doomed at Kadesh (11ee Deut. ii; 14), but of those who would have inherited Canaan in a few months. So 'it is " after the plague" of fleshly sin and of its ruinous effects that the servants of God are numbered for eternal life. "The pure in heart shall see God" (cf. Gal. v. 19-21; Ephee. v. 5; Rev. :nii. 15). IX. THAT IN ANOTHER CABE WE CAN DISCERN A POSSIBLE REASON JOB DECAY, IN THAT ALL THE TRIBES UNDER THE LEADERSHIP or REu»EN FELL OFr IN NUMBERS (Reuben, Simeon, Gad). Thie may point to the unhappy effects of bad example, and the contagious nature of a turbulent and self-willed spirit in religious matters. X. THAT,.ON THE CONTRARY, ALL THE CAMPS WHICH WERE UNDER THE STANDARD 011' JUDAH INCREASED (Judah, Issachar, Zebulun). For to Judah, as having the birth- right, appertained now the promise, " In thee and in thy seed shall all nations be blessed." 'l'hue for the sake of Jesus, who sprang from the tribe of Judah, the com- panions of Judah were blessed long ago; and this no doubt because his character and example were more or less in accordance with the dignity of his position. XI. THAT All'TER ALL THE CAUSES or INCREASE OR DECLINE ARE JOB THE MOST PABT UNKNOWN, AND 'LIE BENEATH THE SURFACE OJI' '.l'HE SACRED RECORD. How little do we know of the inner history of Ephraim and Manasseh, which has left no trace in the narrative, and yet had such important effects in their comparative prosperity I Even so how little do we know of the real life of Churches ; how little can we estimate those forces'which determine their spiritual growth or decadence I XII. THAT NOTHING BROUGHT TO LIOHT THE GREAT DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE TRIBES EXCEPT THE MUSTERING ON THE VERGE OF JORDAN. Even so nothing can really test the comparative excellence, the success or failure, of a Church, except the verdict of "that day," and the numbers then found worthy to stand before the Son of man. Consider also, with respect to the Levitu- THAT THEY HAD INCREASED, BUT NOT NEARLY.SO MUCH AS THEY SHOULD HJ.VB DONE, CONSIDERING THEIR llllMUNITIES AND PRIVILEGES. Four tribes, although under the condemnation of Kadesh, had prospered more than they. Even so it is certain that no situation of vantage, ecclesiastical or religious, delivers us from spiritual loss, or really makes -religious progress easier. Many who have fewer advantages and greate.r difficulties, many even who have at some time fallen under greater con- demnation, will nevertheless outstrip us in the heavenly race. Consider again, with respect to the inheritance of each tribe in Canaan- I. THAT 1TB SITUATION WAS TO BE DECIDED BY LOT I i. e. BY DIVINE DISPOSITION, APART FROM BUMAN CHOICE OR FAVOUR. Even so our II place in heaven" WI11 be allotted to us by God himself, being predestinated for us according to his infinite wisdom, with- out any respect of persons. II. THAT ITS BOUNDARIES WERE TO BE DETERMINED BY ESTIMATION OJI' THE SIZE AND NEEDS. 01!' EACH. Even so our "place in heaven" will be our own, not only as given fo UII of God's free grace, but as being exactly suited for us, and precisely adapted to our measure of epiritual growth. Consider again, with respect to the sins of Korah- THAT THEY DID NOT PERISH WITH THEIR 'FATHER (NOT BEING OF HIS "COMPANY"), BUT· LIVED TO J.l'OUND AN HONOURABLE A.ND USEFUL FAMILY IN ISRAEL. Even BO God does not Yisit the sins of the fathers upon the children, unless the children also" hate him." It is a thing pleasing to God when the children retrieve the forfeited honour of their father's name by their good works. How often does the Church of God find its ornaments and supports amongst.the children of its greatest enemies I
HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Vera. 6~56.-The lot is t" decide where every t1-i!Je shall receive its inheritance. Seventy years ago a party of emigrants from the Scottish border found themselves at the entrance of the valley in South Africa which had been aseigned for their settlement. The patriarch of the )?arty, gazing wistfully on the goal of their long wanderings, gave ~·ent' to the feelmg of hie heart in the exclamation, And this at le11gth is the lot of our inheritance I A sure instinct ·taught him to see, in the pro- 360 THE BOOK OF NUMBERS. [CH. XXVI, l-61i,