1. It was a separated city; separated and fenced from surrounding idolatries and immoralities.

2. It was a distinguished city; distinguished by

(1) the manifested presence of God, and by

(2) the knowledge of his holy will.

3. It was a commissioned city; charged to hold and preserve a certain deposit of sacred truth against all the world. The Church of Christ is a body

(1) separated from surrounding irreligion, error, and folly;

(2) distinguished by the presence of the indwelling Spirit of God, and the graces he communicates;

(3) commissioned to carry the gospel of the grace of God to the utmost ends of the earth. There are to be in the Church what there were in the city, three things, viz. -

I. THE ELEMENT OF ORDER. There were dwelling in Jerusalem "the rulers of the people" (ver. 1). Concerning these rulers, we are told who was "overseer" of the "sons of Benjamin" (ver. 9); who was "overseer" of the priests (ver. 14); who also of the Levites (ver. 22); we are told who was precentor, "the principal to begin the thanksgiving in prayer" (ver. 17); who had "the oversight of the outward business of the house of God;' (ver. 16), and who of the internal business (ver. 22). Everything was obviously ordered most carefully, and every one had his post at which to rule or serve. The "order" of the Church of Christ is something which has given rise to most serious differences and disputes - alas! to much bitterness and bloodshed. There are advocates of

(1) one universal visible Church,

(2) national Churches,

(3) large closely-confederated Christian communities,

(4) separate societies united only by occasional non-legislative councils or unions.

But whatever the form which the Christian Church may take, whatever its method of organisation, order should always be conspicuously present. "God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all Churches of the saints" (1 Corinthians 14:33). Everything is to be done "in order': (1 Corinthians 14:40). There are two complementary duties a Christian man may set before him: one, - the bringing about, in an orderly way, that form of Church organisation which, after diligent study and patient observance, he considers to be after the will of Christ; the other, - the taking his place in that particular Church of which he is a member, and filling it faithfully and peacefully. He who, in the name of order, brings about contention brings down on himself the condemnation of his Master (1 Corinthians 11:16).

II. THE ELEMENT OF VARIETY. Beside the governor were "rulers of the people" (ver. 1) generally; and, particularly, priests (ver. 10), and Levites (ver. 15), and porters (ver. 19), and singers (ver. 22); and, still more particularly,

(1) those who were engaged in the "outward business of the house of God" (ver. 16), and

(2) those who were occupied with the internal arrangements (ver. 22). All these various classes had their work to do; not one was redundant. Some were much higher than others, and did a work of a more valuable and a higher kind, but every one was needed in his place, and the security of Jerusalem, as well as the worship of God, would have been incomplete if all had not done their work at the appointed time and place. In the Christian Church are many services to be rendered, and many orders of servants. Some are higher, others lower. But from the man inspired of God to teach and kindle thousands of human souls, to "the doorkeeper of the house," every one has his work to do for Christ and for man. One workman needs the other, and the world needs them all; and the eye cannot say to the foot, "I have no need of thee," etc. If we "magnify our own office" that we may be found faithful therein, let us not disparage that of others, lest we be counted self- important by our brethren, and injurious by our Lord.

III. THE ELEMENT OF UNSUSPECTED STRENGTH. To the eye of flesh Jerusalem seemed weak enough at this time. If we include "the residue of Israel" that were in the cites of Judah (ver. 20), and those in the villages with their fields (ver. 25), all in the outlying provinces of Judah and Benjamin, they make but a very feeble band compared with other places then or with other communities now. How easily might they have been crushed and extirpated by the Persian power, so far as human calculations go. Yet they were the Church of God on earth, the custodians of his holy oracles, the chosen company from which should come forth the Divine Redeemer, and from which should go forth the Divine mission that is to transform the world. The Church of Christ may still seem small as compared with the "un-possessed land" of heathendom; individual Churches may seem weak in the midst of an all-surrounding and overtowering iniquity; but "God is in the midst of her;" his" right hand" is On her side. There is an unsuspected strength in the truth she holds, in the weapons she wields, in the cause of which she is the champion. In ways and by means quite unsuspected by her enemies, and equally unexpected by herself, God will make his Church his agent for the redemption of the world. - C.

II. IT IS NECCESSARY TO MAKE THE SECULAR SACRED. "He can who thinks he can." Application

:

1. The secret of contentment. "Self-humiliation is full of truth and reality."

2. The law of growth. Be thy ambition to become pure in thought and feeling, strong in resolve and deed. Serve. Care not how, mind not where.

(Homiletic Commentary.)