Saturday. SUBJECT-LOVE AND CHARITY. Deditation. 1 St. Jobn, iv. 19, 21. "We love Him, because He first loved us." "And this commandment have we from Him, that he who loveth God love his brother also." 1 Cor. xiii. 13. "And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three: but the greatest of these is charity.” WHAT HAT a precious and glorious truth, that God loves me! Yes, my Father loved me, even when I loved Him not. When I was yet a great way off, He saw me, and yearned over me. My piteous condition touched His heart; and though I had done so much to grieve Him, and though my heart was so cold towards Him, His love rose above it all. Think too how much the Saviour loves me. His was no empty love. He gave a most costly price to redeem me--not thousands of gold and silver, not labour and toil merely, not pains and sufferings only-but Himself. He yielded up His own body. He gave His back to the smiters. Blessed be God, He did indeed love me, and gave Himself for me. When my heart is overwhelmed with the dead weight of sin, how sweet to feel that there is One, who stepped into my place, and bore that which would otherwise have crushed me! And how should I feel towards my Lord for all this? Hitherto, my love to Him has been poor indeed-far, far too small. I have allowed many a rival to steal away my affections from Him, and many an earthly object to rob Him of His due. But now I desire to throw myself upon Him, and surrender to Him my heart. Oh, what is the world to me, compared with what He is? Is it not all as dross and dung? Think, my foolish heart, when thou art exposed to the world's enticing voice, think of thy better portion; live on Him who is alone able to fill the void within. And now Jesus invites me to commemorate His dying love. He bids me, with my fellow-Christians, to approach His table. If there be anything which interferes with my love to Him, or to my brethren, may I this day put it from me! May a feeling of love alone take full possession of my heart! May we all be drawn closer to the Saviour and to one another! Oh, that I may realise the oneness of God's spiritual family, both of those in heaven, and those on earth! If I truly belong to Him, I must, I shall, love Him; and I shall love my brethren too; for is it not written, Every one that loveth Him that begat, loveth him also that is begotten of Him;" and again, "We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren?" D Self-Examination. OI love my God and Saviour su premely-above all else? 2. Does my love to God show itself by a desire to please Him, and a willingness to bear all for His sake? 3. Do I delight in His presence, and in holding communion with Him? 4. Do I look forward with joy to that day when I shall see God? 5. Do I desire His glory more than my own? 6. Is it my meat and drink to do His will? 7. Have I this mark of grace-that I love His people? 8. Am I kind, forgiving, gentle, and loving towards all? (See 1 Cor. xiii.; read the chapter carefully). 9. Do I feel concerned for the souls of men? 10. Can I rejoice when a brother is exalted, and I am passed by? I Resolutions. ~ WILL count up the Lord's mercies to my body and my soul, and try thus to stir up my heart to love Him. 2. I will make it a direct subject of prayer, that God would shed abroad His love in my heart by the Holy Ghost. 3. I will do good to Christ's people, |