NATIONAL PREACHER.

No. 9. VOL. 8.] NEW-YORK, FEB. 1834. [WHOLE No. 93.

THE LOVELINESS OF CHRISTIAN LOVE.

1 PETER, iii. 8.-Love as brethren.

Christianity, like its heavenly Author, is love. In the beautiful language of another, "Jesus Christ was an incarnation of love in our world. He was love, living, breathing, speaking, acting amongst men. His birth was the nativity of love, his sermons the words of love, his miracles the wonders of love, his tears the meltings of love, his crucifixion the agonies of love, his resurrection the triumph of love.”

66

Christianity he has left behind him, as the representative of his character, the written image of himself, and has breathed into the whole system his own spirit, and rendered it living with love. This system is the system of the church, the system of every individual member of the brotherhood; and its breath of life it has infused into every heir of God, and joint heir with Jesus Christ, and made him a living soul, alive with the fervor of love. Hence the Bible every where recognizes it as characteristic of the disciples of Christ, and in a variety of manner, and with unwonted frequency and emphasis, brings it into view as the invaluable and necessary possession of every Christian. He that loveth not, knoweth not God, for God is love: and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God." The objects of this affection are all perceptive beings, all capable of happiness. It embraces God, and clings to him supremely, as ineffably excellent, and infinitely superior in worth to all other beings: his holy angels also, as reflections of the brightness of his glory and even his enemies it regards with benevolence, although not with approbation. But it has a peculiar operation in reference to all who are brethren of Christ, members of his body, and beautifully knits them together in love. To this exhibition of love, or this mode of its operation, the Apostle alludes, when he exhorts Christians in the text, to love as brethren.

I shall therefore take occasion from these words, to explain, briefly the nature, but principally the operation and effects of brotherly love.

I. Love is a complex emotion of the soul, the elements of which are, a pleasurable feeling awakened by the contemplation of some appropriate object, and a desire for the good of that object. Of this emotion there are VOL. VIII.-9.

various modification, expressed by different names; and there are, of course, different objects that will excite it, and variously modify its operation.

Other feelings, therefore, embraced under the general term, love, or nearly allied to it, may be mistaken for that peculiar affection, that bond of peace, which unites Christians in one body" fitly joined together, and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, making increase of the body, to the edifying of itself in love."

It must not be supposed to consist in that natural affection existing among members of the same family, nor in that amiable good nature, which fills the breast with the milk of human kindness, and leads, as if by instinct, to acts of beneficence. Neither is it to be mistaken for denominational attachment, that which is felt for those who profess the same creed, and worship in the same mode with ourselves, nor for that fond affection and cordial friendship, which often bind, in sweet union, those who discover congeniality of temper, or have, by circumstances, become peculiarly intimate. It must be distinguished also, from that benevolence, which yearns over a dying world, and moves to vigorous efforts for its salvation.

These feelings will certainly exist in the heart of the Christian, in connexion with the love of the brethren, but may all be found, likewise, in a heart entirely destitute of the love of God: and therefore, although all combined in one lovely being, would constitute no sure proof of a renovated heart, or of preparation for heaven.

In distinction from all these, brotherly love is that which animates the bosoms of those who, in the Bible are denominated the brethren-it is their love for one another, as Christians, disciples of Christ. The Master himself has determined who are his brethren. Not those related to him by natural ties, but they who hear the will of God and do it. Christ speaking of his disciples, says, One is your Master, and all ye are brethren. Hence the Apostles, in writing to the churches, adopt this appellation, and address them as faithful brethren, the holy brethren, the brotherhood, and exhort them to love as brethren.

But they are constituted brethren by a moral bond; the same which binds them to Christ himself. There is among them a family likeness in moral qualities. And although there may be no other attractive influence,, no connection between them in the relations of society, they have all drunk into one spirit; and whether high or low, rich or poor, literate or illiterate, African, Indian, American, bond or free, they feel themselves knit together in love, being of one accord,, of one mind. Hence there is a sympathy pervading the whole; which manifests itself in weeping with those that weep, and rejoicing with them that do rejoice.

