Vera. 11, 12.-Tlie reward of thefaitliful. The vine was cultivated very generally in eomo pC1rts of Palestine, and afforded the Hebrew poets and prophets many similitudes, especially of the life of the nation and the Church. The incident related in these verses is npo.rt from the main interest and plot of the work, but to whomsoever it refers---and it is conjectured to refer to certain rustic brothers of the bride-it suggests valuable epiritua.l lessons concerning the moral government of God and the resprmsibility of men. I. A 'l'l\UtlT GRAOIOUBLY COMMITTED. As Solomon let out his vineyard at Baal-hamon to certain tenants, so the Divine Lord and Ruler of all has appointed for each one of Ui! a certain province of opportunity for improvement and for service. This is more strikingly the case with regard to those who occupy positions of eminence, but in reality such is the position of every intelligent and reasonable creature of God. 'vVe are tenants to whom his goodness has assigned a sphere of action in which we may be negligent or diligent, responsive to his behests or indifferent to his claims. H. A TRUST FAITHFULLY FULFILLED. In the parable the keepers or tenants are represented as having cultivated the vineyards entrusted to them with skill and success, so that they were able to pay the king the rent which was agreed upon or the tribute which he required. In this they are representatives of ali those who, having received privileges and enjoyed opportunities, turn them to good account. The scholar who cultivates his mind, enlarges his knowledge, and fits himself to influence aright the opinion and convictions of his less-favoured fellow-men; the man of wealth who employs his riches in a spirit of wise and expansive knowledge; the Christian minister who cultivates the corner of the spiritual vineyard committed to his care; every faithful child of God who diligently and prayerfully endeavours to do the will of the heavenly Husbandman, may be said to be faithful in his discharge of the obligations of his trust. III. FIDELITY TO THE TRUST AMPLY RECOGNIZED AND REMUNERATED. Whilst the king received his thousand pieces of silver, the cultivators of the vineyard were rewarded with two hundred pieces as the recompense of their toil. And God snffers no faithful labourer to be the loser by his service. True, the recompense may not be material or temporal. Many a diligent servant of God is allowed to live a life of privation and to die in poverty. But there is a rich reward reaped by such a faithful trustee and steward of God's grace. He has the recompense of a good conscience; he may have the affec- tionate gratitude of some whose best interests he has promoted; and he certainly has the approval of him who can appoint to a higher ministry, who can confer lasting honours and true blessedness.-T.
Ver.13.-.The longed-for voice. "The companions hearken for thy voice: cause me to hear it." Such is the closing utterance of the royal spouse, who thus invites the bride to give expression to the feelings that animate her breast. May we not believe that the King of kings, who is yet the Lover and the Friend of his Church, in similar language asks for the free communication of the Church's purest thoughts and best desires? Welcome to the Saviour is the outpouring of his people's hearts. Never can they speak to meet with inattention and disregard from him upon whom their all depends. I. CHRIST DELIGHTS IN THE VOIOE OF BIS PEOPLE'S LOVE. He has not refrained from assurances of his love towards us, and he expects that we shall not repress the utterance of our affection towards him. His kindness evokes our affection, and that affection can- not be speechless ; it must needs find a voice, whilst its e.x:pression will ever be welcome and grateful to his tender heart. Il. CHRIST DELIGHTS IN THE VOIOE OF BIB PEOPLE'S SINCERE SUPPLICATIONS. The relation being such as it is, our addresses to our Lord must be constantly taking the form of prayer. There is no reason why we should withhold our petitions. We are altogether dependent upon him, and in our dependence he takes plea.sure, because 'it affords him the opportunity of constantly displaying his kindness. When we come into his presence as suppliants, we do not come unbidden. "Cause me," says Christ, "to hear thy voice." III. CHRIST DELIGHTS IN THE VOI0E OF BIB PEOPLE'S GRATITUDE AND PRAISE, For such acknowledgments there is incessant occasion. He does not cease to give, nor should we cease to bless the Giver. If supplication is the special exercise of the Church ou earth, praise is the undying exercise of the Church iu heaven. Gratitude 1md adoration arn as immortal as is love itself.-T. SONG OF SOLOMON, p HOMILETICAL INDEX TO
THE SONG OF SOLOMON.