the old Hebrew dispensation one-tenth was the law. This law has never been abrogated, but is enlarged upon and emphasized by St. Paul in the text. He evidently meant that we are not to be confined to the strict letter of the law, but are to give two, three, four, fivetenths, as God has prospered us. The absolute rule as to the amount which each should contribute of that which God has placed in his hands, is only to be limited by the opportunity and ability for so contributing. The volume of our love for Christ will be measured by our alertness in seeking and embracing such opportunities. Were Christians to obey this law, there would be sufficient money in the Lord's treasury to carry on all the lines of benevolence projected by his church. It would be mere speculation to attempt to account fully for the neglect of this responsibility, but we believe it is largely due to a decadence of the spirit of worship among Christians. This decadence is easily traceable, in part, at least, to the "extreme worldliness of the church." Extreme worldliness and true Christian worship are incompatible. If worldliness enters the heart the spirit of worship will decline, and the fountains of benevolence will be dried up. The urgent need of every department of Christ's church for money to prosecute the work, and the low state of giving as an act of worship, afford an excellent opportunity for selfexamination on the part of the church. Such an examination will result in much earnest prayer, stronger and more fearless preaching and a revival of true spiritual worship, accompanied with such a wealth of offerings as will permit the gospel to be preached to every

creature.

When the day comes when all the church shall act on this principle, when none shall appear before Christ empty, then will vastly more be given to him, the vol

ume of benevolence will be stable, and giving will be as delightful as any other part of worship. Then shall the King say: "Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungered and ye gave me meat; I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink; I was a stranger, and ye took me in; naked, and ye clothed me; I was sick, and ye visited me; I was in prison, and ye came unto me."

THE SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT AND

TRAINING OF PETER.

(A Monologue.)

BY REV. JOHN MAYHEW FULTON, D. D.,*

Pastor Westminster Church, Grand Rapids.

My name is Peter. By trade I was a fisherman of Bethsaida. Brother Andrew and I had formed a partnership with two sons of Zebedee. We did a thriving business until the wonderful excitement began to prevail along the Jordan because of the preaching of John the Baptist. We left our nets and went to Bethabara. He preached repentance and the kingdom at hand. Every utterance went home to the rough sinful natures of us fishermen. We were baptized and became his disciples.

A few days later came Jesus of Nazareth and his wonderful baptism, whom John declared to be the Son of God. Two of our company, John and brother Andrew, followed Jesus and abode with him that day. That evening my brother came back with his soul on fire. "Simon," said he, "we have found the Messias! the

* John Mayhew Fulton was born Feb. 8, 1859, at Dinsmore, Pa. Was educated at the University of Wooster, O., and after spending one year at Princeton Seminary, graduated from McCormick Seminary, 1887. Pastor of second Presbyterian church, Fort Wayne, Ind., 1887-1889; of the Scotch church, Argyle, Ill., 1889-1891; of Lake View church, Chicago, Ill., 1891-1895; of Westminster church, Grand Rapids, 1895-. Received the degree of D. D., from Wooster University, 1898.