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uffer from disappointment and discouragement； that they would meet with decided opposition； that they would be insulted； and their testimony rejected。 Well He knew that in the fulfillment of their mission； the humble men who listened so attentively to His words were to bear calumny； torture； imprisonment； and death； and He continued：
〃Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake： for theirs is the kingdom of heaven。 Blessed are ye； when men shall revile you； and persecute you； and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely； for My sake。 Rejoice； and be exceeding glad： for great is your
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reward in heaven： for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you。〃
The world loves sin； and hates righteousness； and this was the cause of its hostility to Jesus。 All who refuse His infinite love will find Christianity a disturbing element。 The light of Christ sweeps away the darkness that covers their sins； and the need of reform is made manifest。 While those who yield to the influence of the Holy Spirit begin war with themselves； those who cling to sin war against the truth and its representatives。
Thus strife is created； and Christ's followers are accused as troublers of the people。 But it is fellowship with God that brings them the world's enmity。 They are bearing the reproach of Christ。 They are treading the path that has been trodden by the noblest of the earth。 Not with sorrow； but with rejoicing； should they meet persecution。 Each fiery trial is God's agent for their refining。 Each is fitting them for their work as colaborers with Him。 Each conflict has its place in the great battle for righteousness； and each will add to the joy of their final triumph。 Having this in view； the test of their faith and patience will be cheerfully accepted rather than dreaded and avoided。 Anxious to fulfill their obligation to the world； fixing their desire upon the approval of God； His servants are to fulfill every duty； irrespective of the fear or the favor of men。
〃Ye are the salt of the earth；〃 Jesus said。 Do not withdraw yourselves from the world in order to escape persecution。 You are to abide among men； that the savor of the divine love may be as salt to preserve the world from corruption。
Hearts that respond to the influence of the Holy Spirit are the channels through which God's blessing flows。 Were those who serve God removed from the earth； and His Spirit withdrawn from among men； this world would be left to desolation and destruction； the fruit of Satan's dominion。 Though the wicked know it not； they owe even the blessings of this life to the presence； in the world； of God's people whom they despise and oppress。 But if Christians are such in name only； they are like the salt that has lost its savor。 They have no influence for good in the world。 Through their misrepresentation of God they are worse than unbelievers。
〃Ye are the light of the world。〃 The Jews thought to confine the benefits of salvation to their own nation； but Christ showed them that
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salvation is like the sunshine。 It belongs to the whole world。 The religion of the Bible is not to be confined between the covers of a book； nor within the walls of a church。 It is not to be brought out occasionally for our own benefit； and then to be carefully laid aside again。 It is to sanctify the daily life； to manifest itself in every business transaction and in all our social relations。
True character is not shaped from without； and put on； it radiates from within。 If we wish to direct others in the path of righteousness； the principles of righteousness must be enshrined in our own hearts。 Our profession of faith may proclaim the theory of religion； but it is our practical piety that holds forth the word of truth。 The consistent life； the holy conversation； the unswerving integrity； the active； benevolent spirit； the godly example；these are the mediums through which light is conveyed to the world。
Jesus had not dwelt on the specifications of the law； but He did not leave His hearers to conclude that He had come to set aside its requirements。 He knew that spies stood ready to seize upon every word that might be wrested to serve their purpose。 He knew the prejudice that existed in the minds of many of His hearers； and He said nothing to unsettle their faith in the religion and institutions that had been committed to them through Moses。 Christ Himself had given both the moral and the ceremonial law。 He did not come to destroy confidence in His own instruction。 It was because of His great reverence for the law and the prophets that He sought to break through the wall of traditional requirements which hemmed in the Jews。 While He set aside their false interpretations of the law； He carefully guarded His disciples against yielding up the vital truths committed to the Hebrews。
The Pharisees prided themselves on their obedience to the law； yet they knew so little of its principles through everyday practice that to them the Saviour's words sounded like heresy。 As He swept away the rubbish under which the truth had been buried； they thought He was sweeping away the truth itself。 They whispered to one another that He was making light of the law。 He read their thoughts； and answered them； saying；
〃Think not that I am come to destroy the law； or the prophets： I am not come to destroy； but to fulfill。〃 Here Jesus refutes the charge of the Pharisees。 His mission to the world is to vindicate the sacred claims of that law which they charge Him with breaking。 If the law
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of God could have been changed or abrogated； then Christ need not have suffered the consequences of our transgression。 He came to explain the relation of the law to man； and to illustrate its precepts by His own life of obedience。
God has given us His holy precepts； because He loves mankind。 To shield us from the results of transgression； He reveals the principles of righteousness。 The law is an expression of the thought of God； when received in Christ； it becomes our thought。 It lifts us above the power of natural desires and tendencies； above temptations that lead to sin。 God desires us to be happy； and He gave us the precepts of the law that in obeying them we might have joy。 When at Jesus' birth the angels sang；
〃Glory to God in the highest； And on earth peace； good will toward men〃 （Luke 2：14）；
they were declaring the principles of the law which He had come to magnify and make honorable。
When the law was proclaimed from Sinai； God made known to men the holiness of His character； that by contrast they might see the sinfulness of their own。 The law was given to convict them of sin； and reveal their need of a Saviour。 It would do this as its principles were applied to the heart by the Holy Spirit。 This work it is still to do。 In the life of Christ the principles of the law are made plain； and as the Holy Spirit of God touches the heart； as the light of Christ reveals to men their need of His cleansing blood and His justifying righteousness； the law is still an agent in bringing us to Christ； that we may be justified by faith。 〃The law of the Lord is perfect