is not only like music to the ear, but is very delightful to the interiors of the heart.". An eminent author who was in the habit of comparing the love of the good with the hardness of heart and miseries of the wicked, has affirmed, that he once heard a good man speaking to a hard-hearted and wicked man, and the latter was so affected by the tones, that he wept. He said he "had never wept before, but he could not help it then, because it was pure loving speaking. The voices of evil men, on the contrary, are harsh and discordant, in proportion to the degree of their evil.
The brethren who desire to dwell together in unity, should keep these two classes of men in remembrance; and exercise strict watch over their passions and feelings, regulating them by that spirit of gentleness which originates in love. They should wash each other's feet; that is, assist each other in the purification of their external life and conduct; and every member of a Christian house, or of a Christian church, should be so careful over his own conduct, that neither his own family, nor the church with which he is connected, may be scandalized by him. The necessity of washing each other's feet seems evident from this; we are all more or less blind to our own imperfections, while we are often very acute in observing the faults of others. Our own evils we keep too frequently in the shade; those of our brethren are as often placed in a strong light. It therefore requires the aid of some friendly brother to shew us what we really are, and to call us to repentence; and if this is done in a gentle and loving manner, we will be doing as the Lord has commanded:—"If I, your Lord and Master, have
adh
