t.

_Complacency?_--No; for this is the emotion excited by the
contemplation of merit and virtue, which turns away from sin and
deformity; and the sentiment denoted by our Master's words is one that
is not brought into existence by virtue, nor extinguished by demerit
and vice.

Since all these words fail, we are driven to speak of love, as Christ
used the word, as being the essence of the Divine nature, for God is
love. It is the indwelling of God in the soul. It is the transmitting
through our lives of that which we have received in fellowship with the
uncreated glory of the Divine Being. That which was in the beginning
between the Father and the Son; that which constrained our Emmanuel to
sojourn in this world of sin; that which inspired His sacrifice; that
which dwells perennially in His heart, vanquishing time and distance;
which overflows all expressions, and defies definition--is the love of
which these words speak, and which we are commanded to entertain toward
each other.

_It is a commandment_: "These things I command you." "This is His
commandment: that we should believe in the name of His Son Jesus
Christ, and love one another even as He gave us commandment."
Obviously, then, obedience must be possible. Christ had gauged our
nature not only as Creator, but by personal experience. He knew what
was in man. The possibilities of our nature were well within His
cognizance; therefore it must be possible for us to love one another
qualitatively, if not quantitatively, as He has loved us. Do not sit
down before this great command and say it is impossible; that were to
throw discredit on Him who spake it. Dare to believe that no word of
His is vain. He descries eminences of attainment which it is possible
for us all to reach: let us surrender ourselves to Him, that He should
fulfill in us His ideal, and make us experts in the science of love.

_It is a new commandment_.--Archbishop Ussher on a memorable occasion
called it the eleventh. It is recorded that having heard of the
simplicity and beauty of the ordering of Rutherford's home, he resolved
to visit it for himself. One Saturday night he arrived alone at the
Manse, and asked for entertainment over the next day. A simple but
hearty welcome was accorded him; and after partaking of the frugal
fare, he was invited to join the household in religious exercises which
ushered in the Lord's day.

"How many commandments are there?" the master asked his gu