---

I propose to use the incident to illustrate the two methods of treating men — the conciliatory and the unconciliatory — the principle applies to all men in some of the relations of life; and the question is, What is the true, and consequently the safe, basis of all government?

1. Social positions are graduated. The strong man will of necessity, sooner or later, go to the front and claim the influence which belongs of right to his powers; and the weak man will be left at the point that exhausts his strength. Democracy does not equalise men.

2. No elevation of rank gives one man the right to tyrannise over another. Tyranny is necessarily associated with littleness of nature, littleness somewhere; there may be many great qualities, but the nature as a whole is of a low type.

3. The whole tenor of the gospel is in favour of magnanimous conduct on the part of those who hold any degree of rulership. This is an incidental proof of the supernatural origin of the gospel, etc.

4. Pass in review a few of the cases in which the two methods of treating men come into operation. Kings, employers, parents, pastors, all have their choice as to which method they will adopt.

5. The maintenance of a conciliatory policy is quite consistent with —

(1)  Headship;

(2)  firmness;

(3)  justice.

(Pulpit Analyst.)

---

---

KJV: And Rehoboam went to Shechem: for to Shechem were all Israel come to make him king.

WEB: Rehoboam went to Shechem; for all Israel were come to Shechem to make him king.