MEEKNESS is a twin-sister of PEACE.

It is a temper of mind not easily provoked to resentment; or, as the word signifies, easiness of mind. The term for a meek man, used by the Romans, signified used to hand, in allusion to the taming of wild animals, which the cultivation of this grace truly resembles. It is the bringing of our wild and turbulent passions under control. It is an eminent work of the Spirit; and we may judge of our spiritual attainments by the degree of it which we possess. The Scriptures abound with exhortations to the cultivation of it. It is preeminently lovely in the female character. Hence Peter exhorts women to put on the ornament of a meck and quiet spirit, which is, in the sight of God, of great price.

LONG-SUFFERING and GENTLENESS are twin-daughters of meekness. Long-suffering is godlike; it is an imitation of the forbearance of God towards his rebellious creatures. He is long-suffering and slow to anger. He does not let his anger burn hot against sinners till all means of bringing them to repentance nave failed. O, how should this shame us, who cannot bear the least appearance of insult or injury from our fellow-sinners without resentment! But, if we would be the children of our Father in heaven, we must learn to bear illtreatment with a forbearing and forgiving temper. Gentleness is one of the most lovely of all the graces of the Spirit. It is a "softness or mildness of disposition and behavior, and stands opposed to harshness and severity, pride and arrogance." "It corrects whatever is offensive in our manner, and, by a constant train of humane attentions, studies to alleviate the burden of

GOODNESS.

FAITH.

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common misery." The constant exercise of this spirit is of the greatest importance to the Christian who would glorify God in his life, and do good to his fellow-creatures.

GOODNESS is another fruit of the Spirit. I suppose the apostle here means the same that he expresses in another place by "bowels of mercies and kindness." It is doing good both to the bodies and souls of others, as we have opportunity. "Be kindly affectioned one to another." "Be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted." This is a distinguished trait in the Christian character. It shone forth in all its loveliness in our divine Redeemer. He went about doing good. So ought we to imitate his example. It should be our chief aim and study to make ourselves useful to others; for we thereby glorify God. If we have the Spirit of Christ, this will be our "meat and drink."

Another fruit of the Spirit is FAITH. "Faith is credit given to a declaration or promise, on the authority of the person who makes it ; " including the idea of confidence in such person, and reliance upon his word. It is a common principle of action in the ordinary affairs of life, in the transaction of which people act according to their faith. If a person believes that his house is on fire, he will make haste to escape. If a man believes a bank note is good, he will receive it for its professed value. If the merchant believes that his customer is able to pay, he will give him goods upon credit. That faith which is the fruit of the Spirit is a hearty belief of all the truths of God's word, including not only the idea of confidence in him, but a love of

the truth, and a hearty acquiescence in the will of God declared in it. Faith in Christ includes also the idea of trust, or reliance upon him for salvation. In proportion as we believe the truths of God's word, in the sense here specified, we shall act accordingly. One reason why the sinner does not repent and turn to God is, that he does not fully believe the word of God as it applies to himself. He may believe some of the abstract truths of the Scriptures; but he does not really believe himself to be in the dreadful danger which they represent him; or, if his understanding is convinced, his heart is so opposed to the truth that he will not yield to it. The reason why Christians live so far from the standard of God's word is, that their belief in the truths contained in it is so weak and faint. We all profess to believe that God is every where present; yet we often complain that we have no lively sense of his presence. The reason is, we do not fully and heartily believe this truth. So strong and vivid is the impression, when this solemn truth takes full possession of the soul, that the apostle compares it to "seeing him that is invisible." Now, but for our unbelief, we should always have such a view of the divine presence. O, with what holy awe and reverence would this inspire us! On examination, we shall find that all the graces of the Spirit arise from faith, and all our sins and short comings from unbelief. It is a belief of the moral excellence of God's character which inspires love. It is a belief of our own depravity, and the exceeding sinfulness of sin, which creates godly sorrow. It is a strong and lively faith in all the truths of the Bible

"This is the victory

which overcomes the world. that overcometh the world, even our faith." It is an unshaken belief in these truths, presenting the glories of heaven just in view, which supports the Christian in the dark and trying hour of death. It is the same belief which makes him "as bold as a lion" in the performance of his duty. This is what supported the martyrs, and enabled them cheerfully to lay down their lives for Christ's sake. It is this which must support us in the Christian warfare; and our progress will be in proportion to our faith.

TEMPERANCE is another fruit of the Spirit. This consists in the proper control of all our desires, appetites, and passions. The exercise of this grace is of vital importance, not only as it concerns the glory of God, but our own health and happiness.

Thus we see the beautiful symmetry of the Christian character, as it extends from the heart to all our actions, in every relation of life.

CHAPTER IV.

CHARITY.

ALTHOUGH I have dwelt at considerable length upon the fruits of the Spirit, yet so deeply do I feel impressed with the excellency and amiable sweetness of the grace of charity, that I am constrained to commend it to my readers in a distinct chapter. Charity is the queen of the graces, excelling even faith and hope, and enduring when all those gifts which add brilliancy to the character shall cease their attractions; and, though you may not possess great personal charms, superior accomplishments, or great powers of mind, yet, if you do but "put on charity," you will, like the blessed Savior, " grow in favor both with God and

man."

The apostle calls charity the "bond of perfectness;" "alluding to the girdle of the Orientals, which was not only ornamental and expensive, but was put on last, serving to adjust the other parts of the dress, and keep the whole together." It is a bond which holds all the Christian graces in harmonious union, and, by keeping them together, secures a permanent completeness and consistency of character. Without the girdle, the flowing robes of Oriental dress would present a sad appearance, hardly serving the purposes