Love Cannot At the Same Time Be Impatient and Selfish

March 27.

If we love one another, God dwelleth in us,
and His love is perfected in us.

1 JOHN iv. 12.


And he that keepeth His commandments
dwelleth in Him, and He in him. And hereby we know
that He abideth in us,
by the Spirit which He hath given us.

1 JOHN 3, verse 24.


Abide in me; o'ershadow by Thy love
Each half-formed purpose and dark thought of sin;
Quench, ere it rise, each selfish, low desire,
And keep my soul as Thine, calm and divine.

H. B. STOWE.


The Spirit of Love must work the works, and
speak the tones, of Love. It cannot exist and
give no sign, or a false sign. It cannot be
a spirit of Love, and mantle into irritable and
selfish impatience. It cannot be a spirit of Love,
and at the same time make self the prominent object.
It cannot rejoice to lend itself to the happiness
of others, and at the same time be seeking its own.
It cannot be generous, and envious. It cannot be
sympathizing, and unseemly; self-forgetful, and
vain-glorious. It cannot delight in the rectitude
and purity of other hearts, as the spiritual elements
of their peace, and yet unnecessarily suspect them.

J. H. THOM.