ch questions, and rather prided themselves on their
strictness and rigidity; but Paul would have them let sleeping dogs
lie. If, however, the meat is known to have been offered to an idol,
then Paul is as rigid and strict as they are. That combination of
willingness to go as far as possible, and inflexible determination
not to go one step farther, of yieldingness wherever principle does
not come in, and of iron fixedness wherever it does, is rare indeed,
but should be aimed at by all Christians. The morality of the Gospel
would make more way in the world if its advocates always copied the
'sweet reasonableness' of Paul, which, as he tells us in this
passage, he learned from Jesus.

As to the wrapping of general principles, they may all be reduced to
one--the duty of limiting Christian liberty by consideration for
others. In the two verses preceding the practical precepts, that duty
is stated with reference entirely to the obligations flowing from our
relationship to others. We are all bound together by a mystical chain
of solidarity. Since every man is my neighbour, I am bound to think
of him and not only of myself in deciding what I may do or refrain
from doing. I must abstain from lawful things if, by doing them, I
should be likely to harm my neighbour's building up of a strong
character. I can, or I believe that I can, pursue some course of
conduct, engage in some enterprise, follow some line of life, without
damage to myself, either in regard to worldly position, or in regard
to my religious life. Be it so, but I have to take some one else into
account. Will my example call out imitation in others, to whom it may
be harmful or fatal to do as I can do with real or supposed impunity?
If so, I am guilty of something very like murder if I do not abstain.

'What harm is there in betting a shilling? I can well afford to lose
it, and I can keep myself from the feverish wish to risk more.' Yes,
and you are thereby helping to hold up that gambling habit which is
ruining thousands.

'I can take alcohol in moderation, and it does me no harm, and I can
go to a prayer-meeting after my dinner and temperate glass, and I am
within my Christian liberty in doing so.' Yes, and you take part
thereby in the greatest curse that besets our country, and are, by
countenancing the drink habit, guilty of the blood of souls. How any
Christian man can read these two verses and not abstain from all
intoxicants is a mystery. They cut clean thr