excellent gift of charity. St. Paul extols love; St. John exalts faith. Each shows his humility, and a spirit un-biased, for neither magnifies his own peculiar gift above the other. St. Paul's life, after he embraced Christianity, from his miraculous enlightenment to his tragical death, was continual conflict and peril. But the grief and the "peril among false brethren" was more painful than the cruelty of Nero. In the providence of God, St. John, though banished to Patmos, was permitted to return and die in peace, escaping the hands of the pitiless and fanatical Domitian. In the arms of love died the apostle of love, among his faithful followers-his "little children." He had "overcome the world." The prophets of old foretold the advent of Christ, and proclaimed Him "the Prince of Peace." But He said of Himself: "Think not that I came to send peace on the earth; I came not to send peace, but a sword." Strange words, and yet not strange; for those who know Christ best, realise most the deep and terrible truth of the mysterious parable. Sin and Satan,-the "strong man armed,"-has possession of "the house"-the heart of man-and there can be no peace till he is cast out, and Christ, the rightful owner, is in full occupancy. Alas! "the carnal mind"-the mind of the flesh-" is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither, indeed, can it be." Hence, then, if Christ must hold His rightful place in the heart, conflict with Satan and the world of sin is inevitable. And here let us notice

I. THE WARFARE. "Whatsoever is begotten of God, overcometh the world." But the warfare must be first waged. There is "the flesh lusting against the spirit, and the spirit against the flesh," in continual antagonism. The desire to do right, prompted by Christ, is met and opposed by the temptation to do wrong, prompted by the sinful allurements of the world. But "the world" must be "overcome," or "the world" will overcome" us.

""Tis vice, alas! disposes and prepares

The mind, that slumbers sweetly in her snares,
To stoop to tyranny's usurped command,
And bend her conquered neck beneath his hand."

Man is great indeed; endowed with noble powers; but still dependent on his great Creator. He walks in lofty pride, or lounges on in lewd indifference, and willingly forgets his God. The Christian's warfare, then, is a warfare

1. With "the world" of unbelief. "Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ, is begotten of God." This is the new birth of faith; as said St. Paul: "By grace are ye saved through faith." Unbelief is a sin of mighty magnitude. It hardens the heart now, as it hardened Pharoah's of old. It locks up the affections in the chilling regions of gloomy agnosticism, as an ice-bound ship in the Arctic seas. It blinds the eyes to the truest beauties of earth, and the glories of heaven. It deafens the ears to the music of the gospel of peace, and to the loving sounds of the Shepherd's winning voice. We have need, then, like St. Paul, to "fight the good fight of faith;" we have need, like St. James, to "contend earnestly for the faith once for all delivered to the saints." Not only must we war against the world of unbelief, but also

2. With "the world" of undutifulness. "For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments, and His commandments are not grievous." It is God's to command, it is ours to obey. Is it hard to obey? Are His commandments grievous? If so, the fire of love burns low. The warmth, the glow, is lacking. There is no burning zeal, there is no soaring faith. It is love that lightens labour, and inspires to cheerful duty. Watch the weak places, it is there the enemy will attack us. God's commandments are before us, let us do our duty. Wherever the allurement presents itself that would ensnare us, and steal away our love and service from God, let us not hesitate for a moment, but instantly exclaim, "Get thee behind me, Satan." How many Christians are wanting, lacking in this one thing! The way they know, the duty they know, but they fail in obedience. It is against unfaithfulness, undutifulness, that we are called, as Christians, to war an unyielding warfare. If this be the warfare, what are

II. THE WEAPONS ? warfare are not carnal."

St. Paul says: "The weapons of our

And St. John

And St. John says: "This is the victory

that overcometh the world, even our faith." It is faith that magnifies all other virtues of the soul, quickens the faltering footsteps, and cheers the drooping heart.

"However deep be the mysterious word,
However dark, she disbelieves it not:
Where reason would examine, faith obeys,

And, 'It is written,' answers every doubt."

