April 27

But what are the instructions He gives? What is all other knowledge compared with this? Ask Paul; he was a man of genius and learning; he did not despise science, yet he exclaims, "Yea, doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord." Of other knowledge we may be destitute, and yet safe. But this is life eternal. Other knowledge leaves us as it finds us; yea, it often injures the possessor, and talent caters for depravity. But a man at his feet feels his words to be spirit and life. He is taught to "deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, and to live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present world." In other cases, "in much wisdom there is much grief; and he that increaseth knowledge, increaseth sorrow;" but, "Blessed are the people that know the joyful sound." The burden of guilt is removed, and they enter into rest. They cast all their care on Him, who careth for them. Their minds are kept in perfect peace. They can not only bear, but enjoy solitude. Even in the midst of trouble they are revived, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. How sweet are his words unto their taste; yea, sweeter than honey to their mouth.

No wonder, therefore, the disciple prizes his privilege, and cannot be seduced from his Master's feet. He has been taught the truth as it is in Jesus. He knows the truth, and the truth has made him free. And therefore upon the question, when others are offended, "Will ye also go away?" he answers, with Peter, Where can we do so well? "Lord, to whom shall we go?" To sin? That hath ruined us. To the world? That has deceived us. To the heathen philosophers? Their foolish hearts are darkened. To the chief priests and Pharisees? They are the blind leading the blind. To the law? That roars, and flames despair. To Moses? He wrote of thee. To thee gave all the prophets witness. Lord, to whom should we go but unto thee? "Thou hast the words of eternal life."

"Members one of another." Romans 12:5.

ALL mankind are joined together by a connection which only death can dissolve. The remoteness of the situation in which we are placed does not hinder this connection, but rather strengthens it. We see this in the traffic of different nations, and their mutual exchange of commodities. The inhabitants of one region cultivate the productions of the ground, and produce articles of manufacture for the use of those of another, and those of another do the same in return for them; and we sometimes find the four quarters of the globe in the furniture of one house, or the provisions of one table. The sea, which seemed likely to separate the dwellers upon earth, has, in the progress of science and arts, rendered them accessible to each other, and navigation has become the principal medium of trade.

There are various distinctions in life, and the Scripture does not discountenance them. Neither are we to view them as selfish, or terminating only in the advantage of the superior ranks. The lowest are useful as well as the highest. The rich benefit the poor, and the poor labor for the rich. The king is the protector of his subjects, and every subject contributes to the support of the king—the king is served by the labor of the field. There is no such thing as independence, and were it not for ignorance and pride we should never think of it. The under ranks are even the basis of the community—the lowest parts of the wall sustain the higher. The more we rise and possess, the less claim have we to independence, as a larger building requires more support than a smaller. A nobleman employs a thousand hands; a peasant wants but two, and these are his own.

If this reasoning be true as to men, it is more so as to Christians. And it is in this light Paul so frequently and largely speaks of it: "I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith." To show how important it is to display a mutual dependence, he remarks, "The eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. Nay, much more those members of the body which seem to be more feeble, are necessary." They have all their respective places and uses. Each is necessary, necessary to each, and necessary to the whole—necessary to the beauty, the strength, the happiness, the perfection of the whole. Why, then, should we set at naught a brother?

Yet the harmony is often broken, and a schism found in the body. The Christian church would never have been reduced to its present disjointed state if the members had not been beguiled from the simplicity that is in Christ. The first wrong step took them to a distance from the Spirit; and as though Christ had been divided, and had imparted himself and his gospel to some, exclusively of others, the names of creatures became noted as the sources from which particular doctrines were derived, and by whom particular modes of discipline were established. The words the Holy Ghost used were less regarded than the words which man's wisdom teacheth. The worthy name by which Christians were originally called was no longer sufficient. They ranged themselves under different leaders, and called out, "Rabbi;" forgetting who had forbidden this, and that one was their Master, even Christ, while all they were only brethren. Hence fends and animosities followed, and the professors of meekness itself learned to bite and devour one another. The consequences of such measures are known and felt even at the present day; and though much of the violence of religious parties has subsided, distinctions unscriptural and unnecessary, in the degree at least, are supported; and though all hold the same Head, the members of one communion often look for no more honor and assistance from those of another, than if they were not of the body.