第1章
Beingtiredaftertheservicesoftheday，ItoldthemtoaskHenryDrummond，whowasoneofthepartyAftersomeurginghedrewasmallTestamentfromhishippocket，openeditatthe13thchapterofICorinthians，andbegantospeakonthesubjectofLove。
ItseemedtomethatIhadneverheardanythingsobeautiful，andIdeterminednottorestuntilIbroughtHenryDrummondtoNorthfieldtodeliverthataddressSincethenIhaverequestedtheprincipalsofschoolstohaveitreadbeforethestudentseveryyearTheonegreatneedinourChristianlifeislove，morelovetoGodandtoeachotherWouldthatwecouldallmoveintothatLovechapter，andlivethere。
Thisvolumecontains，inadditiontotheaddressonLove，someotheraddresseswhichItrustwillbringhelpandblessingtomany。
Love:TheGreatestThingintheWorldEveryonehasaskedhimselfthegreatquestionofantiquityasofthemodernworld:Whatisthe"summumbonum"——thesupremegood？
YouhavelifebeforeyouOnceonlyyoucanliveitWhatisthenoblestobjectofdesire，thesupremegifttocovet？
WehavebeenaccustomedtobetoldthatthegreatestthinginthereligiousworldisFaithThatgreatwordhasbeenthekey-noteforcenturiesofthepopularreligion；andwehaveeasilylearnedtolookuponitasthegreatestthingintheworldWell，wearewrongIfwehavebeentoldthat，wemaymissthemarkInthe13thchapterofICorinthians，PaultakesustoChristianityatitssource；
andtherewesee，"thegreatestoftheseislove。"
ItisnotanoversightPaulwasspeakingoffaithjustamomentbeforeHesays，"IfIhaveallfaith，sothatIcanremovemountains，andhavenotlove，Iamnothing。"Sofarfromforgetting，hedeliberatelycontraststhem，"NowabidethFaith，Hope，Love，"
andwithoutamoment"shesitationthedecisionfalls，"ThegreatestoftheseisLove。"
AnditisnotprejudiceAmanisapttorecommendtoothershisownstrongpointLovewasnotPaul"sstrongpointTheobservingstudentcandetectabeautifultendernessgrowingandripeningallthroughhischaracterasPaulgetsold；butthehandthatwrote"Thegreatestoftheseislove，"whenwemeetitfirst，isstainedwithblood。
NoristhislettertotheCorinthianspeculiarinsinglingoutloveasthe"summumbonum。"ThemasterpiecesofChristianityareagreedaboutitPetersays，"Aboveallthingshaveferventloveamongyourselves。"ABOVEALLTHINGSAndJohngoesfarther，"Godislove。"
YouremembertheprofoundremarkwhichPaulmakeselsewhere，"Loveisthefulfillingofthelaw。"Didyoueverthinkwhathemeantbythat？InthosedaysmenwereworkingthepassagetoHeavenbykeepingtheTenCommandments，andthehundredandtenothercommandmentswhichtheyhadmanufacturedoutofthemChristcameandsaid，"IwillshowyouamoresimplewayIfyoudoonething，youwilldothesehundredandtenthings，withouteverthinkingaboutthemIfyouLOVE，youwillunconsciouslyfulfillthewholelaw。"
YoucanreadilyseeforyourselveshowthatmustbesoTakeanyofthecommandments"ThoushalthavenoothergodsbeforeMe。"
IfamanloveGod，youwillnotrequiretotellhimthatLoveisthefulfillingofthatlaw"TakenotHisnameinvain。"WouldheeverdreamoftakingHisnameinvainifhelovedhim？"RemembertheSabbathdaytokeepitholy。"Wouldhenotbetoogladtohaveonedayinseventodedicatemoreexclusivelytotheobjectofhisaffection？LovewouldfulfillalltheselawsregardingGod。
Andso，ifhelovedman，youwouldneverthinkoftellinghimtohonorhisfatherandmotherHecouldnotdoanythingelse。
ItwouldbepreposteroustotellhimnottokillYoucouldonlyinsulthimifyousuggestedthatheshouldnotsteal——howcouldhestealfromthoseheloved？ItwouldbesuperfluoustobeghimnottobearfalsewitnessagainsthisneighborIfhelovedhimitwouldbethelastthinghewoulddoAndyouwouldneverdreamofurginghimnottocovetwhathisneighborshadHewouldrathertheypossessitthanhimselfInthisway"Loveisthefulfillingofthelaw。"Itistheruleforfulfillingallrules，thenewcommandmentforkeepingalltheoldcommandments，Christ"sone。
