May 8

I Corinthians xiii. —1. 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. 2. 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. 3. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. 4. Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up. 5. Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; 6. Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth.

LOVE, which has ever been the choicest theme of poets, is here celebrated in strains so exalted, that no verse could fitly reproduce them. "No single word in any language will express the fulness of the Christian grace here spoken of." The common meaning of charity, though one should give all his goods to feed the poor, is far too narrow; the human passion of love, too personal and too earthy; even philanthropy may be an instinct, or a sentiment merely, wanting in that Christian view of man which creates a true "enthusiasm for humanity." This love makes no display of its sacrifices, and rests no pretensions upon its good deeds; it knows nothing of envy or jealousy; it is kind and persistent, without regard to the treatment that itself receives; it is so deeply rooted in the heart, so well balanced in its principle, so unselfish in its aim, so impartial in its objects, that it cannot be ruffled by abuse or neglect, nor misled by impulse into any unbecoming or untimely demonstration. It takes no satisfaction in the faults of

7. Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. 8. Charity never faibeth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. 9. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. 10. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. 11. When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but, when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12. For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. 13. And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

others; dislikes to think evil of any, but prefers to believe good of all; and rejoices whenever truth triumphs over slander and falsehood. It never fathies, and never retaliates; it bears reproaches against itself, endures mockly the indignities that are put upon it, and hopes on, "even against hope," that men will love the good and do the right. Such a love is greater than all knowledge, stronger than all faith. It is the one thing that shall never wear out nor exhaust itself. When the light of heaven shall open upon us, and it shall be seen how imperfectly truth was here reflected in the mirror of our sciences, then shall the boast of our wisdom vanish away. "Hope will remain, as anticipation certain to be fulfilled; Faith will remain, as trust, entire and undoubting. But we believe only one whom we love; we hope only that which we love. And thus the forms of Faith and Hope, which will there forever subsist, will be sustained in and overshadowed by the all-pervading superior element of eternal love."

APPROPRIATE HYMNS.]

Prayer.

[Nos. 53, 63, 89.

Almighty and everlasting God, we bless thee for the return of another day of the Son of man. We thank thee that of thy great mercy we have been spared during another week. Let us hear thy gracious benediction, "Peace be unto you." May thine own day be begun, carried on, and ended with thee! May all worldly thoughts, cares, and disquietudes be laid aside, that we may enjoy a foretaste of the everlasting blessedness and joy which are at thy right hand!

We would remember before thee in our petitions all in whom we are interested. Bless all thy people this day throughout the Christian world: may multitudes be added to the Church of such as shall be saved! Strengthen thy ministering servants: may they have singleness of eye, and singleness of aim! May many careless souls be arrested; may weak ones be strengthened; may sorrowing ones be comforted; may the weary and heavy laden find rest!

We commend our dear friends especially to thy protection. May they, too, be in the Spirit on the

Lord's day! may they call and find the sabbath a delight! Keep them, good Lord, by thy mighty power. May they live soberly and righteously and godly in the present evil world, looking for that blessed hope, even the glorious appearing of the great God our Saviour! Bless the members of this family-circle; keep us ever near to thee. [May these children be the peculiar care of the great and good Shepherd! May they know early the safety and happiness of his fold! Make them to lie down in his green pastures: lead them by the still waters.]

Sanctify trial to the many sons and daughters of affliction. Grant them grace to submit to thy sovereign appointments, saying ever, "Even so, Father; for so it seemeth good in thy sight."

O Thou who art love! fill us, we pray thee, with thine own Spirit, that, dwelling in love, we may dwell in God, and God in us. May we love our neighbor as ourselves; be kind toward all; bear malice toward none! May we avoid evil-speaking, uncharitable judgments, unkind thoughts, envious desires! We ask all this for Christ's sake. Amen.