Beingtiredaftertheservicesoftheday，ItoldthemtoaskHenryDrummond，whowasoneofthepartyAftersomeurginghedrewasmallTestamentfromhishippocket，openeditatthe13thchapterofICorinthians，andbegantospeakonthesubjectofLove。
ItseemedtomethatIhadneverheardanythingsobeautiful，andIdeterminednottorestuntilIbroughtHenryDrummondtoNorthfieldtodeliverthataddressSincethenIhaverequestedtheprincipalsofschoolstohaveitreadbeforethestudentseveryyearTheonegreatneedinourChristianlifeislove，morelovetoGodandtoeachotherWouldthatwecouldallmoveintothatLovechapter，andlivethere。
Thisvolumecontains，inadditiontotheaddressonLove，someotheraddresseswhichItrustwillbringhelpandblessingtomany。
Love:TheGreatestThingintheWorldEveryonehasaskedhimselfthegreatquestionofantiquityasofthemodernworld:Whatisthe\'summumbonum\'——thesupremegood？
YouhavelifebeforeyouOnceonlyyoucanliveitWhatisthenoblestobjectofdesire，thesupremegifttocovet？
WehavebeenaccustomedtobetoldthatthegreatestthinginthereligiousworldisFaithThatgreatwordhasbeenthekey-noteforcenturiesofthepopularreligion；andwehaveeasilylearnedtolookuponitasthegreatestthingintheworldWell，wearewrongIfwehavebeentoldthat，wemaymissthemarkInthe13thchapterofICorinthians，PaultakesustoChristianityatitssource；
andtherewesee，\"thegreatestoftheseislove。\"
ItisnotanoversightPaulwasspeakingoffaithjustamomentbeforeHesays，\"IfIhaveallfaith，sothatIcanremovemountains，andhavenotlove，Iamnothing。\"Sofarfromforgetting，hedeliberatelycontraststhem，\"NowabidethFaith，Hope，Love，\"
andwithoutamoment\'shesitationthedecisionfalls，\"ThegreatestoftheseisLove。\"
AnditisnotprejudiceAmanisapttorecommendtoothershisownstrongpointLovewasnotPaul\'sstrongpointTheobservingstudentcandetectabeautifultendernessgrowingandripeningallthroughhischaracterasPaulgetsold；butthehandthatwrote\"Thegreatestoftheseislove，\"whenwemeetitfirst，isstainedwithblood。
NoristhislettertotheCorinthianspeculiarinsinglingoutloveasthe\"summumbonum。\"ThemasterpiecesofChristianityareagreedaboutitPetersays，\"Aboveallthingshaveferventloveamongyourselves。\"ABOVEALLTHINGSAndJohngoesfarther，\"Godislove。\"
YouremembertheprofoundremarkwhichPaulmakeselsewhere，\"Loveisthefulfillingofthelaw。\"Didyoueverthinkwhathemeantbythat？InthosedaysmenwereworkingthepassagetoHeavenbykeepingtheTenCommandments，andthehundredandtenothercommandmentswhichtheyhadmanufacturedoutofthemChristcameandsaid，\"IwillshowyouamoresimplewayIfyoudoonething，youwilldothesehundredandtenthings，withouteverthinkingaboutthemIfyouLOVE，youwillunconsciouslyfulfillthewholelaw。\"
YoucanreadilyseeforyourselveshowthatmustbesoTakeanyofthecommandments\"ThoushalthavenoothergodsbeforeMe。\"
IfamanloveGod，youwillnotrequiretotellhimthatLoveisthefulfillingofthatlaw\"TakenotHisnameinvain。\"WouldheeverdreamoftakingHisnameinvainifhelovedhim？\"RemembertheSabbathdaytokeepitholy。\"Wouldhenotbetoogladtohaveonedayinseventodedicatemoreexclusivelytotheobjectofhisaffection？LovewouldfulfillalltheselawsregardingGod。
Andso，ifhelovedman，youwouldneverthinkoftellinghimtohonorhisfatherandmotherHecouldnotdoanythingelse。
ItwouldbepreposteroustotellhimnottokillYoucouldonlyinsulthimifyousuggestedthatheshouldnotsteal——howcouldhestealfromthoseheloved？ItwouldbesuperfluoustobeghimnottobearfalsewitnessagainsthisneighborIfhelovedhimitwouldbethelastthinghewoulddoAndyouwouldneverdreamofurginghimnottocovetwhathisneighborshadHewouldrathertheypossessitthanhimselfInthisway\"Loveisthefulfillingofthelaw。\"Itistheruleforfulfillingallrules，thenewcommandmentforkeepingalltheoldcommandments，Christ\'sone。
