be "for ever," may be "stablished," may be "kept." 2. How he asks that this per- petuity may be derived from deepest source, "the imagination of the thoughts of the heart; " " the stablished heart; " " the perfect heart." 3. How he invokes God by the titles that might by supposed most to move Deity, and most to call his children trust- fully and gratefully to his feet. Many a temple, pa.lace, castle, would we build ; for many such would we " make provision." But they never are builded. And they a.re not builded because we forget that " Except the Lord build the house, they la.hour in vain that build.'' And we have left unmade the most necessary "provision" of all, if we have forgotten to sanctify our enterprise by submitting it to the "Lord God of our fathers" and of ourselves, and begging him to give of his own stability and enduring- ness to those whose hands a.re to build. VIII. ITS CLOSE, HEARD AMID THE ECHOES OF ONE UNANDIOUS OUTBURST OP' PURE ADORATION. It may be reverently said that the abdicating king-abdicating because he was abdicating the present life-" gave the word, and great was the company of them that published it." The "word" consisted of a summons to "bless the Lord God." And that word was heard and obeyed by the vast throng. Though many an occasion may invite large numbers of mankind to unite to one end, yet in no one employment could the vast family of man so justly, so enthusiastically unite as in a "work and worship so Divine" as here described. Are we not here studying a "type" indeed? Do we not listen herein to rehearsal of what some day-even if "far off, at last"- Heaven shall listen to, as it arises from earth, and of what earth itself shall raise, when earth itself is raised to heaven? So this service ended. So we believe the service of earth will end; and so that of heaven begin, never, never to end. God shall be all and in all. He shall be to each and to all the eternal All in all. Oh for the dawning of that moment when, at the signal of an inner impulse, the innumerable congregation itself shall fa.II prostrate in irrepressible adoring, and as though snatching at this word, "Now bless the Lord your God" I
HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Ver. 1.-Youtl,Jul service. 1. David's words bring before us a· tender worker. Solomon was yet young, and his father seemed to regard him as peculiarly insufficient for the position Providence was preparing for him. Perhaps his character thus far was unformed; and it may have been his accession to the throne which was the occa- sion of his recognizing his responsibilities, and preparing himself for his kingly duties. 2. They bring before us also a great work. The young monarch was to build a po.lace, not for man, but for God; to carry out a magnificent and costly scheme-a work which should be of lasting importance, both for Israel and the world. There was an apparent want of correspondence between a worker so tender and inexperienced, and a work so vast. Yet it was the Divine nppointment that Solomon should build the temple; and events proved that, with God's blessing, he was able to carry out the great undertaking. The lesson of this verse is that there is Divine authority for youthful consecration and service; that there is no real inconsistency between a tender worker and an important work. J. THERE 18 A SUMMONS, ADDRESSED TO THE YOUNG, TO WOBK FOB THE LoBD. There was nothing peculiar or exceptional in the requirement ma.de of Solomon. The kind of work entrusted to him was special; but there was nothing special in his call to work tor the Lord. Every yol.lng person who hears the tidings of the gospel, wo.o receives the Divine revelation, is under an obligation to work for Cbrist. When you enjoy the privileges, you are subjected to the claims, of religion. Jesus, who calls you to rejoice in his love, calls you to engage in his service. Iu detail, God by his provideuce will point out to you how you may glorify him ; in principle, the service required of you will be the same as that required of Solomon. A cheerful mind, u willing heart, an unmurmuring submission, a lifelong devotion,-these are what Heaven delights in. A truly Christian life is, in any case, a great work. You ho.ve I\ palace to build for God; and all holy thoughts and righteous deeds and wise and kindly words are as stones in the e-iifice-a.n edifice to be reared to God's glory. How many are the admonitiolli we find in Scripture to youthful piety o.nd consecration!- 446 THE FIRST BOOK OF THE CHRONICLES. [oa:. xx1x. 1-30
"flemember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth I " "My son, give me thine heart!" "Wilt thou uot from this time cry unto me, :My Father, thou art the Guide of my youth?" II. THERE ARE MANY ADVANTAGES IN YOUTITFUL CONSECRATION TO THE LORD'S SERVICE. 1. lt is advantageous to the worker. A sound basis is thus laid for a noble character. There is scope for development. A direction is given to the active nature which there will be no occasion to reverse or alter. 2. It is advantageous/or the work. There is time for doing it thoroughly and consistently. The youthful worker can adapt himself to the work, and his interest in it will deepen as the years pass on. Yout,hful enterprise and eneri!y will tend to its vigorous prosecution. Enthusiasm and perseverance combined, under the guidance and with the blessing of the Holy Spirit of God, cannot fail to forward the sacred enterprise, to advance the rearing of the spiritual i:trncture. 3. It is acceptable to him who provides tlte work and qualifies the workman. God cannot but be pleased when his own work is taken in hand and carried on by those whom he himself has designed for it. PRACTICAL CONCLUSION. 1. Let the young seriously consider the call of Heaven, readily accept the trust, and prayerfully seek guidance and help for its fulfilment. God comes to you and says, "Son, go work to-day in my vineyard." 2. Let all Christians encompass youthful workers for Christ with interest, sympathy, and snppli• cation. .As David commended the young prince, his son, to the considerate sympathy and support of the mighty men, priests, and counsellors, so would we beg all mature and experienced servants of the Lord to uphold their younger friends and colleagues by affectionate interest and prayers.-T.