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Expositor's Bible Commentary 1 Chronicles 16:1 So they brought the ark of God, and set it in the midst of the tent that David had pitched for it: and they offered burnt sacrifices and peace offerings before God. The Expositor's Bible Text Courtesy of BibleSupport.com . Used by Permission.

And He dealt to every one of Israel, both man and woman. 1 Chronicles 16:3 Individuality P. B. Power, M. A. I. THE GREAT EVENT ITSELF DOES NOT ABSORB ALL. We can easily understand how the bringing of the ark to Jerusalem would have absorbed all minor considerations, but it does not. Israel is not generalised into simply the male heads of the families; the bread and flesh are distributed to "both man and woman." God was being glorified, and simultaneously the people blessed. Diffusion is what God delights in; He connects the blessing of many with His own glory. II. THERE WAS A SPECIAL PROVISION HERE FOR PERSONAL ENJOYMENT. The placing of the ark in its tent of rest was not to be a mere historical fact, involving no personal enjoyments. It is not in bare abstractions that God delights, but in their bearing upon individuals. Perhaps one reason why the future glory of Christ is so unsubstantial to many, and operates so little on their feelings, and raises so few thoughts of joyousness in them, is the fact that they see so little of its bearing upon themselves. The beams of this glory are to light up every individual; every believer has actually a personal interest in them. Each man has his own independent existence with its longings and aspirations, and no generality will satisfy them. He must have for his own very self. This is not selfishness; it is a law grounded on the very constitution of our nature. No future lies before God's people in which God Himself absorbs everything. He will pervade all, which is a very different thing. III. WE ARE STRUCK WITH THE DISTINCT INDIVIDUALITY OF EACH. We cannot be too particular in preserving our individuality. It is the foundation of our responsibility, of His closest dealings with us, of all our capacity for happiness or sorrow in the time to come. Every man is to give account of himself to God; every man is to receive according to his works. IV. THE CONSCIOUSNESS OF INDIVIDUAL LIFE IS THE FOUNDATION OF INDIVIDUAL EFFORT. Let us be encouraged, then, to have individual expectations. Let us link ourselves individually with the great events of God. Both man and woman triumphed in the bringing up of the ark; and both had the portion of bread and flesh and wine. ( P. B. Power, M. A. ) And to record. 1 Chronicles 16:4-7 The recorders These recorders were to take notes of what God had done; they were to be the chroniclers of the nation, and out of their chronicles they were to compose the psalms and songs. The original of the word "record" bears another meaning — "to bring to remembrance." We gather — I. THAT IF RECORDERS WERE APPOINTED, THERE IS SOME FAULT IN OUR MEMORY TOWARDS THE LORD. 1. Memory has been prejudiced by the fall. 2. Memory towards God's mercy has been very much impaired by neglect. 3. Memory touching God's mercy is often overloaded with other things. I think Aristotle used to call memory the stomach of the soul, in which it retains and digests what it gathers; but men cram it full of everything that it does not want — upon which the soul cannot feed, and thus they ruin it for remembering the best things. 4. Memory has also suffered from its connection with the other faculties. (1) Darkened understandings. (2) Perverted affections. 5. Our memory of God's goodness is often crushed down by a sense of present pain. II. THAT WE OUGHT TO DO ALL WE CAN TO ASSIST OUR MEMORIES TOWARDS GOD. 1. It is a good thing to make an actual record of God's mercy. 2. Be sure to praise God thoroughly at the time you receive His goodness. 3. Set apart a little time for meditation. 4. Often rehearse His mercy in the ears of others. 5. Use everything about you as a memento. III. WE HAVE ALL HAD MERCIES TO REMEMBER. 1. Common mercies. 2. Special providence. 