(1 Cor. 13.)

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels and have not love, I am become -as sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal.

One might speak with the eloquence of Apollos, moving multitudes by silvery-tongued oratory, or were it possible, hold thousands spell-bound with the voice of an angel, but if love be wanting it would avail nothing.

Though I have the gift of prophecy and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge, and though I have all faith so that I could remove mountains, and have not love, I am nothing.

So, one might possess the most coveted gift (chap. 14:1) and be able to elucidate all mysteries, in knowledge profound, and in faith unsurpassed, but if love is not in activity, all is unavailing-"I am nothing."

Though I bestow all my goods, to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not love, it profiteth me nothing.

Philanthrophy might lead one to the extreme of giving up all one possessed to the poor. I might be so valiant for truth and righteousness as to be ready to go to the stake for my opinions, but if destitute of divine love, all would profit nothing.

Love, divine love, product of the divine nature,

"Suffereth long,"
"Is kind,"
"Envieth not,"
"Vaunteth not itself,"
"Is not puffed up,"
"Doth not behave unseemly,"
"Seeketh not her own,"
"Is not easily provoked,".
"Thinketh no evil,"
"Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but in the truth,"
"Beareth all things,"
"Believeth all things,"
"Hopeth all things,"
"Endureth all things."

Blessed qualities indeed! First, self is renounced. Love leads one to be tender, kind, considerate, ready to serve our fellow-saints, according to the example of the One who, in love, stooped to wash His disciples' feet.

The heart too is free, in love, from supposing evil. If "partakers of the divine nature," the lovely things and things of good report should occupy the heart, and love "covers the multitude of sins."

Love would lead us to bear with one another, remembering our own weaknesses and putting the best construction on the acts and words of our fellow-saints. And what if the thoughtlessness of another causes pain, and one is misjudged or misunderstood? Love endureth all things. These last qualities are the positive energy of love, presumes good and covers evil.

So, says the apostle, "Love never faileth," All else, however excellent, must pass away, belonging to the scene and circumstances in which we are found, while waiting for our Lord's return.

"And now abideth faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love."

"When faith and hope shall cease,
And love abide alone,
Then shall we see Him face to face,
And know as known.
Still shall we lift our voice,
His praise our song shall be;
And we shall in His love rejoice,
Who set us free."

J. W. H. Nichols