aroused by the dangers which manifestly threaten all, and the calamities which naturally fall on some. The class of waverera, who would fain be on the side of gc,od, but continu- ally fall away when temptation BSsails them, find their power of resistance strengthened by the perils of the time, which render sinful enjoyment insecure, and bring home to them the certainty that there is retribution in store for sin. Even among pronounced and habitual sinners there are apt to be some whom the novel circumstances of the time startle and induce to "consider their ways." It is an undeniable fact, that of such penitents a certain proportion repent with extreme earnestness, and become examples to the flock,'.advancing with the same impulse and fervour in the way of godliness as they formerly advanced in the" way which leadeth to destruction" (Matt. vii. 13). II. 'J.'HEY INOBEABE THE BERIOUBNEBS OF THE BETTER DISPOSED, AND BENDER THEM IIIOBE OIROUMSPEOT AND STBICT IN THEIR CONDUCT. Men are aware, under ordinary circumstances, that they may at any moment be summoned to meet their Judge. But they do not commonly realize the possibility. It is one of the effects of great national judgments-war, pestilence, famine-that they force on men the consideration of the peril in which they stand, and compel them to contemplate death as near, and their own speedy demise BB probable. They lead men's thoughts to existence beyond the grave, BDd encourage them to prepare for the great change which death will make in their condition. They break in upon the placid calm of everyday life, which laps so many souls in an elysium of unconsciousness, BDd remind men of their Lord's solemn injunction to them : "Watch" (Mark xiii. 37). III. THEY GIVE OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE EXEBOISE OF THE HEBOIO VIRTUES, AND HAVE THUS AN h'LEVATING AND PURIFYING INFLUENCE ON THE BEST JIIEN. There is more room for self-devotion in times of national calamity than under any other circum- stances. ThousBDds are thrown upon the charity of their neighbours. The suffering which exists is at once quasi-universal BDd extreme. Much danger has to be encountered in its relief. The best men at such times give themselves up wholly to the task of alleviating their neighbours' woes. Singly, or in bands, they go forth, fling themselves into the thick of the struggle, and do their best to relieve the general distress and misery. Whether they succeed or whether they fail in their object of helping others, they do not, cannot fail in one thing-the improvement of their own characters. Their " dross " is certain to be " purged away" by their unselfish efforts, BDd the pure metal of their virtue to shine forth ever more and more, as time goes on, free from all alloy of pride, or vanity, or self-seeking. Affliction has also a purifying effect on the individual. "Whom the Lord loveth, he chasteneth," etc. 'l'hus only can "patience have her perfect work" (Jas. i. 4). Thus only can faith be tried (1 Pet. L 7) and strengthened. Thus only can " the fellowship of Christ's sufferings" (Phil. iii. 10) be known and realized. But this branch of the subject lies outaide of Isaiah's teaching in the present chapter,
HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Vera. 1-9.-Jehovah arraigns his people. I. lNGBATITUDE THE BASEST oF BINB. He, the Father, has been faithlessly forsaken by ungrateful sons. This is the worst form of ingratitude. " Filial ingratitude I Is it not as this mouth should tear this hand For lifting fJOd to 't ? " (' King Lear.') It has been said that "The wretch whom gratitude once fail~ to bind, To truth or honour let him lay no claim, But staud oonfess'd the bTute disguised in man." But the brutes are grateful; while Jehovah's sons seem to have neither memory nor understanding. Man, by his nature, if he does not rise above, must sink below, the level of the beast. There is nothing more hateful, then, because more radically a.miss and evil, than ingratitude. It is, great men have said, the sum of guilt and evil, worse than any taint of the blood, more odious than lying, vainness, babbling, drunkenness. H THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET ISAIAH.