March 3

God is not unrighteous, to forget your . . . labour of love. HEB. VI. 10.

And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward. — MATT. X. 42.

"IN the name of a disciple." How carefully our Lord distinguishes between deeds and motives! A little deed of kindness from a great motive reveals nobility of character. To do it for Christ's sake reveals the loftiest nobility. A little act is often a surer test of character than a great one, because it is spontaneous. So-called great occasions often complicate our motives. Ambition or love of praise try to insinuate themselves.

"A cup of cold water." How much it does! It refreshes the whole physical man; and because the giver of it shows thought which is wide awake, and tenderness and sympathy, his "over soul" wakens the higher nature of the thirsty man, and so a cup in Christ's name is a double cup. "Everything for Christ." That makes the whole life kingly. The buckles upon the girth of the king's saddle are royal. This spirit gives by unconscious influence a thousand cups of comfort and inspiration. We are handing them out because giving is the spirit of our life. We shall not know while here about all the refreshing cups we have given; but the record is made in heaven: "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."

Edward P. Ingersoll.

Blessings abound where'er he reigns; The prisoner leaps to lose his chains; The weary find eternal rest, And all the sons of want are blest.

C. WESLEY.