others tm-n from the Lord, and go back vmto the world, do not ye follow them. Even though they be your near relatives, with whom you have been bound in ties of the closest amity, let them not prevail : yea, though their prudence be proposed to you as the fittest pattern to follow, and the proposal come from the highest authority, still be faithful to your convictions ; and be faithful to your God. This will issue most to your satisfaction ; this will bring you peace at the last : for so it is written; " Hearken, O daughter, and incline thine ear: forget, also, thine own people, and thy father's house : so will the King greatly desire thy beauty : for He is thy Lord ; and wor- ship thou him"."]
" Ps. xlv. 10, 11.
Ruth i, 19. It came to pass, ivhen they were come to Beth- lehem, that all the city loas moved about them, and they said, Is this Naomi ?
TO seek the applause of man is wrong: but to me?'it it, is most desirable. A man of worthless character creates no respect in the minds of others ; so that, if ill befall him, he finds but little sympathy in the bosoms of those around him : whereas a good man under misfortune, excites a general commiseration; and every one takes a lively interest in his affairs. This is beautifully exemplified in the history before us. Naomi was certainly a woman of piety, and much esteemed. In a season of dearth she had left her country with her husband and sons ; and, after ten years' absence, she returned in a bereaved and destitute condition, having lost her husband and her two sons, and having no attendant but a daughter- in-law, as poor and destitute as herself Yet, behold, she no sooner reaches the place of her former abode, than the whole city is moved with her misfortunes, every one feeling for her as for a sister, and with tender concern exclaiming, *' Is this Naomi?"
The circumstance here recorded will lead me to shew you, I. What changes take place in life —