritual life must be high, so also must be that of its guide and teacher. The preacher's work is not done when a soul is first turned from the slavery of sin to the service of Christ. Then follows all the education and training of the new life up to the perfect worthineBB. Hence the need of affectionate influence and all graces of persuasion.-W. F. A.