disciples, not singly, but two and two together. Yet his own example, and that of his faithful Apostle, teach us that we must not set our hearts too fondly even upon this greatest of earthly blessings; we must be prepared for that most grievous of all trials, when none but God and our own hearts will bear witness on our behalf. And if even this be not beyond expectation, much more is it to be looked for, nay, it were folly not to look for it, that they who do sympathise with us heartily, will be at any rate but few only: we may think ourselves well off, if we can find as many as Paul did, as many as two or three who are genuine fellow-workers with us, and whose hearts are as our own. We may be quite sure, that where two or three only are gathered together in Christ's name, there is Christ in the midst of them. And perhaps it may be a useful trial to most of us, to teach us thus not to lean upon the help of man, not to follow Christ only when others set us the example, but to serve him, if need be, alone. How clear a proof is it of our weakness, if because some human friend is taken from us, whose counsel and whose support helped us forward in the service of Christ, we must now stand still or go backwards. Was

it his influence only that encouraged us? was it his example that served us for a pattern? was it his countenance that made us not fear nor care for the rebukes or the opposition of the majority? If he were all this to you, thank God for his goodness in having given you such a friend; but do not shame all that he has done for you by showing that it has taken no root in your own hearts; that you were safe only while he was by. Much more, do not so wrong the power and the love of Christ. as not to know that he is more than the dearest earthly friend; that his influence, his example, his praise, are far more than those of man, and can never be taken away from you. And consider whether, if you have yourselves derived so much help from those who were before you in Christ Jesus, there may not be others who would fain derive the same help from you whether there may not be some who are now, what you were a little while ago, just in suspense between good and evil; with serious thoughts awakened in them, but not matured; with a desire to do good, but with too little strength and steadiness of character, if left to themselves, to carry their desire into practice. Here, then, is a way opened before you, in which you can most

fitly show your gratitude to those earthly friends to whom you owe so much, and to your Lord and Saviour, from whose loving care they, and every other good thing which you receive, are alike ministered to you. Let your influence and example be to those who are younger than you what your friends' influence and example were once to yourselves; that so the succession of God's servants may never be broken off, but continue, and if it may be, with a larger increase, from generation to generation.

I think that, in all probability, some who hear me have understood to what and to whom this is particularly applicable. It will be, and I know not that we ought always to try to avoid it, that particular circumstances will be before our minds even when our language is general; and if it were not so, our pictures could hardly escape being vague and unlike any reality. But if in speaking of those who have left us, the particular allusion could not be mistaken, yet what I have said of those who are left behind, is, I hope and believe, equally applicable to many. I should be very sorry to think that there were only one or two individuals amongst us who were desirous to serve Christ heartily. But yet we find that

differences of taste and even circumstances that may seem purely accidental, do hinder even good men from having entire sympathy with each other; so that although there may be many engaged really in the same service, yet few only may be able to enjoy fully the sense and consciousness of their union. This indeed is a great evil, and one of the most humiliating things connected with humanity; that Christ's servants should not all acknowledge and feel their brotherhood. Even the very apostles did not; for Paul and Barnabas had so hot a contention together that they parted from each other, and went on their work each alone. But how blessed to them will be that hour, when they who, from the infirmity of their human passions, could not here work together, will rest together for evermore in perfect union, with that Lord whom they both loved!

SERMON XXVIII.

CHRISTIAN PATIENCE.

GALATIANS VI. 9.

Let us not be weary in well doing, for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

It would be a long and not an uninteresting inquiry, to trace out the various ways in which the feeling of impatience shows itself in the human mind. By impatience, I do not mean hastiness of temper, but the sense of the imperfections of our condition, whether in body, mind, or spirit; and a restless desire to see them removed. Where St. Paul says that "the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now," he means to express the universal extent of this feeling, this consciousness of the inevitable want of rest so long as we are here on earth. Its development, of course, as of all the simple feelings of the mind, has been infinitely com