seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death" (Prov. xiv. 12). There are p.'iths that attract us, that we enter upon with keen expectanoy, that we pursue with pleasure, but that, in time, we find to be wrong ; then is it best to turn back, and to " return on our way " a,t once. I. MISTAKEN PATHS. Such as those of: 1. &travagance. A larger expenditure of our means than we can properly afford, pointing toward and loading to financial embarrassment and grave difficulty and distress. 2. Unregulated activity. Such mental or physical work as, either in measure or in method, draws too largely on our resources, and ends in nervous disorder or some serious illness. 3. Self-indulgence ; either in unwholesome literature or in the grosser gratifications of the flesh. 4. A sceptical, habit. The disposition, which in time becomes a habit, to regard everythincr with a cynical and distrustful eye, and would rather accept the uncharitable view tha~ the generous one. 5. Worldliness. The way in which the multitudes are walking; the endeavour to find satisfaction and rest in the interests and engagements, in the treasures and the pleasures, of time and sense. II. A OONVICTION WHICH COMES FROM Gon. The conviction that the way that has been chosen is the wrong one. This assurance may come through one of many channels; it may be the utterance of one of many voices; it may be the solemn warning of some providential occurrence; or if may be the faithful rebuke of a true and fearless friend; or it may be a deep and bitter sense of insufficiency, of failure, of heart-ache, of perversion of power and misuse of opportunity, a sense of wrong and sin; or it may be the direct enlightenment and appeal of the Spirit of God. But the conviction is written on the tablet of the sonl that the way is wrong; a voice is heard in the inner chambers of the spirit. "Turn back, return on thy way,pursue a different course, start in an opposite direction, seek another and a better goal." ill. THE WISDOM OF RETURNING. 1. We can afford to return. It may cost us something; there may be some companions to forsake, but these are best at a distance; there may be some tender regrets, but these are temporary and will .soon be left behind; there may be some humiliation to endure, but this is not of an unmanly kind, bnt, on the contrary, honourable and commendable; there may be some sacrifice of enjoyment or of treasure, but this can very well be borne with a moderate measure of fortitude,-we shall very soon reconcile ourselves to that. But: 2. We cannot afford to go on. If we do, we must prepare for the very worst that we can suffer; the wrong road leads not only to embarrassment, but also to saddest loss, to bitter disappointment, to helplessness, to ruin, to death. Moreover, God has met us with a Divine encourage- ment. He has taught us that: 3. There is a, way upward, which we can all take. One has come to us to say, "I am the Way." Intimate association, living union, with him is the way of wisdom, the way of righteousness, the way of life.-O.
Ver. 11.-Spiritual security. We may treat this subject in two wnys. We may have regard to- I. NATIONAL SECURITY. Unfortunately, it is only too typical of our race that a great power should say, "I will go up to the land of unwalled villages," etc. Ta.king men and nations as they a.re, we have to reckon upon : 1. National unscrupulousness. It has been enough that one country has been strong and another weak, one covetous and another wealthy, one well armed and another defenceless, for the military enterprise to be undertaken, the attack to be delivered, and the disaster to be sustained. Then there has to be : 2. Some means and method of national defence. And we may find a country : (1) Pitiably helpless. Such is the case with Israel (in the text); it has not yet recovered from its past defeats and despoilments; it has not had the opportunity of strengthening itself against attack. (2) Culpably negligent. It may be so intent on enrichment or enjoyment that it has not given the needful time and strength to make itself secure against assault from without. (3) Secured by international covenant; as Switzerland. (4) Wisely regardful of its chief source of safety. This is found, not in regiments and in ships, not in fortresses and in magazines-though these may not be disregarded-but in the ma11.liness and tempera.nee of its citizens, and in the favour of Almi~hty God. II. INDIVIDUAL BEOURITY. Every man has to guard the sanctity of his own heart and charRCter, the honour of his own name ; his most sacred and bounden duty is to cH, xxxvm.1-23,] THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET EZEKIEL. 301