they and their employers were members of the same church, and sat down at the same sacramental table, and hoped to be associate angels in heaven, that therefore there should be great equality and perfect familiarity here. This is the wicked spirit of unsanctified ambition. It still exists, notwithstanding the reproof and warning it receives from the apostle. Says Paul," Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own master as worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed. And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them because they are brethren, but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit."

This spirit harmonises with all the arrangements of God. Each one moves in his own sphere calmly and happily, like the orbs of heaven. The employer and the employed regard each other with mutual confidence and affection, and there is the interchange of the most sincere kindness. These remarks apply to those relations in life which are consistent with the principles of the gospel-with that universal feeling of brotherhood which Christianity enjoins. The despot and the oppressor will find no apologist at the day of judgment. He who for Christ's sake has patiently endured wrong and outrage, will

then find his sorrows ended, while his oppressor must abide the decision of an offended God.

Christian reader, cultivate a friendly acquaintance with the humble members of the church. Greet them kindly when you meet them. In sickness and in sorrow visit them. Be tender of their feelings, and by unfailing benevolence secure their good will.

Are you in the humbler walks of life? Do not look with envy upon those who are above you in wealth or education, for this is censuring God. Improve your mind and add to your wealth as much as you can by honest industry, and be contented with your lot. With such a state of feeling in the church, dissension is but little to be feared. There will be a respect for each other's opinions, and a mutual spirit of conciliation which will ensure harmony of counsel.

It is often in the power of one stubborn individual to keep a whole church for months in a state of disquietude. He will set up his will against the prayerful decisions of the whole church. He will persist in fomenting strife, though he knows it is destroying harmony and happiness. It is astonishing to see how much of passion, and prejudice, and unfairness he will allow himself to exhibit. Such a man is a terrible curse to a church. The ingredients

of such a character are generally mortified pride, disappointed ambition, and self-confidence. He will deceive himself by supposing that he is contending for principle, when he is the victim of wilfulness. There

seems to be no access to his understanding or his heart. All appeals to his Christian feelings are in vain. The united opinion of all his brethren is nothing to him. The decision of the most devoted ministers of God deserves no regard. The destruction of the church, the grief of his brethren and sisters, the exultation of the foes of Christ, the ruin of many souls, are all of no mo ment in his eyes, compared with having his own will. A church can hardly suffer a more severe calamity than to have such a person in its enclosures.

A man of pious feelings and humble frame of mind will never place himself in such an attitude. If a decision is formed which to him appears incorrect, he will say, "Brethren, my opinion is different, but I am led to distrust my own opinion from the unanimity with which you have come to a different decision. I know that I am not infallible, and I shall therefore cordially acquiesce in the result to which you have come. Now who does not love such a spirit? Who is not compelled to love such a man? Suppose that it shall afterwards appear that this individual was right and

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the church were wrong, is there a single member of the church who would not be glad to take this brother by the hand and say, It would have been better for us if we had followed your opinion?" This is the spirit of mutual confidence and conciliation which should ever be cherished. There is no infallibility here on earth. is to be expected not only that individuals will entertain wrong opinions, but that the churches will occasionally decide in a way that will not be for the best. There must always be a greater or less diversity of opinion upon almost every question which can come before the church. And while every member should be ready frankly and kindly to express his own views, it should be the established and unalterable opinion of every one, not merely patiently to submit to the decision of the majority, but with the utmost cheerfulness and good feeling to acquiesce in that decision. Or if the circumstances of the case are so very peculiar that you feel that you cannot in conscience continue your relation with the church, remember that the other members have a conscience and rights as well as yourself, and ask for a letter of dismission in those courteous and respectful terms which will ensure a kind reply. This is the spirit of the gospel, and he who pursues a different course dishonours his Christian profession,

and brings calamity and sorrow to the cause of Christ. Members of the church of Christ, resolve that there shall be peace in your borders. Do any thing but sin to ensure this peace. Make any sacrifice of your own opinions and your own interests to promote harmony. Then will the time be near when the kingdom, and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High.

CHAPTER V.

YOUR NEIGHBOUR.

"WHAT kind of a man is the landlord with whom we lodge to-night?" said a gentleman to a stage-driver, as they were slowly ascending a hill in the interior of Maine. "He has one mark of a Christian," was the reply, "every body hates him."

And is it true that to be hated is one of the evidences of piety? The gospel enjoins integrity, generosity, humility, kindness, charity,-every thing that is lovely and of good report. And can the practice of these moral precepts secure the hatred of man