February 21

Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another.

COL. iii. 13.

Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. — MATT. xviii. 15.

"THY brother."—this brings to mind the relationship which all Christians sustain. "One family we dwell in him," "of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named." What a privilege to be recognized as a "brother" in it! "If thy brother trespass against thee!" Alas, how liable we all are by word or act to commit this offence! "To err is human." "In many things we offend all." "If a man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man." This fact is the basis for mutual charitableness. If when another has thus trespassed against us, we can forgive it without a word being said about it, we ought to do so; but if we cannot, then our elder Brother saith, "Go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone." Do not tell any one else about it. We must remember, however, that to secure a successful hearing, we must "go" in a Christian spirit and at a proper time. "If he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother." What a blessed result to both parties, and to the cause of our Redeemer! "Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, let him know that he which converteth a sinner from the error of his ways, shall save a soul from death and hide a multitude of sins." "Brethren, if any man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual restore such an one in the spirit of meekness, considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted."

Geo. C. Baldwin.

Oh, give us hearts to love like thee!

Like thee, O Lord, to grieve

Far more for others' sins than ail

The wrongs that we receive.

SIR E. DENNY.