I. TnE BENSE OF BELIEF, 1. In utterance of what is strongly felt. It ia difficult to restrain powerful emotions. Passion inspires Rpeech. We long to tell out what burns in our hearts. Difficulty of utterance often arises from deadneRs of soul-often, but not alwl\ys, for many of the best men have no facility of speech. Still, the surest road t.o eloquence is through emotion. 2. In confession of what is deeply distressing. It is hard to bide a dark secret. Criminals have been known to confess their evil deeds simply because they could not endure to keep silence about them. Great sorrows find relief in utterance. While the sufferer suppresses himself in stony grief his reason is in da.nger; let him weep and speak, and the worst anguish of his soul will find some relief. Prayer in great distress is not only appealing to God for help; it is also relieving the overburdened soul by utterance. It is much to be able to unbosom one's self to God, to open out sad secrets to Heaven. IL THE EXERCISE OF POWER. No doubt the lower motive of desiring to feel his power was influe1!cing Elihu, though he would ha_ve been too vain to have admitted it. Some people delight to hear the sound of their own voices, The importance and publicity of speaking before others is found to be attractive. Wben the speaker discovers that he can move an audience by his eloquence, a. new fascination lays hold of him, and if he can influence by means of speech, he will find a. pleasure in wiEiiding so powerful an instrument. But there is great danger in all this, lest the speaker should idolize his own eloquence, and try to influence others merely for the sake of ma.king them feel the weight of his utterance, It must be remembered that there is great responsibility in speech. A ha.sty utterance may be followed by a long repentance, when the speaker will give worlds to recgver his mischievo..1s words. III. THE AcmEVEMEKT OF GOOD, A good man will desire to speak for the profit of others. He who knows God's truth will long to declare it to others. So great a treasure is not to be hidden. For Christ's sake and for the world's sake it must be made known far and wide. The Christian should feel that a serious obligation is upon him to lead others to share in those privileges of the gospel which all need, and which are designed for a.II. St. Paul felt an awful necessity laid on him, and exclaimed, "Woe is unto me if I preach not the gospel I" (1 Cor. ix. 16). The lepers of Samaria felt that they would be guilty of a great sin if they feasted in the camp of the Syrians, and did not let the starving city know that there was abundance of good outside the gates (2 Kings vii. 9), But not only is it a duty to preach Christ; it is a great joy. The body may be wearied b_v the effort, but the soul will be refreshed. There is a cheering and invigorating influence in making truth known ; this is greatest when the work is to bring the knowledge of God's love in Christ to sorrowing men and women. -W.F.A. Vers. 21, 22.-Flattery. Elihu promises to be frank and outspoken, not" accepting any man's person" in perversion of truth, and giving "flattering titles" to no man. 'l'his resolve would be very significant in the East, where personal rank counts for mnch even in courts of justice, and where a "flattering title" is given as a. matter of course, especially when some favour is sought, even though it belies the true opinion held by the flatterer; e.g. Acts xxiv. 2. I. TEMPTATIONS TO FLATTERY. 1. To win favour. This is the lowest motive with which to flatter; it is without any valid excuse; its character is wholly selfish. 2. To avoid harm. This is also a selfish motive; but it may be urged by fear and encouraged by weakness. The flattery of a. tyrant is not creditable to anybody concerned ; but it is one of the certain effects of tyranny on weak natures. 3. To give pleasure. With- out any deep design of gain, agreeable people wish to please those with whom they are associated. A certain foolish kindness may help the flattery. 4. To express humility. Very humble people are tempted to ascribe good qualities to others in contrast with their own unworthiness. II. 'l'rrE eIN OF FLA'l'TERY. Elihu justly repudiates the idea of flattering llDY one, though he does so with a needless ostentation of independence. Fhttery is bad in m1my ways, and involves many evil things. 1. Falsehood. This is the very first element of flattery. You praise a man to his face beyond your true thoughts of him. 2. Oowardice. If the flattery is indulged in in order to propitiate a powerful tyrant, the flatterer humiliates himself, and appears in the miserable character of a cringing coward. 53' THI!: BOO k OF .ron. [oa. XL'\:m, 1-38,
3. ~ Flattory or tt1an t.ends to & dit!regard of the law and will of Goo. • If t-he dignity &nd rank of a penion is made too muoh o~ he RI rea.lly becoming to us almost R god ; ._ an! in danger of giving to him t.be defurenoe which ahould only be offiired to our Maker. HI. THE EVIL oom:EQUENOKII OF FLA'l"l'BBY. 1. T4e olll!rthrow ef jtu1Uoe. If a.man "&e0ept1; persons" he will neglect justice. Instead, of considering \\·hat is right and fair, the flatt.erer oonsiden; what is pleasant. Thus right and equity are set e.aide. 2. The destrodi<m of confidence. Flattery is sure to be discovered. and t.be habit of .fl.atterinu will be !!OOn recognized. Then words of admiration cease to have any meaning. It becomes impossible t.Q give true honour to a person, because this cannot be distiaguish&d from the false hooonn; which the sycoph11nt heaps on his patron. It is no longer possible t,,, knC1w whether approval, support, and loyalty are maintained or not. Traitors hide nader the cloak of flatt.ery. 3. T~ a.ngll!I' ef God. Elihu talks somewhat brusquely ahout his Maker biking him away. It is a trait of his self-confidence to be quite at home in speaking of God. Yet there is a truth in his words. God cannot endure falsehood and injustice. His favour is not woa by flattery ; the flattery of men is !lure to be deteoted by God. and t.herofore t.be flatterer musi lie under the disfavour of Heaven, even while he enjo111 the favou.r of his earthly patron.-W. F. A.