The Pulpit Commentary — Esther — Section 154

II. IT AFFORDS A PURE PLEASURE TO THE GIVER, To share the gifts of Providenc<'J with the less fortunate opens the heart and enlarges its sympathies. It is a check to naturnl selfishness. III. IT IS DICNEFICIAL TO THE RECEIVER. A friend's gift is a token of that friend's remembrance and love. And many a poor household is, at Christmas-tide, made bright by the presents thought appropriate to the sea.son. Children especially are pleased with such gifts, and their pleasure is worth our consideration. IV. GIFTS RESEMBLE, IN OUR POOR WAY, THE BENEFACTIONS 01!' PROVIDENCE, AND THE BENEFICENT MIRACLES OF OUR SAVIOUR. "He openeth his hand, and supplieth the wants of every living thing." Christ gave bread to the hungry, and turned water into wine for the enjoyment of the guests at a wedding-feast. V. THE PRACTICE IS A RECOGNITION OF OUR COMMON DEPENDENCE UPON HEAVEN, AND OUR MUTUAL BROTHERHOOD. How much better to carry out such usages upon the suggestion of Christian motive, and in connection with Christian fellowship, than for worldly display, or policy, or from ordinary good-nature I Ver. 28.-.A. holy memorial. Memory is a Divine gift, to be used for the glory of the Giver. Every individual has his memories; for his past life has been marked by events important to himself, and worthy of being now and a.gain recalled to awaken gratitude, humility, confidence. Every family has its memories; and domestic anniversaries may be observed with advantage, especially to the young. Every nation has its memories-of great reigns, great deliverances, great conquests, &c. Every religion has its memories-of its founder, its fundamental facts, its triumphs. The Jews had reason to remember Purim. I. WHAT IS SPECIALLY WORTHY TO BE REMEMBERED? Our deliverances. God's mercies. II. WHY SHOULD SUCH THmos BE REMEMBERED? To encourage us to the exercise of devout gratitude. To foster our trust and faith in him whose mercies we call to mind. To honour God. "Forget not all his benefits." III. How SHOULD HOLY MEMORIALS BE OBSERVED? 1. With sacrifices of praise. 1 ' Let us exalt his name together." "The Lord hath done great things for us, where- of we are glad." 2. With gatherings of fellowship. Where mercies have been experienced in common they should be acknowledged in common. There is some- thing inspiring and elevating in the celebration, by a multitude, of a great event, a. signal mercy. So with the observance of the Lord's Supper. 3. With tokens of practical kindness. Festivals are holy in proportion as those who take part in them are unselfish, disinterested, and kind. 4. With especial reference to the young. In youth public observances impress themselves upon the memory. The Jews took pains to instruct their children in the meaning of the passover and the other national festivals. Thus the perpetuity of the memorial is secured. We should celebrate God's loving-kindness, and "tell it to the generation following." Ver. 30.-Words of peace and truth. Words are of inestimable weight, for evil or for good. Human words move men mightily; and of Christ's words we know that they shall "never pass away." This description of the message which Mordecai and Esther sent to their countrymen throughout the empire is very significant. It consisted of words which, whilst they were words of truth, concealing nothing, declaring all, were yet words of peace, speaking peace unto Israel. I. WORDS CAN REVEAL TRUTH. The speech uttered is the expression of the inner, the mental, speech. 1. This should be the case in all instruction. Teachers should make it their first concern that their words should be words of truth. Especially should this bo so in all religious instruction given and received. 2. This is the case in the best and highest literature. We value language for its beauty; but its highest interest and charm lies in its power to embody truth. 3. This is the case with Divine revelation, which is the truth of God, made known to us in him who is the Word, and in all inspired words. II. WORDS CAN DIFFUSE AND RES'l'0RE PEACE, They may do this by-1. Assuring the endangered of protection, as was the case in the narrative before us. 2. Re- moving· suspicion and fear, as frienrlly and grl\cious words have often power to do. ESTHER. M  162 THE BOOK OF ESTHER. [Olt. IX, 1-82.