etitution of our nature. (2) He holds citizens, ae such, responsible to himself. (3) Experience proves that godly men are the best citizens. 3. Evil rulers are scourges of God to wicked peoples. (1) Not appointed without his providence (see Isa. iii. 4). (2) Rulers are no worse than their people. Representative governments- responsibility of the franchise. In hereditary magistracies (see Isa. i. 10). "Rulers of Sodom" associated with "people of Gomorrah" {see Isa. i. 25, 26). When the vices of a people are purged away, then worthy magistrates are raised up to them. II. THE PRIESTS AND LEVITES RESPONDED. 1. Priests, leaders in religion. (1) Sons of Aaron-type of Christ, also of Christians. (2) Offices at the altar. (3) Offices in the sanctuary. 2. Levites, leaders in literature. (1) Scattered in lsrael- schoolmasters, scribes of the law (2 Chron. xxx.iv. 13). (2) Services about the temple. Literature should be the handmaid of religion. When otherwise, inversion of God's order-fearfully mischievous. III. SKILFUL ARTIFICERS RESPONDED. Those whose spirit God bath raised to go up and build the house of the Lord. 1. All useful labour is from God. (1) He is the Author of our faculties. (2) His providence furnishes opportunities for their culture. 2. All talent should be devoted to God. (1) In building up his material temple. (2) In furthering the building of his living temple. (3) In our secular calling ( see 1 Cor. x. 31 ). IV. A WILLING PEOPLE RESPONDED. 1. All they that were about them. (1) Not all the nation. Some elected to remain in Babylon. Gain of merchandise, &c., &c. So it is still when God calls us to forsake the world. (2) Those responded whose sympathies were true-" about them." Frequently the children of godly persons elect the service of Christ. 2. These strengthened their hands. ( 1) True sympathy is help. Moral influence of virtuous citizens strengthens the hands of magistrates. (2) Where sympathy is true it will furnish active help. Gifts from the wealthy-viz., things of" gold and silver,"" goods,"" beasts," viz., for transport (see eh. ii. 66, 67); " precious things.'' Gifts from the multitude-" freewill offerings." All is precious that comes from a loyal heart. 1. Learn that religion and politics may be harmon- ised without resorting to compulsion. The response was vo1untary. Uniformity is not unity Endless variety in living things. 2. Harmony in religion and politics is truest when free. With compulsion comes resistance and contention. Admit the principle of coercion, then the question is not between religion e.nd politics, as abstract principles, but becomes often an ambitious and unholy strife.-J. A. M.
Vera. 1-11.-The beginning of a great religious movement. Israel had ex- perienced long bondage in a foreign land under a heathen king ; this would have a beneficial influence. 1. It would tend to cultivate within them a right view of the sorrow consequent upon sin. Their captivity was a punishment for idolatry. Sin sends men into slavery. 2. It would tend to cultivate within them a right view of the external in religion. Solomon's temple was the pride of Israel. They prided themselves in the magnificent masonry, in the richly-coloured garments, in the lofty altar; but now all is in ruins, and they in bondage, will they not learn to worship God in simplicity, in spirit and in truth? The sensuous in religion leads to slavery. It is :well sometimes that our temple should be destroyed; God lays the outward in rums that we may see the inward. The Church has often to go into captivity to learn the meaning of the spiritual. 3. It would tend to cultivate within them a right view of the Divine in worship. Israel thought that the temple was the one place of worship ; but in captivity the scattered people learn that God will hear their c~y from heathen cities and in desert places. 4. It would cultivate within them a right view of the sympathetic feeling which should prevail in their midst. Israel ~ad been sore rent by faction ; in captivity they are one. The Church is united by its sorrows. We observe respecting great religious movements- !. THA'f THEY OFTEN TAKE THEIR RISE IN THE STIRRINGS OF AN INDIVIDUAL SOUL. "The Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia." 1. A Divine com- ~encement. Here we see the beginning of the great movement of Israel's restora- !10 n to fatherland. History is unveiled and God is seen. The voice of God is heard 111 the proclamation of Cyrus. The hulllan historian can only write the proclamation 16 THE BOOK OF EZRA. [en. I. 5-11