the wish came across them that they had never left it? The miseries of the land which they had forsaken now seemed sweeter to them, than the joys which were opened to them in their new abode. Often, as they sat down by the plains of Moab, they "remembered Zion." And as they tried to be cheerful, they could not help exclaiming, "How shall we sing the Lord's song in a strange land? If I do not remember thee, O Jerusalem, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy."

Yes, there is no doubt that Elimelech was wrong, very wrong, in leaving the land of Judah with his family, and settling in the godless country of Moab. Nothing short of absolute neces

sity, and the dread of actual starvation, should have induced him. It is a fearful thing to set little store by our religious advantages and blessings, when God has given them to us.

When, for instance, a person chooses a new home, how apt he is to reckon how far he will be a gainer in a worldly point of view, putting aside altogether his gain or loss in spiritual things. How sad, if he should gain ever so much, even the whole world, and yet lose his own soul! How sad, if he should grow richer for this life, but poorer for eternity!

Again, when a servant chooses a fresh situation, is he not apt to measure the goodness of it by the wages he is to receive, instead of thinking seriously how far his soul is likely to

prosper in his new home? But take my word for it, it is of the greatest importance, in choosing a place, where you may perhaps dwell for years, to consider well whether you are likely to meet with helps, or hindrances, on your way to heaven. Now, if you should ever be called upon to make such a choice, I advise you to let it be a matter of earnest prayer to God, that He would guide and direct your steps. And then, after having done this, you will have the comfort of feeling that your situation in life is that which God Himself approves of, and in which therefore He will bless you.

And now, though this family had left the land of troubles, yet trouble still follows them in their new restingplace. They had not been long there,

before Elimelech is cut off; and Naomi is left a widow, a mourning widow, in a foreign land. There is something melancholy in the thought of this dying Jew breathing his last among strangers. It is true, he had probably a tender wife, and dutiful sons, near his dying bed. But there was no minister to tell him of his sins, to call him to repentance, and to direct him to a promised Saviour.

It is more than likely, that Elimelech's heart may have grown cold in this heathen land. For though God can keep us anywhere by His Holy Spirit, and can bless us even without the ordinary means of grace, still if we have wilfully turned our backs upon His blessings, we must expect that our souls will suffer loss, and we shall find

Him far off, when we most need His

presence.

The case of Naomi was different from Elimelech's. Though he may have been wrong to leave Judæa, it was clearly her duty not to separate herself from her husband. She was a godly woman: and though the Lord strewed her path with many trials, yet He never forsook her. No doubt her aching heart was often soothed by the affectionate care of her two sons. But, most of all, she must have felt comfort in looking up to that heavenly Friend, who was watching over her. And something now seemed sweetly to whisper to her, "Thy Maker is thy Husband;""The Lord preserveth the strangers; he relieveth the fatherless and widow."