exercise will make him tremble to think of the responsibility under which he lies for his own influence over his fellow-creatures. III. THE POWER OF EXAMPLE IS ENHANCED BY EIIGH STATION. Vashti was a queen, and what she did was known to multitudes, and was influential, more or less, over all who knew it. A queen sets fashions, gives social laws, even influences, to some extent, the morals of the community. A vicious court is a curse to the land. For a virtuous and benevolent sovereign, subjects cannot be too grateful. Others in high 1tation, alike in the Church and in the world, will affect the habits of many by their good or evil example. Public persons, it has been said, are the looking-glasses before which others dress themselves. It is of highest importance that the springs ahould be sweetened, lest the streams be poisoned and deleterious. Practical application :-1. Let us gratefully acknowledge God's goodness in using the principle in question for our benefit. Scripture is full of good examples. The history of the Church teems with such. The Christian society around us contains many excellent and inspiring examples for our imitation. 2. Especially let us be thankful for the example of our Divine Saviour. He was not only our Redeemer, but our Exemplar also. He "left us an example that we should follow his steps." It is the one faultless, peerless example to humanity. 3. Let us be careful what examples we study, and what influences we place ourselves under. 4. Let us be very circumspect in the education of the young, that we have brought to bear upon their hearts such influences as God may bless to their salvation. 5. Let us "watch and pray" that our influences-purposed and unconscious alike-may be for the highest good of all with whom we are associated._ Ver. 22.-Rule in tk house. The purport of the edict here recorded was good, although there seems something almost ludicrous in the feelings and the fears which prompted its framers and promulgators. "That every man should bear rule in his own house" seems scarcely a regulation to be prescribed by political authority. I. IT 18 A -PRINCIPLE FOUNDED UPON NATURAL, DIVINE AUTHORITY. It is written upon the very constitution of human nature that a wife should be directed•by her husband, and children by their father. If purpose is visible anywhere, it is in this domestic law. II. IT IS A PRINCIPLE SANCTIONED BY SCRIPTURE, From the fi..rat it was said to the -woman, "Thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee." The apostle thus admonishes the female sex: "Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord." "The husband," we are told, "is the head of the wife." III. THE RULE IN QUESTION SHOULD BE COMMENDED BY THOUGHTFUL WISDOM ON THE PART OF HIM WHO EXERCISES IT. If the husband is a fool, it is not easy for the wife to submit. But if he be a man of knowledge, experience, and self-control, the wife will usually, gladly and gratefully, be guided by his desires and requests. IV. THIS SWAY SHOULD BE EXERCISED WITH GENTLENESS AND FORBEARANCE. Nothing is more hateful or contemptible than the rule of a domestic tyrant, and such a rule encourages either rebellion or deceit. Children lose all respect for an unreasonable and passionate father. The household with such a hMd is wretched indeed. Affection and consideration should be manifest in the demeanour and requirements of all in authority over a family. v. Suen A RULE SHOULD BE ACKNOWLEDGED WITH FRANK SUBMISSION. Women are very much what men make them, Let them Le treated with affection and courtesy, and the response will usually be cheerful compliance. VI. SucH A RULE IS CONTRIBUTIVE TO ORDER AND HAPPINESS. The family is BO far like the state; tyranny awakens resentment and provokes resistance, whilst a righteous and considerate rule is acknowledged with gratitude, and is productive of happiness. A home where there is anarchy is a hell upon earth ; a home where a wom1m rules is a monstrous and loathsome spectacle. Darius and Xerxes are said, both of them, to have been too much governed by their wives. History abounds with instances in which the legitimate power of the wives of kings has been exceeded, and in which kings' mistresses have corrupted courts, and to some degree nations also. 22 THE BOOK OF ESTHER. [ell. I. 10-22.
HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS.