distinction lies in rigliteousness of spfrit and conduct. Population, trade, urmies, fleets, ~c-1enc-e, art, h:ive no _permanence, no real valu~, a~art from a healthy national con- science and n&"ht domg. If by aT!Y !neans tins n~ht!-011sn_ess disappears, then the greatest calamity bas come ; and 1t 1s only a quest10n of tune with respect to the passing away of greatness. God never allows an unrig·hteous people to attain to the 110s~ a n:ition. is capable of. 3. (J~urches .. _The Christian Church is the body of Chnst. It exists as a body to exlnbzt the spmt and <lo the work of Christ the Head. Its highest honour is in doing what Christ would have done in the world'. But if 0 Church, professing to be part of the One Body, so far loses love for Christ and true holiness of life as to fail to answer the practical ends for which it exi~ts1 then it suffers a calamity far more serious than depletion of numbers loss of socia l status the pain? of poYertx! and the liercest per.se_cution. "lchll;bod ,,' was once appropriat; to Laodzcea (Rev. Ill. 15-18). 4. Individuals. The lughest distinction and bliss of a human being is to be conformed in nature to the holy nature of Christ. This i• the permanent crown of life. It could be shown that a soul so blessed will find the most perfect development. This is that for which Christ came lived died and rose again. And it is obvious that not thus to be saved is to suffer the o-r~atest loss ever possible to a human being. "What shall it profit a man if be gain"'the whole world and lose his own soul?" Then, indeed, "lchabod '' is fearfully true. 5. The minis- try of the gosrel. A true ministry must embrace all the ·teaching requisite for the· " perfecting o the saints." A. full and perfect gospel means all that Christ and his npostles have left us. An examination of the apostolic ministry will show that the great theme on which the inspired preachers chiefly dwelt was the cross of Christ. This is the peculiar distinction of the New Testament teaching; and it is a truth ". liich enters directly or indirectly into everything pertaining to Christian life. A ministry is good in proportion as it gives due place to this dominating tnith. An :i.version to the cross as the apostles preached it is an unhappy sign, as, also, is a mere parade of the term or'the symbol. History proves that a Chris'tless ministry is alwnys a failure. "Icbabod " may be affirmed of it. Generally, then, "Icbabod " is true whenever the crowning characteristic has departed ; in that lies a supre1ne calamity. ' II. How A JUST APPRECIATION OF A SUPREME CALAMITY REVEALS ITSELF. The wife of Phinehas was a study to her attendants. They", in common with the mass.of Israel; felt that a sad disaster had befallen them, but her extrer1e anguish and singular con- duct were perplexing. The fact was, she forf:\led a just appre~iation of what had occurred, and her feelings, words, and conduct were the natural expression of it. The appreciation appears in-1. All-absorbing concern. A more striking instance of this is perhaps not to be found in the entire range of sacred history. This unnamed person was passing through the most momentous personal crisfo possible to woman ; the anguish of nature was enough to absorb every thought and power. Birth of a. son was a new demand on attention and care, and the death of a husband was, at such· a season, a special occasion of sorrow. Yet all these most il'T!portant and pressing matters were entirely lost sight of in her soul'~ utter absorption in the interests of that Divine kingdom which lay so near to her heart. We have read of widows dying under the shock caused by a husband's death, and with his name on the tongue as the last sign of affection and interest; but here the one word is "Icliabod." The cause of God was the one thought. In like manner will a just appreciation of calamity s]H,w itself when nations !tave lost the rigliteousnesswliicli exalts, when Churches have failed in their holy design and have become a reproach, when 60uls cared and watched for are lost, wlien a ministry profe6sedly of the gospel leaves out the cross. _The whole soul will be filled with anguish and care. 2. Refusal to accept any substitute. Tl10 l,ighest and most welcome comfort nature can afford to a sorrowing w_idowed mother i~ to give !,er a son. In the love of offspring the heart finds some heal mg· and solace. But, marvel of devotion to the Spiritual and Eternal, this moth_er ref~ses to derive compensation from the new-bom child f "She answered not, neither did ~he regard it." The rnotber's conduct was right and natural; for the cause of God 1s first ar:d J,igLest. K ature sanctified will not accept a lower transitory good in the place of !ho liigl,er eternal good. Jerusalem is to be preferred above our" chief joy." No weal If, d!J'J fame will comfort the statesman wl10 mourns the departure of national ris·htcouti• en. rv. 1-22.] Tim FIRST BOOK OF SAMUEL.
ness. Eloquence, logic, and elevation of taste are as nothing to one who glories i" preaching Christ crucified, if he be not preached. 3. Tremendous ifforl to awakm regard for tlte spiritual. • The dying woman made a great effort to think and speak. She loved the de11r child, but loved the holy kingdom more; and therefore, to rlo the utmost in her power to arouse regard for what was too little regarded, she even i1n- posed on her child a name associated with sorrow, shame, and trouble. Thus by this dying exertion did she (1) impress her attendants with her sense of what calamity is, n.nd whnt should be sought first and chief; (2) direct her countrymen, through her son, to the great need of a radical reformation; and (3) leave him a reminder of what was dear~ to his mother's heart. Noble woman I " She hath done what she could .• , Love of God stronger than love of husband, child, national fame, and even of personal comfort. In times of spiritual calamity the faithful, in proportion to faithfulness, put forth extraordinary efforts. l\Ioses could wish himself blotted out of the book of God (Exod. xxxii. 3 2 ) .
General lessons :-1. In darkest times God has in reserve a" holy remnant" ( cf. 1 Kings xix. John x. 10, 1 8 ; The deepest piety may exist where least expected. 14). 2.
The wife of the vilest of men (cf. Matt. viii. 10). ::I. Adverse circumstances, when met with a determined spirit, may even conduce to exalted piety. The vile husband became the occasion of a more entire and constant trust in God (cf. Ps. ix. 9, .10; xxvii. 10). How truly the requirements of Christ to lo,·e him and his cause above 4.