V. IlI!LIANfJE 801,ELY ON PHYSICAL ANO MENTAL EXERTION FOR THf. ATTAINMENT Oil' A DESIRED OOOD IS BURE TO END IN I,'JNAT, DISASTER. Israel put forth physical and mental effort to attain to freedom and former prosperity. In this respect there was conformity to the will of God, and an observance, therefore, of the laws of success. But the radical defect in the case was that of an utter carelessness coT.cerning the possession of the character which alone can be acceptable with God. The people lacked all the force which lies in being right with God. Those who strive for the masteries must, we are told (2 Tim. ii. 5), '! strive lawfully "-in harmony with all th• moral as well as physical laws which govern the enterprise, whatever it be, public ·, private, relating to commerce, education, or religion. Tbe great practical truth her., exhibited is that it is po~sible for a people to set heart on the achie1:ement of a pur- pose good in itself, to devise means, combine forces, and arouse enthusiasm likely to 1ss11e in the desired result; but yet there may be in the daily life some irreliaimrn, unholy s;p:i,rit, which, being known to God, has the effect of causing the hidden wheels of Providence so to move as to render useless efforts otherwise sufficimt. Riahfeo'11s- ness i.s tlie most important factor in life. Unrighteousness will in the end ncntralise all exertion. The seeming prosperity of the wicked is short, and "shall rlcstroy them." Sin saps the foundations of public and private good. True godliness alone makes the most of men. VJ. DISTINGUISHED OOODNESS OF INDIVIDUALS AND REGARD FOR RELIGIOUS SDICOI.S ARE NO SUBSTITUTES FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS OF LIFE. Samuel had become known in Israel. The long lost "open vision" was restored. The people knew that he was a prophet. There was, therefore, so the people reasoned, an evident sign that the favour of God was returning. Their own character was bad enough ; but had they not a holy man of God, a superior character, in the sanctuary at Shiloh? Encouraged by this trnst and heedless of repentance and reformation, they sought freedom nn<l prosperity by the exertion of their own physical powers. The moral element of conformity to the will of God was despised. Disaster came. In like manner it is in vain for a nation to leave goodness to officials in the Church, and for men of business to leave goodness to their wives and children. God will take no substitute for per- sonal holiness. Not even is the perfect righteousness of the Redeemer of any avail to the man who will live in unrighteousness. He is "our righteousness" wl1c11 our faith in him brings forth the fruits of the Spirit. But the ingenuity of the heart in evil is marvellous. Israel, finding that vicarious goodness is of nci aYail, has recoiirse to a new expedient-outward regard for the symbols of reli(Jion. l\lcn remember historical facts, though they may have lost a perception of their spiritual significance. Had not the waters of Jordan and the walls of Jericho recognised the presence of the "ark of God"? Did it not go before the people to" search ont a resting-place" for them? I£ the presence of o. Samuel in the land was not :t guarantee of victory, surely all power must submit to this ancient and renowned worker of wonders? An'd thus the unholy heart imagines that an outward exl1ibi- tion of the sacred things pertaining to Divine worship will be a practical substitute for the character not possessed. "History repeats itself." Yes; men still trust in the symbols of the Church-creeds more or less orthodox, outward forms of worship, and much else-in vain hope that these will prove a charm by which the crushing power of sin will be avoided and life end prosperously. The most sacred of forms and symbols are a poor refuge for a soul that loves unrighteousness (Ps. xxiv. 3-5). Practical lessons :-1. Study well all the laws of permanent success in secular r;·overnment, religious organisations, commercial transactions, domestic life, and Hpiritnal culture. 2. Let personal conduct be influencer! by the fact that even the salvation of the soul is according to law (cf. Matt. xi. 28, 29; Acts iv. 12; x. 4'l; 1 Cor. ix. 25; 2 Tim. ii. 5). 3. The comparative failure of religious efforts outwardly suitable may be remedied by a revival of the spiritual power. 4. In times of depression and religions weakness in the Church, look not so much to the udoption of new expedients for subduing the world to Christ, as to the spiritual condition of his professed servunt8.
Unexpected coincidences. It was declared to Eli that a sign of corning judgment on him and his house should be found in the death of his two so1:s in one day (eh. '90 Tim J.'IHST BOOK OF SAMUEL. [rn. IV. 1--22,