SUNDAY READING.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1196, 1 February 1895, Page 29

SUNDAY READING.

ARE YOU GRISTLE OR BONE P By Bev. William Birch. I am this day weak, though annointed king.—2 Sam., iii., 39. I can do all things through Christ who strengtheneth me. —Phil, iv., 13. Though the prophet Samuel had annointed David as king over the twelve tribes of Judah and Israel, for seven years he reigned over only the House of Judah, his chief captain being the famous Joab. The House of Israel enthroned Saul's son, and made Abner chief captain, who, in what for those days was a justifiable fight, killed the brother of Joab. While Joab was on a campaign, Abner came to David and agreed that be should now be king over Israel as well as Judah. Joab returned later on the same day, and being angry and jealous, said, “ This Abner conspires to take my place, and as in law I may slay him because be slew my brother, I will get rid of him." Accordingly, Joab sent messengers to speak falsely to Abner, saying, “ The king desiress thee to return, as he would speak to thee again.’ Joab waited for him outside the gate of Hebron, . which being a City of, Refuge, would make Abner safe from the manslayer. Abner fell into the trap. Ha might have known Joab wa3 his enemy and should have entered Hebron, instead of which he permitted himself to be drawn aside, as if to speak privately with Joab, who suddenly stabbed him® to death. David should at once have srnt a troop of soldiers to bring Joab to justice, and the entira nation would have supported him, but because Joab was chief captain, he whined like a cross child, “I am this day weak, though annointed king. 1 ' He was annointed to the highest dignity, but cowardice made him the subject of an assassin. The apostle Paul was much more brave. When led to believe that if be went on to Jerusalem, afflictions and imprisonment awaited him in every city, he cheerfully exclaimed, “But none of these things move me ; I can do all things through Christ who strengtheneth me" (Acts xx., 22 : Phil iv., 13. I. The cause op weakness, (l) Not believing that God is at the bach of Righteousness. Observe this boy sitting on the top rail of the gate. “My boy, it is almost dars, why do you sit there holding up your hands T “ Oh, you know, my kite is in the sky with half a mile of string 1” We look up and say, “We see no kite ; how do you know ? Can you see it?” “No, I cannot see it, but it is up there sure enough ; I feel it pull!” Now some folks say they cannot see or feel the presence of God ; but if they take hold of the string of faith they will know God as we knew the kite when we sat alongside the boy i.nd held the string. In response to my faith God gives me a supernatural evidence of His presence. I admit that no brain can scientifically prove ■that God tangibly touches the human spirit ; but remember that reason deals only with material changeable things, while Faith sees eternal realities. I believe in science or the knowledge of what God’s hand has done, and as truly believe that God is at the back of all things and can manifest His presence. Men who live as if there were no God, and suppose their death will be extinction of personality, are weak in secret virtue, unstable in noble aims, injurious in whimsical efforts to benefit the race, and cowardly in shipwreck. (2) Professing Religion, but not being religious. When we put off the devil’s regimentals, unless we put on the armour of God, we make fools of ourseives. Turning out the demons from his inner self, such a man whitewashes and gilds his manners, habits and thoughts, and on his signboard writes, “ Christ is King here." After a while, one of the demons returns, reads the sign, and looks on ; but observing the encouraged besetting sin in business or private life, he peeps through the window and seas only a whitewashed gilded self. Then the demon calls ten others who take up their abode in that pious respectable man, who as he puts on more religion every year becomes less religious and a more confirmed Antichrist. If you give up drink, or other vice, and are not inspired with love and righteousness, you may give largely to good work* but you, the immortal part of you, are weakened, defiled, degraded. (3) Indecision when tempted. When enticed to drink to firmly answer, “No ; I am a teetotaler," has saved many a weak man from ruin. The irresolute are the weaksr third-rate of mankind. Like Joshua, openly express your loyal adherence to honour, modesty and righteousness, and join the assembly of men who are nearest your ideal of nobility and godliness. Take your stand with them, though they may be poor. By your company show your opinion, by your example influence the world, by your spotless righteousness show the ugliness of wronging one’sneighbour, and by your forbearing love give your family a picture of God.

11. The INSPIRATION OF STRENGTH. (1) That God does not blame us. Our iniquity has been borne away from us by His beloved Son ; and, with the penitential boldness of a forgiven child, we may always draw near to God for grace to help in every time of neeu. (2) That His presence cleanses us from defilement. The followers of Moses kept tl a ashes of a burned heifer in water in every house, and when they touched any defiling thing, they at once sprinkled themselves and were considered clean and fit for worship. Likewise, in an unwatchful moment or bodily propensity, defiling thought* distres* us, when we at once run in prayer to Christ, whose precious blood is as it were always there to cleanse us from all sin. When Christ dwells in us as the sap in a branch, demons or temptations may knock at tha door of our inner self, but Christ stands at our side while we “ answer the door,” and in His strength we live without wilfully doing any wrong in God’s sight.

(3) Assurance of Heaven. Mrs . Stowe relates that when little Eva was nearing the death-gate, she said, “ Uncle Tom, you have told me of the bright angels ; I am going there 1” The poor coloured man cried, “ Going where, Miss Eva ?” The child rose, pointed her little hand to the sky, and with a look of rapture ia her eyes reverently said, “Uncle Ton, lam going up there —there ; yes, Tom, I’m going before long.” (4) Knowledge that we are children of God. George Macdonald relates that Malcolm MacPhail is supposed to be an illegitimate son of the deceased Marquis of Lassie. He is a fisherman of courage ancl honour, and one of his most trusted mates i 3 Blue Peter, who has been a man-of-war’s-man. Taking him to a lonely place on the rocks, MacPhail lays his hand on his poor friend’s arm, saying. “ Blue Peter, did I ever tell you a lie ?'’ “ No, never," answers Peter, “ what makes you ask such a question?” MacPhail replies, “ Because I want you to believe me now, and it will not be ea3y.” Peter exclaims, “Malcolm MacPhail, I'll believe anything ye tell me—that can be believed." Malcolm says, “ Blue Peter, I have come to the knowledge that my name is not MacPhail. Man, I am the Marquis of Lossie !'’ Without a single stare of unbelief, Blue Peter pulls off his cap and stands bareheaded before the companion of his toils. Malcolm cries, “ Peter, do not break my heart: put on your cap.” But Peter looks up saying, “ The Lord of lords be thanked, my lord I the poor man has a friend this day." Then replacing his cap, he adds, “ And what is your lordship's will?'’ ■ Brothers, in this sacred gospel is God’s Trevelation that you have been redeemed and •are not Satan's slave. Man, you are God’s ’child 1 Let the knowledge of this sublime constrain you to humble yourself as always in the presence of your loving Father and inspire to be godly in every word and deed. Amen.