August 6

"The fruit of the Spirit is long-suffering." — Galatians 5:22.

RELIGION not only alters the state of its possessor, but produces a pleasing change in his disposition. "The fruit of the Spirit is long-suffering." Let us describe

THE NATURE OF THIS CHRISTIAN GRACE. We may view it in three ways:—

In connection with the dealings of God. There are the mysteries of revelation. How many things here are beyond our depth!—we must exercise patience and long-suffering, and wait for the period when every difficulty will be solved and every mystery unravelled. There is the darkness of Providence. Afflictions are as the shades or dark ground of the picture, which tend more clearly to set forth the bright colors that are afterwards put on; we must wait for the finishing stroke, the last touch of the limner, before we pronounce our judgment.

With regard to the conduct of men. How painful and trying is it to witness the impiety and irreligion of the wicked! We must also bear with the failings of good men; in the garden of the Church the weeds of corruption are mingled with the flowers of grace. We must bear one another's burdens, and cultivate a forgiving spirit.

In reference to the temptations of Satan. In what a variety of ways does he assault us! If we would vanquish, we must be long-suffering:—"Blessed is the man that endureth temptation."

THE MOTIVES WHICH SHOULD EXCITE US TO THE EXERCISE OF IT.

The long-suffering of God. Oh! what a pattern have we here! How long has he suffered our manners in the wilderness, our barrenness under the means of grace, and our ingratitude for favors received! Let us be followers of God as dear children.

The example of Christ. Read the Gospel, and see how he bore with the opposition of his enemies, and the failings of his friends. What patience and long-suffering did he evince, under the most trying provocations! 1 Peter 2:21—23.

The claims of religion. Contemplate the genius and spirit of Christianity. It requires the exercise of this grace.

The pattern of believers. We have many striking instances of the display of such a spirit. Look at Joseph, Moses, David, Stephen, Paul, and others, mentioned in Holy Writ. Have we not to condemn ourselves for our forgetfulness of his grace? Have we not sometimes brought forth the bitter fruit of impatience, instead of the fruit of the Spirit, which is long-suffering?