house." High expectation of blessing should be raised. A state of mind free from Belli.ah care should be fostered. A.a the photographer carefully prepares hie plate to receive a faithful impression, ao equally concerned should we be to prepare our hearts for high and intimate converse with God. Nor should we be unmindful how we depart from that august Presence. What care is needed to bury deep in our memory the truths we have received I What care ought there be to retain the anointing of holy influence upon the soul I II. CmrncH-WORBHIP EMBRACES ELEMENTS VISIBLE AND INVISIBLE. To he accept- able worshippers God required that they should be circumcised in flesh and circumcised in heart. The one was designed to be the visible symbol of the other. To circumcise the flesh would be useless if there was not also the. circumcision of the heart. The circumcision of the flesh was instructive and disciplinary-was a test of obedience. To neglect this was a wilful and open breach of the covenant made with Israel. In our present earthly state, outward religious forms are highly useful; but if they remain only forms-done without heart or willingbood-they are barren of blessing to men. As the race advances in religious culture, simpler and fewer forms will suffice. Men will be able to rise to communion with God without the intervention of rites. In the heavenly home no temple is found, for God himself is the Temple, and the redeemed have immediate access· to his presence. But for the present, visible ordinances are the best channels by which we can gain fellowship with God. III. CHUBOH-WORSHIP REQUIRES PURITY OF 0H.ARAOTEB. Had the God of Israel demanded internal purity as the condition of -approaching him, he would have shuL out the whole race of men from his house. But his high design is to create holy character among men, and every arrangement of temple-worship has purification for its end. The uncircumcised Gentiles were allowed to enter an outer court; the circum- cised could have nearer approach; an inner circle was reserved for the children of Levi; and only one of all the human race was permitted to enter the holiest sanctuary-the very presence-chamber of Jehovah. In this way the world was taught the value of moral purity. In proportion to holiness of character is the nearness of access to God. 'fhe pure iu heart shall see him. Hence the cardinal distinction between the circum- cised and the uncircumcised, which God so wisely imposed. With that man God dwells who has a humble and contrite heart. To promote moral purity is the pruper design of Church-worship. IV. CHURCH-WORSHIP DEBASED IS THE FOULEST OFFENCE. It is to repel God in the act of his most gracious approach to men. It is to wound God in the tenderest part of his nature. Sacrilege has always been counted a most heinous offence. To secularize the temple is to destroy the only ladder by which we can climb to heaven. To trifle with religion is to commit spiritual suicide. On this head our Lord asks, "If the light that is iu thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!" As new-fallen snow is among the most beautiful of natural objects, so tarnished snow is most offensive to the eye. If the only fount of living water be poisoned, how can the life of men be sus- tained? To abuse the ordinances of the sanctuary is to starve one's own soul, is to make religion obnoxious to our fellows, is to insult Jehovah. This is man's crowning sin-" a sin unto death." v. RELIGIOUS SEI\VI0E MUST DE PEI\SONAL AND INDIVIDUAL. "Ye have not kept the chnrge of mine holy things: but ye have set keepers of my charge in my sanctuary for _yourselves." lu the eyes of God it was a foul offence that the priests had delegated their work to others-to persons whom Jehovah bad not appointed, did not approve I It is impossible for any man to devolve his service for God upon another person. God's service cannot be discharged by proxy. Just as no man can transfer to another his talents, or his qualities, or his position, so no man can transfor his responsibilities or his work. Already Go« has supreme claim to the entire service of that man to whom I may wish to transfer my task. Already be is under tribute to serve the same 111e.ster. Moreover, by abandoning my service, I abandon my reward and my joy. Delegation of service in God's kingdom is forbidden. "Each one of us must give account of himself before God." Rightly understood, service is privilege. To serve is to reign.-D.
Vers. 10-16.-Reward and punishment on earth, According to rank and position 4M THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET EZEKIEL. [oa. XLlV. 1-81,