PCem to compel some Aort of numbering of our days, The giddiest, the most tbonght- lees and worldly, rire, for the moment, constrained to recollect the flight of time, the passing away of their life. Like as in dead of night, in the bea.rt of a. great city, when its business is hushed, and the traffic of its streets is still, the almost solitary passenger, though thinking of quite other things, is startled and arrested by the sudden simul- taneous sounding of the hour of the night from the multitudinons clocks a.nd bell- towers which a.re on every band. In the rush and roar of the midday business, when the full tide of the city's trade is sweeping oo, their stroke and chime would hardly have been heeded. But in this quiet hour, when all is still, the boom of the cathedral bell or the chime from yonder tower floats a.long the deserted streets, a.nd the wayfarer cannot but take notice tha.t another hour is gone. So in the quiet of thought, to which such seasons a.a those I ha.ve referred to incline us, the evident fact of the passing away of our days strikes upon our mind, a.nd leads us to some sort of numbering of our days- a. numbering which may or may not be profita.ble, a.nd which can only be so according to the manner in which it is done. And this is the teaching of our text. It craves the teaching of Goel, tha.t we may so number our days as to apply, etc. That, then, is the right numbering of our days which leads us to apply our hearts unto wisdom. Therefore let us inquire- !. WHAT 18 THIS WISDOM TO WHICH WF. SHOULD APPLY OUB HEARTS? Jt is tba.t which lea.de us to so use this life as the preparation for the life eternal. This life is our school, our training-ground, the scene of our education for eternity. What folly, then, to waste and squander such a season I We chide sternly the boy who wastes bis school-time, but how many men throw awa.y the opportunities which are given to them in this school of life to prepare them for the real life which awaits us when this is over! To the foolish child we say, "School-time does not come twice." To many men the same needs to be said. But we shall never use this life aright u.ntil we have sur- rendered our wills-given our hearts-to Goel, that by his wonder-working grace he may cleanse, and sanctify, and keep, and use them for himself. Then all will be well. II. How DOES THE RIGHT NUMBERING OF OUR DAYS LEAD TO THE APPLYING OF OUR HEARTS TO WISDOM? Because it makes us realize how transitory our life is. This is the burden of this psalm. But to really see this, to absolutely believe it, as few do, is to think but little of this world. 1. Of its riches and glory. For if I know-not merely think, but know certainly-that I must have done with them all in a very little time, shall I care very much for them? W oulJ a prisoner in the condemned cell be greatly elated if, the da.y before his death, be was left a fortune? Would any struggle as they do for this world's wealth if they knew tha.t their lease of it was so brief? 2. And so, too, of this world's sorrows. Should we be so moved by them if we knew how little time they lasted? The martyrs were wont to strengthen their minds by this thought as they anticipated their cruel tortures and death. Paul says, "Our light afflictions which are but/or a moment." Hence be who rightly numbers his days lives above the world, is independent of it, is free from its terrible down-drag and tyranny. 3. And he will, knowing the transitoriness of this life, seek for that which is eternal. III. Way ARE WE so SLOW TO NUMBER OUR DAYS ? 1. Because we do not like the taslc. It breeds melancholy and fearful thoughts. 2. We pers11ade ourselves there is no need. We shall have plenty of time (cf. the rich fool). 3. We so love the world. 4. Doubt. The teachings of Holy Scripture and the Church are dimly seen, or doubted, or, it may be, absolutely denied. Many more than we think are practical atheists. Therefore we need to pray, "So teach us to number our days," or else we shall never do it at all.-S. C.
Ver. 14.-The secret of satisfaction. I. MAN CRAVES FOR SATISFACTION. He may have many advantages and gifts, much wealth, friends, health, and much beside; and these may divert, inter~ft, and absorb him; but they cannot really satisfy. His soul will hunger still. II. GoD'B MERCY ALONE CAN MEE"r THAT CRA YING. For: 1. It puts out of the way all that hinders our satiH[action. 'l'ho sense of guilt; the tyranny of sin; the burden of caro; the fear of death. 2. It brings along with it the true elements of the soul's eatisfaction. Sense of acceptance with God; uniform victory over siu; perfect peace; the will and power to bless others; communion with God; abiding hope. 262 THE BOOK OF PSALMS, [PB, XC, l-1'7,
III. BuT IT MUST DE SOUGHT EARLY. "In the morning" is the literl\l renderin", 1. E ,·h day should be begun with the seeking with all intensity this blessed mercy ~f God. 2. But especially should each life be so begun. The parents for their child nt its birth; the child itself as soon as it is able to understand. What ills will l>e escaped what good ensured, if this be done! ' IV. THE RESULT SHALL BE THE BLESSED LIFE-heaven before you get thoro.-S. C.