the Gospel; and claims from the Corinthians, on that very account, a return of filial love and affection to which he considered no others so fully entitled as himself. For though, as he strikingly observes, they had ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet had they not many fathers; for in Christ Jesus he had begot ten them through the Gospel. To Philemon he makes a similar remark, when pleading for Onesimus. And here I can hardly avoid noticing the remarkable manner in which he recommends Onesimus to his master's affection. The Apostle calls him a brother beloved, especially to him self, who had begotten him in his bonds; but adds, how much more to thee, both in the flesh and in the Lord.

If we love Christ, we also love all his followers. We are not to despise the poor, or him that is weak in the faith. We are bound to manifest our love to all, in the several ways pointed out in the Gospel, according as circumstances require; and are to be ready to lay down our lives, if necessary, for the breth

ren.

I shall now mention some particular reasons, why Christians ought to love one another.

1. Christians should love one another on account of their like ness to Christ. All Christians do, in some degree, bear his image. They are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works They are created after God, i. e. after the likeness of God, in righteousness and true holiness. The design of God in their election, was to conform them to the image of his Son. Hence it is said, Whom

he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son. And, According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love. Indeed, then only do we properly represent the religion of the holy Jesus, when we shew forth his character in our lives and conduct. The Gospel has al ways a holy tendency; for the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared unto all men, teaching us, that denying ungodliness and wordly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the world. The saints should love all who passess this character and exhibit this conduct, because they are in some degree like Christ. Doubtless there are many degrees, or modifications, of love. The blessed God is the fountain of all perfection: and from him springs every excellent disposition which is to be found either in men, or angels. He therefore claims our supreme affection. Next to him the saints in general, and those in particular, who are the most like him, are entitied to a share in our love.

2. The saints should love one another on account of the fellowship which they have in one another's sufferings and joys. This is beautifully expressed by the Apostle: Whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honored, all the members rejoice with it.

None of the followers of Christ are exempt from suffering; and all their sufferings are from sin, Satan, and the world. These are their common enemies, and

Every

them, is indissoluble. other relationship among men will be dissolved; but their's will last to all eternity. They are strangers and pilgrims here below, and are journeying to their Father's house, where they will soon arrive.

The saints on earth and those in heaven make but one family; and, though separated for a while, yet they will all meet at last, in their heavenly Father's house, to part no more. What though they have many trials to endure, many snares to escape, and many tempations to overcome, yet Christ their Almighty Savior will finally bring them to those mansions, which he has gone before to prepare for them in his Father's house, that where he is, there they, as his brethren, may be also.

And as they are brethren of one family, so also are they members of that spiritual body, of which Christ is the head. So intimate is the union between Christ and believers, that they are called one body. Ye are the Body of Christ and members in particular. For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body being many, are one body, su also is Christ If true Christians are so nearly related to each other, as to make but one body, of which Christ is the head, nothing can be more reasonable, than that they should tenderly and affectionately love one another.

Omitting other reasons, which might be assigned, why Chris tians should love one another, 1 would urge them to do all in their power to promote each other's welfare.

That this is their duty, may be inferred from what has been said above. And it is written; Look not every one on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus. Our Savior ever sought the welfare of mankind. A selfish spirit is incompatible with that of the Gospel; for it. is the very opposite to that of Christ Jesus Whoever has not

a heart to seek and pursue the peace and prosperity of the Church, and the good of his neighbors, and especially of those who belong to the household' of faith, is destitute of true faith in Christ, whatever may be his pretensions. Every professed Christian, who is under the influence of corrupt motives, causes divisions in the church, is a self-seeker, or a self-admirer, is yet in the gail of bitterness and bond of iniquity.

All the good or the evil that is done to his followers, Christ considers as done to himself. This is plain from the account which he gives us of the process at the final judgment. Then shall the Judge say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom: prepared for you from the Joundation of the world. For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye guve me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:-Verily I say unto you, inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto ME. Then shall he say also unto them on his left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his

angels; for I was an hungered, and ye gave me no meat: I was Thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: Verily I say unto you, inasmuch as ye did it not unio one of the Least of these, ye did it not to ME. E. S.

For the Panoplist.

CONCERT OF PRAYER.

Ir is known to the religious public, that the first Monday evening in every month is observed, as a season of special and united prayer for missionaries, by many Christians in Europe, by some in America, and by the missionaries, their families, and congregations, in Asia and Africa. That the number of pious persons, who regularly unite in this concert, should be as great as possible, is certainly desirable. Christians will do well to consider, whether they can spend that evening more usefully in reference to their own spiritual improvement, or more beneficially to the cause of Christ, than by swelling the multitude of those, who are then with one heart, though in far distant places, and in different languages, earnestly beseeching their heavenly Father to send his Gospel to the heathen, and cause it to be received by all nations.

It has been contemplated by some pastors and members of our churches to establish a co

cert of prayer for our nation, now suffering under a great calamity; a concert in which the pious should intercede for our guilty tand, confess our national sins, and supplicate a return of

peace, a reformation of morals, and a general revival of religion.

Why cannot all these objects be united in one concert, to be held at the time above-mentioned? That the objects are important no one will question; that they are such as all Christians can join in promoting, is equally clear. The thought of concert in prayer is peculiarly pleasing, and tends powerfully to excite devotional feelings Should such a plan as is here hinted at go into operation, the topics can be arranged in some such manner as the following; viz.

1. Prayer for the heathen;that missionaries may speedily be sent into all the unevangelized regions of the earth;—that a great and effectual door may be opened for their labors;—that they may be faithful and laborious men, suitably qualified for their station, and largely endowed with the spirit of Christ;that all, who have the direction of missionaries, may have wisdom to discern the fittest places for immediate action, and zeal to discharge their duties without wavering or fainting, and with steadfast faith in Christ, as the great Patron of missionary exertions.

1

2. Prayer for our own country; that peace may be speedily restored, and, if restored speedily, that it inay be followed by proofs of national gratitude; that the effect of public calamities may be a thorough reformation; that the Sabbath may be kept holy, profaneness and other immoralities cease, all charitable and public-spirited designs prosper, the means of grace be dingently used, and the renewing, reireshing, and sancti