The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1867-11-27
For THE CETNRAL PRESBYTERIAN.
Brotherly Love.
NO. II.

NJ. III. re@r
In my last / promised that this COM
munication should embrace description
of the nature of Brotherly Love-" And
in general terms | remark, that it must
be of precisely the same kind with that
which the Lord Jesus cherishes towards
his followers. His directions are, "As
| have loved you, that ye also love one
another y
Now what is the nature of Christ s
love to us?
I. He dwells with satisfaction, compla-
cency, and delight upon his image, as ne
sees it reflected from a Christians soul.
In this world, Christ never sees the
glory of his humanity fully illustrated in
the heart and life of any one of his dis
ciples. Even those saints who have made
the highest attachments in grace, feel
themselves to be very far short of the
measure of the Saviour's stature. The
chopped and broken waves never mirror
forth the clear heavens in the complete
distinctness of their outline, and in the
perfection of their tranquil beanty; and
the Christian, as long as his heart is dis
turbed by the presence of remaining cor
ruption, never shines forth before men in
all the unspeakable splendor that clothes
the throng around the throne. But every
stream unless saturated with the mud and
filth of earth, does to certain extent re-
feet the sky above it and the trees that
skirt its banks; and every Christian, to
to greater or less degree, bears upon his
heart the impress of his Saviour's like
ness.
That heart Jesus observes in its blem-
ishes as well as its graces. He notes the
dark as we'll as the bright spots,-the
traces of earth as well as the marks Of
heaven. But with forgiving love he blots
out the sins, and with holy delight he
dwells upon the graces.
Behold our example. Whenever we
discover Christian excellence, we must
recognize, and we must love it. 1t may
be associated with much that we cannot
approve, with much that Christian fdeli-
ty and candor will compel us to reproye,
with much that may mar the symmetry
of our brothers character, and lessen the
usefulness of our brothers life; but if in
the midst of surrounding darkness there
is one single spot that Jesus has irradi-
ated, we must contemplate it with satis-
faction and delight, and if with much
that is unlike the Gospel, there is one un.
mistakable Christian trait in the charac-
ter, we must love it. 1t may be found
in the nobler walks of life, dignifed by
such worthy names as those of Wilber-
force, or Lady Huntington; it may
dwell in lonely garret, familiar with
poverty and rags, with cold and hunger
or it may shine out from beueath ser.
wants garb and from skin of Ebony
but wherever we find it, we must love it
1t is our Masters image, we must prize
it. 1t is the likeness of our Saviour, VIZ
must admire and cherish it.
ii. Christ's love is one of boundless
sympathy.
We sometimes hearken to the whisper
ings of unbelief, ahd feel almost like or
phans in the wide world, all alone, friend
less, and homeless, with none to drop ;
tear over our suferings, or take melan
choly interest in our sorrows. But suc|
suggestions are from the great adversar.
of souls. There is an eye that neve
slumbers, heart that never grows cold