I have lived to know that the secret of happiness is never to allow your energies to stagnate.

Let it ever be remembered that genuine faith in Christ will ever be productive of good works; for this faith worketh by love, as the apostle says, and love to God always produces obedience to his holy laws.

Verse 11. (They presented unto Him gifts). The people of the east never approach the presence of kings and great personages, without a present in their hands. The custom is often noticed in the Old Testament, and still prevails in the east, and in some of the newly discovered South Sea Islands.

However, all gifts seem now to be absorbed in one and a man must be either a Preacher or nothing.

Few men can be said to have inimitable excellencies: let us watch them in their progress from infancy to manhood, and we shall soon be convinced that what they attained was the necessary consequence of the line they pursued, and the means they used.

Remember that the word of God is not sent to particular persons, as if by name; and do not think you have no part in it, because you are not named there.

All abuse and waste of God's creatures are spoil and robbery on the property of the Creator.