REFLECTIONS. 1. Has God placed us in the situation which he sees to be best for us? Let us learn the duty of contentment with our lot, both in the church and in the world. Let us study to improve our own proper gifts, and to discharge the duties of our sphere, however humble, with faithfulness and diligence. Why should we envy the talents or the station of others? Or why should we be dissatisfied with the measure of enjoyment assigned us? He that is faithful in that which is least, shall be equally approved with him who is faithful in much. Superior gifts involve the deeper responsibility. Are we placed in situations of eminence? Let us not disparage our weaker brethren. Let us set a high value on their counsels and their prayers. Let us honour the members of Christ, however feeble or uncomely they appear to the view of the world. 2. How close the union that ought to subsist among the followers of Christ! Every church should exhibit a pattern of affection and sympathy. This will be more or less the case, where the members are baptized with the Holy Spirit, and have been made to drink into the mind of Christ. Nothing will be done through strife or vain-glory, but in lowliness of mind each will esteem others better than himself. All things will be done without murmuring or disputing, and each will be ready to sacrifice his own pleasure and inclinations to the wishes of another. How different the principles on which the disciples of Christ act towards each other, from the cold and selfish spirit of the world; and how vain is it to expect the exhibition of this mutual love in any secular society! Let us pray for the revival of this heavenly Spirit in all the churches of the saints, and for this purpose, that the influences of the Holy Ghost may be richly shed upon them, through Jesus Christ our Lord. "Bless'd be the tie that binds Before our Father's throne We pour our ardent pray❜rs; Our fears, our hopes, our aims are one, We share our mutual woes, Our mutual burdens bear; SECTION THIRD.-VERSES 26-31. THE DIFFERENT OFFICES IN THE CHURCH. THE Apostle had compared the church of Christ to the human body, which consists of many members, adapted to various important uses, and mutually subservient to each other's welfare. None of them are superfluous, and all are to be cherished and honoured. He now refers to another point of resemblance, namely, the sympathy or common feeling which pervades the members of the natural body. 26. "And whether one member suffer, all the rest sympathise (vμmax) with it, or whether one member be honoured, (dožara.) all the members rejoice with it (συγχαίρει).” The other senses are confined to particular organs, but that of touch diffuses itself through every part of the body. This admirable contrivance is noticed by Cicero, in the passage formerly alluded to. "Tactus autem toto corpore æquabiliter fusus est, ut omnes ictus, omnesque nimios et frigoris, et caloris, adpulsus sentire possimus. But the touch is spread equally through the whole body, that we may be able to feel every impression, and all excesses, both of cold and heat." (De Nat. Deor. b. 2. sect. 56.) In case of one member being injured by accident or disease, the sensation of pain is felt throughout the whole, and every attention is bestowed on the suffering member that may restore it to health and vigour. By this provision, instant warning is given of threatened violence. How desirable that the same feeling of sympathy should be displayed in a christian church! There are many occasions when a member is called to suffer, when overcome by the violence of temptation, through the remaining depravity of his heart; when he mourns the loss of beloved relatives; when deprived of his earthly possessions by reverses of Providence; when bowed down under bodily affliction; when exposed to persecution or reproach, for the truth's sake. In these circumstances, how animating the face of a brother, how soothing the influence of christian friendship! Hence, in a parrallel passage, we are commanded to "rejoice with them that do rejoice, and to weep with those that weep," (Rom. xii. 15.) On this point the language of the apostle John is strong and pointed: "But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?” (1 John iii. 17.) Nor is the language of James less explicit: "If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, and one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be warmed, be filled, notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful for the body, what doth it profit?" (chap. ii. 15, 16.) In the same manner, if one member of the natural body be honoured by peculiar beauty or comely apparel, no envy is felt by the rest, but all of them participate in its joy. Thus ought the members of the church to feel, when one of their brethren is favoured with extraordinary manifestations of divine grace, or is distinguished by eminent gifts, extensive usefulness, increasing reputation, and prosperity in the world, or is advanced to an office of responsibility and honour in the church. In such cases, envy and jealousy are too apt to spring up; but nothing can be more hurtful to the community. The good of one should be considered as the happiness of all. The Apostle sums up the whole discourse, by observing, 27. "Now ye are the body of Christ, and members individually (ex pegous)." Let no one therefore, envy the talents, or underrate the usefulness of his brethren. How great the honour thus conferred upon christians! It is thought a high honour to be distantly related to a person of rank-much more to be a child of the family. David thought it a mark of great distinction to be a king's sonin-law, (1 Sam. xviii. 23.) But how inferior is this to the dignity here specified-to be members of his body who fills heaven. and earth with his presence, who is the brightness of his Father's many occasions when a member is called to suffer, when overcome by the violence of temptation, through the remaining depravity of his heart; when he mourns the loss of beloved relatives; when deprived of his earthly possessions by reverses of Providence; when bowed down under bodily affliction; when exposed to persecution or reproach, for the truth's sake. In these circumstances, how animating the face of a brother, how soothing the influence of christian friendship! Hence, in a parrallel passage, we are commanded to "rejoice with them that do rejoice, and to weep with those that weep," (Rom. xii. 15.) On this point the language of the apostle John is strong and pointed: "But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?" (1 John iii. 17.) Nor is the language of James less explicit: "If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, and one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be warmed, be filled, notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful for the body, what doth it profit?" (chap. ii. 15, 16.) In the same manner, if one member of the natural body be honoured by peculiar beauty or comely apparel, no envy is felt by the rest, but all of them participate in its joy. Thus ought the members of the church to feel, when one of their brethren is favoured with extraordinary manifestations of divine grace, or is distinguished by eminent gifts, extensive usefulness, increasing reputation, and prosperity in the world, or is advanced to an office of responsibility and honour in the church. In such cases, envy and jealousy are too apt to spring up; but nothing can be more hurtful to the community. The good of one should be considered as the happiness of all. The Apostle sums up the whole discourse, by observing, 27. "Now ye are the body of Christ, and members individually ( Migovs)." Let no one therefore, envy the talents, or underrate the usefulness of his brethren. How great the honour thus conferred upon christians! It is thought a high honour to be distantly related to a person of rank-much more to be a child of the family. David thought it a mark of great distinction to be a king's sonin-law, (1 Sam. xviii. 23.) But how inferior is this to the dignity here specified-to be members of his body who fills heaven and earth with his presence, who is the brightness of his Father's |