all-including conception of God, 'l\·hich is at once the foundation of theology and of faith. In this, as in so much else, the Old Testament prepared for the New. In review- ing Old Testament references to God as a Father, we notice- I. THE TEACHING OF THE PATRIARCHAL RELIGION. It ha.s not been sufficiently con- sidered that the first relation in which God placed man to a being outside himself was that offat her. Eve was part of Adam's self. Cain wa.s Adam's son. 'l'he most essen- tial relation of human beings is that of the parent and children. This highest and most necessary relation was the shadow and revelation of the Divine relation. For a long period the patriarchal system kept the fatherhood prominently before the minds of men. The great tribal father-patriarch-was the earthly representative of the Divine Being, through whom right ideas concerniug God and his relations with men were reached. Note that, in the very first form of fatherhood, rule, authority, governance were essential elements: the father was virtual king, and much more. ' II. THE SON-LIKE ATTITUDE OF TRUE PIETY IN EVERY AGE. The good man is conceived a.s a son; and the very idea.I of goodness is an obedient, affectionate, and sub- missive son. Illustrate from Isaac's relation to Abraham, especially in the matter of the required sacrifice. But fully illustrate from the Book of Psalms. The more per- fectly the spirit which the psalmist wins and seeks is apprehended, the more clearly it appears that it will go into the one word "sonship." 'l'he submission of reverence and confidence, with the obedience of tenderest affection, are chief features of sincere piety, and as certainly precise features of good sonship. The son-figures, a.s used in the Old Testament-such as in the text-should be given. III. THE NEW FORCE PUT INTO THE RELATION BY THE PROPHETS. Giving prominence to the spiritual over the ceremonial e.nd governmental, the prophets cannot be satis- fied with a kingly representation of God, or a priestly. They want to present a Divine relation to men which is more than officio.I, other than official; so they use the parental figure, and the terms "father" and " son." Illustrative instances may be found in Isa. iL 6; lxiii. 16; lxiv. 8; Jer. xxxi. 9; Mai. i. 6; ii. 10, etc. God in ;'udgment will cer- tainly be misapprehended unless we see him to be the Father-God in judgment, e.nd are willing to take our illustrative figures from the father, wisely, judiciously, and with a view to the highest good, cha.stening bis child whom he loves. " Whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth." In a similar way every relation of God may be taken, and the importance of accepting the last and fullest revelation of Goel, as Father, may be shown to be necessary to its proper apprehension. We should rise from such preparatory and suggestive figures of speech a.s this in the text, to the high Christian conception of God as the "Father of Jesus," the "holy Father," the "righteous Father."-R. T.
Vers. 12, 13.-Conditions of prosperity. Solomon was distinctly informed that con- tinuance of prosperity depended entirely on bis continuing faithfulness to Jehovah. The "throne of his kingdom was to be established for ever," but only then should he prosper, if he" took heed to fulfil the statutes and judgments which the Lord charged Moses with concerning Israel." God's positions for his servants, and promises to them, are always dependent on conditions; no Divine promise is ever unqualified. None fail to ta.ke into due consideration the character and the conduct of those to whom the promise is made. Illustrate by the great covenant made with Israel; by the assurances given to Joshua. (Josh. i. 7); and by such prophetic declarations as Isa. i. 18, 19; Iv. 1-3, 6, 7, etc. 'l'here is always an if attached to the Lord's promise, but it is always virtually the same if-" if ye be willing and obedient." We may say that there an, four conditions on which prosperity is dependent. I. WE MUST WORK FOR GoD. Having this as our supreme aim; and not being, even in any subtle ways, set upon mere self-seeking. Full loyalty to this supre_me motive is quite consistent with giving due place to inferior motives. And the daily culture of spiritual life bears directly on this working for God; keeping ourselves ever as in the "great Taskmaster's eye." II. WE MUST WORK IN THE SPIRIT OF FAITII AND DEVOTION. Of faith, as trust, making us lean on Divine strength; and devotion as keeping our souls fully open to Divine influence. Carrying the spirit of prayer into daily work. III. WE MUST wonK IN ACCO!tDANCE wnn THE LAW. Doth that written in tha Dook, and that ever freshly written by the Spirit on the" fleshy tables of the heart," ott. xtn. 1-19.] TRE FIRST :BOOK OF THE CHRONICLES. 373
IV. WE MUST WORK WITH ENERGY AND GOOD WILL, Wisely and skilfully com- bining the human powers that guarantee success, with the trust in God on which success must ultimately depend. The man who trusts most always WOT'ks hardest. On these conditions the true prosperity must come; but it may be such as men will not so name.-R. T.