(Continued from p. 234.)

''There was a free and devoted activity in the ministry of the truth-those who had gone forth for the name of Christ taking nothing of the world, to which they offered the better riches. The apostle's commendation is given decisively to such a course. Gaius had received and helped them, and those who do so he assures that they are fellow-workers with the truth. This, as a principle, is readily accepted now, -our David's rule by which, " as his share is that goeth down to the battle, so shall his share be that tarrieth by the stuff" (i Sam. 30:24); but it needs, for spiritual application, to remember that the " stuff " by which we "tarry "must be, not our own merely, but the common stuff. It is thus in the case of those engaged in war, who if they care for the baggage are as much soldiers as the rest, and devoted to the service of all. Let none claim this with whom it is not true. It is one thing to give a dole to the Lord's work, as to a beggar at the door, and quite another to be a helper in a cause that is one's own. Giving is as much a ministry as is preaching, but only as the heart and soul are put into it is either the one or the other acceptable with God.

Gaius was one who did this, his fellowship with the truth expressing itself in practical reality, a hearty linking himself with those who for Christ's sake had gone forth, " whom," says the apostle, " if thou shall bring forward on their journey after a godly sort,"-" in a manner worthy of God," as it should rather be,-"thou shall do well." But how much is involved in this-"a manner worthy of god " ! In how great a cause are we permitted to be engaged ! and how little do stint and parsimony become those who act for Him who spared not His Son !

It was in behalf of this free evangelization, as is evident by the context, that the apostle had written to the assembly, only to prove how helplessly it had fallen under the control of one who loved the pre-eminence in it he had attained. We are not told upon what ground he based his opposition. This was of no matter, because his reasons were not his motives, but the slate of a heart that sought its own, not the things of Jesus Christ. How terribly may we be deceived in this way! what adepts are we often limes in self-deception ! a Diotrephes may be thus his own victim, and in the eyes of others the bold and earnest defender of truth. It is no doubt purposely that we are told so little of what he said or against what he opposed himself. Prate though he might with malicious words against the apostle, we may be sure he did not lack arguments that seemed forcible enough and carried many:had not Paul rebuked Peter to the face ? and had he not been really to be blamed?

On the other hand the truth really was that the work of the Spirit of God aroused the opposition of that in which as man's will and self-love Satan had found his opportunity. And this has been largely the history of the Church ever since :fallen under the power of the enemy, and dominated by ambition, the Spirit of God in the free working of His grace toward men and for the glory of Christ, opposed and quenched, His instruments cast out, with the approbation of those often who are really Christ's, but who lack the energy and decision for God that alone enable to discern His mind. And in every fresh movement of God this history seems to be repeated. How willingly would one prophesy of something else, if only the Word of God would justify the prediction ! If it does not, what can come of such an imagination except the sure entanglement at last in some such snare as the beloved apostle here points out to us? Philadelphia itself, with its sweet name, " brotherly love," has also its warning to hold fast, and its overcoming remnant; and thus it seems directly in line with what we have had before us. The warning is not needless, and those who swim against the stream will not fail to find the tug and strain of the stream upon them. But the encouragement, how great! and the Lord Himself, how near ! " I come quickly ! hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown!"