I. A ROYAL RECTIFICATION. We have the useful fiction in England that "the king can do no wrong." It has been too often assumed by the potentates of the earth that they could not be mistaken, and need not return on their way. David was not so foolish and so faulty. He had the sense to see that he had erred in the way in which he had carried out a good desire, and he was prepared openly and honourably to retrace his steps. So he said to his courtiers, "No one ought to carry the ark of God," etc. (1 Chronicles 15:2), with obvious reference to the transaction recorded in 1 Chronicles 13:1-14. And he "gathered all Israel together to Jerusalem," and "assembling the children of Aaron and the Levites" (1 Chronicles 13:4), he spoke plainly of the departure from the Law of which he and others had been guilty (1 Chronicles 13:12, 1 Chronicles 13:13). We certainly need not be ashamed "to come after the king" in the way of retractation. Where a monarch leads the way we may be content to follow. There is no more certain indication of foolish and fatal obstinacy than the refusal to admit an error. They who cling to their own mistakes and pertinaciously justify them are sure to come to some great grief in time. But they who have the humility and penetration to see that they are wrong, and also the courage to avow and correct it, are sure to find themselves on the upward road. They may take a wrong turn or two, but they move in the right direction, and, like David and the ark, will reach Jerusalem in time.
II. A GRACIOUS ADMONITION. (1 Chronicles 13:11-13.) There may have been some doubt as to where the blame really lay, whether on the king or on the priests, or (as was probable enough) on both. David, while he did not exonerate himself, evidently felt that the priests and Levites were included in the condemnation: indeed, he addresses them and admonishes them as delinquents: "Because ye did it not at the first," etc. (1 Chronicles 13:13). His words and their attitude together may suggest to us that admonition should be graciously given and as graciously received. We should, on such occasions as this, speak as those
And on such occasions we should, when ourselves admonished, receive the admonition as those
III. A PROMPT OBEDIENCE. (1 Chronicles 13:14, 15.) There seems to have been no hesitancy. on the part of the priests and Levites; they appear to have applied themselves at once, with due zest, to the work which they had neglected before. They sanctified themselves for it (1 Chronicles 13:14), and then they executed it (verse 15), doing all things "as Moses commanded, according to the word of the Lord." Like them, and like the prodigal of the parable (Luke 15:1-32.), who said, "I will arise," and he arose, we should feel and do, conclude and act, with no interval between of which the enemy can make use. When we have taken due time for understanding, and have seen the way we should take, then we should, like the men of whom we read here,
1 Chronicles 15:16,. 25, 26, 28.-Sacred joy.
In the bringing up of the ark from the house of Obed-edom, the prevailing note is that of sacred joy. We learn —
I. THAT HOLY OBEDIENCE IS ATTENDED WITH SACRED JOY. The act was one of obedience in two ways. It was so in spirit; for though not commanded to take this particular step, the Israelites were desired by God to show all possible honour to that with which his service was connected. In removing the ark, therefore, to the capital, David was acting conformably to the will of God. It was also obedient in form. This time the error in the mode of conveying the sacred chest was avoided, and the Word of the Lord strictly consulted. And the result was a large measure of sacred joy. Gladness of heart filled the souls of king, priests, Levites, people. Everything was done, from beginning to end," with joy" (1 Chronicles 15:16, 1 Chronicles 15:25). Holy obedience will always have the same effect upon the heart. If we serve the Lord with our whole heart, endeavouring to do his will, both in spirit and in form, we shall have "gladness in our heart more than in the time when their corn and their wine increase."
II. THAT SACRED JOY UTTERS ITSELF WELL IN SACRED PSALMODY. "David spake… to appoint… the singers with instruments of music," etc. (1 Chronicles 15:16). Sacred song often gives utterance to sorrow and distress, and there are plaintive strains, vocal and instrumental, which are profoundly expressive and touching. But gladness and song seem to be best associated. "Is any merry? let him sing psalms" (James 5:13). When our heart is glad in the Lord, we cannot do better than join in "psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in our heart to the Lord" (Ephesians 5:19).
