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Two burnished reflectors can radiate the brightness from one to the other if there be a light between them. But, if each only reflects from the other, there can be no illumination: because neither furnishes any supply of light. So two Christians, reciprocating each other's affections, will make but a poor exhibit of brotherly love, unless they have Christ between them as the centre and source of their life. And there is just as little to admire in mutual fellowship among Christians, unless Christ be in the midst of them as the centre of that fellowship. To exhort one another, to comfort one another, and to love one another, are all most solemn duties. But where will be the profit in them unless Christ be the central theme, and His grace and glory be the central objects of our admiration and praise? The cherubim stood with "their faces one toward another;" but the mercy seat was between. And it was upon faces bending in eager gaze upon those "things which the angels desire to look into," that the glory of God was reflected. If we get cheer and brightness from looking into each other's faces, and communing with each other in the services of God's house, it will be because Christ stands in the midst of us, the object of all our meditations and the fountain of all our joys. "This is eternal life, that they might know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom Thou has sent." "I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord."

(A. J. Gordon.)

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KJV: And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;

WEB: This I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and all discernment;