intercourse of society. The best expression of our love to God, is the love of man, who is the creature of God, who bears his image, and who is the object of his continual favour and regard. This duty is enjoined on us by the particular command, and animating example of Christ; by whom it is made the distinguishing badge of the Christian profession; and who instituted the holy communion to be a bond of love and unity among his followers. The primitive Christians were so eminent for this virtue, that it became the current remark of the heathen-behold how these Christians love one another. Q. What are the characteristics of Christian charity? A. Christian charity should be universal, extending to all mankind; it should be sincere, solid, and substantial, leading us to unwearied exertions to advance the temporal and spiritual happiness of our fellow men. The Devotions for St. John the Evangelist's Day. THIS is the favourite disciple who leaned on our Lord's breast at his last supper, and to whom were revealed the secrets of heaven. This is he, in whom meet all those glorious titles of Apostle, Evangelist, Prophet, and Confessor. This is he, who, above all those glorious titles, delights in this one, incomparably greater than they all-the disciple whom Jesus loved. He alone had the sympathy and courage to assist at the cross the mourning mother of Jesus; he alone had the glory to hear himself and her bequeathed to one another as mother and son. O GOD, by the prerogative of whose special grace the blessed apostle St. John obtained the trancendent title of the beloved of his Master, and afterwards became the great teacher of charity throughout the world! grant, we beseech thee, that his sacred memory may excite us to attain the same purity of body and mind, the same steady love of thee, and sincere charity one for another; that so we may possess a humble claim to the same blessed title, the beloved of our Master; and share in its happy consequences, thy grace here, and thy glory hereafter; through Jesus Christ thy Son, who liveth and reigneth, one God, with thee and the Holy Ghost, world without end. Amen. [Add the Collect for the Day.] .. CHAPTER VIII. THE HOLY INNOCENTS, A FESTIVAL. WHAT festival does the Church celebrate this day? A. The Church this day celebrates the martyrdom of the Holy Innocents; who suffered for Christ, and glorified God by their deaths. It having been the sense of the Church that they died the death of martyrs, though incapable of making the choice; God having supplied the defects of the will by his own acceptance of the suffering. Q. What have you to observe in regard to the epistle and gospel for the day? A. The gospel contains the history of the martyrdom of the Innocents. The epistle describes the glorious state of those and the like Innocents in heaven. Q. What was the occasion of the death of these Infants? A. Herod, alarmed with the inquiry of the wise men from the East, (q) and apprehending his own kingdom might be in danger from him who was born king of the Jews, endeavours at first, under a pretence of worshipping the Saviour, to get him into his power.(r) But the wise men being warned of God in a dream, after they had been at Bethlehem, did not return to Herod, but went to their own country another way.(s) Enraged at this disappointment, Herod sent forth and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, (t) under the hope of involving the young child Jesus in this destruction. This massacre of the infants is mentioned by a heathen historian.(v) Q. How did our blessed Saviour escape this bloody design of Herod? A. Joseph, at the command of God, by the ministration of an angel, took the young child and his mother by night, and fled into Egypt, (u) where they remained till they were by the angel informed of the death of Herod, and commanded to return into the land of Israel.(w) Q. Where did our Saviour dwell on his return from Egypt? A. Our Saviour, on his return from Egypt, dwelt at Nazareth, (x) thus fulfilling the prophecy that he should be called a Nazarene; which name was applied to his as a name of infamy by the unbelieving Jews. and Gentiles; Nazareth being reputed a contemptible city, out of which no good thing could come.(y) Q. What punishment did Herod suffer for his cruelty? A. The signal vengeance of God was inflicted upon Herod, who for his cruelty was smitten with many plagues and tortures.(z) Q. Ought not God in his Almighty providence to have prevented the destruction of these innocent children? A. It does not become frail and finite man to ar q Matt, ii. s Matt. ii. 12. Macrobius, lib. ii, c. 4.. w Matt. ii. 19%. y John i. 46. r Matt. ii. 8. Matt. ii. 16. u Matt. ii. 13, 14. x Matt. ii. 23. Josephus, lib. xvii. c. 8. raign the proceedings of the infinitely wise and good Sovereign of the universe. The death of these children was made by God the instrument of their glory, they being thus delivered from the miseries of life, and crowned with the high rewards of martyrdom. Q. What may we learn from this festival? A. Herod, under the pretence of worshipping Jesus, sought his destruction: hence we may learn, that religion is sometimes used as a cloak for ambitious and worldly designs. Since innocent children were made a sacrifice to the ambition of a cruel tyrant, we may learn, that suffering and affliction are not always proofs of guilt, but, on the contrary, are sometimes the marks of God's favour. The recollection that the same Almighty Providence which rescued Jesus from the cruel purposes of Herod, is ready to succour and defend us in difficulty and danger, should inspire us with confidence and hope. On this holy festival, our minds should be led to the contemplation of the temper and disposition of innocent children, of whom, says our Saviour, is the kingdom of God.(a) Q. Wherein consists that temper of mind which our Saviour commends when he enjoins us to become like unto little children? 4. This temper of mind consists in humility and lowliness; in a total submission to the will of God; in an entire dependence upon him; and in a holy contempt of the riches, honours, and pleasures of this world. Q. Wherein consists this humility and lowliness of mind? A. This humility and lowliness of mind consists in the true knowledge and sense of our weak and sinful condition; and in a profound sense of our obligations to God for those divine succours by which alone we are enabled to serve him. It will lead us to bear with patience contumely and insult; it will prevent us from being too much elated or influenced by a Luke xviii. 16, the praises of inen; knowing that the approbation of God alone can give us solid comfort, and that a sense of duty to him should be the governing principle of our conduct. Q. Wherein consists the submission of a Christian? A. The virtue of submission consists in a firm persuasion of mind, that nothing happens to us but by the will and permission of God; that he loves us better than we do ourselves, and knows the best methods. of making us happy; and that therefore we should reverently and cheerfully acquiesce in all his dispensations, however they may thwart those schemes of happiness which we may have formed. Q. Wherein consists the duty of dependence upon God? A. Dependence upon God will lead us firmly to che rish the firm belief, that the power and goodness of God will rescue us from the dangers and difficulties. which assail us; or will support us under them; or over-rule them to our advantage. Q. Wherein consists the contempt of the world? A. A contempt of the world will lead us to regard all worldly enjoyments as unworthy of our attention, when compared with the enduring and satisfying happiness of heaven. This virtue will lead us to be content with that portion of the good things of this life which providence may assign us; without purchasing the enjoyment of worldly goods, by the commission of any sin; without being anxiously concerned for the increase of them, or extremely depressed when we are deprived of them. Mindful that our portion is not in the pleasures of this world, but in the happiness of the next, we shall enjoy in moderation those innocent gratifications which the bounty of providence may have put in our power. Ever remembering that our blessed Master passed a life of self-denial, suffering, and sorrow, the view of him will arm us with patience and constancy under the deprivation of worldly comfort and the heavy pressure of affliction. And steadily fixing our hearts on |