III. THAT SACRED JOY IS SUITABLY ACCOMPANIED WITH SACRIFICE. (1 Chronicles 15:26.) The ceremony would not have been complete without sacrifice. This was probably a burnt offering or thank offering; it was, at any rate, an offering taken from their "flocks and herds" unto the Lord, and may suggest to us that now, when God will not take such sacrifices at our hands, we should, in the time of our gladness, present such sacrifices as those with which he is well pleased. We can "do good and communicate" (Hebrews 13:16). Of our fulness we can contribute to the need of those who lack. Or from our exchequer we can take that which will help to fill the treasury of the Lord,
IV. THAT SACRED JOY SHOULD PROVE TO BE A DIFFUSIVE THING. David wished to extend this rejoicing to all who would enter into it; he made it as public as possible; so general was it that we read that "all Israel brought up the ark… with shouting," etc. (1 Chronicles 15:28; see 2 Samuel 6:19). We may keep our griefs much to ourselves, not inflicting them on others, much less parading them before others; but we should strive to make our friends and neighbours the sharers of our joy. This is true of all gladness of heart, but it is peculiarly applicable to sacred joy. When our souls are glad in him, our Father and Saviour, we should seek to make all whom we can reach and influence partakers of "like precious faith" and hope and joy. Of the joy that is not diffusive we may be suspicious, The joy that is Divine, that comes from God, and that is in God, will be after his own nature, bountiful, generous, communicative.—C.
1 Chronicles 15:16-29 (1 Chronicles 15:16, 1 Chronicles 15:25, 1 Chronicles 15:26, 1 Chronicles 15:28, see preceding homily).-The service of the Lord.
This passage is instructive, as conveying some valuable lessons, universally and abidingly applicable, respecting our service of the Supreme. We learn —
I. THAT WE SHOULD CHEERFULLY RENDER SUCH SERVICE AS WE ARE FITTED TO BRING. In this ceremony the services rendered were manifold. Some (the chief of the Levites) had the work of selection and appointment (1 Chronicles 15:16, 1 Chronicles 15:17); some took the part of playing with cymbals (1 Chronicles 15:19); others with psalteries (1 Chronicles 15:20); others with harps (1 Chronicles 15:21); others "did blow with the trumpets" (1 Chronicles 15:24); others acted as doorkeepers or custodians of the ark (1 Chronicles 15:23, 1 Chronicles 15:24); yet others ministered in sacred song (1 Chronicles 15:22, 1 Chronicles 15:27). David himself danced and played before the Lord (1 Chronicles 15:29; 2 Samuel 6:14). As "all our springs are in God"—all the sources of our strength and joy—so all our faculties may be devoted to his service; "as well the singers as the players on instruments." are to be engaged in worshipping him (see Psalms 87:7). We have very varied talents, both in kind and in degree; the only thing to be careful about is that we do not hide any of them in the earth, but put them all out in the service of Christ. Nothing can be less worthy of a Christian man than to disregard the contribution of a neighbour because it is other or smaller than our own; nothing can be more needless than to be distressed because of the larger or loftier contribution than our own: let each bring to the Lord of love and righteousness that which he entrusted to his charge, and he shall "in no wise lose his reward."
II. THAT WE SHOULD ALL MAKE FITTING PREPARATION FOR THE SERVICE WE ARE ABOUT TO RENDER. The king who was careful to be dressed in a way that made him most equal to his combat with the Giant (1 Samuel 17:1-58.), now sees to it that he is suitably attired for the work before him; the others who took part in the procession were similarly careful When we address ourselves to work for our Divine Master, we should see that we are suitably equipped. We may look for help from God (as we shall see presently), but we must not presumptuously neglect the conditions of success. We are to be armed for our effort with all appropriate weapons; we are to be clothed, not only with humility, but with knowledge, zeal, devotion, perseverance.