3. The long-suffering of God. IV. THAT ALL OUR MEMORIES SHOULD TEND TO MAKE US PRAISE AND BLESS GOD. Rowland Hill used to say that worldlings were like the hogs under the oak, which eat the acorns, but never think of the oak from which they fall, nor lift up their heads to grunt out a thanksgiving. ( C. H. Spurgeon . ) And Jeiel with psalteries and with harps The meaning of song T. Carlyle. The meaning of song goes deep. Who is there that in logical words can express the effect that music has on us? A kind of inarticulate, unfathomable speech, which leads us to the edge of the infinite, and lets us for moments gaze into that. ( T. Carlyle. ) Musical talent dedicated to God Church Worker. Jenny Lind believed that her art was the gift of God, and to be dedicated to His service. "I have always put Him first," said she, in her last illness. ( Church Worker. ) Then on that day David delivered first this psalm. 1 Chronicles 16:7-22 A psalm of thanksgiving J. Wolfendale. This, a composite psalm, represents a form of service rather than a psalm. The whole of it, with slight variations, found in Psalm 96 ., 105:1-15, 106:47, 48. It celebrates redemption as unfolded in the history of Israel, proclaimed to the world, and triumphant in judgment. This part sets forth. — I. AN EXHORTATION TO THE NOBLEST WORK — praising God. In three ways, chiefly, is this duty recommended. 1. In giving thanks to God. (1) By singing psalms (ver. 9). (2) By social conversation. (3) By glorying in His name (ver. 10). 2. In seeking God. (1) Earnestly. (2) Joyfully. (3) Continually. 3. In commemorating God's works (ver. 12). II. MOTIVES TO INFLUENCE US IN THIS NOBLEST WORK. 1. God's great love. 2. God's great manifestations of love. 3. God's great dominion. 4. God's great claims. 5. God's vindication of these claims. ( J. Wolfendale. ) A memorable day Homilist. Let us gather up a few of the lessons which Providence read out to humanity on that day. I. THAT RELIGION IS A SUBJECT IN WHICH THE LEADERS OF THE PEOPLE SHOULD ENDEAVOUR TO INTEREST THE MASSES. 1. Religion is suited to the common and primary instincts of human nature. 2. Religion provides for the fallen condition of human nature. II. THAT RELIGION DEVELOPS THE DISTINCTIVE CHARACTERISTICS OF MANKIND. Through it "the thoughts of many hearts are revealed." In the history of this "day" four states of mind are developed in relation to the Divine. 1. An enthusiastic interest in the Divine. Such was David's state. 2. A stolid unconsciousness of the Divine. This was revealed in Uzzah's conduct. To him the ark only appeared as a common chest. He was a type of those who engage in religious services without the religious spirit. 3. A calm confidence in the Divine. This was revealed in the conduct of Obed-edom. The terrible fate of Uzzah filled David with overwhelming excite. merit. The people were panic-stricken. But Obed-edom was calm. He took the ark into his own house for three months; he stands by a deserted cause. 4. A thoughtless contempt for the Divine. This was developed in Michal ( 1 Chronicles 15:29 ). She is a type of a class who despise religious observances, religious people, and religious services. III. THAT RELIGION IS ALWAYS ASSOCIATED WITH THE CHEERFUL AND THE GENEROUS. 1. Here is music. 2. Here is hospitality. True religion is evermore the parent of true philanthropy. IV. THAT RELIGION IS THE PATRON OF THE HIGHEST ART AS WELL AS THE INSPIRER OF THE HOLIEST FEELINGS ( 1 Chronicles 15:16-24 ). ( Homilist. ) Sing psalms unto Him, talk ye of all His wondrous works. 1 Chronicles 16:9 Good conversation I. THE SUBJECT HERE SUGGESTED FOR OUR COMMONPLACE TALK: "HIS WONDROUS WORKS." We ought to talk more about God's wondrous works. 1. As we find them in Holy Scripture. 2. As we find them in the history of our own country. 3. As we find them in our own individual history. II. THE EXCELLENCY OF THIS SUBJECT IS BOTH NEGATIVE AND POSITIVE. 1. Negative. Were we to talk more of God's wondrous works — (1) We should talk less about our own works. (2) We should be free from talking of other people's works. (3) It would keep us from the ordinary frivolities of conversation. 2. Positive. The habit once acquired of talking more of God's wondrous works — (1) Would necessitate stricter habits of observation and of discrimination in watching the providence of God; (2) would be very ennobling; (3) would cause our gratitude to glow and would give an impulse to our entire life. III. LET ME URGE THIS TAKING ORDINARILY AND COMMONLY ABOUT GOD'S WONDROUS WORKS. Not only will it prevent much evil and do us much good, but it will be the means of doing much good to others. It will — 1. Impress the sinner. 