Ver. 10.-The sin of bribery. "Their right hand is full of bribes." Christians have undeniably a far higher standard of morality supplied by the gospel than was possible in earlier times under any other dispensation. How, then, is this paradox to be solved- that we find Old Testament saints trying themselves by severer tests, and aiming at a higher level both of morality and of devotion than multitudes of professed Christians attempt to reach or even deem attainable? The practice of bribery has often attained, in nominally Christian commonwealths, such }'roportions as to endanger public welfare and honour, and this with the connivance of many religious people; yet it is here condemned as worthy to be classed with the worst crimes, utterly inconsistent with- " innocency" and" integrity" (vers. 6, 11; cf. Isa, xxxv. 15). Subject-The sin of bribery, and the duty of Christians to oppose it to the utmost of their power. I. BllIDERY MEANS A BARGAIN TO BETRAY A SOLEMN PUBLIC TROST, The consti- tution bestows the vote, not for the voter's private benefit, but that fit men may be chosen to office; it is a trust for the community. Suppose a prime minister were to sell the offices at his disposal, or a jury to sell their verdict, or a judge his sentence, would not the world cry shame P The scale is different, but the principle is the same. Il. BRIBERY POWERFULLY CORRUPTS PUDLIO MORALITY AND NATIONAL CHARACTER. For patriotism and public spirit it substitutes selfishness; for honest, independent conviction, base disregard of principle. It destroys the sense of public honour; it degrades office by making the qualification, not fitness, but pelf; it puts the making of laws and ordering of justice in the hands of men who have begun by breaking the law and insulting justice; it degrades alike the giver and the receiver. III. BRIBERY TENDS TO PRODUCE CORRUPT GOVERNMENT AND DISHONEST LEGISLA• TION. It is true a man's conscience may allow him to give a bribe, yet forbid him to take one; bnt how long would this inconsistency last if the innocency of giving bribes were generally allowed? If an elector may sell his vote, why not a member of parliament or of council? What right would an elector have to complain if his representative were to say," I have bought my seat, and paid for it, and have a right to make a profit out of it" ? A. Christian's reputation should be dear to him, not for his own sake a.lone, but for his Lord's, for the gospel's and the Church's sake. He should be able to say, with St. Paul, A.cts xxiv. 16 (cf. 1 Tim. v. 22; Phil. iv. 8). Some excellent Christians, it is true, would limit "whatsoever things," etc., to the concerns of private life. But by what right? A. Christian, they say, is a cHizen of the heavenly city, o.nd has no coucern with earthly politics. But he cannot help having concern. He is also a citizen of his earthly country, whether he will or 1101 and bas all the privileges of a citizen and the benefits of the commonwealth. Privilege and benefit mean duty o.nd responsibility. Love to our neighbour o.nd care for the poor do not surely cease to be Chri;tiau dutieij when the welfare of a whole nation, and of other nations, or the care of the poor at home and the enslaved and oppressed in other lauds, call for the strong arm of law and national government.
HOMILIES BY VARIOUS A UTIIORS. Vera. 1-12.-Assciiled integrity's fincil appeal. 1 It seems evident that this psnlm was written by some Old Testament saint who was surrounded by ungodly men, by ' This psalm mo.y be compared with the seventh and seventeenth (soe homilies thereon). ()rnon Cheyne 1oays (Ezpoaitor, January, 1800), in referenoe to this and the twenty-eighth PS, XXVI, 1-12.] THE BOOK OF PSALMS. 195