Ver. 13.-Separation and consecration. Aaron was separated in order that he might be consecrated to the" sanctifying of the most holy things" (see Exod. xxviii.). Al! of us should be consecrated, but some of us may be also called and separated unto some special service. Expressing the consecrated separateness of Christian believers, St. Peter says, "Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual Hacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ" ( 1 Pet. ii. 5). I. THE DrvINli: REQUIREMENT OF CHARACTER. Personal holiness and the refined culture of all faculty and virtue are necessary if we would serve God in any sphere. It should be distinctly apprehended that God calls to his service not men's powers, but men with their powers, and so a man's char(l,cter God wants consecrated for him and to him. II. THE DIVINE ELECTION TO SERVICE. Much of the difficulty felt concerning God's election has arisen from our fixing attention on election to privilege, and setting iu quite the background election to service, But God puts first "election to service,'' and bases such election on the known fitness of particular men for particular work. The atten- dant "privilege" is little more than the accident attending on, or the reward gi vell to, faithful service. Aaron was honoured by his place and sphere of work. Ill. THE DIVINE SEPARATION TO PARTICULAR SERVICE. God condescends to the minutest things, and fits his people for the smallest places. We easily recognize the Divine call of men upon emergencies, and the special call of the men of genius in every a.ge; but we should feel that every one of us, in the family, the Church, and the world, is called of God, and separated unto his particular work; e.nd "every man, wherein he i~ called, should therein abide with God." IV. THE R1':LATION OF ALL SEPARATED ONES TO THE WHOLE. Each, in his gepare.ted sphere, is to become an example, and so a sanctifying power, upon the rest. There is a tendency in us e.ll to feel the force of an example shown in some other sphere than our own, e.nd in this way each one of us exerts a real influ~nce on the whole. Anron plel\ded by his example for the sanctified lifo of every Israelite. Common cousecration to God, and openness to yield to all Divine cal!.d and separations, are the secrets ot' deliverance from all jealousies and euvies.-R. 'l'.
Ver. 24.- Work that young people may do. The time of Levilical service de.led from the age of thirty, but service of particular kinds was accepted from those as young as twenty. Some things a.re beyond the young people, 'fhey could not do them well. They require gifts and maturity which the young do not possesij, It is well for them to learn what is within their reach-what they may do, e.nd what they may not do. J. YOUNG PEOPLE SHOULD ACCEPT THE FAOT OF THEIR LIMITED POWER AND LIMITED FITNESS. 'l'his would check their characteristic disposition to over self-confidence. II. YOUNG PEOPLE SHOULD ESTIMATE FAIRLY THE MEASURE OF THEIR POWER, and so work up to their highest limit. St. John gives his advioe to youug men " because they are strong." III. y OUNG PEOPLE SHOULD HOLD ALL THEIR POWERS AT Goo's SERVICE, seeing that ha asks for liCe's morning as well as life's noontide. IV. YOUNG PEOPLE SHOULD BE BURE THAT THERE ABE SPHERES OF SERVICE EXACTLY MATCHING 'l'BEIR POWERS, And they should be watching, ever ready to elllcr upuu 11ll such. 388 THE FIRST BOOK OF THE CHRONICLES. [cR. xx1v. 1-31.
In the faithful doing of the least things of our youth-time alone lies our hope of training for the undertaking of more and better work as manly powers unfold. Show that the noblest of God's workers have consecrated their youth-time to his service.-R. T.
Ver. 30.-The mission of tliose who praise. Some were to "stand every morning to thank and praise the Lord, and likewise at even." This was the special work of certain of the younger Levites, whose voices retained their tone and power. They formed a choir to aid in the interest and beauty of Divine service. As this subject has been somewhat fully dealt with in previous outline homilies, we do but suggest a new frame- work, which the earlier materials will enable the reader to clothe. Deal with the mission of church choirs and singing bands, and show- I. THEm MISSION TO GIVE EXPRESSION TO OTHERS' FEELINGS, and to strengthen them by expression. II. THEm MISSION TO Th"'TEREST OTHERS IN DIVINE THINGS. IU. THEm MISSION IN AROUSING OTHERS TO RELIGIOUS ANXIETY, as with the singing of revival hymns. Then press the importance of cultured spiritual fitness for the efficient fulfilment of this mission. They who sing for the religious helping and teaching of men must them- selves be sincere, devout, earnest, and pious. It is as true of this as of any other form of Christian service, that "we can only kindle fire when we are ourselves on fire." "In order to the high result intended, the music of religion must be religious. There must be a distinction of sounds. As this language is given for the heart, it becomes a first principle that it must be of the heart, else it is an unknown tongue. And so true is this, that nothing can really fulfil the idea of religious music which is not the breathing of true love and worship. Even instruments without life will not speak the true notes of power unless the touch of faith is on them, and the breath of holy feeling ii; in them; how much less the voice itself, whose very qualities of sound are inevitably toned by the secret feel.ill.g of the spirit?" (Dr. Horace Bushne!l).-R. T.