2. Enlighten the ignorant. 3. Comfort the desponding. ( C. H. Spurgeon . ) Seek the Lord and His strength . 1 Chronicles 16:11 The seeker encouraged W. Jay. There are three reasons for this. I. BECAUSE IT IS AN EVIDENCE OF GRACE. II. BECAUSE THEIR SUCCESS IS SURE. III. BECAUSE, WHEN THEY HAVE FOUND, THEIR AIM AND WISH IN SEEKING ARE FULLY ANSWERED. ( W. Jay. ) Threefold seeking A. G. Brown. I. The Lord for MERCY II. His strength for SERVICE. III. His face for HAPPINESS. ( A. G. Brown. ) Be ye always mindful of His covenant 1 Chronicles 16:15-22 The national covenant J. Wolfendale. Learn: I. THAT GOD'S METHOD OF INTERCOURSE WITH MEN HAS EVER BEEN IN THE FORM OF A COVENANT. Tayler Lewes says: "There is no religion without this idea of covenant with a personal God, and therefore all such views as those of Comte, Mill, and Spencer are, for all moral and religious purposes, wholly atheistical." II. THAT THIS COVENANT METHOD OF INTERCOURSE WITH MEN DISPLAYS THE SOVEREIGN WILL AND FREE GRACE OF GOD ( Ephesians 1:5 ). III. THAT THIS COVENANT METHOD OF INTERCOURSE PUTS MAN UNDER DEEP OBLIGATION TO GOD. 1. They are chosen to great favours. 2. They should render thanks for these favours. IV. THE OBLIGATIONS OF MEN TO GOD FOR HIS COVENANT MERCIES CAN NEVER CEASE. 1. It is of Divine authority. 2. It is confirmed from time to time. 3. It is "an everlasting covenant" (ver. 17), "made with man as an immortal being, and in itself an evidence of his designed immortality." ( J. Wolfendale. ) He suffered no man to do them wrong. 1 Chronicles 16:19-22 Evil-doing restrained I. HERE IS THE NEARNESS AND DEARNESS OF THE SAINTS UNTO GOD. II. HERE IS THE GREAT DANCER TO KINGS AND STATES TO DEAL WITH HIS SAINTS OTHERWISE THAN WELL. III. HERE IS THE CARE AND PROTECTION WHICH GOD HAD OVER THEM, SET AND AMPLIFIED. 1. By the number and condition of the persons whom He defended. 2. By what He did for them. ( Thomas Goodwin . ) Touch not Mine anointed Touch not Mine anointed Bp. Andrewes. I. THE PERSON WHOSE THE SPEECH IS. "He is the Lord our God" (ver. 14). II. THE PERSONS TO WHOM. In general to all; specially to some. III. THE PERSONS CONCERNING WHOM. His anointed. 1. The patriarchs, who were the rulers of their people. The name implies fatherhood and government. They were anointed before there was any material anointing at all. 2. The kings who were the successors of the patriarchs.(1) The Holy Ghost applies this term to Saul, David, Solomon, Hezekiah, Josiah, Cyrus ( 1 Samuel 12:3, 4 ; 2 Samuel 19:21 ; 2 Chronicles 6:42 ; Lamentations 4:20 ; Isaiah 45:1 ).(2) This is affirmed by (a) The third general Council of Ephesus. (b) The great Council of Toledo the Fourth. (c) The great Western Council of Francford . 3. The fathers use the term in the same way. 4. After the patriarchs, this term is appropriate to kings, and kings only, all the Bible through. It is used — (1) Four times by God, "Mine anointed." (2) Six times to God, "Thine anointed." (3) Ten times of God, "His anointed." (4) Twelve times it is "God's anointed."In the text and in Psalm 105 . it is applied to the patriarchs; all the other instances refer either to Christ or to kings. ( Bp. Andrewes. ) Declare His glory among the heathen. 1 Chronicles 16:23, 24 Declaring God's glory William Jackson. I. Declare among the heathen the glory OF GOD'S PERFECTIONS, that they may acknowledge Him as the true God. II. Declare the glory OF HIS SALVATION, that they may accept Him as their only Redeemer. III. Declare the glory OF HIS PROVIDENCE, that they may confide in Him as their faithful guardian. IV. Declare the glory OF HIS WORD, that they may prize it as their chief treasure. V. Declare the glory OF HIS SERVICE, that they may choose it as their chief occupation. VI. Declare the glory or HIS RESIDENCE, that they may seek it m their best home. ( William Jackson. ) He also is to be feared above all gods. 1 Chronicles 16:25 The theology of The Old Testament W. Barrow, LL. D. in the perusal of the Old Testament few sentiments more frequently meet our eye than comparisons between the great object of worship among the Jews and those imaginary deities to which the Gentiles in general paid adoration. This contrast pervades alike their doctrines of religion, their precepts of morality, and their hymns of thanks and praise. To the mind of a legislator, a judge, or a prophet of Israel, comparisons of