Wherever he discovers the image of his Redeemer, which constitutes the family-likeness of the children of God, it will command his affections. Let him meet, in any quarter of the world, or in any rank of life, a man who loves Jesus; no matter what his national origin, or his former condition, may have been; "no matter if an Indian, or an African, sun may have burnt upon him;" no matter if he have been a galley slave, or a beggar; in that man he beholds and acknowledges a brother, whom he is bound to "love with a pure heart, fervently." He loves Christians, not because they adopt all his peculiar sentiments, and pronounce the "shibboleth" of his party; but because the grace which adopted him into the family of God, inspired him with a fellow-feeling for all who are partakers of the same benefit; and taught him to wish "grace, mercy and peace, to all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity."

Here is the test; here is the touchstone of our religion, by which all professions must be tried. "We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren; but he that loveth not his brother, abideth in death."* Our blessed Lord, also, established this as the badge of discipleship. "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye love one another." Without this love to the disciples of Christ, simply because they reflect his image † St. John, xiii. 35.

* 1 John, iii. 14.

and copy his example, it is impossible to derive benefit from attendance upon the Lord's Supper; because there is no meetness for a participation in the "communion of saints," or any other privilege of the family of the redeemed.

But, though the charity of the pious communicant begins with, and is pre-eminently exercised towards "the household of faith," it does not terminate there. It is, like the benevolence of the Deity, of which it is a feeble imitation, diffusive as the light, and genial as the warmth, of the sun. It is felt towards all beings and things that are the legitimate objects of human. sympathy, and acknowledges no boundaries but the limits of creation. Wherever a case of distress exists, there Christian charity beholds something to call forth its exertions: wherever misery is found that admits of mitigation, there is the appropriate sphere of its operations. The new-born Christian sees, in the whole human family, beings created by divine power, supported by divine munificence, and connected with himself by the ties of a common nature. None of them are so mean as to be unworthy of his notice; none so sinful as to be without claim upon his compassion. He considers himself bound to "do good unto all men;" and strives to imitate his Heavenly Father, "who makes his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth his rain on the just and on the unjust."

If his compassionate bosom is deeply and tenderly moved, on witnessing the temporal sufferings of the victims of poverty and disease, so that he willingly contributes, according to his ability, to administer food to the hungry, clothing to the naked, and relief to the sick and afflicted; his benevolence is much more powerfully awakened, on beholding the spiritual miseries of the children of ignorance and sin, who are living without God, and perishing without hope; and he cheerfully contributes to supply them with the bread of life, and the means of salvation.

The charitable Christian is not only free from enmity and ill-will towards every human being, but sincerely desires to alleviate the sorrows, and promote the happiness of all; not excepting even his most bitter and implacable foes. He strives to imitate the example of Him who said, "Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who despitefully use you and persecute you." "Knowing the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, who, though he was rich, yet, for our sakes, became poor, that we, through his poverty, might be rich," he feels deeply interested in all the benevolent operations which distinguish and adorn our favoured age. The Bible, the Missionary, the Sunday school, the Tract societies, and all other institutions, which have for their noble object the salvation of men, and the glory of God, find in him a cordial supporter, and an ardent friend. As he has "freely received" the gifts of divine bounty, so he

freely distributes them for the benefit of others. To do good, is not only his profession, but the very element in which he lives and breathes. Nor will he cease to pray, or intermit his exertions, unless death deprives him of the power, while there remains a single spot on earth where the Redeemer's love is unknown, or his praise unsung.

This ardent, expansive, laborious benevolence, is the charity of the gospel. This is the wedding garment in which every guest should be clothed who approaches that ordinance which is the liveliest emblem that earth affords of "the marriage supper of the Lamb" in heaven.

Let all communicants, then, most seriously examine themselves, to ascertain whether they have charity to all mankind. This grace is "the end of the commandment, and the fulfilling of the law." It is the centre and circumference, the spirit and the substance, of true religion. Eminence in other attainments, will make no atonement for a deficiency here. Though a communicant "speak" loudly in favour of religion, "with the tongues of men or angels;” though he "have faith to believe all mysteries;" though he subscribe to the most orthodox creeds, and be a member of the purest church on earth; "though he give all his goods to feed the poor, and even his body to be burned;" yet if he have not charity, he is but like "sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal;" and his loud professions will only sink him deeper in hell!

Look well to your own hearts, professed followers of Jesus! Remember that "God is not," and cannot be "deceived." Examine strictly, whether the charity you profess, is a grace wrought in your hearts by the Holy Ghost. Whether it is fervent love for the Saviour's image, wherever and in whomsoever found. Whether it is pure, active, benevolence to all mankind, for his sake. You may now deceive the ministers of Christ by a false profession, and they may admit you to the ordinances of his house, and the external privileges of his people. But there is ONE who seeth and judgeth according to truth: and if you are destitute of that "charity which is the bond of perfectness," when you pass under his solemn review on the day of final account, whatever may have been your professions and your hopes, you will be eternally separated from the company of the redeemed, and have your portion with the devil and his angels.

MEDITATION.

THE interesting nature and design of the holy sacrament of the Lord's Supper, and the unspeakable benefits, which it is the means of conveying to the soul, have already formed the subject of my devout meditations. But I am told, on authority which is entitled to my highest respect, that, "as the benefit is great to those who, with a true penitent heart and