"Ver. 17.-Bear the other side. There is no truer, e.s there is no homelier maxim, tlrn.n that we should "hear the other side," or-what is virtually the same thing- " there are two sides to everything." This is the idea in the text; the lessons are- · J. WE SHOuLD NOT EXPECT ABSOLUTE ACCURACY WHEN A IIIAN TELLS HIS OWN CASE. 1. He may intentionally misrepresent it. 2. He may unconsciously misstate it. How things shape themselves to our mind depends on our individual standpoint; and when two men regard a subject from different and even opposite :points of view, they necessarily see it, and as necessarily state it, with considerable variation. Such are the limitations or our mental faculties, and such is our tendency to ·be biassed in our own favour, that no wise man will expect his neighbour to give him the whole case, without either addition, colouring, or omission, when he pleads his own cause. • II. °WE SHOULD REMEMBER THE INEQUALITY IN IIIEN'S CAPACITY OF PRESENTMENT. Some men can make a very lame cause look like a sound one; but others cannot give to a g0od calll!e the appearance or justice to which it is entitled, Truth often yields to· ad,·ocacv. • IIL WE SHOULD INSIST ON REARIS'G THE OTHER BIDE. This is due t6 both sides." 1. It is in the troe interest of the complainant, or be will persuade us to give him credence to which he is not morally entitled ; he will then wrong his brother; he will be au oppressor or a defamer; from this evil end we should save him by our good sense. 2. It is due to the defendant; for otherwise he will have judgment passed when thiugs have been left unspoken which certainly ought to be taken into the account. Justice imperatively demands that we should never condemn our neighbour ,up.til we liave heard what he has to say for himself. 3. It· iB due to' ourselves; otherwise we 11hall not be just, and it is our Saviour's express desire that we should "judge righteous judgment" (John vii. 24), and we shall not be like unto •1 him who' judgeth right- eously." Our Christian character will be_ incom1;>lete and our life will _be ?lemished. Moreover: 4. lt is due to the cause cf Oltrist; for 1f we condemn or acquit without full· and impartial inquiry, we shall do iujlll!tice to many, and we shall certainly do injury in many ways to the cause and kingdom of our Lord.--0.
Ver. 19.-Bn,thren, at strife. The reference in the text ill to- L A. DIFFICULTY EVERYWHERE ACKNOWLEDGED. It seems to have been universally fol t that a "brother offended" is very hard indeed II to be won." It is more easy to effect a reconciliation between strangers than between those united by ties of blood.· on. xvm. 1-24.) THE PROVERBS. 363