nese, and it is for quite othor reasons that we there bid imagination learn reverence and caution, and cha.ten itself. Not so here; in the darkness and the silence of some twenty years or more, we are sure that there mingled error and imperfection and sin, wit.h whatever else there was of redeeming feature in character an<l conduct. Stil. maturity finds Jabez an honoured man. Considering all things, that was not a littl~ thing to say. But better and more to our purpose, it reveals him a man of prayer-a man who knew, who believed in, who practised prayer. Nay, there i~ somethin" in the first opening of his mouth in this prayer which prepossesses us, and invites sp~cial consideration. Let us notice- I. THE TITLE UNDER WHICH JADEZ APPEALS T,J THE ODJECT OF ms PaAYEn. He prays to the "God of Israel." It is true that these words are not found here within the borders of the prayer itself, but it is also true that the historian says that it was to the "God of Israel" that the prayer of Jabez was directed. This descriptive dc~ig- nation of God would mean at least three things with Jabez. The God of Israel is for him, (1) the God of his fathers; (2) the God who had often wrought wonderful works of interposition, of deliverance, of victory and conquest, on behalf of his people; and (3) be is especially the God whose pronounced and most gracious covenant of truth and mercy was with Israel. The aids of memory are great aids fur faith. A lively memory of long-past mercies also tends to kindle gratitude, He who comes with gratitude into the Divine presence wins fresh favour, gains fresh gifts. So also to have promises is one thing. These we all have. 'fo take hold of them, avail ourselves of them, grasp them, is another and far greater thing. To live by the light, and in the strength and joy of the covenant, is the l(randest privilege any man could possess. II. THE DETERMINED AND EARNEST DIRECTNESS OF THIS PRAYER. It is the prayer of well-defined petition. Jabez wants a blessing, knows the blessing thn.t he wants, asks it with fervour. He asks it with earnest emphasis. All argues his belief in the need of superhuman help, in the reality of such a thing as superhuman help, and in the availing power of prayer to obtain. 'l'his constitutes genuine prayer. 1t is not, indeed, any one of those high forms of spiritual exercise, the meditation of the unseen, tht1 apprehension of Divine realities, the spirit's communion with the Father of all spirit, and refreshment from his presence. But, on the other hand, it is the prayer which links on earth to heaven, and shows a human hand taking hold, with the free permis- sion of mercy, of God. Jabez goes far on to say," I will not let thee go, exce!Jt thou bless me," when he says, "Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed!" The emphasis "indeed" is the emphasis of importunity, not of distrust. The meaning, as every reader of the Hebrew knows at once, is "Oh that thou wouldest greatly bless me ! " As though Jabez meant," Unworthy as I am, oh that thou wouldest graut me a great blessing I" How often our posture is prayer, our language prayer, our tone prayer, yet the reality, the definiteness, the heart of prayer, is far from us! \Ve ask and have not, because we really know not what our own asking is. In the midst of vague form and heartless performance, nothing is asked. III. The instance we have here, and which we shall not do wrong in drawing into n precedent, of prayer offered, and acceptably offered, the burden of which is temporal good, family and private advantage, substance and possession. These all belong to the very structure and texture of our present human life and character. 'l'bey much tend to make or mar our character. 'l'he way in which we get them, use them, give them again, is often the criterion, and very decisive criterion, of everything with us, for gootl or for harm. 'l'he great man of business and the man of great property are borne on a strong current, are tossed on deceitful, dangerous tides; but it may none the less bo that, under certain conditions, they are fulfilling appointed and most important office~ in the general scene of the world's traffic. Ilut how much securer that man must feel who h11,s gained, and gained much, not by sharp practice, chicanery, unscrupulousness, but by clear views, determined wishes, diligent devotion, and the liberal "blessing," the "great" blessing of God I Desire for earthly substance is not necessarily mere earthly desire. It is too true that it is too often this, but not al ways. Some of the greatest men of business in the world have been, and are to-day, tho best men of business in the Church. Dy their liberality and charity, by their bcneficenco and philanthropy, the "cords have been lengthened, the stakes strengthened," of the tabernacle of the Lord G:od of Isr~ol. And their watchflllness, tl1cir prayerfulue;s, l, CHllO:S ICJ,~S. I 50 THE FIRST BOOK OF THE CHRONICLES. [en. Iv. 1-4:J.
tlrnir sustained Christian consistency and humility, havo been an example far and wide.