on inetrumente." This expresses admiration of the services and ceremonies in connec- tion with Jeh mih's temple; and it suggests the thought that Divine worship ought to be made in every way delip;htfol. But another thought is sup;gested by the marked distinction made between the "singers " anil the " players." It is that the gifts and endowments of men are very various, but whatever may be their variety, they can all be taken up into the service of God and the service of God's people. Some can sing; then encourage them to sing. Some can play ; then use their skill in playing. Find what a man can do, and accept, for God, just the service he can render. I. THE REMARKABLE VARIETY OF HUMAN GIFTS. Examine them first as simply human gifts. Poetry, eloquence, art, science, government, do but, in the large, repre- sent the thousandfold lesser forms of endowment which fit men for their varied places in life. Yet in common everyday life there is a place and a work for every one. Show that this includes kinds of gifts with which we may have no personal sympathy, such as mimicry, satire, humour, etc. Then examine those particular gifts which were granted to the early Churches-tongues, prophecy, interpretation, etc. Bring out that while each man has much in common with his fellows, each man also has something special to himself, something which constitutes his individuality. In the line of the use of ehae speciality will be found to lie his life-mission. II. 'l'BE POSSIBLE UBE FOB HUMANITY OF ALL BUMAN GIFTS. There is a danger of religious people unduly limiting the service of humanity. Sometimes, in an exclusive spirit, pious persons speak as if there were no real service to humanity save that which their religion sanctions. We may hold that all conceivable endowments may be sanctified, and ought to be sanctified, by being used for· God-consciously in God's service. But we had better be more generous in our thinking, and say that everything that helps lift a human burden, cheer a human soul, brighten a human life, relieve a human strain, or perfect the human brotherhood, is the service of God. Some gifts hear a character, or are so small in measure, that men think of them as the one-talented man thought of his talent. But he thought wrongly, and so do they. In God's earth there is nothing that has not its use. In God's world of men there is no gift without an answering sphere. Singers and players shall both be there.-R. T. Ver. 7.-Joy-fountains in God. Prayer-book Version, "All my fresh springs shall be in thee." Jennings and Lowe render," All my well-springs rof delight] are singing aloud like instrument-players because of [literally,' in 'J thee." The" springs" are evidently our springs of gladness; and the sentence is best given thus : "Both they that sing and dance, all my fountains of delight are in thee;" with this as the meaning," every source of pleasure, song, music, dancing, etc., was to be found in Zion." The psalmist is praising Zion, not directly praising God : so his figures are naturally taken from the pleasures of the holy city, and especially of the sacred temple and its services. Remember that David had devoted genius and skill to the improvement of worship; had introduced music and poetry, until the old sombre ritual of Mosaism had become glorified. The joy of God's everyday service ought to be illustrated by the brightness, attractiveness, and holy joy of our sanctuary services. Men ought to feel that it must be a joy to serve God always, because it is such an evident joy to serve God sometimes. I. JOY-FOUNTAINS IN GoD's WORSHIP, Il. JOY-FOUNTAINS IN DAILY LIFE. III. JOY-FOUNTAINS IN WHAT GoD BAB DONE FOB US. IV. JOY-FOUNTAINS IN WHAT Gon IS DOINO FOR us. v. JOY-FOUNTAINS IN GoD HIMSELF, "When all created streams are dried, his fulness is the same." Impress that true religion cannot be gloomy and depressing. Its atmosphere of trust is an atmosphere of gladness. We are saddened if we look down upon the path of our feet; or: in upon our frail selves; we need never be s!lddened if we look up-" look off unto Jesus, the Author and FiniHher of our faith." We may find ever fresh-flowing springs of delight in God, and in this world of God's which is his Zion for us.-R. T.
Vers. 1-7.-The glory of the (Jhurch. I. IN ITS FOUNDATION, "In the holy mountains." 1. lt is founded in the nature of God. In the Divine love. "The Lord loveth the gates of Zion," eto, 2, It is founded also in the naeure of man, In his 230 THE BOOK OF PSALMS. [PS. LXXXVIII, 1-18.
spiritu11,l n11,ture, 11,ffinities, and needs. The Church, therefore, has sacred foundations: "and the gates of hell shall not prevail against her." II. IT IS OALLED THE CITY OF Goo. 1. It consists of the highest social relationships, Love, the bond th11,t unites the citizens. 2. And of the Divinest 01·der. Protected and maintained by the constant presence of God. 3. And of the truellt wisdom. (Ver. 4.) "Them that know me." III. To BECOME A CITIZEN THERE A MAN MUST DE SPIRITUALLY DORN INTO IT. 'rhe n<.'W birth ie the condition of citizenship. " This man was born there." 1. Else it can w~er become a home to m. Not a congenial place to us. 2. We should not el86 be able to enter into its highest privileges, rights, and obligations. IV. IT IS THE HOME OF THE NEW-BORN MAN, IRRESPEOTVE OF NATIONAL DISTINCTION Jew and Gentile, bond 11.nd free, king and peasant, may find a home there. V. IT IS THE FOUNTAIN OF ALI, DIVINE AND HUMAN GOOD. (Ver, 7.) All the truest and most real blessed.ness.-S.