to be found. Terror and trembling are upon those who dwell ln the lelands of the deep. Where Tyre reared herself in opulence, grandeur, and pride, the eea breaks upon the deserted rocks, and upon the ruins strewn in disorder by the lonely shore, The waters engulf the merchants, the seafaring men, and all those who minister to the pomp and pleasures of a wealthy and luxurious city. Tyre is as though it had not been; men seek the city, and it is not found. I. THE GRIEF AND LAMENTATION OF THOSE WBO SHARED IN THE CITY'S PROSPERITY AND GREATNESS, AND WBO LOSE AND SUFFER BY 1TB FALL, Some survived the destruc- tion of Tyre, to cherish the memory of days of wealth and feastina, haughtiness and b0asting. Some escaped with life, but with the loss of all which "to them made life precions. And others, who had brought their merchandise to the great Phmnician emporium, now found no market for the commodities they produced. For all such material loss gave sincerity and even bitterness to their mourning and woe. • II. THE GRIEF AND LAMEJ>'TATION OF THOSE WBO WITNESSED THE CITY'S DESTRUCTION, AND WHO WERE DlPRESSED AND APPALLED BY THE SPECTACLE, Ezekiel himself was one of these. Even the conquerors could scarcely fail to feel the pathos of the situation, and to cherish some sympathy for the city whose splendour and power their arms had brought to an end. The ruin of Tyre was a loss to the nations of the world. Embody- ing, as the city did, the world-spirit, civic and commercial greatness, it must needs have awakened poignant feelings of desolation in the hearts of many who had no personal, material interest in Tyrian commerce. The lesson of the frailty and perish- ableness of earthly greatness, even if its moral side was missed, could not but impress the historical imagination. !II. Tm: GRIEF AND LAMENTATION OF THOSE WHO IN AFTER-TIME INQUIRE FOB THE CITY WHOSE GREATNESS AND SPLENDOUR ABE RECORDED IN TRADITION AND IN HISTORY. The traveller who, impelled by curiosity or by historical interest, seeks for the site of Tyre the magnificent, learns that every trace of the city has vanished. Some ruined. deserted cities, famous in story, leave behind them some ruin, some memorial, to which imagination may attach the traditions of the past. But for Tyre the traveller can only inquire from the waves that beat upon the shore, from the rocks where the fishermen spread their nets. "Though thou be sought for, yet shalt thou. never be found again, saith the Lord God." IV. THE TEMPOBABY AND DEPABTED SPLENDOURS OF EARTH SUGGES'l' BY CONTRAST ETERNAL AND UNFADING GLORY. Who can contemplate the ruin of such a city ae Tyre without being reminded of "the city which hath foundations, whose Builder and Maker ie God" ? which the glory of God illumines with nightless splendour, and into which are brought the glory and honour of the nations ?-T. Vera. 1-6.-0ollision between man's plans and Gorl:s plans. Appearance Is never a safe guide. It might seem to a. carnal eye as if the downfall of Israel would bring worldly ad vantage to Tyre. But that prospect was soon overcast. Righteous obedience is the only safe guide to men. The path may be, for a time, rough and dark, yet it will bring ue into a paradise of light. I. NATIONAL SELFISHNESS IS BIN. Nations have their vices as well as individual persons. -If the leaders of a nation cherish evil purposes or pursue evil plans, unchecked by the subjects of the realm, the whole nation contracts guilt. Yet if one person ~r more, moved by better feelings, discountenances the national deed, that person 13 exculpated from the common blame, and shall be owned by God. The protection of Noah and his family, of Lot and his daughters, amid the general destruction, proves the fatherly care of God for individuals. The single grain in a heap of chaff shall be cared for by God. II. AN OFFENOE DONE TO A NATION I8 AN OFFENCE AGAINST Goo. Tyre had rejoiced in Jerusalem's overthrow. Instead of lamenting Israel's sins, the people of Tyre had room only for one thought-their own selfish advantage. The trade of Jerusale~ would flow to Tyre. This calamity in Israel would bring a talent or two of gold mto the pockets of Tyrian traders. What base ground for jubilation I No matter what suffer- ing or humiliation the Jews may endure, Tyre would add to the smart by !aunt and triumph. But God is not deaf. Into his ears every sound of selfish bonstrng came. Re weighs every thought and word of man in his balances of justice. That selfish OH. XXVI. 1-21.] THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET EZEKIEL. 77
taunt will not float idly on the summer gale. It is a grief to Jehovah, and he will repay. "The Lord exccuteth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed." In all human affairs, individual or national, God has a real interest. He will never be left out of the account. III. SELFISH PLANS ARE DOOMED TO REVERSE. Tyre had said," I shall be replenished." God said," I will make her like the top of a rock." Tyre had" reckoned without her host." Instead of security, she was to be inundated with invasion. Instead of wealth, there should be want. Instead of glory, desolation. Her selfish hope should burst like a bubble. The golden eggs she expected soon to be hatched proved to be the eggs of a cockatrice. Selfish greed is a bad investment. The desire to promote our national interests, to the injury of another nation, is not patriotism; it is selfish envy and pride. Triumph over another's fall is base, is diabolic. IV. SECULAR LOSSES OFTEN BRING BEAL GAIN. " They shall know that I am the Lord." This is a gain of the noblest kind-a gain that is abiding and permanent. Such knowledge is better than rubies. The bulk of men will not learn this lesson in the day of prosperity, but in the cloudy days of adversity, when all earthly good has vanished, the lesson stands out clearly before their eyes. Some earthly sciences are best learnt in the dark. This knowledge of God is best learnt in the dark hour of affliction. For when all human calculations have failed, and all human plans have collapsed, men are compelled to feel that an unseen hand has been working, an unseen Being has been presiding in their affairs. Of a truth, "the Lord reigneth."-D.