SecretoftheChristianlife。
NowPaulhaslearnedthat；andinthisnobleeulogyhehasgivenusthemostwonderfulandoriginalaccountextantofthe"summumbonum。"WemaydivideitintothreepartsInthebeginningoftheshortchapterwehaveLoveCONTRASTED；intheheartofit，wehaveLoveANALYZED；towardtheend，wehaveLoveDEFENDEDasthesupremegift。
ITheContrast。
PaulbeginsbycontrastingLovewithotherthingsthatmeninthosedaysthoughtmuchofIshallnotattempttogooverthesethingsindetailTheirinferiorityisalreadyobvious。
HecontrastsitwithELOQUENCEAndwhatanoblegiftitis，thepowerofplayinguponthesoulsandwillsofmen，androusingthemtoloftypurposeandholydeeds!Paulsays，IfIspeakwiththetonguesofmenandofangels，andhavenotlove，Iambecomesoundingbrass，oratinklingcymbal。"WeallknowwhyWehaveallfeltthebrazennessofwordswithoutemotion，thehollowness，theunaccountableunpersuasiveness，ofeloquencebehindwhichliesnoLove。
HecontrastsitwithPROPHECYHecontrastsitwithMYSTERIES。
HecontrastsitwithFAITHHecontrastsitwithCHARITYWhyisLovegreaterthanfaith？BecausetheendisgreaterthanthemeansAndwhyisitgreaterthancharity？Becausethewholeisgreaterthanthepart。
LoveisgreaterthanFAITH，becausetheendisgreaterthanthemeansWhatistheuseofhavingfaith？ItistoconnectthesoulwithGodAndwhatistheobjectofconnectingmanwithGod？
ThathemaybecomelikeGodButGodisLoveHenceFaith，themeans，isinordertoLove，theendLove，therefore，obviouslyisgreaterthanfaith"IfIhaveallfaith，soastoremovemountains，buthavenotlove，Iamnothing。"
ItisgreaterthanCHARITY，again，becausethewholeisgreaterthanapartCharityisonlyalittlebitofLove，oneoftheinnumerableavenuesofLove，andtheremayevenbe，andthereis，agreatdealofcharitywithoutLoveItisaveryeasythingtotossacoppertoabeggaronthestreet；itisgenerallyaneasierthingthannottodoitYetLoveisjustasofteninthewithholdingWepurchaserelieffromthesympatheticfeelingsrousedbythespectacleofmisery，atthecopper"scostItistoocheap——toocheapforus，andoftentoodearforthebeggarIfwereallylovedhimwewouldeitherdomoreforhim，orlessHence，"IfIbestowallmygoodstofeedthepoor，buthavenotloveitprofitethmenothing。"
ThenPaulcontrastsitwithSACRIFICEandmartyrdom:"IfIgivemybodytobeburned，buthavenotlove，itprofitethmenothing。"
MissionariescantakenothinggreatertotheheathenworldthantheimpressandreflectionoftheLoveofGodupontheirowncharacter。
ThatistheuniversallanguageItwilltakethemyearstospeakinChinese，orinthedialectsofIndiaFromthedaytheyland，thatlanguageofLove，understoodbyall，willbepouringforthitsunconsciouseloquence。
Itisthemanwhoisthemissionary，itisnothiswordsHischaracterishismessageIntheheartofAfrica，amongthegreatLakes，Ihavecomeacrossblackmenandwomenwhorememberedtheonlywhitemantheyeversawbefore——DavidLivingstone；andasyoucrosshisfootstepsinthatdarkcontinent，Men"sfaceslightupAstheyspeakofthekinddoctorwhopassedthereyearsagoTheycouldnotunderstandhim；buttheyfeltthelovethatbeatinhisheartTheyknewthatitwaslove，althoughhespokenoword。
Takeintoyoursphereoflabor，whereyoualsomeantolaydownyourlife，thatsimplecharm，andyourlifeworkmustsucceedYoucantakenothinggreater，youneedtakenothinglessYoumaytakeeveryaccomplishment；youmaybebracedforeverysacrifice；
butifyougiveyourbodytobeburned，andhavenotLove，itwillprofityouandthecauseofChristNOTHING。
IITheAnalysisAftercontrastingLovewiththesethings，Paul，inthreeverses，veryshort，givesusanamazinganalysisofwhatthissupremethingis。
