"As we have therefore opportunity, let us do goad unto all, especially unto them who are of the household of faith."

A fellow-worker was dead-one with whom we hadj for some time past come in close daily contact.

He was not a popular man. At times a little crotchety, sometimes really disagreeable and noted among his fellows as "close." We were somewhat prejudiced against him by another, and would often laugh at his queer ways and the pleasure he took in trifling attentions. He was undoubtedly eccentric. Since he has passed away, and the true story of his life has been brought out from one and another, shame and sorrow fill our heart as we realize that "we have left undone the things we ought to have done," to cheer a fellow-christian's life. His life had been one of sorrow and trouble. An only child died at the age of two years. His closeness (often characterized as meanness) was owing to the fact that he supported his wife in an insane asylum. His life was narrow and lonely:-no pleasure or change in life except as one or another would once in awhile invite him home to tea, and then we would the next day laugh at the things he did. Even these attentions were from people of the world, and not from those who were the Lord's people. The latter were more inclined to shun him than do for him.

Now he is gone, and the thoughts come, how many little things we could have done for him, trifling in themselves, that would have cheered his oft-times lonely path; how we could have shown him a kindness now and then; how we could have given him a cheering word or some of the Lord's precious things that would have been as a glint of sunshine in his life.

But he is gone. Nothing is left now but vain regrets. May the Lord forgive us for refusing the cup of cold water in His name that would have refreshed the soul of one of His thirsty ones!

But are there not others for whom we can do ? Are there not those around us to whom we can speak a word in season?-which, fitly spoken, is "like apples of gold in pictures of silver! " are not some of Christ's dear ones languishing for a cup of cold water? Sit a moment in the quiet of your own thoughts, and see if you do not remember someone who is sad and lonely and burdened whom you can help. Do not leave the doing of it until nought shall be left but opportunity for regret. Do it now.

"As ye have therefore opportunity." That means right now. When does the opportunity fail in a world full of care and trouble and sorrow? When does the opportunity fail when our blessed Lord is absent from us and heavy hearts are longing for His return? A word of grace and love to them would cheer and comfort their hearts wonderfully. When does the opportunity fail when there are hearts of the unsaved burdened with sin, and longing, aching, dying almost to be rid of its burden?

The opportunities are thick around us; let us "do with our might what our hands find to do." Let us
give the cup of cold water, perform the act of kindness, or speak the word of cheer and comfort. Let us point sinners to the Lamb of God who taketh away the sin of the world. " Blessed is that servant, whom His Lord when He cometh shall find so doing."

"Especially unto them who are of the household of faith." We do not, we cannot always harmonize with all the Lord's people. Some we like more than others. Some seem to us strange in their ways. All are not " congenial"(!)

But they are the Lord's.

They are washed in the same precious blood as we. They are members of the same body of Christ. They are redeemed by the Lord as are we. They are saved by faith in Him as are we. We shall spend all eternity in the same blessed work of praising our adorable Redeemer and Lord. Let us be kind to all in the household of faith. Let us love and cherish one another. Let us seek each other's welfare and happiness and blessing. " Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ." "Even Christ pleased not Himself." Let Him be our example. By love let us serve one another. Paul's word of exhortation was, "comfort the feeble-minded, support the weak, be patient toward all." Is any "of the household" not as strong as we? Let him be the one on whom " we bestow the more abundant honor." Those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble are necessary. May the Lord lead us to think of others and comfort their hearts with His own blessed truth. F.