not fit to one another. The secret of family joy is each one getting shaped to the other, so that individuality is perfected in relationship. III. FAM.U.Y JOYS COME OUT OF AFFECTION. There is a peculiar feeling toward each other cherished by m~mbers of one family. We call it family affection. Illus- trate by the joy of times of family reunion ; and show how that affection he! ps family relations and sanctifies family fellowship. IV. FAMILY JOYS COME OUT OF PIETY. Which is the recognition of another and all-hallowing family life. For piety is no other than a realization of our family life with God. And the more worthily we respond to that, the more skilfully and success- fully we meet the obligations of the family life on earth.-R. T. Ver. 4.-The present blessings of tlui pious. Dr. Binney, in his day, made some com- motion by his book on 'Making the Best of Both Worlds.' And yet he did but write in the line of all Old Testament teaching; in accordance with the teaching of our Divine Lord, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you;" and after the firm declaration of St. Paul," Godliness is profitable unto all things, having the promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come." We ought to have outlived all possibility of misapprehending such teaching; and yet there are still among us those who see in religion only a safety for the world to come, which permits indifference to the interests of the present. "Living on high" is too often confused with "living on yon<ler." And it is too readily forgotten that this world is just as truly, and just as much, God's world as any other world can be. The devil talked about giving the world to Jesus; but a good many people besides the devil have offered to give what never was and never will bo theirs. "The earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof; the round world, and they that dwell therein." I. THE MOBAL INFLUENCE OF DEFEBBED BLESSING. It must be distinctly recog- nized that the immediate connection between bnppiness and piety is never guarnnteed. The connection is, but the immediacy is not. If man was beyond the need of moral training, happiness and piety might have no break between them. But mnn has to learn to trust. It is a lesson that is only learned in the school of deferred hope. II. THE MOBAL INFLUENCE OF BESTOWED BLESSINGS. For, as a rule, the good man is happy in his goodness, and happy through his goodness. And that sign of Divine favour tends to nourish and culture humility and thankfulness. In true-minded persons to win may be a peril by nourishing pride; but to receive never is a peril, for it nourishes humility. The wonder of the grateful man is the blessing of which be is the recipient. So God works bis work of grace by bis benedictions. III. THE llOBAL INFLUENCE OF PBOMIBED BLESSINOS. If the present is bright, we look up rather than on. If the present is dark, we look on rather than up. Wo do not always want the future; it is sufficiently guaranteed by God's grace in tbe present. But there are times of bodily frailty and trying circumstance, when hope dies down in the soul. Then it is we need the cheer of visions of the city of everlasting good, and .ove, and life.-R. T.
Ver. 6.-Length of life a recognition of family good11es1, Notice that the welfare of the family and the welfare of the state are indissolubly connected. The expression, "children's children" is literally, "and see thou sons to thy sons." "Long life crowns all temporal favours." Solomon says that "children's children are the crown of old men." "The good man is glad that a pious stock is likely to be continued; be rejoices in the belief that other homes as happy as his own will be built up, wherein altars to the glory of God shall smoke with the morning and evening sac_ri6ce .. This promise implies long life, and that lifo rendered happy by its being contmued m our offspring. It is one token oft he immortality of man that he derives joy from extend- ing his life in the lives of his descendants." I. LENOTH OF LIFE IS DUT A WEARINESS UNDER SOME CONDITIONS. In itself there is no special good in long life. When a man has done his work, he is ready for his work under the next set of conditions. Bunyan m~y picturo a "Land of Beulah," but the years of retirement, after business lifo is over, are seldom an unmixed and unquali- fied joy, The "Preacher'11" description of pain[ul, wearying old age is often realize~. 240 THE BOOK OF PSALMS. [PB. CXXIX, 1-8,
Godless old age, with its crushing burden of youthful sins, is a miserable business; and even the godly man finds the waiting years wearily weighted with pain and suffering. And prolonged life is especially weary when a man outlives all his family and friends; and, after having beeu wrapped about, all his life, with family love, is dependent on strangers. It is one joy of family life that this seldom happens when a man has his quiver full of children. II. LENGTH OF LIFE IS BUT A BLESSING UNDER SOME CONDITIONS. There is nothing more beautiful in social life than re'l"erent, honoured, upright old age. The value of old men's influence on us is suggested by that pathetic intC'lrest we have in their lovely white l1air. Let a man but keep healthy, and quick-minded to the changing interests of the passing age, and prolongeJ. life can be nothing but a joy to him. Under the same conditions, his continuance is nothing but a joy and blessing to his family, who make him the centre which holds them all in a loving and mutually helpful unity. And under the same conditions, old men are nothing but a blessing to the state, which is kept steady by the conservative goodness of its aged members.-R. T.