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HOME WORSHIP:
Selections from the Scriptures,
MEDITATIONS, PRAYER, AND SONG,
For Every Day in the Year.
By REV. JOSEPH P.' THOMPSON, D.D.
SUBSCRIPTION- EDITION, WITH ILLUSTRATIONS.
r
/
M1H&
- i
BOSTON:
JAMES R. OSGOOD AND COMPANY.
H. A. BROWN & CO., Subscription Managers.
Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1871,
By JAMES R. OSGOOD & CO.,
In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.
Boston ■•
Stereotyped and Printed ly Rand, Avery, &° Frye.
1
PREFACE.
NO scene on earth is more sacred, none more tender and beautiful, than a family in the
act of devotion. Secluded from the outer world, with a domestic life of entire sympa-
thy and unity in wants, desires, affections, aims, interests, and hopes, they together recognize
their dependence upon their Father in heaven, confess to him their failings and their needs,
seek his favor and guidance, and commit themselves in all things to his gracious providence.
Together they read his Word for instruction in duty ; for consolation in trial ; for the knowl-
edge of that higher life to which they aspire ; for the perfecting of their love and joy ; for
the hope of that blessedness, complete and eternal, to which they look forward in their
Father's house. Together they sing the praise of Him, who, as Creator, Preserver, Redeem-
er, brings them under daily obligations to his love and grace. Here husband and wife,
parent and child, master and servant, all are one in acknowledging the same favors, confess-
ing the same helplessness, supplicating the same mercy.
In the absence of every motive to ostentation, there is nothing in such a service to foster
hypocrisy ; and, while its frequency and uniformity guard it from enthusiasm, its simplicity
and naturalness should preserve it from formalism.
The greatest poet of Germany, himself the author of the magnificent hymn of angel-
worship in the prelude to " Faust," though not a man of family, nor much given to acts of
devotion, has confessed the beauty and power of family worship, both as a poetic and as a
religious sentiment.
"When Mendelssohn was in the first dawn of his fame as a composer, he visited Goethe,
then in the retired evening of life at Weimar. The master of written language was fas-
cinated with this young interpreter of that more mysterious language which gives the
spirit utterance through " songs without words ; " and his inner nature responded to that
religious feeling which so pervaded the music of Mendelssohn.
In June, 1830, Mendelssohn wrote to his sister, " At the very beginning of my visit to
Weimar, I spoke of a print, taken from Adrian von Ostade, of a peasant family praying,
which, nine years ago, made a deep impression on me." This print was in Goethe's own
collection, where Mendelssohn had seen it on a previous visit. " When I went at an early
hour to take leave of Goethe, I found him seated beside a large portfolio ; and he said, ' So
you are actually going away ? I must try to keep all right till you return : but, at all events,
we won't part now without some pious feelings ; so let us once more look at the praying
family together.' "
How touching this homage of a great intellect to simple piety ; of one accustomed in
solitary grandeur to command invisible powers to the service of his art thus confessing that
PREFACE.
a peasant's family upon their knees could teach him the reality, the beauty, the power,
of religion !
Yet a service which is capable of so rich a meaning, which should be so full of beauty
to children, and of profit to all, is sometimes neglected altogether, sometimes spasmodically
observed, and too often rendered spiritless and wearisome, or profitless and unedifying, by
the manner in which it is performed. In very many cases, this is owing, not to indifference
to religion, nor to the lack of devotional feeling, but to want of thought in providing for
the service, or want of experience or of confidence in conducting it. It is to encourage
family worship, by providing facilities for conducting it with regularity and propriety, that
this book of " Home Worship " has been prepared, in the hope of rendering this delightful
and useful service more general and uniform.
Its plan is simple. Each page contains a complete service : and there is one for every
morning of the year ; an additional one for every Sunday evening throughout the year ;
with a provision for the extra day in leap-year, and for the occurrence of a fifty-third
Sunday. By confining the service to a single page, that reasonable brevity is secured
which is so important for the younger members of the family, and for those who have little
time at their command. Indeed, brevity promotes edification ; for a few verses of Scripture,
a short meditation, and a brief but comprehensive prayer, are much more likely to command
attention at the time, and to be remembered through the day, than a lengthy passage, with
a homily and a liturgy of corresponding proportions.
Each service consists of four parts : —
1. A Selection from the Scriptures. — Due regard has been had to variety in selections
from the Old and New Testaments ; and these are often brought together so as to shed light
upon one another. Nearly the whole of the New Testament is contained in the book ; but
portions of the historical and the prophetical books of the Old Testament, and some of the
Psalms, have been necessarily omitted. Enough is given, however, fairly to represent the
Old Testament, both in its spirit and in its order ; and such connected narratives as those
of Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, and Moses, are continued, without break, from day to day.
This book is not intended as a substitute for the systematic reading of the whole Bible by
individual members of the family, or by the family collectively, but to insure the reading
of a portion of God's word every day by the family together. No selection is repeated.
In making and arranging the selections, great pains have been taken to give variety without
sudden transitions, and to promote edification by bringing forth the teachings of the Bible
in their diversified but harmonious application to all the conditions of human life.
2. Each Selection is followed by a Meditation. — This is not a dry critical exposition of
the text ; though it embodies the results of the best criticism of biblical scholars. It is not
doctrinal in the sense of presenting the theology of any particular school or sect ; yet it aims
to express the teaching of the passage upon which it is founded. It is never controversial ;
but it seeks to meet difficulties which lie in the passage itself, or which have been raised in
the progress of criticism and science. It is not hortatory in form ; yet ij gives a practical
application to the truth, or suggests topics for personal reflection. In one word, these medi-
tations are designed to give a spiritual commentary upon the whole Bible. The results of
years of study in the word of God, and of travel in Bible lands, are here compressed into
brief sentences, easily read, and easily remembered. With the exception of a few expressions
from such writers as Alford, Hackett, Robertson, Stier, and Tholuck, — which are always
indicated by quotation-marks, — the meditations are entirely original, and have been written
PRE FA CE.
