mother, he turned back after receiving a token of true friendship from David. The king of Israel in his final charge to Solomon requested him to shew kindness to the sons of Barzillai for the friendship their father manifested towards him. How genuine was the attachment which existed between the prophet of Horeb, and the son of Shaphat! Elisha accompanied Elijah to Beth-el, then to Jericho, from thence to Jordan then exclaimed, "As the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee." After they had crossed Jordan, they went on engaged in conversation until "there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them asunder, and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven." And Elisha" cried, My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof."

Real friendship is both valuable and desirable. In the present world we are exposed to persecution, temptation, and affliction of body and mind. To have in these seasons a confidential friend, to whom we can relate our experience, and from whom we receive sympathy, tends to ease our minds, and mitigate the burden of the heart. Friendship should be cultivated especially among christians. "A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly." The friendship of a good man is not only sincere, but constant. "A friend," says Solomon, "loveth at all times." vealeth secrets: but he that is a faithful spirit concealeth the matter," Prov. xi. 13. In all things we must exhibit those traits peculiar to the christian character, and are evidences of the sincerity of our profession, Fidelity to men includes,

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2. Punctuality. Punctuality is one of the best rules extant; the observance of which is highly commendable both in temporal and spiritual matters. It is said, that Sir William Blackstone regarded punctuality as a virtue, and could not think very favourably of any one

who was defective in this practise. Inattention to a point of such importance is not only detrimental to a man's character, but often occasions considerable trouble and inconvenience to others. Professors of religion should especially be faithful to their engagements, and punctual to their promises. Some are very remiss in their business habits. A person, for example, owes a sum of money, and engages to pay it at a stated period; the time arrives, but he cannot meet the demand; he ought, then, unless unavoidably prevented, to meet his creditor in person, and assign his reason for the nonfulfilment of his promise. But instead of doing so, many evade their creditors as much as possible; and frequently we hear of some purchasing articles of other tradesmen while "old scores," or debts, remain uncancelled elsewhere. If you speak to them on the subject, their reply will probably be, "I had not the money to pay with, or I should have been as good as my word." But is it business-like, much more christian-like, not to acknowledge that inability to the proper person at the appointed time? We fear many are guilty of such conduct, and notwithstanding their high pretensions to sanctity, they need not wonder if their motives and profession should be questioned. The Bible teaches us to be faithful and honourable in all our dealings, and prompt in our attentions to spiritual duties. We must be "diligent in business, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord." "When

thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed. Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow, and not pay," Ecclesiastes v. 4, 5. To be faithful to others, there must be,

3. Uprightness of conduct. Honesty, justice, and in-. tegrity, are included in the christian's rule of conduct; the manifestation of which is especially important in his

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intercourse and dealings with others; for an habitual violation of such principles is inconsistent with a profession of godliness, and incurs the displeasure of God. "These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: a proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, an heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, a false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren," Prov. vi. 16—19.

There are many religious people engaged in commercial pursuits and traffic, buying, selling, and speculating; but in such avocations of life there must be an inflexible adherence to the golden rule, "Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them," Matt. vii. 12. There is much duplicity and imposition practised at the present day by persons in business. Articles of sale are frequently represented as genuine, cheap, and of superior quality, when they are actually adulterated, dear, and very inferior commodities. Thus the seller takes advantage of the ignorance of his customer. Such conduct is dishonourable and sinful. But a faithful and conscientious christian views, with the utmost abhorrence, whatever is mean, cunning, and deceptive in trade; he treats all with whom he transacts business with due respect and fidelity; for the upright in heart have respect to their words and actions, and are free from those accusations of conscience usually associated with acts of dishonesty; rise superior to selfish motives, maintain their integrity, and are among those to whom the "Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withold from them that walk uprightly," Ps. lxxxiv. 11.

Sincere friendship, a punctual observance of every promise and engagement, and upright conduct, are among the tests and evidences of our fidelity to God and man. Notice,

II. THE CONSIDERATIONS WHICH SHOULD EXCITE US TO THE CULTIVATION OF CHRISTIAN FIDELITY.

1. It is essential to establish our moral character. The value of christian fidelity is so well authenticated, and so generally acknowledged, that arguments are unnecessary to commend it; and its importance is so frequently confirmed, in the pleasing results manifested in the conduct of devout and earnest christians, that all men should be influenced by so noble a principle. As a tree is known by its fruits, so we form our estimate of character according to the conduct which is manifested. The elements of character, good or bad, are manifest in the actions of men. In past ages, tests of fidelity between man and man have consisted of some bodily action, in conjunction with a prescribed form of words. It is to be feared many often assume a devotional attitude, and attend to outward forms and ceremonies, who are nevertheless destitute of vital religion.

But our moral character is not established by the mere recitation of some selected sentences, some singular position or action of the body, but by the purity of the heart, and the unimpeachable tenor of the life. Religion is a work of the heart, and must influence our conduct.

Do you ask, then, what are the criteria by which our moral character is determined? The answer is, "To the law and to the testimony." This is the infallible standard of appeal by which the quality of an action may be determined. The Bible affirms what we must believe, enjoins what we must practice, and shows what is required at our hands. If we fail to fulfil its requirements, to establish our moral character will be a vain attempt; it must be earned by conforming to its precepts, and imitating the example of Christ. In proportion as we resemble him in disposition will be manifest the existence and degree of our spiritual stata. Another

consideration which should excite us to fidelity is,

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2. The impetus which it gives to religion. The spread and triumph of religion in the world is a desideratum, an object well worthy the attention and united efforts of the church. But the supineness, hypocrisy, and immorality of some who have belonged, professedly, to the christian church, have tended to retard the progress of truth. A refractory and disaffected member may do eonsiderable harm, both in and out of the church; one Achan in the camp, or one traitor at the table of the Lord, is calculated to injure the Saviour's cause. cannot further the interests of religion as we ought, and as God requires, unless we are faithful to our vows and resolutions, and sincere and earnest in our prayers and performances. But when there is a becoming carriage, and a corresponding exemplification of the spirit and truth of religion, others are constrained to admire the influence which produces such delightful results, and imparts to its possessors such solid and permanent happiness. A consistent life furnishes an irresistable argument in favour of christianity, and promotes the glory of the Divine Redeemer. "Walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; endeavouring to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace," Eph. iv. 1-3. Another consideration is,

3. The certainty that every act of dissimulation and unfaithfulness will be detected. We possess not the attribute of omniscience; and, therefore, it is not difficult to deceive each other. However great may be our powers of discrimination, and extensive our knowledge, many sins may lie buried in the depths of the heart which we are unable to detect or discover, although we maintain a familiar acquaintance with one another. But Jehovah is omniscient; and, therefore, acquainted with our thoughts, words, and actions; for nothing can escape