contrast with these real relationships of which they are the copy. We judge them uncon

sciously by the elevated standard of the natural relationships, and they must fall. The tender and sympathizing devotion of the mother to her own child, the teachableness of the child towards its parent, are feelings so pure and elevating as to become a very severe standard by which human actions are to be tried; nor would we often think of trying any ordinary relationship in life by such criteria. We do try the stepchild and the step-mother by them, and they are found wanting; in fact, we expect too much of human nature in such cases.

Then again, this position is one which of necessity kindles jealousy and suspicion. The new relation invades as a stranger the territory already preoccupied, and finding affections in operation towards the object which he now esteems his own, he himself is jealous of interference and is keenly and sensitively conscious that he is looked upon as an interloper, and is casting his shadow upon objects which once derived their full light from the sunshine of natural affection. Then, too, the difficulties of age, of varied powers of intellect, of difference of disposition and sentiment, all rise up, pre

senting formidable obstacles to union, unless softened and mellowed by some of those more tender influences that spring from natural affection. These difficulties which must exist in cases like those I have been referring to, can only be met by constant watchfulness, forbearance, and prayer.

It is most important that we should when placed in such position constantly cultivate the spirit of kindliness and consideration towards those who stand to them in this relationship, and should take pains to destroy in themselves any inclination towards contempt or suspicion. Perhaps without irreverence we might contemplate the conduct of our LORD to Joseph, as one that will afford us apt rules for conduct in such positions in life, handed on as they have been by traditions of the Church. While Ruth's deep and earnest expressions of love to her mother-in-law must ever remain as incentives to high and holy efforts in the cause of charity.

LXVI.

NEHEMIAH.

SIMPLICITY AND POWER.

NEH. XIII. 31.

"REMEMBER ME, O MY GOD, FOR GOOD."

1. THE character of Nehemiah is in some respects similar to that of Ezra. He was a

man whose life was cast in the same difficult circumstances with something of the same natural disposition, and was called upon to perform a similar work for GOD and His Church to that of Ezra. His book has by many, though erroneously, been called the Second Book of Ezra, under the impression of its having been written by him. It bears a strong evidence to the contrary; to say nothing of the different circumstances it relates, and the fact that in the beginning of the book Nehemiah is named as the author of it. There is, too, a great difference between the two men, expressed and shown by their writing.

It is with that character with which I have especially to do: but before I go into it, it would be well to examine the relationship between Nehemiah and his predecessor, in the arrangement of affairs at Jerusalem.

2. Ezra seems to have remained ten years at Jerusalem, after having reformed the condition of the people. Everything appears, however, to have gone against him, so that in the twentieth year of Artaxerxes Longimanus Nehemiah was told at Babylon the melancholy condition of the city; its still shattered walls and ruined buildings. Overwhelmed with grief at the account of this unhappy state of things, he applied to Artaxerxes for permission to go to its relief. Artaxerxes-the Ahasuerus of Scripture, in all probability through the influence of Esther, who was a Jewess, granted the desired leave. Few things can be more simple and touching than the account of these circumstances. While in the palace of Shushan upon inquiry which Nehemiah made into their condition, he tells us that the answer he received from one of the returned Jews was, that "the remnant that are left of the captivity are in great affliction and reproach; the wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and the gates thereof burnt

with fire. And it came to pass, says Nehemiah, that when I heard these words, I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted and prayed to the GoD of heaven. The words of Nehemiah's prayer are so beautiful, that I will give them as they stand :

"I beseech Thee, O LORD GOD of heaven, the great and terrible GoD, that keepeth covenant and mercy for them that love Him and observe His commandments:

"Let Thine ear now be attentive, and Thine eyes open, that Thou mayest hear the prayer of Thy servant, which I pray before Thee now, day and night, for the children of Israel Thy servants, and confess the sins of the children of Israel, which we have sinned against Thee: both I and my father's house have sinned.

"We have dealt very corruptly against Thee, and have not kept the commandments, nor the statutes, nor the judgments, which Thou commandedst Thy servant Moses.

Remember, I beseech Thee, the word that Thou commandedst Thy servant Moses, saying, If ye transgress I will scatter you abroad among the nations:

"But if ye turn unto Me, and keep My commandments, and do them; though there