VH
expressly for this Avork. It has been the aim of the author to fuse the scriptural selection
into his own mind, and then to pour it forth as if thinking aloud or talking in his own family,
in the hope of imparting to this daily Bible-reading a freshness, a simplicity, a tone of living
reality, that shall make it attractive to the young, and instructive and profitable to all.
3. A Selection of Hymns and Tunes is arranged at the close of the book ; and, on each
page, hymns' appropriate to the selection for the day are indicated by their numbers. In
preparing this part of the work, the author has been much aided by Mr. H. A. Brown.
4. A Prayer for the Bay. — About one-third of the prayers in the book have been com-
posed expressly for it. The remainder have been compiled and adapted, with various altera-
tions, from the standard works of Alford, Goulburn, Harris, Macduff, Oxenden, Stobart, and
from the Liturgy of the Church of England. These, of course, vary in style, in character, and
in excellence. It would be impossible to embrace every topic of family devotion in a single
prayer of forty or fifty lines ; but the range of a week will be found to cover a great variety
of topics, while the common mercies and wants of every day are uniformly recognized. It
is a wholesome education in large-hearted philanthropy, that children shall be accustomed
to remember many objects outside of the family in the daily prayer at the family altar.
Composed in this spirit, and for these ends, this book is sent forth as a humble visitor
to the families of the land, with the prayer of the author, that, wherever it finds a welcome,
it may prove a minister of good, and that it may serve in some measure to prepare all who
shall use it for the blessed communion of our Father's house on high.
New York, Sept. 1, 1871.
DIRECTIONS.
This book contains a selection for every day of the year, upon a distinct page. Hence,
at whatever day of the week the reader may begin, the year will come out evenly. Prayers
for special days are added at the close of the book ; and when one of these is used, if the
regular selection for that day of the week is omitted, the course will go on as before, or
the special prayer can be added to the lesson for the day. For some public days, a choice
of two or three forms is given. There is also in the Appendix a collection of prayers for
special family occasions ; and the Index will enable the reader to adapt various prayers to
particular circumstances. In families where there are no children, the sentences in brackets
may be omitted in reading the prayers. Thus the book, while it provides a service for each
day, admits a large liberty of selection and adaptation, according to the varying incidents
and wants of family life.
ILLUSTRATIONS.
The Nativity of Christ (Matt. ii. 9-11) (Cliristmas) .
Jesus drives out the Monet-Changers (John ii. 15, 16)
Christ and the Samaritan Woman (John iv. 25, 26)
Peter and John raising the Lame Man (Acts iii. 5, 6)
Meeting of Abraham's Servant with Rebekah (Gen. xxiv.
Parable op the Good Samaritan (Luke x. 33, 34) .
Meeting of Jacob and Rachel (Gen. xxix. 10-12)
Christ walking on the Water (Matt. xiv. 30, 31) .
Joseph sold by his Brethren (Gen. xxxvii. 28)
Joseph interprets Pharaoh's Dream (Gen. xli. 29, 30)
Job and the Three Friends (Job i. 20, 21)
Ruth gleaning in the Field of Boaz (Ruth ii. 8, 9)
The Prodigal Son's Return (Luke xv. 7) .
David anointed King of Judah (2 Sam. v. 1-12)
Elijah fed by Ravens (1 Kings xvii. 5, 6) .
Daniel interprets the Writing on the Wall (Dan. v. 25-
Daniel in the Den of Lions (Dan. vi. 16) .
Esther made Queen (Esther ii. 17)
The Wise Men presenting Gifts to Jesus (Matt. ii. 10, 11)
The Flight into Egypt (Matt. ii. 14, 15) .
Elijah raises the Widow's Son (1 Kings xvii. 21, 22)
Parable of the Pharisee and Publican (Luke xviii. 11-13)
7, 1
PAGE.
Frontispiece.
31
65
77
164
190
194
204
212
214
293
332
350
358
374
389
404
411
413
415
440
450
HOME-WORSHIP
EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
SUNDAY MORNING.
Hebrews i. — 1. God, who at sundry times and
in divers manners spake in time past unto the
fathers by the prophets,
2. Hath in these last days spoken unto us by
his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things,
by whom also he made the worlds ;
3. Who being the brightness of Ms glory, and
the express image of his person, and upholding all
things by the word of his power, when he had by
himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand
of the Majesty on high ;
4. Being made so much better than the angels,
as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excel-
lent name than they.
5. For unto which of the angels said he at any
time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten
thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and
he shall be to me a Son ?
6. And again, when he bringeth in the first-be-
gotten into the world, he saith, And let all the
angels of God worship him.
7. And of the angels he saith, Who maketh
his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of
fire.
8. But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne,
God ! is for ever and ever : a sceptre of righteous-
ness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.
9. Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated in-
iquity : therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed
thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.
10. And thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid
the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are
the works of thine hands.
11. Tbey shall perish ; but thou remainest: and
they all shall wax old as doth a garment;
12. And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up,
and they shall be changed: but thou art the same,
and thy years shall not fail.
13. But to which of the angels said he at any
time, Sit on my right hand until I make thine
enemies thy footstool ?
14. Are they not all ministering spirits, sent
forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of
salvation ?
