NOT WORTHY TO BE COMPARED.
THERE are those who complain of the expense of religion, and the demands made of them for the support of the gospel. As a general thing, those who complain the most give the least. A man who properly appreciates the gospel feels that he is an infinite debtor to grace, and can never make suitable returns to God for all his benefits. There can be no just comparison instituted between the temporal cost of religion and the spiritual blessings which it secures. "Whatever a man pays for his Bible," says a recent writer, "there is no kind of proportion between the money given and the thing got. The wealth of the world could not buy one text of the word of God. The money is the equivalent only of paper, printing, binding. So conversion, sanctification, the strength of organized fellowship, godly training of the young, profitable use of the Sabbath, the sacraments, comfort in sickness and death—are things which man cannot buy, because man cannot give them. All the more reasonable, therefore, that the simple and inexpensive channel by which God dispenses them to us and sends them on to coming generations should be maintained." "If we have sown unto you spiritual things," says the apostle, "is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?" Christians should show their appreciation of the gospel by its constant and liberal support.—Selected.