The Pulpit Commentary — Job — Section 453

healthy and fruitrul, 1md the old-rashioned duty OAn never be lesilened by 1my changd of oiroumstanoea. If men shrink from work they proclaim that their better nature la conquered in them. It will be a bad dRy for England when her old spirit of enterprise ia given up. In the Ohristian life there is a call for the miner's daring and energy, Here, too, heroic enterprises are undertaken by the nobler spirits. There are paths in spirit.us) experience that no one with a merely animal nature c~n ever see; but the brave sons of God walk thereon and find rare treasures by the way. Browning tells us-- • Lifo is-to wa.ko, not sleep : Rise, and not rest ; but press From earth's level, where blindly creep Things perfooted, more or lesa, To heaven's height, far and steep." W.F.A. Vere. 12-15.-The SM,rchfor wisdom. I. WISDOM IS SUPREMELY DESlRABLE. Men Bink shafts and traverse hazardous paths in search of the precious metals simply because of their -ralue. The costly and difficult processes of mining would not be carried' otl unless an adequate reward were expected. Unless men appreciate wisdom they will not take much trouble in attempting to acquire it. The first thing is to see that "tlie price of wisdom is above rubies" (ver. 18). Knowledge is good, as the food of the intellect. The knowledge of God is most precious as the food of the soul. Practical knowledge is essential for guidance in life. Wisdom is more than the satisfaction of curiosity; it is the light of life. • II. WISDOII. DOES NOT LIE ON THE BUBFAOE OF THE WORLD. It is like the treasures of deep mines, and therefore it is not seen by the superficial. God does not cast his pearls before swine. There are blessings that all men-even the most heedless-have a share in. But the greatest blessings are not stumbled on unawares. These ate for all who will seek them ; but they must be sought. Hidden treasures are sometimes dug up from beneath ancient ruins-vessels of gold and silver that have lain for ages buried under heaps of rubbish. So Divine treasures have been hidden beneath piles of earthly and comparatively worthless things. Sin and worldliness have buried them. They need to be rediscovered. Thus man has both to recover lost spiritual riches and to mine in virgin soil for new wisdom. • III. WISDOll IS NOT EASILY FOUND. It is not enough to sink a mine, for perhaps we may not strike a lode; we mu1,t discover where the precious metal lies. The mining engineer must bring bis science and experience to bear on the great problem ns to where the shaft is to be made, and if he makes a mistake all the costly work of pre"' paring the mine will be thrown away. Now, we want some divining-rod'to show us where to seek for. the Divine wisdom. Philosophers have dug their mines in various regions of life and thought. No doubt they have brought much precious ore to the surface. But the great treasure of Divine knowledge has not been struck by any hnman inquiry without the guiding of a special heavenly revelation. Seas. may be dred~ed and strange wonders of the deep brought to light, but these additions to natural history do not help us much in coming to know spiritual truth. IV. WISDOM OANl!IOT BE BOUGHT. Precious stones may be purchased for money. Knowledge may be obtained in classes for which fees are charged; and yet the fees cannot purchase real education, and unless the scholar uses his mind he cannot profit by his lessons. No subscriptions to churches and missions and charities can buy Divine wisdom. V. W1soo• m .a. DIVDl'E GIFT FOB SEEKING BOULB. It is like the precious metals in the earth which God has given to man freely. The treasures of God are for all, without money and without price. Moreover, God shows us where to find these treasures. Chriflt "is made unto us wisdom" (1 Cor. i. 30). When we receive Christ, we have the Treasure for which philosophers and saints toiled and mined. He brings the Divine wisdom to the surface, to our very doors. If we would acquire wisdom, we have but to open our hearts to welcome Christ.-W. F. A. Ver. l8.-7'he Mf!'lt pnc. of wildonl. In the main, prices 11re detel'lllined by two ok, xitvm. 1--28.J THE BOOK OF JOB.