III. THAT WE MAY RECKON ON DIVINE HELP IF WE ARE DOING THE WORK TO WHICH HE CALLS US. "God helped the Levites that bare the ark" (1 Chronicles 15:26). There was nothing in the act in which they were engaged that was peculiarly trying to their strength; nevertheless they received help from Omnipotence to do their work. In God is the source of all our strength; there is nothing we can do purely "of ourselves;" all our sufficiency is of him. And if the Levites needed Divine help in bearing the burden which they carried, how much more do we need it! and with what frequency and earnestness should we seek it, when we boar those burdens for him which require, not some slight muscular exertion, but much mental, moral, and spiritual excellency!
IV. THAT WE MUST NOT BE DETAINED FROM THE SERVICE OF GOD BY THE PERVERSITY OF THE IRRELIGIOUS. Michal despised David for his godly zeal (1 Chronicles 15:29). She lacked the devotedness of heart which her husband possessed, and therefore she misjudged his action. Ungodliness cannot understand, cannot appreciate religious earnestness; it therefore disregards, and even despises it. We are not to be moved by this consideration David would not have omitted his service had he known beforehand the reception which awaited him at the royal palace. We are not to be detained from the active, enthusiastic service of our Lord and of our perishing brethren because we are well aware that there will be those who, looking out from the window of their own impiety or indifference, will regard us with cynical contempt. All of this will weigh but as the small dust of the balance against the gratitude of those we serve, and the "well done" of the approving Lord.—C.
HOMILIES BY F. WHITFIELD
1 Chronicles 15:1-15.-The bearers of the ark.
In the account (2 Samuel 6:11-23) of the bringing of the ark into Jerusalem, only the principal facts are recorded. In this chapter we are presented with the religious aspect of this solemn act and the preparation David made for it. The motive for bringing the ark to Jerusalem was (see 2 Samuel 6:12) that David had heard of the great blessing the ark had brought upon the house of Obed-edom during the time it had been there. David arranges that the ark should be borne only by Levites, for them only had the Lord chosen to carry it. By this arrangement it is expressly acknowledged that it was contrary to law to place it on a cart. The heads of the priests and Levites are summoned to take the matter in hand. Kohath is first named, because Aaron was descended from Kohath, and because to the Kohathites, on account of this near relation to the priests, there belonged the duty of serving in that which was most holy, and in bearing the holiest vessels of the tabernacle. The transport of the ark was the Kohathites' special work. These priests and six of the Levites were commanded by David to consecrate themselves with their brethren to bring up the ark. This consecration consisted of the removing of all that was unclean, the washing of the body and clothes (Genesis 35:2), the keeping aloof from every defilement, and from touching unclean things. David reminds them (1 Chronicles 15:13) that because God was not sought according to his Word, there came a breach. That Word required that the ark on which Jehovah was enthroned should be carried by Levites, and should be touched by no unholy person or one who was not a priest (see Numbers 4:15). So the Levites, we are told, bare the ark on their shoulders with staves, according to the Word of the Lord. From this portion of our chapter let us learn three spiritual lessons.
1. It was because David heard of the blessing the ark had been to the house of Obed-edom that made him send for it. That ark was Christ. Wherever he is in a heart, a family, a Church, or a nation, there a blessing will be left. He came to bless (see Acts 3:26); and none who receive him shall be without that blessing. But as in the case of Obed-edom those who receive his blessing are made the channel of blessing to others. They cannot be hid. David sends for the ark because Obed-edom had been so blessed by it.
2. Those Levites who bore the ark, though they had been from of old divinely appointed to this work, had again to be consecrated. No touch of uncleanliness, or defilement of body or garment, must come near it. So must it be now with all those who have to do with Christ. To be Christians is not enough any more than it was to be Levites. They must be clean Christians. There must be plenty of "washing," plenty of "keeping aloof" from things, and plenty of careful walking with all those who have to do with him. "Be ye holy that hear the vessels of the Lord;" "Be ye holy, for I am holy."