The Bible, which for convenience we read by chapters or
sections, and which in matter and method admits of many-
forms of division, is yet, in theme and purpose, always one and
the same. This unity appears most strikingly in the har-
mon}' of its teachings concerning God and man and the way
of salvation. That sixty-six separate books, written by forty
distinct authors, at intervals during sixteen hundred years,
composed in every variety of style, and under all possible
conditions of life, should agree in their teachings upon the
most momentous problems that have tasked the mind of man,
is beyond the range of human probability. It was God who
spoke alike in the Old Testament and in the New. But the
whole revelation, extending over so wide a range of agencies
and through so long a period of time, centered in Christ, by
whom and for whom all things were made. Every token,
title, work, attribute, office, honor of divinity, is here ascribed
to Christ. He created the worlds ; he upholds the universe ;
he sits as God upon the throne of eternity ; he is worshipped
by the hosts of heaven ; he is the impress of the substance of
the Godhead, and the brightness of his glory. This ineffable
Person has spoken to us, has lived among us, has died for us
that he might purge our sins. What a privilege to have the
word of Christ ! What a responsibility to neglect it ! As
we begin the daily reading of his word, let us implore him to
guide, to teach, to sanctify us by the Spirit of truth, whom
he has promised to all who shall ask in faith.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 11, 18, 36.
Almighty God, whom truly to know is ever-
lasting life ! grant us perfectly to know thy Son
Jesus Christ to be the way, the truth, and the life;
that, following the steps of thy holy apostles, we
may steadfastly walk in the way that leadeth to
eternal life. May thy word which we have now
read abide in our hearts this day, to warn us from
sin, to incite us to duty, to quicken our faith, to in-
spire us with a true devotion unto thee, and a true
love to our fellow-men, in the name of Him who
gave himself for us ! When we shall go to thine
house, may we hear thy word with reverence and
faith, for the profit of our souls ! and, laying aside
all worldly thoughts and cares, may we worship thee
in spirit and in truth ! Do thou, Lord Jesus ! be
in the assemblies of thy people, and with the gath-
erings of children for the study of thy word; and
shed thy peace upon them all.
Most merciful Father, whose tender care has de-
fended us from evil in the night, keep us, we pray
thee, this day from harm, and prosper us in all
good. May thy favor abide with this family !
Oh ! give thine angels charge over us to defend us
from perils and enemies unseen, and to minister to
us of thy goodness. [May the children grow up
in thy love, and all the household in their several
stations and callings be obedient to thy will !]
Bless our kindred, friends, and neighbors, with
the abundant gifts of thy providence and grace.
Bless our country : may peace and righteousness
prevail throughout the land! Bless thy Church,
Lord! with sanctifying grace; and may the
spirit of glory and of God be upon her !
Lord ! we beseech thee to give us, this day,
patience in troubles, humility in comforts, con-
stancy in temptations, and victory against all our
spiritual enemies. Grant us sorrow for our sins,
thankfulness for thy benefits, fear of thy judg-
ments, mindfulness of thy presence. Let thy
mercy cleanse us from all our sins, and let thy
grace bring forth in us the fruits of everlasting
life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
SUNDAY EVENING.
Luke xxiv. — 13. And, behold, two of theui went
that same day to a village called Emmaus, which
was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs.
14. And they talked together of all these things
which had happened.
15. And it came to pass, that while they com-
muned together, and reasoned, Jesus himself drew
near, and went with them.
16. But their eyes were holden that they should
not know him.
17. And he said unto them, What manner of
communications are these that ye have one to
another, as ye walk, and are sad?
18. And the one of them, whose name was Cle-
opas, answering, said unto him, Art thou only a
stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the
things which are come to pass there in these
days?
19. And he said unto them, What things ? And
they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth,
which was a prophet mighty in deed and word be-
fore God and all the people ;
20. And how the chief priests and our rulers
delivered him to be condemned to death, and have
crucified him.
21. But we trusted that it had been he which
should have redeemed Israel; and, besides all this,
to-day is the third day since these things were
done.
22. Yea, and certain women also of our company
The news of the resurrection had spread eagerly among the
disciples ; but, as yet, Jesus had been seen only by the women
and by Peter. Toward evening, as two of the disciples were
on the way to a village a few miles from the city, Jesus over-
took them, and, accosting them as a stranger, drew them into
conversation concerning himself. His purpose was not only
to manifest himself anew as the risen Lord, but to give them the
key to his sufferings and death as the true redemption of Israel.
It was important to the whole body of believers that the
death and the resurrection of Jesus should be interpreted by
the prophecies concerning Christ, so as finally to correct the
made us astonished, which were early at the sep-
ulchre.
23. And, when they found not his body, they
came, saying that they had also seen a vision of
angels, which said that he was alive.
21. And certain of them which were with us
went to the sepulchre, and found it even so as the
women had said ; but him they saw not.
25. Then he said unto them, fools, and slow of
heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken !
26. Ought not Christ to have suffered these
things, and to enter into his glory?
27. And beginning at Moses, and all the pro-
phets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures
the things concerning himself.
28. Arid they drew nigh unto the village whither
they went; and he made as though he would have
gone farther.
29. But they constrained him, saying, Abide
with us ; for it is toward evening, and the day is
far spent. And he went in to tarry with them.
30. And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with
them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and
gave to them.
31. And their eyes were opened, and they knew
him; and he vanished out of their sight.
32. And they said one to another, Did not our
heart burn within us while he talked with us by
the way, and while he opened to us the scrip-
tures ?
delusion of a temporal Messiah. These events, which, taken
alone, seemed so strange and portentous, were shown to be the
conclusion toward which the purpose of God in man's redemp-
tion had been shaping itself in the prophetic ages. Thus did
our Lord honor the Holy Scriptures; and, by kindling in the
hearts of the disciples an enthusiasm for the word of God,
he prepared them to accept in the most natural manner the
crowning miracle of the resurrection. It is in the Word that
we must still seek Christ; and, as with faith and love we read,
a sudden fervor of devotion may attest his presence, and with
our believing eyes we shall see the Lord.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
|Nos. 33, 35, 1 99.
God our heavenly Father! we draw near to thee
in the name of Jesus Christ our Saviour, and present
unto thee our evening sacrifice of prayer and praise.
We bless thee for the rest of thine own day.
