Vers. 30-34.-Thejidd of the slothful. Nothing is more characteristic of the Book o~ Proverbs than i~ scorn of sloth_fulne~s and its _stre~uous inculcation of industry. No doubt these subJects were especially important m view of the perennial indolence of Orientals. But slothfulness is not unknown in the West, and in the fierce com- petition of modern life a smaller indulgence in idleness will brina sure disasters. Men often blame their circumstances, the injustice of fate, etc., when they should accuse their own lack of energy. The difference between the successful and those who fail to ~ttain anything in life is more often than not just that between bard work and self- indulgent, easy living. Moreover, many men who are diligent in business are most slothful in spiritual matters. Hence applications of the parable in the present day. L THE STATE OF THE FIELD. 1. This is visible to the casual wayfarer, The writer simply "went by" it; yet he took in enough a.ta glance to understand its condition. A man's character is impressed upon his work. A slovenly man will have a slovenly hand. The neglected field and the ill-kept vineyard reveal the idle and foolish nature of their owner. 2. The field i,s seen to be in a miserable condition, (1) It is over- grown with tboros and nettles. It is not left empty if it is untilled. Weeds grow on the neglected land. If we fail to do our duty, positive mischief will follow. If we neglect the field of the world, briars of iguorance, folly, and sin will spring up; if we fail to train the vineyard of our own family, nettles of evil will appear in the minds of our children, to sting us for our indolence. Thus was it with Eli, who failed to rebuke his sons. If we do not cultivate the gardens of our own souls, rank weeds of sin will certainly grow up there and bear their poisonous fruits. (2) Its defences are brokrn down. The indolent man lets his walls fall into dilapidation. Thus bis property lies open to the robber and the destroyer. The wild boar from the wood will root up his vine. If we are not watchful and careful, evil will c9me in from without and spoil our work, our home, our souls. It needs ea.re to guard against aggression. IL THE CONDUCT OF THE OWNER. 1. It is slotliful. (1) His evil is negative. He commits no offence. Yet he is ruined. We may be undone by simple omission without any transgression. (2) His evil is in delaying to do his duty. He does not mean to forego it. He only postpones fulfilment. Yet he is ruined and disgraced. We owe duties to time. We do wrong by not accomplishing our work promptly, though we intend to accomplish it ultimately. \Ve have not unlimited time before us. To- day's neglected task cannot he performed to-morrow without hindering to-morrow's work. 'l'he foolish virgins failed by being too late. 2. Ie is self-indulgent. The sluggard enjoys his sleep. Selfishness is the root of idleness. But this, in turn, is stupefying. One does not note how the fresh morning glides away while he lies with ~is eyes closed in sinful sleep. So also the slumber of the soul that neglects the call to Its highest duty is a. eelfi11h sleep. 3. It is foolish. The sleep is a poor compensation for poverty and shame. III. TnE CERTAIN CONSEQUEN0EB. 1. Ruin follows. Poverty comes on the slothful man of business a.s a natural punishment. Poverty of soul, emptiness, fruitlessness, and finally death follow spiritual sloth. 2. This may be unsuspected. " Like a highwaynan." 3. It will be irresistible. The want will coma "as 11n armed man." GoKcLusrnN. Sloth is pcc·1liarly liable to creep into one's habits without being noticed. Therefore the need of vcr. 32. HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTI!ORS. Vera. 1, 2.- Warning against evil company. I. THE LOVE OF SOCIETY IS A :l<TATURAT, INSTINCT. II. EVIL COMPANY IS OFTEN MOST FASOINATING. III. THE ASSOCIATIONS THAT ARE FOUNDED UPON HERE FELLOWSHIP IN PLEASURF. ABE SELDOM SATISFACTORY, OFTEN CORRUPTING. IV. THE BAD MAN'S CO!tl:PANY IS MORE TO BE SHUNNED THAN THAT OF ONE SUFFERili0 FBOM A CONTAGIOUS DISEASE. "Wicked companions," said a man of the world, the novelist Fielding, "invite us to hell." "They are like to be short graces when the devil plays the host," said another.-J.
Vera. 3-6.-Wisdom edifies and invigorates. How fine a word is "edification," building up, in its moral and Christian uses I Here the image of the house is directly introduced, and may be variou~ly applied. I. WISDOM THE FOUNDATION OF DOMESTIC STABILITY AND HAPPINESS. (Vers. 3, 4.) The same great principles apply in the least as well as the most important things.·- Every day brings humble occasions for the practice of the grandest laws, no less in the house, the farm, or the shop, than in the council-chamber or on the battle-field. "Method is as efficient in the packing of firewood in a shed, or the harvesting of fruits in a. cellar, as in Peninsular campaigns or the files of a. department of state." Let a man keep the Law, and his way will be strewn with satisfactions. There is more difference in the quality of our pleasures than in the a.mount. Comfort and abundance in the home are the certain signs of prudence and sense and action constantly applied. II. WISDOM THE SOURCE OF MANLY STRENGTH. (Vers. 5, 6.) It was a great man who said, "Knowledge is power." It is not the force of brute strength, but that of spiritual energy, which in the long run rules the world. The illustration of the text is aptly selected from war, where, if anywhere, brute force might be supposed to prevail. Experience shows that it is not so. The complete failures of men like Hannibal and Napoleon show it in one way. Recent wars have illustrated the truth that it is the deliberate and matured designs of the strategist and far-seeing statesman which command success, rather than the "great battalion~" on the side of which Providence was said to be. And in another applicatioe, sheer force of intellect is often surpassed and outdone by the steady and constant employment of humbler powers. Strength in any form without prudence is like a giant without eyes. Violence and cmft may seem the readiest way to wealth; yet experience shows that prudeuco and piety lead most surely to desirable prosperity.-J.