Vera. 28-32.-Every man to his own office. The distribution of gifts is constantly recognized, and on this we have much apostolic teaching. Dnt the answering distri- bution of offices requires to be more fully apprehended. 'l'he power and the place are diviuely fitted together; and in the economy of the Divine administration we may be sure there are no more powers given than there are places in which the powers may find exercise. It follows upon this that each man is bound to realize his power, discover his place, fit into it faithfully, and interfere with no other man's work. The way in which one man's gifts and work may fit into auother man's is often :i.n insoluble puzzle to us, but is quite plain in the plan of Divine forethought, and will be discovered when we can read final issues. Each man stands right before God when he clearly sees his work and says," This oue thing I do." The following points have been, in part, presented in previous outliaes ; they should be dealt with DOW ill the light of the above topic, "Every man to his own office:"- 1. GOD BAS BOTH GIFTS AND SPHERES FOR THEIR EXERCISE. That he has gifts WO know, but we too readily assume that the spheres are humo.D arrangements. II. GOD'S PROVIDENCES TEND TOWARDS SECURING THE PROPER RELATION OF GIFTS ANU SPllERES. A north-country proverb tersely expresses this, "'l'he tools will comu to the hauds that can use them." Every man, sooner or lo.ter, gains his providential oppurtuuity, when he may do what he can do. lll. MAN'S WILFULNESS SERIOUSLY MINGLES TIIE GIFTS AND THE SPHERES. Dy some men's failing to recognize their gifts; by others prostrating their Divine gifts to bastt and selfish uses; by some, when they know their gifts, refusing to occupy their spheres; and by the forcing of too many into certain particular spheres for which an undue preference is shown. What we need in Christ's Church and work is a wise subdivision of labour and more earnest endt'avour to do faithfully and well our little piece. And in just this our Lord and Master set us his own holy example.-!:. T.
EXPOSI'flON. his pedigree nndfnmily; o.nd,in like manner, CHAPTER X. the way is po.vccl for tho intro,luclion of tho It is evident that the compiler of the reign nnd deeds of David by the brief o.nd Chronicles intended its history proper to nffccting no.rro.tion of tho end of his prede- begin substautie.lly with the reign of Do.vid, cessor on the throne. Tho lost chnptcr of Strictly, however, it opens with the lost tho Fir~t Book of Samuel occupies itsolf mournful chnptor of the career of Snul and with tho s:nno subject oml cover, tl,o same ltio sons, or of throe out of the four (eh. ix. ground. Our present chapter compurucl :l9) of them. The mention of Saul hud with that is sufficiout to conviueo us tlrnt Lccu prop,uoJ for by tho short preamble of both were drnwn from some common souroo 124 THE FIRST BOOK OF THE CHRONICLES. [c11. x. 1-1,