August 26

"That ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind, striving together for the faith of the Gospel." — Philippians 1:27.

CHRISTIAN love is the golden chain that unites believers to each other; but what a pity the links of this chain are so frequently broken! If, says one, the enemies' watchword is, "Divide and conquer," ours should be, "Union is invincible." We are here exhorted to

UNITY. "In one spirit, with one mind."

Christians are one in Christ. They are branches of the same living Vine, members of the same spiritual Head, stones of the same glorious Edifice, and children of the same Divine Parent. It is the same mercy that pities, the same Spirit that calls, the same blood that justifies, the same grace that sanctifies, the same refuge that defends, and the same hope that animates.

They should be of one mind. This is the Divine command, recommended in Scripture, and demanded by our Christian profession. How great are the advantages of the communion of saints! One of the Puritans remarks, It is this that keeps our religion in breath, and without which it will be ready to die.

ACTIVITY. "Striving together for the faith of the Gospel." Observe

The object of this strife. "The faith of the Gospel." How insignificant in themselves, and how unworthy of an immortal mind, are those objects for which thousands around us in the world are striving—like the racers in the Grecian games, stretching every nerve, and exerting every power, to obtain a wreath of flowers, which soon faded away. "Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we, an incorruptible." How magnificent and sublime are the ends proposed to the Christian! "The faith of the Gospel" is identified with our best interests. But

"A soul immortal, spending all her fires, Wasting her strength in strenuous idleness; Thrown into tumult, raptured, or alarmed At aught this scene can threaten or indulge. Resembles ocean into tempest wrought, To waft a feather or to drown a fly."

The nature of this strife. It is a holy and honorable conflict, and includes a defence of the doctrines of the Gospel from the corruptions of men—the development of its principles in the Christian character, and the diffusion of its truths in the world. How desirable is it that Christians should unite together in their efforts to spread abroad the knowledge of Christ! What can one soldier do alone? But an army may put the enemy to flight, and keep the country in safety. It is but a small portion of land that one laborer can cultivate; but, by the combined energies of many, how much may be done in the production of the fruits of the earth! The ocean is composed of drops, and small atoms make the lofty mountain.

"Oh happy servant he, In such a posture found! He shall his Lord with rapture see, And be with honor crowned."