Ver. 18.-Absalom's monument The cont.ra~t between ver. 17 and ver. 18 Is touch- ing. Absalom, whoee three eone (eh. xiv. 27) were dead, desirous that his name ~b_oul~ not thei:efore _die, erected a monum~nt to perpetm~te it, proba1?1Y conneoting with 1t a tomb rn which he purposed that his body should he, and in which poseibly he may have placed the remains of his decease<l children. But he was burk-d in another •epulchre, and bad another monument reared to his memory. A pit in the forest of Ephraim became bis grave, and "a very great heap of stones" his memorial. The contrast appears more marked in the original than in our version. The same Hebrew word is translated "laid" in ver. 17, and" reared" in ver. 18. 11 They took Absalom ... and ,·aised a very great heap of stones upon him. . . Absalom in his lifetime had taken and raised up for himself a pillar," etc. The desire to have our name perpetuated is nat.ural, and in some becomes a passion. It is one of the pleasures parents have, that, when they are gone, their children (especially their sons) will keep their names in the memory of men. Failing this, the hope of a tombstone to fulfil in some measure the same purpose may give satisfaction ; it is only a very few who can hope for a "pillar" as a monument. But, after all, these are poor memorials, and they may preserve a very undesirable memory of a deceased person. There are better methods of ensuring that we shall not be soon forgotten amongst men, and, at the same time, that the image thus perpetuated shall be both desirable and useful. These methods, moreover, are open to the multitude who cannot hope for either pillar or tombstone to commemorate them. "The righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance" (Ps. cxii. 6). I. Bow TO BUILD MONUllmKTS TO OUR MEMORY. 1. By eminent piety and holiness. "The memory of the just is blessed; but the name of tbe wicked shall rot " (Prov. x. 7). 2. By the faithful discharge of private and public duties. 3. By .zeal for the spiritual good qf others. Instructini:: them ourselves. Providing for their instruction. Those who have wealth may erect a house of prayer, which will be a better monument than a pillar. The childless man may thus have spiritual children that shall per- petuate bis memory and good influence. Loving work amongst the young is_ likely to be most successful, both in respect to their good and the long perpetuation of our memory. Our name will be written on their hearts, and repeated by them with grati- tude in their conversation and in their thanksgivings to God. 4. By large general benevolence. Devotedness in the relief of suffering and the promotion in other ways of the good of others. Some secure a lasting name by building, enlarging, or endowing hospitals, almshouses, or schools. But little acts of kindness, especially if they become the habit of a life, may secure even a warmer place in the memory and affection of those whom we benefit. II. THE MoNUMENTB THUS ERECTED. It follows from what has been said that these will be : 1. Sauls saved or greatly profited. 2. Happiness produced or increased. 3. Grateful remembrance and me,ition of u.,. By those we have benefited. By all acquainted with our lives who rightly estimate goodness and benevolence. 4. In the case qf some, religious and philanthropic institutiorM and agencies, which they have f ounde,d or grway stren9thened, and with which their names will continue to be associated. III. THE BUPERIORITY OF SUCH MONUXENTB. In comparison with pillars, et~ •• erected to our memory. 1. In tli£ir nature. Memorials of stone bear no comparison with those written on the hearts, and iu the characters and happiness, of men; or iadissolubly associated with permanent agencies for their well-being. 2.: In their /ruitfulmess. The good done reproduces itself; the memory of the doer, thus perp~- tuatcd, more surely excites to imitation of his character and works •. 3. In tlieir duration. The less durable of such memorials will outlast any material monument; the spiritual ones will survive the last fires, and be everlasting. To conclude: 1. It is a solemn thing to reflect that shortly all that will remain of '" in this world will be our memorials. We oursel vee must soon be gone, be we princes or peasants, rich or poor, learned or ignorant. The on~y advantage of the rich over the pour is that of more costly monuments. But the choicest monuments may be secured by the poor as well as the rich. 2. The securing for ourselves a lading name amongst men ought i,ot to be the chief motive, nor one of the chief motivea, of our conduct. It should hardly be a motive at all. Of Christian conduct and works, it cannot be a main motive; for e. life to produced is not Christian. To act iu order to" have glory OH. XVJII, 1-33,] THE SECOND BOOK OF SAMUEL. 461
or men" (Matt, vi. 2) artei' our death differs not in principle from seeking to have such glory now. Had Mary (Matt. xxvi. 6-13) lavished her precious ointment on our Lord in order that she might be memorable to all a.gee, be would not have commended her. Our chief motives should be love to God anrl Christ and men, the desire to be approved of God, and to haie our names recorded indelibly in the book IJf life (Phil. iv. 3; Hev. iii. 6). 3. An enduring name may be obtained by ill,-dr,-ing as well as by we/t.. doing. 'l'he name of Judas will last as long a.e that of Mary, and be perpetuated by the uame means. And the memory of a good man's failings may be as enduring as that of his virtues. 4. The grand instance of a Name after death synonymous with all that is great and good in the highest sense and degree, without any admixture of evil, and productive of the highest and most lasting good in others, is that of our blessed Lord.-G. W.