this kind naturally and unavoidably arose, when he witnessed the ignorance, the polytheism, and the superstitions of the nations around him. As the religious sentiments of the Jews and Gentiles correspond with the objects of their faith and worship respectively, a concise comparison between the theology of the Bible and that of the heathen philosophers cannot fail to be interesting and instructive. I. The Greeks and Romans undoubtedly excelled the Jews, if not in the natural endowments of the mind, at least IN EVERY ARTIFICIAL IMPROVEMENT. But in their doctrines respecting the Creator, and His providence and His laws, they can come in no competition with the nation whom they fancied they had reason to despise. II. The writers of Greece and Rome greatly exceeded those of Judea IN THE VARIETY OF THEIR PUBLICATIONS. in the variety of the subjects to which their genius appears to have been adapted. In the authors of the Old Testament, when we again advert to the peculiar subject of their excellence, we find such poetical addresses of reverence or supplication to the supreme Being, and such descriptions of His proceedings and His providence, as the whole circle of human literature cannot elsewhere supply. III. Amongst the Greeks and Romans the most rational opinions entertained on these difficult and important subjects were CONFINED TO A SMALL NUMBER OF THE SUPERIOR CLASSES OF SOCIETY. From the unlearned populace those opinions were, for reasons of pride or policy, systematically and successfully concealed. Amongst the Jews, on the other hand, we find no traces of one creed for the learned and another for the ignorant. IV. The philosophers of Greece and Rome, if they did not themselves believe, permitted or taught the people in general to believe THAT A DIFFERENT DEITY PRESIDED OVER EVERY SEPARATE NATION and every separate city; over almost every different profession among men, and almost every different object of nature; that these various deities often disagreed in their interests and opinions, and opposed each other in their wishes and pursuits. The Jews believed and taught that there was One mighty Being, the Maker and Ruler of the world; to whose authority every other sentient being owed implicit obedience. V. The public worship of the Gentiles was ADDRESSED ON VARIOUS OCCASIONS TO AS VARIOUS OBJECTS THAT WERE NO GODS; and their rites and ceremonies were contaminated always by superstition, and not seldom by impiety. The worship of the Jew was addressed to one God, under one uniform character, as the only proper object of adoration; whose perfections no image could fitly represent, and to whom pure and spiritual worship was the most acceptable. To the one the Sabbath was a pious rest from his labours. With the other, religious festivals were seasons of intemperance, often immoral, and always licentious. ( W. Barrow, LL. D. ) Glory and honour are in His presence. 1 Chronicles 16:27, 29 The beautiful place J. Wolfendale. Apply this to the sanctuary. I. BEAUTIFIED BY GOD'S PRESENCE. II. BEAUTIFIED BY ATTRACTIVE SERVICES. 1. Cheerful song. 2. Freewill offerings. 3. Spiritual fervour. III. BEAUTIFIED BY LOYAL ATTENDANTS. 1. Regular in attendance. 2. Mindful of its interests. 3. Obedient to its rules. ( J. Wolfendale. ) Religious worship J. Wolfendale. I. IT IS DUE TO GOD. 1. It is right. 2. It is acceptable. Though not enriching, yet well pleasing to Him. "Whosoever offereth praise glorifieth Me." II. IT BEFITS OUR MORAL NATURE. 1. It meets our aspirations. 2. It satisfies our wants. 3. It dignifies our character.It detaches from earth and sin, gives beauty to contemplate, strength to imitate, and fear to humble and guide. "It is good for me to draw near to God." ( J. Wolfendale. ) Strength and gladness are in His place Abiding strength and gladness Richard S. Storrs, D. D. We all need enthusiasm and vigour in our work. It is, however, a rare thing to find these as an abiding, continuous experience. Youth, of course, has freshness and freedom. Its ardent hopefulness covers everything, just as we find when, looking at distant objects through a lens not perfectly achromatic, we see them fringed with prismatic tints — a rainbow brilliancy which does not belong to the objects themselves. There are objects in life that lose their illusive and enchanting brightness when viewed in the sober inspection of maturer