IaskyoutolookatitItisacompoundthing，hetellsusItislikelightAsyouhaveseenamanofsciencetakeabeamoflightandpassitthroughacrystalprism，asyouhaveseenitcomeoutontheothersideoftheprismbrokenupintoitscomponentcolors——red，andblue，andyellow，andviolet，andorange，andallthecolorsoftherainbow——soPaulpassesthisthing，Love，throughthemagnificentprismofhisinspiredintellect，anditcomesoutontheothersidebrokenupintoitselements。
InthesefewwordswehavewhatonemightcallThespectrumofLove，theanalysisofloveWillyouobservewhatitselementsare？
Willyounoticethattheyhavecommonnames；thattheyarevirtueswhichwehearabouteveryday；thattheyarethingswhichcanbepractisedbyeverymanineveryplaceinlife；andhow，byamultitudeofsmallthingsandordinaryvirtues，thesupremething，the"summumbonum，"ismadeup？
TheSpectrumofLovehasnineingredients:
Patience"Lovesufferethlong。"
Kindness"Andiskind。"
Generosity"Loveenviethnot。"
Humility"Lovevauntethnotitself，isnotpuffedup。"
Courtesy"Dothnotbehaveitselfunseemly。"
Unselfishness"Seekethnotitsown。"
Goodtemper"Isnotprovoked。"
Guilelessness"Takethnotaccountofevil。"
Sincerity"Rejoicethnotinunrighteousness，butrejoicethwiththetruth。"
Patience；kindness；generosity；humility；courtesy；unselfishness；
goodtemper；guilelessness；sincerity——thesemakeupthesupremegift，thestatureoftheperfectman。
Youwillobservethatallareinrelationtomen，inrelationtolife，inrelationtotheknownto-dayandthenearto-morrow，andnottotheunknowneternityWehearmuchoflovetoGod；ChristspokemuchoflovetomanWemakeagreatdealofpeacewithheaven；
ChristmademuchofpeaceonearthReligionisnotastrangeoraddedthing，buttheinspirationofthesecularlife，thebreathingofaneternalspiritthroughthistemporalworldThesupremething，inshort，isnotathingatall，butthegivingofafurtherfinishtothemultitudinouswordsandactswhichmakeupthesumofeverycommonday。
PATIENCEThisisthenormalattitudeoflove；Lovepassive，lovewaitingtobegin；notinahurry；calm；readytodoitsworkwhenthesummonscomes，butmeantimewearingtheornamentofameekandquietspiritLovesufferslong；bearethallthings；believethallthings；hopethallthingsForLoveunderstands，andthereforewaits。
KINDNESSLoveactiveHaveyouevernoticedhowmuchofChrist"slifewasspentindoingkindthings——inMERELYdoingkindthings？
Runoveritwiththatinview，andyouwillfindthatHespentagreatproportionofHistimesimplyinmakingpeoplehappy，inDoinggoodturnstopeopleThereisonlyonethinggreaterthanhappinessintheworld，andthatisholiness；anditisnotinourkeeping；butwhatGodHASputinourpoweristhehappinessofthoseaboutus，andthatislargelytobesecuredbyourbeingkindtothem。
"Thegreatestthing，"sayssomeone，"amancandoforhisHeavenlyFatheristobekindtosomeofHisotherchildren。"Iwonderwhyitisthatwearenotallkinderthanweare？Howmuchtheworldneedsit!Howeasilyitisdone!Howinstantaneouslyitacts!Howinfalliblyitisremembered!Howsuperabundantlyitpaysitselfback——forthereisnodebtorintheworldsohonorable，sosuperblyhonorable，asLove"Loveneverfaileth。"Loveissuccess，Loveishappiness，Loveislife"Love，"IsaywithBrowning，"isenergyoflife。"
"Forlife，withallityieldsofjoyorwoeAndhopeandfear，Isjustourchanceo"theprizeoflearninglove，——
Howlovemightbe，hathbeenindeed，andis。"
WhereLoveis，GodisHethatdwellethinLovedwellethinGodGodisLoveThereforeLOVEWithoutdistinction，withoutcalculation，withoutprocrastination，loveLavishituponthepoor，whereitisveryeasy；especiallyupontherich，whooftenneeditmost；mostofalluponourequals，whereitisverydifficult，andforwhomperhapsweeachdoleastofallThereisadifferencebetweenTRYINGTOPLEASEandGIVINGPLEASUREGivepleasure。
