II.  But charity not only suffereth long, but is kind.  “It is benign, bountiful, courteous, and obliging.”  But why did the apostle couple these two dispositions together? “Charity suffereth long, AND IS KIND.”  Evidently, because long-suffering without kindness would be unavailing.  If you bear with the injuries or supposed offences of another, and yet suffer your mind to be soured, and your kind offices remitted, the wound will corrode and inflame, till it breaks out with tenfold violence.  But benignity of temper, and the constant practice of friendly offices and benevolent actions, will disarm ill-nature, and bring the offender to see the folly of his conduct.  “A soft answer turneth away wrath; and the kind treatment of an enemy will pour coals of fire on his head.”  What can be more lovely than a kind and obliging disposition, which delights in occasions and opportunities of contributing to the comfort and happiness of others!  This disposition adorns with peculiar grace the female character.  Solomon, describing a virtuous woman, says, “In her tongue is the law of kindness.”  If you cultivate this disposition at all times, and in all places, your presence will add a charm to every circle; you will honor your Master; and your ability to advance his cause will be greatly enhanced.  In your efforts to do good, with the law of kindness in your lips, you can penetrate where, without it, you could gain no admittance; and in your expostulations with the impenitent, you can reach the heart, by the exhibition of a kind and tender spirit, where otherwise you would be repulsed like the seven sons of Seeva, who presumptuously attempted, in imitation of Paul, to cast out devils in the name of Jesus.  Especially is this disposition requisite in a Sabbath-school teacher.  Without it, he can accomplish very little.  Children cannot be won without kindness.  If, then, you would be successful in this enterprise of love, cultivate a tender regard for the “little lambs,” and be kind to them whenever you meet them.  Never see a child in trouble without relieving him; or, if you can do no more, show your sympathy for his sufferings by such kind offices as are within your power.

III.  Charity envieth not.  It is not grieved but gratified to see others more prosperous and wealthy, more intelligent and refined, or more holy.  The extension of holiness and happiness is an object of rejoicing to the benevolent mind, without regard to himself.

There are some persons who are always complaining of the rich, and fretting about the aristocratic spirit of those whose rank and station, education or mental endowments, place them in any respect above themselves.  This is a sure indication of an envious disposition.  There may be, in these respects, some ground of complaint; but place these persons in the situation of those of whom they complain, and where the latter are proud, the former would probably be aristocratic; and where these are aristocratic, those would be tyrannical.