I. THE s1,Al\"DERER IS .a. HIB<1HIEF-M.AKER. His interest is taken not by anything good, but by something evil. Every true and good man covers over, hides, smothers dowo, t.he evil, because it is like fire-let it spread, and it will do a world of mischief. The slanderer fixes on the tiny spark of evil, fans it until it flares, and consumes repu- tations and ruins lives. Gossip is the slanderer's weapon. Malice is his inspiration. Seli'-conceit is his 11:uide. Often pure devilry makes a man start the evil suspiciou which makes the mischief of broken hearts and untold misery. It is no excuse for the ~landerer, when made to face the consequences of his slander, to fay, "I did not mean it." As mischief-makers, gossiping women are worse than men. II. THE SLANDERER 1s A TlllEF. He does not steal men's goods; he steals what is of far more value to man than what be has-he steals his reputation. Estimate the difficulty every man finds in building up a character. It may fall, like a house of cards, before the suspicion started by the slanderer; that suspicion may stick to a man for life, and he may find it impossible to recover his place. 'l.'he robbery of the slanderer is oftentimes irremediable. III. THE SLANDERER IS A DETEBIOBATOB OF HIMSELF. The most serious injury a man can do to his own moral nature is to give expression to the suspicious, or malicious, temper. If a good man or woman ever find themselves betrayed into becoming the originators of a slander, they feel the bitterest regrets and most searching humiliations. The bad man who finds he has slandered, aod will be humbled by no regrets, belongs to the devil, and will have to find his home with him.-R. T. Ver. 5.-The sin of the arrogant. "Him that hath an high look and a proud heart." Prayer-book Version, "a proud look, and high stomach;" literally, "puffed-up heart;" "wide of heart; " "puffed up and blown out." Perhaps the idea includes the "ambitious men," who think so much of themselves that they are jealous and mischievous if any one seems to be preferred before them. Trapp says, " Pride will sit e.nd show itself in the eyes as soon as anywhere." Home bas this good note: "Detraction, ambition, e.nd avarice are three weeds which spring and flourish in the rich soil of a court. The psalmist declareth his resolution to undertake the difficult task of eradicating them for the benefit of his people, that Israelites might not be harassed by informers, or repressed by insolent and rapacious ministers, Shall we imagine these vices less odious in the eyes of that king whose character was composed of humility and cha1ity; or will Chrillt admit those tempers into the court of heaven, which David determined to exclude from his court upon earth?" L TRE ABROG.Al\'T ME.A.SURE THEHSELVES BY A WRONG STANDARD. A man may seem to have fair reason for being proud who compares himself with hie fellow-men. It may be honest truth that he ie better bred, more refined, better educated, and more intelligent than they. But then the standard is so poor. Let him appraise himself by comparison with those who are better bred and better educated than himself. Nay, let him measure himself by the proper, the Divine, standard; then will the loftiest- minded roan be compelled to say after the psalmist, "My goodness extendeth not to thee, only to the saints that are in the earth.'' II. '.l'HE .A.BROG.A.NT BOAST THEHSELVES AGAINST Goo. Pride is the open claim to indepetJdence; the declaration of conscious self-sufficiency. '.l'he proud man needs no God, and knows no God. He never can come into right relations with God until he can get rid of that pride. All who do boast themselves against God may be reminded of that day when the "lofty looks of man shall be bowed down, and the Lord alone sl.:Jl be exalted." ill THE ABBOG.illT ABE OUT OF BIGHT RELATIONS WITH HEN. The right relations are thus expressed: "By love serve one another." 'l'he arrogant man serves nobody, only expects everybody to serve him. So he never gains love, and never receives love-service.-R. T. Ver. 6.-The enc,ouragement of the upright. "Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land." Such only would the king seek for; such only would he gather to his court. · L THE UPRIGHT ABE ALWAYS WANTED. Men of probity and integrity are ever being aought for. For all 11ervice character is the supreme fitness. If it seems otherwise, PS, 01. 1-8.] THE BOOK OF PSALMS. 369
and we find isolated instanoee in which the unprincipled seem to prosper, let us think of the thousoud cases in which character even triumphs over ability, and much morn over unscrupulousness, If II man has character, he has a commodity that is always mo.rketable. II. THE UPRIGHT ARE ALWAYS TRUSTED. Illustrate by Joseph in Egypt, Nehemiah at Susa, and Daniel at Babylon. In that trust is the fullest recognit;on of the value of character. III. THE urm □ HT ARE ALWAYS REWARDED. Depend upon it, kings always know when they have good counsellors, and masters know when they have faithful servant ■. And it is always the aim of masters to encourage those who serve them well. Say what men will, it is most largely true that the best things of this world come to the good. And it can always be said, with absolute confidence, that God is on the side of the upright," the Rewarder of all those who diligently seek him."-R. T.