SecretoftheChristianlife。
NowPaulhaslearnedthat；andinthisnobleeulogyhehasgivenusthemostwonderfulandoriginalaccountextantofthe\"summumbonum。\"WemaydivideitintothreepartsInthebeginningoftheshortchapterwehaveLoveCONTRASTED；intheheartofit，wehaveLoveANALYZED；towardtheend，wehaveLoveDEFENDEDasthesupremegift。
ITheContrast。
PaulbeginsbycontrastingLovewithotherthingsthatmeninthosedaysthoughtmuchofIshallnotattempttogooverthesethingsindetailTheirinferiorityisalreadyobvious。
HecontrastsitwithELOQUENCEAndwhatanoblegiftitis，thepowerofplayinguponthesoulsandwillsofmen，androusingthemtoloftypurposeandholydeeds!Paulsays，IfIspeakwiththetonguesofmenandofangels，andhavenotlove，Iambecomesoundingbrass，oratinklingcymbal。\"WeallknowwhyWehaveallfeltthebrazennessofwordswithoutemotion，thehollowness，theunaccountableunpersuasiveness，ofeloquencebehindwhichliesnoLove。
HecontrastsitwithPROPHECYHecontrastsitwithMYSTERIES。
HecontrastsitwithFAITHHecontrastsitwithCHARITYWhyisLovegreaterthanfaith？BecausetheendisgreaterthanthemeansAndwhyisitgreaterthancharity？Becausethewholeisgreaterthanthepart。
LoveisgreaterthanFAITH，becausetheendisgreaterthanthemeansWhatistheuseofhavingfaith？ItistoconnectthesoulwithGodAndwhatistheobjectofconnectingmanwithGod？
ThathemaybecomelikeGodButGodisLoveHenceFaith，themeans，isinordertoLove，theendLove，therefore，obviouslyisgreaterthanfaith\"IfIhaveallfaith，soastoremovemountains，buthavenotlove，Iamnothing。\"
ItisgreaterthanCHARITY，again，becausethewholeisgreaterthanapartCharityisonlyalittlebitofLove，oneoftheinnumerableavenuesofLove，andtheremayevenbe，andthereis，agreatdealofcharitywithoutLoveItisaveryeasythingtotossacoppertoabeggaronthestreet；itisgenerallyaneasierthingthannottodoitYetLoveisjustasofteninthewithholdingWepurchaserelieffromthesympatheticfeelingsrousedbythespectacleofmisery，atthecopper\'scostItistoocheap——toocheapforus，andoftentoodearforthebeggarIfwereallylovedhimwewouldeitherdomoreforhim，orlessHence，\"IfIbestowallmygoodstofeedthepoor，buthavenotloveitprofitethmenothing。\"
ThenPaulcontrastsitwithSACRIFICEandmartyrdom:\"IfIgivemybodytobeburned，buthavenotlove，itprofitethmenothing。\"
MissionariescantakenothinggreatertotheheathenworldthantheimpressandreflectionoftheLoveofGodupontheirowncharacter。
ThatistheuniversallanguageItwilltakethemyearstospeakinChinese，orinthedialectsofIndiaFromthedaytheyland，thatlanguageofLove，understoodbyall，willbepouringforthitsunconsciouseloquence。
Itisthemanwhoisthemissionary，itisnothiswordsHischaracterishismessageIntheheartofAfrica，amongthegreatLakes，Ihavecomeacrossblackmenandwomenwhorememberedtheonlywhitemantheyeversawbefore——DavidLivingstone；andasyoucrosshisfootstepsinthatdarkcontinent，Men\'sfaceslightupAstheyspeakofthekinddoctorwhopassedthereyearsagoTheycouldnotunderstandhim；buttheyfeltthelovethatbeatinhisheartTheyknewthatitwaslove，althoughhespokenoword。
Takeintoyoursphereoflabor，whereyoualsomeantolaydownyourlife，thatsimplecharm，andyourlifeworkmustsucceedYoucantakenothinggreater，youneedtakenothinglessYoumaytakeeveryaccomplishment；youmaybebracedforeverysacrifice；
butifyougiveyourbodytobeburned，andhavenotLove，itwillprofityouandthecauseofChristNOTHING。
IITheAnalysisAftercontrastingLovewiththesethings，Paul，inthreeverses，veryshort，givesusanamazinganalysisofwhatthissupremethingis。
