CONSISTENT TEACHING.

"Teachest thou not thyself?"-ROM. ii. 21.

E all need teaching; but, generally speaking, we love to teach rather than to be taught. We instruct others, but neglect ourselves. This is true of preachers and Sabbath-school teachers especially, and the language of Paul may be addressed to many of us, "Thou that teachest another, teachest thou not thyself?" Let us endeavour for once to be impartial, and look at this point closely, soberly, and seriously.

Thou teachest others to be temperate, but indulgest thyself far beyond what nature requires. A variety of dishes must be provided, glass after glass is taken, and, if positive intoxication is avoided, conscience has learnt to be silent, and all passes off as well. If two invitations are given, one to plain homely fare, where the spare time will be taken up in prayer and praise, or godly conversation, and another to a sumptuous table, where dessert and wine will

occupy the spare time, or conversation about ministers, or some common topic, will engage the attention, which will be preferred? Teachest thou not thyself?"

Thou teachest others self-denial, but dost not practice the same thyself. Others are exhorted to make sacrifices,-to work for God, to earn that they may give, to give even out of their poverty; but the teacher is paid for all he does, and gives little or nothing. Not a journey does he take without some remuneration; not a sacrifice does he make, not a power does he overtax. He talks freely, urges warmly, illustrates eloquently, argues fervently; but he is ranked among some whom our Lord addressed, "They say and do not." Reader, is this at all like you? "Teachest thou not thyself?"

Thou teachest others to be humble; but is humility thy characteristic? A proud man in the pulpit preaching humility, or a proud teacher in the class teaching humility -what an anomaly! And yet there are such things. They talk about humility; but their general bearing, their conduct towards others, their evident self-improves that they are They appear to say, "Others

nce,

not

should be humble, I may be proud. Others should be meek, I may be haughty. Others should submit, I may resent. Others should forbear, I may avenge myself." Or, "Do as I say, not as I do." Can this be right? How must it appear in the eyes of God? Preacher, teacher, professor, art thou proud? Is there the proud look? The haughty manner? The contemptuous sneer? The cold, distant, self-important bearing? Can this be approved of God? Will this pass the scrutiny of the Most High? Will the Holy Spirit fill thy heart, or consecrate thy body as his temple? Is it any wonder that you meet with no success? "Teachest thou not thyself?"

Thou teachest activity for God and immortal souls; but the pipe, the parlour, the light volume, or some scientific pursuit, occupies thy time and attention. Others should go out into the streets and lanes of the city, and into the highways and hedges; others should visit the sick, relieve the poor, warn the rebellious, expostulate with the backslider, and carry the gospel to every creature; but you have not the tact, the talent, the time, in one word, you have not the disposition. If you would, there is very much that you could do. Indeed,

оссиру the spare time, or conversation about ministers, or some common topic, will engage the attention, which will be preferred? Teachest thou not thyself?"

Thou teachest others self-denial, but dost not practice the same thyself. Others are exhorted to make sacrifices,—to work for God,-to earn that they may give, to give even out of their poverty; but the teacher is paid for all he does, and gives little or nothing. Not a journey does he take without some remuneration; not a sacrifice does he make, not a power does he overtax. He talks freely, urges warmly, illustrates eloquently, argues fervently; but he is ranked among some whom our Lord addressed, "They say and do not." Reader, is this at all like you?" Teachest thou not thyself?"

Thou teachest others to be humble; but is humility thy characteristic? A proud man in the pulpit preaching humility, or a proud teacher in the class teaching humility -what an anomaly! And yet there are such things. They talk about humility; but their general bearing, their conduct towards others, their evident self-importance, proves that they are humble. They appear to say, "Others

not

should be humble, I may be proud. Others should be meek, I may be haughty. Others should submit, I may resent. Others should forbear, I may avenge myself." Or, "Do as I say, not as I do." Can this be right? How must it appear in the eyes of God? Preacher, teacher, professor, art thou proud? Is there the proud look? The haughty manner? The contemptuous sneer? The cold, distant, self-important bearing? Can this be approved of God? Will this pass the scrutiny of the Most High? Will the Holy Spirit fill thy heart, or consecrate thy body as his temple? Is it any wonder that you meet with no success? "Teachest thou not thyself?"

Thou teachest activity for God and immortal souls; but the pipe, the parlour, the light volume, or some scientific pursuit, occupies thy time and attention. Others should go out into the streets and lanes of the city, and into the highways and hedges; others should visit the sick, relieve the poor, warn the rebellious, expostulate with the backslider, and carry the gospel to every creature; but you have not the tact, the talent, the time, in one word, you have not the disposition. If you would, there is very much that you could do. Indeed,