She is not slothful in business, but glowing in spirit, and all that she does is done with heart. (4) Her benevolence. Her thrift is not of the odious form which begins and ends with home, and breeds a sordid miserliness out of hard-won gains. Her open hand outstretched to the poor (ver. 20) is one of the most winning traits in the picture. She has no lack of good herself, and always something over for the needy. (5) H,rr care both for comfort and for ornament. (Vera. 21, 22.) Both the very spheres of woman's activity. But she observes their: true order. Her first thought is for the health of her household; she provides the warm "double garments" against the winter's snow. Her leisure is occupied with those fine works of artistic needlework by which elegance and beauty are contributed to the scene of home. Refinement ad-Jming comfort,-this is the true relation. In finery without solid use and comfort there is no beauty nor worth. II. FURTHER TRAITS AND DETAil.S OF THE PICTURE. (Vers. 23-31.) 1. She reflects consideration on her husband. Her thrift makes him rich; her noble character gives him additional title to respect. His personality derives weight from the possession of such a treasure, the devotion of such a heart. Her business capacity, her energy, and the quiet dignity of her life and bearing; the mingled sense and shrewdness, charm and grace of her conversation (vers. 24--27) ;-are all a source of fame, of noble self- complacency, of just confidence to the man who is blessed to call her "mine." 2. H,rr life and work earn-for her perpetual thanks and benedictions. (Vera. 28, 29.) Her children, as they grow up, bless her for the inestimable b_oon of a mother's care and love. She has revealed to them God; and never can they cease to believe in goodness so long as they recollect her. She basks in the sunshine of a husband's constant approval. "Best of wives!"" Noblest of women!" is the thought ever in his heart, often on his lips. 3. It is religion which gives enduring worth and immortality to character. (Vers. 30, 31.) Beauty is a failing charm or a deception of the senses. But religious principle gives a. spiritual beauty to the plainest exterior. Being and doing from religious motives, to religious ends,-this is a sowing for eternal fruits. .And the works of love for God's sake and man's fill the air with fragrance to the latest end of time, and are found unto praise, honour, and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.-J. Vere. 1-3.-Motherhood. We have not many words from women's lips in the inspired record, and we may therefore esteem the more highly those we possess. The verses bring out- I. THE STRONG CLAIMS OF MOTHERHOOD. "The eon of my worn b; ,, " the son of my vows." These claims are based upon: 1. Motherhood as such. Upon all that motherhood means to us; upon the fact that the mother has borne her child, has cherished him at her own breast, has watched over his infancy and childhood with sedulous care, has shielded and succoured him, has fed and clothed him ; as we say in one word-has "mothered" him. 2. Motherly training and dedication. The early experiences of the mother include much beyond the physico.l realm; they include the education of the intellect, the training of the will, the first imparting of religious instruction, the solemn dedication of her child to the service of God, repeated and earnest prayer on his behalf. Her child is not only her offspring; he is "the son of her vows," the one on whom she has expended her most fervent piety. 3. Maternal a_tfec- tion and anxiety. The words of Lemuel's mother are charged with deep affection and profound solicitude. .And it is those who truly love us, and who are unselfishly devoted to our interest, that have the strongest claim upon us. A claim which is only that of natural relationship, and is not crowned and completed by affection, falls very short indeed of that which is strengthened and sanctified by sacrificial love. II. THE HOPE OF MOTHERHOOD. The mother hopes for good and even great things for and from her child; he is to stand among the stronir, the wise, tho h()noured, the useful. III. ITS BITTER AND CRUEL DISAPPOINTMENT. When the son of much sorrow and prayer, of much patient training and earnest entreaty, who had a noble opportunity before him-when he virtually signs away his inheritance," gives his slrength" to tho destroyer, takes the path which leads to entire dethronement and ruin, then is the1 ,1 such a bitter and such a cruel disappointment ae only a mother's heart can foe! a11<l know. Then perishes a fond and proud and precious hope; then enters and tato• possession a saddening, a crushing sorrow. 608 THE PROVERBS. [ou. xxxr. 1-31.
IV. ITs RIGHT TO REMONSTRATE. "What, my son? This of thee ?-of thee whom I have loved and taught and trained? of thee for whom I have yearned and prayed? of thee from whom I have had a right to hope for such better things? Oh lose not thy fair heritage! take the portion, live the life, wear the crown, still within' thy reach! " A true and faithful mother has a right which is wholly indisputable and stron"'0 with surpassing strength, to speak thus in affectionate expoMtulation to' one who owes so much to her, and has returned her nothing. And what is- V. 'l'HE FILIAL DUTY? Surely it is to receive such remonstrance with deep respect, to give to it a patient and dutiful attention; to take it into lon"' and earnest considera~ tion; to resolve that, cost what it may, the path of penitenc~ and renewal shall be trodden ; that anything shall be endured rather than a mother's heart be pierced by the hand of her own child !-C.