of sC'lf-w!l( shall gain ascendancy in his nature. They are wise who in a kind and tendrr spmt seek to bring men to a higher form of spiritual life. It is in love-tho pure lo,·e of God-that truth is to be seen. It should induce us to seek for ourselves and others more of the purifying grace of the Holy Spirit. Possibly while on earth men will not entirely rise above the disturbing or perverting influence of tastes and sentiments inwroug·ht with their early education, and unconAciously fostered as years advance; for by the mental law of association we are, wl,ile in the body in some measure subject to bondage. Yet the truth is clear that in so far as we d~ become pure in heart and like as a little child-with a nature open to receive what God may teach, and no~ furnished with wishes by which truth is to be judged-we shall rise to a co~rect view of God's word and providence. Pure souls are quick in spiritual perception and responsive to all that is Divine, and, on the other hand, sensitive to the faint appearance of evil. The more fully the Church becomes sanctified, the more unity will be created in a discernment of all that oonstitutes fundamental truth. The eras in which men have paraded opinions alien to the faith once delivered to the saints, priding themselves on their skill and ability, have not been distinguished by extreme dependence on the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit; nor perhaps has the Church ever, since apostolic days, sufficiently associated growth in spiritual know- ledge with his blessed indwelling. 111. THE MEANS OF SUCCESS AS VIEWED BY MEN OF DIVERSE CHARACTER. All the nwn in the cnve were one with David in the cause on which he was embarkecl. Bnt follov,ers do not always enter into the lofty aspirations of their leaders, or share equally with them the responsibility of the position assumed, while they often outstrip them in apparent zeal for the completion of their work. Hitherto the chief obstacle in the way of success was Saul, and now that Providence had manifestly put him within the power of David, what more conclusive evidence to ardent followers of the true road to success could be forthcoming? Let David smite his persecuting foe, and the cause is won I Such was the road to success suggested by policy, self-interest, usages of Eastern warfare, and restless impatience of the ways of God. Against this David protests. It is his duty to nbide God's time for entrance on his royal dignities. E,,en the slight liberty which David, on the impulse of the moment, took with the king in spoiling his garment became on reflection an occasion of self-reproach. Respect for office is a power in social life, being one form of reverence for law and order, and contributing to the easy maintenance of lawful authority; and therefor& the levity of finding amusement for himself and others at a king's expense was- inconsistent with the true Hebrew culture which indicates its regard for the finec- sentiments cf life by such prohibitions as, "Thou shalt not seethe a kid in its mother's milk;" "Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people.'' It should be remembered generally that there is a seeming way to rapid success which is not the true way, and, vice versd,, a tedious, painful way which is the right. David's 1mperior discernment was fortunate for him, though doubtless his adherents were annoyed at his apparent timidity and, as they supposed, fastidiousness. Lot ungener• ously made choice of the richest district in haste to be rich, but his uncle eventually was most successful (Gen. xiii. 8-11 ; xiv. 11, 12). On the other hand, Moses refused the temptation to become possessed of the honours and riches of Egypt, an~ finally was raised to the highest JJOsition a servant of God could occupy (Heh. x1. 24-26). Our Saviour might have gained a vas-t following and been regar~ed by the authorities of Jerusalem as their Messiah had he only accommodated !us standard n little to their wishes • but now he is Lord of millions. The apostles constantly resisted inducements to 'achieve an immediate success by lowering their standard of preaching to the tastes of men and so lost some (Gal. iii. 1-4) disciples; but the result has been most blesBed'. In Church organisation, modes of worship, and· methods of labour it is possible to devise means by which at first a large accession shall be made to the ranks of nominal Christians, yet at the same time wrong may he done to the claims of order, purity, reverence, and tr~t~, which wrong will_ he avenged in years to come by corruption of manners, low spmtual tastes, and poss1?IY apostasy from the truth. In matters of buBiness men often see an easy way by wluch wealth may be speedily won, and, in preference to the sl_ow and steady pr??ess of honest toil, it may be chosen to the ruin of the soul. Sunple, earnest wa1tmg 01: OH. XXIV. 1-22.] THE FIHST llOOK OF SAMUEL. 4M
Providence, doing daily work as it comes, not seeking to force matters by any net that conscience would condemn, is the course suggested by the conduct of David and all who fear God.