the King of kings. But when this was not the case, they developed rapidly and disastrouRly, It is nevertheleBs abundantly plain that, when the authority and voice of the good king sounded most absolute, the facts of human life and character were not disregarded, Full account was made of them, and the nature of human society was religiously respected. Hence, at the present time, David calls on the princes of the kingdom, as well as on his own son and successor. He calls on them to close up their ranks round him, and addresses them as though they were truly the responsible props of the throne, He intreats them to co-operate with Solomon as sympathizing fellow- labourers in a grand religious enterprise, Such association of subjects with ruler is necessary to bind together strongly and safely the framework of any community fit to be called sound. Disintegration inevitably sets in with the deceitful interstices often found between class and class, or between ruler and ruled. We may notice here how David- I. SKETCHES THE ELEMENTS OF A NATION'S OPPORTUNITY, These elements in the present instance are found in: 1. The fact that there is trustworthy ground for being sure that the Lord is on the side of his people. He is with them, and if so, they may feel that they have One with them far !):reater than all they who are against them. Confidence in a good cause is a great moral help and support. The confidence that comes of knowing that in the last resort une has a strong friend, is often a great strength. But to have God on one's side is to have both these in one. It is to have all in one. He will not be found with a bad cause. And he brings unerring wisdom, perfect knowledge, and an omnipotent arm into the field. Nor is the consciousness of the presence and favourable regard of the Lord of less significance when not the works of war but those of peace are in question. Thought and works of skill and cunning invention, of beauty and of wisdom, memory and reason, and the highest attempts and successes of imagination, all lie open to his inspiration. " The inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding" (Job xxxii. 8). And an even special stress is repeatedly laid upon the effects of this condescending presence upon the intelligence anJ the humble works of man, as, for instance, in the matter of the preparation of the materials used in the construction of the tabernacle of the wildernes8 (Exod. xxxi. 1-6). And this may be called the central element in David's suggestions as to the opportunity now before his nation. 2. The absence of external causes of anxiety and apprehension. Worldly care ill no doubt a part of the necessity, the discipline, tho improving educ.'\tion of the present life. But the distraction of it often bas hindered the noblest developments of thti powers that lie in human nature. These noblest efforts need the "united heart," the undivided zeal; and if you are to soar aloft, yonrs must be an unbroken ,ving. A nation's life has times without number illustrated all this on a large scale. By severe effort the individual may occasionally triumph over distraction, but the mass are interested in and follow but one thing at a time, 3. The sense of restfulness now the portion of the people, Their own dwelling-place, home, tho earthly Canaan, at all events,-these are now their portion. And the spontaneous su~gestion of them is some grateful earnest tribute forthcoming to their Giver. Homo is for rest; rest is for work. Security is not to produce the fruit of sluggishness, but to yield that kind of "quietness and confidence" that shall make into slrong, calm, determined purpose. JI, MAKES A STRONG APPEAL TO THE LEADERS OF THE NATION TO USE TO THE FULL THE OPPORTUNITY. This appeal is twofold. 1. It asks the enthusiasm, the devotion, ihe full affection of heart and soul, in the first place. 'l'hese must bo "set to seek tho Lord God." They must not be left to take their hopeful chance, or chanco more or less hopeful; they must be charged to rise to their higher selves. "My soul, wait thou only upon God," Some men of God of old recognized very distinctly how it devolved upon them to take their own heart, to talk, reason with it, urge it, "stir up its good gift," and lay upon it its solemn responsibility, its high privilege. 2. It r,sks the honesty of action. Great affections will pine without the bracing effects of exercise and trial and strenuous enterprise. Innumerable great purposes have come to ruin ; an,l the wreckage has been visible enough and mournful enough. But the inner invisible wreck that has come of purposes great and holy, which never saw the light, never dared the breath of criticism, nor tho winds of opposition, has been a thousandfold mournful and fatal. So David specifics, if not details, yet the leading divisions of 3G2 THE FIRS1' BOOK OF THE CHRONICLES. fca, :ntt. l-H1.
practical duty now. "Arise . . . build the sanctuary •.• brin~ the ark of the covenant, . . . and the holy vessels into the house," when "built to the Name of the Lord."