plexion, the " calm, blue eye," the graceful outline, indicate a soul of rare delicacy of feeling and beauty of perception. But "the full, firm lips," and the "steady bearing" of the figure, mark also a character of high decision, of unflinching purpose to do or to suffer. And such he was a gentle, loving child, nursed in the bosom of affluence, and educated in the best manner, he yet tore himself from the heart of his family, from the enticements of wealth and ambition, that he might satisfy the hunger of his soul in a convent-the best place of religious retirement and instruction that the age afforded. Like Jerome, also, whose name he bore, he devoted his convent life in part to literary labours. But finding vice and corruption within the convent, he for a while mourned in silence, till he found comfort and strength in the "sweet love of Jesus." At length he came forth, a bold and earnest preacher against the corruptions of the church itself. With the fidelity of John the Baptist he reproved the sins of the court, and warned the people of coming judgments. He even assumed the functions of a prophet, and sometimes weakened his denunciations by his enthusiasm. The rich and noble Lorenzo de Medici sought to bribe him with costly gifts, but Savonarola answered, "The good dog barks to defend his

master's house, and if a robber offers him a bone, he pushes it aside and barks still;" and he continued to denounce the luxury and vice of the Florentine capital and the papal court. His manly courage exasperated the pope, who, finding that he could not silence the fearless monk, pronounced against him the sentence of excommunication. "From the pope," said Savonarola, "I appeal to the heavenly Pope, Christ Jesus."

He was brought to the stake. They stripped him of his priestly robes, the bishop using the form of excommunication against heretics, "I separate thee from the church triumphant.'

"Nay," replied the martyr, with a calm, firm tone, "from the church militant-from the church triumphant thou canst not separate me."

Meekly bearing the taunts of his enemies, he prayed with his companions, and "while the flames were circling around his arm, he raised his hand and made the sign of benediction upon the multitude who were exulting in his death." Call him a mystic, an enthusiast, if you will-yet does not such a soul stand before you in kingly majesty? And do you not feel that this virtue, which you are exhorted to add to your faith, is the very essence and glory of all Christian heroism?

III. HOW SHALL THIS VIRTUE BE ATTAINED? How may you be endowed with this high and holy resolve for duty and for Christ? The text teaches that you must cultivate it with all diligence. Set your mind upon it as within your reach, to be attained, necessary to a complete Christian character; and seek it with wakeful desire, with determined study.

i. Study the examples of those who have manifested virtue. Look at Noah, standing up against the cavils of an apostate world to do the command of God-a preacher of righteousness, Look at Abraham, with firm tread walking trackless wastes to unknown lands, his courage rooted in faith. Look at Moses, confronting the stubborn will of Pharaoh, and leading forth the people of God—not fearing the wrath of the king. Look at Paul, ready to face a Jewish mob, or the prejudiced Sanhedrim, or pagan governors and Roman captains, or the wild beasts at Ephesus, or the dungeon at Rome, and to stand in Cæsar's palace as a witness for Christ. Look at the long line of martyrs whose manly virtue is the sublimest heroism of history. The study of such characters is a tonic for the soul when depressed with fears. Look at those ancient worthies, "who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained pro

mises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens;" or who, with a passive courage no less sublime, "were tortured, not accepting deliverance, and others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover, of bonds and imprisonment; they were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword." When our courage falters, let us reassure ourselves by looking up from the dust and strife of the arena to that great cloud of witnesses compassing us about like a crowded amphitheatre. Above all, let us reassure ourselves by standing as ever in the great Taskmaster's eye; "looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin."

ii. To attain the full vigour of Christian manliness, you must exercise this virtue whenever you have opportunity. Virtues will not come to serve us upon great occasions, unless they are trained and developed day by day. One who allows himself habitually to be led by others in little things will have no manly indepen

dence when tested with some great responsibility. He who suffers timidity to prevail against duty in the least thing will sacrifice the greatest interests to his personal fears. Are you moved to speak to another upon the state of his soul-and yet do you shrink from the possibility of a rebuff? Resolve that by God's ever-present help you will perform this duty; pray that you may conquer your weakness; go and do it, and you will "add to your faith virtue." Are you moved to admonish an erring brother? No matter how painful the task, take up that duty and perform it. Go in meekness, in the spirit of love, but with the Master's strength, and you will "add to your faith virtue." Are you called upon, in the providence of God, to take some untried responsibility for the cause of Christ? Do not shrink from it, but stand in your lot; it may be just the discipline you need to "add to your faith virtue." John Knox wept for very weakness when his brethren called him to be their leader; but with faith in Christ he put on manly resolve, and then the wayward and wilful queen trembled and wept under his bold rebukes.

The young Christian should begin early to cultivate this holy courage;-learn to say NO to every solicitation of evil; learn to say YES to every call of duty. He that is faithful in