June 6

"We are members one of another."—Ephesians 4:25.

WHAT should my neighbour get from me? What are his rights and claims, of which I must never be oblivious?

He should certainly get truth. In his society I ought to be free from all subterfuges, all reservations, all exaggerations, all lies, whether they are black or white. I should ever speak honestly and fairly with my friend, as I would desire him to speak with me.

He should get graciousness too. If I must be angry at times, I ought never to let the sun go down upon my wrath. I should harbour no sour and sullen resentments. Nay, nay, in his hour of need, I should hasten to cheer and comfort the broken spirit and the wounded heart.

And he should get help. My sympathy must not be a beautiful sentiment only, an idle emotion of my soul. It must travel beyond tender phrases and pitiful looks and the "droppings of warm tears." I ought to work and to give, to minister and to sacrifice.

Then, also, he should get inspiration. For his sake, as well as for my own, all that is corrupt and all that is questionable must be far from my speech and my conduct. I must be high-minded and holy. He must have from me that which uplifts and never that which degrades.

And he should get a Godlike love—nothing short of this, nothing poorer than this. Kind I am to be, and tender-hearted, and forgiving, St. Paul says, even as God in Christ forgave me. I am to resemble that august, sublime, unearthly Pattern.

My neighbour makes great demands on me; may I have daily grace to fulfil them.