Ch. ix. 4; x. 2.-The greatness of Mordecai. Before taking leave of tbis interesting and typical character, it may be well to review the elements of the greatness which, in these two passages, is so glowingly ascribed to him. Mordecai's greatness was- i. A contrast to his former humiliation at the door of the palace. ii. A contrast to the ignominious death for which at one time he seemed destined. iii. A state for which his past sufferings and patience had probably, in a measure, prepared him. iv. Directly occasioned by his act of loyalty and faithfulness. v. Occasioned by the discovery of Haman his enemy's malice. vi. Concerted with the royalty of his relative, Esther. vii. The direct bestowment of the king, Ahasuerus. viii. Manifest in the palace. ix. Extending to all the provinces of the vast empire, where his fame l'i2 THE BOOK OF ESTHER. LcB. x. 1--8.
wus known_ and his power was felt. x. Progressive, for he became greater and greater. x,. E~ercised for ~he public g?od ; in this resl?ect ~ signal contrast to him he_ replaced. xu. Recorded m the chronicles of the Persian kmgdom for the inform- ation of future generations. xiii. Recorded and sanctified in a book of canonical ~cripture_ for the instruction and encouragement of fidelity and piety throughout all time. XIV. Permanently commemorated in the interesting Jewish festival of Puiim. Ver. 3:-The wealth and peace of a people the patriot!& aim. It is a fine description of the aim of Mordecai's public life with which this book closes. What more could be said of the patriotic statesman in any kingdom than this : that he was ever found "seeking the wealth of his people, and speaking peace to all his seed"? I. WEALTH. Under this we include not simply riches, but welfare in every sense: prosperity, security, progress, happiness-all that can truly enrich and bless a nation. Patriotism, observe, has regard to the people. It is no special class or interest that the true patriot seeks to benefit, but all his countrymen. Now, whilst this virtue does not take so wide a range as philanthropy, it is, like philanthropy, opposed to self. seeking. It is an expansive, liberal, generous, and withal practical attitude of mind. And this end is sought by personal effort, by the exercise of wisdom in the choice of means, and by diligence in their use. II. PEACE. Under this must be included peace of heart, such as arises from a sense of justice and security of government; social peace, such as prevails where neighbours dwell in amity; political peace, or freedom from civil broils and tumults ; general peace, or concord between different races and nations; universal peace, such as is destined, according to prophetic declarations, to pervade the whole earth. All these will be dear to the patriot's heart, and he will use every endeavour to bring about these high and noble ends. Causes of disaffection and disunion and discord he will seek to remove, and he will do all that lies within his power to bring on the reign, of righteousness, of liberty, of happiness, of concord. And in his endeavours the Christian patriot will be animated by the love and grace of the Divine Son of man, whose mission it was to bring " peace and good-will to men."
HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Vera. 1-3.-Wisdom at the helm. These concluding verses give a brief and com- prehensive view of the results of Mordecai's advancement to power. The influence of the great Jew soon made itself felt to the utmost boundaries of the wide empire. I. A UNIVERSAL TAXING. The laying of "a tribute on the land and the isles of the sea" may seem very arbitrary, but it was probably in the manner of a notable reform. It is to be attributed to Mordecai, and is given as a special instance of his wisdom and power. Despots have many ways of extracting money from those whom they govern, but the only proper way of supporting government is through just and systematic taxation. If the satraps or governors of provinces send in abundant supplies, shahs and sultans are content ; they pay no heed to the manner in which the supplies have been secured. From this cause corruption and oppression still abound in the East. Mordecai adopted a system of direct taxation which embraced the whole empire, and for this he succeeded in getting the king's sanction. Let us remark-I. That tribute is neceasary. Government cannot be efficiently maintained without adequate support ; it is worth paying for. 2. Tri!rnte s_hould only be raised for ne~e_ssary purposes 1• not for selfish indulgences or vamglonous conquests, but for the legitimate needs of the state. 3. Tribute should be equitable in its incidence. It should be borne by all, but at the same time it should exhibit a just regard to the varying con- ditions and abilities of citizens. 4. Tribute should be levied openly, and only through legally-appointed channels. Otherwi_se injustice and coi:ruption are encouraged. 5. Tribute is most satisfactory when estimated and determined by a people themselves through appointed representatives. Self-government and self-taxation are in all respect.a better than an irresponsible despotism. 6. Tribute when just or necessary should always be cheerfully given. We have a duty to our rulers. The protection, freedom, and peace secured_ to us by a good g?vern1!1ent are cheaply purchase? by a tax1tiion that is equally levied on all. 7. Tnbute IB due to the heavenly Kmg as weil as to eartlily monarchs and states. Whilst rendering to Cresar what is Cresar's, we should be careful to render to God what is God's (Matt. xxii. 21). CR'. X. 1-3.] THE BOOK OF ESTHER. 173