and peoples whom he seemed to have annihilated spring into existence again, and the world rights itself. How many such instances stand recorded in history from the days of Nebuchadnezzar to those of Napoleon. How many times has the experience of the Psalmist been repeated: "I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree, yet he passed away, and lo, he was not: yea, I sought him, but he could not be found" (Psalm xxxvii. 35, 36). How often has the world had occasion to repeat the song, "How hath the oppressor ceased! . . . The Lord hath broken the staff of the wicked, and the sceptre of the rulers. He who smote the people in wrath with a continual stroke, he that ruled the nations in anger, is persecuted, and none hindereth. The whole earth is at rest, and is quiet: they break forth into singing. Yea, the fir trees rejoice at thee, and the cedars of Lebanon, saying, Since thou art laid down, no feller is come up against us" (Isa. xiv. 4-8). +II. In what respects a righteous man is "an everlasting foundation."+ 1. _His character is something to build upon._ Nothing can be built upon a whirlwind, but a substantial structure can be raised upon a good foundation. Men may build hope upon the word and character of a righteous man. A promise given by him is a solid ground of confidence upon which the heart of the brother-man may rest securely. Thus righteousness is a constructive force in the world--a foundation without which society cannot exist. Especially is this true of the ideal man, Christ Jesus. Because He is the Righteous One (Isa. xi. 4) His promises are as anchors of the soul to the children of men. In resting upon His word His disciples build upon a "sure foundation" (1 Cor. iii. 11). Upon His character rests all their hopes for their own blessedness in the future, and for the restoration of a fallen world. Every man is a _foundation_ if "righteousness" is the chief element of his character. 2. _Because for his sake the world stands._ The owner of a house may let it stand if there is a good foundation of solid rock, although the superstructure may be comparatively worthless. Our Lord tells us concerning the tribulations which he foretold, that "except those days should be shortened, there would no flesh be saved; but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened" (Matt. xxiv. 22). This teaches us that the righteousness of the godly is the power which averts the destruction of the wicked, and keeps the world in existence. In this sense, therefore, the righteous are a foundation. 3. _The righteous are an "everlasting" foundation, because righteousness is the basis of confidence in eternity as it is in time._ The blessedness of the life to come is founded upon righteousness. The Kingdom of God in both worlds is "established in righteousness" (Isa. liv. 14). The immutable character of the heavenly world is founded upon the righteousness first of its