+II. Worship exhibits its uniting principle under the simplest form, in the sympathies it diffuses among the members of the same religious assembly.+--There is, however, no necessary fellowship, as of saints, in the mere assembling of ourselves together; but only in the true and simple spirit of worship. Where a pure devotion really exists, the fellowship it produces spreads far beyond the separate circle of each Christian assembly. Surely it is a glorious thing to call up, while we worship, the wide image of Christendom this day. Could we be lifted up above this sphere and look down as it rolls beneath this day's sun, and catch its murmurs as they rise, should we not behold land after land turned into a Christian shrine? In how many tongues, by what various voices, with what measureless intensity of love, is the name of Christ breathed forth to-day! +III. But our worship here brings us into yet nobler connections.+--It unites us by a chain of closest sympathy with past generations. In our helps to faith and devotion we avail ourselves of the thought and piety of many extinct ages. Do not we, the living, take up in adoration and prayer the thoughts of the dead and find them Divinely true? What an impressive testimony is this to the sameness of our nature through every age and the immortal perseverance of its holier affections! +IV. And soon we too shall drop the note of earthly aspiration and join that upper anthem of Diviner love.+--The communion of saints brings us to their conflict first, their blessings afterwards. Those who will not with much patience strive with the evil can have no dear fellowship with the good; we must weep their tears ere we can win their peace.--_Martineau._ _Characteristics of Believers._ +I. Believers are here described as having been strangers and foreigners.+--1. There are relative expressions, meaning that natural men are strangers to the household of God and foreigners as respects the city of Zion. 2. Consider the natural man with reference to the city of Zion, and the truth of this representation will appear. (1) He is a stranger and foreigner--(_a_) By a sentence of exile (Gen. iii.). (_b_) By birth (Gen. v. 3; John iii. 6). (2) He is proved to be a stranger and foreigner--(_a_) By features (Gal. v. 19-21). (_b_) By manners (1 Pet. iv. 3). (_c_) By language. As such he is under another ruler (Eph. ii. 2), he is at war (Gal. iv. 29). 3. Though "strangers and foreigners" in relation to Zion, yet men are naturalised in another country. 4. This does not imply living beyond the pale of the visible Church. The Parable of the Tares. An alien to the saints and a stranger to God may be in the visible Church. 5. That there are "strangers and foreigners" in the Church seems a calamity. (1) They are thereby deceived. (2) They injure Christians. (3) They betray Christ.