Passing on to an exemplification of, or mode of putting in practice at once this thankfulness, this steadfast, uniform, accomplishment of the work of the Lord: "Concerning the collection for the saints," or poor Christians, as I have given directions to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye; on the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store" for this charitable purpose, whatever he can afford, as God hath prospered him."

He afterward speaks of his intended journeys, and of his hope to come and spend some time with them; mentions by name various friends, with a particular request that every kindness and attention should be shown them, interspersing here and there solemn hints (as it were) of what should be ever in a Christian's thoughts, however employed. "Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong. Let all your things be done with charity. If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema maranatha.”

On reading then, and comparing these two chapters together, we see that the divine knowledge and lofty privileges vouchsafed to the illustrious apostle St. Paul, did not in any way prevent or keep him back from fulfilling, what may be called, his course of every day duties. One moment he is descanting on the highest and most magnificent doctrines of the gospel; the next laying down rules for managing a collection for the poor, or arranging the order of his visits to his flock or friends, and so forth.

We also see on the other hand, that the great apostle's attention to these common duties, did not at all draw off his heart and affections from his heavenly privileges, and true home. "All his things," to use his own emphatic expression, "were done with charity," with "love for the Lord Jesus Christ," and of all men for his sake.

It becomes us then, as disciples of the same divine Master, to endeavor, by the aid of the ever-blessed Spirit, to follow the illustrious apostle's example in both the ways now referred to. When we search into, and med

itate on, the truths of Christ's glorious gospel, we should never make this an excuse for being negligent of the peculiar daily duties belonging to our several stations.And also on the other hand we should be careful, that in fulfilling these duties, we be not forgetful of our high Christian privileges.

On each of these points let me offer a few observations by way of caution.

People sometimes think, or speak as if they thought, that if they give their minds in any considerable degree to matters of a directly religious nature, they must be so far the less competent to take their part in matters of business or society, properly belonging to their respective station,

Yet we see that St. Paul, to whom was granted in so eminent a degree "the gift of prophecy, the power to understand all mysteries and all knowledge," this great apostle and holy minister of Jesus Christ, was constantly most active and diligent (no one more so), and at the same time most discreet and prudent in fulfilling all the duties of that state of life to which it had pleased God to call him. Hence we may conclude that habits of sincere unaffected piety, the habitual study of God's holy word, and regard to the rules of his church- the " continuing in prayer (as St. Paul expresses it), and watching in the same with thanksgiving," with the Eucharist, with habitual communion with our Lord Jesus Christ at his own holy table-a life so led is quite compatible with the uniform practice of all the daily duties suited to our respective stations.

If some high emotions of feeling were absolutely requisite to put the heart into a truly religious frame before God, it would be difficult, if not impossible to maintain a uniform spirit of religion; to pass at once, for instance, from prayer, or communion, or the study of God's revealed word, to matters of domestic or social duty.

But as St. Paul has set us the example we need not scruple to believe, that the proper way of turning to account the high knowledge and privileges imparted to

us as Christians, is to be "steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord," and at once to enter on what comes first in our line of duty, that is, to us "the work of the Lord"-each man's proper calling.

At all times indeed, but especially in the present corrupt and decayed state of what is called the Christian world, the temptation to serious and contemplative minds is to withdraw from this restless unsatisfying scene of things, and to let their hearts and minds dwell on those noble privileges and rewards, which, by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, they are enabled to call their own, either in possession or in hope.

They would willingly shut their eyes to the matters which concern only this transitory life, and look only to the great subjects which belong to them as of right— as members of the church of God which he purchased with his own blood-as, namely, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.

To these great matters, and others of kin to them, they would willingly limit their thoughts. But they know they must not-they know that they are required to use this world, as not abusing (or rather, as not using) it; to follow the path assigned them with utter indifference as to what the results may be; not to seek high things for themselves, but to be content to go along low by the ground; to be content, I say, as the catechism so admirably expresses it, "to learn, and labor, truly to get their own living, and to do their duty in that state of life to which it shall please God to call them."

In times also of distress and affliction, from whatever cause arising, it is a great trial to tender and devout spirits to go on engaging themselves in matters of common every day business. It seems to them almost as if there were something wrong and even presumptuous in so doing; as if God were speaking to them, and they refused to hear. And this the more because they too often see worldly and hard-hearted persons pur.

suing this very course, deadening (as it were) the sound of God's warnings in the noise of business or pleasure. Nevertheless the sincere Christian must be assured, that in time of affliction, as at all other times, it never can be wrong to go on steadfast, unmoveable, always, that is, uniformly abounding in the work of the Lord. He must not look on things too much after the outward appearance. The other disciples, yielding perhaps to their feelings, went away, not enduring to behold their Lord's sufferings. St. John remained at the foot of the cross and saw the nails driven into his hands and feetand the spear thrust into his side.

And when Christians carry to the grave the mortal remains of their brethren, the church, consoling us with the glorious doctrine of St. Paul in this very chapter, does not omit the last verse, the practical conclusion of the whole. She seems to warn us not, under a natural touch of feeling, to waste our precious time yet remaining, and the more precious for being so uncertain, in sorrowing as others that have no hope, but in the collection for the saints,' to proceed at once in the prosecution of those various duties which every man knows, if he reflects at all, that he has on his hands every morning of his life.

But while we endeavor to follow on, however imperfectly, this our path of daily duty, it is of the most serious importance that we bear in mind, at the same time, the high Christian privileges to which the members of Christ's holy church are entitled.

People may go on leading a decent, respectable, and what is miscalled, moral course of life, without giving their thoughts with any habitual seriousness to what their Lord and Savior has wrought for them, to the need they are in of having their hearts in all things guided and ruled by the Holy Spirit.

I say, it is a mistake to call such persons "moral" men, they are very immoral; they neglect their best friend; they disobey their Master in whose service they are sworn, they constantly promise what they do not even try to perform.

VOL. II.-19

It seems therefore no less than necessary for us, if we would be acknowledged as good and faithful servants of the holy Jesus, that we apply our hearts to search into, and ascertain the great concerning truths of the gospel. These truths are meant for all persons, of all stations and circumstances; they are not limited to men of learning, and scholarship, nay not offered to them, unless they bring as humble and teachable a spirit as the meanest Christian.

But with such a temper of lowliness and devotion, with habitual prayer for the instruction and guidance of God's blessed spirit, with diligence in reading and hearing his holy word, especially according to the ancient rules provided by his church, and with making the most of that leisure which all are able to enjoy at least on the Lord's sacred day-in this way the sincere Christian, be his condition in life what it may, will still as each week passes over him become more substantially wise, even with the wisdom which proceedeth from above; will still (as the apostle speaks) be growing in grace and in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. Nevertheless, at the best and wisest in this world, we see but as through a glass, darkly and by reflection.

The time will come, when those who have sought their Savior aright in this world of trial, shall find him— shall ever be with him-yea, "shall be like him, for they shall see him as he is."