But let it be especially noted, that the object which in contemplation. excites this emotion, is moral likeness to Christ. Wherever we discover the image of Jesus, or see a course of action which evinces the possession of his spirit, there will all the feelings cluster, which may be elements of brotherly love. Let me see an individual of any clime, cf any color, of any sect, who, in his walk and conversation is manifestly governed by a regard for the Lord and his annointed, who is cultivating the heavenly dispositions, and holy habits of the gospel, who has embarked in the high interests in which God is engaged, and who sees and feels, loves and hates, as he does, and if I have any brotherly love in me, I see a man, who has higher claims on my regard, and my sympathy, than any of the merely natural relations of life can command. Loving him that begat,

I also love him that is begotten of him. Bound to the throne of God by those moral excellencies which brighten his character, and make him an object of delightful complacency, I am also bound in Christian affection to every son and daughter of Adam, who beholding the glory of God as it shines in the person of Jesus Christ, has been changed into the same image. And as he is the centre of attraction to them all, and they all alike love to sit at his feet, and imbibe his heavenly spirit, so also do they love to contemplate the faintest reflections of his glory wherever visible.

II. But the effects of brotherly love, or its manner of operation, is that which more especially interests us.

Since it is not sectarian, but affectionately embraces all who love Christ, and walk in his commandments, it will tenderly regard the feelings, and consult the spiritual benefit of those of other names than that by which itself is known. But as churches are now organized, and all in every place who call upon the name of God, are not associated in one community, it necessarily follows, that the operations of this affection will be generally manifested among those who believe and worship alike.

And while it is expansive as the length and breadth of the church universal, and sympathizes with every member, whose wants and sorrows are known, while it has an ear to hear, and a hand to relieve the miseries of a brother or sister in the most distant clime, it acts specially in reference to those more immediately under its eye, and within its reach.

1. Toward these it will operate in leading us to avoid all occasions of offence. It will be our endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, and as the elect of God, holy and beloved, to put on bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long-suffering. Oh! if these heavenly affections had a deeper lodgment in the breasts of those who are called the brethren of Christ, how much bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and evil speaking, and malice, would be put away from the midst of them-how tender would they be of each other's feeling—how kind in word and action—how careful lest even a momentary wound might be inflicted—and how watchful against every occasion of ill-feeling. Where there is real brotherly love in exercise, we shall look upon the least of Christ's disciples as dearer to him than the apple of his eye; and as we love him, we cannot offend any of those little ones who bear his image, and to offend whom would bring upon us a more fearful punishment than if a millstone were hanged about our neck, and we cast into the sea.

Cold looks, harsh words, careless and indifferent action toward the brethren, will therefore be avoided as adapted to give them pain. All that recklessness of the peace of others, which will not stop to calculate consequences, but says and does just as it pleases, must be banished from the breasts of the followers of Christ, and there must come into its place a determination rather to sacrifice our own peace, than for a moment interrupt that of a Christian brother.

2. It will operate, also, in promoting forgiveness. In consequence of remaining corruption in the children of God, the variety of natural disposition belonging to them, the different modes of education by which they have been trained, the distinctive classes of society in which they have moved, and the sinful readiness with which some take offence, there do too often occur among professed brethren, injurious speeches, and unwarrantable feelings. Yet these things ought not so to be. We must

no.

forgive one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven us, and pray to be forgiven ourselves, as we forgive those who trespass against us. An unforgiving professor, therefore, who cherishes unkind, untender, revengeful feelings towards any brother, and yet daily offers up the Lord's prayer is imploring God to be revenged on him for his sins, to pardon him, as he pardons a trespassing brother-which is by taking vengeance. Oh! can this be the spirit of Jesus, who prayed for his enemies, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do?" Ah! If we be the disciples of Christ, we shall be like him, filled with love, and unwilling for a moment to harbor one feeling of enmity against a fellow Christian. Whenever we suppose ourselves to be maltreated, instead of suffering the imagination to play, and augment a molehill into a mountain, a little rivulet over which we might easily step, into a mighty ocean which it will require weeks, or months, or years to traverse, let us at once discover whether there be any just cause of offence; and if there be, where brotherly love exists, the offender will readily confess his fault, and the injured as heartily forgive; and there will thenceforth be a warmer, and purer, and holier flame of love cementing their hearts, because of the meekness, and gentleness of Christ, which each has seen in the other. As the little children of one family, who often in the course of the day look angrily, and feel soured toward one another, yet say, "Good night," with an affectionate kiss, and in the morning meet again in love; so should it be the care of the dear children of God, the members of the church of the first-born, whose names are written in heaven, to love one another with a pure heart, fervently, and from the heart to forgive every one his brother their trespasses. On this point let every Christian prayerfully ponder the words of Jesus, recorded in Matt. xviii. especially his reply to the inquiry of Peter," Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times! Jesus saith unto him, say not until seven times, but until seventy times seven." And also what he hath said in Mark xi. 25, 26. "And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have aught against any, that your Father also, which is in heaven, may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven, forgive your trespasses."

