remains for ever trne; but there are states of society in which good women are aa numerous as Rre good men, and in which their influence is equally beneficial. I, THE IKJURIOUSNESS OF DAD WOMEN EXEMPLIFIES THE PllINCIPLE TIIAT THl!l ABUSE AND CORRUPTION OF GOOD TIDNGS IS OFTEN THE CAUSE OF THE WORST OF ILLS. IT. THE 'll"ICKEDlIEBS OF BAD WOMEN DISPLAYS ITSELF IN THEID HABIT OF ENIINARING THE FOOLISH; FOR THEY WILL NOT AND CANNOT SIN ALONE. !II. THE PRESENCE OF BAD WOMEN IN SOCIETY JS THE GREAT TEMPTATION TO WHICH MEN ARE LIABLE, AND THE GREAT TEST BY WHICII THEY ARE TRIED. IV. THE BITTERNESS OF BAD WOMEN MAY BY CONTRAST SUGGEST TIIE EXCELLENCE OF 'l'HE VIRTUOUS AND THE PIOUS, AND MAY PROMPT TO A GRATEFUL RECOGNITION OF THE INDEBTEDNESS OF SOCIETY TO HOLY AND KINDLY FElllININE INFLUENOES,-T. Ver. 1.-Reputation. There is ·much both of exalted· enjoyment and or valuable influence in a man's reputation. It is said of the great explorer and philanthropist, David Livingstone, that he used to live in a village in Africa until his "good name" for benevolence had been established and bad gone on before him: following his reputation, he was perfectly safe. A good reputation is- I. 'l'HE AROMA WHICH OUR LIFE SHEDS AROUND us. We are always judging one 11.nother; every act of every kind is appraised, though often quite unconsciously, and we stand better OT worse in the estimation of our neighbours for all we~ do and are, Our professions, our principles, our deeds, our words, even our manners and methods,- all these leave impressions on the mind concerning ourselves. What men think of us is the sum-total of these impressions, '.and constitutes our "name," oliT reputation. The character of a good man is constantly creating an atmosphere about him in which he will be able to walk freely and happily. It is indeed true that ~ome good men seriously injure their reputation by some follies, or even foibles, which might easily be corrected and which ought to be avoided; but, as a rule, the life of the pure and holy, of the just and kind, is surrounded by a radiance of good estimation, as advantageous to himself as it is valuable to his neighbours. II. THE BEST LEGACY WE LEA VE BEHIND us. At "the day of one's birth" there is rejoicing, because "a man is born into the world." And what may he not become? what may he not achieve? what may he not enjoy? But that is a question indeed. That infant may become a reprobate, an outcast; he may do incalculable, deplorable mischief in the world; be may grow up to suffer the worst things in body or in mind. None but the Omniscient can tell that. But when a good man dies, having lived an honourable and useful life, and having built up a noble and steadfast character, be has won his victory, he bas gained his crown ; and he leaves behind him memories, pure and sweet, that will live in many hearts and hallow them, that will shine on many lives and brighten them. At birth there is a possibility of good, at death there is a certainty of blessedness and blessing. 1. Reputation is not the very best thing of all. Character stands first. It is of vital consequence that we be right in the sight of God, and tried by Divine wisdom. The first and best thing is not to seem but to be right and wise. But then: 2, Reputation is of very great value. (1) It is worth much to ourselves; for it is an elevated and ennobling joy to be glad in the well-earned esteem of the wise. (2) It is of great value to our kindred and our friends. How dear to us is the good name of onr parents, of our children, of our intimate friends! (3) It is a source of much influence for good with our nei"hbours. How much weightier are the words of the man who has been growing in honiur all bis days, than are those of either the inexperienced and unknown man, or the man whose reputation has been tarnished 1-C.
Vers. 2-6.-17ie evil, tlte unprofitable, and the blessed thing. I. THE POSITIVELY EVIL TIIING . . " The laughter of fools," or '' the song of fools," may be pleasant enough at the moment, but it is evil; fur (l) it proceeds from folly, and (2) it tends to folly. Of the many things which are here implicitly condemned, there may be mentioned: 1. The irreverent or the impure jest or song. 2. 'l'be immoderate feast-particularly indu1genee in the tempting cup. 3. The society of the ungodly, sought in the way of friendship and enjoyment, as distinguished from the way of dut1 or of benevolenca. 4. The voice of flattery. 011. vn.1-29.] ECCLESIASTES ; OR, THE PREACHER. 186