such he exercises dominion over ne, and disposes of us as it seemeth him good. Thi~ sovereignty is exercised by him in strict accordance with the principles of wisdom roctltude, and goodness. 'fhls Divine right has reference, not only to ourselves, bu, extends also to all that we ~ssess. "All things come of him;" we a.re but stewards of his bounty. The recogmtion of this fact contributes to a man's real welfare. If a man views his possessions as being his own, he is in danger of that love of money which is the root of all evil. Hence it is with a. view to man's spiritual preservation, as well a.a with a due regard to the benefit of the race and the progress of his cause, that God insists upon his rie:ht, Hying," The silver is mine," etc. (ver. 8). II. THE IMPORTANCE OF THE BE0OGNITION OF THIS Drvnra RIGHT ON THE PART OP MAN, AND THE CONSECRATION OF HIS SUBSTANCE TO THE BEBVIOE OF Goo. 1. Neglect o/ this involves loss. The young ruler an example (Matt. xix. 16-22). "He went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions." He kept his wealth, but at a terrible sacrifice, for be forfeited intercourse with Christ, the joys of the Christly life, and the nnfading treasures with which the Saviour was prepared to enrich him. 11 For mark the change I Thus se.ith the Lord, • Oowe, pa.rt with earth for heaven to-day.' The youth, astonished at the word, In Bilent se.dness went bis way." 2. Regard to ehi, ens?J,f'e, gain. Cornelius an example (Acts L 1, 2). He viewed property as a trust. He rendered unto God hie due. His prayers and his alms "came up for a memorial before God." And the result was that God blessed him, granting unto him the ministry of angels, guiding him into truth by his servant, imparting to him the consciousness of his love, and filling him with the graces of his Spirit. Let us readily render unto God his just claim in reference to the possessions of earth (1) when help is required in order to the maintenance of his worship; (2) when the cry of distress, occasioned not by improvidence, but by unavoidable adverse influences, rises into our ears; (3) when fresh openings for doing the work of God both at home and abroad are found, and call for increased liberality that they may be embraced, let uod's voice be heard in these, intimating that he has need of those resources which have come to us as his gifts, and let us cheerfully give to him of his own. For who has such right to what we possess of this world's goods as he whose free gifts these are, and who in the bestowment of them has blessed the work of our hands ?-S. D. H.
Ver. 9.-Thepeace of God. "And in this place will I give peace, saith the Lord of hosts." Various theories have been propounded concerning how tempora.l peace a.ud prosperity may be secured to a people. One will tell you that everything tnrns upon which political party happens to be in power; a second will cry, "Free Trade; " a third will respond, "Protection;" a fourth will dilate upon "the reform of the land laws;" a fifth will enlarge upon the importance of the maintenance of our military prestige, affirming that peace is best guaranteed by being prepared for war; but we may rest assured that the foundations of national peace and prosperity lie deeper far, and are le.id in rectitude and righteousness. True peace, and, e.s a consequence, lasting prosperity, come to a people only in a secondary sense through their rulers and legislators, and men of mark in the various departments: they come primarily through the people themselves. In proportion as they become God-fearing and Christ-like, submissive to the Divine authority and guided by the principles of Gou's Word, will be bless them and make them prosperot1s and hBppy. But there is a higher form of peace than that which is denominated temporal, and to that more exalted blessing the Divine promise contained in this text referred. Temporal peace was now being enjoyed by the returned from exile. They dwelt in quietude, although the subjects of :i, foreign power. But the Lord of hosts promised them spiritual peace, and assured them that, in 888ociation with the sanctuary they were raising to his honour, they should experience inward tranquillity and rest. "In this place will I give peace," etc. (ver. 9). I. GOD FULFILS HIS GRACIOUS PllOMISE TO HIS SERVANTS AS THEY GATHER AT H.18 SANCTUARY BURDENED WITH A BESSE OF BIN. In our daily life we a.re continually coutrn.cting fresh sins. We stray from God's wa.ys, undesigueuly we err from his precepts, 11uu ns the result are rendered restless und disquieted. Aud coming thus to his hou~c, THE BOOK OF HAGGAI. [on. nl 1-23.
a~ we bow in worship, e.nd B.11 we listen to ·the -story of redeeming love, we become humbled in spirit and filled with penitence, and we find peace in Christ. He who controlled the winds and the waves controls also the passion~ and tumnlts,of the wilder human spirit as he 1,ays in grscious tones, "Come unto me, a.nd I will give you rest." Il. GoD FULFILS RIS GRACIOUS PROMISE TO nm SERVANTS AS 'l'llEY ·oATHEB AT HIB ~ANCTUAIIY Ol'PRESSED WI'rB A SENSE OF SORROW. ' In every congregation assembled for worship there are to be found sorrowing hearts. ·",Every hea.rt kuoweth its own bitterne1>s,'' and we little know how many and varied are the trfo.ls- being experienced 'Ly those who form our fellow-worshippets; and all such .in ,their deep need, and oppre,1>ed with griefs they could not disclose to others, turri to.·hLQJ. who is touched with the feeling of our'infirmitics, they feel themselves divinely soothed and succoured, nnd realize the fulfilment of the Rncient promise, ".And in this place," _etc., (ver. \.I). lll. GOD FULFILS THIS GRACIOUS PROMISE TO'BIS SERVANTS.AS THEY GATHER AT HUI SANCTUARY HARASSED THROUGH A SENSE OF MISGIVING AND MISTRUST. Doubts. arise \\ithin the mind, problems are presented concerning God's truth· and ~ providence that baffle and perl'lex, and as it was with .Asaph in the olden time, so has it been with many since-they have fo_~_nd 1igh! ca_~t upon the hi~den way ~s they have come to tbe sauctuar)· of God (Ps. lxxw. 16, l •). And so at 1111 tu;nes and u~der all our experiences he can breathe o,er us the peace that· ea!~ the tro1:1bled soul 'a.nd makes the weary heart at rest.-S. D. H.