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 for them, he will give him goods upon credit. If a child believes his parent will punish him for doing mischief, he will keep out of it. 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. The 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 which overcomes the world. "This is the victory 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

t

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 warand our progress will be in proportion to our

fare; 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. And this will serve as an introduction to the more particular consideration of the various Christian duties.

CHAPTER IV.

ON THE READING AND STUDY OF THE HOLY SCRIPTURES.

"Search the Scriptures."- JOHN V. 39.

I AM persuaded that my readers will feel deeply interested in the subject of this chapter; for, to a child of God, nothing is so precious as the volume of inspiration. It is like rubies in a case of gold. That which is most valuable for practical use lies on the surface; while every examination discovers new gems of surpassing excellence and surprising beauty.

There is this difference between the devotional reading and the thorough study of the Holy Scriptures, that the object of the former is to affect the heart, while that of the latter is chiefly to inform the understanding. Although this blessed book should never be used without practical application, yet, when all the powers of the mind are taxed to ascertain the critical meaning of the text, there is less opportunity for the exercise of the affections than when the mind is suffered simply to dwell upon obvious truth. For the systematic study of the Bible, portions of time should be set apart, if possible, separate from our regular seasons of devotion, or perhaps immediately after. For

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SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES.

the former, a small portion should be selected from the more practical and devotional parts of the Bible.

We are commanded to search the Scriptures. Searching is a difficult and laborious work. To induce us to engage in it, we must have a strong desire for something valuable. Here is a treasure of sufficient value to call forth this desire. This blessed book contains the revealed will of God. All who love God will be anxious to know his will. They will make it the rule of their conduct. "Thy word," says the Psalmist, "is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." The will of God, as made known in his word, is like a lantern, which sheds a light on our path, and directs the steps of our feet. The sincere Christian will search after a knowledge of God's will with more eagerness than he would search for hidden treasures of gold and silver. He will set his heart to the work. This is what God commands. After Moses had given the law of God to the children of Israel, he said to them, "Set your hearts unto all the words which I testify among you this day." This is a very strong expression. To set our hearts to any work is to go about it in earnest, with all the energies of our souls. Again, when we make great search for any thing we very much desire and highly prize, and find it, we are very likely to keep it. Hence David says, "Thy word have I hid in my heart." But mark the reason of his conduct. Why did he hide God's word in his heart? He explains his motive: "That I might