IaskyoutolookatitItisacompoundthing，hetellsusItislikelightAsyouhaveseenamanofsciencetakeabeamoflightandpassitthroughacrystalprism，asyouhaveseenitcomeoutontheothersideoftheprismbrokenupintoitscomponentcolors——red，andblue，andyellow，andviolet，andorange，andallthecolorsoftherainbow——soPaulpassesthisthing，Love，throughthemagnificentprismofhisinspiredintellect，anditcomesoutontheothersidebrokenupintoitselements。
InthesefewwordswehavewhatonemightcallThespectrumofLove，theanalysisofloveWillyouobservewhatitselementsare？
Willyounoticethattheyhavecommonnames；thattheyarevirtueswhichwehearabouteveryday；thattheyarethingswhichcanbepractisedbyeverymanineveryplaceinlife；andhow，byamultitudeofsmallthingsandordinaryvirtues，thesupremething，the\"summumbonum，\"ismadeup？
TheSpectrumofLovehasnineingredients:
Patience\"Lovesufferethlong。\"
Kindness\"Andiskind。\"
Generosity\"Loveenviethnot。\"
Humility\"Lovevauntethnotitself，isnotpuffedup。\"
Courtesy\"Dothnotbehaveitselfunseemly。\"
Unselfishness\"Seekethnotitsown。\"
Goodtemper\"Isnotprovoked。\"
Guilelessness\"Takethnotaccountofevil。\"
Sincerity\"Rejoicethnotinunrighteousness，butrejoicethwiththetruth。\"
Patience；kindness；generosity；humility；courtesy；unselfishness；
goodtemper；guilelessness；sincerity——thesemakeupthesupremegift，thestatureoftheperfectman。
Youwillobservethatallareinrelationtomen，inrelationtolife，inrelationtotheknownto-dayandthenearto-morrow，andnottotheunknowneternityWehearmuchoflovetoGod；ChristspokemuchoflovetomanWemakeagreatdealofpeacewithheaven；
ChristmademuchofpeaceonearthReligionisnotastrangeoraddedthing，buttheinspirationofthesecularlife，thebreathingofaneternalspiritthroughthistemporalworldThesupremething，inshort，isnotathingatall，butthegivingofafurtherfinishtothemultitudinouswordsandactswhichmakeupthesumofeverycommonday。
PATIENCEThisisthenormalattitudeoflove；Lovepassive，lovewaitingtobegin；notinahurry；calm；readytodoitsworkwhenthesummonscomes，butmeantimewearingtheornamentofameekandquietspiritLovesufferslong；bearethallthings；believethallthings；hopethallthingsForLoveunderstands，andthereforewaits。
KINDNESSLoveactiveHaveyouevernoticedhowmuchofChrist\'slifewasspentindoingkindthings——inMERELYdoingkindthings？
Runoveritwiththatinview，andyouwillfindthatHespentagreatproportionofHistimesimplyinmakingpeoplehappy，inDoinggoodturnstopeopleThereisonlyonethinggreaterthanhappinessintheworld，andthatisholiness；anditisnotinourkeeping；butwhatGodHASputinourpoweristhehappinessofthoseaboutus，andthatislargelytobesecuredbyourbeingkindtothem。
\"Thegreatestthing，\"sayssomeone，\"amancandoforhisHeavenlyFatheristobekindtosomeofHisotherchildren。\"Iwonderwhyitisthatwearenotallkinderthanweare？Howmuchtheworldneedsit!Howeasilyitisdone!Howinstantaneouslyitacts!Howinfalliblyitisremembered!Howsuperabundantlyitpaysitselfback——forthereisnodebtorintheworldsohonorable，sosuperblyhonorable，asLove\"Loveneverfaileth。\"Loveissuccess，Loveishappiness，Loveislife\"Love，\"IsaywithBrowning，\"isenergyoflife。\"
\"Forlife，withallityieldsofjoyorwoeAndhopeandfear，Isjustourchanceo\'theprizeoflearninglove，——
Howlovemightbe，hathbeenindeed，andis。\"
WhereLoveis，GodisHethatdwellethinLovedwellethinGodGodisLoveThereforeLOVEWithoutdistinction，withoutcalculation，withoutprocrastination，loveLavishituponthepoor，whereitisveryeasy；especiallyupontherich，whooftenneeditmost；mostofalluponourequals，whereitisverydifficult，andforwhomperhapsweeachdoleastofallThereisadifferencebetweenTRYINGTOPLEASEandGIVINGPLEASUREGivepleasure。
