Univertal thanksgiving ia pouibk through tlu perception that under all circum,tanceB b/e,ssings outnumber and outweigh trotd>~. We fix our thoughts on our trouble to the neglect of a thousand blessings. A fairer, wider consideration would call up more grateful thoughts. 2. Universal thanbgiving is possibl,e 1,y means of faith that holds troubles sent by God to be blessingB in disguise. A mere consideration of the facts of life will not create it. But when we have come to believe that "the mercy of the Lord endureth for ever," we have learnt the secret of universal thankfulneBII.-W. F. A. Ver. 19.-Quenchi:ng t°M Spirit. This verse ill often misread. The context shows that it does not refer to the resist.ance of the sinner to the striving of the Holy Spirit in his heart. For the words immediately following, " despise not prophesyings," indicate its reference to the work of the Spirit in inspiring utterances in the Church. Some prosaic, cautious people were inclined to check these enthusiastic utterances. Perhaps there were foolish would-be prophets who were making themselves and the Church ridiculous by their predictions about the second coming of Christ, a subject in which the Church at Thessalonica was then deeply interested. St. Paul does not wish hie reader~ to accept all that is offered t.o them, for he says, "Prove all things." But he fears lest, in the rejection of imposture, pretence, illusion, and misguided fanaticillm, genuine teaehings of the Divine Spirit should be discarded. Therefore he warns hill readers against the danger of quenching the Spirit. L THERE IS A FIRE OF THE SPIRIT. It is fire that is not to be quenched. In Old Testament times a prophet was fitted for his mission by having a live coal from off the altar laid upon his lips (ba. vi. 6). Christ, who came to baptize with the Holy Ghost, came also to baptize with fire. The Spirit descended on the day of Pentecost under the form of tongues of flame. God's Spirit deepens feeling, kindles enthusiasm, rouses sacred passion, sets the soul aflame with love. He who has not felt the fire knows not some c,f the strongest working of the Spirit, as the psalmist knew it when he said, "While I was musing the fire burned" (Ps. xuix. 3). IL THERE IS A DANGER LEST WE SHOULD QUENCH THE SPIRIT. 1. In our OWfi 1-rtB. If we check our more generous emotions, and harden ourselves with maxims of the world, and so immerse ourselves in grinding business cares that we have no thought or heart left for spiritual feelings, we shall quench the Spirit in ourselves. For us there. will be no revelation. To us heaven will be black as midnight, silent BB the grave. No warmth of de,,otion nor flash of spiritual perception will brighten up the dull and dreary chambers of our souls. 2. In others. Beware of checking young enthusiaam. It may err; but it had better err than die. Middle-age,! common sense may not under- stand it. But this may not be the fault of young enthusiasm. It may result from the deadened perceptions of an nnsympathizing mind. If we cannot follow, at least let us not check an inspiration which may be too high for our low sunken lives. 3. In Scripture. Absolutely, of course, we c.annot quench the Spirit in Scripture. The Book remains, whatever we may think of it. But to ourselves we may quench the Spirit, A dry, hard critical examination of the Bible, ignoring all devotional, practical, and spiritual uses of it, will rob it of all inspiratior.. for the reader. With sorne the fires are burnt out; they only grope among the ashes, and cannot find a lingering spark. Tu such people the Bible is the most dreary book in the world. In order that the fire or inspiration should touch us, the fire of love and faith must be kept alive on the altar of our hearts.-W. F. A.
Ver. 21.-Privaf,e judgment. This verse should be read in connection with the pre- ceding passage. There we find a caution against quenching the Spirit and despilling prophesyings by a narrow, cold, or prejudiced refusal to listen to the utterances of our fellow-Cbribtians. Here we have a warning in the other direction, that we may guard agaiilllt accepting every saying which professes to be the outcome of spiritual influence~. We must try the spirits and accept each only as its claim is proven. But the universal character of the verse before us gives it a more general application to all teaching. I. ST. PAUL REOOGNIZEB THE RIGHT A.ND DO'TY OF PBIVA.TB JO'DGMENT. This funda- mental principle of Protestantism is Pauline. The apostle is not writing to doctors or ilivinity or authorized teachers; he is addressing the whole Church (see eh. L 1). To the general congregation of Cliristia1,s lie says, "Prove all things." 'l'he advice was in 1111. v. 1-28.) THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE THEBSALONIANS. 136