to he, they hnd no right to shrink from it out of feelings of kindliness. It is terribl'3 to be called to such a duty; but it is brave and noble to accept the odium when the necessity ia felt, and weak nnd selfish to avoid it. Charity ia not honoured by the aucrifice of justice. It is more charitable to punish wickedness than to let it work its evil unchecked. Charity to the criminal often means cruelty to the victim. There ia a danger lest we should become ao mild that we should virtually punish the inno- cent in order to spare the guilty. III. THE PURITY OF JUSTICE IS VIOLATED WHEN PUNISHMENT IS ADMINISTERD WITH INTERESTED MOTIVES. It appears that the great motive of the Israelites in executing the threat of their oath on tho people of Jabesh-Gilead was not a regard for strict justice but a desire to secure wives for the escaped Benjamites. This motive vitiated tbe character of their action. The difficulty of executing punitive justice lies in the danger of other motives than a simple regard for right entering into our conduct. We desecrate the temple of justice when we convert it into a house of merchandise.-A. Ver. 24.-The return of peaceful proS'J)erity. I. MEN FIND TBEm MOST HAPPY CONDITION IN THE PURSUIT OF PEACEFUL OCCUPATIONS AND TIIE ENJOYMENT OF HOME LIFE. It is pleasing to see this concourse of war break up, and the Israelites return home to their farms and their families. War is unnatural, and should be treated as a monstrous evil. The nation which regards military exploits aa the chief occupation for its energies is forsaking solid happiness for empty glory. 1. Politically a nation is prosperous when industry flourishes, trade is unchecked, literature finds patrons, science and art are pursued, and general education, morality, and religion are sedu- lously promoted by the leading men of the age. 2. Religiously a people is prosper- ous when angry controversy gives place to the peaceful cultivation of holiness, and practical efforts to conquer the sin of the world and spread the blessings of Christian- ity. 3. Personally men are prosperous when they are at liberty to work in peace and enjoy the fruits of their labours without molestation. In proportion as war, controversy, jealousy, and competition give place to quiet home life and simple endeavours to do our daily duties will happiness be enjoyed as a solid, lasting human treasure. II. IT IS SOMETIMES NOT POSSIBLE TO ENJOY SOLID PEACE TILL AFTER THE FAITI!- FUL PERFORMANCE OF THE DUTIES OF WARFAIIE. The peace which the Israelites now enjoyed was the reward which followed the faithful performance of painful acts of justice. The cry of " peace at any price" may be the ignominious utterance of blindness, indolence, cowardice, or selfishness. We can have no worthy pea~e while the wrongs of any who have claims upon ua call for our active interference. 1. National peace must follow the establishment of order and justice. Better all the horrors of civil war than unchecked tyranny, unpunished violence, or outraged innocence. 2. Religious peace must follow the righteous maintenance of truth and right. We must not let false religions go unchallenged, or unholy conduct unre- buked, for the sake of preserving peace. Christ came to send a sword (Matt. x. 34), and his peace comes after the valiant overthrow of the lies and sins which oppose his rule. 3. Personal peace must follow the battle of the soul with its sins and doubts. That ia a hollow peace which comes from stifling doubt. We must fight it down. No true peace is possible while sinful habits are unopposed; these must be "resisted unto blood." True peace follows victory over evil. III. A PEACEFUL LIFE IS SECURED AND MAINTAINED THROUGH THE EFFORT OF EACH MAN TO TAKE HIS OWN PLACE AND DO BIS OWN WORK. Trouble too often arises from our forsaking our post and interfering with other people. 1. Industry ia favourable to peo.ceful prosperity. The children of Israel went home immediately after settling affairs in the disturbed district. They went straight from war to work, and wasted no time in idle self-indulgence as a reward for victory. 2. Orderly arrangements promote peace. Every man went to his tribe. Let each of us find his own place in the world, and seek quietly to occupy that, and nothing else. 3. Domestic life inclines to peace, Every man went to his fomily. The home is the foundation of the most solid blessingA of the State. If we desire happiness and peaceful prosperity, let U8 oherish the sanctities of the hearth, 4. Prvperty favours peace. '!'he men went to 214 TBE BOOK OF JUDGES. [cu. xxr. 1-26.
their several inheritances. When a man has possessions he is reluctant to oreate n social disturbance. Therefore lovers of peace•should promote thrift and efforts to facilitate the acquisition of property by the people generally-of course as the fruits of honest industry. 5. Religwus convictions form the most solid foundations for peaceful prosperity. The Israelites accepted their inheritances quietly in obedience to a Divine distribution. We shall enjoy a peaceful life best if we believe that God chooses our inheritance, and accept our lot in contentment and trustfulness from him, endeavouring to use it as bis st.ewards, and hoping for the perfect inheritu.nce of the everlasting home which he will give to his faithful people.-A. HOMILETICAL INDEX
'J'O
THE BOOK OF JUDG ESS
CHAPTER I. - CHAPTER III. 'rRl!IIH PAGE THEY£ PACH1 Inquiry of God 1 Ungodly Marriages 28 Transfer of Authority 3 The Proving of Israel 29 '3piritual Initiatives 5., The Forbidden Covenant 29 Alliances in the Holy War ... 5 God's Scourge 31 Correspondence of Crime and Requital 6 Idolatry and its Nemesis 32 The Death of the Great 7 True Deliverance must ever come from Mutual Help 8 God 32 Retribution 8 Natural Advantages and Endowments Faith 10 Perfected and Crowned: by Consecra- The Public Spirit of Caleb 12 tion 33 Compensations 12 The Secret of Individual and National Divine Help 'IJerSUS Material Obstacles 13 Greatness 33 A Title to be made Good 13 "And the land had rest "-tho True The Presence of God in the Battle of Peace ... 33 Life 14 Great Men 33 Weak Faith producing Weak Action ... 15 Miscellaneous Thoughts 35 An Unwilling Helper of the Cause of Continued o.nd Repeated Offence en- God 16 tails more Signal Punishment 37 Human Wisdom 'Versus Divine 16 Ehud 37 The Failure of Duty of One an Occasion Shamgar 37 of Inconvenience to Another 17 A Man Left-handed 38