more blessed to give than to receive," that giving is not a duty simply, but a peculiar privilege. But so little is this realized by many, that no matter what the interest, or moral grandeur, or indispensableness of the object, it is only after manifold persuasion and pressure they contribute of their means. Manifestly, giving in such a spirit, however large the amount, has little or no acceptability; for it is expressly written, "Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver." This in a pre-eminent degree is His own character; hence the reasoning of the Apostle: "He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?" In this, it should be our constant aim to be lowly and grateful imitators of our Father in heaven. As he gives ungrudgingly and largely, so should we, in so far as our creature nature admits, and as the Lord prospers. "Largely thou givest, gracious Lord; Is Freely give;' He only who forgets to hoard Has learned to live." It is told of the excellent Mrs. Graham of New York, that when on one occasion £1000 came unexpectedly into her possession, she immediately said, "Quick! quick! let me appropriate the tenth before my heart grows hard.” And forthwith the money was sent to Mr. Mason, in aid of the fund he was collecting for the establishment of a theological seminary. Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring me an offering: of every man that giveth it willingly with his heart ye shall take my offering.—— Ex. xxv. 2, He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor.-PROV. xxii. 9. There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty. The liberal soul shall be made fat; and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.-PROV. xi. 24, 25. W December 9. THE INCURABLE CURED. E read in the Gospels of a woman who had been so long and to all appearance so hopelessly ill, that she was deemed by every one to be utterly incurable. Probably this was also her own view; for though for twelve long years she had consulted every physician and tried every remedy, she was yet nothing bettered, but rather grew worse. Hearing, however, of Jesus of Nazareth, and of all the wonderful cures he had wrought, she felt convinced that though all others had failed, he could heal her. Nor was her trustful confidence put to shame. While her faith, however, in one aspect of it, was so strong that she felt sure that even the very slightest touch would draw forth healing virtue, yet in another it was extremely weak. It was so, because it rested only on one part of our Lord's perfections. She had no misgivings about the power of Christ, but was slow of heart to believe in his love and grace. Accordingly, as if Christ might grudge the needed blessing, and so frown her away, she tried to come secretly, and with stealthy touch obtain a cure. Yet so gracious is the Lord that, imperfect as her faith was, it proved effectually operative, and brought healing at once to body and soul. How strange that any should doubt the Saviour's willingness, after all the marvellous proofs he has given of forgiving mercy and unchanging love! Where is the penitent he ever rejected, or the returning prodigal he ever repelled? It is a blessed thing to know that when once healed we are healed for ever, and united indissolubly to the divine Healer himself. A hope like this not only sweetens life, but can flood with light and gladness even the dark valley itself. Some years ago a visitor said to a poor wounded soldier, who lay dying in the hospital, “What Church are you of?" "Of the Church of Christ," he replied. "I mean, what persuasion are you of?" "Persuasion," said the dying man, as he looked heavenward, beaming with love to the Saviour; "I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, shall be able to separate me from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus." None should rest contented with any hope less sure or bright. Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee.-MATT. ix. 2. The blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord. Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you.-MATT. ix. 28, 29. Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.-MARK ix. 23, 24. He said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.-LUKE vii. 50. ΟΝ December 10. SOME BELIEVE, BUT FAIL TO CONFESS. N the occasion when our Lord looked round and said, Who touched me?" it could not possibly have been for mere information that the question was put; for nothing either of the outward history of the woman who touched, or of her inward conflict, was hid from him. Why, then, was the inquiry made? It was just because, though he knew all that was passing in her mind, and rejoiced in it, none else knew, not even the disciples: indeed, so little were they aware of what had taken place, that in all likelihood their eye never once lighted on the woman, and of her disease and healing alike they were wholly ignorant. The inquiry, however, brought all to light; for though at first almost speechless through fear, the woman at length, falling down before him, told all the truth. This was the very thing the Lord designed to bring about. She would have been satisfied with mere secret discipleship; but the Lord demanded open confession, not merely for her own sake, but specially for the benefit of others. Doubtless among the afflicted in the crowd that gathered round Jesus, there were some longing for healing, yet afraid of a repulse; others desiring a cure, but doubtful as to his ability. If so, what could be more encouraging to them than the blessed and declared experience of that healed, saved, and joyous woman. Might they not well say, If she has found healing, why may not we? A still further reason for the Lord's inquiry was to bring grace to maturity. Though the woman had real grace when she touched Christ, yet it was feeble and undeveloped. She was imperfectly acquainted with Christ's real character and her own duty; but this questioning tended to correct all this. It enabled her to see what she had never clearly seen before, the goodness as well as the greatness of Christ, and to cast off her false shame, and openly and lovingly confess the Lord. They are blessed, indeed, who not only get grace, but year by year grow in grace. Some time ago a saintly old man was carried out from a dark alley where there had been a great fire, his hands severely scorched and his clothes terribly torn. A sweet expression of satisfaction was on his countenance. He rested a minute, and then lifting up his burned hands, and with eyes upturned to heaven, he exclaimed, “I thank God that I have something up yonder that cannot burn." Soon after, he breathed his last on earth, and departed to be with Christ, which is far better. Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee. And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel.-MARK v. 19, 20. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free Spirit. Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.-Ps. li. 12, 13. Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul.-Ps. lxvi. 16. December 11. TRUE HOLINESS IS A THING OF DETAIL AS WELL AS OF WE GENERALITY. HEN men are thoroughly under the mastery of evil, sin shows itself in endless detail-in thought, in desire, in purpose, in action-and in all the varied relationships of life. And so must it be with all who come under the influence of grace. Holiness must be a thing of particulars with them as well as of general principles, and be seen not in worship only, or in emotion, or in utterance, |