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: — The prosperity of the Church is described in this psalm.

I. WHAT ARE THE POINTS WHICH CONSTITUTE THE HEALTHINESS OF THE CHURCH AT HOME? To begin with the most important — the true piety of all her members. If we could to-morrow bring into the Church a sufficient number of ungodly but moral men to double our numbers, our subscriptions, our places of worship and our missionaries, it would be a curse and not a blessing. Next, the soundness of that Gospel which we proclaim and preach. When I have read the conflict between the mighty man who made these walls echo with his voice, Mr. Whitefield, and that other mighty man, equally useful in his day, Mr. Wesley, I have felt that they contended for the same truths, and that the vitality of godliness was not at issue in the controversy. But there are vital truths, and for these we must contend even to the death. The spirit of union. We must needs have divers communions, because we cannot see eye to eye in discipline, while nevertheless we are really and vitally one. I am sure the more we come to know each other, the better we love one another. Constant activity. The Church gets dull, listless and heavy at times. Abundant prayer.

II. THE CONNECTION BETWEEN A HEALTHY HOME CHURCH AND THE SPREAD OF CHRIST'S KINGDOM ABROAD. It is clear enough. The whole missionary enterprise will fall to pieces, bit by bit, if we be not in spiritual health. There is a well of water springing up, and the people of the district flock to it. Suddenly the secret spring begins to fail; by some means or another the water is gone to another place, and the spring is no more there. Soon would it come to pass that where multitudes of men and women were wont to drink with joy and gladness there is not a single person to be seen. So with our missionary success should the Church at home degenerate. The inconsistencies of English Christians have proved one of the greatest barriers to Christ's Kingdom in other lands.

III. Then if all this be true, then let us remember that it must also have a connection with OUR OWN PERSONAL STANDING IN THE SIGHT OF GOD. If one member be unhealthy in the body, the unhealthiness of that member does to a degree taint the whole. If every man mended one all would be mended. Responsibility to God for the souls of men is cast on each one of us. When you stand by the grave of some neighbour, can you look down into the grave and say, "I did all that was in the power of mortal man for that soul's salvation"? No, you cannot. I am afraid that none of us, or but very few, when we hear of the death of friends, can say, "If that man perish, I did not leave a stone unturned." Who has done all he might?

( C. H. Spurgeon.)

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KJV: He maketh peace in thy borders, and filleth thee with the finest of the wheat.

WEB: He makes peace in your borders. He fills you with the finest of the wheat.