be weary in well-doing, for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith." The second time when St. Paul went up to Jerusalem, he saw James, and Peter, and John, who gave to him and Barnabas the right-hand of fellowship. It was then agreed that he and Barnabas should go unto the heathen, while the other Apostles would go unto the circumcision, "Only they would," writes Paul to the Galatians, "that we should remember the poor, the same which I also was forward to do.” The prophet Agabus had foretold by the Spirit, that there would be a great dearth throughout the world, which came to pass in the days of Claudius Cæsar. This period of affliction called into active exercise that grace of love, which, when genuine, evidences itself by feelings of compassion and acts of disinterested liberality. The early Christians were happily united in heart; they formed but one holy family; their interests, their joys, their sorrows, were so blended together, that if one member suffered, all the members suffered with it. Thus it was at this calamitous season; for the historian informs us, that the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judæa, which also they did; and sent it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul. The Apostle was indeed most forward to remember the poor suffering saints. He used all his influence with the Gentile churches to furnish them with the means of subsistence, and spared no pains to impress the hearts of believers with the exalted duty of Christian beneficence. "I have," said he to the elders of the Ephesian Church, "showed you all things, how ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said: It is more blessed to give, than to receive." He Though very anxious to visit Rome, in order to benefit the Christians there, by his counsel and ministry; yet he had a work of love to perform, which he felt desirous first to accomplish. therefore writes: "Whensoever I take my journey into Spain I will come to you; but now, I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints; for it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem. It hath pleased them verily, and their debtors they are. For, if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things. When therefore I have performed this, and have sealed to them this fruit, I will come by you into Spain. And I am sure, that when I come unto you, I shall come in the fulness of the blessing of the Gospel of Christ.” The charitable Apostle was delighted with the liberality of the Macedonian Christians toward the suffering churches of Judæa. To the Corinthians he held them forth as a beautiful model for imitation: "Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; how that in a great trial of affliction, the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. For, to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power, they were willing of themselves, praying us with much intreaty, that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering of the saints." He then bestows a commendation upon the Corinthians themselves: "As touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you; for I know the forwardness of your mind, for which I boast of you to them of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago, and your zeal hath provoked very many. For, the administration of this service, not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God; whiles, by the experiment of this ministration, they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the Gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men; and by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you. Thanks be unto God, for his unspeakable gift." With apostolic authority, he might have enforced their obedience, but wishing rather to win them over to the exercise of Christian beneficence, he says: "As ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also. I speak not by commandment, but by the occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love. For, ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye, through his poverty, might be rich. God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work; being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.” How indefatigable was this servant of Christ. Who can view his character, and not glorify God in him. May the contemplation of it, stir us up to an increased desire after that grace which produced in him such holy fruits. As by a participation in the sorrows of others, we lessen their poignancy: so, by an endeavour to increase the happiness of others, we augment our own. Let us then embrace every opportunity of doing good to the souls and bodies of men; for opportunity is the flower of time, while the right improvement of it is the fruit. "To a Christian," says the friend of injured Africa, "it must be regarded as an axiom, that an opportunity of doing good, is tantamount to a command to undertake the service. Let us remember, that we have here no option. Our faculties are given to us, not as a property, but as a trust; and we are bound at our peril to forbear availing ourselves of the opportunities which Providence may place within our reach, of doing justice, and showing mercy, of lessening the miseries, and augmenting the happiness, of our species." How sweetly constraining is the Christian motive to brotherly love: "Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God, for God is love. Herein is love, not that we loved God, But that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another." "One there is above all others, His is love beyond a brother's, Earthly friends may fail and leave us, "Blessed Jesus!-Wouldst thou know him, Is it sin that pains and grieves thee? Jesus can from all release thee: O how he loves! "Love this Friend-who longs to save thee, Take his easy yoke and follow, "All thy sins shall be forgiv❜n, Backward shall thy foes be driv'n; |