age. Health, too, has its influence in imparting enthusiasm. On a bright and bracing day we walk the street with resounding foot. The sunlit skies and the crisp air help to quicken and enliven our spirits. Contact with a friend we love warms our soul with new emotion, and pours the elixir of life into languid veins. A great thought, or the perusal of a delightful book, may stir our intellect to fresh activity. A new key to the mystery of life is given us by momentary contact with an illuminated mind. But society is complex. Cares are multiplied and minute in this our hurrying and exacting life. By no voluntary act of ours can we maintain this tension, any more than we can stretch a wire a hundred yards without a sag. With added years and with narrowing friendships we see less of pleasure ahead to anticipate. We come to feel the need of something to alleviate the weariness of life. Can we as Christian disciples find in our religion that ennobling and enlivening element which was found in the Hebrew? If not, ours is narrower and more limited than the Hebrew. Yes, we do not find strength and gladness here. We do not find a transient glow, an occasional enthusiasm, but an abiding joy, as we come under the power of the religion of Christ? Do you ask, How this is to be maintained? I. WE FIND IT IN THE ENTIRE RELIEF FROM SOLITUDE AS TO THE FUTURE WHICH THE GRACE OF CHRIST IMPARTS. II. WE REALISE THIS ABIDING STRENGTH AND GLADNESS AS WE REMEMBER THAT WE ARE WORKING OUT GOD'S WILL CONCERNING US IN ALL THAT IS DONE OR BORNE BY US. III. WE ARE EDUCATED BY WHAT WE DO. The thought of developed character and of virtues daily nourished within us is calculated to give abiding joyousness and strength to life. IV. LIFE ETERNAL IS THUS LINKED TO THIS. A light supernal cheers and lifts up our spirits as the swing of the sea lifts and carries forward the waves till they flood every inlet and beach along the winding shore. We are released from apprehension as to the future. We see all things working together for our good, around us and within us. We do not rightly estimate the believer's privilege. We go moaning and whining, instead of walking on the high places. We go with weights, and not with wings, over the bleak and barren paths of life. But if character have this abiding strength and gladness, freshness and exuberance; if each of us have this shekinah of glory within the soul, we shall show to men of the world that we have what they have not. We have more than a knowledge of the truth in its verbal exactness. We have Christ in us the hope of glory. We have an enthusiasm more continuous than the ardour of youth or the glow of health, or the inspiration of genius. This abiding power is what the world wants. Its fruits, seen in character, ennoble society and link earth with heaven. They make earth bright and vocal. Culture, art, science, mechanical skill cannot work this transformation. Wealth is powerless. ( Richard S. Storrs, D. D. ) Give unto the Lord the glory due unto His name. 1 Chronicles 16:28-29 The claims of God to the worship and homage of His creatures J. Robinson. I. GOD IS ENTITLED TO AND CLAIMS THE HOMAGE OF HIS CREATURES. II. These claims are made upon us, HIS INTELLIGENT CREATURES. III. THE WORSHIP AND HOMAGE REQUIRED ELEVATES THE MAN WHO PAYS IT. ( J. Robinson. ) The glory which is due to Jehovah E. Payson, D. D. The whole preceptive part of the Bible is contained in this one command. Every being has a right and may justly claim to be regarded and treated by all who know him in a manner suitable to the nature and character which he possesses to the relations and offices which he sustains, and to the works which he performs. Consider what is due to Jehovah. I. AN ACCOUNT OF HIS NATURE. He is God alone. He deserves something which is due to no other being in the universe — religious worship and adoration. II. On account of THE CHARACTER HE POSSESSES. It is absolutely perfect. There is something in His character suited to excite every proper affection of which the human soul is capable. III. On account of THE RELATIONS AND OFFICES WHICH HE SUSTAINS. 1. Creator. 