THE GOLDEN RULE.

Matt. VII:7-12.

In this part of a sermon on the Mount our Lord begins to draw His discourse to a conclusion. The lessons He enforces becomes less specific. They are broad, general, and full of the deepest wisdom. The golden rule, so called from its great value, stands here for a summary of our relative duties, as they are taught in the moral law. It lays down a general principle, and one especially valuable for our guidance in all doubtful questions between man and man. We are to do unto others as we would that others should do unto us. This is a golden rule indeed. This is real Christianity. It does not merely forbid all petty malice and revenge, all cheating and over-reaching. It goes much further, and settles a hundred difficult points which, in a world like this, are continually arising between man and man. It prevents the necessity of laying down endless little rules for specific cases. It sweeps the whole debatable ground with one mighty principle.

I. The excellence of this rule.

1. It is golden. It is sound through and through and very precious. The heathen emperor, Alexander Severus, is said to have been so charmed by this rule, when he heard it, that he made a crier repeat it whenever he had occasion to punish any one, and caused it to be inscribed in the most frequented parts of his palace and on many public buildings. He also professed so high a regard for Christ, as having been the author of so excellent a rule, that he desired to have Him enrolled among the deities.

2. It is brief. It is very easy to understand and easy to remember. Some one has well called it "the portable law," It is portable, easy to remember, always at hand. It is like the "two-foot rule" which the wise carpenter always carries with him ready to take the measurement of any work to which he is called.

3. It is comprehensive. "All things." It takes in the full round of life and living.

4. It is reasonable, being founded or exact justice and the original equality of all men.

5. It is beneficent. Its beneficence is seen in its relation to ourselves. As one has well said: "God seems to let us make our own laws." It is beneficent in its operation, also in its relation to others.

6. It is an ideal principle. The ideal must always be higher than present achievement, or progress ceases. Porter says: "The one must flee before the other like its shadow, and cannot be overtaken." Ultimate perfection depends on a perfect standard. This principle of the "golden rule" is perfect.

II. Some of the ways in which it may be applied. It may he applied to the civilities of social intercourse, to the practice of high neighborly charities and compassions; to the rights, properties and good name of all around us; to the social duties falling under no special name; to the matter of our regard for the opinions of others, to the question of our acceptance of a God-provided salvation. Our duty toward our neighbor takes in consideration for his soul, and the promotion of its welfare by our prayers, our persuasions, our example.

III. Some of the results of its observance.

1. Social disorders would cease. Its general application would bring the desired peace in the industrial affairs of our country. Harmony would come in the moral relationships of men; honesty and good feeling into national politics; brotherly love into a divided Christendom, and the spirit of truth and righteousness into the conduct of international affairs.

2. Mutual benefit would be gained by disaffected parties. Men would share in the prosperity and privileges and rights of properly conducted government and a free Christianity.

3. Universal harmony would prevail in church and state. The proper application of the golden rule would solve all sociological problems; it would preserve human rights, conciliate capital and labor, and extinguish Socialism. — Selected.