without truth. The combination of both is needful to the completeness of either in Christian character. Notice- I. 'l'HE OBLIGATION OF MUTUAL LOVE. It is commanded by God. "A commandment ... that we love one another. . . . 'l'his is the commandment, even as ye hearJ from the beginning, that ye should walk in it," i.e. in love. 1. The nature of this l<>Ve. In the original of the New 'l'esta.ment there a.re two words both of which are translated "love" in our Authorized Version. "The distinction seems to be that u-ya,ruv is more used oftliat reverential love, grounded on high graces of character, which is borne towards God and man by the child of God ; whereas ,p,11.,w expresses more the personal love of human affection" (Alford). The apostle here uses the word with the higher meaning. The affection of which he writes differs from matrimonial, parental, filial, anrl friendly love. It cannot be exercised towards the wicked. It bas reforenco chiefly to the character of the person loved. Its exercise involves respect and esteem. 2. The obligatoriness of this love. It is a. sacred "commandment that we love one another" (cf. John xiii. 34; xv. 12; 1 John iii. 10-18). It is a moral duty to reverence goodness, to admire beauty of character, to love in this high sonse those who a.n, spiritually excellent. It is ill with a man when he fails to esteem uprightness and honour in man, to venerate consistent piety, and to love genuine godliness. Such a. man is on the road to perdition. Mark the fact that this obliga.tion was not new. "Not as though I wrote to thee a new commandment, but that which we had from the beginning," etc. Some understand" from the beginning " to mean from the creation of humanity. "As to the matter of it (mutual holy love) it is as old as na.tur2.l, Jewish, or Christian religion." "It is as old as Moses, yea., a.sold as Adam, being a part of the law of nature written in Adam's heart." Others interpret, "from the beginning of their faith in Jesus Christ," or "from the time of their conversion to Christianity." In a sense the former view is trne, but the latter seems to us to be the meaning of St. John in this place. From the commencement of their Christian life they were under the most sacred obligations to obey this command. And yet it is a new commn.ndment, "inasmuch as it ever assumes new freshness as the Christian life unfolds, as the old darkness is more and more cleared away, and the true light shineth.'' It is new also because it should " be always fresh in the memories, and found in the practice, of Christ's disciples to the end of the world." 3. The earnestness with which the apostle requests this love. "I beseech thee, lady," etc. Such an entreaty from the sai.r.ted apostle would carry more force than an earnest exhortation er o.n authoritative command. It is said that, in his extreme age, when he was unable to walk to the place where the Christians met together, St. John ea.used himself to be borne thither, that he might address the assembly; and his address was only this-" Little children, love one another." And when he was asked why he always spoke the same thing and nothing else, he replied, " That it was the command of the Lord, and thn.t if this only were done, enough was done." The story is perfectly in keeping with our text, " [ beseech thee, lady . . . that we love one another." And St. Paul wrote, "Love is the fulfilling of the Law." II. THE MANIFESTATION OF THIS LOVE. " And this is love, that we should walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, even as ye heard from the beginning, that ye should walk in it." The love for the exercise of which St. John prays, may be described as walking according to God's commandments; and the one commandment in which all others is summed up is this-" that ye should wn.lk in it," i.e. in love. Love is to be manifested by obedience to the Di vine will. 1. Obedience is the protlm.t of love. The obedience which springs from servile fear or from considera - tions of self-interest is not true. It is mechanical, not hearty. It is utterly lacking of loyalty, and cannot be acceptable to God. To be true, obedience must be free n.au. cordial; it is the product of love. Love makes obedience easy, and duty delightful. 2. Obedience is the uvidence of love. 'l'he genuine evideuce of affection is not professic>n, but obedience; not words, but deeds. "If ye love me," said our Lord, "ye will keep my commandments." The mutual love w~ich St. John entreats'.' is not au effe_mina.~. self-seeking, self-complacent love to our neighbour, but a love which m:i.nifests itself m the steady discharge of every obligation." "By this we know that we love the children ,,f God when we love God and do his commandments. For this is the love of God, tha~ w; keep his commandments: and his cow.ma.ndments are not grievollll" (1 John 10 THE SECOND EPISTLE OF JOHN. [1-13.
v. 2, 3). "He that hath my oommandmeuts, and keepeth them, he it is that lovcth me,'' et-0. (John xiv. 21). CoNci.usroN. 1. Let m endeavour t<, become worthy of this exalted Christian love. D)'. t~c help of Di,ine grace let us seek to develop characters worthy of the esteem and aflectlon of the good. 2. Let m live in the ea:ercise of this love. Said our Lord, "A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love another; even ns I lmve loved you, that ye aho love a:iotller. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if yo hal"e lol"e one to another."-W. J.