moderation,it first enlightens the understanding, next quickens the whole spiritual nature, and finally tends to stirnulnte the health of the body. •• A man's wisdom maketh his face to shine" (eh. viii. 1). II. "WRITING MAKES A CORDECT MAN." If professional authorship in the Preacher's day was a nuisance, much more is it so in ours. Yet in book-writing lie advantages as well'.as disadvantages. If, on the one hand, the multiplication of books often signifies nothing more than an accumulation of literary rubbish, and a terrible infliction to those who must read them, on the other hand it secures the preservation and distribu- tion of much valuable knowledge; while if the knowledge is not valuable, the formal deposition ofit in a book, which may be quietly consigned to a library, secures that it shall not roam at large, to the disquieting of peace-loving minds. But, apart from the multiplication of volumes, tho habit of setting down one's thought.-1 in writing is attended by distinct advantages.. It promotes: 1. (Jlearness of thought. One who intends to write, more especially for the information of his fellows, must know what he purposes to say. The effort of putting one's ideas on paper imparts to them a definiteness of outline they might not otherwise possess. 2. Order in arrangement. No writer will, voluntarily, fling his thoughts together into a confused heap, but will strive to render them as lucid and luminous as possible. If for no other reason than this, the practice of preparing for public speech by means of writing is to be commendeJ. 3, Bre'IJity in expression. If brevity is the soul of wit, and loquacity the garment of dulness, then the sure way of attaining to the former, and avoiding the latter, is to write. III. "SPEAKING MAKES A READY MAN." "The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails.'' Though designed to apply to the wise man's "written words," the clause may be accepted as correct also with reference to his "spoken words." Like the former, the latter are as goads and nails. 1. They stimulate. The words of a practised speaker, always supposing him to be a wise man, incite the .minds and quicken the hearts of his hearer. The true preacher should be progressive, not only in his own discovery of truth, but in conducting his hearers into fresh fields of instruction, leading them out into "regions beyond," ea.using them to "forget the things that are behind, a.nd reach forward unto those things that are before," persuading them to "leave the first principles of Christ, and to go on unto perfection." 2. The'IJ abide. They lodge them- selves in the understanding and affections so firmly that they cannot be removed. Facility in arousing and fixing conviction can only be attained by diligent and wise cultivation of the art of speech. Vers. 13, 14.-" The conclusion of the whole matter;" or, "the whole duty of man." I. THE ESSENCE OF IT. 1. Tliefear of God. Not servile or guilty, but (1) reverential, such as the Divine greatness and glory are fitted to inspire (Deut. xxviii. 58; Ps. lxxxix. 7; Matt.. x. 28; Heb. xii. 28); (2) filial, such as a child might cherish towards a parent (Ps. xxxiv. 11; Heb. xii. 9). 2. The service nf God. Not that merely of external worship (Deut. vi. 11; Ps. xcvi. 9; Heh. x. 25), but that of inward devotion (John iv. 24), which expresses itself in the homage of the heart nnd life, or in the keP.ping of God's commandments-in particular of the three named by the Prcl\cher, charity, industry, hilarity (Cox). II. 'l'HE REASON OF IT, The certainty of judgment. 1. By God. He is the JuJge of all the earth (Gen. xviii. 25); the Judge of nil (Heb. xii. 23), who will yet judge the world in righteousness (Acts xvii. 31). 2. In the futui·e. Not merely here upon the cart.b, but also hereafter in the world to come (Dan. vii. 10; Matt. xi. ~2; xvi. 27; 1 Cor. iv. 6; 2 Tim. iv. 1). 3. Of worlcs. Not of nnlions or communities, but of individuals (Mark viii. 38; Rom. ii. 5, 6); not of open actions merely, but of secret things as well (Luke xii. 2; Rom. ii. 16; 1 Cor. iii. 13; iv. 6); not of good deeds only, but also of evil (2 Cor. v. 10; 2 Pet. ii. 9),
HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Ver. 1.-Youthful religion. The .Prenoher spoke from a hcnrt taught by Ion"' experience. Himself advanced in years, having enjoyed and suffered much, having 312 ECCLESIASTES; OR, THE PRBACHER. toH, XU. 1-14,