sacrifice is also needed; an atonement for sin must be made. The place was also specified-Ornan's threshing floor; the place, probably, where Isaac had been offered. There David should build an altar; and there Solomon would build the temple. V. 20. Araunah looked and saw the king. In Chronicles we read that he first saw the angel. Vs. 21-22. Wherefore is my lord the king come? He is told the reason of David's coming, and at once offers all as a free gift. V. 23. As a king. Some think he had been a king of Jebus, or was a son of a king; others think that the words are equivalent, merely, to royalty, with a kingly generosity. The Lord thy God accept thee. Here Ornan acknowledges Jehovah as God, and thus confesses his faith in the covenant God of the Jews. AN AFRICAN BISHOP. Fifty years ago there was a boy in Africa who was taken prisoner in one of the fierce wars between the tribes and was carried away from his home to be sold as a slave. Poor fellow! First he was sold for a horse. Then this buyer thought him a bad exchange for the horse, and compelled his master to take him back. Then he was sold for so much rum. This was called another bad bargain by the man who had bought him and again he was returned, to be sold for tobacco, with the same result. when he was Nobody wanted the poor miserable slave boy who was on the point of committing suicide bought by a Portuguese trader, and carried away in a slave ship. Ah, how little that wretched boy knew what the future had in store for him V. 24. I will surely buy it of thee. as he lay chained in the hold of the David would not pretend to serve God crowded slave ship! But one of Engwith other peoples' means. He would land's war ships that was clearing the offer only his own property as a sacri- high seas of the slavers bore down fice. There is no merit in giving what upon the Portuguese vessel, rescued does not belong to us; there would be the captives, and the African boy no sacrifice in that. was placed under Christian influences, baptized and educated, and to-day he is Bishop Crowther, England's black Bishop in Africa. He has founded a At a price-namely, at its full value. Fifty shekels of silver. In Chronicles it is 600 shekels of gold by weight. The explanation is that the 50 shekels of successful mission there. silver were given for the floor, oxen and wood instruments only; whereas the large sum of 600 shekels of gold was paid afterwards for the whole hill, on which David made preparations for building the temple. It would be a long story to tell all he has done for the people in Africa, how he has fought the slave trade; preached to cannibals, been taken prisoner again and again, and how the Lord has kept him safe in every danger. Twenty-five years after he was made a slave he found his mother, and she became a Christian, and died under the roof of her son's "Episcopal residence."-Ex. HOPE is the ruddy morning ray of V. 25. Burnt offerings and peace of ferings. The former were for expiation, atonement; the latter as a thanksgiving for the staying of the plague. It is added in 1st Chron. 21: 26, that the Lord answered by fire from heaven upon the altar of burnt offering. "Thus was taught the need of an atonement for sin, and the soul was drawn toward joy, recollection is its golden tinge; but the latter is wont to sink down amid God the Forgiver, and sin hated more and more." greater sacrifice of Christ, near this same place, that the terrible plague of everlasting punishment might be averted from us. This was a type of the the dews and dusty shades of twilight, and the bright blue day which the former promises breaks indeed, but in another world, and with another sun. OUT of self; into Christ. -Richter. PROMISE cautiously; but when you have promised, fulfill scrupulously LESSON IX. TWELFTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY. 1 The heavens doclare the glory of God: and the firmament sheweth his handy work. 2 Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. 3 There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. 4 Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun, 5 Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race. 6 His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof. 7 The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. 8 The statutes of the Lord are right, re Aug. 31, 1884. joieing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. 9 The fear of the Lord i‹ clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. 10 More to be desired «re they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honey-comb. 11 Moreover, by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward. 12 Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults. 13 Keep back,thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression. 14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer. GOLDEN TEXT: Thou hast magnified Thy word above all Thy name."Psalm 138: 2. CENTRAL TRUTH: God is made known in Creation and in Revelation. NOTES. 1. The heavens-sun, moon, and stars. clare" number out," tell. Firmament" the whole visible expanse-air, moisture, light, and the heavenly bodies." Handywork-because He made them. 2. Sheweth-reveals God's wisdom. 3. Translate thus: There is no speech, no words; their voice is not heard. Creation is a silent witness, so far as the ear is concerned, but speaks to the soul. 4. Line -measuring line." The heavens mark the boundary of the earth. Words-teaching In them in the heavens. Tabernacle-a tent. 5-6. The Sun-the monarch of the heavens; his course is graphically set forth. De-hovah. In the first six verses the word GOD 7. The Law-God's revealed will. Here is an abrupt turning from God's glory in nature to His will in the Word, or in Scripture. "What the sun is in the natural world, that the law is in the spiritual." The LORD=Je QUESTIONS. 1. What is meant by heavens? By firmament? What do the heavens declare? Do they reveal His will? (No.) Where is that revealed? (See v. 7.) 