()pportunity for the display of these qualities. In times of health and prosperity there is comparatively little occasion for sympathy and tender kindness. But times of trouble, sickness, suffering, adversity, bereavement, must come to all men. Such times are the providentially appointed opportunities for kindly sympathy. Then the friend will "show himself friendly." David's heart was touched by the tidings of his friend's death, nod he was drawn to show kindness to the living son for the sake of the deceased father. A sense of gratitude naturally and properly gave acuteness to these feelings. David had in former days received kindness from Nahash, and on this account he all the more felt the claim of the fatherless son upon his friendly sympathy. III. Observe THE OUTWARD FORMS which these feelings assume. 'l'hese must be determined by circumstances, according to relative age, social position, and character. Sometimes by sympathizing expression of countenance and manner, sometimes by ·words spoken or written, sometimes by services, sometimes by appropriate and season- able gifts, we may show our cordial sympathy, and thus rivet the sacred bonds of humanity and of friendship. David on this occasion sent envoys to his friend's son, to condole with him and to assure him of his good feeling and his good wishes. Such action must in the circumstances have proved gratifying and strengthening. Wisdom a~d tact will discern the most suitable way of acting in the several cases which may arise. IV. Reflect upon THE VALUE of these dispositions. 'l'o underestimate, still more to despise kindness, is the sign of an unjust and an ignoble mind. Shall we leave out of sight, in reckoning life's riches, the precious sympathy, the dear kindness, of our kindred and our friends? These dispositions !lave a value which only the heart can appraise; they are in themselves precious, and no just mind would barter them for diamonds and gold. They have also a practical and substantial worth. When one friend is taken from us for a season, it is no mean advantage to have another friend, upon whose counsel we may lean, and upon whose sympathy and faithfulness we may count. Human kindness is a poor substitute for Divine coLDpassion, but it may well prove one of its fairest flowers, its richest fruits.-T. Ver. 13.-True valour. The annals of the human race are, alas I filled with the records of war, and the happily unwritten annals of innumerable tribes would have consisted of little else. Israel is no exception. Joab, as one of David's mighty men, shared his chief's warlike prowess without sharing all the higher excellences of his cha- racter. Yet on this occasion Joab gave utterance to language the nobility and beauty of which cannot but be acknowledged. The words are an expression and a description of true valour. L THE HEART OF THE VALIANT, "Be of good courage." Action needs motive. The heart within is the explanation of the outer life. In modern warfare, science, ~kill, command of material, are far more important tban in ancient times, when the individual qualities of the hero were almost everything in the conduct and results of war. But, if a country is to be defended or delivered, the people and their leaders must have a brave, a dauntless heart. II. THE CONDUCT OF THE VALIANT. A brave heart must find its expression in brave deeds. "Let us behave ourselves valiantly I" "Who would be free, themselves must strike the blow." It is so in all departments of life. It is not the dreamer or the sa!?e, but the man of resolution and of energy, who conquers in the strife. !JI. THE MOTIVE OF THE VALIANT. "For our people, and for the cities of our God." Remark the power of unselfishness to raise the moral quality of actions. It was not with aggressive, ambitious purposes that the Israelites drew the sword-
" But chief were those who not for empire sought, Dut with their toils their people's safety bought." Many wars doubtless have been undertaken in a misguided, mistaken spirit of patriot- i~m. Still, it is a good element so far in any enterprise, that the motive animating it is our country's good. IV. 'fnE CONFIDENCE OF THE VALIAN'l'. "Let the Lord do that which is good in his 11igbt." Here was faith in Providence; a reference of all to the wisdom of the Most High; a resolve to leave the issues in the haads of the God of hosts, Fatalism has ell!. XIX. 1-19.] ·rnE FJn.S1' BOOK_ OF THE CHRONICLES. 3[3