HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Ver. 23.-The increase of Israel. A devout mind will ever acknowledae that not only individual, but also national, prosperity is from God. It was a conviction with all the pious Hebrews that their nation had been selected by a special decree and appointed to a special purpose. This conviction came to their minds to sober them in times of national prosperity, and to comfort and fortify them in periods of affliction, disaster and captivity, ' I. WHEN THIB PROMISE WAS GIVEN. It was given at the very commencement of Israel's life; it was given to Abraham, the father of the faithful The Lord showed Abraham the stars of heaven, and assured him that so numerous should be his seed. II. How Tms PROMISE WAS REGARDED. It was not likely that an assurance so inspi- riting, so glorious, should be forgotten; it was embodied in national tradition; it was enshrined i:i sacred literature; it was fitted to dignify their conception of their calling as a people; and it was a rebuke to their national pride. As on the occasion referred to in the text, it was designed to lead them to place their hopes, not so much in their own strength or fortune, as in the purpose and the promises of the God of Israel, the God of all the nations of the earth. III. IN WHAT WAY THIS PROMISE WAS, AND IS YET TO BE, FULFILLED. Under Solomon the nation of Israel reached its highest pitch of fame and power. But it is pleasant and encouraging to believe that the promise recorded in the text will ba fulfilled in a deeper sense than that which appears on the suiface. There is a true Israel, composed of all who, sharing Abraham's faith, are Abraham's spiritual children. These are destined to be numerous as the sands of the desert, as the leaves of the forest, as the dew-drops of the morning, as the stars of heaven. This is a kingdom whose subjects shall ever multiply, whose glory shall know no limit and no end.-T.
Vers. 25---31.-Earth's produce. David was a man of war, and it is not surprising that these historical books are largely occupied with an enumeration of his armies, catalogues of his mighty men of valour, and records of his military exploits. But it is interesting and instructive to observe that the chronicler does not pass unnoticed matters which give an aspect of peace and prosperity to David's reign. The king was not only a commander and a judge, but also an administrator and an economist. The chronicler, in referring as he does in this place to the accumulation of wealth and to material prosperity generally, indicates that in hie judgment a nation's greatness does not consist simply in the number of its warriors or the brilliance of its feats of arms. I. THE PRODUCE OF THE EARTH 18 FROM THE LORD. 'l'here are here enumerated the stores of corn, the vineyards and the oliveyards, the flocks, the camels, and the herd■ which largely constituted David's wealth. "The earth is the Lord's, and the fu\ness thereof." II. THE GIFTS OF GoD'B BOUNTY ARE TO BE RECEIVED WITH GRATITUDE. The Creator has made all things for man's use and comfort. " He bath put all things under his feet, all sheep and oxen, all beasts of the field." To him daily thanks arc due. III. Twc GIFTS OF GoD ABE TO BE ENJOYED WlTH 'lEMPEB.AN0E AND BODRIETY, cm. XXVIL 1-34.] THE FIRST BOOK OF THE CHRONICLES. 413