2. Preserver.These imply that God must necessarily be the universal Teacher, Master, Sovereign, and Judge. IV. On account of THE WORKS WHICH HE HAS PERFORMED. Conclusion: 1. How reasonable are God's requisitions! He merely requires the payment of a great debt. 2. How immeasurably great, then, is the debt which our world has contracted, and under the burden of which it now groans. ( E. Payson, D. D. ) The claims of the Supreme Being to the worship and homage of His creatures J. Robinson. These claims are founded — I. ON OUR RELATION TO GOD AS HIS CREATURES. II. ON THE MANIFESTATIONS OF THE DIVINE EXCELLENCE VISIBLE IN THE UNIVERSE AROUND US. III. IN THE CONSTITUTION AND SUSCEPTIBILITIES OF OUR MINDS. Worship is not only fit and proper as an act of the mind, but one to which it is naturally prone. IV. ON A CONSIDERATION OF WHAT IS MOST CONDUCIVE TO THE WELL-BEING OF MEN. The very act itself elevates the mind; it reminds us of our true position as the creatures and the servants of God. Conclusion: 1. These acts of worship divide the world into two great classes — those that fear God and those that fear Him not. 2. That as the public worship of God is one most important means of proclaiming the great facts of His existence and government, it demands the special and constant attention of all that fear God. 3. That as worship and homage are the requirements and the just rights of the Supreme Being, and as they are intimately connected with our well-being in this life and that which is to come, it is a serious and important inquiry how we may be able to present it most acceptably. ( J. Robinson. ) Bring an offering Hearing and worshipping J. R. Vernon, M. A. I. WHAT DO WE COME TO CHURCH FOR? Not merely to get but to give. Not to take only but to offer. Not to hear simply, but to worship: "bring an offering," "worship the Lord." II. WHAT IS THE OFFERING THE BRINGING OF WHICH CONSTITUTES WORSHIP? It is the offering of ourselves. Spirit, soul, body, substance. Conclusion: 1. This true explanation of the object of our meeting in God's house gives the clearest condemnation of those who absent themselves. "I can read my Bible at home" might be an answer if we be but "hearers"; none if we be "worshippers." 2. How great is the honour of being allowed to honour God — as worshippers! 3. Our direct worship shall be the smoke of the incense; but our whole life shall be, as it were, a compound of sweet spices. ( J. R. Vernon, M. A. ) The beauty of holiness Legh Richardson. The religion of the gospel of Christ is the "beauty of holiness," as it concerns — I. ITS AUTHOR. II. ITS PLAN. III. ITS FRUITS. ( Legh Richardson. ) And let men say among the nations, the Lord reigneth. 1 Chronicles 16:31 Pessimism Dean Farrar. I. NOW, WHAT IS THE PREVALENT TENDENCY OF OPINION, AS ILLUSTRATED IN OUR DAY, IN SCIENCE, IN ART, IN JOURNALISM, IN LITERATURE, IN SOCIAL SPECULATION? It may certainly be summed up in the one word "pessimism" — that is, unbelief and hopelessness. The illustrations of the tendency are manifold, they come from every side. If we turn to philosophy, we find, as a consequence of unbelief, the revival of the old doctrine that life is not worth living, that man is a failure, just as Pyrrho, the ancient sceptic, compared mankind to swine pent up in a foundering, wrecked, and rudderless vessel in the midst of a hurricane. "Since the human race," says Schopenhauer, "always tends from bad to worse, there is no prospect but ever-deepening confusion and wretchedness." "Existence," says Von Hartmann, "is unspeakably wretched, and society will grow worse and worse." "More dreary, barren, base and ugly," said Carlyle, "seem to me the aspects of this poor, diminished, quack world, doomed to speedy death," which he can only wish to be speedy. "A wave of doubt, desolation, and despondency has passed over the world," says an English poet, Mr. Alfred Austin, in a lecture before the Royal Institution. "One by one all the fondly cherished theories of life, society, and empire have been abandoned; we no longer seem to know whither we are marching, and many appear to think that we are travelling to perdition." This pessimistic spirit, he said, pervades all society and all thought. II. I will speak mainly of THE SUPPOSED CONNECTION OF SCIENCE WITH THIS PESSIMISTIC TENDENCY. To science many attribute its growth and its spread. "Science," says M. Zola, the French novelist, in his speech, "hath emptied nations, and is incapable of re-peopling them; it has ravished happiness from our human souls, and is incapable of restoring it; in proportion as science advances the ideal slips away." Now I believe science