Losenochanceofgivingpleasure；forthatistheceaselessandanonymoustriumphofatrulylovingspirit\"IshallpassthroughthisworldbutonceAnygoodthing，therefore，thatIcando，oranykindnessthatIcanshowtoanyhumanbeing，letmedoitnow。
Letmenotdeferitorneglectit，forIshallnotpassthiswayagain。\"
GENEROSITY\"Loveenviethnot。\"ThisisloveincompetitionwithothersWheneveryouattemptagoodworkyouwillfindothermendoingthesamekindofwork，andprobablydoingitbetterEnvythemnotEnvyisafeelingofill-willtothosewhoareinthesamelineasourselves，aspiritofcovetousnessanddetraction。
HowlittleChristianworkevenisaprotectionagainstun-Christianfeeling!ThatmostdespicableofalltheunworthymoodswhichcloudaChristian\'ssoulassuredlywaitsforusonthethresholdofeverywork，unlesswearefortifiedwiththisgraceofmagnanimity。
OnlyonethingtrulyneedtheChristianenvy——thelarge，rich，generoussoulwhich\"enviethnot。\"
Andthen，afterhavinglearnedallthat，youhavetolearnthisfurtherthing，HUMILITY——toputasealuponyourlipsandforgetwhatyouhavedoneAfteryouhavebeenkind，afterLovehasstolenforthintotheworldanddoneitsbeautifulwork，gobackintotheshadeagainandsaynothingaboutitLovehidesevenfromitself。
Lovewaivesevenself-satisfaction\"Lovevauntethnotitself，isnotpuffedup。\"Humility——lovehiding。
Thefifthingredientisasomewhatstrangeonetofindinthis\"summumbonum:\"COURTESYThisisLoveinsociety，Loveinrelationtoetiquette\"Lovedoenotbehaveitselfunseemly。\"
PolitenesshasbeendefinedasloveintriflesCourtesyissaidtobeloveinlittlethingsAndtheonesecretofpolitenessistolove。
LoveCANNOTbehaveitselfunseemlyYoucanputthemostuntutoredpersonsintothehighestsociety，andiftheyhaveareservoirofLoveintheirheartytheywillnotbehavethemselvesunseemly。
TheysimplycannotdoitCarlislesaidofRobertBurnsthattherewasnotruergentlemaninEuropethantheploughman-poetItwasbecausehelovedeverything——themouse，andthedaisy，andallthethings，greatandsmall，thatGodhadmadeSowiththissimplepassporthecouldminglewithanysociety，andentercourtsandpalacesfromhislittlecottageonthebanksoftheAyr。
Youknowthemeaningoftheword\"gentleman。\"Itmeansagentleman——amanwhodoesthingsgently，withloveThatisthewholeartandmysteryofitThegentlemancannotinthenatureofthingsdoanungentle，anungentlemanlythingTheungentlesoul，theinconsiderate，unsympatheticnature，cannotdoanythingelse\"Lovedothnotbehaveitselfunseemly。\"
UNSELFISHNESS\"Loveseekethnotherown。\"Observe:SeekethnoteventhatwhichisherownInBritaintheEnglishmanisdevoted，andrightly，tohisrightsButtherecometimeswhenamanmayexerciseevenThehigherrightofgivinguphisrights。
YetPauldoesnotsummonustogiveupourrightsLovestrikesmuchdeeperItwouldhaveusnotseekthematall，ignorethem，eliminatethepersonalelementaltogetherfromourcalculations。
ItisnothardtogiveupourrightsTheyareofteneternalThedifficultthingistogiveupOURSELVESThemoredifficultthingstillisnottoseekthingsforourselvesatallAfterwehavesoughtthem，boughtthem，wonthem，deservedthem，wehavetakenthecreamoffthemforourselvesalreadyLittlecrossthentogivethemupButnottoseekthem，tolookeverymannotonhisownthings，butonthethingsofothers——thatisthedifficulty。
\"Seekestthougreatthingsforthyself？\"saidtheprophet；\"SEEK
THEMNOT。\"Why？BecausethereisnogreatnessinTHINGSThingscannotbegreatTheonlygreatnessisunselfishloveEvenself-denialinitselfisnothing，isalmostamistakeOnlyagreatpurposeoramightierlovecanjustifythewaste。
Itismoredifficult，Ihavesaid，nottoseekourownatallthan，havingsoughtit，togiveitupImusttakethatbackItisonlytrueofapartlyselfishheartNothingisahardshiptoLove，andnothingishardIbelievethatChrist\'s\"yoke\"iseasy。
