for obje0ts outside the range of their private expenses. But if the mouey to be cou- tributed for such objects were set aside from tbo first, it would be forthcoming, just as the rent money is forthcoming. Christ's portion is his due, and provision should certainly be made for this, whatever may remain over for other objects. That can be done by a man setting aside a portion of bis income as sacl'ed for his Master's use. II. SYSTEMATIC GIVING IS GENEROUS GIVING. People who give without method or consideration rarely know how little they give. There are pitiable creatures, who feel as though they were being bled every time a coin is extracted from them for some good object. They remember the disagreeable operation long after, and it makes so deep a.n impression on them that, when it comes to be repeated, they imagine that they are always giving. If they were always giving this would be no hard thing; for are they not always receiving? But if these people deliberately considered the claims of the best objects, and then determined to assign a portion of their income to meet those claims, they could not put down the miserable sum their contributions now amount to, unless they were devoid of all Christian principle. III. SYSTEMATIC GIVING SHOULD BE WISE GIVING. Spasmodic charity may be very generous, but it is likely to be foolish and misdirected. A more thoughtful method would lead to a more just apportioning of the funds that are contributed. It is not right that the cause of Christ should depend on irregular gushes of liberality. There may be less scope for sentiment in a methodical manner of giving, but there will be more practical utility. IV. SYSTEMATIC GIVING WILL BECOME HURTFUL Ill' IT IS TREATED IN .A. WRONG SPIBIT. One danger is that it should degenerate into a mechanical routine, like the payment of taxes. Then all heart and soul will vanish out of it. .Another danger is that it may generate ostentatiousness, since the left hand may know too well what the right hand does. A third danger is that this system of giving may harden the heart in regard to new claims. The systematic giver often fortifies himself against the most pathetic appeals by the reply that he has reached the end of his charitable fund. Such an answer is unworthy of one who has a Christian heart of sympathy. The remedy is to be found in regarding the fixed amount to be given as a minimum, never as a mazimum.
HOMILIES BY V.ARIOUS AUTHORS. Ver. 8.-Princes not oppressors. In the apportionment of the restored and newly occupied tt,rritory there was need for a display of a just and equitable spirit. That there was some danger of another and contro.ry spirit is evident from the admonition here addressed by the prophet in the name of the Lord to those in power and authority. I. THE SPHERE OF OPPRESSION. The oppressor me.y exercise his might in violation of the principles of righteousness; either (1) against the personal liberty, or (2) against the property and possessions, of the oppressed. IL Tm: MOTIVE TO OPPRESSION. This ie almost always selfishness, the desire of personal enrichment, aggrandizement, or power, to attain which the rights of another are treated as of no account. III. THE OPPORTUNITY OF OPPRESSION. It is no merit on the po.rt of the obscure, the impoverished, the friendless, that they abstain from oppression, for the simple reason that it is not in their power ; they may be oppressed, but they cannot be oppressors. But those in high station, especially princes, whose power is arbitrary and unchecked, have many opportunities of wronging their subjects and inferiors. In a country like our own, where public rights are secured, and where the monarch acts of necessity within constitutional limits, it is not easy to understand how in other states of society the poor and uninfluential may be at the mercy of the great. 1V. THE SIN OF OPPRESSION. This appears from considering the fact that the distinc- tions obtaining amongst men are to a large extent accidental and artificial. It is for the welfare of society that certain individuals should be entrusted with power; when that power is abused, the very purpose of such distinctions is violated. The law of him ~ho is King of kings, and the principles of whose government are justice and mercy, is opposed to the exercise of political power in an unrighteous and inconijiderate manner, c11. uv. 1-25.J THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET EZEKIEL. 421