HOMILIES BY V.ARIOUS AUTHORS. Vere. 1-3.-Primary truths. I. THE WISDOM OF SUBMISSION, THE FOLLY OF REBIBTAN0E, TO REPROOF. As self-knowledge is the most precious and indispensable, and as it comes to us by chastisement, i.e. by disappointment, humiliatior!, pain of various kinds,-to welcome correction, to be willing and anxious to know our faults, is the mark of true wisdom. 'l'o fret at reproof, to be angry with the counsellor, to bate the revealing light, is the worst fo:ly and stupidity. II. THE FAVOUR AND THE DISFAVOUR OF Goo ARE DISCRIMINATING. The good reap bis good will; the crafty and malicious are exposed to his condemnation. Ill. MORAL STABILITY AND INSTABILITY. Wickedness gives no firm foundation. The bad man is insecure, as a tottering wall or a leaning fence. The good man is like the oak, firmly and widely rooted, which may defy a thousand blasts and storms.-J. Vers. 4 -11.-Blessings and miseries of domestic life. I. ELEMENTS OF HAPPINESS IN THE HOME. 1. The virtuous wife. (Ver. 4.) The word is literally" a woman of power," and the idea of force lies iii the word and the idea of virtue. Her moral force and influence makes itself felt in all the life of the household (eh. xxxi. 10; Ruth iii. 11). She is her husband's "crown of rejoicing" (comp. 1 'l.'hess. ii. 19), his glory a.nd pride. "A thousand decencies do da.ily :flow From a.11 her thoughts a.nd a.ctions." 2. Noble thoughts and words. (Ver. 5.) This expression includes, of course, noble words and deeds, and implies all that we speak of as high principles. And these are the very foundations and columns of the home. But expressly also the straightforward speech of the good man is named. (Ver. 6.) There is" deliverance" in the mouth of . the righteous; men may build upon his word, which is as good as his bond. 3. Hence, stability belongs to the house of the good man. (Ver. 7.) If we trace the rise of great families who have become famous in the annals of their country, the lesson is on the whole brought home to us that it is integrity, the true qualities of manhood, which formed the foundation of their greatness. On a smaller scale, the history of village households may bring to light the same truth. There are names in every neighbour- hood known as synonyms of integrity from father to son through generations. 4. P1'Udence is an indispensable element in character and reputation. But let us give the proper extension to the idea of prudence which it has in this book. It is the wide view of life-the mind "looking belore and after," the contemplation of all things in their long issues, their bearings upon God, destiny, and eternity. The prudence which often passes by that name may be no 1irudence in this high11r sense. 5. Self- help. (Ver. 9.) To be "king of two hands," and bear one'a part in every useful toil and art, to be e. true "working man," is the only honourable and true way of living. " Trust in thyself;" every heart vibrates to that iron string. "Heaven he! ps those who help themselves." Proverbs unite with experience to bid us lean upon the energies God has placed in brain and hand and tongue. He is never helpless who knows the secret of that self-reliance which is one with trust in God. 6. Mercifulness. (Ver. 10.) 'fhe good ma,n "knows the soul of his beast;" enters into their feelings, pains, and needs, and feeds them well. The Law of Moses is noted for its kiuduess to animals. .And in the East generally there is a deep sense that aniwals are not only the slaves of man, but the creatures of God. .A person's behaviour to dumb creatures is, like behaviour to women and children, a significant part of character. 7. Industry and diligence. (Ver. 11.) 'fhe picture of the hard-working farmer or peasant rises to tl:e mind's eye. Enough bread, competence, is ever conditioned by industry. 'l'imes may go hard with the farmer, but the evil that is foreseen and fought against by extra. diligence is no evil when it comes; and how seldom are the truly industrious known to want, even in the most unfavourable seasons! This is a bright picture of domestic 1:1oundness, happiness, and prosperity. Let us contrast it with- H. ELRMENTB OF MISERY IN TBE HOME. 1. The vicious wife. Like a canker in her 2'14 THE PROVERBS. [err. xn. 1-28.
husband's bones. The slothfnl, or drunken, or extravagant, or frivolous wife is the centre of all evil in the house; she is like a stagnant pool in a weed-grown garden. One may tell in many cases by the mere aspect of the house whether there be a good wife and mother dwelling there or not. 2. Unprincipled habits, (Ver. 6.) Where the speech is !mpure, _where th~re is mutual reserve and concealment, conspiracy and counter-conspiracy going on, neither truth nor love, how can a home be otherwise than cursed? 3. Fierce spite. (Ver. 6.) All spite is murderous, and if it does not issue in the last extreme of violence, at least it lacerates the heart, burns, and is self-con- ~uwiug. "'hen taunts, recriminations, answering again, fill the air of a house the very idea of the family and its peace must vanish. 4. Dissolution and breal;-up. There are homes that go to pieces, names that sink into obscurity, families that die out; aud a moral lesson may here too be often inferred. 6. Moral perversity is at the root of these evils (ver. 8). There is a twist in the affections, a guilty misdirection of the will. Contempt in others' minds reflects the moral basis, and prophesies its miserable end. 6. Idle vanity and pride, again, contrasted with that habit of honest self-help which is free from false shame, is another of the tokens that things are not going well. 'l'o be above one's situation, to shun humble employment, to stand upon one'~ dignity,-these are sure enough marks of want of moral power, and so of true stability. 7. Cruelty, again, to inferiors or to dumb creatures marks the corrupt heart. E-ven the comparative tenderness of the bad man is a spurious thing, for there is no real kindness from a heart without love. 8. The frivolous pursuit of pleasure, age.in, the "chase after vanity," opposed to steady industry, is one of the unfailina 0 accom- paniments of folly and conducements to failure, poverty, and misery. LEssoNs. 1. The indications of a sound state of things in the household, or the reverse, are numerous and manifold, but all connected together. Partial symptoms me.y point to widespread and deeply seated evil. 2. At bottom the one condition of happiness is the fear of God and the love of one's neighbour ; e.nd the cause of misery is a void of both.-J.