world iii not large enough for all men to live on the most fertile soil and in the most genial climate. (2) Diversity is also necessitated by the difference in human cap,1citie8. Since these sources of diversity are found in nature, they must be sanctioned by God. Therefore to complain of them is (a) futile, (b) distrustful. II. DIVERSITY OF LOTS IS LESS SEVERE THAN IT APPEARS TO BE. (1) There is much compensation for inequality. We are inclined to notice only the hardships of our own lot and the favourable circumstances of our neighbour's. There are cares peculiar to riches and blessings peculiar to poverty. (2) Custom accommo- dates us to our lot. It softens the hardest lot and robs the pleasantest of its interest. The back becomes fitted to the daily burden. The daily luxury becomes insipid. (3) Happiness depends more on the character of the inner life than on the circumstances of the external lot. A peaceful mind is better than all riches. The cheerful poor man is more favoured by Providence than the melancholy rich man (Prov. xv. 17). . III. DIVERSITY OF LOTS IS BENEFICIAL TO us INDIVIDUALLY. Justice is not equality, but fitness. It is not fit that we should all receive equal lots. For some the highlands are most fit, for some the plains, for some the valleys. (1) Fitness depends on our capacity. One can serve best in one lot, and another with different faculties in a totally different lot. The talents are given " to every man according to his several ability" (Matt. xxv. 15). (2) It depends on our disposition. We are not all capable of appreciating the blessings which are given to others. If we chose for ourselves we could not tell what would be most agreeable to us until we had experienced all kinds of lots. We often think we should enjoy things for ·which we have no capacity, as weak and timid people, delighting in stories of adventm·e, imagine they should like to be the heroes of them. (3) It depends on our need. Our lots are apportioned to us for probation, discipline, and education. The lot which is most .attractive may not be most beneficial. Various methods of training are needed according to our various characters. Some plants flourish best in the sunshine, others in the shade. Some souls are healthiest in prosperity, others in adversity. • IV. DIVERSITY OF LOTS IS USEFUL FOR THE GENER.il. WELFAIIE OF MANKIND, Dull uniformity would leave human life at a low level. Civilisation must become complex as it advances. Diversity of lots is necessary for division of labour. "The whole family" is most prosperous when the several members quietly accept t_heir varioua lots. The mountain lot serves for the shepherd and his flock, the valley for the tiller of the soil. Thus the co=on life of the whole nation is advanced. They who suffer most often have a special part to serve in the ministry of life for the good of their brethren.-W. F. A. Vers. 12, 13.-The partition of the land of Canaan. "Now therefore divide this land for an inherit9,nce unto the nine tribes" (ver. 7). In the partition of the land of Canaan there was nothing arbitrary. God Himself directed it, and assigned to each tribe its lot, save only to the tribe of Levi, which w9,s to occupy an exceptional position. There was a very special reason why the inberit9,nce of the various tribes should be mo.rked out by God Himself, since Israel was His chosen people, destined to give to the world its Messiah and Saviour, so that nothing could be indifferent in its history. Every t1ibe wus to feel that in tilling the soil allotted to it, it was acCQillplishing the task which God had given. Every tribe knew that it held its possessions directly from God, and that it was in His name its appointed work was to be done. Thus everything even in the outwaril life of Israel was elevo.ted, ennobled, and consecrated. Let us apply these same principles, first to God's greater people-mankind-and then to the Church and to the family. (1) St. Paul in his sermon at Athena said that " God had made of one blood 1111 nations to dwell on all the face of the earth, and ·had determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their ho.bitation; that they might seek the Lord" (Acts xvii. ~6). Thus t!ie_ naturo.l _fatherland has ~een determined for every nation b.v God Hi!n~~lf. Thi~ is the hent~ge He ha_s assigned to each, to be received in humble recogmtion of His fatherly will, and with the grateful acknow• 212 THE BOOK OF JOSHUA. [OH, XIII, 1-88.
ledgment of all the capacities for its development. But if God has thus given man an inheritance in this great world, He has done so. not only in order that me.n may rnpply himself with food and with all the.t is essentie.l to his bodily well-being; it is not even that he may avail himself of all the e.ppliances of a brilliant civilise.- tion. It is the.t he may fulfil here upon earth his higher destiny; the.t He me.y seek God and serve Him. Every nationality has its mission in this great work; it he.s its special gifts to employ for the common cause. Ee.eh one is to rehearse in its own tongue the wonderful works of God, and to glorify Him as it has opportunity. (2) Every family is in like manner bound to recognise the hand of ProYiclence in its earthly lot. Whether it be straitened by poverty, or abounding in we11,lth, it is equally bc,und to serve God in the station wherein He has placed it. All outward prosperity is to be received and held as a trust from Him. It is no more ours of right than the land of Canaan belonged to the Israelites. " The earth is the Lord's and the fulness thereoi," and we are His stewards. It is for Him we are bound to use it; and to use it for Him is to use it for the good of our fellows, since He reckons any love and service done to them as to Himself. Nor is it only for our material pos~essions, but for our whole,position and attitude among our fellow-men, that we are responsible to God. Whether masters or servants, princes or peasants, our lot has been assigned us by God for one sole end, namely His senice. Thus before Him, and in -view of this Divine purpose, there is no distinction of rank. All that is done for Him acquires dignity from that fact. The one essential is that in our earthly life, whether high or low, we do His work. The poor are often richest towards God, like that tribe of Levi, which, though it possessed not a foot of land, was, as we shall see, the great spiritual aristocracy of IsraeL-E. DE P.