3. It might seem to human observation a very trifling difference between carrying the ark on a cart or carriage, and carrying it on the shoulders with staves. But the great point is—What was the Lord's word? It was this made the difference (1 Chronicles 15:15). So is it now in everything. It is not what I think or what you think or what any man thinks. It is, "What saith the Word of the Lord?" This is to settle every question. And he would not have been a true Levite any more than that man could be a true Christian who would for a moment hesitate to accept this decision as final.—W.
1 Chronicles 15:16-24.-The singers and musical instruments accompanying the ark.
David gave also a further charge to the Levites to appoint singers and musical instruments to accompany the ark. Three kinds of musical instruments are named (1 Chronicles 15:16): the psalter, an oblong box with broad bottom and a somewhat convex sounding-board, over which strings of wire are stretched; harps or lutes, and the cymbal or instrument provided with a small bell. These singers formed three choirs according to the instrument they played. Heman, Asaph, and Ethan played brazen cymbals, Benaiah and the seven who followed played psalteries; the last six played lutes. The former three had cymbals to direct the song; while the rest had partly psalteries, partly lutes, in order to play the accompaniment to the singing. Chenaniah was captain of the Levitee who had charge of the bearing of the ark because he was instructed in what had to be observed with respect to it. The blowing of the silver trumpets by the priests rests on Numbers 10:1-10. The procession was in all probability arranged thus: the singers and players in front in three divisions; next Chenaniah, captain of the bearers; two doorkeepers; the priests with the trumpets; two doorkeepers; the king, with the elders and captains of thousands. Observe the spiritual lesson to be learned from this procession. The ark was to be accompanied by those who could sing and shout for joy (see Numbers 10:16, Numbers 10:28). So is it with those who have to do with the true Ark—Christ. We have had first cleanness, and now we have joy. These are inseparable, Not the Levite as such, but the Levite washed and clean, shouting for joy. Not the Christian as such, but the Christian cleansed, and holy. Such only can truly be full of joy. It is joy from conscious union with Christ the true Ark, and maintained in holiness of life.—W.
1 Chronicles 15:25-29.-The clothing of the priests and Levites.
After the journey had been accomplished, the bearers and those who had brought up the ark offered thank offerings of seven bullocks and seven rams—a perfect offering, denoted by the number seven. David and all the priests and Levites that accompanied the ark were clothed in white linen. The outer garments corresponded with the cleanness, the holiness, and the joy. So the white-robed multitude are represented as singing with palms in their hands, indicating the holiness and the joy, round the true Ark, the Lord Jesus Christ, in heaven. No wonder Michal should despise David. The heart of every one not experimentally acquainted with the Lord Jesus will always do the same. "The natural man understandeth not the things of the Spirit of God:… they are foolishness unto him." The Michal-heart is everywhere around us. Oh the joy of knowing Jesus!—W.
HOMILIES BY R. TUCK
1 Chronicles 15:2, 1 Chronicles 15:12, 1 Chronicles 15:13.-Learning the lessons of God's judgments.
We are not left in any doubt as to the national lesson intended to be taught by the Divine judgement on Uzza. David came to see that "none ought to carry the ark of God but the Levites" (comp. Numbers 1:50; Numbers 4:15; Numbers 7:9; Numbers 10:17). The judgment showed that God had not been "sought after the due order;" and of this error and neglect there is now the honest confession, with due care in the new effort, to meet fully the Divine conditions and requirements. "The 'due order' was that the ark should be borne on the shoulders of the Kohathite Levites—not that it should be placed upon a cart, drawn by oxen, and rudely shaken." Out of his first mistaken attempt David learned the valuable, practical lesson that ―
"Evil is wrought for want of thought,
As well as for want of heart."