Here, then, are the Christian's weapons

1. "Faith" and "the sword of the Spirit." This is the weapon wielded by Jesus Himself in His human nature, in those terrible days of temptation in the wilderness. With the "sword of the Spirit," the "Word of God," He frustrated all the assaults of His adversary. This, too, is the Christian's weapon, which he must fearlessly wield in every attack, whether it be from the world, the flesh, or the devil. To the soldier of Christ, this "sword" is a precious one. The "word" is the shining blade, and "faith" is the jewelled hilt whereby he wields it dexterously. That "word" is "the truth as it is in Jesus;" and on this rests the Christian's faith, as the hilt upon the sword. How precious and how mighty is that "truth." Another of the Christian's weapons

is

2. Faith and “fervent prayer." Prayer is the trusty weapon of every faithful soul. It brings hope in despair, light in darkness, joy in sorrow, peace in tumult, strength in weakness; its power is omnipotent. Patriarchs and prophets, apostles and martyrs rejoiced in its all-availing might. Who ever faithfully used this weapon in vain? By faith and fervent prayer what battles have been fought! What victories won! They have "subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness made strength, waxed valiant in war, turned to flight armies of aliens." It is true the warfare may be arduous, but the weapons are keen and powerful. May not our last thoughts, then, be of—

III.-THE WARRIORS. "Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God." "Whosoever

believeth that Jesus is the Christ, is begotten of God." The character of the warriors is here clearly set forth. They are "begotten of God," and they are believers "that Jesus is the Christ," the "Son of God." They are His followers, His soldiers. They are separated from the "world," they have joined that innumerable army, "the blessed company of all faithful people," and enlisted under the banner of Christ. Mark, then, their special characteristics here set forth. Being born of God, they

are

1. Regenerate. Sin is a disease which has corrupted the whole man, and infected the very inmost life of the soul. Hence we hear the Saviour saying to Nicodemus, "Marvel not that I said unto thee, ye must be born again." Regeneration, then, is an infusion of new life into the soul by the Holy Ghost. The old affections and lusts are eradicated, new desires are implanted, a "new heart" is given, and the regenerate man is become a "new creature" in Christ Jesus. Sceptics may scoff, but the "child of God," the Christian warrior, knows this to be a blessed, a glorious fact. Another characteristic is, that as believers in Jesus, they

are

2. Faithful. Each one, as a soldier of Christ, knows his duty, and it is his delight to obey. In the heat of the battle, in the thick of the fray, he is there, fighting against sin within and without. His lot may be cast amongst the lower ranks in poverty and toil, or his position may be in a higher grade, yet still his Captain's word is the law of his life. His password is, "Faithful unto death." And what then? What then! Why

through all he is—

3. Victorious. He has "overcome" the world. The glorious promise is: "Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life." By the grace of God he is enabled to be faithful unto the end, and the end is eternal life. The path has led "through much tribulation," but the end is "joy unspeakable, full of glory." Then away with doubts and fears! He who is for us is more than all who can be against us.

DERRYBRUSK RECTORY,

JOHN W. KAYE, M.A.

ENNISKILLEN.

Scenes at Philippi.

"AT MIDNIGHT," &c.-Acts xvi. 25-40.

PHILIPPI in Europe. The spot where Cæsar fought his great battle with Brutus and Cassius nearly a hundred years before. Look at preceding verses for occasion of their trouble and arrest. I-THE PREACHERS. "Paul and Silas." Two honoured servants of God on their first missionary tour in Europe.

(1) Their situation,—(a) “in the inner prison." (b) “Their feet fast in the stocks." Prison windowless and damp; stocks irritating and painful.

(2) Their devotion,-"prayed." Only a triumphant faith could have prayed in such a place.

(3) Their gratitude,-" sang." Not the requiem of departed hope, or the dirge of despair, but "praises unto God."

(4) Their noise,-"the prisoners heard them." Noise was no new thing to the prisoners. Groans, curses, threats, had often echoed through those gloomy corridors, but never until now did they echo the voice of prayer and praise. I wonder if any of those poor prisoners were converted who "heard" and saw the wonders of that night. Not at all improbable.

(5) Their deliverance. (a) Supernatural,—“a great earthquake." (b) Instantaneous,—" immediately all the doors were opened." (c) Complete, "every man's bands were loosed." Suddenly, interrupting both worshippers and listeners, a great rumbling commotion is heard, the old prison sways to and fro, every door flies open, and every chain falls off.

(1) His calling,—"keeper of the prison." The exciting scenes of the afternoon and evening had passed, and "at midnight" the jailor was lost in profound slumber.

(2) His surprise,—“ waking out of his sleep." Astonished alike at the swaying of the prison and the open doors.

(3) His dread,-" that the prisoners had fled." With all obstacles removed, nothing was more reasonable than to think