illustration that is very pertinent to our theme. It had been predicted before the time of our Savior that the Messiah would cause the offering of sacrifices to cease, and this took place among both Jews and Gentiles. During the life of Jesus, however, the practice continued, and he takes an illustration from it: "If thou bring thy gift to the altar and there rememberest that thy brother hath aught against thee; leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift." The reconciliation with the offended brother and the act of justice by which the reconciliation may be effected are of such importance, and require such haste, that the religious act of offering a sacrifice, even if begun, should be held in suspense till the reconciliation can be accomplished. "Agree with thine adversary quickly."

The purpose of this illustration is, doubtless, as just stated, but it suggests also a question as to sacrifices to the cause of religion where creditors are likely to be embarrassed or endangered, and probably angered. I have read an exhortation which, as I remember

it, began with, "God is the greatest of your creditors. Pay him first, and he will help you to pay the others." But the word of the Master, "First be reconciled to thy brother," is sufficient for me.

From the fact that the Golden Rule, "Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them," is followed by the words, "For this is the law and the prophets," we do not infer that acts of religion are excluded, or are to be neglected; but the adjustment of our relation to our fellow-men is certainly made very prominent.

It is not my purpose to enter into a general discussion of the Sermon on the Mount, but I note that at its close all these instructions are made intensely practical. They are not words spoken for entertainment, nor as themes for meditation. They are to be the rule of life from which the disciple may not "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven." "Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man

turn:

which built his house upon a rock." "And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand."

Elsewhere the disciple is taught that acts of kindness, such as feeding the hungry and clothing the naked, indicating character, shall at last determine his destiny.

Unspeakable evil has come through overreaching political ambition, and ecclesiastical ambition is of near kin to political ambition. Owing to the misconception of the disciples in supposing Jesus would establish an earthly kingdom, the two were combined in the aspirations which at times manifested themselves in the little group of apostles. (Matthew xx, 20, 21; also 24, 25, 26, 27, 28.) "Then came to him the mother of Zebedee's children with her sons, worshiping him, and desiring a certain thing of him. And he saith unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand and the other on the left, in thy kingdom." "And when the ten heard it they were moved with indigna

tion against the two brethren. But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them [some have translated this passage, lord it over them]. But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister: and whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister and to give his life a ransom for many."

On another occasion (Matthew xviii, 1, 2, 3, 4) the disciples came to Jesus, asking: "Who is greatest in the kingdom of heaven? And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, and said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven."

Colonel Ingersoll, commenting on this passage in "What must we do to be saved?"

says: "I do not wonder that a reformer in his day, that met the scribes and Pharisees and hypocrites-I do not wonder that he at last turned to children, and said, Except ye become as little children. I do not wonder; and yet, see what children the children of God have been! What an interesting, dimpled darling John Calvin was! (Laughter and applause.) Think of that prattling babe known as Jonathan Edwards! Think of the infants who invented the Inquisition! (Laughter.) That invented instruments of torture to tear human flesh! They were the ones who had become as little children."

What of extenuation or excuse there may have been in the surroundings of these men, and in the periods in which they lived, I do not care at present to inquire. What is more important to me is, that these men, having gone to their account, whether it be good or bad, the teaching of Jesus continues to be, what it was before, something to be appreciated, admired, and followed.

From my youth up I have heard criticisms on those who did not faithfully follow the instructions of Jesus, in which the critic ap