April 1

The greatest of these is charity.—1 Corinthians 13:13.

DO I bear in mind that those who most cultivate the grace of charity, or Christian love, are most like Christ in character? Do I remember that love is the fulfilling of the law, and on it hang all the commandments? Do I seek to be loving and kind to all, and so to imitate the example of the Saviour? Do I habitually feel that if I love God, I must love all his creatures, and especially his children?

Love is the first outgoing of the renewed soul to God, "we love him, because he first loved us;" the evidence of saving grace in the soul, "the fruit of the Spirit is love," the foundation of the Christian character, "we are rooted and grounded in love." It is the path in which all God's children are found, they "walk in love:" the bond of their virtual union, they are "knit together in love:" their protection in the spiritual warfare, they "put on the breastplate of love:" the completeness of their Christian character, they are "made perfect in love:" that by which they become like God and fitted for heaven, for "God is love," and heaven is a world where love reigns perfectly, and for ever.

Faith, hope, and charity, these three, Yet is the greatest charity!

Father of lights! these gifts impart To mine, and every human heart.

Faith, that in prayer can never fail, Hope, that o'er doubting must prevail;

And charity, whose name above, Is God's own name, for God is love!

MONTGOMERY.