to be beneficent, and I believe pessimism to be destructive, and, desiring to combat the predominant pessimism, I shall try to prove to you that science gives no ground for it at all. Science is part of revelation. Religion on one side is nothing but a knowledge of God, and science deepens our knowledge of God. Religion on the other side is nothing but morality. It is a good mind and a good life. There is not one law of morality which science does not repromulgate and emphasise in thunders louder than those of Sinai. Science is one of the Bibles of God by which, as St. Paul boldly says, the invisible things of Him are rendered visible; it is God's revelation to the mind of man through the works of Nature, and whatever may be the voice in which God speak to us, it is impossible for Him to lie. If we are faithless, He abideth faithful; He is not able to deny Himself. The supposed antagonism between science and religion is merely due to the passion and ignorance of men. And science has been to men a boon unspeakable, an archangel of beneficence as well as an archangel of power. She has prolonged life, she has mitigated disease, she has minimised torture, she has exorcised superstitious terrors; she has given to feeble humanity the eyes of Argus and the arms of Briareus, she has opened to men's thoughts unimaginable realms of faerie, and has made fire, flood, and air the vassals of His will III. DOES SCIENCE TEND TO UNBELIEF? And it is not true that science leads to unbelief. Whose name stands first in the modern era of science? The name of Sir Isaac Newton. Was he an unbeliever? He was one of the whitest, purest, simplest, most believing souls that ever lived. Whose name stands first in science in our own generation? The name of Michael Faraday. Was he an atheist? His friend found him one day bathed in tears, and asked if he was ill. "No," he said, "it is not that"; but pointing to his Bible, he said, "While men have this blessed book to teach them, why will they go astray?" It has been sometimes assumed that Charles Darwin was an unbeliever; yet he wrote in his book on the descent of man: "The question whether there is a Creator and Ruler of the Universe has been answered in the affirmative by the highest intellects that ever lived." There have been scientific atheists, but such men have not been atheists as a necessary consequence of their science, but because they have committed the very fault which they scorn so utterly in priests: it is because they have tried to soar into the secrets of the Deity on the waxen wings of the understanding; it is because they have pushed their science to untenable conclusions and mingled it with alien inquiries. H unbelief were a necessary result of science, no benefit which science could possibly bestow could equipoise its curse, for religion means that by which the spirit of man can live. The destruction of religion would be first the triumph of despair, and next the destruction of morality. Once persuade man that he is no better than the beasts that perish, and he will live like the beasts that perish; he will cease to recognise the intangible grandeur of the moral law, and will abandon himself to the struggles of mad selfishness. All religion is based on three primary convictions, of God, of righteousness, and of morality, and these convictions science strengthens and does not destroy. ( Dean Farrar. ) God's rule the saint's comfort R. Newton. John Wesley used to say, "I dare no more fret than curse and swear." A friend of his said, "I never saw him fretful or discontented under any of his trials, and to be in the company of persons of this spirit always occasioned him great trouble. He said one day, 'To have persons around me murmuring and fretting at anything that happens is like having the flesh torn from my bones. I know that God sits upon the throne ruling all things!'" ( R. Newton. ) O give thanks unto the Lord. 1 Chronicles 16:34 Thanksgiving due to God for His goodness Alex. Davidson. I. INSTANCES OF THE LOVING-KINDNESS AND MERCY OF GOD. 1. The unfolding of a plan of salvation for sinners through His well-beloved Son. 2. The furnishing so fully of the means necessary to salvation. (1) Birth in a Christian land. (2) The Bible. (3) Preaching of the gospel. 