hands, and be contented to say—­’I live by peaceful, high, pure, Christ-like thoughts.’  ‘He that needs least,’ said an old heathen, ’is nearest the gods’; but I would rather modify the statement into, ’He that needs most, and knows it, is nearest the gods.’  For surely Christ is more than mammon; and a spirit nourished by calm desires and holy thoughts into growing virtues and increasing Christlikeness is better than circumstances ordered to our will, in the whirl of which we have lost our God.  ’In everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God, and the peace of God and the God of peace shall keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.’

‘LOVE BUILDETH UP’

’Now, as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge.  Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth. 2.  And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know. 3.  But if any man love God, the same is known of him. 4.  As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one. 5.  For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) 6.  But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by Him. 7.  Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge:  for some, with conscience of the idol unto this hour, eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled. 8.  But meat commendeth us not to God:  for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse. 9.  But take heed, lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak. 10.  For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol’s temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols; 11.  And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? 12.  But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ. 13.  Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.’—­1 COR. viii. 1-13.

It is difficult for us to realise the close connection which existed between idol-worship and daily life.  Something of the same sort is found in all mission fields.  It was almost impossible for Christians to take any part in society and not seem to sanction idolatry.  Would that Christianity were as completely interwoven with our lives as heathen religions are into those of their devotees!  Paul seems to have had referred to him a pressing case of conscience, which divided the Corinthian Church, as to whether a Christian could join in the usual feasts or sacrifices.  His answer is in this passage.