August 13

The rest of my fellow-workers, whose names are in the Book of Life, — Phil. iv. 3.

Paul was as gentle as he was strong. Winsome courtesy and
Aust 13.

delicate considerateness lay in his character, in beautiful union

with fiery impetuosity and undaunted tenacity of conviction. We have

here a remarkable instance of his quick apprehension of the possible efifects

of his words, and of his nervous anxiety not to wound even unreasonable

susceptibilities.

He had had occasion to mention three of his fellow-workers, and he wishes to associate with them others whom he does not purpose to name. Lest any of these should be ofifended by the omission, he soothes them with this graceful, half-apologetic reminder that their names are inscribed on a better page than his. It is as if he had said, “Do not mind though I do not mention you individually. You can well afford to be anonymous in my letter since your names are inscribed in the Book of Life.”

There is a consolation for obscure good people, who need not expect to live except in two or three loving hearts; and whose names will only be preserved on mouldering tombstones, that will convey no idea to the reader. We may well dispense with other commemoration if we have this.

It is hard to realise the essentially individualising and isolating character of our relation to Jesus Christ. But we shall never come to the heart of the blessedness and the power of His Gospel unless we translate all “us “-es and” everyones “and” worlds “in Scripture into” I “and” me,” and can say not only He gives Himself to be “the propitiation for the sins of the whole world,” but “He loved me and gave Himself for me.’’’ The same individuilising love which is manifested in that mighty universal Atonement, if we rightly understand it, is manifested in all His dealings with us. One by one we come under His notice; the Shepherd tells His sheep singly as they pass out through the gate or into the fold. He knows them all by name. “I have called thee by INIy name; thou art Mine.”

Lift up your eyes and behold who made all these — the countless host of the nightly stars. The nebulae to our eyes are blazing suns and planets to His. “He telleth the number of the stars; He calleth them all by name by the greatness of His power, for that He is strong in might; not one faileth.” So we may nestle in the protection of His hand, sure of a separate place in His knowledge and His heart.