We thank thee for the sound of the gospel which
we have heard; for the comfort and instruction
provided for us in the house of prayer. May we
be built up and strengthened in our most holy
faith ! Have pity, O Lord ! upon those who have
spent this sabbath in sorrow or suffering or sin ;
upon those who have had no opportunity of hear-
ing the gospel of thy grace, and have been taught
nothing of a Saviour. Teach us the more to prize
our privileges and mercies ; and, in the spirit of
our Master, may we seek and save the lost !
Water with the dew of thy grace the seed so
widely scattered by thy servants this day. Cause
it to take deep and abiding root. Confirm the
wavering ; comfort the sorrowful ; bind up the
broken-hearted; give unto them the oil of joy for
mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of
heaviness.
And now, Lord ! may we lie down upon our
beds at peace with thee ! May the blessing of the
Saviour tarry with us, and his peace be upon us !
May thy statutes be our songs in the house of our
pilgrimage ! May sabbaths on earth, improved
and enjoyed, fit us for a happier rest above ! Grant
this for the sake of Jesus Christ our risen Lord
and Saviour. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
MONDAY.
Genesis i. — 26. And God said, Let us make
man in our image, after our likeness ; and let
them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and
over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and
over all the earth, and over every creeping thing
that creepeth upon the earth.
27. So God created man in his own image, in the
image of God created he him ; male and female
created he them.
28. And God blessed them, and God said unto
them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish
the earth, and subdue it ; and have dominion over
the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air,
and over every living thing that moveth upon the
earth.
29. And God said, Behold, I have given you
every herb bearing seed which is upon the face of
all the earth, and every tree in the which is the
fruit of a tree yielding seed : to you it shall be for
meat.
30. And to every beast of the earth, and
to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that
creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life,
/ have given every green herb for meat ; and it
was so.
31. And God saw every thing that he had made,
and, behold, it was very good ; and the evening and
the morning were the sixth day.
Genesis ii. — 18. And the Lord God said, It is
not good that the man should be alone : I will
make him an help meet for him.
19. And out of the ground the Lord God formed
every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air,
and brought them, unto Adam to see what he would
call them ; and whatsoever Adam called every liv-
ing creature, that was the name thereof.
20. And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to
the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field ;
but for Adam there was not found an help meet
for him.
21. And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to
fall upon Adam, and he slept ; and he took one of
his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof:
22. And the rib, which the Lord God had taken
from man, made he a woman, and brought her
unto the man.
23. And Adam said, This is now bone of my
bones, and flesh of my flesh : she shall be called
Woman, because she was taken out of man.
24. Therefore shall a man leave his father and
his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife; and
they shall be one flesh.
The family was constituted in the beginning by the direct I
act of God, and with his special blessing. The sacred union '•
of a single pair is the source of all domestic happiness ; and
the family so constituted is the basis of a true social state, I
and the germ from which the nation itself must grow. Our j
Lord quoted this original form of consecration to show the ;
sacredness and permanence of the marriage-covenant, and
added, " What, therefore, God hath joined together, let not ',
man put asunder." How tender and beautiful this care |
of the Creator for the welfare of the human race, through
a provision that gives to natural affections the sacredness of
a divine ordinance and the promise of divine benediction !
They who would degrade marriage, degrade man, and dis-
honor God.
In creating man in his own image, God endowed him with
the spiritual powers of reason, will, and moral judgment,
and set him in a place of authority. This dignity put upon
man by the Creator is a trust as well as an honor. Man is
not his own master in any such sense that he is at liberty to
use the endowments of his nature without respect unto his
Creator. By the very dignity of his origin, he is bound to
lead a spiritual and holy life, to serve himself from the world
without subjecting himself to the world.
The fact that man is made in the image of God opens
before him the highest possibilities of blessedness in this life,
and of glory in the life to come. As the intelligent offspring
of God, he can commune with him as with a father; and, by
cherishing here the communion of faith and love through
Christ, he may look forward to the visible presence of God as
his complete and everlasting joy.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[STos. 53, 63, 124.
Our Father in heaven, the God of all the fami-
lies of the earth, we give thee thanks for the mani-
fold blessings which we as a family have received
at thy hand; for our birth and education under
Christian influences, for the comforts of our home,
for the tender relationships of life. May the mer-
cies of thy covenant abide with this household,
and every member of it be joined to the family of
thy people! Be thou our Father and our God;
and may we know the love and joy of thy dear
children ! TVe bless thee that through another
night thou hast kept our habitation in peace, and
that we enter upon a new day surrounded with
the tokens of thy providence and grace. Create
within us a clean heart, God ! and renew a right
| spirit within us, that in our lives this day we may
■ show 7 forth thine image, and glorify thee in our
.bodies and spirits which are thine. Forgive us
the sins of our past lives ; and help us, Lord ! to
lead the new life in Christ Jesus.
Be gracious to all dear to us ; bless them in their
hearts and their homes; remember the family of
thy people; have mercy upon such as have no
home, upon the widow and the fatherless, the for-
saken and outcast; and hasten the time when all
mankind shall dwell together as one family in
Christ their head. Finally, we beseech thee to
bring us unto our Father's house, to dwell with
thee for ever, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
' Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
TUESDAY.
Mark X. — 17. And, when he was gone forth in-
to the way, there came one running, and kneeled
to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I
do that I may inherit eternal life ?
18. And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou
me good ? There is none good but one ; that is, God.
19. Thou knowest the commandments: Do not
commit adultery ; Do not kill ; Do not steal ; Do
not hear false witness ; Defraud not ; Honor thy
father and mother.
20. And he answered and said unto him, Mas-
ter, all these have I observed from my youth.
21. Then Jesus, beholding him, loved him, and
said unto him, One thing thou lackest : Go thy
way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the
poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven ; and
come, take up the cross, and follow me.
22. And he was sad at that saying, and went
away grieved ; for he had great possessions.
23. And Jesus looked round about, and saith
unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that
have riches enter into the kingdom of God !
