forgivene1111, and the peace that oomes ihrough the Cl'OIIII. The power of the atonement to crucify selfishness, and to lead men to live as not their own. The consciousness of human impotence, and of the might of the Holy Spirit in the inner man. All thestt are inward experiences of life, resulting from a common faith. Added to these are the experiences which attest life in conduct. We know the same artis.t's touch in the picture, the same sculptor's hand in the moulding of a figure, the same architect's design in the buildings; and we know Christians by the "life hid with Christ in God," producing those " fruits of the Spirit" which attest, in their beauty and their puri'Ly, the energy and the sanctity of the Divine life. It is "the common faith" which gives to Christians, in every land and every age, the same likeness to their Lord.-W. M. S.
Ver. 5.-Apostolic preparation. "Set in order the things that are wanting." Chris- tian life is destined for aevelopment and for continuance. To this end the Church is to be the centre alike of evan~elistic effort and of Christian culture. Here is- L THE JUSTIFIOATION OF THE EocLESIA, OR THE "CHURCH." "And ordain elders in every city." The New Testament gives no sanction to the idea that an unorganized Christianity is the simplest and the best. The precedents of the early Christian Church were to be faithfully adhered to. Whether the organization of the Church was to be a growth conditioned by the circumstance of every age, is a question we do not here discuss; but that there was to be organization is here settled for ever. The expression, "in every city," shows that the life of the Church was not to be spasmodic, but settled. IL THERE MUST BE LIFE AS WELL AS ORGANIZATION. ThiR, too, is manifest here. Christians were enjoying "grace, mercy, and peace;" were "renewed in the spirit of their minds." Divine life comes from faith in Christ alone, and is not dependent upon aught else. The declaration of Paul is there always and everywhere," Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved." We are, therefore, to recognize the fruits of the Spirit everywhere, whether the gardens in which they grow he according to our plan and ideal or no. But as all Christian life needs constant care and discipllne, as the disciple needs teaching, and the justified need sanctification, so there was to be the "setting in order" of all that we mean by the organized Christian Church; not that every detail is to be binding, or to be reproduced by every Church in every age.- W. M. S. Vers. 7-9.-The over1!81lf"a. "For a bishop," etc. Here we have the moral qualifi- cation neceseary for an overseer or bishop of the Churches. These bishops were to be an order by themselves, not, as Baxter would have them," Primus inter pares," or "first among equals." Each overseer who was naturally placed in a leading city ought, from his prominence aa overseer of the district, to be a ministerial example to his brethren. The practical counsels here given apply equally to all aspects of the "over- seer," or his bop. L THE BISHOP AT HOME. Polygamy was so widespread that it could not be arrested and done away with at once. Bnt the bishops, as leaders of men, were to set the example. Polygamy, like slavery, was to be destroyed by the influence of the cross- by the crucifixion of human selfishness, and the realization of God's ideals in the dignity of woman and in the sacredness of human life. "Having faithful children," to whom "riot," or the indulgence of unruly appetites and habits, was unknown. II. THE BISHOP AS A STEWARD. Having elevated position and large opportunity for uood. We must remember that character makes the good steward, not ez-cathedra ;ommands and exhortations. "Not &elf-willed;" but remembering that the measure of his power is tc be the measure of hia humility. "Not soon angry;" for if there be no self-repression, if the volcnnic fire& of the heart be not subdued, it will be of no use for him to preach about t,he cross which crucifies self. "Not given to wine;" for intemperance bereaves a man alike of reason and of religion. "No striker;" for although the Romans of that day usel their power over slaves and dcpendents by buffeting them, and sometimes killing them, the eenant of Christ must be gentle unto all men. " Not given to filthy lucre; " for covetousness kills other virtues, and draws by its tap-root all nourishment from the plants of grace. III. THE BISHOP .as A BROTHER. "A lover of hospitality." Remembering bow many would like to share Lill coun.sels, t.o walk in the ligbt of his influence, and to be refreshed 0B, I, 1--16.] THE EPISTLE TO TITUS. 17
by hie sympathies. "A lover of good men." Not great men, merely as men of geniw and power; but men whose hearts were true and pure. "Sober,just, holy, temperate"-- a "city that lieth four-square." IV.· 'l'Hir, lllBHOP AB A TEA0BEB. Not indulging In novelties or new philosophies. Not a creator of truth, but a teacher of it, rememberiog that be is a trustee of truth. "Holding fast the faithful Word as he hatb been taught." Finally, we eee that all was not so harmonious and peaceful even in the early Church; for the bishop i11 to exhort and convince the gainsayers, which show that be must be "able" as well as" good."-W. M. S.