they will feel thnt the universal prevalence of a bad custom is no justification for their adoption of it. Yet how difficult it is to see our duty when this is contrary tc, the lrnbits of the society in which we live, und how much more difficult to be inde- pendent nnd firm in performing it! III. KINDNESS TO BTRANGEHS IS A DUTY OBLIGATORY UPON ALL OF US. The graphic picture of the old man returning from his work in the fields at even and takmg note of the houseless strangers is the one relieving feature in the terrible story of that night's doings. Modern and Western habits may modify the form of our hospitality, but they cannot exonerate us from the duty to show similar kindness under similar circumstances. From the mythical gentleman who excused himself for not saving a drowning man because he had not been introduced to him, to the Yorkshire native, who, seeing a 6trange face in his hamlet, cried, "Let's heave a brick o.t him!" how common it is for people to limit their kindness to persons of their acquaintance! The parable of the good Samaritan teaches as that any one who needs our help is our neighbour (Luke x. 29-37). IV. KINDNESS TO STRANGERS MAY BE REWARDED BY THE DISCOVERY OF UNKNOWN TIES OF FRIENDSHIP. The old man finds that the Levite comes from his own part of the country. Doubtless he was thus able to hear tidings of old acquaintances. The world is not so large as it appears. The stranger is often nearer to us than we sus- pect. Though true hospitality expects no return (Luke xiv. 12-14), it may find unlooked-for reward in newly-discovered friendly associations.-A.
Vera. 22-28.-Monstrous wickedness. Now and again the world is horrified by the news of some frightful atrocity before which ordinary sin looks almost virtuous. How is such wickedness possible? I. MONSTROUS WICKEDNESS IS A FRUIT OF SELFISHNESS. The men of Gibeah were abandoned to gross self-indulgence till they utterly ignored the rights and sufferings of others. Nothing is so cruelly selfish as the degradation of that most unselfish affection !ove. When selfish pleasure is the one motive of conduct, men are blinded in conscience more than by any other influence. I!. MONSTROUS WICKEDNESS IS ATTAINED THROUGH SUCCESSIVE DEGREES OF DEPRAV· ITY. No man suddenly falls from innocence to gross licentiousness and heartless cruelty. The first step is slight ; each following step seems but a small increase of sin, till the bottom of the very pit of iniquity is reached almost unconsciously. If the wicked man could have foreseen the depth of his fall from the first he would not have believed it possible. Men should beware of the first step downward. Ill. MONSTROUS WICKEDNESS IS MOST ADVANCED IN THE SOCIETY OF MANY BAD MEN. As fire burns most when drawn together, vicA is most inflamed when men nre companions in wickedness. Eac,1 tern pts the rest by his example. Guilt appears .to be lessened by being shared. Men excuse their conduct by comparing it with that of their neighbours. Thus fi.Je greatest depravity is most often seen in cities- in the concourse of many men. In the excitement of a mob men will commit excesses from which they would shrink in solitary action. Yet responsibility is still individual, nnd each man must ultimately answer for his own sins. IV. MONSTROUS WICKEDNESS IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE VERY GREATNESS OF MAN'S NATURE. Human nature has a wide range of capacities. Man can rise in.finitely above the brute, and he can fall infinitely below the brute. He can rise to the angelic, he can fall to the devilish. His originality of imagination, power of inventiveness, and freedom of will open to him avenues of evil as well as pathways of good which are closed to the more dull life of the animal world. The greater the capacity of the instrument, the more horrible is the discord which results from its getting out of tune. Those men who have the highest genius have the faculty for the worst sin. So tremendous is the capacity of the soul both for good and for evil, that the wise and humble man, fearing to trust it alone to the temptations of life, will learn to "commit it to the keeping of a faithful Creator" (1 Pet. iv. 19).-A.
Ver. 30.-The duty of considering painf11l subjects. I. IT IS WRONG l'OR Tlll!: CHURCH TO IGNO:{IE THE WICKEDNESS OF THE WORLD. The Church is not at liberty to enjoy the flowers nnd fruits of her "little garden walled around" to the neglect 198 THE BOOK OF JUDGES. [CB, XIX. 1--HO,
of the waste howling wilderness outside, She h!IB no right to slrnt her eyes to the world's sin while she dreams fair dreams of the ultimate perfection of mankind. A good deal of foolish optimism is talked by people who will not take the trouble to inquire into the real state of society. That is n false fastidiousness which refuses to take note of dark subjects because they are revolting and contnminnting. True purity will be shocked not simply at the knowledge of evil, but more at the existence of it, an~ wi!l find ex:press_ion not merely in shunning the sight of it, but in actively overcoming it. Such action, however, can only be taken after the evil has been recognised. It is, therefore, the work of the Church to consider seriot1sly the fearful evils of profligacy, intemperance, and socie.l corruption generally. 'l'he duty of con- templating heavenly things is no excuse for ignoring the evil of the world, which it is oar express duty to enlighten and purify by means of the gospel of Christ. JI. MONSTROUS WICKEDNESS SHOULD EXCITE DEEP AND SERIOUS CONSIDERATION. Jt is easy to be indignant. But the hasty passion of indignation may do more harm than good. It may strike in the wrong place ; it may only touch superficial symptoms and leave the root of the evil ; and it is likely to die down as quickly as it springs up. Great sins should be visited not with the rage of vindictiveness, but with grave, severe justice. We should "consider nnd te.ke advice," reflect, consult discuss the cause and the remedy. Undisciplined human nature will express hor!or and seek revenge at the revelation of a great crime. It wants Christian thoughtfulness and a deep, sad conviction of duty to practise self-restraint in the moment of indignation, nnd to investigate the painful subject with care after the interest of a temporary excitement has flagged. _ JII. IT IS OUR DUTY TO SPEAK OUT AND TAKE ACTION IN RELATION TO PAINFUL SUBJECT'S WHEN ANYTHING CAN BE DONE TO EFFECT AN IMPROVEMENT. Evils are allowed to go nnchecked because a false modesty dreads to speak of them. The men and women who overcome this and bravely advocate unpopulal" questions should be treated with all honour by the Christian Church. If the Christian does nothing to check the vicious practices and corrupt institutions which surround him, he becomes responsible for their continued existence.-A.