Page:Meditations For Every Day In The Year.djvu/391

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mend that charity, which ought to exist among ministers of the Gospel. " A brother that is helped by his brother is like a strong city." (Prov. xviii. 19.) Reflect how necessary this union is among those, who are engaged in assisting their neighbors. What one collects, another ought not to scatter, and that which one builds up, another ought not to pull down. Excite yourself to an universal and apostolical charity for all mankind. Observe also, that these workmen, who are to be employed in the harvest, are to be called and sent, by Christ or His legitimate authority, and not to intrude themselves into it without authority, or by their own private act.

III. Christ gives four commands to His disciples, whom He sends to preach His Gospel. 1. He takes away from them every excuse for avarice. " Gratis you have received, gratis give." (Matt. x. 8.) 2. He orders them to avoid superfluities. " Do not possess gold, nor silver, nor money in your purses." 3. In conveniences, He wishes them to use only such as are indispensable, 4t Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes." 4. Even in ordinary necessaries He expresses His wish that they should confide in God alone, and feed on what is placed before them without seeking what is extraordinary and particular, " eating and drinking, such things as they have." (Luke, x.) Meditate on each particular, and reflect how perfect God wishes His servants to be.

FRIDAY.

Christ Sends His Apostles and Disciples— II.

I. " Behold," says Christ, " I send you as sheep in the midst of wolves." (Matt. x. 16.) It is certainly an unheard of kind of warfare, that sheep should be sent to