all tho people rejoiced, nncl brought in, and cnst into the chest, until thr,y had ma,le an ond." No doubt they experienced the blessing wl,ich is implied in the words, "God loveth a cheerful giver." We need to study God's Word more on this subject of Chris- tian giving. We have seen what the Old Testament rules were. Here is one from the New Testament: "On the fir~t day of the week let every one of yoL1 lay hy hirn in atore, as God bath prospered him." If we were to give systematically, as these words exhort., if we were to measure our weekly offerings by our prosperity, how much larger our oITertories would be I what an overflowing offering of silver and gold would be given to carry the gospel to the heathen ! IV. THIS WORK WAS CARRIED OUT BY FAITHFUL WORKERS. Those are very remark- able words, "Moreover they reckoned not with the men, into whose hand they delivered the money to be bestowed on workmen: for they dealt faithfully" (ver. 15). There were faithful workmen, and faithful overseers of the work. An,l what was the explanation of this unusual confidence on the part of the contributors, and unusual faithfulness on the part of the workers? Ah! there had been a reformation of religion! Wherever true religion flourishes, there there will be honest and upright dealing between man and man. When the great revival of religion took place in Ulster in 1859, the change was soon manifest in the conduct of the whole community. Scenes of strife and turbulence became scenes of kindness and peace. The officers of justice bad easy work in maintaining law and order, and at many of the sessions there was absolutely no crimiual business. When men are influenced by the fear of God it will not be bard to procure obedience for the law of man. When the love of Christ is in men's hearts there will be love for our fellow-creatures also. May we not say the same of the great work of missions to the heathen, that it is being carried on by faithful worlcers P Where shall we find such a record of faithfulness, of patience, of devotedness, of perseverance, of heroic courage, as in the life and work of many a humble mis- sionary to heathen lands? When we remember bow many of those who have gone forth as missionaries, in connection with the Church and with the great missionary societies, have sacrificed high literary, or commercial, or professional prospects at home, it is but reasonable that the Christian Church should express its sympathy with such self-denial and devotedness by contributing liberally to the work of foreign missions (vide infra, on eh. x:iii. 14--19).-C. H. I.
Vera. 17-21.-The last days of Joash. He began well, but ended badly. The close of the reign of Joash is a melancholy contrast to its beginning. In a most remarkable way preserved, by the providence of God and the kindness of a Gori-fearing woman, from the massacre of his brothers; then kept safe in the house of the Lord for six years of bis helpless childhood ;-one would think he would never have forgotten how much he owed to the watchful care and goodness of God. He had been surrounded with good influences. Jehoiada had watched over him like a father. When he came to the throne, Jehoiada bad caused him to enter into a covenant with God. He began his reign with a great religious reformation. He ended it with a shameful forsaking of God. There were three causes of bis fall. 1. He retained the hiyh places. His reformation was not complete. The germs of future evil were there. How careful we should be of the beginnings of evil I It seemed a small matter to retain the high places. But that small act of negligence or want of courage prepared the way for uational idolatry, and for the ultimate downfall of Joash. It accustomed the people to heathen modes of worship (cf. infra,, on eh. xiv. 1-4). 2. He listened to evil counsellors. It was au evil day for Joasb when Jehoiada passed away. "Now after the death of Jehoiada came the princes of Judah, and made obeisance to the king. 1.'hen the king hearkened unto them. And they left the house of the Lord God of their fathers, and served groves and idols: and wrnth came upon J uda.h and Jerusalem for this their trespass" (2 Chron. xxiv. 17, 18). Ah! how true it is that "evil corumuni- cations corrupt good manuers" ! 3. He disregarded the warnings of God. The Lord "seut prophets to them, to bril ,g them again uuto the Lord; . . . but they would not give ear" (2 Chrnn. xxiv. 19). Zachariah the sou of Jehoinda came with a special warning. But here age.in we see the hardening effect of sin. Not only did J oash pay no attention to bis warnings, but with the basest ingratitude, forgetful of all he owed to Jehoiada, Zechariah'e father, he put Zecbariah to death. The messenger of God ma7 254 THE SECOND BOOK OF THE KINGS. [oII. xn. 1-21.
suffer for his faithfulness in rebuking sin, as John the Baptist wae imprisoned by Her~, but no royal_ power c~n stay_ the judgments of God. Joash, who had slain Gods prophet, was himself slam by his own servants. The nation had forsaken God and God forsook them in their time of need. Such a career as that of Joash show~ the necessity for constant wa~hfulness against sin. Many, like him, begin well, but end bad_ly. T~ey make a fair profession at first, but by-and-by, when troubles or persecutions a.rise, they a.re offended. They go back and walk no more with (;hrist. Or they become worldly minded, e.nd, being engrossed in the present, forget the concerns of eternity. Many mi~bt utter the melancholy cry, "Our lamps are gono out." 'l'o every one of us the message may well be sent, "Let him that thinketh he standeth ~e heed lest he fa.11."-C. H. L