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son: then, turning to the disciple He said, "Behold thy mother.” Oh, what tenderness was here! Could He have given stronger proof of His regard for John, than by committing to him the sacred trust of providing for the mother of the "one Mediator ?" Could He have shewn in a more convincing manner the confidence He felt in his character for constancy and kindness? Unquestionably not. The concluding act of His earthly friendship seemed to outweigh all that had gone before. Can we conceive for a moment, the feelings with which the humble John received the solemn charge? What earthly dignity or distinction could be compared with it? and yet, if we were wise, even we might have some faint idea of his sensations, by recollecting when called on to support the Lord's poor, who it was that said, "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”

For a Christian who believes himself saved by grace alone through Jesus Christ, it is a disinterested way of proving love for that Saviour, by ministering to the comfort and necessities of the needy. The diligent Dorcas was a lively illustration of this truth. We have abundant Scripture warrant for knowing that those who care for the poor (and especially those of the household of faith) are favoured of God. "He that hath

a bountiful eye shall be blessed, for he giveth of his bread to the poor." But the "bountiful eye" and "liberal soul" are not to be restricted to the wealthy. Jesus was a poor man, and His disciples were poor also, yet we find it was their custom to give something out of "the bag" for "the poor."

One more reflection arising from the subject of this chapter must not be omitted, suggesting, as it does, a powerful delineation from a perfect model of the friendship of a

son for his mother. Where, amongst all human ties, might friendship more naturally be looked for than in such a relationship as this? Jesus Himself taught it by precept and example; and young men, whenever tempted to neglect, despise, or desert their mothers, would do well to think of Him hanging on the cross in the agonies of death, yet remembering, honouring, and providing for His distressed and indigent mother. Ah! think of it, such sons, when the form which supported you in infancy and protected you in youth, bends under a weight of care, sickness, poverty, or age, then think of Jesus, and let the filial tenderness of an expiring Saviour write on your hearts with indelible distinctness, " The friendship of a son for his mother."

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IN treating on Friendship throughout this volume, care has been taken strictly to adhere to the meaning of that word, in its best and highest sense. Carnal intimacies, contracted for base or equivocal purposes, cannot properly be dignified with the cherished appellation of friendship; nor can the fickle attachments of a less criminal kind, which are ever floating on the surface of society, rightly lay claim to a title which describes, and is inseparably united with, all that is constant, faithful, and kind. Consequently, no selections have been made from

Scripture, of false friends, or affected friendships. He that is at enmity with God must lack the elements of friendship for man; and any spurious profession of the sort will never stand a text which inevitably leads to the exposure of its hollow and perishing pretensions. But there is one ingredient in the construction of friendship, which has only as yet been slightly touched on, and must not be allowed to escape attention. It is valuable and effective when used in a righteous spirit, and generally productive of beneficial and lasting results. Rebuke is the thing signified. "Rebuke a wise man and he will love thee;" but it must be a wise man. There is something in nature that recoils from rebuke. Self-love, self-esteem, and self-conceit are sadly lacerated by so wholesome an application—notwithstanding sometimes it is requisite, and in the end proves safe. The impetuosity of passion, density of ignorance, and restless spirit of

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