Christ\'syokeisjustHiswayoftakinglifeAndIbelieveitisaneasierwaythananyotherIbelieveitisahappierwaythananyotherThemostobviouslessoninChrist\'steachingisthatthereisnohappinessinhavingandgettinganything，butonlyingivingIrepeat，THEREISNOHAPPINESSINHAVINGORINGETTING，BUTONLYINGIVINGHalftheworldisonthewrongscentinthepursuitofhappinessTheythinkitconsistsinhavingandgetting，andinbeingservedbyothersItconsistsingiving，andinservingothers\"Hethatwouldbegreatamongyou，\"saidChrist，\"lethimserve。\"Hethatwouldbehappy，lethimrememberthatthereisbutoneway——\"itismoreblessed，itismorehappy，togivethantoreceive。\"
Thenextingredientisaveryremarkableone:GOODTEMPER\"Loveisnotprovoked。\"
NothingcouldbemorestrikingthantofindthishereWeareinclinedtolookuponbadtemperasaveryharmlessweakness。
Wespeakofitasamereinfirmityofnature，afamilyfailing，amatteroftemperament，notathingtotakeintoveryseriousaccountinestimatingaman\'scharacterAndyethere，rightintheheartofthisanalysisoflove，itfindsaplace；andtheBibleagainandagainreturnstocondemnitasoneofthemostdestructiveelementsinhumannature。
Thepeculiarityofilltemperisthatitistheviceofthevirtuous。
ItisoftentheoneblotonanotherwisenoblecharacterYouknowmenwhoareallbutperfect，andwomenwhowouldbeentirelyperfect，butforaneasilyruffled，quick-tempered，or\"touchy\"
dispositionThiscompatibilityofilltemperwithhighmoralcharacterisoneofthestrangestandsaddestproblemsofethics。
Thetruthis，therearetwogreatclassesofsins——sinsoftheBODY
andsinsoftheDISPOSITIONTheProdigalSonmaybetakenasatypeofthefirst，theElderBrotherofthesecondNow，societyhasnodoubtwhateverastowhichoftheseistheworseItsbrandfalls，withoutachallenge，upontheProdigalButareweright？
Wehavenobalancetoweighoneanother\'ssins，andcoarserandfinerarebuthumanwords；butfaultsinthehighernaturemaybelessvenalthanthoseinthelower，andtotheeyeofHimwhoisLove，asinagainstLovemayseemahundredtimesmorebaseNoformofvice，notworldliness，notgreedofgold，notdrunkennessitself，doesmoretoun-ChristianizesocietythaneviltemperForembitteringlife，forbreakingupcommunities，fordestroyingthemostsacredrelationships，fordevastatinghomes，forwitheringupmenandwomen，fortakingthebloomofchildhood，inshort，Forsheergratuitousmisery-producingpowerthisinfluencestandsalone。
LookattheElderBrother——moral，hard-working，patient，dutiful——lethimgetallcreditforhisvirtues——lookatthisman，thisbaby，sulkingoutsidehisownfather\'sdoor\"Hewasangry，\"weread，\"andwouldnotgoin。\"Lookattheeffectuponthefather，upontheservants，uponthehappinessoftheguestsJudgeoftheeffectupontheProdigal——andhowmanyprodigalsarekeptoutoftheKingdomofGodbytheunlovelycharacterofthosewhoprofesstobeinsideAnalyze，asastudyinTemper，thethunder-clouditselfasitgathersupontheElderBrother\'sbrowWhatisitmadeof？
Jealousy，anger，pride，uncharity，cruelty，self-righteousness，touchiness，doggedness，sullenness——thesearetheingredientsofthisdarkandlovelesssoulInvaryingproportions，also，thesearetheingredientsofallilltemperJudgeifsuchsinsareofthedispositionarenotworsetolivein，andforotherstolivewith，thanthesinsofthebodyDidChristindeednotanswerthequestionHimselfwhenHesaid，\"IsayuntoyouthatthepublicansandtheharlotsgointotheKingdomofHeavenbeforeyou\"？ThereisreallynoplaceinheavenforadispositionlikethisAmanwithsuchamoodcouldonlymakeheavenmiserableforallthepeopleinitExcept，therefore，suchamanbeBornagain，hecannot，simplyCANNOT，enterthekingdomofheaven。
