CHARITY

considered as a Christian grace, ought in our translation, in order to avoid mistake, to have been translated love . It is the love of God, and the love of our neighbour flowing from the love of God; and is described with wonderful copiousne , felicity, and even grandeur, by St. Paul, 1 Cor. xiii; a portion of Scripture which, as it shows the habitual temper of a true Christian, cannot be too frequently referred to for self-examination, and ought to be constantly present to us as our rule. 2. In the popular sense, charity is almsgiving; a duty of practical Christianity which is solemnly enjoined, and to which special promises are annexed.