October 26

The greatest of these is charity. — 1 COR. xiii. 13.

If ye love me, keep my commandments. — JOHN xiv 15.

GREAT is faith and great is hope, but greater than these is love. Faith is mighty even to the moving of mountains: it sails the wildest seas; it can open blind eyes, can do many a miracle; it justifies the soul and anticipates heaven. Great is faith; but love is greater. Faith tires betimes; love is unwearied. Faith is not always welcome; love is at home everywhere and travels all the world without a passport. Faith is now and again a day late. Love stayed last at the cross and came first to the sepulchre. Faith and hope long for heaven. Love is heaven; for God is love, and when we love we are in heaven.

Would you get out of a man the best that is in him, the appeal must be to love. One may learn geometry, yet may not know nor have even so much as heard of Euclid. But we cannot rightly accept "these sayings of mine" without taking to our hearts him who said them. We cannot separate Christ's precept from Christ's person. "Never man spake like this man." As he continues to speak, follow him up and presently you will cry, "My Lord and my God! Thou alone hast the words of eternal life; to whom else can we go?" "Lord, thou knowest that I love thee." "If ye love me, keep my commandments." — do my will; "Be doers of the word and not hearers only." Let your deeds be your eulogists. More eloquent than words, more effective than self-assertion, is the doing of the Master's will, prompted out of a heart full of love for the Master and deeply imbued with his truth.

John. R. Payton

Speak to me by name, O Master!

Let me know it is to me;

Speak, that I may follow faster

With a step more firm and free,

Where the Shepherd leads the flock

In the shadow of the rock. F. R. HAVERGAL