YouwillseethenwhyTemperissignificantItisnotinwhatitisalone，butinwhatitrevealsThisiswhyIspeakofitwithsuchunusualplainnessItisatestforlove，asymptom，arevelationofanunlovingnatureatbottomItistheintermittentfeverwhichbespeaksunintermittentdiseasewithin；theoccasionalbubbleescapingtothesurfacewhichbetrayssomerottennessunderneath；asampleofthemosthiddenproductsofthesouldroppedinvoluntarilywhenoffone\'sguard；inaword，thelightningformofahundredhideousandun-ChristiansinsAwantofpatience，awantofkindness，awantofgenerosity，awantofcourtesy，awantofunselfishness，areallinstantaneouslysymbolizedinoneflashofTemper。
HenceitisnotenoughtodealwiththeTemperWemustgotothesource，andchangetheinmostnature，andtheangryhumorswilldieawayofthemselvessoulsaremadesweetnotbytakingtheacidfluidsout，butbyputtingsomethingin——agreatLove，anewSpirit，theSpiritofChristChrist，theSpiritofChrist，interpenetratingours，sweetens，purifies，transformsallThisonlycaneradicatewhatiswrong，workachemicalchange，renovateandregenerate，andrehabilitatetheinnermanWill-powerdoesnotchangemen。
Timedoesnotchangemen。
Christdoes。
Therefore，\"LetthatmindbeinyouwhichwasalsoinChristJesus。\"
SomeofushavenotmuchtimetoloseRemember，oncemore，thatthisisamatteroflifeordeathIcannothelpspeakingurgently，formyself，foryourselves\"Whososhalloffendoneoftheselittleones，whichbelieveinme，itwerebetterforhimthatamillstonewerehangedabouthisneck，andthatheweredrownedinthedepthofthesea。\"Thatistosay，itisthedeliberateverdictoftheLordJesusthatitisbetternottolivethannottoloveITIS
BETTERNOTTOLIVETHANNOTTOLOVE。
GUILELESSNESSandSINCERITYmaybedismissedalmostwithoutaword。
GuilelessnessisthegraceforsuspiciouspeopleThepossessionofitisThegreatsecretofpersonalinfluence。
Youwillfind，ifyouthinkforamoment，thatthepeoplewhoinfluenceyouarepeoplewhobelieveinyouInanatmosphereofsuspicionmenshrivelup；butinthatatmospheretheyexpand，andfindencouragementandeducativefellowship。
Itisawonderfulthingthathereandthereinthishard，uncharitableworldthereshouldstillbeleftafewraresoulswhothinknoevilthisisthegreatunworldlinessLove\"thinkethnoevil，\"
imputesnomotive，seesthebrightside，putsthebestconstructiononeveryactionWhatadelightfulstateofmindtolivein!Whatastimulusandbenedictioneventomeetwithitforaday!TobetrustedistobesavedAndifwetrytoinfluenceorelevateothers，weshallsoonseethatsuccessisinproportiontotheirbeliefofourbeliefinthemTherespectofanotheristhefirstrestorationoftheself-respectamanhaslost；ouridealofwhatheisbecomestohimthehopeandpatternofwhathemaybecome。
\"Loverejoicethnotinunrighteousness，butrejoicethwiththetruth。\"IhavecalledthisSINCERITYfromthewordsrenderedintheAuthorizedVersionby\"rejoicethinthetruth。\"And，certainly，werethistherealtranslation，nothingcouldbemorejust；forhewholoveswillloveTruthnotlessthanmenHewillrejoiceintheTruth——rejoicenotinwhathehasbeentaughttobelieve；notinthischurch\'sdoctrineorinthat；notinthisismorinthatism；but\"inTHETRUTH。\"Hewillacceptonlywhatisreal；hewillstrivetogetatfacts；hewillsearchforTRUTHwithahumbleandunbiasedmind，andcherishwhateverhefindsatanysacrifice。
ButthemoreliteraltranslationoftheRevisedVersioncallsforjustsuchasacrificefortruth\'ssakehereForwhatPaulreallymeantis，aswethereread，\"Rejoicethnotinunrighteousness，butrejoicethwiththetruth，\"aqualitywhichprobablynooneEnglishword——andcertainlynotSINCERITY——adequatelydefinesItincludes，perhapsmorestrictly，theself-restraintwhichrefusestomakecapitaloutofothers\'faults；thecharitywhichdelightsnotinexposingtheweaknessofothers，but\"coverethallthings\"；thesincerityofpurposewhichendeavorstoseethingsastheyare，andrejoicestofindthembetterthansuspicionfearedorcalumnydenounced。
