David Baron

“ And among those who are watchmen on the walls of Zion, and who do pray for Israel's salvation, I wonder of how many it can be said that it is done in " the good pleasure of their hearts," and not rather as a duty at the best. The Apostle found delight in his supplication for Israel, because it brought him so near to the heart of God, who has never ceased to yearn for His wandering people, and because his prayers sprang from sympathy with, and a deep understanding of, the purposes of God, not only to bless, but to make Israel yet the centre and ”

“ By this solemn asseveration the Apostle wants, not only to im- press us with the sincerity and truthfulness of his sorrow and sympathy for Israel, but to teach us that the feelings to which he gives utterance are no mere natural sentiments, such as a Jew might be supposed to have for his nation. He speaks as a man " in Christ," that is, as a man whose conscience, whose whole being, has been renewed ”

“ And it is only in this same spirit of a love which never faileth, and of Christ-like com- passion, that we too shall be able to persevere in our prayers and in our efforts for the salvation of gainsaying, disobedient Israel, else we shall soon turn away from them discouraged if not em- bittered, as has been the case, alas ! ”

“ How unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out ! " And our gain in the process will consist of en- larged views of God's character and a better understanding of God's ways and, my dear friends, to the Christian there is no greater gain. ”