Ver. 16.-Responsi"bility not to be traniferred according to human caprice. We desire to notice this interesting direction. It is a contrast to the second commandment. There God represents himself as "visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children." We see it also in the law of heredity operating in nature. But it is a weapon which God retains in his own hand. We may for wise purposes treat men in the lump, and blend in common consequences the innocent and guilty. But man in his judgments must be particular to execute only the guilty. J. HUMAN JUDGMENTS MUST BE FINAL IN TJIIS WORLD SO FAR AS THE JuDGING IS CONCERNED. Men do not get the chance vf setting matters right in another world. They judge once for all, and if they execute the innocent, they have no reparation in their power. II. Gon's Ildl'ERFECT JUSTICE IN THE PRESE~T WORLD IS THE CLEAREST D"DICA- TION TO CONSCIENCE THAT THERE WILL BE A JUDGMENT IN THE OTHER WORLD. Were his justice here perfect, or .were there no judgment at all, men would say there is nothing to arrange in another world. But now there is enough to show God reigns, and enough left over to indicate a judgment to come.1 III. GoD's PREROGATIVE OF TRANSFERRING RESPONSIBILlTY IS THE SECRET OF OUR ULVATION. For he has laid on Jesus, the Innocent One, the iniquity of us all. He bas visited the iniquity of the children upon him who is called our '' Everlasting Father." The consequence is we are saved, and in salvation there is ample compensa- tion for all who have to all appearance suffered unjustly here.-R. M. E.
Ver. 6.-Nuptial joy. Joy has its special seasons. The year has but one spring. 1 or.• Wolfe's Romaine,' 6th edit., pp. 325-327. 388 THE BOOK. OF DEUTERONOMY,
Human life hBS but one nuptial feast. The freshness and charm of a first marriage can never be repeated. Around this special joy God has thrown a Willi of defence. I. NurTIAL JOY Is A OARE OF Goo. In every act of Jesus Christ's earthly life he could have Sllid, "He that bath seen me bath seen the Father." Thus, when he be~amo a guest at the marringe feast at Cana, he appeared and spake and acted as his Fl\ther'11 Representative. II:s miraculous deed was the expression of hie Father's pleasure. On every honourable marriage the sunshine of Jehovah rests. In all the beginnings o'. huIJ?an life God's fatherly interest centres. That human life may be full of joy is bis mam concern. II. NUPTIAL JOY IS SUPERIOR EVEN TO CARES OF THE STATE. The marriaue union is the spring-time of a man's life; let no rough wind of war blast it! To spoil the ;uptialjoy is to spoil a man's life. Other things can wait; this fleeting season of a man's history cannot be recalled. Others can fight the battles of his country better than can he• for at such a time his heart will be elsewhere than the battle-fidd. To send such ~s be is to invite defeat. It is not simply a permissive law; it is obligatory: he shall not go. To be l?resse~ into. m_ilitary ~ervice on bis ma!ria~e day might sour his temper, exasperate bis feelmgs, d1ss1pate his young love, rum lus earthly home, and blast his domestic prospects. Pious homes are the nursery grounds for God's kingdom. III. NUPTIAL JOY BAS ITS LIMITATIONS. Such exemption prevailed for a year: then it ceased. 'l'he fresh and fragrant spring ;must give way to fruit-bearinu autumn. Joy is a preparation for arduous service. It is worse than •1selcss, if it b~gets only indolence. It is the parent of new exertion. It recreates tho mind. It braces and vitalizes all the active energies. As sleep prepares for labour, so pleasure equips us for higher attainments. We need the spirit of wisdom to use our joys to advantage.-D. Vers. 6, I0-13.-ProMbited pledges. Wealth is power; in every nation we need the safeguards of law to prevent such power from becoming tyranny. The poor are ever liable to become the prey of voracious avarice. l. A SEASON.ABLE LOAN 18 .A PRICELESS SERVICE. Men can render service one to another in a thousand different forms. Redundance of possession on the part of one may serviceably supply the deficiencies of another. One man has riches which he cannot profitably employ, another bas trade for which bis-money capital is insufficient. One man bas accumulated experience, another has penetrative wisdom, another has technical knowledge. All this is equipment for useful service. So, in the spiritual kiugdom, one has tender feeling, another bas gift of prayer or gift of speech, another has extended influence. All human endowments are a common fund to be distributed for the benefit of al 1. There are occasions in human life when a loan is more useful than a gift. Temporary exigencies sometimes arise, for which loan, on fitting security, is the wisest alleviation. II. FoB LO.ANS SUIT.ABLE PLEDGES SHOULD BE TAKEN. 1. This sei·ves as a check upon facile borrowing. If loans are granted on too easy terms, we may encourage a man in reek.less commercial speculation, or destroy the natural checks on personal extravagance. 2. This serves to prevent strife. Borrowers have oft times a short memory for liabilities. While human nature has its imperfections and society its scoundrels, it is wiser to have solid guarantee fvr the redemption of loans, and honest borrowers will not object to give suitaLle pledges for honesty. 3. Pledges are needed on the groui;d of uncertain mortality. "We know not what a day may bring forth." III. PLEDGES WHICH TOUCH .A ll4..AN's LIFE ABE PROHIBITED. Money-getting is never to be so pressed as to im]Jinge on the domain of life. Human life is a sacred thing, and must not be trifled with. It bas latent capabilities, and ma)'. yet be~ome a source of blessing to myriads. Gain becomes as the small dust, an rnapprec1ablo thing, when placed in the balance against a human life. The gold of a continent is a bubble in comparison with a man's soul. IV. GENEROUS BUBB.ENDER OF POVERTY'S PLEDGES AN AOT OF PIETY. Pledges aro telltales of common dishonesty. If truthfulness and honour were as prevalent as they ought to be, no pledge would be needed. A man's word ought to be as good as h)s pledge. It often does a man good if we make his honour the only pledge. He _is ennobltd by our confidence. He rises in self-respect. Debts of honour are often paid prior to those which have material security. If we form a high estimate of men, they will often strive to reach the ideal. Oil, XXI\f, i-22.J THE BOOtt OF DEUTERONOMY. 389