24. And the disciples were astonished at his
words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto
them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust
in riches to enter into the kingdom of God !
25. It is easier for a camel to go through the eye
of a needle than for a rich man to enter into the
kingdom of God.
26. And they were astonished out of measure,
saying among themselves, Who, then, can be saved?
27. And Jesus, looking upon them, saith, With
men it is impossible, but not with God ; for with
God all things are possible.
28. Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we
have left all, and have followed thee.
29. And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say
unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or
brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife,
or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's,
30. But he shall receive an hundred-fold now in
this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and
mothers, and children, and lands, with persecu-
tions; and in the world to come, eternal life.
31. But many that are first shall be last, and
the last first.
32. And they were in the way, going up to
Jerusalem ; and Jesus went before them : and they
were amazed ; and, as they followed, they were
afraid. And he took again the twelve, and began
to tell them what things should happen unto him ;
33. Saying, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem ; and
the Son of man shall be delivered unto the chief
priests, and unto the scribes ; and they shall condemn
him to death, and shall deliver him to the Gentiles ;
34. And they shall mock him, and shall scourge
him, and shall spit upon him, and shall kill him ;
and the third day he shall rise again.
" This young man, though self-righteous, was no hypocrite,
no Pharisee : he spoke earnestly, and really strove to keep, as he
really believed he had kept, all God's commandments. Jesus,
looking upon him, loved him : in spite of his errors, there was
a nobleness and openness about him, contrasted with the
hypocritical bearing of the Pharisees and scribes. Our Lord
takes him on his own showing. Supposing the statement
true, the topstone has yet to be laid on the fabric. One
thing thou lackest." The test which Christ applied probed
his heart, and showed, that, with all his outward decorum,
he was wanting in the spirit of consecration to God, and de-
votion to man. Lord Nugent states that the side-gate for
foot-passengers in the city-wall is sometimes called " the
Appropriate Hymns.J
O God, whose tender mercies are over all thy
' it is of thy mercy that another day is added
needle's eye : " a camel stripped of its load might be forced
through this, though with much difficulty. Or the proverb
may be taken for any thing impossible. In rejecting the
official compliment paid him by this amiable youth, Jesus
pointed to the fact that his own goodness sprang from his vital
union with God. From God must come that renovating grace
which purifies the soul from all selfishness ; but we must re-
spond to that grace with the spirit of entire consecration. He
who makes this requirement of his disciples has set them the
example of yielding himself a sacrifice for the good of men ;
but such a sacrifice brings its own compensation in spiritual
joys that exceed a hundred-fold the enriching power of all
temporal good.
|Nos. 40, 65, 89.
work:
to our lives ; and we would consecrate ourselves unto
thee, body, soul, and spirit, beseeching thee to keep
us this day and always, and to preserve us blame-
less unto the coming of our Lord and Saviour Jesus
Christ. For him we bless thee. In his name we
seek the forgiveness of our sins, and the promise of
thy Spirit. Dwell thou in our hearts, and con-
secrate this home with thy gracious presence.
[May the children keep thy commandments in the
love of Jesus, their Saviour !]
We thank thee for our home, our friends, our
comforts, and all the manifold blessings of this
Prayer.
life; and, above all, for the hope of the life ever-
lasting. Grant us grace to show our thankfulness
for these thy mercies by seeking the good of our fel-
low-men. Grant us patience under afflictions, and
minds always contented with our present condition.
Send down thy blessings, temporal and spiritual,
upon all our relations, friends, and neighbors. Be
merciful to all who are in any trouble ; and incline
our hearts, Lord ! to follow Him who went about
doing good. Be gracious unto thy Church, and
grant that every member of it may be kept from
the evil that is in the world; and let the light of
thy gospel shine upon all nations, for the sake of
Him who came to seek and save the lost. Amen.
WEDNESDAY.
John j. — 29. The next day, John seeth Jesus
coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of
God, which taketh away the sin of the world !
30. This is he of whom I said, After me cometh
a man which is preferred before me ; for he was
before me.
31. And I knew him not- but that he should be [
made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come bap- j
tizing with water.
32. And John bare record, saying, I saw the
Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it .
abode upon him.
33. And I knew him not ; but he that sent me
to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon
whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending and re-
maining on him, the same is he which baptizeth
with the Holy Ghost.
3d. And I saw and bare record that this is the
Son of God.
35. Again, the nest day after, John stood, and
two of his disciples;
36. And, looking upon Jesus as he walked, he
saith, Behold the Lamb of God!
37. And the two disciples heard him speak, and
they followed Jesus.
38. Then Jesus turned, and saw them following,
and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said
unto him, Babbi (which is to say, being interpreted,
Master), where dwellest thou?
39. He saith unto them, Come and see. They
came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him
that day ; for it was about the tenth hour.
40. One of the two which heard John speak,
and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's
brother.
41. He first fmdeth his own brother Simon, and
saith unto him, We have found the Messias ; which
is, being interpreted, the Christ.
42. And he brought him to Jesus. And, when
Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon, the
son of Jona : thou shalt be called Cephas ; which
is, by interpretation, a stone.
The first open proclamation of Jesus was as a Redeemer,
and a Redeemer through suffering and sacrifice. John did
not announce him simply as a teacher, a prophet; nor even as
the Christ, the King of the Jews. Isaiah had predicted that
the Messiah should suffer as a lamb. The lamb was offered
daily in the temple as the symbol of propitiation ; and, in
calling Jesus " zhe Lamb of God," John designated him as
God's appointed sacrifice for the sin of the world. In that
character he was to be received ; in that character his first
disciples followed him.
John's testimony was called forth by the remarkable reve-
lation made at the baptism of Jesus, when the heavens were
opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending
like a dove, and lighting upon him ; and, lo ! a voice from
heaven, saying, " This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well
pleased." Though John had known Jesus from infancy as
his kinsman, up to this time he had received no token of his
divinity; but, by this announcement of the Holy Ghost, the
spiritual and redemptive work of Christ were unveiled before
him.
