DJl:tt PHYBIOAL WEAKNESS. The fact is unquestionable that woman is leas robust in constitution, less powerful muscularly, and of more delicate nervous organization, than man. Now, this fact is often made a reason for overbeariog demeanour, contemptuous lnnguage, unjust dealing, and even brutal abuse, on the part of the man towards the woman. 'fhis is so, not only in savage communities, but not unfrequently even among civilized nations. Irresponsible power and selfishness concur in leading to feminine degradation. But the apostle brings forward the fact that woman is the weaker vessel as a reason why husbands should livo with their wives in a reasonable and kindly manner, and should render to them all due respect. 1. Human sympathy requires that this should be so. 'fhere is a natural principle within leading us to cherish kind- ness towards the weak and defenceless; and this principle is to be encou;-:i.ged as against selfishness and brutal indifference and injustice. 2. In addition to this natural feeling, there is a cultivated habit of chivalry which tends to the exaltation of woman in human society. Not simply of the young and beautiful, the high born and accom- plished, but of all who are stamped with the seal of true, gentle, and virtuous woman- hood. It is in this sense only that we can speak approvingly of sentiments of chivalry. !I. THE CLAIM OF WOMAN TO JUST AND CONSIDERATE TREATMENT IS BASED UPO~ HER SPIRITUAL EQUALITY. Granted that there is on the average physical inferiority in the one point of strength, it must be maintained that, in a higher plane, inferiority vanishes. Husbands are reminded that their wives, being Christians like themselves, are joint- heirs with them of the grace of life. If, then, the former motive was addressed to compassion, this appeals to reverence. God himself acknowledges "the weaker sex" as appointed unto immortal blessedness through bis Son, our Redeemer. How justly, then, are men required to give all honour to those who are fellow-inheritor, with themselves of a. domain and a. dominion so unspeakably glorious! 1. The woman is by the Father of the spirits of all flesh regarded with the same interest as the man. ,vomanhood is God's own creation, and the feminine characteristics and graces are revelations of God's own thoughts and purposes. Humanity without the feminine element would be incomplete, one-sided, and lacking in the harmony of" perfect music set to noble words." 2. The woman is equally with the man redeemed by the Friend and Saviour of mankind. Our Lord's ministry upon earth was a ministry to both sexes. He counted holy women among bis friends; he comforted sorrowful women in their distress; Jie saved sinful women from their debasement. And his death was for all mankind; bis mediation brings near to God all who were afar off-woman as well as man. 3. The woman is appointed with the man to share the happiness and the service of heaven. The grace which bestows eternal life is extended to the wife as well as to the husband. As there is a place for woman in God's gracious heart, so is there a place for her in God's glorious and blessed home. Such are the high considerations which hallow and dignify the Christian home 1- J. R. T, Ver. 13.-0hristian zeal. Zeal is a habit of feeling and purpose. It supposes that a certain cause, a certain end of action, is apprehended by the understanding and approved by the judgment. As the etymology of the word implies, this quality is one characterized by warmth, fervour, ardour, in the pursuit of the object approved. It manifests itself in effort, in endurance, in perseverance. Zeal is in itself neither good nor bad; but it is always powerful, giving efficiency to toil, and an impetus to the cause which calls it into activity. In a bad project zeal does harm, for it assists in dilfusing error and immorality. In a holy enterprise zeal does good; no great ancl worthy cause was ever brought to success and victory without zealous labours. There are cases in which abundant zeal compensates slender abilities and mean position. Yet it is possible for zeal to outrun judgmeut and discretion. I. IN WHAT DOES CirnISTIAN ZEAL OONSIST? 1. Its spring, its source, is grateful love and ardent consecration to God as revealed in Jesus Christ. Here no fanaticism is possible. 'l'bere is the best reason and ground for such emotions; the danger is in the direction of indifference and coldness. Interest in Divine truth cannot be too keen; consecration to Divine service cannot be too complete. 2. Its tokens and evidences are these-earnestness in devotion, in praise and prayer, both public and prtvate; earnestness in the discharge of daily Juty, however secular, yet s,,ucti.fied b1 1.50 THE FIRST EPISTLE GENERAL OF PETER. [cu. Ill. 1-22.
the Christi~n moti:e and_ spirit; <>arnestness in discouraging and repressing all sin; earnestness m exertmg soc111.l influence for the spread of truth and righteousness. II. WnY SHOULD CHRISTIANS BE ZEALOUS? 1. 'l'he Scriptures expressly enjoin l\nd encourage zeal. "Be zealous ! " is the admonition the ascended Saviour addresses to his Church. "It is good always to be zealously affected in a good cause," is the nsserlion of an apostle. 2. Our Lord Christ was supremely zealous. He was "clothed with zeal as with a cloak." In his conduct was a fulfilment of the words "The zeal of thine house bath eaten me up." Zealous in love, ho loved to the end'; zealous in labour, he finished the work given him to do. 3. The best and most useful men have hrcn zealous. 'l'his is true of the apostles, of the great thinkers and scholars of the Church, of the Reformers, of leaders in benevolent effort and missionary enterprise. 4. The presence or absence of zeal affects the character beneficially or injuriously. Its absence is accompanied by spiritual declension; its presence promotes the true prosperity of the Church and the advance of the gospel; and these in turn react upon the; indi,idual character and further its higher development and everlasting well- being.-J. R. T.