The incident suggests a general treatment of the teachings of God's judgments. Isaiah expresses the attitude, of which David here gives us the example, when he says (Isaiah 26:1-21.), "In the way of thy judgments, O Lord, have we waited for thee."
I. JUDGMENT TAUGHT DAVID RESPECT FOR GOD'S LAW AND ORDER. It does not appear that the full ceremonial of Mosaism had been preserved during Saul's reign, and certainly there had been some neglect of the Scriptures; but it is especially to be observed that, in making a new tabernacle on Mount Zion, and fitting it up according to his own ideas, David was in great peril of wilfulness, and of neglecting to consult and to follow the Divine regulations. Such a judgment as that on Uzza was needed to thoroughly arouse him to the importance of a precise and minute obedience. So we too often say, "What does it matter, if the thing is done?" And we have, often bitterly, to learn that God cares for the doing, and wants even the right things done in the right way. Obedience in the very forms and order of Divine service tests the deep feeling of God's worshippers. Apostles recognized the importance even of forms when they enjoined, "Let all things be done decently and in order."
II. JUDGMENT TAUGHT THE NEED FOR THOUGHTFULNESS AND CARE. Haste is as unfitting as self-will in matters of God's worship. Consideration; due attention to precedents; personal preparation of spirit; serious demeanour;—all properly attend on Divine service. God wants the signs and indications of real heart-feeling and deep sincerity.
III. JUDGMENT TAUGHT THE DUTY OF FINDING FIT INSTRUMENTS FOR GOD'S WORK. Holy duties should not be done by unsuitable hands. No common persons might touch the sacred ark. The proper persons were the Levites, and a particular family of them. Illustrate the need for a wiser selection of instruments in connection with the work of the modern Church. Compare the apostolic injunctions, "Lay hands suddenly on no man;" "Let such first be proved."
IV. JUDGMENT TAUGHT THE REVERENT TREATMENT OF THE SYMBOLS OF DIVINE PRESENCE. Without adopting strained ideas of sacramental virtue, we too may learn this lesson. Sanctuaries, sacraments, Bibles, etc; because of their sacred associations and suggestions, properly demand reverent treatment. Only shallow and self-satisfied natures tail in reverence. A worthy sense of the infinite glory of the Unseen, Eternal, and Divine, gains fitting expression in the reverent touch of all earth-symbols that bring the Eternal near. There may be danger of stopping with the symbol, even as heathen stopped with the idol; but the fact that danger lies in excess does not relieve us from the claims of the symbolic, as set within wise limitations. There is danger of overdoing forms. But there is also danger of an undue indifference to forms; and this kind of danger is seriously imperilling to some important features of the religious life. This may be practically illustrated in relation to long-received forms of doctrine, and long-hallowed rites and symbols. They who would sincerely honour God must not be unmindful of the reverence that is due to his ark.—R.T.
1 Chronicles 15:12-14.-Due preparation for Divine service.
Not only was David on this occasion careful to employ the proper persons, but he was anxious that they should be properly prepared and fitted for their solemn duty. He commands them to "sanctify themselves," that is, to go through the ceremonies by which the Mosaic priesthood were prepared for ritual duties (see Le 1 Chronicles 11:44; Numbers 11:18; 2 Chronicles 29:5, etc.). God has ever shown anxiety over men's preparation-times. A long preparation-time may precede a very brief period of work, but the efficiency of the work always depends on the preparation. Illustrate from the preparations for the first Passover; from the answer of our Lord's disciples, "Where wilt thou that we prepare for thee to eat the Passover?" from the actual experience of our Lord, who had thirty silent years, and then a long spell of desert meditations; from such cases as that of Moses, who had forty years in the Horeb district, and of Saul, who was a long while in the deserts of Arabia; from such a case as that of Savonarola, who had many years of study and prayer in the monastery before he commenced his brief eight years of public ministry. In all ages, and now, the holiest and best men have deeply felt the need of times of devout meditation and prayer and spiritual preparation, before engaging in Divine service; and such personal preparations are quite as important for worshippers as for ministers. The neglect of them is the secret of the limited blessing that so often attends the means of grace.
