HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Vera. 1-13.-The history of a man-made ministry :-2. Its abuse. A special instance of the manner in which it wrought mischief afforded in the migration of the Danites. The proximity of Micab's house to the great northern highway made it a natural resting-place for travellers, and so the spies find their way there. By them the young priest, who turns out to be a previous acquaintance, is recognised. The existence of the "house of gods " is thus made known, and they desire him to consult the oracle concerning their fortunes. Although their adventure was a wicked e.nd unscrupulous one, they are told, " Go in peace : before the Lord is your way wherein ye go." The visit of the spies to Laish, their report to their brethren, and the setting out of the 600 Danites, who arrive in the first stage of their march once more at Micah's house, are then narrated. We see, therefore- !. How A MERCENARY PRIESTHOOD AND SHRINE MAY BE PROSTITUTED TO BASE USES. The oracle o.t Shiloh was symbol and seal of the national, unity, and its priesthood represented the national conscience. It would have been impossible for them to sanction such a crime. But it was otherwise with Micah's priest and "house of gods." The latter was a mercantile speculation, a private enterprise, and was therefore obnoxious to any temptation like this. A striking paralJel to this is afforded by the Church of Rome, with its sale of indulgences, &c. II. How EAGER UNHOLY MEN ARE FOR RELIGIOUS SANCTIONS IN THEIR FRAUDULENT AND MURDEROUS DEEDS. When religion becomes a matter of money, and its ad van- tnges are sold to the highest bidder, it ceases to be the judge of right and wrong. The contradiction between the errand upon which they were sent and the spirit of God's revelation ought to have struck them. Yet this is but one instance of an all but universal error. They imagine that true religion can call evil good and good evil. III. How THEREBY A TURBULENT TRIBE IS ENCOURAGED IN ITS DESIGNS UPON A PEACEFUL DISTRICT, AND A PERMANENT WRONG IS INFLICTED. The moral latent in the incident is thereby sharply pointed. It must appear to all how mischievous, how .!ubversive of human society and of religion, such 11n institution must be. The only safeguard against such evils is in the central authority at Shiloh being recognised, 11nd that authority being enforced by a duly elected king.-M. Vera. 14-31.-3. Its transfer and establishment in a lawless comm,mity. The spies had evidently taken counsel with th~ 600, for the theft ?£ the god~ is done in " cool, business-like way; and they have evidently a settled des1g~ concernm~ them. Every- thing that would encumber or be detri_mental to _the~ ~s sent on_ m fro~t. Tl~e real or feigned remonstrance of the priest, and lus willing complmnce wit? their desire, and the pursuit by l\1kt•li, nre realistic touches that ndd i;rer1tly to the mtorest 19() 'l'HE BOOK OF JUDGES. [CH. XVIII, 1-31.
nnd !1aturalne~s ?f t'.he narrative. That the slaughter, &c. at Laish was of the most hornble dcscnption 1s suggested-" There was no helper." I. THOSE WHO SUBVERT THE PRINCIPLES OF MORALITY SHOULD NOT EXPECT 'l'O BE TREATED ACCORDING TO THOSE PRINCIPLES, 0
II. HOWEVER APPARENTLY RELIGIOUS WRONG-DOERS AnE, THEm CONDUCT DOEB NOT LOSE ITS ESSENTIAL CHARACTER, AND WILL BE JUDGED. The record of the oocurrence has P;eserved it for a.11 time, and it is condemned before the bar of the righteous conscience. Ill. THE GREATEST CARE SHOULD BE TAKEN AT THE FIRST INDICATION OF BCHIBM OR ERROR, AS SUCH THINGS TEND TO PERPETUATE THEMSELVES, A regular priesthood is instituted, with its hereditary privileges and duties. IV. THE REAL EFFECT OF SUCH RELIGIOUS MOVEMENTS IS TO THE DETRIMENT OF TR~E RELIGION. The "house of gods" at Laish is a rival to the II house of God" at S~ilol~. Durin&' those early d~ys of He?rew nationalisation and religious training, the mischief and )nndrance occasioned by it must have been enormous. True religion is ever opposed m the world. Its worst foes are those who most nearly resemble it in outward ceremony, but whose motives a.re impure.-M.