FOR THE SERVICE AND BENEFIT OF HIS FELLOW-MEN. The expression of St. Peter is noticeable in its definiteness and graphic force: "ministering it among yourselve.~." 1. This, then, is nn appointed service. 2. A beneficial service. 3. A mutual service. In the Church of Christ no one is wholly and only a giver, or wholly and only a receiver. Every one has some gift, and every one has some need. It is by mutual ministration that the general welfare is secured. 4. A service acceptable to Christ. He who gave not only his gifts, but himself, for men, cannot but take pleasure in every manifestation of sympathy, in every ministration of helpfulness to be met with in his Church.-J. R. T. ' Ver. 11.-0hristian speech. The language of the apostle here need not be taken as referring to the heathen oracles. The New Testament makes use of the expression ••oracles" to designate divinely authorized utterances intended to instruct and benefit men. Thus Moses is said by Stephen to have received "living oracles" to give unto the Jews; and the author of the Epistle to the Hebrews describes the elements of Christian doctrine as "first principles of the oracles of God." I. THE SEVERAL KINDS OF CHRISTIAN SPEECH. 1. In the primitive Church there were those who were inspired to utter forth with authority doctrines and precepts of religion. This was a special and supernatural" gift" bestowed upon the apostles, but by no means confined to them, and a gift the exercise of which must have been especi- ally serviceable when Christianity was young, when some of the books of the New Testament were not yet written, and the canon was not yet complete. With how deep a sense of responsibility such gifted persons must have addressed Christian congrega- tions one can easily understand. 2. There were also those who were entrusted with the gift of tongues. Whatever differences of opinion may prevail with regard to the char.'lcter of this gift, one thing is clear, and that is that it was supernaturally adapted for making a deep and signal impression in favour of the Christian faith. The singular nature of this power must have led its possessors to deem themselves "oracles " of God. 3. But there seems no reason for confining the reference of this admonition within limits so narrow. In the Church of Christ were those who, as pastors, teachers, and e,angelists, were wont to employ the gift of speech from Christian motives and to Christian ends. This is a function which men of God have through all the Christian centuries been called to discharge, for the edification of the body of <;Jhrist, and for the spread of the gospel among men. Often have such expe- rienced the restraining and inspiring influence of the apostolic direction given in tbis passage. When tempted to use their gift of speech for the purpClse of advancing their own interests or displaying their own powers, such men have been checked by the recollection of this just and holy requirement, that they should spen.k as God's oracles. 4. Further, the reference of this language may be enlarged so as to include all speech of Christian men. There is a sense in which he who is filled with the Spirit of Christ must needs speak, whenever he opens his lips, as the oracles of God; for his speech is sincere and true, wise, just, and kind. II. THE HOLY AND BENEFICENT INTENTION OF CHRISTIAN SPEECH. 1. It should be a revelation from God-not, indeed, in the narrower and more proper meaning of that word, but in a sense justifiable and defensible. The oracle declares the mind and will of the Divinity. The Christian's speech brings the holy and gracious God near to those who listen and understand. 2. It should serve for the guidance of those to whom it is addressed. It may not be didactic in form, but substantially it posse~ses a. directing virtue, Christian speech may, and constantly does, preserve men from error and from sin, and guide them into truth and righteousness. It is used to this end by tho Spirit of wi~dom and of grace, who not only influences the mind and heart of him who speaks, but also the couscieuce, affections, and will of those who hear.-J. R. T.
Vers. 12, 13.-Trials. The word "trials" is one which is often upon the lips of persons who apparently give little heed to the spiritual meaning which is implied in it. People use the term as equivalent to "sufferings," "calamities," losing sight of the fact that it suggests great truths concerning our moral discipline and probation. In this passage the Apostle Peter, who was doubtless by Divine inspiration writiug out of his own experience, expounds the Christian doctrine of earthly "trials," HlO THE FIRST EPISTLE GENERAL OF PE'l'EI!. [cH. IV. 1-19.
I. THE PUP.POSE FOR WHICH TRIALS ARE PERMITTED. To many minds the trials "·hich befall tho good and the bad alike seem hardly consisteut with the benevolent charncter of God. But it is forgotten tbM the end of the Divine government is not to secure to all men the greatest possible amount of enjoyment, but to place every man in a position of moral discipline, to give him an opportunity to resist temptation to cultin1te virtnous habits, to li'>e an obedient itnd submissive nnd truly relicrious iife. Not as i_f God were jTidi_ffcrent to th? i~sue of such probation; on the co!rlrary, ho trntches its process with rnterest, and oehghts to see the gold purified in the furnace, the wheat winnowed from the chaff. The hearer of the \Vord is put upon his trial, and e1·entsyro1·e "11-h~tb_er lie will henr or. forb_enr.. 'l'he believer i~ Christ i~ put upon bis p~obati·m, and 1t 1s seen whether his faith 1s strong and bis love srncere. Ti.me Lries all. II. 'l'HE SPinIT IN WllICH TRIALS AilE TO BE EXnUREn DY THE CnRIS1'1AN. St. Peter shows us that the true Christian temper under trials is that which regards all such afflic- tions ns participation in the Master's sufferings. He who is one with Christ finds his rnlisfaction in being "as his Master, his Lord." He does not ask to be exempt from the experiences Jesus submitted to pass through before him. And be is sustained and cheered to know that, even in the heated furnace, there is One with him whose form is as the Son of God. Here is the true remedy for human restlessness and for human ,iiscontent. What we share with Christ we may accept with submission and gratitude. Ill. THE ISSUE TO WHICH TRIALS AD.E TO TEND. We are not left without light upon the future. .A.s our Lord himselr, even in bis humiliation and woe, saw of the travail of his soul, and was satisfied; so are bis followers justified in anticipating, not merely deliverance, but exaltation. The glory of the triumphant Redeemer shall be revealed. and they who have shared his cross shall then with joy sit down with him upon hia throne.-J. R. T.