I. PREPARATION-TIMES ARE NECESSARY.
1. Because of the solemnity attaching to every form of Divine worship or work.
2. Because of God's reasonable demand that everything we do for him shall be done with our best powers and our whole heart, therefore with due consideration and effort.
3. Because man is so absorbed in worldly things, that he cannot at once disengage himself so as fittingly to attend to heavenly and Divine things.
4. Because the hurry and bustle of life makes an agitation and excitement of mind and feeling that are unsuited to religions occupations,
II. PREPARATION-TIMES BEAR DIRECT RELATION TO FAITHFULNESS. Because they test our spirit when no eye is upon us, and there is none but God to take account of our doings. It is an easy thing to be devout and attentive and particular when we have all the surroundings of the great congregation; but only God knows whether we are really in tone for our work and our worship. He reckons faithfulness by our heart-states, not merely by our life-actions.
III. PREPARATION-TIMES BEAR DIRECTLY ON SPIRITUAL PROFIT. This is the other side of the matter. Blessings come to us only as we are in moods to receive them. There is a "set of the soul" towards heavenly and Divine things on which the influence of teachings and holy surroundings entirely depends. When that "set of the soul" is secured, the smallest and simplest "means of grace" prove nourishing. And we are in large measure responsible for securing it. The great things of God are revealed unto "babes," unto the simple-minded and open-hearted and devoutly toned. Our spiritual profit depends on ourselves.
IV. PREPARATION-TIMES ARE NEVER WASTED TIMES. Though we are liable to regard them as such, because they seem to have no tangible result, the issues of them we cannot count and measure. But school-time is not wasted time, for it fits the boy for life. Apprentice-time is not wasted time, for its issues are seen in vigorous and skilled manhood. There never can be waste in efficiently getting ready; and this is fully true in religious spheres.
Practical application of these points may be made to three or four forms of modern religious life: e.g. prayer, almsgiving, worship, sacraments, Christian work. In relation to them all God's call to us is, "Sanctity yourselves for it."—R.T.
1 Chronicles 15:16-24.-Music and song consecrated to God's service.
For traces of singing in connection with religious ceremonies, see Exodus 15:21; 5:1; 1 Chronicles 13:8. It seems to have been cultivated in the "schools of the prophets" (1 Samuel 10:5). From the time of David's appointment of these Levites to this special department, "the services of the tabernacle and the temple were regularly choral, and a considerable section of the Levites was trained in musical knowledge, and set apart to conduct this part of the national worship." Reference may be made to the prejudices of the Puritans, the Scotch, and some sections of the older Nonconformists to music and song in Divine worship. Even Christian hymns have sometimes been introduced with difficulty, and any elaboration of the musical part of Divine worship is, even now, often regarded with anxiety. Such facts seem to us strange; but they are adequately explained by a wise estimate of the struggles and conflicts through which the Christian Church has passed. The conflict has often been over some non-essential, and even indifferent, matter; but this was only the outward seeming. The conflict really concerned vital principle. The trivial matter over which the fight seemed to wage gained an undue importance thus, and the relics of its fictitious value linger long with conservative-toned Christian people. Cultured Christian feeling may be safely left to decide the appropriate and the inappropriate in Church music and song; and no precise standards need be fixed for all classes of the Christian community. Historical associations properly affect the ritual of some. And successive generations of witnesses for the claims of spiritual life over ritual observance cannot fail to influence the practices of others. Still the development of the heart of music has greatly tended to unite all parties in the full dedication of this gilt to the service of the house of the Lord. As this subject has been previously treated, a simple outline may here suffice.
