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affectionate, very fond, very loving, but devoid of spiritual interest in each other, of a solemn and holy love.

And how blessed a thing it is, if but one in such a home is wakened up, one St. Andrew brought to a closer communion with God, to a sincere and fruitful confession of Christ, whether that one be brought by some John Baptist, as it were, some messenger of Christ, or whether the Holy Ghost acts directly on his soul. What a mission lies before any such an awakened soul. We see at once his call, his office in the house; "a little leaven," rightly used, "leaveneth the whole lump," is designed to leaven it. The duty is plain, clear, urgent. That one member of the house, being quickened, has to turn the tide of natural affection into a spiritual channel; he has a work requiring all zeal, all discretion, all patience, all perseverance, all gentleness and firmness; a work daily, hourly to be carried on, directly or indirectly, by all manner of means and influences within reach; a work for which the knee is to be bent in constant persevering prayer, that the Spirit of Christ may be with it to bless and further it.

We see what the work is; I do not say it is plain how, or in what particular way the work is

to be carried out, in order to bring to Jesus those who are near his heart. The line of conduct is not always so clear or plain as that of St. Andrew. Much depends on the age, the position of him who desires to act upon the rest. If it is the father, for instance, then indeed his spiritual affection can be shewn in the most direct ways, as well as indirect; in precepts, in persuasions, in rules for the devotional management of the house, by example, by prayer, by open and hidden means. He is bound to take in every

thing a decided course, for he is set over the house by God; he has spiritual authority to support him; and as head he has a plain path along which both love and duty press him on.

But the way is not so plain in all particulars where the younger is the one who walks with God and would bring the elder to Jesus. How is such a one to prevail? Is there not risk of defeating the cause by over boldness? Is there not risk of speaking or acting too freely towards parents and elders, of being carried away by zeal? It is a trying path; and yet, if trying, only requiring the more carefulness, above all, the more prayer and intercession that God may be at hand to help and guide. Prayer at any rate is always within reach, and can always be

used. Where direct persuasion cannot be used or fails, prayer remains. This offered in secret and with unshaken faith, though often unanswered for a time, is very strong, while growth in per sonal holiness strengthens the prayers we make.

But though in some cases there may be greater difficulty in acting on the religious condition of kindred, and though it is impossible to mark out in detail beforehand, the particular course for each particular person, it is enough to say that, if any, themselves drawn to Christ, desire like St. Andrew to bring to Jesus unthinking kindred, ways and opportunities will not be wanting for carrying out so true a work of love. The way of influence will become plain, as we begin in earnest to tread it. And though, doubtless, in all godly tasks and offices there is the pressure of the Cross, things happening to damp, check, disappoint, dishearten, still if we have but faith, a firm unflinching heart, we shall gather our fruit at last. As it is appointed to man to earn his earthly bread by the sweat of his brow, so it is a law O Christ's kingdom, a condition of all who are of the militant Church, that with the sweat of the soul, with difficulty, with toil, good and great things are to be achieved. Success will not flow in upon us; we must, like our blessed Master, tread

the weary way of the Cross; and in winning souls to Him be prepared for toil of heart, before the glory of the harvest comes. The joy of St. Andrew will at last be ours, who found his own brother Peter and brought him to Jesus.

Not that the full joy or full blessedness of shewing Christian love towards our kindred is given to us on earth. Here it is a duty so to love; and like all duties, it often has its thorns, its trials, its rough places. Some part of the joy may fall on us to sweeten our spiritual toil and to give us heart, but the fulness of the joy is reserved for the life to come. And who can tell the rapture of the souls on that day when God makes up His jewels, were we to see standing by our side in the white raiment of the saints, crowned with glory, with everlasting joy upon their heads, a husband, a wife, a child, a father, a brother, whom our prayers, our watchings, our example, our various endeavours, were by God's great mercy the means of leading along the narrow way of life! Who can even imagine the transport, the excess of joy, that would rush upon the soul, and flood it, and almost overpower it at such a sight! Whatever the difficulty, whatever the trial now, how would that one moment wash from the memory all the care, anxiety, and strug

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gles, which we may now endure in toiling for our brethren's souls!

The festival of St. Andrew, then, seems to set before us the duty and the joy of shewing spiritual affection to our kindred. As it is the first of the Festivals of the Christian Year, so it seems fitly to urge us above all things to bestow a holy care upon those who dwell at home. "He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, ... and he brought him to Jesus." Let the fire of a holy love first burn at home, and how soon will it spread to them that are without! The very season, opening upon us, seems in an especial way to call us to new endeavours, new labours of love for our kindred's souls; the years are coming quickly round; we know not how long the earthly home will last. What is to be done, must be quickly done. The opportunities of influence will not wait for us; they are flying out of our hands. We know not how soon the circle will be broken, gaps made, seats emptied, kindly voices hushed, affectionate hearts stilled by death. We look on each other now; we gaze round the peaceful, it may be the happy group, the familiar faces, and all are there, child, wife, brother, the little one on the knee. God knows how long this will

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