.. Some… pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, unto the work of ministering, unto the building up of the body of Christ:till we all attain unto the unity of the faith" (Eph. 4:12,13, R. V.).

"Till"-there must be no let up, no discouragement, however much we may see that others fail in aiming at this result-"the unity of the faith."

This is individual "ministering," but with a scope that is universal-"all." It is catholic. Not the unity of the body, but "of the faith."

"There is no hope" is the language of unbelief. This is what the prophet was compelled to hear (Jer. 2:25).

Our prayers and thoughts should never be confined to our own immediate, local, or limited sphere of fellowship, they should reach out to "all." We should never aim at anything short of this, if we wish to be enjoying communion with the Holy Ghost, or be in fellowship with Him, practically.

If I see a "mote" in my brother's eye, while a "beam" is in my own eye, my greatest concern should be to first cast out the beam. We can never "see clearly" until we do.

The brother with the "mote" may misunderstand me, and try to glorify himself against me:but with that I have nothing whatever to do-that is with God, results are with Him. If the "beam" is really gone out of my "own eye," it might be God's will for me to help remove the "mote out of thy brother's eye;" but even in this, that is God's business, not mine. If He can use me, He will; but we should be where and as He would have us, if He does. It is a most delicate operation, the eye Is exceedingly sensitive, and no "novice" can do it:God alone will introduce the patient to the experienced spiritual "Oculists," "who, by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil" (Heb. 5:14).

Let me see to it "first," that the "beam" is gone; and even then, though I may "see clearly," others may be able to "see" even more "clearly" than myself. S. A. W.