true domestic morality, so shall we inevitably and irrecoverably lose weight, influence, usefulness, as well as peace and gladness of heart, if we make any one serious mistake in the ordering of our life. This is true of the choice of our vocation, of the selection of our friends, and (more especially) of the decision we make as to the lifelong alliance of marriage. How many have cut their joy and usefulness in twain by one sad error here! How needful in this respect, above most other matters, to act not on impulse but conviction, to ask the guidance of the Divina Friend, to act as those who a.re responsible for all the great choices of our lHe 1-C. Ver. 2.-Selfward, Godward, manward. Here is- I. SOMETHING ON WHICH DAVID COULD CONGRATULATE HIMSELF. He "perceived that the Lord had confirmed him king . . . his kingdom was lifted up on high." He observed that the first success was being satisfactorily sustained, and that his power was being felt beyond the limits of his own land. vVe may congratulate ourselves when we have ma<ie a good beginning, whether of school life, or of apprenticeship, or of management of affairs or official position, or of alliance with another, or of life itself; but we have greater reason for congratulating ourselves when the first start has settled down into lasting streugth, has solidified aud become an established success. Too often the first brilliancy proves to be nothing more than the shooting blaze of the rocket. It is well when it proves to be nothing less than the lasting light of the beacon-fire. We have also reason to congratulate ourselves when success rises so high as to attract the attention of those beyond our own circle; we are then making our- selves felt as well as known; and while a wise man will care but little for the mere breath of fame, a good man, if he be also a wise man, will care much that he is a power and not a cypher in the world. II. SoMETHING WHICH TURNED DAvm's THOUGHTS TO Goo. "David perceived that the Lord had confirmed him." He had shown much statesmanlike ability since he had been made king, and might have been, as we all are, under the temptation to attribute his success to his own sagacity. But he did not yield to the enemy if thus assailed. He let his prosperity direct his thoughts to him from whom cometh down every good gift. So also shall we, if the spirit of Christ be in us. We shall let all things speak to us of the Father, of his presence with us, his mindfulness of us, his love toward us, his wisdom in all his dealing with us. .And we shall not permit our prosperity to do that which it has a tendency to do-elevate us in our own esteem, and hido thCJ Divine .Author of all our mercies from the view of our soul. We shall see that it, with all other experiences, turns our thoughts in reverential love to him. IIL 'l'HE TRUE ASPECT IN WHICH PROSPERITY SHOULD BE VIEWED. "His kingdom was lifted up on high, because of his people Israel," or "for his people Israel's sake" (::l Sam. v. 12). David perceived that God had exalted him, not only nor chiefly that he and his family might be distinguished, but that the nation might thereby be blessed; that be might confer on the people over whom he was to rule the unspeakable blessincrs of a pious and upricrht reign. It is an admirable thing in rulers when they "perceive" that they are lifted up for the sake of the people, and not for their own sake. It is an equally desirable if not an equally important thing that all who occupy posts of prominence and power-statesmen, magistrates, councillors, president~, ministers secretaries, etc.-should perceive the same truth, should regard then· elevation' in the same light. If God sends us prosperity, power~ influence, it is not only that we may rejoice therein ourselves, but it is also, and principally, that we may use our opportunity to confer light, healing, help, hope, blessedness, on those who are less favoured than we are, and whom we can reach with our ministering hand.-C.
Vers. 8-17.-The spiritual campaign. Our Christian life is no holiday _excursion or exhilarating walk; it is an earnest battle, or rather a protracted campaign. We may be reminded here- I. 'l'HAT THERE ARE NOTORIOUS ENEMIES WITH WHICH EVERY CHRISTIAN MAN MUST EXPECT 'l'O FIGHT. David knew well that he would have to fight the Philistines before he could gain full possession of his throne. '!'hey were bent on disputing his puwer, a.nd it was inevitable that a series of engagements would take place between the aervants of Jehovah and these idolaters. "All the PLilistincs went up to ;,cek cn. nv. 1-17.J THE FIRST BOOK OF THE CHRONICLES. 227