There is another principle, which crowns and governs and gives character to all others:it is charity,
love properly so called. This, in its root, is the nature of God Himself, the source and perfection of
every other quality that adorns Christian life. The distinction between love and brotherly love is of
deep importance; the former is indeed, as we have just said, the source whence the latter flows; but
as this brotherly love exists in mortal men, it may be mingled in its exercise with sentiments that are
merely human, with individual affection, with the effect of personal attractions, or that of habit, or
suitability in natural character. Nothing is sweeter than brotherly affections; their maintenance is of
the highest importance in the assembly, but they may degenerate, as they may grow cool; and if love,
if God, does not hold the chief place, they may displace Him_set Him aside_shut Him out. Divine
love, which is the very nature of God, directs, rules, and gives character to brotherly love; otherwise
it is that which pleases us_that is, our own heart_that governs us. If divine love governs me, I love
all my brethren; I love them because they belong to Christ; there is no partiality. I shall have greater
enjoyment in a spiritual brother; but I shall occupy myself about my weak brother with a love that
rises above his weakness and has tender consideration for it. I shall concern myself with my brother’s
sin, from love to God, in order to restore my brother, rebuking him, if needful; nor, if divine love be
in exercise, can brotherly love, or its name, be associated with disobedience. In a word, God will
have His place in all my relationships. To exact brotherly love in such a manner as to shut out the
requirements of that which God is, and of His claims upon us, is to shut out God in the most
plausible way, in order to gratify our hearts. Divine love, then, which acts according to the nature,
character, and will of God, is that which ought to direct and characterize our whole Christian walk,
and have authority over every movement of our hearts. Without this, all that brotherly love can do
is to substitute man for God. Divine love is the bond of perfectness. for it is God, who is love,
working in us .and making Himself the governing object of all that passes in the heart.

FRAGMENT. A friend love that all times, and a brother is born for adversity, Prov. 17:17.

FRAGMENT. The child may throw its arms about the father’s neck, but its clasp is weak and it
might fall, but around about and underneath the little one are clasped the father’s stronger arms, and
the child is safe.

FRAGMENT. "Behold, He that keepeth thee shall neither slumber nor sleep." As the shepherd
watches his flock by day and night, so the Almighty Keeper watches over His wayward ones.