of life. We did not determine the externa.1 condition in which we shoul<l bo born. We all came naked into the world, and shall pass away tak',ng nothing with UR. Our bodily composition is earthy, and it must crumble back to earth. To her, the all-receiving mother of human-kind, we must each return. Tho deep sense of tbeso relationa is fitted to impress the habit of resignation. And, on the other hand, the transitoriness and weakness of our earthly estate should throw us upon the great spiritual realities. Resignation is not religious, self-renunciation is not complete, until we learn not only to give up earth and earthly will, but to cast ourselves on the bosom of the Eternal. He gives and he takes away the things that are no part of us, but only that he may hold ourselves, our souls, to him for ever. 3. Thanks- giving. What I thanks to G;od when he takes, as well as when he gives? Is this 11atural? is this possible? All is natural, is possible, to faith. For faith rests not upon what God does a.t this or that moment, but upon what be ever is. His action va1ies; in himself there is no variableness, nor shadow of a turning. Joy and sorrow, light and darkness, every possible phase of human experience,-these are tb.e language of God to the soul. His meaning is one through all tones of his voice. Blessed, then, be the Na.me, not of the bestowing, health and joy imparting Father of light, Giver of every good and perfect gift; but blessed be the Name of the Eternal, true to himself in all his purposes, true to his children in all his dealings with them for their good. "Blessed be the hand that gives, Still blessed when it takes.", Oh that these songs, e profundis and e tenebris-" from the depth " and "the darkness" -might be heard more clearly, more unfalteringly, in all our public devotions as well as in a.II our private prayers I This offering of self to God in trust, submissiun, thanks- giving, is a. "reasonable sacrifice." And as its savour ascends to heaven, it bring3 its peaceful answer back to the heart. The twenty-second verse reminds us by contrast, of the danger of sinning against God by reproaches and murmurs in our sorrow. "Job sinned not, and gave no offence to God," as the words may, perhaps, be better rendered. And after dwelling so much upon that temper which pleases our heavenly Father, let us enforce the lesson by reflecting on what we are so ready to forget-that he is justly displeased by indulgence in doubts of his existence or goodness, rebellion against the course of his providence, and the refusal of praise to his holy N a.me.-J. Vere. 1-5.-The typical conditions of domestic happiness. This early Eastern poem, designed to throw light on the methods of the Divine discipline of men, opens with a pleasing picture of domestic felicity, presenting a typical example of happy family life. But Job is the central figure. It is the Book of Job. All bas its relation to him. He is the one subject of the book. Not more truly is Job perfect than a.re the circumstances which surround him. All the elements of domestic happi- ness are present. They a.re seen in- I. THE PERSONAL CHARACTER OF THE HEAD OF THE HOUSE. In his spirit he is "perfect," not marked by moral flaw. As "a just man " he walks in his integrity. lti his deportment and his dealing with men he is "upright." No crooked vagaries mar his character or conduct. Honesty, straightforwardness, sincerity, are the conspicuous virtues of this good man. Towards God he is reverent, devout, obedient. The foundation of all wisdom, as of all virtue, is present-he "fears God." Evil be "eschews," he a.voids it. Such are the characteristics necessary in the heaJ of a godly, happy household. II. A second feature is seen in THE NUMBER OF THE ll!Ell!DERS OF THE FAll!ILY .lNl) THEIR AFFECTIONATE RELATIONSHIPS, Each adds his own element of character, and the variety of those elements secures the completeness of the family life, while affec- t.ion preserves its unity. Love is tho bond of perfectness in the family as in all communities. • IU. A further element is found in THE J.BUNDANT POSSESSIONS, raising the family from want to affluence, 11nu bringing within its reach all that could promote its comfort and enjoyment. IV. Over the whole is cast the guard and the sanctity of HABITUAL RELIGIOU8 ODSll:BVANOU:, Declaring (1) Job's faith in God; (2) his reverent fear; (3) his know- 26 'l'llE BOOK OF JOB.
ledge of the doctrine of redemption by sacrifice; (4) bis religious domestic discipline In all these Job is a model for the head of a family. ' ';. · Most proper was it that such a man should be "the greatest of the sons of t'li.c EMt,41 Happy the na.tion l'l'hose greatest men are its best 1 Happy the people amongst whom the most. observa~le are ~he most worthy of imitation. Such was Job, the subject :01 one of the most interesting, as of one of the oldest, examples of poetical dramatic, religioUB writing.-R G. ' ,
. Vers. 4, 6.-The sanctification of the home; or, parental pMthood. Parentage involves aut1.ority, responsibility, power, and honour. It imposes special spiritual 01 religiou6 duties; it demands right personal conduct, as an example; prudent discipline and careful instruction. It is the duty of a father to protect his family, not from temporal evils only, but from spiritual; to provide for their temporal and spiritual needs, The religiou6 duties of parents embrace- L RELIGIOUS EXAMPLE. ll. RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION. ffi. RELIGIOUS GOT'ERXMENT OR DISCIPLINE. IV. RELIGIOUS WORSHIP. 'l_'he Christian father, standing as the priest or representative of his family before Goa, has not to offer a sacrifice for the sins of hie family, but may and should plead the one Sacrifice on behalf of all committed to his care. These the first conditions or a happy home. In Job's case the spiritual instincts of the father are excited on behalf of his family exposed to the evils of surrounding idolatry. The Christian father has equal cause to be watchful. Consider (1) responsibilities, (2) toils, (3) rewards, of faithful Christian parents.-R G.