to devote one's self to deRth for the country's weRl; and the highest exercise of benevolence, when cRlled upon by duty, to die for the welfare of humanity. Ill. BoTH THESE PRINCIPLES ARE MOST OONSPICUOUBLY EXEMPLIFIED IN THE BAORJ- FJCE OF OUR DIVINE REDEEMER, 1. 'l'he sins of men brought Jesus to the cross of Cnh-e.ry. 2. The sufferings of Jesus bring men to the enjoyment of the Divine fe.vour. "By his stripes we a.re bee.led."
Vers. 13, 14.-Effort and prayer. It has always been acknowledged that there we.e in the conduct of these heathen sailors something peculiarly generous. Although they believed themselves to have been brought into danger by the companionship ot Jonah, although he himself invited them to cast him overboard and so secure their safety, this they would not do until they had exhausted every means of deliverance. J. JN TIMES OF DIFFICULTY AND DANGER WE ARE SUMMONED TO EXERT ALL OUR POWERS FOR OUR ESCAPE AND PRESERVATION. 'l'here is a fa.lse piety which is true fatalism, which is content with prayer and indisposed to effort. But such is not the piety sanctioned in Scripture. Courage, effort, perseverence,-these are the qualities which are always mentioned with commendation. In fact, effort ie the use of the natural powers with which our Creator has endowed us, the employment of the means which Providence has put within our reach. In striving for safety and for success men are honouring God. Endeavours may be unsuccessful, but it is better to fail while doing our very best than to fail by sloth and negligence. JL IN TIMES OF DIFFICULTY AND DANGER THERE I8 NO RESOURCE SO PROPER AND so PRECIOUS AS PBAYEB. The conduct of these heathen sailors, as here described, is beyond all praise. Wbat they did was to put forth every effort for their own and their follow-voyager's safety, and then to commend themselves to the guidance and t.he mercy of the Most High. With their slender knowledge they could not have pre.yed with much intelligence; but they preyed with much good feeling towards man, with much submission towards God, and with much fervour. The lesson is obvious, 'Whilst we can work it is well to work in a prayerful spirit, with dependence upon God. When we can no longer work, when human effort is of no avail, then it is well to call upon God and to leave ourselves entirely in his hands. Ver. 16.-Fear, sacrifice, and vows. Times of danger are often times of devotion; but times of deliverance are not always times of thanksgiving. It is to the credit e.nd honour of these seamen that when the storm ceased they acknowledged Jehovah as the Author of the calm, as the God of salvation. 'l'hree aspects of religious exercise are here presented to us. I. REVERENCE. We cannot say that there was no superstition in the feelings and the conduct of these mariners. Probably the piety of most good men has an element of superstition. In any case, they feared the Eternal, feeling themselves to be in the presence and at the disposal of him who holds the waters in the hollow of his hand. II. SACRIFICE. It was a thank offering, no doubt, which they presented. If they were sincere, this sacrifice was a symbol of the consecration of their whole nature, their whole life, unto God. Ill. Vows. Mercy experienced m the past should lead to the expectation of mercy in the future. The eeason of deliverance is a suitable season for resolutions and for vows. But be it remembered, "Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than the.t thou ehouldest vow and not pay."
HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Vers. 1-3.-A despi,cable deserter. "God looketh on the heart." And none but God can. It is an obscure and tortuous place-" deceitful e.bove all things, and desi,erately wicked: who can know it'!" Its chaos and darkness, transpare~t to the Divine Spirit, are impenetrable to any creature's eye. Even the new heart 18 not all new. l'ersistent among the grace-germs are bacteria of sin, inseparable and morbific. lu Jonah this baneful combination is obvious. He neither loved God supremely nor Lts neighbour as himself. If he had, the action here recorded could never Lave been Oil, l. 1-17,] THE BOOK OF JONAH. 11