The Pulpit Commentary — Esther — Section 63

e!1couragin~ either in it6 duties or in its rewnrds, but persevering fidelity will in due time make its mark and attract attention and respect; and when that occurs the wny to success lies open. So also in the field of Christian labour. The service of Christ is co!1fined to no station. Loyalty to the Saviour's truth and name is all that is reqmr~d to make any man fruitful in good works. The very lowliest may be, in his ow1; circle of influence, ns a light shining in the darkness, as a living epistle of Chnst, known and read of men. There are endless ways of serving Christ. Oppor- tunities are never wanting to the faithful. God never fails to use and honour those who live in the truth of bis word. VI. THE WANT OF FIDELITY IS A HIGHWAY TO DISGRACE AND RUIN. The plotters age.inst the king of Persia were no doubt very secret nnd very clever; yet they were found out and doomed to death. Such crimes oftener fail than succeed. It is one of the striking features of historical crime that it has so generally failed, and that the projectors of it have so uniformly met with just retribution. In almost every criminal plan there is some weak point or person ; some oversight, or over-confidence, or miscalculation, or unexpected contingency. Righteousness is the real law of God's universe, and when violated it always, in some time and way, exacts a just penalty. Nor are the issues of evil confined to the present life. "We must all appear before the judgment-seat of Christ." VII. FIDELITY HAS A SURE REWARD. 1. It 1s always its own reward. The con- sciousness of having resisted and overcome evil, of having been faithful to duty at all risks, is better to the heart than any gain of gold. 2. Though not always recog- nised at once, it is sure in time to be duly seen and honoured. In the long run even the world seems to get light, and to do justice, with regard to noble acts which at the time of their performance were allowed to pass unheeded. Mordecai's loyalty and its result were recorded in the king's chronicle only to be forgotten. Yet a time came when the record met the king's eye, and touched his heart, and brought a power to the faithful Jew which enabled him to foil the project of the would-be destroyer of his race. 3. Man may forget, but God remembers. It was in the line of God's providence that the fidelity which saved the king's life should be brought into prominence, and receive its reward, at the proper time. Whether our faithful- ness to duty be recognised or overlooked by men, it should be enough for us that God knows it, and records it in his book of remembrance-to be brought to light in his own great day. VIII. FIDELITY TO GOD EMllRACES AND SANCTIFIES THE DUTIES OF EVERY SPHERE. To be trne to God is to be true to men. Every sin against man is a sin against God. Every failure of duty to those above or about us in the world is a breach of fidelity to God's holy and gracious will. Treachery on earth is viewed as treachery in heaven. A solemn fact I The more fully we submit to God, the more heartily we love and follow Jesus, the better shall we be and do as parents and children, as masters and servants, as rnlers and rnled, as friends and fellow-workers, and as members of a Christian Church. Loyaltv to God means a true and holy life.-D. Ver. 23.-0onviaed CO'Tl,8J)irato7:s. "And when inquisition w~s made of the m~tter, it was found out." Two men, B1gthan and Teresh, had a gnevance. The kmg1 s favouritism may have pained them, or their own ambition galled them. Absolute systems of government, like that in_ Pe~!a, generally foster conspirad~s. Kings have always been "fair marks for traitors. Queens also have shared this danger. Our Queen Elizabeth said," In trust I found treason;•· and," I marvel not so much that I am as that I am not." Bigthan and Teresh, owing to their position as chamberlains, had ~very opportunity of poisoning the king when awake, or assassinating him when asleep. They had a plan, a':1d w~~e. as careful to keep it to th~,mselves as possible ; but it became known, and "mqU1s1tion was made of the matter, &c. I. THE MOST CAREFULLY-CONCEALED PLANS ARE LIABLE TO BE MARRED BY UN• THOUGHT-OF INSTRUMENTALITY. It is right to plan for success in our lawful under- takings. We should have no plans but such as those on which we can ask God's blessing. To plot against the welfare of others is always dangerous. Pl~tters are ever likely to " hoist with their own petard." Accident may mar our plottmgs. A word dropped, or a look passed, may betrar, There is 'l'enerallf some Mordecai who  CH. II, 19-23.J THE BOOK OF ESTHER. 61