Commune with men, not the men of a single idea, or the creatures of some one profession, but those who have the world crowded into their souls, and life speaking through their language. Cultivate an acquaintance with the great past, whether it open to you the cave of the 'golden-mouthed' at Antioch, or ride over the prophet's battle-field at Mecca, or come swelling up in organ-tones from the English cathedral. Study philosophically that myriad-minded man, the great dramatist. Learn theology whether it burns on the brow of Lear, or laughs under the coxcomb of his fool. Behold your own system of belief, that in which you were baptized in infancy, which you professed before angels in manhood, which you hope to preach to old age, behold it speaking out in the unconscious developments of genius, and value it none the less that it comes not from a catechism, but from a play. Chiefly imbibe the dramatic spirit of the bible, and dwell on its great eternal themes till your own souls are won to a true fellowship. Above all, be yourselves men, not a monk peeping out upon the world through the dim lattice of a cloister; not an owl dismal and sullen in the sunshine of existence. Be a man-acting, loving, living, with a sympathy for souls weighing upon your hearts, beaming from your eyes, burning in your speech. So may you hope to obtain what a great orator has called, "not eloquence merely, but action, noble, sublime, godlike action.". SERMON I. INFLUENCE OF FAMILIARITY WITH RELIGIOUS A PROPHET IS NOT WITHOUT Honor, save in his own country, and IN HIS OWN HOUSE.-Matthew 13: 57, THAT must have been an impressive scene, when Jesus first stood up to teach in the synagogue of his native city. Nearly a year before, he had left his kindred to go up to Jerusalem. During that absence, he had received the seal of water from the hand of the Baptist, and witnessed the descent of the Heavenly Dove with its voice of confirmation. He had met Satan in the wilderness, and achieved a victory never before accomplished by man. In the spirit and power of a prophet, he had purged the temple at Jerusalem of its impurities. He had journeyed through Samaria dispensing his miraculous favors, and by his wisdom and his eloquence bringing multitudes to the truth. Allured by those social attachments to which his heart was by no means a stranger, he comes back to revisit the scenes of his childhood. He had left them a poor man's son; he returns in the power of the Holy Ghost. Pale and worn with his spiritual conflicts, yet animated by the success of his past labors, and enthusiastic in the consciousness of his divine mission, "he stands up in the synagogue for to read." "And the eyes of all them that were in the house were fastened on him." What now was the question with which this impressive silence was broken? What could they say to rid themselves of the impression of his short but thrilling discourse? "Is not this Joseph's son ?" And supposing that there was arrogance in his pretensions, they thrust him out of the city. After a career of successful benevolence, he appears a second time in the neighborhood of his early home. Again the truth of his sayings is pressed upon their hearts and consciences. Again they take refuge from its power by pointing to his former occupation, and to his brothers and sisters who were all with them. Again the Saviour of mankind is constrained to crucify the sympathies of his humanity, and turns his back on the friends of his childhood with the sentiment of the text, "A prophet is not without honor, save in his own country, and in his own house.” What was the chief circumstance which contributed to this rejection? No doubt the envy of an equal, or the contempt of an inferior may have had part in it; but chiefly it was their familiarity with the person of the prophet. Had a stranger appeared to them with these high pretensions, even though his garb had been humble and his mien lowly, he could not have been so contemned. No doubt the multitude would have turned scornfully away from the meek one; but, who can doubt that some expectant mother or daughter in Israel, some veteran waiting for the promises, would have hailed him as the Messiah? But now, not one comes forward to receive his benediction, or to bid him God speed in his glorious enterprise. He was too well known to receive the honor that he merited. Other illustrations of the principle of the text are of constant occurrence. There is hardly a period in history, or a family that does not testify to its truth ;-be it the discoverer of a new continent, compelled to seek patronage from a foreign court, or the child of genius, nowhere less flattered and less honored than beneath his father's roof. The voice |