November 26

Though he wist it not, get is he guilty. — LEV. v. 17.

But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required; and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more. — LUKE xii. 48.

THINGS "worthy of stripes," wrong things, committed in ignorance, are not so blameworthy as things committed against conscience. In the former case, they are committed without purpose of wrong; in the latter case, they are actuated by evil intent. Ignorance of duty and contempt of duty may be followed by precisely the same form of wrong-doing, but not involving the same degree of guilt, as a few stripes and many stripes are adapted to this diversity of guilt. But stripes, few or many, are the merited and certain penalty of all sin. And "unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required," because his obligation is proportioned to his privilege and opportunity, — to the stewardship which demands his faithfulness. So man deals with his fellow-man. It is common-sense justice, and Jesus Christ indorses the principle in the above words which fell from his lips of infinite wisdom. What then must be the degree of guilt of those to whom the unspeakable riches of Christ are freely offered, and who refuse to accept them, but cleave to the beggarly elements of sin instead? "How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation?"

Wm. T. Findley.

Freely from me ye have received,

Freely in love to others give;

Then shall your doctrines be believed,

And by your labors, sinners live.

UNKNOWN.