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they united because they were walking in one path, having but one and the same object in view, and who were desirous to grow in grace. "One is our Master even Christ, and all we are brethren. For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another." These are truths admitted, but in the present times too often forgotten. Are we, as the christians of old, not only believing together, but bringing forth the fruits of our belief? Does the Holy Spirit dwell in us and draw us nearer to each other, so that we may be giving effect to the apostle's precept, "Let brotherly love continue?" We all, more or less, boast of our love to God and man, and would feel insulted if any doubted our possession of this glorious principle; but are we quite positive that we bring it into practise, and that the golden rule is ever before us "to do unto others as we should wish others to do unto us?" Look at the man of the world-the man of busiIs brotherly love and consideration for his fellow man (perhaps one who is stricken by poverty, and in less fortunate circumstances than himself) characterizing him, when he is grasping all for himself, and caring not how his neighbour suffers, so that he adds to his already mass of worldly treasures? Is brotherly love the ruling passion and ornament of the Young, when so many form their friendships almost without a thought, and when any disagreement (however slight) arises, or affliction and poverty visit the one, the other, as the swallows, "who vanish when winter draws nigh," like them fly away when their sky of sunshine is darkened by the tempestuous clouds of misfortune, and their friendship begins and ends in the name? they do not abide in the day of adversity, or in the day of provocation. St. Paul says to the Thessalonians, "Your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you toward each other aboundeth ;" and to the Ephesians, "I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints." We all have our infirmities-the best among us have our besetting sins, and in seeing, as we often most quickly do, the mote in our brother's eye, oh, let us not forget the beam in our

own! If we see faults in our friends, we shall be exercising brotherly love, by exhorting them to amend such, and by carefully avoiding the same in ourselves. Especially would I here inculcate forgiveness of injuries. It is related of Archbishop Cranmer, that whenever any one did him a wrong, he was careful to requite it with a kindness. Be "all things to all men, that you may save some.' The prophet Malachi delineated the character of those that fear the Lord, "that they speak often one to another." Observe this beautiful intimate connection. "We that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification. Let no man seek his own, but every man another's wealth."

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'Oh, if the selfish knew how much they lost,
What would they not endeavour, not endure,
To imitate, as far as in them lay,

Him, who his wisdom and his power employs
In making others happy!"

In conclusion, I would address a few words to the Young, upon the necessity of their striving to cultivate this holy principle in the summer of their days, without which it will be impossible for them to maintain those christian friendships which they form in childhood; it will be impossible for them to exercise it, unless they are first influenced by the love of Christ, and through his help, are assisted in loving each other. Let them remember that their friendships will be resting but on a broken reed in the hour of trial, if not based upon a desire to promote each others welfare, and ever eager to do acts of kindness from the affections of the heart! That brotherly love will remove the feeling of envy, that secret dislike to see others excelling in the Christian graces, or more commonly the trivial and fleeting atttactions of beauty, dress, and accomplishments. Endeavour to cherish friendship like unto that of Jonathan and David, which we read of in the 1st Samuel, xx. 42nd verse. "And Jonathan said to David, go in peace, forasmuch as we have

sworn both of us in the name of the Lord, saying, the Lord be between me and thee, and between my seed and thy seed for ever." Whilst to all, I would suggest a careful selection of friends. There are many who call themselves by this name, and many who pretend to exercise "brotherly love;" but put them to the test, when a suitable opportunity occurs, when you require assistance, perhaps encompassed in difficulties; or when you ask a favour at their hands, which would inconvenience them to gratify you, or be repugnant to their selfish and envious dispositions, you will then look upon them as you do on the beautiful flowers of the cistus,— which bloom only in the sunshine, and when the first night cloud gathers around, their loveliness and bright tints fade away;-or when you most place your dependance (like Jonah on the Gourd) on their professed sincerity, behold, you find it quickly wither,their true characters are brought to light, and the mask which hid such from your view is removed.

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Reader!-Examine thy own heart, and see if it possesses that brotherly love" which is the bond of all perfectness, whether we love our enemies and entertain them as well as strangers, using hospitality without grudging; "For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things." Is it your pleasure to "think no ill of your neighbour," to give no pain to any one," and to enjoy intercourse with those whose piety, virtue, meekness, goodness, and love are proverbial, and who deserving your esteem and brotherly love receive such constantly from you? Pray for those you may consider to be in error; those that may have partially offended you, as you hope to be forgiven of God through Christ: thus bearing and forbearing towards each other's imperfections, daily strive to improve one another through "brotherly love," and being called on earth to "one faith, one spirit,— and one hope of our calling" journey on together as christians linked in one holy communion and fellowship through this vale of tears, loving and beloved, and hereafter enjoy perfect friendship and perfect love unchangeable, as the recompense for having kept the u

nity of the Spirit in the bond of peace! The Lord watch between me and thee, when we are absent one from another." "And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; that ye may approve things that are excellent that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ; being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus. Christ, unto the glory and praise of God."

Chelmsford, 5th Sept. 1845.

A. M. W.

[No. 28.]

PRACTICAL CONCLUSION.

If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.
13th chap. John, 17th verse.

If the perusal of the foregoing pages has convinced the Reader that to be a Christian is something more than the name, and no less than being allied to Christ, there are several enquiries which will naturally suggest themselves to his mind, and which he should be anxious to answer. St. Bernard's three questions he should ask himself, before he sets about any work :-1st.-Is it lawful? May I do it, and not sin? 2nd.-Doth it become me as a Christian? May I do it, and not wrong my profession? 3rd.-Is it expedi ent? May I do it, and not offend my brother Christian? In considering the Narrative of Jonah, we observed the danger of forgetting the fact that "Thou God seest me." I can scarcely imagine any Christian who will not readily acknowledge that if we all endeavoured to bear in constant mind the omnipresence of a superior Being who is perfect, and all-wise, we should more frequently be checked in many unlawful pursuits or irreligious habits of living. But there is a great difficulty in bringing unseen things and unseen objects before us; and it is only to be acquired by faith. "Walk by faith, not by sight," is the apostle's injunction. How many in the world are ignorant of such important facts, and consequently live in sin without any knowledge of the consequences. That which is present, that which is within our grasp attracts more or less our whole attention, and the existence of an over-looker in celestial realms is forgotten; thus many grievous sins are committed, unseen, unknown, perhaps by the world, but known to God, who will one day punish them with righteous judgment. This truth however is not remembered, this presence of the Almighty is so little felt, that there is in the present age great license for gratifying carnal indulgences and unlawful appetites ;-there is little to remind us of the fact, "Thou God seest me;" and many may ex

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