3. Temporal blessings. II. THE THANKS-GIVING THAT IS DUE. III. THIS GOODNESS OUGHT TO LEAD US TO REPENTANCE. We ought to improve both the temporal and spiritual privileges we enjoy to the promotion of His glory. ( Alex. Davidson. ) And all the people said, Amen. 1 Chronicles 16:36 The people's amen J. Wolfendale. I. INDICATING — 1. Attention. 2. Appreciation. 3. Interest in the service. II. A SOLEMN SEALING. III. A REAL DUTY. ( J. Wolfendale. ) As every day's work required. 1 Chronicles 16:37 Daily service J. Parker, D. D. That was the law. Not as yesterday's work required, not as to-morrow's work might require, but as every day's work required within its own twelve hours or twenty-four. That was order. The men had been singing. A musical man cannot be disorderly; he would refute his own song, he would annihilate his own music. "As every day's work required" — morning by morning; now much, now more; now not quite so much; now a little variety; but every day had its duty; every morning had its opportunity. That is the secret of success. For want of knowing such a secret and applying it many men are without bread to-day. "As every day's work required." There is only one time — Now. "Now is the accepted time, now is the day of salvation." Now is God's great opportunity given to us all. Yesterday is gone, to-morrow is unborn, to-day is now, and the golden portal rolls back to let us into the larger liberty. Things are not to be done at any time. That is where so many people go into confusion. To so many people there is no regular time; that is the reason of failure, that is the leak. They were going to do this, but they forgot. What I a man forgetting? He was going to do this at ten o'clock, but he was busy at that moment, and now he will do it in the afternoon. Never ask if you can do this to-morrow; no man has a right to promise you that liberty. The great secret of successful life is discipline, promptitude, military obedience — now! altogether! the best I can; as every day requires. That was the way that Jesus Christ lived. In that apparently coldly ethical doctrine there is a great evangelical gospel; the Son of God is hidden in that disciplinary prose: "I must work the works of Him that sent Me": are there not twelve hours in the day? I must work while the light lasts; the night cometh wherein no man can work: I must not postpone Monday's duties to be done in Tuesday's light." How is it possible for you to do so much? we say to this great king of

16:1-6 Though God's word and ordinances may be clouded and eclipsed for a time, they shall shine out of obscurity. This was but a tent, a humble dwelling, yet this was the tabernacle which David, in his psalms, often speaks of with so much affection. David showed himself generous to his subjects, as he had found God gracious to him. Those whose hearts are enlarged with holy joy, should show it by being open-handed. 16:7-36 Let God be glorified in our praises. Let others be edified and taught, that strangers to him may be led to adore him. Let us ourselves triumph and trust in God. Those that give glory to God's name are allowed to glory in it. Let the everlasting covenant be the great matter of our joy his people of old, be remembered by us with thankfulness to him. Show forth from day to day his salvation, his promised salvation by Christ. We have reason to celebrate that from day to day; for we daily receive the benefit, and it is a subject that can never be exhausted. In the midst of praises, we must not forget to pray for the servants of God in distress. 16:37-43 The worship of God ought to be the work of every day. David put it into order. At Jerusalem, where the ark was, Asaph and his brethren were to minister before the ark continually, with songs of praise. No sacrifices were offered there, nor incense burnt, because the altars were not there; but David's prayers were directed as incense, and the lifting up of his hands as the evening sacrifice. So early did spiritual worship take place of ceremonial. Yet the ceremonial worship, being of Divine institution, must by no means be omitted; therefore at Gibeon, at the altars, the priests attended; for their work was to sacrifice and burn incense; and that they did continually, morning and evening, according to the law of Moses. As the ceremonies were types of the mediation of Christ, the observance of them was of great consequence. The attendance of his appointed ministers is right in itself, and encourages the people.