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no corrupt communication," says the Apostle, "proceed out of your mouth." mouth." But where there is nothing immoral or indecent, there may yet be much that is trifling and vain: he therefore adds, "But that which is good, to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace to the hearers." And here is a subject for discourse, not only innocent, but profitable. A saying, not only faithful, but worthy of all acceptation; and such as Moses and Elias would delight to join in, were they in company with us. We should also mention them to others, in a way of recommendation. Some are convinced of sin, and ready to despair; and nothing but the exceeding riches of this grace can keep them from it. And some are seeking happiness where we know they can never find it. Let us therefore say to them, "Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread, and your labour for that which satisfieth not? Hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness." "O taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man that trusteth in him." This, coming from our own experience, and enforced by our own example, may save a soul from death. Especially, too, if we can bear a final testimony to the truth, and say, with the departing Henry, "You have heard the dying words of many-These are mine: I have found a life of communion with Christ, the happiest life in the world."

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We should also mention the lovingkindnessés of God to ourselves. There is such a thing as selfconverse; and we wish it were more common. is said, fools talk much to themselves-but wise men will talk more. David enjoins this: "Commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still:" and he also was an example of it: "I commune with my own heart, and my spirit made diligent search." Yet the Lord will command his lovingkindness in the day-time, and in the night his song shall be with me. Hence he chides his own soul: "Why

art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God; for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God." Are you discouraged by your unworthiness, and the greatness of your guilt? Bring before your minds the freeness and the fulness of his mercy, and his lovingkindnesses to others, who had no more claim upon him than yourselves. Are you in trouble? Recal his goodness in former difficulties; and say, O my desponding soul!

"Did ever trouble yet befal,

"And he refuse to hear thy call?
"And has he not his promise pass'd,
"That thou shalt overcome at last?"

Mention them also to yourselves, to excite you to imitation. Has he been so ready to forgive, and daily loaded me with his benefits? and shall I, O my soul, be implacable and uncharitable? Let me be a follower of God. Let me be merciful, even as my Father who is in heaven is merciful.

We should mention his lovingkindnesses to God himself, in the various exercises of devotion-In expostulating with him: "Look down from heaven, and behold from the habitation of thy holiness and of thy glory where is thy zeal and thy strength, the sounding of thy bowels, and of thy mercies toward me? are they restrained?"-In pleading with him. If we fill our mouth with arguments, they must be fetched from his own goodness: "For thy Name's sake, O Lord, pardon mine iniquity, for it is great."-In praying for ourselves: "I stretch forth my hands unto thee: my soul thirsteth after thee, as a thirsty land. Hear me speedily, O Lord; my spirit faileth hide not thy face from me, lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit. Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee.

Deliver me, O Lord, from mine enemies: I flee unto thee to hide me. Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy Spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness. Quicken me, O Lord, for thy Name's sake; for thy righteousness' sake bring my soul out of trouble."-In interceding for othersthe conversion of our kindred, the salvation of sinners, the prosperity of the Church: "Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion, build thou the walls of Jerusalem."-In thanksgiving: "O Lord, I will praise thee: though thou wast angry with me, thine anger is turned away, and thou comfortest me.'

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Alas! how seldom does God hear this from us! There was a time when this heavenly exercise commenced-and O that it had been earlier!-But it will never end. They that dwell in His house will be still praising Him.

Because my finite capacity will not admit of blessedness infinite in the degree, it shall be infinite in the duration; and, by happy reviews of the past, and unbounded prospects of the future, I shall feel perpetually growing beatitudes, and shall be always singing a new song. My mourning days; and my warring days; and my watching days; and my praying days; will soon be past-But

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MARCH 12.-" By love serve one another."

Gal. v. 13.

THIS admonition implies our connexion with, our dependence upon, and our obligation to each other. The service it enjoins is levied upon all, without exception; and is to be displayed in every way in which we can afford each other assistance.

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But let me observe, what it requires as the principle of the practice-Love-"By love serve one another."

The principle may be wanting where the service is not. And this may be easily proved and exemplified. A man has a sum of money to dispose of; he hears of a person by whom it is desired, and to whom it will be useful; and he advances it on proper security. But is the borrower's need, or his own gain, the motive?-A hospital is built for the reception of poor patients. A rich man in the neighbourhood becomes a subscriber and a patron. "He is so charitable !" Nay; he wishes to maintain the character of a man of liberality; and he fears appearing to a disadvantage, when compared with his wealthy neighbour. Hence some who give, give in a way that will be sure to make it known: they therefore impart it through the medium of some other-in spite of the admonition, not to let the left hand know what the right hand doeth. Some would never give, if the name was not printed. Some connect themselves with public institutions, and labour to establish and enlarge them, who would individually do nothing-but here they are put upon the committee, and gain distinction. But love seeketh not her own-It regards only the good of the recipient. There are four reasons why we should serve from this principle.

First. Without it, the service has no value or excellency in the sight of God. It may be useful to the beneficiary; but it will be nothing to the benefactor-Though I speak with the tongue of men and of angels; and give all my goods to feed the poor; and even give my body to be burnt; and have not love; it profiteth me nothing. The Lord looketh to the heart. If this be right, the least service is regarded by him; and where it is not, the most costly sacrifices are disdained. "For if "For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love

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those that love them. And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same. And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful, and to the evil. Be ye, therefore, merciful, as your Father also is merciful."

Secondly. This will render the service pleasing to the performer. It is the nature of love to make even difficult things easy, and bitter ones sweet. This made the seven years of hard labour, which Jacob served for Rachael, seem to him as so many days. Every thing follows the heart, not only really, but cheerfully.

Thirdly. What is done from love, will excel in the manner. Being done willingly, and pleasantly, it will be done more gracefully, and welcomely. What a man does grudgingly, he does disagreeably, harshly, repulsively. He puts on a north-east face; turns himself half round; murmurs and complains-perhaps reproaches too; and if he yields at last, you feel no more obliged than if he refused. The ungracious, unfeeling mode spoils the thing. Men may act the hypocrite, but it is almost impossible, without love, to act courteously and kindly. But where love actuates, the sufferer is not insulted while he is relieved. Alms are not flung at him, instead of being given. The wound of distress is not torn open, but gently touched with an angel-hand. Oh, I have seen, I have heard some, refuse entirely, or in a degree, in a way that has soothed, and even satisfied, the unsuccessful petitioner-"I wish it was in my power -I lament my inability-I wish this trifle was ten times more-Such as it is, the blessing of God go with it-and with thee." I wonder not that love

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