Losenochanceofgivingpleasure；forthatistheceaselessandanonymoustriumphofatrulylovingspirit"IshallpassthroughthisworldbutonceAnygoodthing，therefore，thatIcando，oranykindnessthatIcanshowtoanyhumanbeing，letmedoitnow。
Letmenotdeferitorneglectit，forIshallnotpassthiswayagain。"
GENEROSITY"Loveenviethnot。"ThisisloveincompetitionwithothersWheneveryouattemptagoodworkyouwillfindothermendoingthesamekindofwork，andprobablydoingitbetterEnvythemnotEnvyisafeelingofill-willtothosewhoareinthesamelineasourselves，aspiritofcovetousnessanddetraction。
HowlittleChristianworkevenisaprotectionagainstun-Christianfeeling!ThatmostdespicableofalltheunworthymoodswhichcloudaChristian"ssoulassuredlywaitsforusonthethresholdofeverywork，unlesswearefortifiedwiththisgraceofmagnanimity。
OnlyonethingtrulyneedtheChristianenvy——thelarge，rich，generoussoulwhich"enviethnot。"
Andthen，afterhavinglearnedallthat，youhavetolearnthisfurtherthing，HUMILITY——toputasealuponyourlipsandforgetwhatyouhavedoneAfteryouhavebeenkind，afterLovehasstolenforthintotheworldanddoneitsbeautifulwork，gobackintotheshadeagainandsaynothingaboutitLovehidesevenfromitself。
Lovewaivesevenself-satisfaction"Lovevauntethnotitself，isnotpuffedup。"Humility——lovehiding。
Thefifthingredientisasomewhatstrangeonetofindinthis"summumbonum:"COURTESYThisisLoveinsociety，Loveinrelationtoetiquette"Lovedoenotbehaveitselfunseemly。"
PolitenesshasbeendefinedasloveintriflesCourtesyissaidtobeloveinlittlethingsAndtheonesecretofpolitenessistolove。
LoveCANNOTbehaveitselfunseemlyYoucanputthemostuntutoredpersonsintothehighestsociety，andiftheyhaveareservoirofLoveintheirheartytheywillnotbehavethemselvesunseemly。
TheysimplycannotdoitCarlislesaidofRobertBurnsthattherewasnotruergentlemaninEuropethantheploughman-poetItwasbecausehelovedeverything——themouse，andthedaisy，andallthethings，greatandsmall，thatGodhadmadeSowiththissimplepassporthecouldminglewithanysociety，andentercourtsandpalacesfromhislittlecottageonthebanksoftheAyr。
Youknowthemeaningoftheword"gentleman。"Itmeansagentleman——amanwhodoesthingsgently，withloveThatisthewholeartandmysteryofitThegentlemancannotinthenatureofthingsdoanungentle，anungentlemanlythingTheungentlesoul，theinconsiderate，unsympatheticnature，cannotdoanythingelse"Lovedothnotbehaveitselfunseemly。"
UNSELFISHNESS"Loveseekethnotherown。"Observe:SeekethnoteventhatwhichisherownInBritaintheEnglishmanisdevoted，andrightly，tohisrightsButtherecometimeswhenamanmayexerciseevenThehigherrightofgivinguphisrights。
YetPauldoesnotsummonustogiveupourrightsLovestrikesmuchdeeperItwouldhaveusnotseekthematall，ignorethem，eliminatethepersonalelementaltogetherfromourcalculations。
ItisnothardtogiveupourrightsTheyareofteneternalThedifficultthingistogiveupOURSELVESThemoredifficultthingstillisnottoseekthingsforourselvesatallAfterwehavesoughtthem，boughtthem，wonthem，deservedthem，wehavetakenthecreamoffthemforourselvesalreadyLittlecrossthentogivethemupButnottoseekthem，tolookeverymannotonhisownthings，butonthethingsofothers——thatisthedifficulty。
"Seekestthougreatthingsforthyself？"saidtheprophet；"SEEK
THEMNOT。"Why？BecausethereisnogreatnessinTHINGSThingscannotbegreatTheonlygreatnessisunselfishloveEvenself-denialinitselfisnothing，isalmostamistakeOnlyagreatpurposeoramightierlovecanjustifythewaste。
Itismoredifficult，Ihavesaid，nottoseekourownatallthan，havingsoughtit，togiveitupImusttakethatbackItisonlytrueofapartlyselfishheartNothingisahardshiptoLove，andnothingishardIbelievethatChrist"s"yoke"iseasy。
