under-garment a.nd a.n overcoat of the Christian wardrobe. " De clothed with humility" (1 Pet. v. 5). II. Tm: GARMENT oF FAITH. This is that clothing without which we cannot be justified before God now, nor permitted to sit down to the heavenly banquet hereafter (Matt. xxii. 11, 12). III. THE omDLE OF TRUTH. (Eph. vi. 14.) It is truth, heavenly wisdom, whicl. knits all other things together, and gives play and power to the spiritual faculties. IV. THE SANDALS OF PEACE, (Rom. x. 15; Eph. vi. 15.) V. Tm: CROWN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS. (2 Tim. iv. 8.) Righteousness is the regal thing • when that is gone the crown is fallen from our head (Lam. v. 16). • To those who "overcome" (Rev. iii. 5), who are "faithful unto death " (Rev. il. 10) who "keep the faith" (2 Tim. iv. 7), it shall be given to: 1. Be clothed in whit: raiment'' (spotless pulity). 2. 'l'o receive "the crown of life" (life in all its celestial, fu lness and blessedness). 3. To wear " the crown ofrighteousness"-" a crown of glory that fadeth not away" (I Pet. v. 4).-C. Vers. 6, 8, 23, 24, 30.-Equipmentfor special work.- There was a sense in which the whole congregation of Israel constituted a priesthood. It was an early promise that they should be a "kingdom of plicsts and a holy nation " (Exod. xix. 6). And such indeed, they were, so far as they entered into and fulfilled the purposes of God. They were: 1. Separate from surrounding people (holy unto the Lord). 2. Permitted to draw near to God. 3. Allowed to bring the sacrificial victim to the holy place and slay it; indeed, in the case of the paschal lamb, they acted as priests without aid from any other band. But there were those who were: 1. Separated from them, and were thus holier than they. 2. Allowed to draw nearer to the Divine presence. 3. Designated to be continu- ally offering up sacrifices to Jehovah. These were the priests and the high priests of the Lord in an especial sense, and they needed special equipment for their special work. From this chapter we select four principal points- I. SPECIAL CLEANSING OF SOUL. (Ver. 6.) II. SPECIAL CONSECRATION OF BPmIT. (Vers. 23, 24.) One of the most significant. rites in the entire ceremony of consecration was the taking by Moses of the blood of the- "ram of consecration" (ver. 22), and putting it "upon the tip of Aaron's right ear, and upon the thumb of bis right hand, and upon the great toe of hia right foot." 'l'he inter- pretation of this symbolism hardly admits of error. What other truth could it import but.- that Aaron was thus set apart, not only generally for the service-of the Lord, but specially in every member of his frame, in every faculty of his mind? He was to have: 1. .An open ear, to welcome every word of the Lord. 2. .A ready hand, to discharge diligently and conscientiow!ly his daily duties. 3. .A 9.uick foot, to run in the way of God's command- ments. III. SPECIAL SYMPATHY WITH MEN. (Ver. 8.) The plate on which were inscribed the names of the twelve tribes was, as the word indicateR, a bnast-plate: so that the high priest symbolically bore the children of Israel on his heart. He carried their burden into the presence of God. IV. SPECIAL ENDOWMENT. (Ver. 30.) The precious ointment, the anointing oil, upon the head that ran down upon Aaron's beard, that went down to the skirts of his garments (Pe. cx.i:xiii. 2), probably symbolized the grace of the Spirit of God outpoured upon the heart, affecting the whole nature, diffusing the delightful fragrance of piety an<l virtue. We learn Crom these particulars-I. That we must not covet posts of special diffi- culty except we are equipped with peculiar qualifications. Not every good or every earnest Christian man is fitted to take high office in the kingdom of God. 2. That if we feel ourselves summoned to special work, we must seek all possible spiritual equip- ment. The conditions of successful service are those indicated above: (I) The full cleansing of our souls and lives from impurity (Ps. Ii. 7, 10, 11, 13; Isa. Iii. 11; 1 John iii. 3). (2) 'l'he dedication of our whole selves to the s~rvice of Christ; heart and life; &oul and bvdy; having every faculty of the mind, every organ of our frame (ear, hand, foot),_ready for sacred work. (3) Tender sympathy with men; "a heart at leisure {rum itself to soothe and sympathize." We shall do but little/or men excei-t we acquir~ OH. VIIL 1-36.] THE BOOK OF LE VITIC.:US.
t~e bl~sse? art of_ sympathizing with them. A sympathetic spirit is a helpful, influe11- tm_l, wmnmg spmt. (4) Endowment of all needful grace from on high. This must be game~ from God, who, in answer to believing prayer," giveth liberally." Purity, con- secration, sympathy, grace,-these are the qualifications for high office, the sources of power, the assurance of success.--C.