ing His righteous character-His sure vengeance for sin. Perhaps they, too, said, "All things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation." The usual apprehension of the above Scripture seems childish-that Noah was the eighth person of those saved in the ark. Why mention him, who was the first, the head of the family, by the derogatory distinction, the eighth Neither could it be reckoning from the beginning of the line, for he was the tenth. It would be a mere truism here to speak of Noah as one of the eight who were saved; but when he is put before us as the eighth and last of an illustrious line of "preachers of righteousness," the grace of God is magnified. Ephesians v. 23: "For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church; and he is the saviour of the body." Who is the saviour of the body-Christ or the man? Both; or else why mention the fact here at all? The question treated of is not the headship of Christ; that is brought in, illustrating and enforcing the headship of the man. The same doctrine is taught in 1 Tim. ii. 15. God has lodged in the husband certain powers and responsibilities. If he duly considers these he will not be puffed up, but solemnly impressed. He is the saviour of the body in holy watching against undue indulgence in himself, and so in his wife, of that which may grieve the Spirit of God. This may be even in that which is lawful, but in excess sinful. We know there are sins unto death (1 John v. 16,) and also such as are not unto death. Now, if we ask in faith, God "shall give life for them that sin not unto death." This principle will have especial application here. It is impossible to love too much, but there may be a foolish, weak, and self-indulgent love. Enjoyment for its own sake, apart from duty, is a sin. "He that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile," &c. Pleasure must be sought in duty; every discharged duty yields pleasure without a sting. We should not dogmatize about any department of "the mystery of God." It is a matter, however, for thoughtful consideration, whether the mother, whose life is so necessary for the well-being of her children, is not often prematurely taken away-who might have been continued to the sorrowing husband and children, but for something lacking in the holy relationship, so full of duties and responsibilities. "Little children, keep yourselves from idols," and "husbands, love your wives," are precepts ever imminent with danger. Both must be heeded, and yet each seems to hurl us against the other. Here is the remedy: "If any of you lack wisdom let him ask of God, that giveth to all liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." 1 Cor. iv. 1-5: "So let a man account us, as ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover, it is required in stewards, that every one (ris, as Acts ii. 45) be found faithful. But it is a very small thing to me that I should be judged of (estimated) by you, or by man's day; yea, I estimate not my own self. For I am not conscious to myself of anything; yet am I not justified on account of this: but He that estimates me is the Lord. Therefore, judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come," &c. The distinction between ȧvakpív and κpívw is much to be observed: July 1, 1865. the former is to examine and to make an estimate; the latter to pass sentence as the result of that estimate. The former is safe; the latter may be hazardous. The hazard of the latter results from the unavoidable imperfectness of the former. "Man's day" does not afford sufficient light; hence this being insufficient, and so consequently the estimate of the Corinthians-and of all others-the apostle made very light of it— it was "a very small thing." But whilst he thought so little of their power of discrimination—not so of their help in the Gospel, their prayers, their love he lays much stress on their prayers; he seems to live in their love. He is not conscious of anything blameworthy in his life and ministry, but he will not suffer this unconsciousness to be his plea for justification; he knows that he must give an account of his stewardship, and says he, "He that judgeth me is the Lord." There are to be judgments in the Church of God, but the investigation and the award must be conducted corporately. "Who art thou that thou judgest another man's servant?" Offences will arise: sift, if you will-and sometimes you must; pass sentence, if you will; but "God looketh into the heart." Though the subject here is stewardship, we are legitimately led further. The light which is insufficient for judging rightly of stewardship may be defective in estimating offences. But if the evil is too gross to admit of doubt, the occasion may demand a double exercise of love. It would be sweet to hear the repentant one say, "Thou hast gained thy brother." "Until the Lord come!" Oh, solemn period! when "He will make manifest the counsels of the hearts." Surely, the cherishing of this doctrine will help us to cleanse our hands and purify our hearts. Looking for the coming of the Lord Jesus, and a holy life, are co-operative and mutually strengthening. The holy life