Christ"syokeisjustHiswayoftakinglifeAndIbelieveitisaneasierwaythananyotherIbelieveitisahappierwaythananyotherThemostobviouslessoninChrist"steachingisthatthereisnohappinessinhavingandgettinganything，butonlyingivingIrepeat，THEREISNOHAPPINESSINHAVINGORINGETTING，BUTONLYINGIVINGHalftheworldisonthewrongscentinthepursuitofhappinessTheythinkitconsistsinhavingandgetting，andinbeingservedbyothersItconsistsingiving，andinservingothers"Hethatwouldbegreatamongyou，"saidChrist，"lethimserve。"Hethatwouldbehappy，lethimrememberthatthereisbutoneway——"itismoreblessed，itismorehappy，togivethantoreceive。"
Thenextingredientisaveryremarkableone:GOODTEMPER"Loveisnotprovoked。"
NothingcouldbemorestrikingthantofindthishereWeareinclinedtolookuponbadtemperasaveryharmlessweakness。
Wespeakofitasamereinfirmityofnature，afamilyfailing，amatteroftemperament，notathingtotakeintoveryseriousaccountinestimatingaman"scharacterAndyethere，rightintheheartofthisanalysisoflove，itfindsaplace；andtheBibleagainandagainreturnstocondemnitasoneofthemostdestructiveelementsinhumannature。
Thepeculiarityofilltemperisthatitistheviceofthevirtuous。
ItisoftentheoneblotonanotherwisenoblecharacterYouknowmenwhoareallbutperfect，andwomenwhowouldbeentirelyperfect，butforaneasilyruffled，quick-tempered，or"touchy"
dispositionThiscompatibilityofilltemperwithhighmoralcharacterisoneofthestrangestandsaddestproblemsofethics。
Thetruthis，therearetwogreatclassesofsins——sinsoftheBODY
andsinsoftheDISPOSITIONTheProdigalSonmaybetakenasatypeofthefirst，theElderBrotherofthesecondNow，societyhasnodoubtwhateverastowhichoftheseistheworseItsbrandfalls，withoutachallenge，upontheProdigalButareweright？
Wehavenobalancetoweighoneanother"ssins，andcoarserandfinerarebuthumanwords；butfaultsinthehighernaturemaybelessvenalthanthoseinthelower，andtotheeyeofHimwhoisLove，asinagainstLovemayseemahundredtimesmorebaseNoformofvice，notworldliness，notgreedofgold，notdrunkennessitself，doesmoretoun-ChristianizesocietythaneviltemperForembitteringlife，forbreakingupcommunities，fordestroyingthemostsacredrelationships，fordevastatinghomes，forwitheringupmenandwomen，fortakingthebloomofchildhood，inshort，Forsheergratuitousmisery-producingpowerthisinfluencestandsalone。
LookattheElderBrother——moral，hard-working，patient，dutiful——lethimgetallcreditforhisvirtues——lookatthisman，thisbaby，sulkingoutsidehisownfather"sdoor"Hewasangry，"weread，"andwouldnotgoin。"Lookattheeffectuponthefather，upontheservants，uponthehappinessoftheguestsJudgeoftheeffectupontheProdigal——andhowmanyprodigalsarekeptoutoftheKingdomofGodbytheunlovelycharacterofthosewhoprofesstobeinsideAnalyze，asastudyinTemper，thethunder-clouditselfasitgathersupontheElderBrother"sbrowWhatisitmadeof？
Jealousy，anger，pride，uncharity，cruelty，self-righteousness，touchiness，doggedness，sullenness——thesearetheingredientsofthisdarkandlovelesssoulInvaryingproportions，also，thesearetheingredientsofallilltemperJudgeifsuchsinsareofthedispositionarenotworsetolivein，andforotherstolivewith，thanthesinsofthebodyDidChristindeednotanswerthequestionHimselfwhenHesaid，"IsayuntoyouthatthepublicansandtheharlotsgointotheKingdomofHeavenbeforeyou"？ThereisreallynoplaceinheavenforadispositionlikethisAmanwithsuchamoodcouldonlymakeheavenmiserableforallthepeopleinitExcept，therefore，suchamanbeBornagain，hecannot，simplyCANNOT，enterthekingdomofheaven。
