August 22

Abstain from all appearance of evil. —I THESS. v. 22.

DO I realize that those who shun not the very appearance of evil, may soon be led on to evil itself; that those who avoid not the temptations and approaches to sin, will not long abstain from actually committing it? Am I careful to refrain from anything, which, though not itself wrong, yet possibly having the appearance of wrong, might seem inconsistent in myself, and be a stumbling-block in the way of others?

The life may speak when the tongue is silent; and to avoid evil is akin to doing good. *

Be inconsistent, and enmity to the gospel may be propagated over a parish. Give occasions of offence, and many may fall: those entering the way of life may be discouraged; and those who have already entered, may be made to stumble. You cannot live only for yourselves. A thousand fibres connect you with your fellow-men: and along those fibres, as sympathetic threads, run your actions as causes, and they come back to you as effects. —MELVILL.

My gracious Lord, I own thy right

To every service I can pay;

And call it my supreme delight,

To hear thy dictates and obey,

'Tis to my Saviour I would live;

To him who for my ransom died;

Nor can all worldly honor give,

Such bliss as crowns me at his side.

—DODBRIDGE.