(yer. 2/i) is the choiceAt treaRure which children can inherit, and apart from it nches d~ not prove_ n, bleBsin~. Religion and prosperity eventnally go hand in lmnd. Statesmen, 1f wrne, will seek to establish the tl,rone in riahteousnesR. Their aim will be that religion slrnll flourish in the land, not necessarily by direct enactments, but by remove.I of all restrictions to its progress. It is not our com- merce, our a1is, our resources for war that constitute our strength or hope for the fnture, but love to God, the prevalence of honesty and integrity, peace and trnth. We need not so much ascendancy over other nations as over ourselves, our own passions and prejudices, vices and errors. (3) To secure the offerings of the proper sacrifices at the tabernacle. Not only rights were remembered, but conse'luent unties. The altar woulil ever call these tribes to 11,ttenil to the performance of their obligations, not to neglect "the service of the Lori!.'' Some of the people would lmve 11, long distance to travel, 11,nd might grow weary of providing for ceremonies celebrated at such 11, distance from their dwellings. What shall be the "witness '' in each household, testifying to the duty incumbent upon its members to contribute of their substance to the support of God's cause ? The Bible ? The missionary box? And in our churches the first day of the week is a mute appeal, seconded by the gathering now and again around the table of the Lord. II. THE INDIGNATION of the western tribes. (1) Exhibited in a striking manner their jealousy for the Lord God. Though these brethren had been lately endan- gering their lives and strength on their behalf, marching at their head and capturing their places of abode, nevertheless this kindness does not excuse an afte,· fault. Our gratitude must not blind us to derelictions on the part of our friends. It were mistaken love that hesitated to reprove error. Nor did the westerns delay, they were prompt in action to prepare to root out evil. They knew the value of early attention to it. A little water quenches a fire which, if allowed time to spread, will surpass the power of a flood to extinguish. Let us not say of any sin, "Is it not a little one?" Attack the disease at its commencement or it will defy all treatment I Better lose a limb than the whole body. (2) Manifested the 'abiding impression produced by past events. Peor and its dreadful plague, Achan with the loss in battle and dire retribution exacted from the offender and his family. hacl written in letters of fire and blood the wrath of Goel against iniquity. The lessons were remembered. Punishment graves the commandment deep within the conscience. Well for us if the past is not forgotten, its events recorded not on the sands but on the rocks. The reasoning of the Israelites was clear. If two and a half tribes transgressed, surely it was to be feared that God would chastise the entire nation; perhaps blot it out from under heaven, since he had in previous days manifested such severe displeasure at the defection of a iew of the people. We cannot allow our brother to persevere in sin and ourselves remain unharmed. The contagion spreads. "Am I my brother's keeper?" is a foolish inquiry an:.! a groundless plea. (3) Rested on a misunderstanding. And so cloes much of the strife which prevails. It is frequently impossible for men to know all the reasons by which others are actuated, and a partial view is often unjust. We do not adrn, cate false leniency, or a total suspension of judgment. In the sermon wherein otu· Lord gave the warning, "Judge not that ye be not judged," He also declared, "By their fruits ye shall know them." We are apt to be hasty in drawing our conclu- sions, and it is probable that concerning n brother's beha,iom- we are especi,1lly quick in rushing to an adverse judgment. If acquainteil with all the circumst.inces we might praise where now we blame. Let us try to nvoicl putting uncharitable constructions upon each other's nets. Appearances decefre. In heawn the harmony of love will be perfect, for we slrnll know even ns also we are known. No veil of flesh shall intercept the vision of the spirit. Eve1-y si~nnl flnshed is clearly deciphered in the pure light of the presence of God ; there 1s no cloud. no haze, to mar the reflection of His glory. III. THE MISUNDERSTANDING REMOVED, (1) The right method was pnrsued by the complainants. Before proceeding to the nrbitrnment of the swonl they resolved to send an influential deputation to remonstrate, and to seek to ,lissuade their brethren from the indulgence of idolatJ:ous pro.otices. They manifested their THE HOOK OF .lOSill'.\. [en. xx!I. 1-84;
sinrerit-y nnd nffertion by offering to provide settlements within the land of PoJes- tine. if_ t.hc cnskm tribes were now repenting of having chosen cm unclenn possessrnn (wr. ll)). Sncb is the method of dealing with brethren whom we believe t,o he sinning ngR.inst God. Inquire and expostulnte I "If thy brother shnll trespnss ngRinst thee, go and tell him his fault ; if he shall hear thee, thou hast 1;nined th:,- brother.'' Heformation is better than excolllllltmication. \Visdom and nffecl,ion concur in m·g:ing the adoption of such a course. (2) The aJJpa1·ent offenders displayed similar rcasona.bleness of spi?'it. They willingly explnined what they hncl d0ne : did not stand sullenly upon their rights, refusing to render rensons for their nrtion. Thev did not ask what business their brethren h11d to interfere with them. ""'ho mna'e you rulers and judges over us?" Their procedure conveys lessons for modem days. Peaceable o,·ertures must be penceably met, and even unjustifiable suspicion mu~t be pardoned. (3) The suspected altar became a pleasing object to aU. The explanation was accepted, and the deputation, gratified \\;th the nnswer they recei,ed, bore home a favom·nble account, and the dispute was amicribly terminated. The end was even better tho.n the beginning, for the nlfair reflected credit upon all concerned. God grant that all miso.pprehensions among heliernrs may ,anish with equal celerity and happiness I that no root of hit.terness be nllowed to spring up and trouble them. Nothing should delight us more than to be enabled to exonerate om· brethren from blame. Discovery of their freedom from guilt is a sweet proof of the presence of God in om· midst (v. 31). Co?s-cLusroN. This narration begets the inquiry whether we ho.ve any part in the Lord. Can any secret place of prayer, or any word or deed testify that the Lorcl is our God ? The strongest union is formed by religious ties. Where families are thus united the bands of love are indis$olubly cemented. Have we a family altar. not mnterial but spiritual, a witness to the Lord? May the lessons thus deriYed from an old book be indelibly stamped upon our hearts.-A.