YouwillseethenwhyTemperissignificantItisnotinwhatitisalone，butinwhatitrevealsThisiswhyIspeakofitwithsuchunusualplainnessItisatestforlove，asymptom，arevelationofanunlovingnatureatbottomItistheintermittentfeverwhichbespeaksunintermittentdiseasewithin；theoccasionalbubbleescapingtothesurfacewhichbetrayssomerottennessunderneath；asampleofthemosthiddenproductsofthesouldroppedinvoluntarilywhenoffone"sguard；inaword，thelightningformofahundredhideousandun-ChristiansinsAwantofpatience，awantofkindness，awantofgenerosity，awantofcourtesy，awantofunselfishness，areallinstantaneouslysymbolizedinoneflashofTemper。
HenceitisnotenoughtodealwiththeTemperWemustgotothesource，andchangetheinmostnature，andtheangryhumorswilldieawayofthemselvessoulsaremadesweetnotbytakingtheacidfluidsout，butbyputtingsomethingin——agreatLove，anewSpirit，theSpiritofChristChrist，theSpiritofChrist，interpenetratingours，sweetens，purifies，transformsallThisonlycaneradicatewhatiswrong，workachemicalchange，renovateandregenerate，andrehabilitatetheinnermanWill-powerdoesnotchangemen。
Timedoesnotchangemen。
Christdoes。
Therefore，"LetthatmindbeinyouwhichwasalsoinChristJesus。"
SomeofushavenotmuchtimetoloseRemember，oncemore，thatthisisamatteroflifeordeathIcannothelpspeakingurgently，formyself，foryourselves"Whososhalloffendoneoftheselittleones，whichbelieveinme，itwerebetterforhimthatamillstonewerehangedabouthisneck，andthatheweredrownedinthedepthofthesea。"Thatistosay，itisthedeliberateverdictoftheLordJesusthatitisbetternottolivethannottoloveITIS
BETTERNOTTOLIVETHANNOTTOLOVE。
GUILELESSNESSandSINCERITYmaybedismissedalmostwithoutaword。
GuilelessnessisthegraceforsuspiciouspeopleThepossessionofitisThegreatsecretofpersonalinfluence。
Youwillfind，ifyouthinkforamoment，thatthepeoplewhoinfluenceyouarepeoplewhobelieveinyouInanatmosphereofsuspicionmenshrivelup；butinthatatmospheretheyexpand，andfindencouragementandeducativefellowship。
Itisawonderfulthingthathereandthereinthishard，uncharitableworldthereshouldstillbeleftafewraresoulswhothinknoevilthisisthegreatunworldlinessLove"thinkethnoevil，"
imputesnomotive，seesthebrightside，putsthebestconstructiononeveryactionWhatadelightfulstateofmindtolivein!Whatastimulusandbenedictioneventomeetwithitforaday!TobetrustedistobesavedAndifwetrytoinfluenceorelevateothers，weshallsoonseethatsuccessisinproportiontotheirbeliefofourbeliefinthemTherespectofanotheristhefirstrestorationoftheself-respectamanhaslost；ouridealofwhatheisbecomestohimthehopeandpatternofwhathemaybecome。
"Loverejoicethnotinunrighteousness，butrejoicethwiththetruth。"IhavecalledthisSINCERITYfromthewordsrenderedintheAuthorizedVersionby"rejoicethinthetruth。"And，certainly，werethistherealtranslation，nothingcouldbemorejust；forhewholoveswillloveTruthnotlessthanmenHewillrejoiceintheTruth——rejoicenotinwhathehasbeentaughttobelieve；notinthischurch"sdoctrineorinthat；notinthisismorinthatism；but"inTHETRUTH。"Hewillacceptonlywhatisreal；hewillstrivetogetatfacts；hewillsearchforTRUTHwithahumbleandunbiasedmind，andcherishwhateverhefindsatanysacrifice。
ButthemoreliteraltranslationoftheRevisedVersioncallsforjustsuchasacrificefortruth"ssakehereForwhatPaulreallymeantis，aswethereread，"Rejoicethnotinunrighteousness，butrejoicethwiththetruth，"aqualitywhichprobablynooneEnglishword——andcertainlynotSINCERITY——adequatelydefinesItincludes，perhapsmorestrictly，theself-restraintwhichrefusestomakecapitaloutofothers"faults；thecharitywhichdelightsnotinexposingtheweaknessofothers，but"coverethallthings"；thesincerityofpurposewhichendeavorstoseethingsastheyare，andrejoicestofindthembetterthansuspicionfearedorcalumnydenounced。