SomuchfortheanalysisofLoveNowthebusinessofourlivesistohavethesethingsfittedintoourcharactersThatisthesupremeworktowhichweneedtoaddressourselvesinthisworld，tolearnLoveIslifenotfullofopportunitiesforlearningLove？EverymanandwomaneverydayhasathousandofthemTheworldisnotaplayground；itisaschoolroomLifeisnotaholiday，butaneducationAndTheoneeternallessonforusallisHOWBETTERWECANLOVE。
Whatmakesamanagoodcricketer？PracticeWhatmakesamanagoodartist，agoodsculptor，agoodmusician？PracticeWhatmakesamanagoodlinguist，agoodstenographer？PracticeWhatmakesamanagoodman？PracticeNothingelseThereisnothingcapriciousaboutreligionWedonotgetthesoulindifferentways，underdifferentlaws，fromthoseinwhichwegetthebodyandthemindIfamandoesnotexercisehisarmhedevelopsnobicepsmuscle；andifamandoesnotexercisehissoul，heacquiresnomuscleinhissoul，nostrengthofcharacter，novigorofmoralfibre，nobeautyofspiritualgrowthLoveisnotathingofenthusiasticemotionItisarich，strong，manly，vigorousexpressionofthewholeroundChristiancharacter——theChristlikenatureinitsfullestdevelopmentAndtheconstituentsofthisgreatcharacterareonlytobebuiltupbyCeaselesspractice。
WhatwasChristdoinginthecarpenter\'sshop？PractisingThoughperfect，wereadthatheLEARNEDobedience，andgrewinwisdomandinfavorwithGodDonotquarrel，therefore，withyourlotinlifeDonotcomplainofitsnever-ceasingcares，itspettyenvironment，thevexationsyouhavetostand，thesmallandsordidsoulsyouhavetoliveandworkwithAboveall，donotresenttemptation；donotbeperplexedbecauseitseemstothickenroundyoumoreandmore，andceasesneitherforeffortnorforagonynorprayerThatisyourpracticeThatisthepracticewhichgodappointsyou；anditishavingitsworkinmakingyoupatient，andhumble，andgenerous，andunselfish，andkind，andcourteousDonotgrudgethehandthatismouldingthestilltooshapelessimagewithinyouItisgrowingmorebeautiful，thoughyouseeitnot；
andeverytouchoftemptationmayaddtoitsperfectionThereforekeepinthemidstoflifeDonotisolateyourselfBeamongmenandamongthings，andamongtroubles，anddifficulties，andobstaclesYourememberGoethe\'swords:\"Talentdevelopsitselfinsolitude；characterinthestreamoflife。\"Talentdevelopsitselfinsolitude——thetalentofprayer，offaith，ofmeditation，ofseeingtheunseen；charactergrowsinthestreamoftheworld\'slifeThatchieflyiswheremenaretolearnlove。
How？Now，how？Tomakeiteasier，IhavenamedafewoftheelementsofloveButtheseareonlyelementsLoveitselfcanneverbedefinedLightisasomethingmorethanthesumofitsingredients——aglowing，dazzling，tremulousetherAndloveissomethingmorethanallitselements——apalpitating，quivering，sensitive，livingthingBysynthesisofallthecolors，mencanmakewhiteness，theycannotmakelightBysynthesisofallthevirtues，mencanmakevirtue，theycannotmakeloveHowthenarewetohavethistranscendentlivingwholeconveyedintooursouls？
WebraceourwillstosecureitWetrytocopythosewhohaveitWelaydownrulesaboutitWewatchWeprayButthesethingsalonewillnotbringloveintoournatureLoveisanEFFECT。
AndonlyaswefulfilltherightconditioncanwehavetheeffectproducedShallItellyouwhattheCAUSEis？
IfyouturntotheRevisedVersionoftheFirstEpistleofJohnyoufindthesewords:\"WelovebecauseHefirstlovedus。\"\"Welove，\"not\"WeloveHIM。\"Thatisthewaytheoldversionhasit，anditisquitewrong\"WELOVE——becauseHefirstlovedus。\"
Lookatthatword\"because。\"ItistheCAUSEofwhichIhavespoken\"BECAUSEHefirstlovedus，\"theeffectfollowsthatwelove，weloveHim，weloveallmenWecannothelpitBecauseHelovedus，welove，weloveeverybodyOurheartisslowlychanged。
