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mals were made to pass one by one before a servant, who designated every tenth one by a rod which he held in his hand. The Levites separated a tenth of the tithes for the priests.

This regulation of the law had fallen into disuse, and many of the people, no doubt, in an ordinary state of feeling, would have strenuously opposed its renewal. But if there were any such now, the number was small; for as soon as Hezekiah commanded the people that dwelt in Jerusalem to give the portion of the priests and Levites, for the sake of encouraging them in the law of the Lord, instead of complaining of it as a heavy burden, or attempting to palliate their own covetousness by accusing those who served at the altar of seeking "filthy lucre," they "brought in abundance of the firstfruits of corn, wine, oil, and honey, and of all the increase of the field; and the tithe of all things brought they in abundantly." Nor was this evidence of genuine attachment to their religion confined to Jerusalem; for they who "dwelt in the cities of Judah also brought in the tithe of oxen and sheep, and the tithe of holy things which were consecrated unto the Lord their God, and laid them by heaps." This was done for several months in succession; and such a stock was accumulated, that when Hezekiah and his princes saw it, they offered thanks to the Lord, and commended the people for their earnestness, liberality, and perseverance in his service.

The reason for the ability to contribute in such abundance is explained by the history: "The Lord hath blessed his people." None are poorer for doing what God requires. Does some one say that the laws of nature are fixed, and will not be altered to reward liberality or punish covetousness in the support of his worship? So were the laws of nature just as much fixed when God said to the Israelites, "Bring ye all the tithes into my storehouse, that there may be meat in my house; and prove me now herewith, if I will not open the windows of heaven and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground." If God was able to fulfil this promise without infringing on the laws of nature at that time, he is just as able to fulfil it now. And if he could send the locust and canker-worm to destroy the fruits of the ground then, without disturbing the laws of nature, he can do it with equal ease now. And though his judgments should not come in the shape of visible agents, they often come in the shape of wasting vices, to scourge those who profane his sabbaths and neglect his sanctuary. Even in external appearance, the desolation, though more gradual in its approach, is sometimes as marked as if caused by the whirlwinds and lightnings of heaven.

Hezekiah now completed the reform by a system

of wise and equitable regulations for dividing the tithes and offerings of the people in due proportion among the Levites and their families, so that, whether engaged in religious service at the temple or as magistrates and teachers in other parts of the land, they might "each in their set office sanctify themselves in holiness"-might devote their whole powers and time to the duties of their calling, without anxiety for a support.

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Throughout the whole of these proceedings, Hezekiah exhibited the qualities which become a reformer. He was resolute and decided; for he knew he was doing what was good and right, and truth before the Lord his God." Obstacles did not discourage him; opposition did not daunt him. He was earnest in his work, for "he did it with all his heart." He made no compromises; he stopped at no half-way measures, to please the timid or the lukewarm. He was not diverted from its completion by any intervening object, or deterred by the magnitude of the cost. It was dearer to him than the treasures of royalty or the friendship of man. His irrepressible ardor penetrated other minds and created coworkers, and before a blow was struck, was a sure omen of success. Yet with all this there was no rash zeal to provoke and almost justify opposition. He was compassionate to the weak and gentle to the erring, and chose rather to win them to duty by his example, than to force them by his

kingly power. He was not discouraged or out of temper, if others were dull to apprehend existing evils, or slow to adopt suitable measures for their removal. With a due self-reliance, he arrogated nothing to his own wisdom or energy, but ascribed the glory of the work to God. Few of the human race can have the honor of accomplishing so high an enterprise; but all may be faithful in their several stations, and enter with Hezekiah into the joy of their Lord.

CHAPTER VI.

CAPTIVITY OF THE TEN TRIBES.

THOUGH the altars and groves were demolished among the ten tribes by the Israelites, returning from the feast of the passover, the tendency to worship idols remained among a large part of the people. The reformation, even when deep and permanent, was not extensive enough to produce more than a temporary eddy in the strong current which was bearing the nation to ruin. Mere sympathy mingled with genuine religious feeling, and did not long survive the occasion which called it forth. The spirit of the movement began to decline, and the multitude who had been awed into silence by its resistless impulse, soon regained confidence, and rebuilt their altars. Hosea expresses the temporary character of the reform in the melting expostulation, "O Ephraim, what shall I do unto thee? O Judah, what shall I do unto thee? for your goodness is as the morning cloud, and as the early dew it goeth away. For I desired mercy and not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God more than burntofferings." They had been liberal in offerings at the temple on the late occasion, but in too many cases they forgot their professions of love and obedience to God, and violated the principles of justice

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