th<' most cormnanding ev-idences of its Divine cliaracter. It professes to make all things n~w. It forms the trne, perfect m~n_hood. A religion ,yhich is seen practioally to enter mto every sphere of human activity, as the conserving "salt," carries with it the proof that it comes from the Creator of mnn and of society. He then who loves his Christianity, and would advance its conquests, must show by hi; inter~st in the State that it is" profitable unto all thing·s," even to public affairs.. (4) The great ea{amiti'.es brought on communities have resulted from the predominance in state affair11 of frrelig£ous piinciples. When "rulers of Sodom," men of godless lives, are left to have charge of affairs, when the holy and conscientious leave their country's busi- ness to persons witl1 whom they would not leave their own private affairs, disaster has come, and will ever come. There can he nothing in such a line of conduct at variance with Christian character or profession. The enforcement of. righteousness all over the world must be right. To love Christ supremely, and to labour that souls may be converted to him, is no more inconsistent with promoting righteousness in state ~ffairs, and watching .jts progress there•.with keen interest, than with seeing that our private business is honestly transacted. - II. EMERGENCIES WILL ARISE WHEN INTEREST IN PUDLIC AFFAIRS MAY FIND DISTINCT EXPRESSION. The emergency which developed Samuel's deep interest did not create it. There is a fountain of strong feeling and righteous thought in a truly good man'~ nature. Crises in a people's history bring out the latent feeling, and shape it into word or deed. There should not be a day on which a Christian does not .bear all the interests of his country on his heart, and give them some. direct·or indirect support. But in the changes of human offairs,-and in the incessant struggle between the good and evil forces of society, there arise now and then opportunities for every righteous man to do his best towards securing a righteousness in the State. Ill. The MANNER IN WHICH INTEREST IS SHOWN WILL DEPEND ON POSITION AND OPPORTUNITIES. Samuel showed his interest by discussing with Saul the genera) question of the people's welfare, and by fitting his mind for .coming responsibilities. Every Christian can express his interest intelligently;·faithfully,..kindly; and prayer- fully by seizing the opportunities appropriate to his situation in life. But prayer for kings and rulers, personal observance of the•course of events, acquaintance with the real needs of the country, encouragement of a sound; righteous, political literature, support to men of tested character, exercise of powers conferred by law, infusion into controversies of a generous, truth-loving spirit-these are means within reach of most, and cannot but issue in blessing to all. The interest thus due to public state affairs is also due by the Christian to the general affairs of tlie Church of God. Every one should bear on his heart the welfare of the body of Christ, and do all he can to heal its wounds, cleanse its spirit, and insure its highest happiness and pros- perity. Do men sufficiently identify their personal religious interests with those of the one Church? Is the oneness of the body of Christ properly aypreciated? Do our prayers and tears flo,v forth as they ought for the kingdom of God? General considerations :-1. The causes of so little interest in public affairs by many Christian people. 2. How Christian people can manifest a proper interest apart from the painful contentions to which they are perhaps constitutionally un- fitted. 3. The degree of sympathy due to good men who from sense of duty enter into the perils and annoyances ?f public life, and how it can be e~pressed. 4. 'I'.he question of how much of national trouble, sorrow, and poverty 1s connected with ueglect on the part of the morally powerful sections of society. 5. How ~ar Christian men are really making love of righteousness and truth and peace super10r to so.cial customs and party ties.
HOMILIES BY VARIOUS. AUTHORS. Vere. 1-25. (GIBEAH, &\MAH.)-The king desired by the pe_ople. 1. The fhoice of the first king of Israel waa made by Samuel, prophet and Judge, as the h1ghe?t authority under God in the nation; and it was afterwards ?onfirmed by lot, wherein tl1e Divine will was openly expressed ( eh. x. 21 ). "The lustory of the world c~nnot produce another instance in which a pu~lic determination was formed to appomt a CH. IX. 1-27.] THE Fin8T BOOK OF 8AMUEL. 1r,1