preceding in that it is confined to no favoured class. A man may have a most humble origin, and yet through industry and perseverance may become a millionnaire. 3. The greatness of genius. This is the gift of God. It resembles that of position, in that men are born into it; but it also resembles that of wealth, in that it is fully enjoyed only through labour. John Milton would have been a genius had he been 11 mute o.nd inglorious; " but it wo.s the effort he put forth in producing 'Paradise Lost' tho.t made him immortal. II. WHAT CONSTITUTES THIS RESPONSIBILITY. 1. The fact that the great are members of society. No member of society, however great or however humble, can be inde- pendent. His actions touch bis fellows at so many points that they have a right to control his conduct to that extent. 2. The great determine their own actions. No man is a mere puppet of circumstances. A high position may involve conditions which hamper the will, but they cannot rob it altogether of its freedom. In so far then as actions are free the agent is responsible for them. 3. The great exert an influence. This is true of all, but especially of the great. And this was the point on which Memucan so emphatically insisted. ( 1) Influence is independent of our will. We can shape our own conduct, but we cannot regulate its effects upon others. We cannot plead that we never desired it, when we are charged with ruining others by our example, for those who copy us as a rule do not ask our permission. Does the subject of a deadly fever desire to spread infection? (2) The influence of the great is powerful in proportion to their greatness. They are the observed of all observers. They are cities set on a hill which cannot be hid. Jeroboam son of Nebat made Israel sin, and the wickedness of the people for several generations was attributed to the influence of hie example. (3) It is far easier to influence for evil than for good. The effect produced upon an object is as much due to the object itself as to the power exerted. A blow that would leave iron uninjured might shatter glass to atoms. The original bias of the human heart is toward evil, so that it needs little help in that direction. No great eloquence is requfred to persuade the miser to hoard bis money, or the spendthrift to squander hie substance. Thie subject has a practical application. What is true of the great with regard to influence is true of all to some extent. It is true that a taper is unspeakably lees than the sun, but it produces the same effect in its own sphere as the larger luminary does in his. 1. Ministers of religion exert an influence. Not merely in the pulpit, but in their intercourse with the world. 2. Parents exert an influence. Their actions will generally produce a deeper impression than their words. 3. Associates exert an influence. Men are constantly brought together in the various pursuits of life. In the workshop, in the market-place, in the transactions of business, each man is unconsciously contributing bis share to the making or the marring of the characters of those with whom he comes in contact.-R.
Vere. 10, 11.-Thefruit of excess. The king's inconsistent excess betrayed him into an unworthy and foolish act. When heated with wine he summoned Queen Vashti to appear before him, crowned, that she might II show the princes and people her beauty." I. AN OUTWARD RESPECTFULNESS OF MANNER DOES NOT MAKE AMENDS FOR ANY DISHONOURABLE INTENT. In sending to Vashti the seven chamberlains who waited on himself, the king showed some respect for her dignity. He perhaps hoped by this parade to overcome any objection she might have to obey his strange command. But the quality of evil is not affected by the garnisbings with which men clothe and try to conceal it. Sin is often so disguised as to be made attractive to the unwary, but it is still sin ; and the" pure in heart " who "see God" are not deceived. II. WRONG-DOING BREEDS FEAR IN THE MOST RECKLESS MOMENTS OF SELF-CONFID- ENCE. The emphatic way in which the number and names of the chamberlains are given seems to indicate that there was some fear of the queen in the king's heart. He knew her character, and was not unconscious of the insult implied in his command. Having, under the excitements of wine and vanity, conceived and expressed the desire that her beauty should be publicly exhibited, he could not draw back, but he thought to convey his will to her with such accompaniments as would either flatter or over- awe her into obedieiice. A dishonest heart hus fears that are only knQwn to itself. 30 THE BOOK OF ESTHER. [CR, I, 10-22,