IV. IT IB THE DUTY OF PERSONS OF REPUTED WISDOM TO BRING ALL THEIR INFLU- ENCE TO BEAR ON THE PROMOTION OF PEA:OE AND HARMONY. 'l'he .. wise woman" and thOl!e of her mind in the city were but discharging a duty they owed to their city their king, and the kingdom, when, amidst the discords of the time, they brought their superior intelligenoe to bear on a solution of the difficulties of the cMe, 'l'hey evidently aw that, if more light were thrown upon the affair, and proper kindly influences were brought to bear on Joab, those would become friends who now were in the unnatural position of enemies. The leaders of opinion in the city showed their good feeling in being willing to come to terms, and their discretion in availing them- selves of the superior gifts &nd qualities of this "wise woman." The proper place of intelligence and wisdom is at the head of movements in the direction of concord. A serioUB injury is inflicted on the Church in seasons of trial and conflict when men of chal'IICter and repute keep in the background, and leave the conduct of affair11 to inferior minds. .Acquired reputation is a precious gift that should be cheerfully laid at the service of the (,'hurch, especially in seasons of sorrow. The soothing, healing power of the noblest minds is a great blessing. V. TKE OOCASION OF STRIFE BEING .ASCERTAlNED, EVERY EFFORT SHOULD BE MADE TO PUT IT AWAY. 'l'he occasion of the strife in this instance was the presence within the city of a rebel and a traitor.. Had it not been for Sheba entering the city, Joab and the people would not have so misunderstood each other as to come to actual conflict, Mutual inquiry and explanations revealed the fact that he was the occasion of trouble; and therefore the citizens devised means of getting rid of him in accordance with the rude and swift justice of those times. If in onr religious strifes, whether as between com- munities or within separate organizations, we, in our desire for peace, search out some removable occasion of them, it then becomes an imperative duty that we not only wish to see the occasion removed, but that we make vigorous efforts, though full of pain and sorrow, to pnt them away. What the disturbing cause may be-evil-minded men, or nan-ow ideas of our own, or unhallowed feeling, or an exacting temper, or undue pressure of the influence of the world-can only be founJ out by conscientious rigorous search; and, when fonnd ont, it will probably demand a very high and holy resolve to ca.st it away. Probably one chief reason why there is not more peace and harmony among Christians is that they have not the heart to go deep down into the moral causes of strife, and less heart to cut off those causes when discovered. It takes very much grace to be a thoroughgoing Christian. • GENERAL LESSONS. 1. Communities and individuals should watch carefully against the intrusion within themselves of whatever may brin!? on a.disruption of our peaceable relations to the fellowship of the saints. 2. It is possible to imagine others to be hostile in feeling to us, when, on full inquiry, it may turn out that they have been misjudged; ar.d hence we should be careful not to be rash in imputing motives to persons who are casually placed in circumstances of seeming antagonism. 3. The influence of cities in a nation and of Christian communities in the world being maternal in tharacter, their purity, peacefulness, and power should be most jealously guarded. 4. The influence·of woman in promoting peaee in the Church of God is worthy of the consideration of all, seeing that it is often under-estimated, and that its power is of the most subtle and perswurive kind. 6. We see in the removal of Sbeba,'the occasion of the trouble in the earthly kingdom, and the subsequent harmony of the chosen nation during the reign df David, a foreshadowing of the final removal of the great spirit of discord from the Church of God, and the consequent peace and unity of the redeemed. •
HOMILIES BY VABIOUS AUTHORS, Vera. 1-3,-{GILGAL.) The insurrection of Sheba, "'We have no part in David, .And we have no inheritance ln the son of Jesse: Every man to his tents, 0 Israel I " (Ver. 1; 1 Kings xiL 16.) Before the reetoratlon of David was completed, a new rebellion broke out. The people Olt, x:t. 1-2~.J 'I'HE SECOND MOK· OF SAMUEL. 503