is ~it_h ibcrn tl,Bt fear him." 'l'hc secrets of nBture be reveals to tho patient lnvest1gat-0r; Bnd if we will inquire at the portals of the heavenly kingdom we shall know, by gradual disclosure~, the secrets of the invisible world. Evon ~ur inner 11elves we do not accurately know, until God unveils to us the mystery, Daniel was sent to the king, that he might know the workings of his own heart. V. GEJ>"1JTh'E HUMILITY 1s A MARK OF Gon's SERVANT. "This secret," said Daniel '' ig not re,·ealed to me for any wisdom that I have." Natural endowments of intellect oft~n puff men up ~ith va!n_ conceit of themselves; but the enlightening grace of God'a Spirit, develops their bum1hty. "The meek will be teach his way." Having revealed to suppliants tl!oir own nothingness, their _a~solute dependence on the heavenly source,. he unv~1ls _to them all ~ruth that m1msters to happiness and purity. 'fhe mystenea of bis kmgdom he bides from the boastful wise and prudent but reveals them unto babes. The messenger of Divine truth will divert the atte~tion of men from himself to his Master. Like John the Baptist, he accounts himself only as a "voice," and announces that One mightier and worthier cometh-the true Light and Life of men. Hnmility is a pre-requisite for Divine employment. VI. WE lllJST RECOGNIZE THE NEED OF VICARIOUS MERIT. It is noteworthy that Daniel disclosed the rmson why God vouchsafed this revelation to the king, It was not done for the sake of the king, nor for the sake of the magicians, nor for the sake of the empire, but for the sake of the Jewish suppli,rnts. It would be galling to our pride sometimes if we knew to what human mediation we were indebted for Divine blessing. The prayer of some bed-ridden saint bas brought down the treasures of heavenly rain upon the Church. For the sake of Paul the prisoner, the lives of all on board the imperilled ship were saved. For Joseph and bis brethren's sake, famine was averted from the Egvptians. Yet these are but faint and imperfect types of that grand scheme of mediation which God has provided for the redemption of the world ; and for Jesus' sake, mercy flows in a full stream to men; for Jesus' sake, heaven is opened to all believers; for Jesus' sake, prayer is heard and the Holy Ghost is given. We, too, can be mediators for others ; and it may yet be said that for our sakes, al\d in rErSponse to our intercessions, dark minds are enlightened, a world is blessed. Christ the High Priest puts a censer into our hands, and asks us to fill it with the fragrant incense of spiritual prayer.-D.
Vera. 36---43.-Human sovereignty. In a proper sense of the words, evory dream i~ prophetic. Else on what ground are we to conclude that the dreams of Joseph, Pharaoh, Abimelech, Pilate's wife, were prophetic; and others not prophetic? Dreams are revelatioDJ! of dominant ideas and habitudes of mind: they disclose features of moral character; they are reminders of an unslumbering Judge; they serve in some measure to forecast the future. The powers of heaven and of hell lie close about us in our sleep. L HrrMAN SOVEREIGNTY IS DERIVED FROM Goo. If God had so pleasPd., he mighf have placed all men on a level The principle of co-ordination, instead of subordina- tion, was possible. Some genera of animals seem to have the instinct of subordination to rule among them; others, not. This ambition for rule is, in its original and unsel6sh character, an endowment from God. Strength, influence, will, power, kingly glory, all proceed from God. What have we of any value that we have not received? . Foo.la men are to be infl.e.ted with pride, because another has lent them some possessions in trust. As well may a stew&rd of a lordly estate give himself airs while his lord is absent. As well may the horses yoked to a treasure-van arch their necks and shake their manes because they draw behind them <'o~tly metals! Earthly honours are not unmistakable evidences of G:,. .::a .:.. vvur wwe.rds us. He sometimes puts a crown on our heads, that it may lacerate 11S with its hidden thorns-gives us e. sceptre, and chastises us therewith. IL SOVEREIGNTY, IN SOME FORM, I8 OIVE!if TO EVERY MAN. It was given to every man to have dominion over the beasts of the field aod over the fowls of the air. On every man is imposed the duty to rnle himself-his appetite, temper, passions, spe_ech. 'l'he loftier part of his nature is divinely commissioned to rule the lower, "Better 1s he that ruleth his own nature, than he that ta.keth a. city." Our wise and successful government of ourselves forms a course of training which shall fit us to govern other~. T!iis truth 111.&J well be printed in letters of gold, and set up where we can_ read 1t OH, II, 1-1!J.] THE BOOK OF DANIEL. &3