steals, but the community as well. So does he who obtains money by false pretense or fraud, or avoids the payment of honest debts. As one wishes to keep and enjoy what belongs to him, so if he love his neighbor as himself he will wish the same for his neighbor, and the thought of dishonesty will be hateful to him. So will the thought of false testimony against a neighbor. The command forbids not only false swearing in court, but all untruth, scandal, exaggeration and evil suggestion. It requires kindness in judging and speaking of others. "Charity thinketh no evil, rejoiceth not in iniquity. Its ears are not open to evil reports. It discourages hurtful gossip, and delights in things that are lovely and of good report. The spirit of love is the spirit of truth, honesty, purity and kindness. It is the spirit of fair dealing, of respect for person, property, reputation and feelings. It seeketh not its own at the expense of another. It is generous. It even yields its rights for the good of others. It is this spirit which the Apostle Paul commended when he said: "Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus."

COVETOUSNESS.

When the inspired apostle writes that "the love of money is the root of all evil," or "a root of all kinds of evil," he does not condemn money nor the effort to earn it, nor even the desire to accumulate a competence. His subject is not money, but "the love of money."

"Love" is a strong word. It describes the ruling passion. It is not admiration, nor fancy, nor liking, but complete devotion. Christ said, "Take heed and beware of covetousness," illustrating his words by the parable of the rich fool, whose passion was to hoard up his property, and whom he condemned not because he was rich, but because his treasure was "for himself," and not "toward God," and because wealth with him was "the God," and because he counted wealth the supreme thing. It, above all, was to be sought and kept, and from it he expected his greatest gratification.

The root of evil is the passion for money which makes it the chief end of life. Such

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love is a violation not only of the Tenth Commandment, but of the First, for the two are essentially one. There is great force in the statement of the apostle when he speaks of "covetousness which is idolatry." He who gives to wealth, or anything else, the place which belongs to God is an idolater.

Covetousness is a sin not only against God and man, but against self. It exalts an inferior motive. It prompts one to seek first of all that which in the end will not satisfy him. The Scriptures and human experience testify: "He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver, nor he that loveth abundance with increase." It disturbs the mental balance. It dwarfs the ideal of enjoyment, and of the family, and of social life, and of business, and even of money itself. It crowds out better motives and good impressions. As some plants exhaust the soil and others prevent useful growth, so it impoverishes the soul and prevents the growth of Christian graces.

It is a root of evil not only in the individual soul, but in the community. It is the starting point of sharp practice, extortion and fraud. It leads to gambling and

speculation. When these bring great fortunes they are an evil object lesson. Men are not satisfied with daily bread or a competence, or even with moderate wealth. Their ideal is the vast fortune some one else has attained.

The only way to rid the soul of this root of evil is by planting something better. The secret of deliverance is in the expulsive power of a new affection. Covetousness is selfishness. Love to God and ruan will banish it. "Set your affections on things above." "Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others." "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus." He is the perfect example of unselfishness. "Though he was rich, yet for our sakes he became poor." The one thing which every man should covet is the loving, unselfish, helpful mind of Christ. Deliverance from selfishness, covetousness and every evil motive is in love to God, and recognition of his character and will. "Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him. I will set him on high, because he hath known my name."

NATIONAL SAFETY.

Few Americans are willing to admit that there can be defect in our system of government or serious danger to its perpe tuity. We glory in our Constitution and history, and enter with zest into the celebration of our national holiday. Let us not, however, be blinded by smoke nor deafened by noise. A nation's safety is neither in its Constitution nor in its history, nor in the enthusiasm with which its people celebrate its anniversary. National permanence and greatness depend on national morality; using the word in a wide sense, for obedience to God's law. "Happy is that people whose God is the Lord."

The question for us is one of loyalty to the righteous principles upon which our government was founded. We live in an age of great things. The country has grown in population, territory, wealth and influence among nations. But prosperity has dangers. Power breeds self-satisfaction. Luxury is demoralizing. Great fortunes, hastily accumulated, are an evil object lesson. Worldly