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that sin which is death to that holiness which is life, and so provide a meetness as well as a title to heaven. Of this renewal, while the Holy Spirit is the living power, the life of Christ is the perfect pattern. In the words of the Apostle, He has left "an example that we should follow His steps."

The

It was impossible that a single narrative should give a complete view of the earthly life of our Blessed Lord; and therefore the subject is contemplated in a fourfold point of view; the chain of evidence is supported by a fourfold testimony; so to speak, there are four portraits of our adorable Redeemer, each portrait showing a difference of expression, each portrait evidencing a difference of authorship, but with a substantial unity and agreement. And both the difference and the agreement are equally valuable. differences are valuable inasmuch as the variations prove the independence and the truth of the witnesses, and there are no variations which are not manifestly capable of reconciliation, if only we were in possession of all the facts. We must also assert for them complete agreement and unity. Each portrait is consistent with itself and consistent with the others; each meets the wants of the burdened heart, and gives its precepts for the Christian life; in each the Saviour is the tender, loving Guide into all truth.

That holy life may be considered, even as may our own poor human lives, both on its active and its passive side-the life visible to others, and the life

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hidden. We all remember, and in some sense realise, the portraiture of the life of the blessed Jesus given to us in the narratives of the Evangelists. Recall the nobleness, the purity, the beneficence of that spotless Example. He showed us how inferior is merely passive virtue to that active principle which will seek out infamy and pollution if by any means it can heal and save. In the weary hour of the sultry noon He rests by the well-side on the outskirts of Samaria. He speaks to the chance comer solemn words, showing her her sin, and guiding her onwards to repentance. Again, He feeds the multitude with the words of life, and when their spirits grow faint through fatigue and hunger, He seats them on the much green grass, and lovingly supplies their temporal necessities. Well might this same Apostle sum up that beautiful career thus: "He went about doing good." We must seek to be followers of Jesus Christ as dear children. When the Apostle St. John speaks of the boldness we may have in the day of judgment, he gives this reason: "Because as He is, so are we in this world." Sometimes we hear people speak almost as if they were uncertain how this is to be done. We need never be at a loss how to work the works of Christ, while there is ignorance that we can enlighten, want that we can relieve, suffering with which we can sympathise, and which we can alleviate.

In all other respects, also, we must follow in the steps of our great Example. We must learn lowli

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ness and meekness of Him who was meek and lowly in heart. When He was reviled, He reviled not again. Mark, too, his patience, long-suffering, and forgiveness. Even when the nails were driven into the quivering flesh, His prayer was, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." Finally, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report,in all these Christ has left us an example, in all these we should follow His steps.

We cannot doubt that there are degrees of glory in heaven, as of grace on earth. It is possible, St. Paul tells us, that we may build upon the one foundation gold, silver, and precious stones, or, on the other hand, wood, hay, and stubble. We are told that the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is; that the day shall declare it, and the fire reveal it. By our sluggishness we may miss the most glorious possibilities. It is perfectly possible that the Christian may lower the greatness of his recompense, and lessen the brightness of his crown. "If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss, but he himself shall be saved, yet so as by fire."

Something practical may here be said on the imitation of the active side of our Lord's life. Let me say a few plain words about visiting the poor and the sick and the prisoners. This is one of the direct,

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practical duties enjoined by our Lord. There is no one whose eye glances over these pages, unless stretched on a bed of sickness, where the prayer of faith may yet do more than the activity of work, who is released from this incumbent duty; there is no one who may not find ample facilities for the discharge of this duty; and the duty, as is the nature of duty, will grow a positive delight. It is something to feel that we are not leading a selfish life-that there are hearts that bless us and eyes that look brighter when we come-that we can any where alleviate the effects of sin and sorrow. If we really discharge this duty and delight, we may humbly and gratefully take it as an external evidence that we indeed belong to the number of Christ's people. There are few clergymen whose hands would not be infinitely strengthened if their religious friends and parishioners would take something of this labour of visitation off their hands. It is a work which often falls with crushing weight upon the clergyman, hampering him in his necessary reading, depriving him of the relaxation to which he has at least as just a claim as other men, and depressing his spirits and elasticity. It is necessary, however, that those who intend to undertake such work should precisely ascertain what is really the extent of what they can do, and should earnestly seek for the courage and wisdom requisite for the successful accomplishment of the task. It is a very unhappy circumstance when any one, in a moment of zeal,

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undertakes this duty, and in the time of lassitude and reaction practically abandons it. Here, as elsewhere, one must weigh the cost, and take forethought of that reaction which generally follows a heightened effort. I thank God that among really Christian people this duty is keenly felt, and there is an earnest attempt at its discharge. In his own very limited experience of London visitation among the poor, the writer has found men of fame and title helping the poor in their spiritual and temporal needs. There is also a good deal of tact and courtesy necessary. No person should intrude into private affairs, unless, indeed, he has been solicited for help, by questions which would be considered impertinent if put to an equal. On the other hand, never shrink, from delicacy or timidity, from saying the truth honestly and boldly as occasion serves. Some pious writers have said that the good of visits to the poor consists, not in their number or their duration, but in the amount of religious truth imparted. I shall diffidently venture to dissent from this. It should be indeed our highest and most constant effort to win souls to our loving Redeemer ; but the visit is by no means lost if the religious conversation be subordinate, or has not found a place; unless indeed-which would be greatly to be deplored-it has degenerated into frivolity. There is a healing, purifying power in association with a heavenly minded Christian, and many a poor man or woman hovering on the verge of sin has been saved