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I. THE FRIENDSHIP OF WICKED MEN ONE OF THE MOST DANGEROUS TEMPTATIONS TO WHICH CHRISTIANS ARE SUBJECT. Modern life in cities illustrates this with special force.

1. The wealth of the world is largely in the hands of men who are not friends of Christ.

2. In many communities intelligence and culture are possessed mainly by the irreligious.

3. Interests of business sometimes create similar peril.

4. In a higher circle of life professional success often tempts young men of aspiring mind to ally themselves with those who love not God.

II. WHILE CHRISTIAN PRINCIPLE REQUIRES NO NARROW OR ASCETIC SECLUSION FROM THE WORLD, YET IT FORBIDS SEEKING WORLDLY FRIENDSHIPS AND ALLIANCES FOR SELFISH ENDS AND TO THE PERIL OF RELIGIOUS USEFULNESS AND RELIGIOUS CHARACTER.

III. THE IRRELIGIOUS FRIENDSHIPS OF RELIGIOUS MEN VIOLATE THE RULING SPIRIT OF THE SCRIPTURES.

IV. ENTANGLING ALLIANCES WITH THE WORLD OFTEN INVOLVE IMMENSE SACRIFICE OF CHRISTIAN USEFULNESS.

V. CHRISTIAN ALLIANCES WITH THE WICKED DO NOT COMMAND THE RESPECT OF THE VERY MAN FOR WHOSE FAVOUR THEY ARE FORMED.

VI. LOVING THOSE THAT HATE GOD INFLICTS A WOUND OF GREAT SEVERITY ON THE FEELINGS OF JESUS CHRIST. It is from Calvary that the voice comes to each in our solitude, "Shouldest thou love them that hate the Lord?"

(A. Phelps.)

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KJV: And Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned to his house in peace to Jerusalem.

WEB: Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned to his house in peace to Jerusalem.