SomuchfortheanalysisofLoveNowthebusinessofourlivesistohavethesethingsfittedintoourcharactersThatisthesupremeworktowhichweneedtoaddressourselvesinthisworld，tolearnLoveIslifenotfullofopportunitiesforlearningLove？EverymanandwomaneverydayhasathousandofthemTheworldisnotaplayground；itisaschoolroomLifeisnotaholiday，butaneducationAndTheoneeternallessonforusallisHOWBETTERWECANLOVE。
Whatmakesamanagoodcricketer？PracticeWhatmakesamanagoodartist，agoodsculptor，agoodmusician？PracticeWhatmakesamanagoodlinguist，agoodstenographer？PracticeWhatmakesamanagoodman？PracticeNothingelseThereisnothingcapriciousaboutreligionWedonotgetthesoulindifferentways，underdifferentlaws，fromthoseinwhichwegetthebodyandthemindIfamandoesnotexercisehisarmhedevelopsnobicepsmuscle；andifamandoesnotexercisehissoul，heacquiresnomuscleinhissoul，nostrengthofcharacter，novigorofmoralfibre，nobeautyofspiritualgrowthLoveisnotathingofenthusiasticemotionItisarich，strong，manly，vigorousexpressionofthewholeroundChristiancharacter——theChristlikenatureinitsfullestdevelopmentAndtheconstituentsofthisgreatcharacterareonlytobebuiltupbyCeaselesspractice。
WhatwasChristdoinginthecarpenter"sshop？PractisingThoughperfect，wereadthatheLEARNEDobedience，andgrewinwisdomandinfavorwithGodDonotquarrel，therefore，withyourlotinlifeDonotcomplainofitsnever-ceasingcares，itspettyenvironment，thevexationsyouhavetostand，thesmallandsordidsoulsyouhavetoliveandworkwithAboveall，donotresenttemptation；donotbeperplexedbecauseitseemstothickenroundyoumoreandmore，andceasesneitherforeffortnorforagonynorprayerThatisyourpracticeThatisthepracticewhichgodappointsyou；anditishavingitsworkinmakingyoupatient，andhumble，andgenerous，andunselfish，andkind，andcourteousDonotgrudgethehandthatismouldingthestilltooshapelessimagewithinyouItisgrowingmorebeautiful，thoughyouseeitnot；
andeverytouchoftemptationmayaddtoitsperfectionThereforekeepinthemidstoflifeDonotisolateyourselfBeamongmenandamongthings，andamongtroubles，anddifficulties，andobstaclesYourememberGoethe"swords:"Talentdevelopsitselfinsolitude；characterinthestreamoflife。"Talentdevelopsitselfinsolitude——thetalentofprayer，offaith，ofmeditation，ofseeingtheunseen；charactergrowsinthestreamoftheworld"slifeThatchieflyiswheremenaretolearnlove。
How？Now，how？Tomakeiteasier，IhavenamedafewoftheelementsofloveButtheseareonlyelementsLoveitselfcanneverbedefinedLightisasomethingmorethanthesumofitsingredients——aglowing，dazzling，tremulousetherAndloveissomethingmorethanallitselements——apalpitating，quivering，sensitive，livingthingBysynthesisofallthecolors，mencanmakewhiteness，theycannotmakelightBysynthesisofallthevirtues，mencanmakevirtue，theycannotmakeloveHowthenarewetohavethistranscendentlivingwholeconveyedintooursouls？
WebraceourwillstosecureitWetrytocopythosewhohaveitWelaydownrulesaboutitWewatchWeprayButthesethingsalonewillnotbringloveintoournatureLoveisanEFFECT。
AndonlyaswefulfilltherightconditioncanwehavetheeffectproducedShallItellyouwhattheCAUSEis？
IfyouturntotheRevisedVersionoftheFirstEpistleofJohnyoufindthesewords:"WelovebecauseHefirstlovedus。""Welove，"not"WeloveHIM。"Thatisthewaytheoldversionhasit，anditisquitewrong"WELOVE——becauseHefirstlovedus。"
Lookatthatword"because。"ItistheCAUSEofwhichIhavespoken"BECAUSEHefirstlovedus，"theeffectfollowsthatwelove，weloveHim，weloveallmenWecannothelpitBecauseHelovedus，welove，weloveeverybodyOurheartisslowlychanged。