shrinks not from the flaming advent; and the joyous hope outgrows and withers lesser joys. there shall be praise to each from God. Discriminating wisdom will make no false assignment; "to every one that hath shall be given." Then 2 Cor. iv. 17, 18: "Our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working out (as Phil. ii. 12) for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; we not looking at things seen, but at things not seen; for the things seen are transient, but the things not seen are eternal." The Spirit of truth is here stating in general terms the present sphere of discipline, and the future destiny of the family of God. It supposes subjectedness, and walking by faith. The particular will interfere with the general. If instead of heavenly-mindedness there be earthliness, then the process stated above is interrupted. The glory itself is secure; that cannot be endangered, being obtained by the Lord of glory; but the augmentation is stayed by one of the co-workers not fulfilling his part. It requires no logical mind to understand this; nor do we speak thus without that wariant which alone would satisfy us; it is simply equity, which God never departs from even in the salvation of His Church. Justice cannot relax its claims, it must be heard and satisfied; hence the cross, and hence the salvation of all who believe. The righteous God has no further demand, but the Holy Father has claims as well. All sins, past, present, and to come, were reckoned for on the cross; but do July 1, 1865. we treat this as an indulgence? Our Father meets us with exhortations, warnings, rebukes, but no denunciations of wrath; admonitions of possible loss, but assurance of salvation. The above Scripture seems to be further designed to meet the need of those who are writing bitter things against themselves. The conscience cannot be over-tender, but it may be morbidly sensitive. The conscious falling short of the divine standard, is a proper condition of the renewed soul; a doubting condition, in consequence, is not. The fullest confidence is consistent with an apprehension of defect. Looking at things not seen will give vigour to the exercise of mortifying the flesh; but this is a life-long work, and victory can be shouted only at the close of the race. Let us thank God for the consciousness of failures; take courage, and be sure that "all things are working together for good," and "working out for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory." 1 Cor. x. 23: "All things are lawful for me, but all things are not profitable." In every instance where expedient occurs this should be the alteration. The expediency of Scripture is not the expediency of men; this is convenience, that is profit. Men will sometimes not do what is right, because it is not convenient; it would interfere with some interest or some enjoyment. The Christian is sometimes to refrain from what he may lawfully do, abstractedly considered, because it is not profitable-because it edifies not both himself and others. Self is the centre of man's operations; Christ of all the believer's actions. This should be a great principle influencing all our doings; not, Is it innocent? or, Is it lawful? but, Is it profitable? viz., to the spiritual advancement of all concerned. This will enable us to withdraw our adhesion to some course we may have adopted, because it is right in itself merely, or "lawful." We find it not "profitable;" then let us retire. It is good to eat meat; but Paul says, "If meat make my brother to stumble, I will eat no flesh, while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to stumble." A REFLECTION. How loth should we be to leave this world, if constant success and prosperity should follow our affairs and designs here! We see that notwithstanding all the cares, fears, sorrows, crosses, wants, and disappointments we meet from year to year, and from day to day, yet we are apt to hug the world in our bosoms. As bitter as it is, we court it, admire it, and zealously prosecute it. We cling to it, and are loth to leave it, though we have little rest or comfort in it. What could we do then, if it should answer our expectation and desire? If we grasp with pleasure a thorn that pierces and wounds us, what would we do if it were a rose that had nothing but delight and pleasure in it ?-Flavel. A HARVEST CHAUNT. I. GET up, it is the harvest morn, Night's shadows linger in the air, The flowers that 'neath our window bloom 'Tis early morn, but harvest-men In truth, it is a cheery sight- With reaping-hook in hand. O'er field-paths and quaint woodland ways, By clasping trees o'erspread, And through the winding, hawthorn lanes We'll follow in their tread. 'Tis early, but the eager sun Through woodland roofs the sunlight falls Or starlight of a golden sheen In a green cave of calm. Through woodland walls the sunlight glides, Like chaste love first confest A quiet and a holy thing, Into the heart's unrest. While burns the sun o'er waving fields And read, and muse, and converse hold II. From morn 'till eve the reapers go Along the shining fields; And the tall corn-stalk to the thrust Of the keen sickle yields. |