Vere. B-14.-Religion, genuine and spwrious. "And tho Word of the Lord," etc. From this passage we infer three facts. I. G1rnurnm RELIGION 18 PHILANTHROPIO, (Isa. i. 16, 17; Iviii. 6, 7; Matt. v. 44.) "'l'hus speakcth the Lord of hosts, saying, Execute true judgment, and show mercy and compassions every man to his brother," etc. Here is the ritual, the manifestation, the proof of genuine religion, and it is practical philanthropy. The sign and evidence of genuine religion is not in ceremonial observances or mere devotional exercises, but in the spirit of Christly morality, in doing good to men. St. John says, "We ought to lay down our lives for the brethren, and that because Christ laid down his life for us" (1 John iii. 16). Our love to God is to be shown in the same way as God has shown his love to us, by self-sacrifice, and self-sacrifice for our "brother man. ·wtat is the true and healthy development of our love to God? '!'he Church has too often acted as if its development was entirely theological; hence the battling for dogmas. It has too often acted as if its development was devotional, as if psalmody and prayers were the only true expression. It has too often acted as if proselytizing was the true develop- ment of love to God; hence the zeal to make converts to its faith. The text teaches, however, that self-sacrificing benevolence is the true development. "Whoso bath this world's good," etc. 'l'he case supposed by the apostle is that of a brother in distress, looked on by a brother possessing this world's goods, and rendering no help. John intimates that a man seeing his brother in need, having the power to help, and not helping him, cannot be a Christian. He may Le a great theologian, a great pietist, a great propagandist, but no Christian. II. SPURIOUS RELIGION IS INHUMAN. "But they refused to hearken, and pulled a.way the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear." This religious people not only neglected to do what they were commanded to do towards their fellow-men, but the very reverse of that, "they refused to hearken," etc. The most inhuman force in the world is a spurious religion. All history shows this. Read the history of martyrdom as given by Fox or any other authentic historian. A spurious religion murdered the Son of God himself. A more cruel class of men I know not tha.u religious men whose religion is not that of power, love, or a sound mind. Such men a.re ever ready to damn those who agree not with their narrow dogmas. Their dogmas make them as heartless as fiends. It makes their "hearts as an a.damantine stone." III. THAT AN INHUMAN RELIGION HAS A TERRIBLE DOOM. "Therefore it is come to pass, that as he cried, and they would not hear; so they cried, and I would not hear, saith the Lord of hosts." God will make inquisition here for blood. " The cries of the persecuted and neglected euter into the ears of the Lord God of saba.oth." "Ge to now, ye rich men, weep aud howl for your miseries thatl shall come upon you. Your riches are corrupted, and your garments a.re moth-eaten. l"our gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, an,1 shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days. Behold:, the hire of the labourers who have reaped <lown your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth; and the cries of them which have reaped a.re entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth. Ye have lived in plea.sure on the earth, aud been wanton; ye have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter. Ye have condemned and killed the just; and he doth not resist you" ( J as. v. 1-6). Because the religion of the Jews had become inhuman, Jehovah permitted them to be carried away into Babylon. "I scattered them with a whirlwind among all the nations whom they knew not. Thus the land was desolate after them, that no man passed through nor returned : for they laid the pleasant land desolate." God will ever harden himself against those who have hardened themselves against their fellow-men. "With what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you aga.in."-D. T.
EXPOSITION.
CHAPTER VIII. Vars, 1-8.-§ 4. The Lord promises to show I and to fill Jerusalem ioith a happy popu- lace. Ms love/01· Zion, to dwell among his people, Ver. 1.-Again; rather, and. Thi.3 chap- 76 'l'RE BOOK OF ZECHARIA'EI. [on. vm.1-2ll,