"Vers. 27-32.-lmpression by tautology. These verses contain mostly iterations of mn,xims already delivered (on ver. 27, see on eh. iii. 2; ix. 11; on ver. 28 see on ver. 24; eh. xi. 7). That religion is a protector to the man of good conscience' while over- throw awaits the ungodly, again brings out an often-expressed thought with emphasis (Yer. 30; see on ver. 25; eh. iii. 21). Vers. 31, 32 again contrast the speech of the good and the wicked; the former like a sappy and fruitful tree, the latter destined to oblivion; the former appealing to the sense of beauty and grace, the latter shocking by its deformity. I. THERE IS A SAMENESS IN Goo. He does not and cannot change. He is invariable substance, unalterable will and law. II. THERE IS A SAMENESS IN NATURE. The heavens above us, with all their worlds tbe great mountains and features of the landscape, the daily sights of sunrise ancl even: ing, form and colour. Abraham and Solomon looked upon essentially the same world w:i th onrsel ves. III. THERE IS A SAMENESS IN HUMAN NA.TORE-its passions, strength, and weakness. The same types of character appear and reappear in every age in relatively new forms. And it is proverbial that history repeats itself. IV. THE ESS~"TIAL RELATIONS OF M.A.N TO Goo MUST BE THE SAME IN EVERY AGE, Hence the teacher's deliverances must constantly recur to the same great point.s. V. THAT ·wmCH VARIES IS THE TRIVIAL OR TRANSIENT ELEMENT; THaT WHICH DOES NOT VARY IS THE SUBLIME AND THE ETERNAL. VI. EVERY TRUE TEACIIER MAY THUS VARY THE FORM OF HIS INSTRUCTIOX AS MUCH AS HE WILL. Let him see to it that he works in unison with God and nature, experience, tbe conscience, and leaves a few great impressions firmly fixed in the mind. "Line upon line, precept upon precept, here e. little and there a little."--J.
Ver. 1.-0ur foy in our children: a sermon to parents. We may take it for granted, s.s commonly understood- L THAT THE FOUNDATION DUTY AND INTEREST, with us all, is to be in a right relation, personally, with God. Until we are right with God we must be wrong altogether. 'l'hen we must contend- Il. THAT THE QUESTION OF NEXT VITAL CONSIDERATION is the character of our children. It is conceivable that God might have phiced the human world on an entirely different basis than that of the family. But he has rested it on the human home. This is that decision of our Creator which makes the greatest difference to us and to our life. How much it is to those who are parents that they are such I How would their life have been another and a smaller thing without that pure and sacred boncl l What deep chasms of expe1ience has it opened! what fountains of feeling has it unsealed! what secrets of life has it unlocked! What heights of joy, what depths of .s,;rrow, has it made possible to the heart! Ill. 'l.'HAT THEBE 1B A SONSIIIP WHICH GLADDENS, as there is one that grieves, the parental heart. Who is the wise son (of the text)? Not necessarily the learned, or the clever, or the prosperous son. A child may be any or all of these, and yet may be a grief and not a joy, a shame and not an honour, to his parents. It is he who has lear'rftt wisdom of God, who has sat diligently and effectually at the feet of that great 'l'eacher who came to be the Wisdom of God. lt is he (1) who has found his home and his heritage in a Divine Father; (2) who has secured an unfailing Friend in e. Divine Redeemer; (3) who has stored his mind with eternal truth and filled his soul with everlasting principles; (4) who is building up his character hy the teaching, and regu- CH, X, 1-32,] THE PROVERBS. 211
lating his life by the will, of Jesus Christ. This is the son of whom the father will never be ashamed, who will not use the language which it would pain him to hear llor choose the friends he would be unwilling to acknowledge, nor be guilty of the con: duct it would wound him to witness. This is the son on whose character and on whose Hfc, in all its phases and developments, he looks with profoundest gratitude and unRpcakable delight. IV. 'l'HAT 1'HE CHARACTER OF OUR CHILDRF.~ depends mainly on ourselve~. They will: 1. Believe what we teach them. 2. Follow the example we set them. 3. Catch the spirit we manifest in their presence.-C.