deed), be asks him to '' spare him according to the greatness of his mercy" ( ver. 22). So Paul felt ; for while speaking of those who "by patient continuance in well-doing seek for glory, honour, and immortality," &c. (Rom. ii. 7), he speaks of "counting all things but dung to win Christ and be found in him, not having his own righteous- ness" (Phil. iii. 8, 9). The full truth on this subject is that (1) God's general acceptance or condemnation of us at the last will tum on our acceptance or rejection of Jesus Christ in this life, but that (2) the character of his approval and the measure of his award will depend on the killd of Christian life we shall have lived. There will be an acceptance which will simply be a not being condemned, a II being saved as by fire," and there will be a cordial, hearty, emphatic "Well done." There will be, for some, fewer cities and narrower spheres ; for others, more cities and broader spheres over which to rule. Many Christians live in practical forgetfulness of this, and make no effort to win a cordial approval and a large reward. Hence their Christian life is (a) indulgent, (b) negligent, (c) idle and unfruitful. Others, happily, are wiser than they. To such we say, Be faithful in every good word and work, like Nehemiah, and you may make a confident appeal to God for recognition, remembrance, recompense. Do not look anxiously about you for man's smile, but do look earnestly abO'IJe you for Christ's approve.I, and beyond you for his reward. Do not think it wrong to gain incentive and inspiration from the hope of recompense because that may not be the very highest motive. It is not wrong to do so ; it is wrong not to do so ; for Christ calls you so to do. He calls you to put out all your talents, not only because you ought to put them out, but because, thus doing, you will be blessed here- after ; to run your race with patience (persevere.nee), not only because you ought to do this, but also that you may win the prize. So bear your witness bravely, live your life holily and blamelessly, do your work diligently and in the spirit of full con- secration ; be not dismayed, deterred, or even checked by the absence of man's appreciation; walk with elastic step, with psalms of hope upon your lip, the path of holy usefulness, because the Lord your Saviour will "remember you for good ; '' because he will not " wipe out" your efforts, but write them in a book of remem- brance which no hand may touch to blot or to erase ; because he will give you a large reward, "abundance " of eternal joy, in the day of his appearing.-C. HOMILETICAL INDEX
TO
THE BOOK OF NEHEMIAH.
CHAPTER I. CHAPTER III. THEME PAOB THEME PAO■ A Godly Patriot's Sorrow 3 An Honourable Record 30 Love and Obedience 4 Indifference in High Places ... 31 A Godly Patriot's Prayer 4 Family Zeal in Good Work ... 32 A Powerful Plee. with God 6 Earnest Work 33 Delight in fearing God 6 Doing Good near Home 3:J Piety in a Palace , .. 6 The Church Engaged. in a Work of Prosperity and Adversity 6 Moral Repair 34 God and His People 7 Doing God's Work 34 Piety and Prayer ... 8 Church Work 36 A Prayer : its Characteristics 8 CHAPTER IV CHAPTER II. Prayer Answered ... Ridicule of a Good Work 88 11 Sorrow and its Consoler 12 Despising the Godly 39 Sadness, when and how far Justifiu.bi; A Mind to Work ... 40 12 Ejaculatory Prayer Derision and Devotion 40 13 Success e.scribed to God 14 Armed Opposition 43 Sadness ... Prayer and Watchfulness 43 15 Go.ining the Ca.use Courage in the Christian War 43 15 Preparation for a Great Work Armed Workers ... 44 19 Seeking the Welfare of the Church 20 Building in Readiness to Fight 44 God-given Thoughts and Impulses 21 God Fighting for His People 45 Mutual Encouragement 22 The Wisdom of the Christian Work· Assure.nee of Divine Co-operation me.n in the Hour of Peril 45 22 Ungodly Jeo.lousy ... 23 The Work and We.rfare of the Church 46 True Work Divinely Succeeded 24 CHAPTER V. Wise Procedure in Presence of o. Greo.t Work... ... 24 Extortion Rebuked 50 The Way to View e.nd Repair Ruined Human Equality .. . 51 Fortunes ... ... . .. 25 Righteous Anger .. . 52 Religion and Ridicule 26 Self-Consultation ... 53 JI INDEX.
THEME PAOE THEME PAO ■
Avoidance of ReprottCh 53 Penitence Turned into Praise 87 Promise-Keeping ... 54 Religious Emotion 87 The Rich Rebuked for taking Advan- An Influential Congregation 90 tage of the Poor 54 Keeping the Feast 00 Error and Return .. . 55 Restoration of the Feast of Tabernacles An Exampls of Successful Activity for in its Plenitude 91 God 56 An Example of Disinterestednoss 58 CHAPTER IX. The Practical Power of the Fear of God 58 A Special Fast Day-how Spent 96 United Praise 97 Prayer for Divine Remembrance 59 God's Favour to Abraham 98 Self-Regard and Magnanimity 60 Fa.:thfulness of Heart 98 A Man of Public Spirit 60 Redemption from Egypt 99 The Divine Self-m9.de Name 99 CHAPTER VI. Israel in the Desert 100 Craft Detected and Baffled . . . 64 The Holy Spirit as e. Teacher 101 Hindrances Repelled 65 Canaan Conquered and Possessed 102 Prayer for Strength 66 Israel's Wickedness and God's Good- Enemies Within ... 66 ness ... 102 Regard for Special Obligations 67 The Divine Testimony against Sin ... 103 God's Work Recognised 67 A Sorrowful Appeal to the Divine The Christian W orkma.n 68 Compassion 103 "God with Us" ... 69 The Justice of God in Punishing The Temptations of Earnest Moral Life Sinners 104 and Service 70 Confession 104 Trial and Victory . .. 70 A Prayerful Review of Divine Good• The Good Work Finished in Spite of ness as Manifested in the Facts of Man by the Power of God 71 Human Life 105 The Solemn Fast of Assembled Israel 106 CHAPTER VII. Appeal ... 107 Provision for Safety and Numerical Adoration and Thanksgiving 107 The Divine Description of e. Sinful Increase 73 Life 108 Uncommon Excellence 73 Moral Guardianship 74 Israel Within the Walls 74 CHAPTER X. An Honourable Register 76 A Solemn Covenant 112 A Good Collection 78 Divine Service 113 The True Method of Prosperity 78 Cleaving to the House of God 114 Entering into Covenant 114 CHAPTER VIIL Solemn Engagement to Maintain the Religious Instruction 81 House of God ... 116 Attentive Hearers 82 Penitential Sorrow 83 CHAPTER XI. A Christmas Homily: tne Joy of the Town and Country 120 Lord ... 83 Volunteers 122 Comfort for Penitents 85 Church Officers 122 The Word of Life . . . 85 The True Centralisation 123 The Word of God and the Ministry of Duty: its Peril, its Excellency, and its Me.n ... 85 Reward 124 The Word of God in a Threefold Re- Three Elements in the Church of lationship 87 Christ... 126 INDEX. iii