enlvnlion o.nd the good of others all imply zeal; the production of which is represented o.s one great end of the offering of himself by Christ (Titus ii. 14). ,3. It iH countenanced by tlte Mgltest and best socie_ty. _By cherubim and seraphim, angels and archangels, apostles, prophets, martyrs, eamte lil heaven and on earth, and him who is higher than them all, the Lord Jesus Christ, to whose burning zeal we owe every- thing. The grandest intellects in the universe may be appealed to by the zealous Christian. 4. It is productive of tlte greatest good. Christianity has conferred and is conferring the greatest blessings on mankind, and is ever extending the area of its beneficial influence. But it is its zealous, not its cold-hearted, adherents to whom men owe its extension and powerful operation. 5. It secures the approbation of God, and final acceptance and reward. He who zealously uses his talents is to be received into the joy of hie Lord, while the slothful servant is rejected and punished. The highly respectable and self-complacent Church at Laodicea is severely reproved and threatened on account of its lukewarmness (Rev. iii. 15, 16). Only religion in earnest fits for heaven. There are no lukewarm Christians there. Finally : 1. Let despisers of zealous Christians beware lest they be found despising Christ and God (Luke x. 16). 2. Let zealous Christians take heed of needlessly exposing their religion to contempt. As by associating it with things unworthy of it, such as narrowness of mind, cant, eccentricity, worldly policy, excessive ceremonialism, great ardour about small matters, little ardour about great matters, uncharitableness. 3. Some zeal in religion deserves to be despised. That, in particular, which is dissociated from truth, uprightness, holiness, or love. True religious zeal includes zeal for these; and no ardour of professed religion can be a substitute for them.-G. W. Ver. 20.-Domestic religi'.on. "Then David returned to bless his household." An interestin11: contrast with what precedes. Would have been a pleasing close of the narrative but for what follows. Presents David in an attractive light. His piety did not shine merely in public before a crowd; it illuminated and blessed his home. He did not regard his high station e.nd the weight of the cares of state as raising him above, or releasing him from, hie duties as head of a household. Nor did he, after that busy and exciting day, think himself excused from family duty. He had blessed the people in the name of the Lord; he now returns to bless his household, i.e. to invoke God's blessing on them. I. How A MAN MAY BLESS BIB HOUSEHOLD. 1. By maintaining and co-nducting family worship. Praising God with his family. Praying with e.nd for them. Giving the worship a family character by the mention of family blessings, needs, sorrows, joys; the especial mention of special circumstances and events which affect the family, as they arise. Doing this regularly and perseveringly. 2. By the religious inst1'"1J,Ction of his family. Reading the Word of God as part of the daily worship. Teaching the children the truths and duties of Christianity, formally and informally. The latter as important, to say the least, e.s the former. Let the New Testament be the recognized guide of the house, to which everything is brought for judgment. Let its teaching be instilled insensibly e.s occasions arise in family life. 3. By family discipline. " Ruling well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity" (1 Tim. iii. 4); encouraging right, forbidding and suppressing wrong conduct; regulating the com- panionships and occupations of his children. Family governmdnt on Christian principles and in e. Christian spirit is itself a mode of instruction, and blesses a house- hold. 4. By leading and accompanying his family to the house of God. 5 By setting a good example. The head of a household cannot perform his duties aright without personal piety. He cannot teach what he does not value and practise; his instructions and prayers will lack the reality which impresses; his character will deprive his words of their proper force. But a good life is a constant lesson. Children will learn from the spirit and conduct of a good father how to think of their Father in heaven, and how they may serve and please him. The unconscious influence of the parent's tile will be a perpetually operating power for good. II. WHY BE SHOULD DO so. 1. It is Ms manifest duty. Seen as we contemplate: (1) The relation of the family to God, as its Founder, the Originator of each household, tho Lord of family life, the Source of all its peculiar affections, the Bestower of all its blessings, the Guardian of its weaker members (Christ's "little ones"). (2) The 180 THE SECOND BOOK OF SAMUEL. [en. v1. 1-28.
relation to God of the head of a houeehold. His servant, his representative, l\ppointed for this Yery service, (3) The promptings of pl\rentl\l affection and godly principlee, which are from God. (4) The exprces injunctions of Holy Writ. (5) The just olaime of society, which has a right to expect that in the household good citizens should be trained and good meml"l8rB of the Church. The character and welfare of a people depend more on family life than on public law and force; and most fathers can best l!erv~ th~ir country by training well their children. Let them render more publio 1!8TVIces 1f they are capable of them, but ever let them "return to bless their house- holds." 2. He will thus best promote the welfare and happiness of his household. (See division III. of homily on ver. 11.) 3. His own happiness in his family will be greatly increased. If his desires for their good are granted, he will be a necessary partaker or their happiness, will rejoice that he has so largely contributed to it, and will receive a constant reward for his endeavours in their love and gratitude. If, through untoward circumstances, or counteracting influences against which he had no power to d~fend them, or through their own perversity, his efforts should fail, he will at least have the satisfaction of a good conscience. In conclusion, what has been said of the duty of fathers applies equally to mothers who have more influence than fathers over the younger children, and often over th~ elder a.lso, a.nd always have most to do with the order and comfort and moral atmosphere of the home.-G. W.