indeed, was the grand element that pervaded the life of the primitive Christians; for that spiritual exercise being not so much a separate and formal act as a habit and frame of mind, and consisting of all the various elements of praise and thankfulness, confidence and hope, obedience and love; so these principles of a new nature, being established in their minds, and diffusing a sanctified influence over the whole tenor of their walk and conversation, gave vigour to their faith, stability to their virtue, and fed, like a perpetual spring, all the streams of Christian activity and excellence for which they were so remarkable. The Epistle to Diognetus, written early in the second century, contains the following description of Christians: "They are not distinguished from other men by their place of residence, their language or manners. Though they live in cities of the Greeks and barbarians, each where his lot is cast, and in clothing, food, and mode of life follow the customs of their country; yet they are distinguished by a wonderful and universally astonishing manner of life. They dwell in their own native land; but as foreigners. Every foreign land is to them as their native country, and their native country as a foreign land. They live in the flesh, but not after the flesh. They dwell on the earth, but they live in heaven; they obey the existing laws, but by their life elevate themselves above the laws. They love all men, and are persecuted, misunderstood, and condemned by all. They are slain and made alive; they are poor, and make many rich; they suffer want in everything, and possess abundance in everything; they are cursed, and they bless. In one word, what the soul is in the body, that Christians are in the world. As the soul is diffused through all the members of the body, so the Christians are spread through all the cities of the world. The soul indeed dwells in the body, but is not of the body; so Christians dwell in the world, but they are not of the world. The invisible soul is shut up in the visible body; and so men know Christians as inhabitants of the world, but their life is hid with Christ in God. The flesh hates and fights the soul, though the soul does no injury to the flesh, but only prevents its giving itself up to lusts; so also the world hates Christians; they do it no harm, but only set themselves against its lusts. The soul loves its hating flesh, and so Christians love those by whom they are hated. The soul is shut up in the body, and yet it is that by which the body is held together; and Christians are held to their post in the world, and it is they who hold the world together. The immortal soul dwells in the mortal body, and Christians dwell as strangers in the corruptible world, and await the unchangeable life in heaven. So important a part has God entrusted to them, which they dare not forsake."-DR. LYMAN COLEMAN'S Antiquities of the Christian Church. THE POWER OF A GODLY LIFE. "SHE never spoke to me on the subject of religion; but her life was always speaking, and I could never put it away from my thoughts till I came to the cross of Christ." Such was the declaration of a young man with regard to an older sister, whose life of consistent spirituality was the means of leading him to the Saviour, a devoted minister of whose gospel he was for years. In times of revival, and at all times when Christians are urged to renewed faithfulness, do they not often think that such faithfulness is to be put forth chiefly in talking to others? It is true indeed that we should "speak often one to another," and that we should at proper times say to the impenitent, "Come with us, and we will do thee good; for the Lord hath spoken good concerning Israel." But it is not at all times we can speak, and some have not the judgment always to speak wisely and profitably. If we speak only from a sense of duty, and when the heart does not feel what the lips express, it is generally in vain that we speak. If our life is inconsistent, it will counteract the most eloquent speaking, and we had better be silent till we are penitent. But we can always preach effectively by a holy life; as "the heavens declare the glory of God, the firmament sheweth forth his handy work," not by talking but by shining. THE ANGELS' SONG. IT came upon the midnight clear, "Peace to the earth, goodwill to men, Still through the cloven skies they come Yet with the woes of sin and strife For lo! the days are hastening on, And the whole world send back the song Which now the angels sing. E. H. SEARS. THE OLD AND THE NEW YEAR. ANOTHER year has fled: renew, Lord, with our days thy love! Our days are evil here and few; We will not grieve, though day by day We pass from earthly joys away; Our joy abides in thee. Yet, when our sins we call to mind, For all the future, Lord, prepare And on thy servants shine: Life without thee is dark and drear; RUSSELL. LONDON: PRINTED BY WILLIAM CLOWES AND SONS, STAMFORD STREET. |