July 27

First Saturday after Trinity

The Lord make you to increase in love. I THESSALONIANS iii. 12.

THAT love which gives the value to all deeds of faith, or devotion, or toil, or love, or martyrdom. Noble self-denying deeds may be for man's praise or in self-complacency; chastity may be proud; almsgiving vainglorious. Active service may be its own reward; death itself may be undergone amid obstinacy. Love hath no end but God, seeketh nothing but Himself for Himself, "seeketh not her own;" for in God she hath all things and overfloweth; hath, only to overflow to others; receives but to diffuse and to give back. All virtues are but forms of love, for she is the soul of all. Temperance, says a father, "is love, keeping itself pure and undefiled for God. Fortitude is love, readily enduring all things for the sake of God. Justice is love, which serveth God alone, and so hath command over all things subject to man. Prudence is love, distinguishing what helpeth it towards God from what hindereth it." Or "love, kindled with entire holiness towards God, when it coveteth nothing out of God, is called temperance; when it willingly parteth with all, is called fortitude." Love contains all virtues, it animates all, but itself beyond all; looks out of all to Him, does all to Him, and in all sees Him, and rests not until she finds her rest in the all-loving Bosom of God.

O sweet abode of peace and love, Where pilgrims freed from toil are blest, Had I the pinions of the dove, I'd fly to Thee and be at rest.

But hush, my soul, nor dare repine! The time my God appoints is best; While here, to do His will be mine, And His to fix my time of rest.

O