come." He also had said, "If two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them by my Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them."

JULY 19.-MORNING.

"And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark. But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work." ACTS xv. 37, 38.

WE have heard Paul's proposal to Barnabas to revisit together the scenes of their former travels and labour. Here we see the difficulty that occurred in the execution of it. The occasion of it was Mark; not Mark the evangelist, but John Mark. He was the son of the sister of Barnabas. When Barnabas and Paul carried alms from Antioch to Jerusalem, they brought this young man back with them; and when they were sent forth from Antioch to spread the Gospel, they also took him along with them. But when they came to Perga in Pamphylia, he left Paul and his uncle to pursue their journey, and returned to Jerusalem.

On the present occasion, Barnabas wished to take him again: but Paul was unwilling. Both had their reasons. Barnabas hoped he had been humbled for his fault, and that in this second excursion he would wipe off the disgrace of the first. Besides, he was his nephew and relative affection will often plead very hard. Paul reflected on our Lord's words; "No man having put his hand to the plough, and

looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God." He felt a very different spirit in himself; and deemed it right to notice a misconduct which, if tolerated in a public character, might be injurious by example. Perhaps both these good men erred a little; the one being too partial, the other too severe. But with regard to the young man himself, we may observe two things.

First, though we know not the particular reason for his delinquency; whether it was the attraction of home (for he had a mother living in Jerusalem), or the dread of difficulties and dangers in such a missionary life; he had done wrong in going back; and his declension not only affected his own reputation, but laid the ground of this disagreement and discord. How much depends often upon one mistake! We can never calculate the evils that may arise from it as to ourselves or others. Let us therefore walk circumspectly; and ponder the path of our feet, that our goings may be established.

Secondly, the severity of Paul and the kindness of Barnabas were probably blessed to him. It is certain that he acted a better part afterwards: for Paul had subsequently a good opinion of him; and was not backward to express it. Hence he says to Timothy, แ "Take Mark, and bring him with thee, for he is profitable to me for the ministry." "And Aristarchus my fellow-prisoner saluteth you, and Marcus, sister's son to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received commandments: if he come unto you, receive him.") Hence we infer-That we should be moderate in our censures. We may have cause to blame an individual; but we know not what he may become. He that is now like a bruised reed may prove like a cedar

in Lebanon; and he that is now only as smoking flax may flame for God, and kindle many others. We also learn-That those we have censured for their faults we should be forward to encourage and recommend upon their improvement. Many, when they have reflected upon a character, are delighted to find their reflections justified. This shews a littleness of mind and a vileness of heart. A man, in proportion as he is truly good and great, will be glad to learn that he was mistaken in his moral forebodings. "Charity rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth."

JULY 19.-EVENING.

"And the contention was sharp between them." ACTS xv. 39.

THIS was sad. Persons may differ, but agree to differ, leaving each other to be fully persuaded in their own mind. Abraham and Lot differed: but "Abraham said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be brethren." And the one nobly gave up; and peace was the reward. But here neither would yield; and "the contention was sharp between them." Good men are often less persuadable and manageable in disputes than others; and it is to be accounted for from their conscientiousness, and the greater importance they attach to their opinions. In these cases they may be, and very often are mistaken: but while they think the cause of truth, the advancement of religion, and the honour of God, are involved in the side they take, we need not wonder that they feel a kind of martyr-firmness as well as zeal. None of our pas

sions assume so much the pretence of rectitude as our anger: but when we are jealous for the Lord of hosts, what fervour and faithfulness should we not display! But the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. "The wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace."

Good men, and men eminently pious, have their infirmities and imperfections. Even Moses spake unadvisedly with his lips. Elias also was a man subject to like passions as we are. When Paul and Barnabas had healed the cripple at Lystra, and were in danger of being worshipped, they rent their clothes, and said, "Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you." And had these intentional idolators been now present, and witnessed this angry contention, they would have had proof of it; and have no longer said, "The gods are come down in the likeness of men." Many a sacrifice of praise and confidence that we are ready to offer to a fellow-creature would be spoiled by a little more intimacy with them-"He that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow."

Here we see, what we have many occasions to remark, the impartiality and fairness of the sacred writers. They give us no "faultless monsters;" but describe the failings as well as the excellences of the dearest servants of God. They are never afraid of the honour of religion on this account; neither should

we

But let us remember for what purpose such faults

are recorded in the Scriptures. It is not to render us careless in our walk, or to palliate our miscarriages; but to warn and admonish us. I am not to say, when irritated into asperity, "Why, Paul and Barnabas were hot and fierce too;" but to reflect on the weakness of human nature, and to learn my own. danger-"If such men erred, let me beware." "Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe." Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. Happy is the man that feareth always.

JULY 20.-MORNING.

"They departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark and sailed unto Cyprus; and Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God. And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches." ACTS xv. 39–41.

NOTHING could have been more unlikely or painful than this separation. Barnabas was of a most affectionate and tender disposition, and was called "the son of consolation." It was he that introduced Paul to the Christians at Jerusalem, and convinced them of his conversion when they were all afraid of him. They were peculiarly attached to each other. They had always been companions in travelling and preaching. How often had they taken sweet counsel together, and gone to the house of God in company! How frequently had they united in holy exercises! Like David and Jonathan, they were knit together in love, and seemed to have but one heart and one soul -Yet they differ, contend sharply, and part! Who has not said, in his haste, all men are liars!

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