employed to the u~rnogt is incredible in vie'! of _t~e l~vish expenditnrP, of many of tbElm on worldly drnplay nnd luxury. The <l1RpoR1t1on 1s wanting• and this in part becrmse e. conv_iction has_ not yet be_en e.wa~ened in thei~ hearts of' the necessity and worth of pecuniary supplies, and the 1mperat1ve duty and high honour of fumishin ~ them. Such a conviction may be promoted by due attention to the followin!! considerations. I, 'J.'HE OBLIGA'l'IONS OF ALL CHRISTIANS IN RESPEOT TO THE PROMOTION OF THE KINGDOM OF Gon IN THE WOBLD ARE THE BAME, 'fhe character, the toils the self- denying endurance of hardships and privations, of many missionaries and other' ministers of the gospel, o.wnken e.dmire.tion and apple.use. But, amongst those who app!nud the feeling is often wanting that they are themselves as really and truly bound to de;oted service of Christ as the men whom they admire. 1. Objects of the same Di vine Jove redeemed by the same precious blood, called by the same grace, partakers of the sam; privileges and hopes, they ought to cherish a like ardent love to Christ, and with a like zeal seek to fulfil the purposes for which he lived and died. 2. They are equally "stewards of the manifold grace of God" (1 Pet. iv. 10; 1 Cbron. xxi.x. 14, 16). 3. They are equally bound to love their fellow-men, and seek their good to the utmost of their power Il. THE NECESSITY OF MATERIAL SUPPLIES AFFORDS TO ALL THE OPPORTUNITY OF BEING PARTNERS WITH THE NOBLEST WORKERS IN SUSTAINING AND EXTENDL.'<G THE KINGDOM OF GoD. The good women who ministered to our Lord of their substance (Luke viii. 2, 3) became thus partakers in his work. . The Philippians who showed hospitality to St. Paul when amongst them (Acts xvi. 15), or sent gifts to him after- wards (Phil. iv. 14--16), are recognized by him as having" fellowship" (partnership) with him," in furtherance of the gospel" (Phil. i. 5, 7, Revised Version). St. John describes those who were hospitable to evangelists as their "fellow-helpers to the truth" (3 John 8). In like manner, all who subscribe of their money towards the s_upport of Christian ministries and missions, have the honour of being fellow-workers with those who give the ablest personal service. This was recognized by the lad who hastened to a missionary meeting, and being asked the reason of his eagerness, replied, "I bo.ve a share in the concern." Bible, missionary, and other societies have, by awakening such thoughts and feelings, done much to enlarge and elevate the minds of the myriads of their supporters in every part of Christendom. III. GIVING EXERCISES THE SAME CHRISTIAN VIRTUES AS PERSONAL SERVICE. For right and sufficient contribution of substance, as for right preaching and teaching, are required: 1. Faith and love. 2. Conscientiousness. 3. Self-denial. Indeed, all Christian principles e.nd affections are brought into play in the course of earnest service of either kind. Both are processes of education of tbe Christian soul, by which the lessons of Christ are more thoroughly learnt. IV. IT 1s EQUALLY ACCEPTABLE TO GOD. St. Paul calls the present he had received . from the Philippians "an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well-pleasing to God" (Phil. iv. 18; see also Heh. xiii. 16). Right motives are, of course, pre- suppo11ed ; but, when these are pre~ent, both kinds of service are equally acceptable. "He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward" (Matt. x. 41). V. IT SHALL OBTAIN A SIMTLAR RECOMPENSE. In: 1. The consciousness of Divine approval. 2. The pleasure of serving Ghrist. 3. The ioy of doing the highest and most enduring good to men. 4. The rewards of the last day. The expressed approval of Christ. Admission to "the joy of the Lord" (Matt. xxv. 21, 23). Participation with Christ and the saints :.n the joy of final and complete victory over the powers of evil. Every true-hearted sharer in the work and conflict shall share in the gladness of the triumph, when not only the sower and the reaper (John iv. 36), but those who h:i.ve furnished them with needful support, shall "rejoice together.". . Finally, we muRt not think of workers and givers as twi> distmct classes of persons, having no pa.rt in ea.eh other's functions. All Christians can and ought to render personal service as well as contributions. '!'here is need and room for all to labour as well as give. In maintaining Church-life, in teaching_ the ignorant, in seeking_ and saving the lost, in comforting the sorrowful, etc., there 1s scope for the tal_ents ol all. No one can by his gifts purchase freedom from such services. We must give account of every talent committed to us.-G. W. 436 THE SECOND BOOK OF SAMUEL. [en. xvm. 1-33.
EXPOSITION.