the same God, who is the Maker
of them all. (_b_) But especially in its worship is the Church a
common bond between _believers_. On one day of the week men of all
nations, kindreds, peoples and tongues, a multitude whom no man can
number, unite in spirit together. Their prayers and praises ascend in
unison to the Throne of Grace. They enter into the "communion of
saints." They belong to one holy fellowship. (_c_) At the table of
the Lord they take their places as partakers of one life--as one in
Christ. "The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion
of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the
communion of the body of Christ? For we being many are all partakers
of that one bread." (1 Cor. x. 16, 17.)

IV. The Church represents Christian Work.--It is not merely a society
for instruction or for the cultivation of devout feelings. It is an
aggressive society. Every congregation of believers is a branch of the
great army which is warring against the kingdom of darkness. Every
individual is called upon to be a "fellow-laborer with Christ," and not
merely to work out his own salvation, but to work for the salvation of
others. The motto of every true Christian Church should be, "Work for
everybody, and everybody at work." Those who may be able to do little
as isolated individuals may do much by combining their efforts with
those of others. The Church gives them the power and the opportunity.

We may now glance at some of the special duties incumbent upon those
who are connected with the Church, and particularly upon young men.

1. We should be regular in availing ourselves of the means of grace
which the Church affords. If it be the home of worship, of teaching,
of fellowship, and of work, it is a home from which we should not make
ourselves strangers. There is a blessing to be found there, and we are
remiss if we do not seek it. Every young man should be a regular
attendant on the ministrations of religion. He should be so (_a_) for
his own sake, and (_b_) for the sake of others. He may perhaps have at
times the feeling, I can get my worship in the fields and my teaching
from my books; I can get along without the Church. But surely he
undervalues the promised blessing to those who "forsake not the
assembling of (themselves) together." Surely he undervalues the power,
and strength, and comfort, that come from association with believers.
But even if he could get on wit