I

3. Another operation of brotherly love is forbearance. As the apostle writes to the Ephesian and Colossian brethren, "forbearing one another in love." The term here used is not limited in its signification to the more common acceptation of the English word, a withholding ourselves from injuring any one by the indulgence of anger and wrath: but it implies also, and more especially, indulgence towards the infirmities of others-a looking over their peculiarities of thought or manner, and not permitting them to prevent our endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, while they manifest an undoubted attachment to Christ and his cause.

There is much room for the exercise and cultivation of this grace in every Christian community. We are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. We have fellowship with God, and with his Son, and have communion in one Spirit. Yet there are diversities of gifts. Some are wise, and some are ignorant—some strong, and some weak-some babes, and some full grown men in Christ-some learning only the first principles of the oracles of God, and some going on unto perfection-some able to bear only milk, and some strong meat. Now they that are strong must bear the infirmities of the weak, and not please themselves; consulting the edification of their brother; and even sacrifice

their privilege for the sake of the conscientious scruples of weaker brethren.

This operation of brotherly love seems to bear directly on the point of intercourse with other churches. We severally, as denominations, believe ourselves to be strong, at least in reference to our system of truth. Let it then be granted, that we the Episcopalians, or we the Methodists, or we the Seceders, or we the Baptists, or we the Presbyterians, are the strong ones of the body of Christ, yet if we regard the others as belonging to the body at all, if we acknowledge them to be followers of Jesus, although we consider them weak in the faith, we are bound, as strong, to bear the infirmities of the weak; and in receiving them, to receive them not to doubtful disputations. And as the eye cannot say unto the hand, "I have no need of thee;" nor again, the head unto the feet, "I have no need of you," no more can we esteem of little account the least, the weakest of the disciples of Jesus Christ. And when we spread a table, whose "bread is the communion of the body of Christ," let us not spread it for Presbyterians, or Methodists, or Episcopalians, or any sect as such, but only as the table of the Lord, the place of communion for all who love him. And there may the weakest lamb of the flock go and feed on the pastures of Christ's love; and who shall venture to hinder him?

There are other things which call for forbearance. Constitutional temperament and providential circumstances have had an influence in throwing a variety of character into the church, all the grades of which are more or less modified by the renewing of the Spirit. Hence in many, of whom you cannot doubt that they are actuated by the love of God, the lustre of their piety is dimmed by some uncouthness of manner, some roughness of speech, some abruptness, or forwardness, or disagreeable talkativeness, or some whining and complaining disposition. These things have a tendency to create a dislike, or even disgust; and here we have need for the exercise of brotherly love, that we hide from our view these spots in God's children, and cover the multitude of sixs, which might else disaffect us towards some of the most humble and prayerful of God's people. 'Why dost thou judge thy brother? Or why dost thou set at naught thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. Let us not therefore judge one another any more.

66

4. Another of its effects will be a disposition to avoid rash judgments. We are admonished to "speak the truth in love." Charity, or love, rejoiceth in the truth, thinketh no evil, and hopeth all things." Were these sacred sentiments engraven on the hearts of the professed followers of Christ, how much of that precipitancy of judgment, which misconstrues language, and misinterprets actions, would be prevented in the brotherhood, and how much more nearly should we conform to the exhortation of the Apostle, "See that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently." Such judging of the conduct of others is utterly inconsistent with the exercise of brotherly love, and the Christian spirit. Some there are, who are ever ready to attribute the actions of fellow Christians to improper motives, and viewing them unconnected with the concomitant circumstances, (some of which may be known only to the individual himself,) to denounce them as evidence of alienation from the life of God, and destitution of the meekness and gentleness of Christ. In consequence of this hasty prejudgment, the worst possible construction is also put on the remarks of others, and they are interpreted as personal, and deeply wounding to the friends and the cause of the Redeemer. It is especially inconsistent with this love, when small, unessential differences