It is our thought in this paper to consider briefly, in the light of the above text, the attacking of those who differ from us, both in a public and private way. For, after all, it is the " word of truth" that sanctifies.

The Lord's every act was perfect. Every thing was in due season. Each step He trod, there went up an odor of sweet incense unto the Father. Many, in their would-be zeal for God, undertook to rebuke Him; but He was not to be corrected. There was no dross to be consumed; He was (and is) the light of the sanctuary which required not the use of the golden snuffers. In and out among men on God's behalf, He sought their welfare, but not apart from the glory of God. He testified that their works were evil, uttering the words given Him of God; and He could say of His ministry among them, "They hated Me without a cause." He gave them no cause to hate Him.

In this, as in other things, it is ours to learn of Him. A much needed lesson, we may all readily admit. How often we reap our own sowing in regard to this! Giving those with whom we come in daily contact, and those to whom we may seek to declare the gospel in a public way, ample cause for hating us. It may be they refuse to hear the precious Word, and we grow weary in " well-doing."

Frequently resorting to carnal weapons to fight the flesh in others-manifesting the spirit of the disciples who " knew not what manner of spirit they were of," and would call down fire from heaven to consume them. The blessed Lord passed on to "another village,"shook the dust of their city from off His feet, "leaving us an example, that we should follow in His steps."

While we may marvel over our scanty fruit-bearing, so much apparent sowing needed to reap however small a harvest, how prolific are the results of our sowing to the flesh, springing up in congenial soil.

We may taunt and ridicule those Christ-rejecters, provoking them to envy and strife; but we ask, Is it the "wisdom that cometh from above," which is "first pure, then peaceable"? "He that winneth souls is wise." Is it wise to use scurrility? Is not such a course rather building towers and high walls? rearing obstacles which many years of "patient continuance in well-doing" can not efface ? We are persuaded that we create a vast deal of the prejudice we complain so bitterly about. It is largely our doing. We would not write to blunt the keen edge of "the truth," or that the "whole counsel of God" should not be declared. May the "gospel of Christ" be "fully preached," the present grace and the coming judgment; but do not needlessly rouse the flesh. Let them, if they must, hate you "without a cause."

The preaching of the gospel may, through the mercy of God, gather out precious souls in a locality; but where the close of the work is wound up by such needless provocation as we have described, what opposition those who abide there have to stem! And they also, true to their teaching, resort to the preacher's weapons of carnal warfare, and are perhaps made, in after years, to learn that they have been driving souls away where they cannot reach them. Alas, for our evil ways! We fail to have a "good report from them that are without"-think too lightly of what the world has to say of us. Is there not, alas! too much truth in their sayings?

May we learn not to be "buffeted for our faults," but for "well-doing," which is "acceptable with God." "Not rendering railing for railing, but contrariwise blessing, knowing that we are thereunto called that we should inherit a blessing."

We are told not to marvel that the world hates us. But may we seek so to live that they may hate us "without a cause" following in the gracious footsteps of our blessed Lord and Saviour, who "came not to destroy men's lives, but to save them."

"And I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word of exhortation." (Heb. 13:22.) M. Clingen.