The dove was the symbol of peace ; and the coming of the
Holy Ghost in the form of a dove to inaugurate the mission
of Jesus announced that mission to be one of peace and
reconciliation. The lamb also represented the meekness and
gentleness of Christ in his personal character. Yet a life so
gentle must be laden with sorrows ; a mission so peaceful
must terminate in sacrifice, because of the sin of the world.
How quiet and simple were the beginnings of the Church of
Christ ! Upon the testimony of John, two or three followed
Jesus to his lodging ; and, after a day spent in listening to
his teachings, they attached themselves to his person, and urged
others to join them. So should his teachings lead us to a per-
sonal profession of diseipleship. To be a Christian is simply
I to follow Christ as our Saviour, and to testify for his name.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Xos. 25, 62, 74.
Almighty God, our heavenly Bather, from whom
cometh every good and every perfect gift, we ac-
knowledge thy goodness in our creation and preser-
vation, and in the manifold provisions of thy love
for the life that now is. Every day we live upon
thy bounty; every night we rest under the shad-
ow of thy wing. What shall we render unto the
Lord for all his benefits ? We would call upon our
souls, and all that is within us, to bless and mag-
nify thy great and holy name. Above all these
thy mercies, we acknowledge thy grace in that
thou didst send thy Son to be the Saviour of the
world. Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable
gift.
Lord ! for Christ's sake have mercy upon us. and
take away our sins ; and grant that we may prove
our gratitude by a loving obedience to thy will. For
the rest and refreshment of the past night, for the
: health and comfort with which we greet another
day, for the endearments and delights of home, for
I means of occupation and support, of improvement
I and usefulness, for all the favors of thy hand, so
multiplied unto us, we render thee most hearty
; thanks. Breely as we receive may we also give.
j May thy mercy abound toward all classes and con-
ditions of men, and thy salvation fill the whole
earth !
Bless this household in each and every mem-
! ber. [Especially do we commend unto thee the
children, praying that in the morning of life they
\ may learn to trust in Jesus as their Saviour, and to
follow him as ready and loving disciples.] Oh, may
the dove of heavenly peace ever abide in our dwell-
ing ! Bless all dear to us ; and bring us all at
length unto our Father's house, through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
THURSDAY.
Psalm cxxxix. — 1. OLord! thou hast searched
me, and known me.
2. Thou knowest my down-sitting and mine up-
rising ; thou understandest my thought afar off.
3. Thou compassest my path and my lying-down,
and art acquainted with all my ways.
4. For there is not a word in my tongue, but lo,
Lord ! thou knowest it altogether.
5. Thou hast beset me behind and before, and
laid thine hand upon me.
6. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me : it
is high ; I cannot attain unto it.
7. Whither shall I go from thy Spirit ? or whither
shall I flee from thy presence ?
8. If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there;
if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.
9. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell
in the uttermost parts of the sea;
10. Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy
right hand shall hold me.
11. If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me,
even the night shall be light about me.
God's omniscience searching our inmost thoughts, knowing
our hidden motives, scanning our most secret ways, should
keep us in awe of sin. God's omnipresence, surrounding us
continually, making it impossible for us, by darkness or by
distance, to hide from his eye or escape from his hand, should
at once dissuade us from evil, and encourage us to commit
ourselves to his guidance, and trust in his love. That love
surrounds us every moment with its precious thoughts, —
thoughts originating life, shaping its wondrous organism,
providing for our sustentation, our culture, our enjoyment, fill-
ing the world with forms of beauty, and resources of happiness ;
thoughts as inexhaustible as the desert of its sands, the sky of
its stars, each separate grain a golden thought of love, each
point of light a world, a constellation of glory.
How many thoughts does the mother bestow upon her babe
in a single day ! How many wants it cannot express must be
12. Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee ; but
the night shineth as the day : the darkness and the
light are both alike to thee.
14. I will praise thee ; for I am fearfully and
wonderfully made : marvellous are thy works; and
that my soul knoweth right well.
15. My substance was not hid from thee when
I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the
lowest parts of the earth.
16. Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being
imperfect; and in thy book all my members were
written, which in continuance were fashioned when
as yet there ivas none of them.
17. How precious also are thy thoughts unto
me, God ! how great is the sum of them !
18. If I should count them, they are more in
number than the sand: when I awake, I am still
with thee.
23. Search me, God ! and know my heart ;
try me, and know my thoughts ;
24. And see if there be any wicked way in me ;
and lead me in the way everlasting.
anticipated by her love ! How many dangers the babe is all
unconscious of must be provided against by her watchfulness !
how many diversions made ready for its waking hours ! how
much care and planning for its quiet and comfort in sleep !
In the consciousness of the mother's presence, and the assur-
ance of the mother's care, the infant grows without thought
or care for itself; falls asleep in its mother's arms ; and, when
it wakes, is still with her : its eyes open upon the same smile
of love ; it is again conscious of the same thoughtful superin-
tendence. So should we, committing our helplessness to our
heavenly Father, lie down within his encircling love; wake
to recognize him in the first thoughts of the morning, and
to walk with him all the day long. Then will the thought
of his presence be our perpetual peace; and heaven shall
grow familiar to our hope as the place where we shall see
God.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Our waiting eyes are unto thee, Lord !
Prayer.
[Nos. 21, 44, 68.
Each
morning brings us to thee with new obligations of
gratitude for thy loving-kindness in the night-sea-
son, and of dependence for the day upon which we
enter. We are not worthy of the least of all thy
mercies ; for we have sinned, Lord ! — we have
sinned against thy law, against thy love, against
thy very grace in Christ our Saviour. Yet do we
hope in thy mercy still, and cast ourselves upon
thee alone.
