February 13

Samuel. He was not elated or vain. He rises only at the usual hour, and performs his accustomed work; and is not eager to announce the transaction even to Eli. Empty vessels sound loudest; and shallow brooks babble most. A man of learning will not, like a smatterer, be always referring to the original, or quoting scraps of Latin and Greek. Modesty and diffidence always attend true greatness, in nature and in grace. Though Paul had a vision that rapt him into the third heaven, and he knew not whether he was in the body or out of the body, he concealed it for fourteen years, and then divulged it by compulsion. Luther said, "Though I am an old man, and have preached so long, I never think of preaching without trembling." How unlike the carelessness, the forwardness, the boldness of many a novice in the ministry! What a contrast between the reserve, the retiringness, the humility of the lovely Samuel; and the self-conceit, and assurance, and arrogance, and talkativeness of many of the young in our day! "Exhort young men to be sober-minded." "And let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak."

But why was he "afraid to show Eli the vision?" Had Eli treated him with distance and harshness, so that he dreaded to offend him by the communication? Far from it. Eli always erred on the side of softness and indulgence, not severity. And we may be assured that he loved Samuel, and treated the little Levite as a son that served with a father. His fear, therefore, arose from the tenderness of his disposition, from his regard to the High Priest, and his veneration for his age and office. Hence he was pained, and shrunk back from the annunciation of the judgment threatened. It is said, bad news never wants wings. But the reason is to be found in the tempers of men: it affords them gratification; and therefore out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. Evil would spread slowly if people were like-minded with Samuel. What some call faithfulness is the indulgence of their harsh feelings. They are at home, and in their element, when they censure and condemn. They often say, "I am very sorry to mention it;" when they are conscious of pleasure, and their very manner betrays it to others. Never reprove without cause; and then do it in the spirit of meekness, as a surgeon probes the wound of his child. When Paul tells the Philippians of some who were the enemies of the cross of Christ, and whose end was destruction, he does it "with weeping." And Jesus "wept" when he foretold the doom of Jerusalem, where he was going to be crucified. If ministers deal in the menaces of Scripture, let them show that they speak with concern—having compassion—and knowing the terror of the Lord, persuade men.

FEBRUARY 13.—"Fear ye not, therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows."—Matthew 10:31.

HERE is obviously an implication of something going before. Our Saviour is speaking of the doctrine of Providence, and he would establish not only the truth but the extent of it. Some conceive of God as presiding over whole systems, but regardless of individuals, and the minute concerns of his creatures. This philosophical or half infidel notion, if designed, so to speak, to relieve the Supreme Being, only dishonours him; as if an infinite understanding was

perplexed, or an almighty power wearied—"Is any thing too hard for the Lord?" Besides, a general providence involves a particular; as a whole is made up of the parts, and a universality is only the aggregate of the particulars. The truth of the case too is also proved by facts; for we actually find that nothing is overlooked, but every thing, however small and apparently insignificant, presents undeniable indications of divine power, contrivance, and care. And this is what our Saviour here teaches his disciples. And to impress them the more, he has two references. The one is taken from themselves—"the very hairs of your head are all numbered." What could express more strongly the minuteness of Providence? According to this assertion, God takes more care of us than we take of ourselves: for if we number our books, our cattle, or our houses, we never think of numbering our hairs; and if one of these falls off, we never observe or feel the trifling loss. And if he attends to the least, will he neglect the greatest of our interests? The other is derived from the inferior creatures. "Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? And one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Heavenly Father." How natural and unavoidable then the inference: "Fear ye not, therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows."

The estimation is comparative—"ye are of more value than many sparrows." Sparrows therefore have their value; and we are reminded that we are no more to despise than to abuse any of the animal tribes. They have all their place and uses. No angel in heaven could produce one of the meanest of them. They are the work of God's fingers: all praise him; and he deems none of them beneath his regard. But there is a gradation in his productions; and he himself ranks some of them above others. Thus he magnifies his word above all his Name; and tells us of his creating new heavens and a new earth, so superior to the old, that the former shall not be remembered nor come into mind. A plant is above a pebble; a bird above a plant; a man above a bird. The supremacy of man appears in his being made the lord of this lower world, and having had all creatures put under him, and given him not only for service but food. Hence he said to Noah, "The fear of you and the dread of you shall be upon every beast of the earth, and upon every fowl of the air, upon all that moveth upon the earth, and upon all the fishes of the sea; into your hand are they delivered. Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you; even as the green herb." Though man is now a fallen creature, and he cannot think too meanly of himself before God, yet he has physical endowments which place him only a little lower than the angels. He is capable of a thousand operations inconceivably above the reach of the beasts that perish. How superior is his reason to their instinct! They soon reach the extent of their ability, beyond which there is no advance or improvement; but what wonders have his faculties achieved! and what bounds can be fixed to their expansion and progress? He teaches us more than the beasts of the field, and makes us wiser than the fowls of the air; for there is a spirit in man, and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth him understanding. And this spirit in man is not only immaterial, but immortal. The body dies, but the spirit returns to God who gave it, and will behold the heavens and the earth pass away, survive the dissolution of all

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things, and live for ever. He is therefore not only of more value than many sparrows, but of more value than the material universe; and would be an infinite loser were he to gain the whole world and lose his own soul.

But if the disciples, as men, were so valuable, how much more were they so as Christians, under which relation and character he viewed them! Thus they were not only superior to all other species of creatures, but to their own. Christians are the excellent of the earth, and whatever their outward circumstances may be, are more excellent than their neighbours. The world knoweth them not, but they are princes in disguise; they are ransomed with a price of infinite value; they are the temples of the living God; they are partakers of the divine nature: and of such importance are they, that they cannot be spared from any place without danger and detriment; they have power with God; they are the chariots of Israel and the horsemen thereof; they are the salt of the earth, and the light of the world—Their value is indescribable.

And they may without pride be conscious of this; and our Lord would have his disciples feel confidence as the result of it—"Fear ye not, therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows." There were two fears which this consideration was designed and adapted to prevent. The first regarded their defence. In proportion as things are valuable, we are concerned to secure them. And will not God preserve those who are precious in his sight? They were going forth as lambs among wolves; and would be hated of all men for his Name's sake. Yet they were to be safe in all their dangers: their enemies could do nothing against them without divine permission; and if they suffered, they were to be more than indemnified. A sparrow cannot be destroyed or injured without his providence; and shall you? "Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows."

The second regarded their support. "Provide," said be, "neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses, nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves." Yet you need not dread want. He who employs you will supply you. Does he suffer any of his creatures to famish? It is pleasing to contemplate his care; to see how he sustains the various classes of animals, especially in the more dreary parts of the year. Some for months he lulls to sleep. He reduces the appetites of others, or changes their food. The more domestic and useful, he supports by the instrumentality of man. How, when viewing the foddering of cattle, have I said, "The eyes of all wait upon Thee, and Thou givest them their meat in due season!—And shall they that seek the Lord want any good thing? Their bread shall be given them, and their water shall be sure. Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your Heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?" Christians! Be not fearful, but believing. Your Lord and Saviour is concerned for your safety and welfare. He would have you careful for nothing, but casting all your care upon him that careth for you, go on your way rejoicing.