contemplatetheloveofChrist，andyouwillloveStandbeforethatmirror，reflectChrist\'scharacter，andyouwillbechangedintothesameimagefromtendernesstotendernessThereisnootherwayYoucannotlovetoorderYoucanonlylookatthelovelyobject，andfallinlovewithit，andgrowintolikenesstoitAndsolookatthisPerfectCharacter，thisPerfectLifeLookatThegreatsacrificeasHelaiddownHimself，allthroughlife，andupontheCrossofCalvary；andyoumustloveHimAndlovingHim，youmustbecomelikeHimLovebegetsloveItisaprocessofinductionPutapieceofIroninthepresenceofanelectrifiedbody，andthatpieceofironforatimebecomeselectrifiedItischangedintoatemporarymagnetinthemerepresenceofapermanentmagnet，andaslongasyouleavethetwosidebyside，theyarebothmagnetsalikeRemainsidebysidewithHimwholovedus，andGavehimselfforus，andyou，too，willbecomeapermanentmagnet，apermanentlyattractiveforce；andlikeHimyouwilldrawallmenuntoyou，likeHimyouwillbedrawnuntoallmenthatistheinevitableeffectofLove。
Anymanwhofulfillsthatcausemusthavethateffectproducedinhim。
Trytogiveuptheideathatreligioncomestousbychance，orbymystery，orbycapriceItcomestousbynaturallaw，orbysupernaturallaw，foralllawisDivine。
EdwardIrvingwenttoseeadyingboyonce，andwhenheenteredtheroomhejustputhishandonthesufferer\'shead，andsaid，\"Myboy，Godlovesyou，\"andwentawayTheboystartedfromhisbed，andcalledouttothepeopleinthehouse，\"Godlovesme!Godlovesme!\"
Oneword!ItchangedthatboyThesensethatGodlovedhimoverpoweredhim，meltedhimdown，andbeganthecreatingofanewheartinhimAndthatishowtheloveofGodmeltsdowntheunlovelyheartinman，andbegetsinhimthenewcreature，whoispatientandhumbleandgentleandunselfishAndthereisnootherwaytogetitThereisnomysteryaboutitWeloveothers，weloveeverybody，weloveourenemies，BECAUSEHEFIRSTLOVEDUS。
IIITheDefence。
NowIhaveaclosingsentenceortwotoaddaboutPaul\'sreasonforsinglingoutloveasthesupremepossession。
ItisaveryremarkablereasonInasingleworditisthis:IT
LASTS\"Love，\"urgesPaul，\"neverfaileth。\"Thenhebeginsagainoneofhismarvelouslistsofthegreatthingsoftheday，andexposesthemonebyoneHerunsoverthethingsthatmenthoughtweregoingtolast，andshowsthattheyareallfleeting，temporary，passingaway。
\"WhethertherebePROPHECIES，theyshallbedoneaway。\"Itwasthemother\'sambitionforherboyinthosedaysthatheshouldbecomeaprophetForhundredsofyearsGodhadneverspokenbymeansofanyprophet，andatthattimetheprophetwasgreaterthanthekingMenwaitedwistfullyforanothermessengertocome，andhunguponhislipswhenheappeared，asupontheveryvoiceofGodPaulsays，\"Whethertherebeprophecies，theyshallfail。\"TheBibleisfullofpropheciesOnebyonetheyhave\"failed\"；thatis，havingbeenfulfilled，theirworkisfinished；theyhavenothingmoretodonowintheworldexcepttofeedadevoutman\'sfaith。
ThenPaultalksaboutTONGUESThatwasanotherthingthatwasgreatlycoveted\"Whethertherebetongues，theyshallcease。\"
Asweallknow，many，manycenturieshavepassedsincetongueshavebeenknowninthisworldTheyhaveceasedTakeitinanysenseyoulikeTakeit，forillustrationmerely，aslanguagesingeneral——asensewhichwasnotinPaul\'smindatall，andwhichthoughitcannotgiveusthespecificlesson，willpointthegeneraltruthConsiderthewordsinwhichthesechapterswerewritten——GreekIthasgoneTaketheLatin——theothergreattongueofthosedaysItceasedlongagoLookattheIndianlanguage。
ItisceasingThelanguageofWales，ofIreland，oftheScottishHighlandsisdyingbeforeoureyesThemostpopularbookintheEnglishtongueatthepresenttime，exceptthebible，isoneofDickens\'works，his\"PickwickPapers。\"ItislargelywritteninthelanguageofLondonstreet-life；andexpertsassureusthatinfiftyyearsitwillbeunintelligibletotheaverageEnglishreader。
