Vere. 8-15.-Jotham'tJ parable. By casting his ideas in the fonn of a parable, Jotharn not only makes them graphic o.nd striking, he exalts them into the light of general principles, and thus teaches lessons which are applicable in all ages. I. MEN ARE TOO READY TO SHELTER THEMSELVES UNDER THE INFLUENCE AND RESPONSIBILITY OF LEADERS OF THEIR OWN CHOOSING. The trees combined to elect a king ; hut this wns contrary to their natural functions. They fulfilled their vocation perfedly i,_, their individual life and fruit-bearing. So Israel resolved to have a king, though in opposition to the simple form of government which a realisation of the idea of the theocracy would have shown to be the noblest and happiest. Men trust too much to organisation; but organisation is injurious without wisdom o.nd strength to use it aright. There is a common temptation to throw upon others the responsi- bility which should be borne in common. Thus in the kingdom of Christ the Church is inclined to leave to ministers and official persons the work which belongs to all her members. Men generally £ear to be independent, though they are proud of their boasted liberty. The usual habit is to repose under the leadership of others. Such conduct implies unfaithfulness to our supreme King and the neglect of our own respon6ibility. II. PuSI'l'IONS OF HONOUR DEMAND SACRIFICE FROM THOSE WHO CAN RIGHTLY OCCUPY THEM. Each of the fruit trees sees that it must sacrifice its own peculiar advantages in undertaking to rule over the forest. Rank and power involve loss of opportunitie11 for private usefulness, anxiety, danger, responsibility. The quieter life is the happier. Nevertheless, it will be wrong to press these personal considerations to the neglect of public duty. For the good of others we should be willing to suffer personal incon- venience. It might have been better if one of the fruit trees had accepted the crown instead of letting it fall on the bramble. The selfishness which allows public offices to come into the hands of inferior men is a sin on the part of the more capable. III. USEFULNESS IS BETTER 1"HAN RANK. The olive, the fig, ond the vine are fruitful. Unless they were absolutely needed as kings, the world would be the poorer by their forsaking their useful vocations for the glory of royalty. It is better to feel that we are doing good, however obscurely, than that we are reaping buren on. 1x. 22-57.J THE BOOK OF JUDGES. 106
honours. God is glorified not oy our fame or rank, but by our fruitfulness (John xv. 8). To bear good fruit we must be rooted like the tree-be content, patient, willing to fill n small space if God be glorified. There is nothing so fatal to Christian fruitfulness as ambition. IV. 'l'BE LOWEST NATURER ARE THE MOST AMBITIOUS. The bramble alone covets the crown. Ambition aims ot greatness, but it arises out of littleness. The ambition of great men is their weakness, the smallest, meanest thing in them. True greatness will perceive the hollowness of the rewards of ambition, and the true glory of honest, faithful work in whatever sphere it is done. We must not therefore be deceived into judging of the fitness of a man for any post by the eagerness with which he e.ieks it. For ourselves we should learn that self-seeking in all its branches is a low and despicable habit of life. V. 'l.'HE EXALTATION OF THE MEAN WILL END IN DISASTER. Weakness is better than ill-lodged power. Better have no king than a bad king. As a good govern- ment is the first blessing of a nation, so a bad gcvernment is its greatest curse. They who enter blindly into needless obligations will have their eyes opened when these begin to work them harm. It is easier to confer power than to withdraw it. There is one King under whose shadow all can rest secure (Isa. xi. 1-5).-A.