Page:Spiritual Reflections for Every Day in the Year - Vol 1.pdf/147

 three leading characteristics of the church, Faith, Charity, and the Works of Charity. These, in the Christian church, are similar in their significations to Reuben, Simeon, and Levi, in the Jewish. Peter, the first called, is Faith; James, Charity; and John the Works thereof. When these are together in the same mind, there can be neither denial nor betrayal of the Lord; for such a man is in God and God in him. But Peter, when he denied, was alone. This teaches that faith alone, when charity and love are absent, denies the Lord, and doubts the protection of an everwatchful Providence. The man of faith without love, promises, but often does not perform; while he of faith and love performs without promising. Faith alone, like Peter, approaches the Lord, and says, "I am ready to go with thee both into prison and to death;" but the Master says, "I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me." (Luke xxii. 33, 34.) It is a serious mistake to call Jesus, Lord, and do not his commands. Faith leads us to know Jesus, but every evil loved and cherished, speaks louder than words, "I know not the man!" When Peter made his denial, the cock crew; and Jesus turned and looked upon him, and he went out and wept bitterly. May we, like repenting Peter, weep for past follies! Let us unite love and charity with our faith, and the Lord will forgive our transgression.