2. Does each day reveal some new glory of God? May you learn wisdom from looking upwards at night? Do you see God's hand and glory in His works? 3. What is the literal translation of v. 3? Can the outward ear hear any "music of the spheres"? To what is their silent witness addressed? us? 4-6. What line is meant? What is the meaning of "words"? Do the heavens teach What is the central object of the heavens? What does all else constitute for him? To what is his going forth compared? To what else? What does he communicate to all creatures? 7--9. What abrupt change is here made? Of what has the Psalmist spoken in the first part? Of what does he now sing? Is not God's revealed will the sun that gives light and warmth to the spiritual world? What effect does the Law produce? Repeat 2 Tim. 3: 15-17. What other terms are used to signify the Law? What two names are applied to God in the Scriptures? What does, El signify? What Jehovah? What effect does the Lord's testimony work? What effect have His statutes on the heart? Notice the steps in a Christian's progress: (1) Conversion; (2) wisdom; (3) happiness; (4) increased knowledge (enlightening the eyes). 10-11. What is better than gold? Are you as anxious to learn and obey the law as you are to obtain gold? Is the law sweet to a sinner? To whom only? What is the meaning of honey comb here? Who heeds the warning of God's law? What are some of the rewards of obedience? What is the great reward? (John 15: 10.) 12-13. What does David now look upon ? (His own heart, instead of the heavens and the Word.) What does he apply to himself? To what does this lead? To what else? What three kinds of sin are mentioned? What are secret faults? What are presumptuous sins? To what do they lead? (Great transgression.) 14. How does he close the Psalm? Have you memorized this verse? What is the meaning of Redeemer? CATECHISM. Ques. 4. What doth the law of God require of us? Ans. Christ teacheth us that briefly, Mat. 22: 37-40. Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thy soul, with all thy mind, and with all thy strength. This is the first and the great command; and the second is like to this: Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commands hang the whole law and the prophets." course. and hangs out his escutcheon that atheists may see how He despises their denunciations of Him.'-Spurgeon. Each dawning day continues the speech V. 2. Day unto day uttereth speech. of that day which has declined, and each approaching night takes up the tale of that which has passed away. Uttereth speech-overflows with utterances full of meaning, but only to those who have an ear to hear. This Psalm may have been written in the first flush of an Eastern sunrise, when the sun was seen going forth as a bridegroom out of his chamber and rejo cing as a mighty man to run his The song breathes all the life and freshness, all the gladness and glory, of the morning. The devout singer looks out first on the works of "Day bids us labor, night reminds us God's fingers, and sees all creation bearing its constant, though silent, testimony us work for God, and night invites us to prepare for our last home; day bids to its Maker; and then he turns himself to rest in Him; day bids us look for an with a feeling of deep satisfaction to endless day, and night warns us to esthat yet clearer and better witness con- cape from everlasting night."-Spurcerning Him to be found in the inspired geon. Yet many fail to read the lanScriptures. Thus he begins the day; guage of Nature A lady of rank said thus he prepares himself for the duties to England's great painter, Turner, "I scribe there." "Ah, madam, do you not do not see in Nature all that you dewish you could? that await him.-Perowne. No one could have these thoughts except one who is familiar with Nature, and in love with its varied beauty, as seen by night and by day. V. 3. There is no speech. Our transThis Psalm speaks of God's works But remove the italics, (which were lation implies that their voice is heard. and of His Word. It sets forth with a inserted by the translators), and the master-hand the glory of God in nature, verse reads: No speech nor langu ige, and His will in Revelation-in Scrip- their voice is not heard. There is speech, ture. “In his earliest days the Psalm- but it is inaudible, not addressed to the ist, while keeping his father's flock, had bodily ear. The works of God are devoted himself to the study of God's silent, speechless witnesses, uttering no two great books-Nature and Scripture; sound, but yet speaking aloud, only and he had so thoroughly entered into inwardly audible, but yet intelligible the spirit of these two only volumes in everywhere. his library, that he was able with a devout criticism to compare and contrast them, magnifying the excellency of the Author as seen in both. * * He is wisest who reads both the world-book and the Word-book as two volumes of the same work, and feels concerning them, My Father wrote them both.' -Spurgeon "In reason's ear they all rejoice, The philosopher, Bacon, said the heavens declare the glory, but not the will of God. That is given in the Law. V. 5 Their line is gone out-literalV.1. The heavens declare the glory of ly, a measuring line; then a line of God. God is revealed by His works-conduct, a decree. "The decree of the by earth and heaven. This is the heavens goes forth, proclaiming the thought of the first part of the Psalm glory of God, and the duty of worshipHis wisdom, power, skill, greatness, ping Him.”