contemplatetheloveofChrist，andyouwillloveStandbeforethatmirror，reflectChrist"scharacter，andyouwillbechangedintothesameimagefromtendernesstotendernessThereisnootherwayYoucannotlovetoorderYoucanonlylookatthelovelyobject，andfallinlovewithit，andgrowintolikenesstoitAndsolookatthisPerfectCharacter，thisPerfectLifeLookatThegreatsacrificeasHelaiddownHimself，allthroughlife，andupontheCrossofCalvary；andyoumustloveHimAndlovingHim，youmustbecomelikeHimLovebegetsloveItisaprocessofinductionPutapieceofIroninthepresenceofanelectrifiedbody，andthatpieceofironforatimebecomeselectrifiedItischangedintoatemporarymagnetinthemerepresenceofapermanentmagnet，andaslongasyouleavethetwosidebyside，theyarebothmagnetsalikeRemainsidebysidewithHimwholovedus，andGavehimselfforus，andyou，too，willbecomeapermanentmagnet，apermanentlyattractiveforce；andlikeHimyouwilldrawallmenuntoyou，likeHimyouwillbedrawnuntoallmenthatistheinevitableeffectofLove。
Anymanwhofulfillsthatcausemusthavethateffectproducedinhim。
Trytogiveuptheideathatreligioncomestousbychance，orbymystery，orbycapriceItcomestousbynaturallaw，orbysupernaturallaw，foralllawisDivine。
EdwardIrvingwenttoseeadyingboyonce，andwhenheenteredtheroomhejustputhishandonthesufferer"shead，andsaid，"Myboy，Godlovesyou，"andwentawayTheboystartedfromhisbed，andcalledouttothepeopleinthehouse，"Godlovesme!Godlovesme!"
Oneword!ItchangedthatboyThesensethatGodlovedhimoverpoweredhim，meltedhimdown，andbeganthecreatingofanewheartinhimAndthatishowtheloveofGodmeltsdowntheunlovelyheartinman，andbegetsinhimthenewcreature，whoispatientandhumbleandgentleandunselfishAndthereisnootherwaytogetitThereisnomysteryaboutitWeloveothers，weloveeverybody，weloveourenemies，BECAUSEHEFIRSTLOVEDUS。
IIITheDefence。
NowIhaveaclosingsentenceortwotoaddaboutPaul"sreasonforsinglingoutloveasthesupremepossession。
ItisaveryremarkablereasonInasingleworditisthis:IT
LASTS"Love，"urgesPaul，"neverfaileth。"Thenhebeginsagainoneofhismarvelouslistsofthegreatthingsoftheday，andexposesthemonebyoneHerunsoverthethingsthatmenthoughtweregoingtolast，andshowsthattheyareallfleeting，temporary，passingaway。
"WhethertherebePROPHECIES，theyshallbedoneaway。"Itwasthemother"sambitionforherboyinthosedaysthatheshouldbecomeaprophetForhundredsofyearsGodhadneverspokenbymeansofanyprophet，andatthattimetheprophetwasgreaterthanthekingMenwaitedwistfullyforanothermessengertocome，andhunguponhislipswhenheappeared，asupontheveryvoiceofGodPaulsays，"Whethertherebeprophecies，theyshallfail。"TheBibleisfullofpropheciesOnebyonetheyhave"failed"；thatis，havingbeenfulfilled，theirworkisfinished；theyhavenothingmoretodonowintheworldexcepttofeedadevoutman"sfaith。
ThenPaultalksaboutTONGUESThatwasanotherthingthatwasgreatlycoveted"Whethertherebetongues，theyshallcease。"
Asweallknow，many，manycenturieshavepassedsincetongueshavebeenknowninthisworldTheyhaveceasedTakeitinanysenseyoulikeTakeit，forillustrationmerely，aslanguagesingeneral——asensewhichwasnotinPaul"smindatall，andwhichthoughitcannotgiveusthespecificlesson，willpointthegeneraltruthConsiderthewordsinwhichthesechapterswerewritten——GreekIthasgoneTaketheLatin——theothergreattongueofthosedaysItceasedlongagoLookattheIndianlanguage。
ItisceasingThelanguageofWales，ofIreland，oftheScottishHighlandsisdyingbeforeoureyesThemostpopularbookintheEnglishtongueatthepresenttime，exceptthebible，isoneofDickens"works，his"PickwickPapers。"ItislargelywritteninthelanguageofLondonstreet-life；andexpertsassureusthatinfiftyyearsitwillbeunintelligibletotheaverageEnglishreader。