neighbors, and keep with the truth. Not that this principle of benignity and good-will blinds his vision, so that he cannot perceive defects, or influences his judgment, so that he cannot discriminate between truth and error, virtue and vice; but, that it causes him to believe the very best he can in every case, and suffers him not to give credit to evil, save on positive testimony, and then reluctantly, soberly, and moderately. Moreover, he "hopeth all things." When he is compelled, through the potency of truth, to change his belief in reference to his neighbor, love then enables him still to hope for the best. He anticipates, that the case is better than report testifies. And, however bad the case may prove to be, he hopes that Divine mercy will be extended to the sinner; that God will grant repentance unto life; that the unfortunate and fallen one will be restored to the paths of virtue and truth, and thus, after all his misdoings, may escape future and eternal woe. Hence, though the charitable man may lose confidence, and faith be unable to "work," yet love continues to "labor" and brings forth the patience of hope." And love "endureth all things." It sustains its possessor amid all the trials, vexations, and difficulties of this world. Throughout life's vicis situdes it bears him up, as on eagles' wings. In the hour of temptation it strengthens him, for the "love of God is shed abroad in his heart by the Holy Ghost given unto him." Although the enemy comes in "like a flood," the Spirit of the God whom he loves and whom he serves, will "lift up a standard against him." When persecution attempts to thwart his heavenward progress, then love mightily maintains him, enabling him to bear the ill-treatment of sinners with patience and resignation. And whatever may oppose, this heavenly principle will break every barrier, and urge him on with steady march toward his destined home. His afflictions may be many all through life, and at the last his death may be painful, but in all love shall prove triumphant. Hence can its possessor sweetly sing, "Sink down, ye separating hills, Let sin and death remove; "T is love that drives my chariot wheels, Finally, "charity never faileth." It prepares its possessor for heaven. It cheers and sustains the believer through life, and fails him not, even in the final hour. Then, as formerly, it bids him exclaim, "Whom have I in heaven, but Thee, and there is none upon earth that I desire beside Thee." And throughout the annals of blissful eternity it faileth not. Indeed, heaven itself would be destitute of felicity were it robbed of love. The redeemed will all be of one mind, of one heart, will all love God and each other perfectly, and will forever remain strangers to everything that is contrary to this holy, happifying principle. II. Our duty in reference to this object. It is in one word-to "follow after charity." AMETE is the imperative of dicono, which implies to desire, to aim at, to pursue, to follow after, to press upon, etc., etc., and comes from dia, to drive, to chase, and cuức, swift, quick, etc. From this we learn that activity is requisite would we accomplish the object to which to which our text directs attention. 1. Now let us inquire upon whom this duty is obligatory. And certainly it is not saying too much to answer, upon all the human race. Surely it is right, meet, and proper that we love our Creator, Preserver, Benefactor, and Redeemer. And is it not equally fitting that we love each other? Are we not all the workmanship of the Almighty's hand, and the purchase of the Redeemer's blood? Do we not share the same sin and the same sal vation? And should not sympathy bid us love each other, with sincere hearts, fervently? But through sin came Through sin God has Had not sin come into our world, nothing foreign to this Divine principle had ever actuated the heart of perfect man. death and all our woe. been dishonored, man has been degraded, love has given place to hatred, and an earthly Paradise has been transformed into an Aceldama, a field of blood. Yet, bad as is our condition through transgression, still it is not hopeless; for God has loved a fallen world, and Christ has died to redeem it. And now, through the grace given, we are capacitated to perform every duty which God requires, and, consequently, may "follow after charity." 2. As the professed followers of the Redeemer, we are specially called to the performance of this duty. Whatever our present attainments may be, it is our privilege to "grow in grace," and, consequently, to love God more and each other better. As our faith strengthens so shall our love increase, until we be able to "comprehend with all saints what is the breadth and length, and depth and height, and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge." 3. But how shall we seek to attain to this duty? It should be characterized by sincerity, diligence, perseverance, and faith. Without sincerity no effort will be acceptable; without faith no effort will be availing; without diligence nothing can be accomplished; and without perseverance we shall utterly fail of this grand acquisition. Would we have this charity to dwell richly in our hearts, to be constantly uttered by our tongues, and to be daily exhibited in our actions? Then must we use the means which God has appointed. We must follow after, aim at, and desire charity. (1.) In examining God's Word. This must be done lovingly, humbly, and with simplicity. The Sacred Volume cannot thus be examined in vain. We shall "read, learn, and inwardly digest" the important truths of salvation, and sweetly realize that the Scriptures are able to make us "wise unto salvation through faith in Christ Jesus." Then can we say with David, "Oh! how I love Thy Law." (2.) In prayer there must be love. This must be offered without "wrath or doubt" or fear, in the name of Jesus, and then it will be effectual. (3.) Our charity will provoke to watchfulness. We must watch against the devil, world, and flesh over our thoughts, words, and, actions-for |