and IRke because of the bree.d they ate (John vi. 24-27) were not the whole-hearted di11eiple~ Christ ce.red to have. Christ would he.ve the entire life (Luke ix. 69-62). III. PROMPT ACTION IN EMERGENOIES. The reality of this young me.n's enthusiMm appeared in bis ready offer of the specie.I powers with which he was endowed to the urgency of the hour. He laid his best and most cultivated gifts at the service of his king just when they were most required. It is Acharacteristic of entire absorption in Christ's work that there is not only the primAl and unreserved surrender of life and all its intere~ts to him and his kingdom, but also, as time passes on, a quick perception oC entire work is needed, and an instant readiness to use any aptitude possessed for doing the work. "Here nm I; send me,"is the feeling of true enthusiasm when any emergency arises. There are beantiful instances of the free and prompt devotion of special gifts to the senice of Christ when occasions suddenly arise requiring them, Are men smitten with plague or sword? Nurses skilled in care of the ~ick are at band. Does calamity come on a house or village ? There are eager feet swift to carry gospel consolations. IV. 'l'RUE snn>ATHY GUIDI~G ACTION. It was the deep and genuine sympathy of A.bimaaz "ith what he knew were the most tender and sacred feelings of the king's heart that made him eager to go, and both gladden him with news of God's deliverance, and at the same time gently break the news of his personal loss. This gave extra speed to his fleet steps, and this explains his reference to God's goodness (ver. 28), and also his evident desire to prepare the king for sad tidings (ver. 29). He felt too much for that noble, generous heart to blurt out the intelligence which he knew would crush it. There is great value in a servant who understands and appreciates the most tender and cherished feelings of his master. This sympathy is a discriminating guide to words and actions. It is this intense sympathy with the heart of Christ, this power to enter more than others do into the very passion of the Redeemer for saving men, that accounts for the remarkable zeal and discriminating conduct in doing religious work which have characterized some of the noblest Christia::is. The nearer we get to the heart of Christ, the more true will our enthusiasm be. The natural gifts and aptitudes of body and mind then turn with zest to all wise devices for advancing the interests most dear to him. Miscellanies. In connection with the main event referred to in the narrative, there arc incidents and statements which suggest a variety of truths bearing more or less on ordinary life or finding their parallels therein. Briefly stated, these are as follows. I. EAGER MEN AWAITING GREAT ISSUES. David and his followers at the gate of Mahanaim, looking out for news of the issue of the conflict tben,bei!lg carried on, sensible tbat interests more precious than life were involved, are but types of men still intent on learning the issne of undertakings in which they have embarked or in which they have an inexpressible interest. The disciples once awaited a wonderful issue when Christ was, during his trial and death, in conflict with powers of darkness. For forty days before Pentecost, men and women waited for signs of a great event. Often has the Church, in seasons of peril, waited in agony during the crisis. Men engaged ~n ordinary business know what it is to look out for the issue of ~eat ventures ; and 1n privat.e religious experience there are times when the soul waits and watches more than those who watch for the morning. What great and momentous issues are being wrought out every day in this world for some of our fellow-creatures I II. QUALIFIED OPTnUSM. "All is well," said Abimaaz, to break the painful suspenso of the watchers, and bring early consolation to the king's heart. 'fhe words are few, but wonderful. Taken in their strict sense, they meant to David more than could ever be expressed. Happy, indeed, is the man of whom and to whom these words can be unconditionally spoken. "All" is the term of widest range in human language; and "well" is the greatest and best affirmation that can ever be made. In David's circum- stances the phrase at least meant that hi.s cause was triumphant, that God bad come to his help. Ahirnaaz was not insincere in saying what be did, knowing all the time that one event of the day would be most distressing to David. His optimism was qualified by a reservation, as is common in human life. 'l'bere is a sense in which every good is qualified by a shade of ill. Even so great _a boon as r~demI?tion bears on it t,he dark shadow of a Suffering One. The greatest v10tory of thmgs 1s announced amidst the "'l"ail of widows and orphans, The possession of great wealth brings with it carking OH. XVIII. 1-33.] THE SECOND BOOK OF SAMUEL. 1.1 !l
cares, Perhaps, in the final issue of all events, when Christ shall have put down all authority and power (1 Cor. xv. 27), and the universe has gained its moral equilibrium after the long struggle between good end evil, it may be true in an absolute ~ense that "all is well;" but till then our optimism must be qualified. III. A PIOUS PARENT'S ABBORBING THOUGHT. David did not lose bis character of parent in his character as king. As the anointed one he was intent rm seeing his authority duly eijtablished, but ns a father he was anxious for the s!lfety of bis rebellious son. By no process could he divest himself of his parental relation-dim shadow is this of the fatherly relation which permeates all God's regal relations to mankind! No one as he could pity the erring youth. He still yearned to have opportunity of bringing some influence to beM on his ungrateful heart. The direst thought to him was the possibility of life being cut short before such opportunity arose. " Is the youn~ man safe?" Thie question has deep significance to multitudes as they think of their chilrlren out on the wide world, exposed to its deadly ills. It comes in the morning with the light of day; it intrudes amidst the busy thoughts of daily business; and it is often the last thought·when sleep quiets the heart. It is also a question, in its spiritual application, above all questions of health and secular prosperity. To be "safe" in Christ is the prime concern ; for usefulness to others and growth in moral good are then ensured, while at the same time the dreadful guilt of the past is covered.