. ~o,v. it. is well known that Palestine rn~1st have been very populous, contnining :wout as many human beings to the square mile as the most densely populated countries nt th<' present time,1 and iii its densely filled country district.s te~tified to tho general securilv which then existed. IY. ;J'hey will be VALIANT IN EEl'lll,I,ING INVASION. It is noticeable that foreign conquest is not contemplated when they arc settled in the laud. It is when the enemies rise up against them that the Lord will give them, as obedient people, the power to disperse them. The invasion may take place in one way, but their rout will be complete, they shall flee bcf,,re Israel seven ways (ver. 7)-the perfect nnmber in- dicat.ing perfect defeat. The Lord will not encourage them in a "spirited foreign policJ'," but will make them invincible defenders of their hearths and homes. V. They shall be in a position to LEND UNTO SURROUNDING NATIONS. Not only would they repel successfully all invasion, but be able to lay other nations under obligation. Now, we sec that, in being able to serve others in this way,. lies the secret oi' soverl'ignty and influence. The thrifty nations that can lend to others, so far 'get these others into their power. In the lending power God promises to Israel, if obedient, we sec the germ of undoubted ascendancy. :Ko wonder, then, that other nations are to fear and to honour them, if this is to be 1hcir career. No wonder they are to be the head, and not the tail; to be above only, and not beneath. Obedience will prove the one condition of ascendancy. Now, it is true that the world can think better in these lntter dnys than it did in the days of Moses. Religion does not now need a demonstration of temporal prosperity nor a fal'oured nation. Religion now demonstrates its reality and sustaining power in making poor saints bright and joyful; in making snffering saints patient and hope- ful; and in making the sorrowing ones resigned .and confident of reunion. These are the "martyrs" now, and the seed of the Church. At the same time, it may be seen written clearly on the order of providence that "righteousness exalteth a nation;" that the religious naLions, other things being equal, are the more prosperous. It cannot but he so. As nations get no resurrection as nations, only as individuals, it then comes to pass that as nations they must be judged in this world, and get their reward or punishment, as the case may be, while the individuals composing the nations may be a,kcd in many cases to wait for their compensation and reward in the world to come. -lL M. E. Yers. 15--68.-A nation becoming a bectcon. If Mount Gerizim had the weight of the people on the side of the blessing, Mount Ebal had certainly the weight of the deliverance. No wonder the Law was to be wiitten on its rocky tablets, since the major part of the Law consists in such denunciation of possible disobedience as might serve to render it improbable. .As Dr. .Arnold has said, ".As ii; too, ~,arning were for more reauired than encouragement, we find that the blessings promised. for obedience bear a sm'.all proportion in point of leno-th to the curses denounced against disobedience." 2 We sl,all try to sum up the evils h;re threatened against Israel in case of their disobedience, and then point out their practical and present application. I. DEGRADATION OF CITY LIFE. If the massing of people gives advantages to religious effort, it gives corresponding advantages to sin. 'l'emptation becomes iutensi- fied. The leaven of corruption gets speedily through the compacter mass. 'l'he very mention of the city and its sins and sorrows brings a frightful panorama. before us. Igoorance, drunkenness, irreligion, liccntiousncss,-all these are found in their most fearful forms in cities. No wonder that such a man as Dr. Guthrie deliv-ered a series of special sermo!js on the subject:• Now, the Jews are threatened with a curse upon tl,eir city life in case of their disobedience. Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum arc lrnt samples of doomed cities through the disobedience of the people (Matt. xi. 20-24). ll. AGRICULTURE will he cursed beca11se of their disobedience. 'l'he land of pl'omise 1 Cf. Geikie's • Life and Words of Christ,' vol. i. p. 22.
• Cf. 'Sermons on the Interpretation of Scripture,' pp. 44-.50. . " Cf. 'The City: its Sins and Sorrows,' .by Thomas Guthrie, D.D. Bee also a mo1·e for• miilal,le Look,' The Age of Great Cities,' by Robert Vaughan, D.D., where the bearings of modem civilization o.re carefully sket.ched. .. Oll. XX\IUJ, 1-CS.J TUE DUIJK OF DEU'I'ERONOMY.