The Pulpit Commentary — Ezekiel — Volume 2 — Section 409

principles of honesty and truthfulness. It cares for the poorest and the meanest among men; inspires them with the spirit of industry; casts a halo of beauty ovet the lowliest lot. Nothing that appertains to man is too insignificant for the notice of true religion. For every stage in life, from childhood to old age, religion has somo kindly ministration. For every circumstance it affords some succour. It supera<ld~ dignity to the prince. It gives a kingly bearing to the peasant. It links all classes (when unhindered) in ltrue and blissful harmony. Tyranny on the one hand, and insubordination on the other, are equally obnoxious to religion. II. RELIGION SHEDS ITS INFLUENCE THROUGH EVERY DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN LIFE, We cannot go into any assembly of men for whatever purpose they meet, where we are excused from manifesting the principles and the spirit of true religion. Whether we meet for gaining knowledge, or for industrial toil, or for political action, or for commercial pursuits, religion claims to preside over all our thoughts and plans and deeds. The shop and the mart are capacious fields for the daily exercise of Christian virtues-fields exquisitely suited for the growth aud ripening of the noblest qualities. Courage can only be developed in presence of strife and peril; so our religious virtues can only be strengthened in an atmosphere of temptation. If a man is not pious and faithful and truthful in his commercial transactions, he will not be pious and faithful anywhere. This is his test; and woe be to the man who succumbs in the strife! III. RELIGION BETS UP STANDARDS FOR ALL HUMAN ACTIONS. "Ye shall have just balances." The shekel and the homer were to be fixed standards. If fraud be allowed to creep into our commercial scales and measures, the fraud will corrupt every trans- action. The very heart of the mercantile system will be poisoned. Vil\any secreted here would spread as from a centre to the whole circumference of commerce. It is supremely important that men establish right standards of speech and conduct. If the exchange is to prosper, it must (like the throne) be established in righteousness. Over the portals of every shop, on the beam of every balance, engraved on every coin, ought the maxim to run in largest capitals, "Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them I "-D. Vers. 13-15.-Religion a practical thing. In the infancy of the world outward symbol was more needed for the religious instruction of men than it is to-day. In the sacred ceremonies of the temple every man bad a part to take. Religious truth can better be imprtssed upon the mind when outward action accompanies inwnrd sentiment. Religion requires the loyalty and service of the entire man; 11nd if con- victions of religious duty can be wrought into the soul, it is cheaply purchased by the devotement of our wealth to God. No cost is too great by which we can g.\in ndequnte appreciation of our indebtedness to God. God's requirements 11nd our advantage aro identical; they are interwoven like light and hl'at in solnr rays. I. RELIGION EMllRACEII MANY ELEMENTS. Thero were required "meat offerings, and burnt offerings, and peace offerings." Each of these bad a distinct meaning, and represented a distinct need of man. In true religion there enters the sentiment or reverentie.l homage, gratitude for gift~ received, acknowledgm6nt of trangression, application for larger blessing, vows of fresh service, intercession on behalf of others. Offerings for ourselves, for our household, for the nation, 11re suitable; nnd in dPsiring the good of others, our benevolent nature expands, we get a larger good ourselves. The expansioI! of the soul is real gain. II. RELIGIOUS WORSHIP IB DEST EXPRESSED DY PERSONAL OFFERINGS. Wheat, barley, lambs, heifers, oil, were to be the staple of the people's offeriugs. It is of the first importance that men should feel that God is the Creator and Giver of nil good, We are absolutely dependent on his bounty. 'fo live in the hourly realization of this dependence is blessing unspeakable. Nor can any arrangement better promote this end than the regular offering of such things as God bas conferred. We owe to him our all, our whole being, our entire possessions. But he graciously accepts a part ns acknowledged tribute, and gives in return a substantial blessing upon tile remainder. Best of e.11, he uses our gift as a channel through which to pour now blessia 6 and joy into our own souls. Our spontaneous offerings foster the growth of faith an,\ loYc and 11piritual 11spiration. "It is more blessed to give than to receive." IIL RELIGIOUS OFFERINGS SHOULD BE l'ROPORTIONAL TO OUR PROSPERITY. Thu  1.'HE BOO'lt OF THE PRC1PH:!ilT EZEKIEL. (mi. XLv. 1-25.