-:vhether in nature, providence, or grace, and in all it will be found that he acts con- aistently with himself. 11. As To me WORD OF TRUTII. That is containeu in the Holy Scriptures, and whether we appeal to the testimony of conscience, or to that of history, their witness agrees to and affirms the declaration of our text. III. As TO HIB FAITHFULNESS. The onus probandi lies on those who deny this. Where can it be shown that one of his promises, when rightly understood ha.~ ever failed? What thing hath he spoken that bath not come to pass? Trace the records of the Bible, and they form a great cloud of witnesses to this truth. Trace the course of providence, and its varied events all show that his truth endureth. Trace the experience of God's people, and it is the same. Let the following quotati0n illns:rate: "Now instead of taking you b,1ck to ancient or modern history, I would like to take you to the history of your mother or of your grandmother. I think of my dear grandfather, and of what he used to say to me. If he were here to-night-I am gla.d he is not, because he is in heaven, and that is a much better place for him; but if he could come from heaven, and could talk as he used to do when he was here on earth, he would say,' Ah, my boy, I did find him a faithful God.' He had a large family and a small income, but he loved his Lord, and he would not have giv,rn up his preaching of the gospel for anything, not even for an imperial crown. He has told me often how the Lord provided for him. He had a little farm to get his living upon it, and he had a cow which used to give milk for his many children, and one day when be came up to the cow it fell back with the staggers, and died. Grandmother said, • Ja.mes, how will God provide for the dear children now? What shall we do for milk?' 'Mother,' said he, 'God said he would provide, and I believe he coulu send us fifty cows if he pleased.' It so happened that on that day a nnmber of gentlemen were meeting in London-persons whom he did not know-were sitting as a committee for the distribution of money to poor ministers, antl they had given it to all who had asked for it. My grandfather had never asked for any; he liked to earn bis own money. He did not send any petition or appeal. Well, after the gentlemen bad" distributed to all who had asked there were five pounds over, and they were consider- ing what they should do with this balance. 'Well,' said one, ' there is a Mr. Spurgeon, down at Stambourae, in Essex, a poor minister; he stands in need of five pounds.' 'Oh,' said another, 'don't send him five pounds: I will put five to it; I know him; he is a worthy man.' ' No,' ea.id another, 'don't send him ten pounds ; I will give another five pounds, if some one else will put a fourth five to it.' The next morning ci:.me a. letter with ninepence to pay. Gmndmother did not like to pay ninepence for it; but there was twenty pounds in it, and as my grandfather opened it, he said,' Now can't you trust God about an old cow?' These things I tell you, and you smile, and well you may; but, oh, my soul laughs, and my face laughs on both sides when I think how faithful God has been to me. He has never lied unto me, or failed me, or forsaken me; but has k:ept his word to this moment in every respect" (Spurgeon), But such experience as this the whole army of the saints of God can furnish instances o:. It is no solitary example. IV. THEREFORE BELIEVE FOR ALL THE FUTURE. Go forward with a cheerful courage, thou child of God, fully persuaded of what all the past of all the people of God abundantly proves, that his truth shall endure, and that he "will never leave thee nor forsake thee."-S. C.
Ver. 2.-Servir.e wi lh gladness. "Make a joyful noise;" "Serve the Lord with gladness; come before his presence with singing.'' It does not appear that anything in the natnre of a song-service was connected with the Mosaic tabernacle. David systematized, if he did not actually introduce, that element. And it made a vital change. Previously the Di vine worship had been a ceremony; from that time it became a service. Previously it he.cl beeu an affair exclusively of priests; from that time it became an affair of priests and people. Singing is the portion of service in which the people can share. Instrumental music, in the olden time, was not the refined expres- sion of various moods of feelings that we know. Noise was thought more of than harmony; though the stringed instruments mnst have been capable of delicate expression, Just as children now express their joy by noisy "hurrahs l" so tbo 358 TIIE BOOK OF PSALMS. [PB. o.1-5.