— Cook. majesty and goodness constitute His The heavens speak to the people to glory as seen in His works. He has the end of the world-not only to Chrisnot only made them all, but in a glorious tians, but to the heathen also. So the order. The handiwork is that of a Apostle Paul says that all men are Master. In the Old Testament the taught by Nature to know and revere word firmament meant expanse, and also God. See Romans 1: 19-20. firmness, steadfastness. "In the expanse above us God flies, as it were, His starry flag to show that the King is at home, A tabernacle for the sun. "In the midst of the heavens the sun encamps, and marches like a mighty monarch on * his glorious way. * As the royal pavilion stood in the centre of the host, so the sun in his palace appears like a king in the midst of attendant stars." -Spurgeon. V. 6. The sun in his circuit through the heavens is like a bridegroom going forth out of his chamber, "sumptuously apparelled, his face beaming with a joy which he imparts to all around;" and vigorous as a strong man trained for the race. There is nothing hid from the sun's heat. Modern science affirms that all the forces which we use are from the rays of the sun. Our coal fires are from the sun; our engines are driven by heat stored by the sun in the coal; our lights find their origin in the sunlight. The sun's rays penetrate every where. V.7. The Law of the Lord is perfect. An abrupt turning is this. God is revealed by His Word, in clearer light. "Much as men may learn from Nature, they need a larger and deeper knowledge, a knowledge of God's heart, an assurance of His love, a revelation of the way of salvation, a law expressed in words. The Law of the Lord is revealed truth. To David this meant the five Books of Moses-which contained God's revealed will the moral, the civil, and the ceremonial Law. Here is an abrupt turning from God's glory in Nature to His Will in the Word or in Scripture. What the sun is in the natural world, that the law is in the spiritual. When the Psalmist speaks of God in nature he calls him El-the Mighty God. As soon as he comes to speak of the Law, he calls God JEHOVAH-the LORD, the Covenant God. 1. The law is perfect-complete, and without error. 2. The law is also called a testimony -God's witness to what is right. 3. It is embodied in statutes-ordinances and religious appointments. 4. The fear of the Lord means the rational and heartfelt reverence produced by the Law within. 5. The Judgments are God's legal and judicial sentences, decisions, by which we are to regulate ourselves. The Effect of God's law upon the heart is clearly given by David: con verting the soul, making wise the sim ple, rejoicing the heart, enlightening the eyes; (1) conversion, (2) wisdom, (3) happiness, (4) increased knowledge. (See 2 Tim. 3: 15.) The great German philosopher said he could never sufficiently admire two things: the starry heavens above him, and the moral law within him! But the Author of both is deserving of greater admiration and reverence. Worship Him in the beauty of holi. ness. Vs. 12-14. The strain here changes again. The Psalmist applies the Law to himself, and this leads (1) to a confession of errors and sins, and (2) to an earnest prayer for cleansing. It is a prayer for an obedient heart. Who can understand his errors? Every one is prone to err. No one is perfect. All need to pray: cleanse me from secret faults-sins of infirmity, of thought and desire. Keep back from presumptuous sins. By indulging secret sins, we become presumptuous and commit defiant acts, deliberate transgressions. The result would be, the great transgression—a reprobate mind, a hardened heart, the quenching of the Spirit-guilt matured. Let the words and meditations be acceptable. He had before referred to deeds; he now proceeds to words, and then to meditations, secret thoughts and feelings. Here he attains to the New Testament morality. Be acceptable-the usual formula applied to God s acceptance of sacrifices offered to Him. Leviticus 1 : 3-4. Prayer to God is the sacrifice of the heart and of the lips. My Strength-that is, Rock, Defence. My Redeemer-Kinsman, Deliverer. Note that in this Psalm Nature and Sripture are compared and contrasted, but not set contrary to each other. There is no conflict between God's twofold Kingdom-Nature and the Supernatural. Science and Religion go hand in hand, when they are true. 1. The World-Book reveals the Cre The Guardian. VOL. XXXV. SEPTEMBER, 1884. NO. 9. classic learning. They could boast of none of these things, as secured through a polish of mental culture. Men, too, of no political power-and yet on the other hand, eminently qualified and amply prepared for the great work of preaching the everlasting Gospel-qualified and prepared for the great mission, by the education and training which the Saviour Himself gave for three years in succession, and by the supernatural endowments imparted by the gift of the Holy Ghost. The choice of these men from the humble walks of life--plain fishermen, explains the words of St. Paul in 1st Cor. first Chap.-" God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise: the weak things of the world to confound the mighty: and the base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, things which are not; to bring to naught things which are; that no flesh should glory in his presence." Along with this fact there is another equally clear and apparent, viz:-That God often employs weak and feeble instrumentalities, in a way quite unconscious to themselves, for the communication of divine truth. In the sphere of Revelation therefore, In the establishment of God's King-we believe there is such a thing as Undom upon earth, two facts are carefully to be remembered. One is: God frequently employs weak and feeble instrumentalities, whereby He communicates to man the truth of Revelation. This is seen at once, in the choice of the Twelve Apostles. They were men of very humble attainments. Men of very plain, honest and humble pursuits in life. Men of no deep intellectual culture or scientific training, or splendid literary endowments, or deep conscious Prophecy, as much so, as in the sphere of Science, or in the ordinary development of the natural powers of the human mind. When Columbus discovered America, he spoke volumes of untold history; and was the Unconscious Prophet of the world's life in the sphere of Physical Science. Little did this poor sea-faring man dream, or think, or know, of the great national honor, power, and wealth that would flow forth to the Western world, from his venturesome voyage |