their character and conduct. In both cases it is the voice of a Father, all-wise, gracious, ~upremely authoritative. Hie will is the rule of the godly life. II. THE EXEMl'LIFIOATION OF THE GODLY LIFE. "Walking in truth." "Walkina" is a term used to denote the life and conduct. "Walkiug in truth" is living "in accordance with the truth which was specially believed by Christiane. It implies that the children of the elect lady E>schewed Gnosticism and other errors; that they hold the truth concerning the Person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ; and that they embodied the truth in their conduct-their life was Christ-like. How practical e. thing Chris- tianity is I The grace a1,d the calling of God are not simply to Christian profession, but to Christian practice-to a holy life. We are to show our faith by our works ; and b_, our works our faith is to be perfected (cf. Jas. ii. 18, 21). It is" walking in truth" that calls forth apostolic commendation. Ill. THE REJOICING OF THE GOOD IN THE EXEMPLIFIOATION OF THE GODLY LIFE IN OTHERS. •• I rejoiced greatly that I have found of thy children walking in truth." Let us endeavour to diS<'.01•er the reasons of this rejoicing. I. '1.'he good re,joice to find any persons "walking in truth," because such a walk indicates an increase of goodness in the world; an increase of the results of goodness, e.g. peace, joy, beneficent influence, etc. ; and an increase of !!;lory to God. 2. The good rejoice the more to find the young "walking in truth." Our hope for the future cannot be separated from those who at present are young. From their ranks must arise the Christian preachers, the teachers in schools and colleges, the authors and editors of our literature, the framers and administrators of our Jaws, of a few years hence, How important that the young shonld exemplify the godly life I 3. The good rejoice still more to find the children of pious parL'l1ts "walking in truth." They rise up to tread in the footsteps of their godly paretlts, to fill their places and carry on their beneficent works when they are no longer able to do so theIDBelves. In them we see the rich reward of loving Christian nurture, and fervent, persevering prayer. 4. 'l'he good rejoice still more to find the children qf their beloved friends "walking in truth." So it was with St. John in the case before us. Friendship gives a common interest. What is dear to my frietld is dear to me for my friend's sake. Thus Mephibosheth was dear to David for the sake of his fatlier Jonathan, David's friend (2 Sam. ix.). 5. The good rejoice still more to find persons " walking in truth" when the accomplishment of this is the object of their life. The apostle lived to bear witness of Christ, and to lead men to him as their t:laviour and Lord. When he found persons exemplifying Christianity in their life, the joy of know- ing that his own and others' labours were not in vain would he l1is. He who is most deeply iJJterested in the cause of Christ realizes the greatest gladness in its progress. IV. THE LI.MITATION IN THE EXEMPLIFICATION OF THE GODLY LIFE. "I have found cert.a.in of thy children walking in truth" (Revised Version); or, "some of your children," etc. The apostle does not assert that, while some of the children of the elect lady were "walking in truth," others were not doing so. His expression may mean Eimply that be only knew that some of them were livitlg a true Christian life. But it certainly seems to imply that all of them were not "walking in truth." Perhaps some l,ad been been led away from Christian truth by the errors of that age, or they might have been living in wickedness. It is not an infrequent thing amongst the children of saitltly parents to find one or more sad sinners. When the family is large it is seldom that the rejoicing because of its piety is complete and unalloyed. Too often the song of gladn(;ss because of those who are in Christ grows tremulous with grief because of the wayward and wicked son or daughter. But may we not hope that at last, in the great and blessed home of the heavenly Father, all the children of Christian parents wi II be safely gathered jl That it may be so let us heartily work and earnestly pray.- W. J.
Vers. 5, 6.-Mutual love. "And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee," etc. Having expressed his joy that certain of the children of the elect lady were " walking in truth," the apostle exhorts to the exercise of mutual love. Truth and love must be combined in Christian character and conduct. Where truth dwells without love, the character is likely to be or to become cold, rigid, and harsh. Where love dwells without truth, the character becomes effeminate, Bell~ Uldlllgent, e.nd uurel.iable. Neither ill truth iD it.ielf eomplete without love, nor luv0 1-18.J THE SECOND EPISTLE OF JOHN. 9