O thou Spirit of truth and holiness ! we pray
thee to keep us this day from sin. May we be
mindful of thy presence, as a holy guardianship
from wrong ! and may we so delight in God, that
we shall live above the power of temptation and
evil, and, while diligent in business, be fervent in
spirit, serving the Lord ! Help us to be true and
faithful, just and kind, gentle and loving, pure and
holy. Teach us to behold thy glory in thy works,
to discern thy goodness in thy providence, and to
rejoice ever in thy word and thy grace.
Great Shepherd of Israel, take, we beseech thee,
each member of this family, and all that are dear
to us, under thy care. Be thou the guide of the
young, the staff of the aged, the strength of the bur-
dened, the help of the weak and the faint, the
joy and deliverer of every one that looketh unto
thee.
Bless thy Church in this community with thy
reviving grace ; visit our land with thy salvation ;
and fill the whole earth with thy praise. Hasten
the time when all shall know thee, from the least
unto the greatest.
Finally, we pray thee, bring us to thyself in joy
and glory everlasting ; bring us to the realization
of thy presence, that we may be satisfied with thy
likeness. And to the Father, the Son, and the
Holy Spirit, be glory forever. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
FRIDAY.
Luke xvii. — 1. Then said lie unto the disciples,
It is impossible but that offences will come ; but
woe unto him through whom they come !
2. It were better for him that a millstone were
hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea,
than that he should offend one of these little
ones.
3. Take heed to yourselves. If thy brother tres-
pass against thee, rebuke him ; and, if he repent,
forgive him.
4. And if he trespass against thee seven times
in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to
thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.
5. And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase
our faith.
6. And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain
of mustard-seed, ye might say unto this sycamine-
The sycamine, or sycamore, of Palestine — quite another
tree from the tall, smooth sycamore of the American river-
bottoms — is remarkable for the thickness and width of its
roots, and the strength with which these are fastened in the
soil. When full grown, its trunk is large and firm, and its
arms spread out widely only a few feet from the ground. It
is a fit emblem of stability. To uproot this most fixed and
solid of trees, and plant it upon the most unstable of founda-
tions, would be a miracle indeed. But it is almost as great a
tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou
planted in the sea ; and it should obey you.
7. But which of you having a servant plough-
ing, or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by
when he is come from the field, Go and sit down
to meat ?
8. And will not rather say unto him, Make ready
wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve
me, till I have eaten and drunken ; and afterward
thou shalt eat and drink ?
9. Doth he thank that servant because he did
the things that were commanded him ? I trow
not.
10. So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all
those things which are commanded you, say, We
are unprofitable servants : we have done that which
was our duty to do.
miracle in human nature when the proud, envious, selfish, pas-
sionate heart is brought to exercise the grace of forgiveness,
though offences are repeated daily sevenfold. Yet even such
a subjection of self-will, such a wondrous exercise of patience
and forbearance, is nothing more than the duty of one who
professes to be a follower of the meek and lowly Jesus. We
can set up no claim of merit or reward, where, as servants, we
are obligated to every duty by the just requirement of our
Master. Well may we also pray, " Lord, increase our faith."
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 30, 57, 153.
Blessed Saviour, who hast said unto us, Ask, and
ye shall receive ; seek, and ye shall find ; knock,
and it shall be opened unto you : we cast ourselves
upon thy promises, and beseech thee give us faith
to serve thee and honor thee in our lives. May we
do all our duty in thy strength and through thy
love !
God our Father ! look down upon us this
morning in mercy. Our cup runs over with bless-
ings. We pray thee to fill our hearts with thank-
fulness, and our mouths with praise.
We know not how to praise thee or to pray to
thee as we ought. Oh ! teach us to come before
thee aright. Prepare our hearts ; draw us to thy-
self. Enable us in prayer to hold communion with
thee as our Father, and with thy Son Jesus Christ.
O thou holy Lamb of God ! take away our sins.
thou holy, life-giving Spirit ! come thou into all
our hearts. Warm and purify and comfort us ;
and never leave or forsake us until we meet around
the throne of God and the Lamb in heaven, and
are forever beyond the reach of Satan, sin, and
death.
We pray thee, Lord ! to bless us during the
day now begun. As a family may we be under thy
care, and seek, own, and serve thee in all the du-
ties of the day. Teach us to live as true disciples
of Christ, desiring to do his will, and to follow his
example in all things. May thy word be our guide
and counsellor ! May we be in thy fear all the day
long ! May we have grace to deny ourselves, and
to take up our cross, and follow our blessed Mas-
ter ! Suffer us not by any carelessness of conduct
to bring a reproach upon our Christian profession.
Give us grace to bridle our tongues, to fight against
the risings of sinful passion, to keep careful watch
over our thoughts and affections. May we be will-
ing to serve others in thy name! May we have
the spirit of forbearance and charity, and be ready
to forgive any who offend against us ! Oh ! keep
us unspotted from the world. May we go about
doing good, and be useful to all around us ! May
we be strong in faith, and in the power of the Re-
deemer's might !
We beseech thee, God ! to look favorably
upon our country. Guide those in authority, and
give them true wisdom. Make us to be a happy
people, fearing and loving thee. Give unto thy
dear Son the heathen for his inheritance, and the
uttermost parts of the earth for his possession.
Gather in thine ancient people Israel. Grant that
the veil may at length be taken away, and the true
light shine into every heart. Hear these supplica-
tions, most merciful Father, and graciously answer
us, for the sake of our only Saviour Jesus Christ.
Amen.
SATURDAY.
2 Thessalonians ii. — 1. Now we beseech you,
brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ,
and bij our gathering together unto him,
2. That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be
troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by
letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at
hand.
3. Let no man deceive you by any means : for
that day shall not come except there come a fall-
ing-away first, and that Man of Sin be revealed,
the son of perdition ;
4. Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all
that is called God, or that is worshipped ; so that
he, as God, sitteth in the temple of God, showing
himself that he is God.
5. Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with
you, I told you these things ?
