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THE CASE OF PERSONS

Sunday, or stay at home and go nowhere. But clearly that is not the religion of CHRIST. Religiously speaking they are bound to accept in its integrity that teaching which is contained in Holy Scripture and summed up in the Creeds. But in receiving the Creeds as the basis of our faith we must not suppose that it is enough to yield them only an intellectual assent. The facts declared and the doctrines taught in them are of that wonderful and influential character that, if we really believe them, they will be the ruling motives of our lives and actions. We must not only believe with the understanding, but we must let these great truths sink deep into our hearts, and get hold of our wills and affections, and then they will bring forth fruit unto righteousness, and obtain the praise of GOD.

I have spoken of what ought to be, and let us hope is often realised. Very many earnest and faithful Christians there are we trust who accept the truths of Revelation in their integrity, and live according to them as their rule. But it is not to be denied that there are multitudes of exceptions. To one class only would I now specially refer, namely, the case of those who from their youth up have been taught an erroneous. faith, or prejudiced against any faith at all. There are cases, even recently, of men carefully prejudiced by their parents against Divine Truth.

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What are we to think of the case of such persons? That they lose some great advantage is indisputable. That they can ever attain to the state of eternal bliss reserved for Christians is most improbable. What are we to think or hope concerning them? It is impossible to say. Like the heathen, who have never heard of CHRIST, they have, we may suppose, a law unto themselves, and accordingly as they have lived or not lived conscientiously by that law, so will it be with them. "In My FATHER's house," said our LORD to His disciples, "are many mansions; if it were not so I would have told you; I go to prepare a place for you."

CHAPTER X.

FAITH WITHOUT CHARITY.-CHARITY WITHOUT FAITH.

HOW TO UNITE THE TWO.

"THOUGH I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal: and though I have the gift of prophecy and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing." Who has not read this wonderful passage of S. Paul, and felt that it was the language of inspiration?

Now there are two sorts of persons not uncommon in the world, (1) the first are those who have faith (or suppose they have faith) without charity; and (2) those who have (or say they have) charity without faith.

How many men are there in the world who are apparently very zealous for the faith of CHRIST, very active in promoting the interests of religion, -the supporters of many religious institutions, -the able advocates of every scheme for the ex

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tension of CHRIST's kingdom,-promoters of every plan for religious education, or Church extension, or any other method by which the glory of GOD may be advanced, and yet in whom we cannot but remark some inconsistency of character or conduct, some self-seeking, some love of appearance or notoriety, some uncharitable temper, some schismatical disposition, some violent animosity against their opponents, or undue contempt, some want of scruple as to the means which they take for compassing their favourite object,-in short some flaw or blemish in their character which makes one anxious for their safety, which makes us suspect (not that they are hypocrites, that would be uncharitable in us to suppose, their zeal and the pains which they take are sufficient proof to us at least that they are in earnest,) still often we cannot but entertain fears lest their faith may not be accompanied by that lowly, humble, sincere, and charitable disposition which alone can render it acceptable.

But let us not judge others, let us rather look to ourselves, and take care that our zeal is tempered by that spirit of charity without which it is valueless. If we find that our zeal has led us into want of charity (a snare most difficult to escape) let us not on that account relax in our zeal, but study to purify and sanctify it. Let us not abate in our endeavours to do GoD service,

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CHARITY WITHOUT FAITH.

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nay rather increase tenfold, but let us be humble and diffident of our performances,—be very jealous of applause, beware of vain-glory, despise popularity. Let us be scrupulous that the means which we take to compass even the best objects be always correspondent with the end we aim at, never condescend or dare to use unholy expedients, as if the end sanctified the means,-while speaking plainly and sincerely, yet avoid bitterness towards those who oppose us. These are errors into which those who are jealous about religion must take heed lest they fall. Those who are lukewarm about Religion of course escape this particular snare of bigotry and uncharitableness, while they fall into others even worse, for it is clearly better to be too zealous than to have no zeal at all.

For in avoiding the rock of Faith without Charity there is great danger of falling into the no less perilous quicksand of Charity without Faith. There are many persons who have been nurtured in kindly feelings, and wish well to all men, and often do much good in their generation,—are loving and amiable in their daily walk, so that one's heart is drawn to them with affection; and yet such persons, not having the lamp of true religion in their hearts lack the one thing needful. A Christian must not be more charitable than his master. Charity is a most ex