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。