idols P" (oh. x. 11). It was of a piece with theee boasts to give the Jews t.o undentanrl that the voice of God had ordered the expedition, which, therefore, was certain to be eucceeeful. In all probability thie boast was a purely gratuitous one, not grounded Up<Jn any even supposed orode or announcement. It was hoped that it might alarm some of the Jews, o.nd induce them to go over to the enemy, or at least stand aloof from the contest. A few weeks-perhaps o. few days-showed the baselessness of the assertion. Ho.d God ordered the expedition, he would have prospered it; had he "given the Assyrian& o. charge," he would ho.ve caused them "to take the spoil, and to take the prey, o.nd to treo.d Judah down like the mire of the streets" (eh. x. 6). But the boast was wholly false. God had, in fact, declared himself against the expedition (eh. xxxi. 8), and had promised his protection to Jerusalem (eh. xxxi. 5). The event was in the fullest accord with these aunouncements, and put to shame the Assyrian, with his vain ho:.sts (eh. xxxvii. 36). In all ages, boasters have declared that they would destroy tbe Church. Epiphanes, Galerius, Julian, Mohammed, designed and attempted the extirpation of true religion. Tbey boasted beforehand that they would succeed. In the event they egregiously failed. So, in our own day, pseudo-science declares that it is just about to sweep away Christianity from the earth. The wretched effete religion is, the scientists maintain, on its last legs, dwindling, dying, just about to disappear. But year by year, month by month, day by day, facts give their predictiom the lie. The Church remains firm upon its Rock, against which the gates of hell will never prevail. Christianity declines to disappear at the scientist's bidding, and, as time goes on, seems continually to obtain a firmer grasp upon the mind of the age. Scientific extravagance provokes a religious reaction, and these are signs in various quarters of a real" Nemesis of Faith." If the tree has contracted its shadow, it has struck its roots more deeply ; and is more capable of resisting storms and tempests than of yore. Christiane may calmly await the verdict which events will pronounce, and meanwhile will do well not to let themselves be greatly alarmed by the proud boasts and confident predictions of their adversaries. Sennacherib's boasts had an unsatisfactory issue. Ver. 21.-Si7ence the best answer to many an argument. "Speech is silvem," it has been said; "but silence is golden." "Answer not a fool according to his folly," says the wise king (Prov. xxvi. 4)-an injunction no doubt balanced to some extent by the counter-phrase, "Answer a fool according to his folly "-which immediately follows (Prov. xxvi. 5). No universal rule can be given. "'l'here is a time to speak, and a time to keep silence" (Eccles. iii. 7) ; and the wisdom of the wise is shown in few things more strikingly than in their faculty of discerning the right time for each. But the tendency to err is on the side of speech, nnd the practical want with most men is to know when they should refrain from uttering the words which rush so readily to their lips; and keep silence," though it be pain and grief to them" (Pe. xxxix. 2, Prayer-book version). A few suggestions on this point may be serviceable. ' I. SrLENOE IS TO DE PREFERRED TO SPEECH WHEN THE II FOOL" IB ALONE, AND IS EVIDENTLY AWARE OF THE WORTHLESSNESS OF ms OWN ARGUMENTS. Great numbers of persons argue merely for the sake of arguing, having no care for truth, and no belief in the validity of their own reasoninge. It is o. waste of time to argue with such; they ho.ve no real convictions, no seriousness;- and it is impossible to impress them, however clearly we prove them to be in the wrong. II. SILENOE IS TO DE PREFERRED TO SPEECH WHEN WE HA VE REASON TO BELIEVE THAT SPEECH ON OUR PART WILL ONLY DRAW FOIITH IMPIETY AND. BLASPHEMY FROM OU!\ OPPONENTS. The principle here is tho.t involved in our Lord's injunction: " Give not that which is holy unto the doge, neither cast ye your pearls before swine" (Matt. vii. 6). The truth is desecrated by being put ~fore persons wholly unfit fur it, as avowoo infidels and blasphemers. They are provoked by opposition to further sins, which are an offence to God, injurious to themselves, and shocking to others. III. SILENOE IS TO DE PREFERRED TO BPEEOH WHEN WE FEEL OURSELVES ILL EQUIPPED FOB 0ONTBOVERSY, AND KNOW THE GAINSAYER TO BE WELL EQUIPPED. It is difficult to estimate the injury done to the cause of truth by well-meaning persons, of little natural ability and lees acquired learning, who attempt to o.nswer the attacks of well-read and clever sceptics. The beet cause may be not only injured, but lost, so far as the immediate occasion goes, by the unekilfulness of its advocates. Ordinary unlearned persons should 'l'HE BOOK OF THE PROPHET ISAIAH. [ou, uxvL 1-22.
decline to argue with eduoated unbelievers, and refer them to thoae skilled defenders of the truth, who have never been laoking in any age, 1md who are numerous ln the preaent, Jn a oourt of justice a man is regarded as a fool who pleads his oause in person •lnst 11 proft1111ional lawyer. He ehould equally deollne to plead the oauae of rellglon against 11 profelllional impugner of I',