The apostle's attitude of soul in his epistle to the Philippians is full of interest. The moral excellence of his character as a minister comes out very strikingly in this epistle. It is not merely that he kept his body under-that he did, surely,-but he could say to these Philippians, " Those things which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do." I would note a few things:-

The apostle writes from prison; and his sojourn there is used, in the ways of God, to teach him, as a man and servant of Christ, doubtless many a needed lesson. As to the moral results of the trial, I see two things quite distinctly,-two principles that lay at the foundation of his character, one might say, viz., God his present portion, and his superiority over circumstances. And when we see how his trial served to display Christ, and where such tribulation, as is evident in his case, wrought endurance, we are not surprised, nor is it any longer a question why he should glory in it. So fully is God his present portion and unfailing trust, that he has learned in whatsoever state he is therewith to be content. Blessed place! happy portion ! Nothing, surely, can ever disturb our souls when God is before us. "When He giveth quietness, who then can make trouble ? " We have abundant reason to believe that while with these dear saints to whom he writes there was fellowship in the gospel, there was not the happiest condition of things in their midst, for which he is peculiarly sensitive. Yet God and what is good is before his soul,-he is at rest.

It is not a matter of gift here, nor a question of fruit in ministry; by this he is not elated or depressed; he rejoices in fruit, but as seen in and connected with others -even in these dear saints; nor does he allow for a moment evil-what was wrong among them-to hinder that joy. In all this there is moral strength of soul,- inward strength, the result of outward trust. It was "out of weakness made strong;" it is love and devotedness in exercise, and one sees in it all the " way of more surpassing excellence."

Of great value and importance is this, I need not say; it gives sobriety of spirit, and weight and force to our ministry. And those who minister should see to it that these moral qualities are not lacking. Reputation is simply what I might be in the eyes of my neighbor-and for this I care not. Character is what I am and ought to be before God,-Christ being the measure, object, and pattern.

Lowliness, and a hearty appreciation of what is divine in the saints, also marks the apostle in the expression of his heart to them. That there is that which needs correction, warning, and rebuke is doubtless true, but with the good will he first and foremost in his soul be occupied. A man of prayer, he watches thereunto, with all prayer and supplication for them; while he rejoices in their love and fellowship, (as to need, there was none on his part,) still gift came before him in all the savor and fragrance of Christ, because his spirit was in God's presence, and He who is the source of all that is good is before his soul. How much of good and of grace among the saints is missed on our part because we allow evil to overcome us -the fruit of a legal state, that sees clearly enough what ought not to be, but has no power to remedy! Brethren, let us be followers of that which is good.

Thus we see another excellence-lowly grace in an apostle to receive and use rightly this token of their love and fellowship.

All this moral excellence of character is the result of being before God, and having Him before our souls. Trial there must be while here in the body. As soon as our souls learn the good of this, there is triumph, and what we naturally shrink from becomes a source of joy. May the blessed Lord more and more confirm it in our souls, for His name's sake. Amen. C.S.L.