The Pulpit Commentary — Song of Songs — Section 98

to be cbamberlRins in his palace, and to introduce guests to bi's banquet-table, His employment of us in this sacred and noble work is an unspeakable honour. A consecrated man is sure to become a guide to others, whether he fill an office in the Church or not.. 'l'he pious women who talked with each other of Christ in the cottao-o 1wch at Elstow led John Bunyan into the friendship of Christ. As men who ha;e travelled through a term inrognita erect guide-posts for those who may follow, so every friend of Christ will find a heaYenly plea.sure in guiding wayward feet into the right way. Never wa.s Paul the llpostle a nobler man than when he put into words the burning desire of bis heart," I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh." 2. Diligent searcli is always rewarded. If, in self-diffidence, we follow the light of Scripture, sooner or later we are sure to succeed. "Then ~hall we know, if \vc follow on to know the Lord." Men have searched long for tl1e philosopher's stone and for the secret of perpetual motion-ha1•e searched long, and searche<l in vain. But no sincere lover of Christ yet sought him and failed to find him. Not more surely may you expect a harvest where you have sown good seed than success from seeking Cnrist, It prevails with the unifo11n regularity of law. "Then shall we find him when we seek. him· with all the heart." Wben there is a seeking sinner a.ud a seeking Saviow-, they are sure to meet ere long. Calvary is an old trysting-place. 3, Genuine love appropriates Ghrist. "I held him." We naturally value anything a great deal more if we have' taken many pains to acquire it. A jewel is valued for its rarity as well as for its intrinsic beauty. There is but one Christ; hence when we find him we hold him fast. But in what way can we hold Lim? We bold him by frequent communing with him. We hold him fast when we hourly try to please him. We hold him if our love is strong and fra.'5rrant. We hold him if in our heart-garden there are ripe frnits of holiness.· We hold'liim if there is harmony of purpose, will, and life. He loves companionship. 4. Every attempt of Jes'/J,S to depart is energetically resisted. "I would not let him go:." In· this way Jerns often tests our love. We have displeased him, and he rises to depart:' 1 'Then will we confess the evil thing? Will we make some fresh self-sacrifice in order to detain him? He is not easily offended. He hateth putting_ away. But he loves to see in us a delicate sensitiveness of feeling. lie delights to find a tender and childlike affection. It is for our highest good that he should .be appreciated. As he did at Emmaus he sometimes deals with us: "he made as though he would have gone further; but they constrained him." .And now he gladly yields to our constraints. It brings him delicious joy to feel the embraces of our lol'e. If he can only strengthen and elevate our love, he has conferred on us the very highest good. If love grows, every grace will grow. If love grows, we grow like Christ. And this is love's firm resolve, "I would not let him go." ' • Ill. JEsus MADE KNOWN. "Until I had brought him into my mother's house." 1. We wish our best friend to a«,0mpany us everywhere. The genuine disciple desires to take Jesus with him into every circle and into every occupation. He is not conteo't to have Jesus only on sabbath days and on special occasions. He wants Jesus always at his side-yea, better, always in his heart. He has no friend whom he cannot introduce to Jesus. He has no occupation, no recreation, he wants to keep from the eye of Jesus. Into every chamber of the house Jesus is welcome. He is a fitting Guest for every room, a fit Companion on every journey, a fitting Partner in every enterprise. We do all things in the name of Jesus. 2. This language suggests l,enevoknt effort for our households. Love is generous. Having found such spiritual treasure in Jesus, we want every member in our household, viz. children; parents, servants, to share in the "unsearchable riches." " I brought him into my ·mother's house." Happy the n;tan who can testify tliat I If we are under tremendous obligations to earthly parents, how can we better discharge the debt than by making them partakers of Christ? 3. This language suggests our usefulness to the Church. As we give to the imagery of this book a spiritual interpretation, so may we properly regard our mothor's bvuse as the Church on earth. This is our true .Alma Mater. We bring the Bridegroom with us into the Church. We cannot enjoy our piety aldne. Wo inspire the wholo Church with a nobler life. Our sacred Juve to Jesus is a contagion. Others feel the hea,·enly charm, and the_y desire to have Jesus too. And from the Church the benefit extends to the whole world. Would that all men knew our Lord !:.._D, CIT, Ill. 1-11.] THE SONG OF SOLOMON. 87