HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Ver. ~.-The citieB of the Levites: The Levites were scattered among the oth_er tribes of lame!, 11ml yet not individually but in clusters, in cities of their own. Tlus arrangement must have had some object:- I. THE Ln:VITES WERE BET '."PART FOR THE SERVICE OF Gon. They were freed fr?m the cl11uns 1t?d cares whrch fell on the other Israelites. They were main- tamed by the offer1?gs of the people. Those who minister in spiritual things have temporal wants winch the people who 11re benefited by their services &hould care for. They are not the less men because they are servants of God, and their home comforts should be secured that they may be free for spiritual work. II. 'fHE LEVITES WERE ABLE TO MINISTER TO THE PEOPLE BY LIVING A:l!ONGST THEM, When it was not their turn to be serving at the temple, the Levites appear to have been engaged in educational work and religious ministrations among the people of their neighbourhood. Church services are useless unless the private lives of men are improved. We must carry the gospel to those who will not come to hear it in the regular place of worship. It is the duty of Christians_ not to live apart from the world for their own sanctification, but to live in the world for the world's redemption-to be the leaven leavening the whole mass, the light of the world shining into the da1·k places. Thus the world will be Christianised (1) by the gospel reaching those who are out of the way of ordinary religious influences; (2) by example ; (3) by direct personal persuasion. Ill. THE LEVITES WERE ABLE TO CULTIVATE THEIR HUMAN SY11PATHIES BY LIVING AMONG THE PEOPLE, The religion of complete separation from the world is unnatural. It destroys some of the finest qualities of human life. Godliness cannot exist without humanity. The man of God is most truly human. Sympathy for human affairs, active pity for the distress of the world, and brotherly lcindness are essential to the Christian life. Therefore the best school for the saint is not the hermit's cell, but the market-place. Complete separation from the world for religious ends developes (1) morbid subjectivity, (2) spiritual selfishness, (3) priile, (4) idleness. IV. THE LF;VITES WERE ABLE TO CULTIVATE THEIR SPIRITUALITY BY MUTUAL INTERCOURSE. They lived in cities together; though in the midst of the tribes of Ismel. Christians should unite in Church fellowship. Solitary mission work is difficult and painful. Christian society secures (1) mutual sympathy, (2) whole- some emulation. The Church should be a home for the Christian. It is bad to be always in worldly society.-W. F. A,
Vers. 43-45.-God's faithfulness. I. WE MAY ASSURE OURSELVES OF GoD's FAITHFULNESS BY A CONSIDERATION OF THE GROUNDS ON WHICH IT RESTS. (1) The unchangeableness of Gou. This is seen (a) in nature-in changeless laws, as of light and gravitation, and in geological uniformity ; (b) in revelation, the development of which is like that of a tree retaining unity of life and growing according to fixed principles. (2) The omni- science of God. Men cannot foresee (a) the novel circumstances undei- which they will be required to redeem their word, and (b) the breaclth of the issues t~ which their promises may lead them. When God promises He knows (a) all future circumstances to which His word may apply, anil (b) all that is involveil in_ t~e pledge He gives. (3) The omnipotence of Goel. ,ve may promise help, and fail rn the hoill' of need from iuability to render it. This is seen in business engagel?ents, national treaties, pledges of friendship, &c. God has all the sotll'ces of the umverse at His co=and. II. WE MAY ILLUSTRATE GOD'S FAITHFULNESS BY A REVIEW OF THE INSTANCES IN WHICH IT HAS BEEN PROVED TO us. (1) In history; e.q., the return 0~ the seasons anil the production of the fruits of the ear~h, accortlmg t~ the i,:irom1se to Noah (Gen. viii. 22); the possession of Canaan p1:o=~eil from the trme of A~raham (Gen. xii. 7); the return from the captivity pronnsecl m t!1e. law (De:1t. xxx. 3) ; the ~dvent of Christ (Isa. xi, 1), al)d the enjoyment of Chnst1an blessmgs (~fatt. U. JO~lJHA, X 306 TB;E BOOK OF JOSIIUA, (cH, XXI, 1-46,'
28-30). (2) In persona.l experience; e.g., deliverance from sin, comfort in sorrow,' gnidancc in perplexity, strength for duty. Andrew Fuller says, "Ho that watches ProYiclence will not lack a Prmiclence to watch.'' III. WE ~BY STRENGTHEN OUR BELIEF IN GoD'S FAITHFULNESS BY AN EXAMINA• TIOK OF APPARF,NT EXCEPTIONS, These may often be explained by noting important circmnstances. (1) Time of fulfilment. God does not always fulfil his promise immediate\~-, or when we expect,. He will do so in His own time, at the right time, in the fulness of time. (2) Mode of fulfilment. 'l'he promise is not always fulfilled in the wny we expect, because (a) we misinterpret God's word, and (b) God !s educating us by illusions which coYer greater truths than we can ltt first receive, (31 Cmulitinns o'f fulfilment. God's promises are conditional on our faith a.ncl concluct. His coYenant is sure so long as we keep our side of it. He is faithful to us if we are true to Him. We often fail to rec~i'l'e a. promised blessing because we neglect to carr:, out the conditions God has attached to it. IY. \\'E MAY APPLY THE PRINCIPLE oF GoD's FAITHFULNESS TO ouR OWN EXPERIENCE B\' NOTIKG THE REGIONS OVER WHICH IT EXTENDS. (1) It extends to a./1 God's promises-the threats of chastisement as well a.s the assurances of mercy. (2) It extends to all time. God's promises are as fresh now a.a when he first uttered them. (3) The fiuits of it are enduring. The people "possessed the land and dwelt in it." (4) The ree.lisation of it is perfect. "All came to pass." -W.F.A.