NOTE. 6 Truly our fellowship "Kowvwvía, fellowship, 1 John i. 3. is with the Father and with his Son.' vwvía (koinōnia) means a joint participation of something with others. The same word also signifies a fellowship, or company of men joined together by a common bond, for the purpose of obtaining certain advantages by means of their union. Among the heathens there were a variety of such fellowships, many of them for the purpose of celebrating the mysteries or secret worship of their gods. The particular god in honor of whom the fellowship was instituted was considered as the head of it, and the author of the benefits which the associated expected to derive from their fellowship in his worship. In this sense the word fellowship is with great propriety applied to the disciples of Christ, united, by their common faith, into one society or church for worshipping the only true God, through the mediation of his Son Jesus Christ, and for receiving from him through the same mediation the great blessings of protection and direction in this life, and of pardon and eternal happiness in the world to come. Agreeably to this account of Christian fellowship, the Apostle, in this third verse, contrasts the heads thereof with the heads of the heathen fellowship, Truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son.'". Macknight on 1 John i. 3. "In 1 Cor. x. 16, the same Greek word is rendered communion in the English: -The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion [kowvwvía, joint participation] of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion [kovovía, joint participation] of the body of Christ?' This account of the Lord's Supper the Apostle gave, to show the Corinthians that by eating thereof the partakers declare they have the same object of worship, the same faith, the same hope, and the same dispositions with the persons whom they join in that act of religion, and that they will follow the same course of life." — Ibid. CONTENTS. PAGE 1 II. Religious Solicitude. By Rev. F. PARKMAN, D. D., New North Church, Boston, Mass. [Church founded 1714],* 11 III. Worth of the Soul. By Rev. S. JUDD, Augusta, Maine, 23 IV. The Simplicity of Christian Duty. By Rev. F. D. HUN- TINGTON, South Congregational Church, Boston, VI. The Pleadings of God's Spirit. By Rev. N. HALL, Dor- chester, Mass. [Church founded 1630], VII. The Attraction of the Father. By Rev. J. 1. T. COOL- IDGE, Purchase Street Church, Boston, VIII. Faith the Child of Life. By Rev. G. W. BRIGGS, Ply- mouth, Mass. [Church founded in England, 1602, re- moved to Plymouth, N. E., 1620], IX. The Adaptation of Christianity. By Rev. A. A. Liv- 38 54 X. The Gospel suited to Human Weakness. By Rev. J. WHITMAN, Lexington, Mass. [Church founded 1696], 109 XI. The Christian Empire. By Rev. J. W. THOMPSON, Sa- XII. Faith in Christianity as a Fact. By Rev. H. W. BEL- XIII. Trust in God. By Rev. E. S. GANNETT, D. D., Federal . 138 € 151 . 164 * Where the date is wanting, the churches (with one exception) are of compara- XV. Perfection the Christian's Aim. By Prof. J. WALKER, XVII. Household Impediments. By Rev. G. E. ELLIS, Charles- XVIII. Christian Education. By Rev. G. PUTNAM, D. D., Rox- ... XX. Love to Christ. By Rev. A. YOUNG, D. D., New South Church, Boston [Church founded 1719], XXI. Christ's Love for Man. By Rev. E. B. HALL, Provi- XXII. The Sufferings of Christ. By Rev. S. G. BULFINCH, XXIII. On the Remembrance of Christ. By Rev. O. DEWEY, XXIV. Hours with the Comforter. By Rev. S. OSGOOD, Provi- dence, R. I.,. XXV. The Primitive Supper. By Rev. A. HILL, Worcester, Mass [Church founded 1785], 176 188 201 212 226 238 XXVIII. Duty of Observing the Lord's Supper. By Rev. E. PEA- 362 Brattle Street Church, Boston [Church founded 1699], 350 . 372 SERMON I. BY HENRY A. MILES. MAN BEFORE GOD IN THE ATTITUDE OF A SINNER. GOD BE MERCIFUL TO ME A SINNER!-Luke xviii. 13. By a few simple and graphic words, what wonderful pictures did Jesus draw! The parable with which this text is connected holds up before us almost a living scene. We can see the proud Pharisee with his broad phylactery and boastful self-righteousness, and with that curl of contempt on his lip when he saw the despised publican at his side; nor is the picture of the publican himself less strongly marked, with his downcast look, smiting his humble and contrite heart, and daring to offer only the words, "God be merciful to me a sinner!" Language cannot paint any thing more striking than the contrast here presented. In all ages of Christendom, in all tongues into which the Gospel has been translated, and in all minds which have received the words of Jesus, has this parable been preserved, a living picture, rebuking spiritual pride, and showing to us the true attitude in which we should present ourselves before God. This is the lesson which I would offer to you at this |