Vers. 13-16.-Religion inspires commercial life. It is certain that God displays the li,clicst interest in every department of human life. He is not only the God of the hills; he is God of the valleys also. He takes cognizance, not only of great things, but also of small. Can any man tell us what are small things? Not only on the :1ortal of every church, but on the forefront of every shop-ay, on the beam of every balance, we ought to see the inscription, "To the glory of God alone!" I. RELIGION CLAIMS A THRO:!s"E IN EVERY SHOP. True religion is the sunny smile from God's eye, and, as the common light of day penetrates into every nook and cranny of nature, so the light of God's love pierces into every interest of human life. It is not a romantic something which has merely to do with the region of existence beyond the grave; it is the life of our present life-the secret spring of every duty. Ordinary trade is a splendid field for the practical exercise of religious virtues, because the commercial activities of the age afford large facilities either for fidelity or for fraud. In every office and warehou~e religion claims to set up her throne. In the smallest act of buying and selling she insists on having a voice. II. RELIGION GOES '.l'O THE BOOT OF THINGS-DETERMINES THE STANDARDS OF HUMAN ACTION. If the weight or measure be false, then every transaction will be false. lnaenious wickedness had invented two sets of standards-an over-large one for the m:n as buyer, an under-size for the same man as seller. This course of vile procedure- carried the villainy into every item of the man's mercantile life. It is of the first importance that we set up right standards. '!'he Pharisee in the temple was a l?erfect man, according to Ms standard. The rich young man who came to Jesus Chns_t for counsel was blameless, according to his standard. Men are prone to set up conventional standards, and measure themselves and every one one else according to their rule. Take heed that your standard is God's standard, "a perfect and just measure.'' III. Rr:LIGION 1s BOTH DESTRUCTIVE AND CONSTRUCTIVE. "Thou shalt not have this; thou shalt have that." It first pulls down, then builds up. It first uproots, then plants. " Morlify your members, then add to your virtues." 'l'heold must be destroyed; the new must be ,;own and nursed. In our self-culture and in our training of others, it is not enough that we are repressive and prohibitive; the new growths will often cast uff effete and injurious matter. Prune away barren boughs; encourage the development of the fruitful wood. IV. RELIGION DBINGS COLLATERAL GAINS IN THIS LIFE. Her main reward is in the future, viz. possession of the Divine image; nevertheless, she confers many solid favours here and nuw. P,t'al pleasure is her daily gift, and "length of days" is her special prize. "The wickc,d shall not live out half their days "-they die prematurely. Nor is long life on earth to be despised. There a.re, doubtless, moral advantages and g11.ins mr. xxv. 1-10.] TIIE I300K OF DEUTERONOMY. 401
obtainable in this life, which are not obtainable in the life t0 c0me. Many of the means of discipline and pruning and reformation will end with this life. We arc place<! here for probation; and (if well-used'.) long school-lire is an advantaae unspeakable. 1'o be esteemed by God as "the apple of bis eye" is better than an ~arthly coronet. 'l'o be regarded by him as" abomination" is" concentrated curse."-D.
Vere, 17-19.-0owardice and cruelty avenged. The feeling or resentment must ba classed "low" among the moral sentiments. But this command to remember and t 0 avenge the conduct of Amalek is not resentment. Abundant time was allowed the Amalckites to abandon evil ways and to cultivate friendly relations with Israel. But they continued, century after century, godless and hostile: hence their extinction. J. ATHEISM BREEDS IN MEN DOTH CRUELTY AND COWARDICE. Against A 111alck the gravest charge is, "he feared not God." This is the root of all his wickedness-the source of bis base hostility to Israel. Practical atheism is the prolific parent of hateful vices, There was not a trait of nobleness in Amalek's conduct. It was cowardly and cruel. He attacked Israel in the rear-" smote the hindmost" stragglers-fell upon those already half-dead from fatigue. For a moment he gloried in the inglorious massacre, but only for a moment. The prayer of one man was more than a match for Amalek. In every age it is found that he "who fears not God" has no "regard for man." The influence of a bad man is perilously contagious. The whole tribe is embraced under the character of one man. II. CRUEL TREATMENT LEAVES AN INDELIBLE IMPRESSION UPON THE Jlililll). Human nature is so constituted that a wrong done to us or to our fathers is held tenaciously in the memory, and provokes all the feelings to avenge the deed. Herein the Word of God is in accord with our mental nature. Human nature says," Remember!" The Scripture says," Remember!" "Thou shalt not forget it." Incidentally, we have here a proof that the Creator of the human mind is also the Author of Scripture. Injustice rouses up all the moral forces in the universe to inflict a fitting retribution; and very often God employs as bis ministers of vengeance the victims of former oppres- sion. 'l'be increase, the strength, the organization of Israel were to be employed early upon this end, viz. to extinguish Amalek. IH. INHERITANCE FRO!ll GOD CARRIES WITH IT AN OBLIGATION TO DO HIS WILL. Rest is given to prepare for more difficult service. "When the Lord thy God hath given thee rest, . , . thou shalt blot out AI!lalek." God never gives to men any inheritance for exclusive selfish enjoyment. If we are not disposed for service, and even for warfare, the only consistent course is to decline God's gifts. He bas plainly made known to men the conditions of bis bequests. Before Israel possessed the promised land it was clearly revealed what was expected from the occupants of that inheritance. Nor is the inheritance of heaven a state of indolent repose. The voice that says, " Enter into joy," says also, "Be thou ruler." We read of disputes between Michael and the adversary. Who shall say that God will not employ bis ransomed ones to put down rebellion in some outlying province?-D.