we see three suns, a sun in the
heaven, a sun in the glass, and a sun in the water, which proceeds from
both;--and this assists us to understand how the Son of God is of the
Father, and the Holy Ghost is of the Father, and of the Son, and how that
each is God, and yet that there are not three Gods, but one God. But,
after all, the doctrine of the Holy Trinity is a matter of Faith, and not
of Reason. We must believe, though we cannot understand.

SUBJECT.--In this Holy Trinity of Persons there is perfect unity
existing, an unity of substance, an unity of Godhead, an unity of
perfection, an unity of love.

And on earth, among men, there should be unity. "Be ye perfect," said
our Lord, "even as your Father which is in Heaven is perfect." The
Father is love, the Son is love, and the Holy Ghost is the love of the
Father and of the Son, and this love requires the same of us--even love,
or unity.

This is what God wills on earth, our living unity, even as it exists in
Heaven between the Three Persons of the glorious Trinity.

But there are three great hindrances to Christian Unity.

I. _Selfishness_. Each man seeks his own interest, not the general
interest. Let his own selfish interests be touched, and all concord is
at an end. Look at two little dogs playing together, they put their paws
on each other's shoulders, and dance round each other, and roll each
other over, and are full of affectionate play. Throw them a bone, and it
is a true bone of contention at once. All their affection is dead, and
they are fighting each other for the bone. It is the same with men, they
are perfectly friendly with each other so long as no little bone comes in
the way--some little money matter--and then there is no end to the
snarling and snapping and growling. How often it is that the dearest
friends fall out about money! This has been so often noticed that it has
become a common saying, "Have no money dealings with your friend." Even
near relations become bitter, and are estranged, over some provision in a
will. All this arises from self-seeking. Each cares for himself, and
not for others.

Now look at the Holy Trinity. The Three Persons share in equal Power,
Majesty, and Eternity. The Father commits all power unto the Son, the
Son gives all honour to the Father, the Son gives over to the Holy Ghost
the government of His Church. The Father shares with the Son and the
Holy Ghost the Divine nature, wisdom, and glory.