pathy, gmlitucle, and kinclness, but who clicl not wish, at that stage of the affair to raise u11co11clitione? expect!1tion _which might never be realised. _ ' Vor. 18.-Naomi, as 1t wore, sa1cl to Ruth ancl to her own heart, Peace,peace. All 11;itl be well. All is well. The hand of the Almighty is dealing" sweetly," not "bitterly,'' witli all the partiea concerned.
HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Ver. 1.-Marriage, a woman's rest. If Ruth was unselfish, so also was Naomi. The mother-in-law acted towards the young Moabitess as if she had been her own daughter. In seeking a husband for her daughter-in-law Naomi followed the customs of her country and her age. (Our English custom is intermediate between the French custom, according to which the husband is provided by the negotiations of the parents, and the American custom, which leaves daughters to select for them- selves.) The case before us was not an ordinary one. For whilst marriage was almost universally looked forward to by Hebrew youths and maidens, there were very special reasons why Naomi should seek a husband for Ruth. As is implied in the text, Naomi desired that her daughter-in-law might find in marriage with Boaz- I. A HOME, which should be a rest from her wanderings. II. A PROVISION, which should deliver her from the misery and the temptations oE poverty. III. HAPPINESS, which should compensate her for the sorrows of her widowhood. IV. P10us COMPANION!!RIP, which should be a relief from long friendlessness. Lessons :-1. Parents should take thought for their children, and not leave them to choose companions and friends and life-associates by chance. Nothing could be more disastrous than such neglect and thoughtlessness. 2. Marriage should be thought of with deliberation and prayer, both by the young, and by their parents or natural guardians. 3. Those who have found rest and prosperity in mamage should not omit the duty of gratitude and praise for the care and direction of Divine providence.-T. Ver. 2.-Diligence in business. Boaz is an example of a thorough man of business. He was wont himself to see to it that the land was well tilled and well reaped. He was personally acquainted with the labourers. He even noticed the gleaners. He watched the reaping. He superintended the winnowing. He slept on the winnow- ing-floor, to protect his corn from the designs of robbers. I. A RELIGIOUS MAN IS BOUND TO ATTEND TO THE CALLING HE EXERCISES. Whether a landowner, a farmer, a merchant, a tradesman, or a professional man, he ought to give his attention to his occupation, and not to neglect his own business to be a meddler in that of others. His business is thus more likely to prosper, and his example to younger men will be influential and beneficial. II. AN EMPLOYER OF LABOUR IS BOln!D TO STUDY THE WELFARE OF HIS SERVANTS. The present state of society is very different from that in the time of Boaz. Society is less patriarchal, and more democratic. But there is still room, both in the house- hold and in commercial and agricultural and manufacturing life, for the exercise of wise and kindly supervision over those who are employed to labour. Ill. DILIGENCE IN BUSINESS PROCURES A MAN MANY ADVANTAGES. It is foolish to despise wealth, though it is easy to over-estimate it. From the narrative it is clear that the wealth of Boaz enabled him to secure a charming and virtuous wife, gave him great consideration amongst his neighbours and fellow-townsmen. If a man neglects the opportunity of acquiring property in order to pursue learning, or to do good, he deserves respect ; but if from sloth and heedlessness, he is despised. Wealth is good if it be used for good purposes - for the education of children, for the encouragement of learning and virtue, for the well-being of the people at large.-T
Vere. 5, 6.-Filial obedience. Ruth was not Naomi's daughter, yet she acted, and with good reason anc~ great propriety, as though she had been such. What holds good, therefore, of the relationship described in this book holds good, it fortiori, ot the relation between parents and children. In modern society the bonds of parental 56 THE BOOK OF RUTll. fen. 111, 1-18.