How difficult a thing it is in the present day to find a well-balanced Christian!  In this day of fits and of starts, of impulse and of action, a day of revolution both in thought and kingdoms, where is the man who is formed in all respects after the image of his Savior?—­where the Christian, who, “being fitly framed together, groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord?” Many of the followers of Christ seem to have forgotten that His alone is the example after which they are to pattern, and are looking to some distinguished neighbor or friend, or to their own selfish and sensual desires, to inquire how they shall walk in this evil world.  Many appear to have made an estimate in their hearts how little religion will suffice them—­how little humbling of the spirit—­how little self-denying labor for Christ and dying men.  It may be they “do justly,” and, in their own eyes, “walk humbly;” but their religion is of the negative sort.  They are “neither extortioners, unjust, nor even as this publican:”  they give to every man his due, and take good care to obey the precept—­“to look every man on his own things, and not on the things of his neighbors.”  But they forget that “Love mercy” was a part of the triad! that the religion of Jesus is not a religion of selfishness, and that the Master has said, “Go ye out into the streets and lanes, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled!” They forget His example who came down from heaven to suffer and die for guilty man; who went about doing good, and whose meat and drink was to accomplish the work which the Father had given him to do.  They forget that one of his last acts was to wash his disciples’ feet, saying, “As I have done to you, so do ye also to one another;” and, as if our selfish and proud hearts would rebel, he adds—­“The disciple is not above his Master, nor the servant above his Lord.”

This want of conformity to Christ is also shown in the speech of many of his followers.  He who was the Searcher of hearts must certainly be expected to condemn iniquity, and condemn it severely; but how unwilling do we find him to pass sentence upon the guilty—­how comforting and consoling to the sinner!  To the offending woman he says—­“Neither do I condemn thee; go, and sin no more.”  For his murderers he cries—­“Father, forgive them; they know not what they do!” And must vain, erring man be more harsh towards his fellow-man than his Maker?  “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.”  “I came,” says Jesus, “to seek and to save the lost!” therefore, who so lost but in Jesus shall find a friend?  And shall it not be so with his followers, when they remember his words, “I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you”?