his son to do what he has not done himself. God first gives his heart to his child, and then seeks the child's heart in return. V. THE HEART MUST BE GIVEN VOLUNTARILY TO Goo. God is Lord of 1111, and he has a right to enforce universal obedience. But he cares not for loveless, compulsory service. Therefore he condescends to wait for willing devotion, and to ask for the heart of his son. 1. Perhaps the heart is not yet given to God. God seeks what he has not received. 2. The heart _can only be given by decision of will. We shall remain away from God unless we decide to respond to the call of our Father, and freely offer him our hearts. Vers. 31, 32.-The d,a,nger of strong drink. I. IT IS TERRIBLY FASCINATING. 1. It is beaut,ful to the eye. The wine sparkles in the cup. 2. It is palatable. Though children at first shudder at it, as at some unnatural product, the early dislike is easily surmounted, and then nothing can be more attractive. 3. It is exhilarating. It aives pleasurable excitement, stimulates jaded energies, enlivens conversation, drowns so;row and promises still larger enjoyments. 4. It is recommended by social influences. Good: Jellowship seems to go with the use of strong drink. In some circles to decline it appears unsociable. II. IT IS FEARFULLY DANGEROUS. The mischief is not seen at first. It is "at last" that "it biteth like a serpent." Hence its snake-like deception, as well as the deadli- ness of its venom. But this venom is so deadly that 1111 need to be warned against its fatal consequences. It bites in many places; e.g.: 1. The purse. Money runs out like water, business fails, the home is wrecked and broken up as the effect of this serpent- bite of strong drink. 2. The health. The firm hand becomes palsied, the bright eye dimmed, and the strong body diseased when this venom of intoxication is in the blood. 3. The mental powers. The brain is weakened with the body. Thought is paralyzed or reduced to inanity. The lawyer, the doctor, the scholar, lose the faculties neces- sary for their avocations. 4. The moral nature. The one sin of intemperance too often debauches the conscience and prepares the way for other sins (see ver. 33). 5. Reputa- tWT1,. The drunkard loses his character. His good name vanishes in smoke when this deadly serpent lays hold of him. 6. Soul-life. This, too, is poisoned and slain. Religion is wrecked. The drunkard cannot enter the kingdom of heaven. ill. IT SHOULD BE UTTERLY SHUNNED. It is urged that all these indisputably evil things only come from drinking to excess. They are the results of the abuse, not of the use of strong drink. Men should be wise enough to take warning, and not to go to excess with what, used in moderation, is perfectly harmless. This was not the opinion of the wisest man. He not only urged his reader to refrain from excess; he would have him not even look at the fascinating cup, lest he. should be ensnared by its snake-like charms. Many things concur to demand this extra caution. 1. The terrible extent and evil of intemperance. This is no small failing, but a national vice, and a source of wide and awful wretchedness. .As no ordinary enemy has to be faced, so no ordinary means will secure us against it. 2. The insidious nature cif the temptation. It works by slow <legrees. At first it appears to be harmless. The fatal steps lead down slowly and without a shock of surprise, till it is too late to return. It is best to hold back at first. 3. The needkssness of the strong drink. Except in particuhr conditions of weakness and illness, it is not required. To renounce it is not to sacrifice any really good thing,
HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Vers. 1-8.-Hints and warnings on =duct. I. PERILS OF COURTLY LIFE. (Vers. 1-3.) The Arab proverb says, "He who sups with th1 ~ultan burns his lips," and, "With kings one sits at the table for honour's sake, not lor that of appetite." Horace says that kings are said to press dainties and wine upon those whom they desire to scrutinize and test, as to whether they be worthy of friendship. The caution is therefore oue dictated by prudence. And in general it may be thus understood: Beware of going to places and frequenting_ society where watchfulness and prudence are likely to be overborne; and take care that the body, by being pampered, becomes not the master of the soul en. xxm. 1---35.] THE PROVERBS. 451