OUTLINE LESSONS ON MORALS.

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CHARITY.

GRACE an all-embracing graciousness springing out of a loving unselfishness.

Read the description of it in 1 Cor. xiii.
Charity includes:-

Readiness to see the best in every one: "believeth all things "—give credit for the best intentions till we know to the contrary, even when appearances seem to tell against it-in acts, when they fail-in words, when they are capable of two interpretations -in manners under similar conditions. "Thinketh no evil."

Tenderness to others' feelings, even when we are annoyed-overcoming a temptation to say annoy. ing or hurting things; sympathy, putting one's self in the place of another and knowing how he would feel," is kind."

حمه

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Readiness to help: out of this springs the ordinary meaning of charity as between rich and poor. True" charity" of this kind is helping men to help themselves. Giving is not always charity. St. Paul: "Though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing."

Unselfishness: desiring others' good without thought of self. "Seeketh not her own."

Long-suffering: "is not easily provoked" (this is closely connected with the last), "suffereth long," bearing things one's self for the sake of others, or for the sake of saving others pain, and not letting others know that one suffers; "endureth all things," hardness, sorrow, repulse, etc., etc. "Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth." Lingering feeling of dissatisfaction when something turns out differently from what we prophesied, because we are proved wrong. Sincere rejoicing in the truth. "Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things." Patience, God's patience with us-letting us work out our own blind way-and muddle on with backslidings and mistakes, when it is all clear to Him. This is an instance, the greatest, of long-suffering. He lets us make mistakes, that we may learn and remember: like a child, who learns by experience; it is better to let him meet with little accidents and make mistakes than to tell him everything-he would not remember.

Readiness or openness of heart, which prepares the

way for all the deepest love of which we are capable. A genial receptiveness of spirit is the passive part of charity, and a genuine desire for all that is best and highest for all men is the active part. A genuine desire must be active, and try to bring about its own fulfilment.