The Pulpit Commentary — Acts — Volume 1 — Section 433

of his creatures to do. This truth is illustrated In the infinite variety of things which God hAB made on the earth. Each minutest creature ha.s his plaoe, hie work• and hie fitneBB for doing it. As we ascend in the scale of being, the work becomes more com- plex; and it is difficult for us to realize that the same thing can be true of man, who is endowed with self-will and is free to choose his own way. Yet we do hold that, in the Divine omniscience and government, a work is appointed for every man, and that for the doing of that precise work, each rua.n is brought into being at a particula.r tim~ and endowed with particular abilities. A perfect order on earth could be attained if each individual fitted precisely into the place and work to which he has been divinely assigned. 2. But God not only has a variety of forms of work, he has a perfect know~ ledge of the men who can best Jo it. Sometimes the Divine sovereignty is spoken of in e. way that cannot honour God. It is assumed tha.t he acts upon a bare exercise of will, and without the necessity for consideration. But the case of our text rather shows that the Divine selections are always made upon due estimate of the fitness of the individuals. Barnabas and Saul were evidently just the men to undertake this new mission t.o the Gentiles. It follows from this view of the Divine calls to work that it can never' be a true humuity that refuses a Divine call ; Moses and Jeremiah were both in the wrong when they hesit.ated and shrank back from a duty which God laid upon them. We may be quite sure that we can do whatsoever God requires us to do. 8. And it may further be shown that God has the full right to call forth any one of his ISel"Vants to serve him in any way that he may please. Moses must come from the deserts, Gideon from the winepress, David from the sheepfolds, Elisha from his ploughin~, and John from his fishing, if the" Lord hath need of him." IL THE BUMAN BEOOG?-"ITION OF THE DIVINE ALLOTMENT. It may be said-ls not the Divine allotment of workers and their work sufficient? and why should more than this be necessary? In reply, it may be pointed out that God deals with us as communities, and recognizes our mutual relations, and our influence one upon another. For the sake of the blessing which one man's call may be to many, he requires that it shall be publicly and openly recognized. In this way bis claims, his presence, and his abiding relations to all work and workers may be freshly impressed upon the Church. Ordin~ tion and dedication services are fruitful in blessing to the Churches. It may be well to point out: L The value of forms, services, and devout ceremonials. 2. The most profitable and helpful forms such services may take, noting and explaining that, in the ordination of Barnabas and Saul, there wes union in fasting and in prayer, with the solemn "laying on of hands." 3. The purposes that may be served by such public dedications-(1) increased feeling of responsibility on the part of the persons dedicated; (2) assured interest of the congregation in their work; (3) impulse to others to devota themselva to Christian work.-R. T. Vera. 2, 4.-77ie prmd,mcy of the Holy Ghod. " The Holy Ghost said ; • •• Being sent forth by the Holy Ghost." Seriously erroneous views of the presidency of the Holy Ghost in the Christian Church or Churches make it necessary that the true and scriptural t.eaching on the subject should be explained. It is assumed, by some sections, that this presidency secures the absolute truth of whatever may be said at such a meet- ing, and the infallibility of every decision to which such a meeting may be led. But the Holy Spirit ill not present to secure results, only to guide deliberations. God is present with man in no such sense as involves the mastery of man's free thought and will. and changing him into a mere created thing. The distinction is an eesential one, though it may be difficult to f!T8.sl. We may illustrate from the relations between the brai:ich and the 'rine. The life in the branch is the life of the vine ; but the branch is free to take it.a own shapings under various external influences. At the same time, it is still wne that the vine-life controls and overrules the very shaping& of the branch, in its own leCl'llt ways. Preeidency, inspiration, guidance, and control we may have In the abiding and indwelling Holy Ghost; but infallibility for the individual, the community, or the Church, it, ill no part of his work to ensure. Considering what may be lamed concerning the presidency of the Holy Spirit from the. ~riptures, w~ no.tice- L THE nGtJBE All SEEl!I' IN TD OLD PBOPBETS. Divina commumcat1ons wen made, in the earlier days of the world, to individuals upon due occuion, and oracular responsea were ma.de by the high priest, through Urim and Thummim. But in the time■ of tht, OH, XIII, 1-62,) THE AOTS OF THE APOSTLES.