Ver. '1.-The submissive spirit. Those who have a high appreciation of the more minute ecriptural correspondences will naturally find a reference here to the fact recorded in Matt. xxvii. 14. But we prefer to dwell on the submissiveness rather than the silence 1.,f our Lord, on the inward spirit rather than the outward incident. l. THE SUBMISSIVENESS OF OUR SA VIOUR's SPIRIT. The unspoken word of repining or reproach was of real value, because, in him, it indicated the unquestioning spirit, the nnre- sentful heart. 1. The spirit of acquiescence. There is a silent, sullen acceptance of fate which is removed from the spirit of obedient acquiescence as far as evil is distant [rom good. Our Lord's was the obedient spirit, that which cheerfully and heartily consented to the ordination of God. With willing hand be raised the bitter draught to his lips, and in the spirit of filial readiness he uttered those strengthening words," The cup which my Father has given me, shall I not drink it?" And in his attitude toward man there was not only the unresisting hand, but also : 2. The unrestmtfuZ heart. He did indeed declaim against the conduct of the scribes and Pharisees in uncompromising languago (Matt. x.xiii.), but we detect no note of personal vindictiveness; he is affected and inspired throughout by pure indignation. When he is illegally and shamefully smitten there is no touch of unholy resentment in his reply," If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil; but if well, why smitest thou me?" (John xviii. 23). And who, in this connection, can fail to remember the magnanimous prayer, breathed ln the midst of the most excruciating pain, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do" 'l II. THE SUBMISSION WHICH CHRIST ASKS OF us. He demands of us: 1. Absolute trust in the wisdom and goodness of God: not only the thankful acceptance of what is pleasant and prosperous, and the unhesitating acceptance of what is mysterious and insoluble by our human understanding, but also the willing acceptance of what is painful, grievous, distressing to the heart-the cherishing in our soul of an absolute assurance that, however dark and troublous be tbe hour that is passing over us, God is leading us by the right way to the heaveuly city. 2. A magnanimous attitude toward our fellow-men. (1) The absence of a vindictive spirit, and of resentful action: "Love. your enemies;" " Resist not evil," etc. Proceedings taken against a. violation or human law in the spirit of justice are not, inconsistent with the unrevengerul spirit of Christ. (2) The exercise of the broadest charity ; in our judgment of men, giving credit for the pure rather than the impure, the worthy rather than the unworthy, the public rather than the personal motive. (3) The practice of peacemaking; interposing on o.11 occa- sions tho.t otfer in the interest of peace. (4) The readiness to forgive. "So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if yefrom your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses" (Matt. xvili. 35).-C. Vers. 8-10.-The shortness but sufficiency of human life. "Who shall declare his generation ? for he was cut otf out of the land of the Ii ving." "He shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days." Here is a paradox in connection with our Master which finds a close correspondence in another connected with ourselves. I. THE BREVITY AND PERPETUITY OF OUR LoBD's CAREER. It was indeed true, as the prophet foresaw, that "he was cut otf," etc.; his days were few; his ministry was brief-counted by months rather than by years. There did not seem to be time enough in that short span, in a course so quickly run and so suddenly concluded, to accomplish anything great and far-reaching. But bow wide has his influence proved I how long has his Name been known Rnd his power been felt I How has he "prolonged hfa days" in the institutions he has founded which are existing now, in the truth he announced which is triumphing to-day over all other theories, in the spirit he co=unicated which is brtathing still in the laws, the literature, the habits, the language of mankind! Who shall declare his generation'/ Does he not "see his seed" in the countless children of his grace who flock to his standard, who bless bis Name, who call him Lord and Saviour and Friend! He who was so soon cut otf from the land of the living is proving himself to be the One who hath immortality as no other son of man has bad or ever will have. 808 THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET ISAIAH. [ou. un. 1-12.
II. THE SHORTNESS BUT THE BUFFICIENOY OF OUR MORTAL LIFE. 1. Our life belo,v is very brief. Scripture abundantly asserts it; observation is continually confirming it; experience is painfully proving it. It is not only brief, so far as the actual number of our years is concerned when compared with some animal life or with angelic existence or when contrasted with God's eternity; but it is brief so far as our own consciousnes~ is concern~d.. Its COJ?clusion seems to come with great rapidity and unexpectedness. In the cur10s1ty of cb1ldhood,_tbe eagerness of youth, the ambition and activity of early manhood, the cares and anx1et1es of prime and of declining days, our life hurries on and passes away, and, before we are looking for it, there comes the last summons and the day of departure. 2. But, short as it is, it is sufficient. It is Iona enoucrh for us to store our minds with heavenly wisdom ; to become reconciled to G~ ana° to take our stand with the wise and holy; to grow into the likeness of our Divine Exemplar; to bear witness to the truth of Christ; to exert an inflU'lnce which will never die. Our truest and best "see<l" are not found in the childre11 and grandchildren who are born to us, but in the spiritual results we have accomplished. We die and disappear, and the su.,ne on which our name is carved is overthrown, and. no man will speak of us again; but we, too, "shall prolong our da.ys" in the holy and beautii'ul characters men will be forming and the useful lives they will be living, because of the witness :we are bearing here and the work we are doing now.--C.