tond to the comfort 11nd the development of humanity. All the conveniences of human lifo are instrumental in furthering the purposes of God. !V. AMONG BUCH AR'rIFIOERS RELIGION OFTEN FINDS WARM ADHERENTS, SUPPORTERS, AND PROMULGATORS. The busy and useful classes of society furnish the largest propor- tion of strength to our Churches. These have often been the salt of society, wl,en the wealthy, luxurious, and dissolute on the one hand, and the idle and predatory on the other, would have introduced corruption and death into the body politic.-'f. Ver. 33.-Dwellings and genealogie.~. In many instances the chronicler records not only the names of the families of Israel, but the places where they were settled in fixed h!Lbitations. When the land of Canaan was conquered, it was parcelled out among the several tribes. In this way family relationships and sentiment were closely connected with territorial possession. Even certain households were attached to estates and villages. .And as the Hebl'ews were an agricultural and pastoral people, it was natural that they should cherish an hereditary regard for the lands tilled by their fathers. The sons of Simeon transmitted to their posterity certain cities and villages. "These were their habitations; and their genealogy." I. .A LOCAL HABITATION 18 DIVINELY APPOINTED AND SANCTIONED. There are many who, as travellers and explol'ers, as soldiers and seamen, etc., may serve society without having any fixed abode; and homelessness may be profitable discipline in youth. But, generally speaking, a home is the best sphere of labour, the best pledge of diligence, the best guarantee of responsibility; and it is well for those who, from generation to generation, can retain the same feelings towards an ancestral abode. II. FAMILY REGISTERS AND PEDIGREES, IN CONNECTION WITH SUCH DWELLING• PLACES, ARE OF UNDOUBTED SERVICE. The public census, the domestic register, the family tree, the civil and ecclesiastical registration of births, deaths, and marriages, are all valuable. They may be abused by pride, but they are more likely to foster humiliation. They are useful for civil purposes, contributive to family feeling, pro- motive of patriotism. The squire, the yeoman, the labourer, are all susceptible to the influence of hereditary feeling and local associations. III. RELIGION DEALS WITH HOMES AND HOUSEHOLDS, Certain place8 and certain families have been noticeable and memorable for piety. .And true religion is not con- tent to deal with the individual; it seeks to leaveu families with its influence, and to penetrate villages, cities, and nations with its light a11d spiritual power and grace.-T. Ver. 38.-" Princes in their families." Words transferred from one language, and one state of society to another, are often misleading. By "princes" here we are to under- stand head-men of certain towns which were in possession of families among tho Simeonites. They were persons of importance, of consideration, and influence in their localities. Tho record of them bears witness to a settled state of society, and to tho establishment of civil order and subordination. I. Hu11:1.1t.N AUTHORITY IS OF DIVIXE APPOINTMENT. That this is so in the family will be admitted by all who believe in a Creator, and in his interest in the human race. lt is also admitted by thoughtful persons with regard to civil and national life. It does not follow that rulers are always righteous, or are even alwa.ys to be tolerated and obeyed. It is an absurd inference to draw from the fact that sovereignty and sub- mission in some form are of Divine appointment-that kings havo nothing to do but to command, and subjects nothing but to obey. The world has had enough of absolute monarchy, and theologians have too long inculcated "the right Divine of kings to govern wrong." Still, "the powers that be nro ordained of Go,l.;" it was divinely intended that men should live in civil society, and that order should be maintained. and authority upheld, and ju8tice administered between man and man. II . .As a consequence, SUDJECTION TO CIVIL AUTHORITY IS, WI'l'HIN CERTAIN LIMITS, A HUMAN DUTY. In ordinary cases, where conscience docs not enjoin the express con- trary, men are bound to obey the laws of the land. Especially is this the case where, as it1 our own country, the government is consti\utional, and the people have power to amcIHl unjust and inexpedient laws, and to reform abuses in administration. 'l'ho immoral character of lawful governors is no religious ground of resistance to their decrees. 111, HULEit~, 8:!IALL AND GllEAT, AltE THE:!ISJU.VES ACCOU~'r.\J.:LE 'l'O IIUl WHO IS 1' 'flllii 1'ag FIRST hook OF THE CIIrto~rctES. [en. tv. i-43.
BLE~SED AXD O::S'LY POTENTATE, Knm OF KINGS, AND Lonn OF LORDS," Let them remember this, and be wise and just.-T.
't"er. ~0.-" Fat pasture.• '!'his passage relates an expedition of certain Simconite chiefs and their followers, which took place in the days of Hezekiah. The tribe of Simeon was. restless ~nd warlike, . This_ exploit was performed, ai;,parently, from selfish, rapacious motives. The S11neomtes wanted more pasture tor their flocks• !lnd, finding_ just ~hat suited them in a territory p~ssess~d by their neighbours, they invaded their fertile and peaceful valley, slew the mbab1ta.nts, and seized their lands for their own use. \Vhat circumstances may have justified or extenuated such a. pro- ceeding we are not told. I. PLENTY IS A DIVINE GIFT. The land itself is the gift of God. Its favourable situation, its chemical constituents, the sunshine and the moisture, which make up its fertility,-all are from him, and are proofs of his creative wisdom and goodness, The flocks and herds, and their increase, are his, whose are " the cattle upon a thousand hills." When the valleys are covered over with corn, when the sheep bleat in the pastures, when there is abundant provision for man and beast, then let our hearts ascend in graLitude to him who "openeth his hand, and satisfieth the desire of every living thing." II. PLEKTY HAS MA~"'Y ADVANTAGES. In communities which are abundantly sup- plied with the necessities and comforts of life, there is opportunity and leisure for the cultivation of arts and learning, there is stimulus for commerce and manufactures there is capacity for benevolence and for evangelization. If it is well used, plenty is ~ blessing. Only let all things be received as immediately from God's hand, and be reo-arded as a sacred trust to be used for his glory and in his service. III. PLENTY IS NOT WITHOUT ITS DANGERS. It was foreseen that when Israel quitted the wilderness, and entered upon possession of the land flowing with milk and honey, there would be a temptation to forget God, and to take credit for national prosperity and wealth. Against the perils of plenty and prosperity, let the fortunate and happy be ever 011 their guard.-T.