I. MUSIC AND SONG SERVING GOD IN FAMILY SPHERES. It is often made a gracious power in the home. The home is a temple, and should always be thought of as a sanctuary of the Lord, to which should be brought the best gifts.
II. MUSIC AND SONG SERVING GOD IN SPHERES OF PRIVATE CHRISTIAN WORK. During a recent period of distress in Manchester, some cultivated Christian ladies proved how the otherwise closed doors of the sick and suffering poor could be opened by the attractions of beautiful song.
III. MUSIC AND SONG SERVING GOD IN PUBLIC CHURCH SERVICES. Show the importance of choirs in relation to the pathos and the pleasure of Christian worship.
IV. MUSIC AND SONG SERVING GOD IN SPECIAL EFFORTS TO PREACH THE GOSPEL TO MASSES. As illustrated in the creation of hymns and tunes for evangelistic services, and in recent revival movements.
Plead that the faculties and talents of music and song are for the Lord, and that they come under this twofold law:
1 Chronicles 15:29.-Intensity in religion is often misunderstood.
"One only incident tarnished the brightness of this greatest day of David's life. Michal, his wife, in the proud, we may almost say conservative, spirit of the older dynasty—not without a thought of her father's fallen house—poured forth her contemptuous reproach on the king who had descended to the dances and song of the Levitical procession." There are marked differences in the dispositions of men in relation to religion. The colder-natured are apt to regard the impulsive as extravagant; and the warm-hearted and excitable too readily conclude that the quieter-toned people are insincere. Explain the Eastern ecstatic modes of expressing joy. In time of excitement, rhythmical movements, such as dancing, afford great relief. And such clanging of trumpet and cymbals was the very thing to set the company upon dancing. Distinguish the natural movements and gestures of excited feeling from the ordered fashionable dancing with which we are familiar. What lessons may be learned from Michal's inability to appreciate David's religious intensity?
I. RELIGION FINDS DIFFERENT RESPONSE IN DIFFERENT INDIVIDUALS. We must not look for the same experiences and manifestations in all. Each man's religious conduct will bear the plain impress of his character and disposition. This may be applied to experiences of conversion-time, or the beginnings of the Christian life. As also to the forms in which men stand related to public worship and Christian work. If we venture to make moulds for the necessary Christian life, we must take care that they are large and general, with no fine lines of must-be peculiarities in them. Christ gives a new life, and sends each man forth to express it according to his own genius and character.
II. RELIGION CAN FIND EXPRESSION THROUGH ALL DISPOSITIONS. So we may not, even in thought, exempt any man from its gracious influence; and we may not be anxious to have the natural dispositions of men changed. Men do not need to be made other than they are. The all-sufficing change is the inward regeneration, the renewal of the vital principle. We need not want to make the channel of the river bend and turn in any other and, as we think, more graceful forms. Our anxiety should concern the purity of the waters flowing down from the fountain-head, which fill the stream. Preservation of the characteristic disposition is, however, quite consistent with all due Christian culture, and this may sometimes so bring out to the front the best in men, that they may seem other than they were.
III. CHRISTIAN CHARITY FINDS A FREE SPHERE FOR EVERY MAN. Just in this Michal failed. She had not charity enough to give David credit for the sincerity which would have clothed his act with dignity. A man's ways may not be our ways, may not even be such as we can approve; but it should suffice for us if we can see in them the signs of genuine religious life and feeling. Then we may wish him "Godspeed."
Application of a practical character may be carefully made to those more enthusiastic and excited phases of religious life and association which are so marked a feature of nineteenth-century Christianity. From the calmer, colder point of view, such as Michal would take, there may seem in all these only a perilous fanaticism. The charity that "hopeth all things" may at least enable us to say, in the spirit of our Lord, "Forbid them not, for they that are not against him are on his part." And his kingdom has its on-coming in wondrous ways; no man knoweth how.—R.T.
1 Chronicles
1 Chronicles 15 - 1-chronicles-15 - worlddic.com