6. And now ye know what withholdeth that he
might be revealed in his time.
7. For the mystery of iniquity doth already work :
only he who now letteth will let until he be taken
out of the way.
8. And then shall that Wicked be revealed,
whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of
his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness
of his coining :
9. Even him whose coming is after the working
of Satan, with all power and signs and lying won-
ders,
10.
And with all deceivableness of unrighteous-
ness in them that perish ; because they received
not the love of the truth, that they might be
saved.
11. And for this cause God shall send them
strong delusion, that they should believe a lie :
12. That they all might be damned who be-
lieved not the truth, but had pleasure in unright-
eousness.
13. But we are bound to give thanks always to
God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because
God hath from the beginning chosen you to salva-
tion through sanctification of the Spirit, and belief
of the truth :
14. Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to
the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
15. Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the
traditions which ye have been taught, whether by
word or our epistle.
16. Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and
God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and
hath given us everlasting consolation and good
hope, through grace,
17. Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in
every good word and work.
The notion of the speedy coming of Christ to judgment
prevailed in the first century, with the same disorderly ex-
citement which has marked its spasmodic recurrence in suc-
ceeding ages. Such an agitation had disturbed the Church at
Thessalonica; but the apostle quieted it by announcing that
the second advent should be preceded by a great apostasy,
through the influence of which there should appear a con-
centrated, presumptuous, and destructive form of Antichrist.
The leaven of that apostasy had even then begun to work ; but
its development was hindered (or "let," in the old sense of the
word ) by some person or event then in the way. The early
fathers applied this to the paganism of the Roman Empire,
which had begun to use the civil arm for persecution. Ever
since the Papacy began its aggrandizement as a temporal
power, many interpreters have identified that with " the Man
of Sin." 'Later, some have looked upon the atheism of France
as the apostasy, and Napoleon as "the son of perdition." It
is clear that no person, system, nor event, has yet filled out the
measure of this prophetic outline. Each age has its apostasy,
its Antichrist, and each in turn is overwhelmed by some new
manifestation of the power of God in his providenee or
Iris glory in his Church : so will it be until the final battle
of Gog and MagO£ shall usher in the day of judgment.
Prophecy is self-repeating ; and thus the Church is kept
always in a state of prayerful expectation. But whatever
foes may arise, whatever conflicts come, they who stand fast
in the word of Christ shall have everlasting consolation at
the cpmin<r of the Lord.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 12, 39, 146.
Blessed be God for the hope and the consolation
of the gospel; for that faith which even now is
our victory over the world, and which shall make
us more than conquerors over death. May thy
grace enable us to live as faithful and wise stew-
ards who watch for the coming of their Lord ! We
bring to thee this morning the powers which thou
hast given us, the lives which thou hast spared,
and, with thanksgiving for thy mercies, consecrate
all that we are and all that we possess unto
thy service and gloiy.
Heavenly Father, who hast commanded us that
we should not be slothful in business, but fervent
in spirit, serving thee, help us ever to remember
that our work is thy appointment, and to do it
heartily as unto thee. Make us to live with loins
girded and lamps burning, looking for our Lord
and Saviour.
Lord! to thy merciful providence we commend
the wants of all mankind. Cause the light of thy
glorious gospel to shine throughout the world.
Bless thy whole Church, heal its divisions, and
restore unto it the blessings of truth, unity, and
peace. Bless our country : defend and preserve
all in authority. Bless our schools of learning : fill
them with thy light. Hear the cry of the poor and
needy; be gracious to all our relations and friends;
and grant, Lord! that we may all at length find
rest and peace with thy saints in thine eternal
kingdom, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
SUNDAY MORNING.
I Corinthians i. — 17. Christ sent me, not to
baptize, but to preach the gospel ; not with wis-
dom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be
made of none effect.
18. For the preaching of the cross is, to them
that perish, foolishness ; but, unto us which are
saved, it is the power of God.
19. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom
of the wise, and will bring to nothing the under-
standing of the prudent.
20. Where is the wise ? where is the scribe ?
where is the disputer of this world? Hath not God
made foolish the wisdom of this world?
21. For, after that in the^ wisdom of God the
world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by
the foolishness of preaching to save them that
believe.
22. For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks
seek after wisdom:
23. But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews
a stumbling-block, and unto the Greeks foolishness;
21. But unto them which are called, both Jews
and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wis-
dom of God.
25. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than
men ; and the weakness of God is stronger than
men.
26. For ye see your calling, brethren, how that
not many wise men after the flesh, not many
mighty, not many noble, are called:
27. But God hath chosen the foolish things of
the world to confound the wise; and God hath
chosen the weak things of the world to confound
the things which are mighty;
28. And base things of the world, and things
which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and
things which are not, to bring to nought things
that are;
29. That no flesh should glory in his presence.
30. But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of
God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness,
and sanctification, and redemption ;
31. That, according as it is written, He that glo-
rieth, let him glory in the Lord.
Ritualism and Rationalism stood opposed to the gospel in
the time of Paul just as they do to-day. These tendencies
represent the two poles of religion, between which the human
mind vibrates until it is established upon the central truth
of revelation. The Jews made the virtue of religion consist
in forms ; and therefore they demanded new signs for a new
faith. The Greeks worshipped intellect, and would measure
every faith by their philosophy. They mocked at the idea of
salvation through a despised Jew who had been crucified.
Yet, with all their speculation, they had failed to attain to a true
knowledge of God: and Rationalism never can meet the first
great necessity of the soul, which is redemption ; nor effect
that transformation unto the higher life, which is regenera-
; tion. But, in God's method of recovering our lost race, there
is a wisdom that puts to shame the wisdom of this world ;
• and the cross of Christ speaks to the heart with a power
' which no ritual can gain through the imagination and the
senses. Redemption from the curse of sin, sanctification
through the spirit of holiness, righteousness through his
perfect obedience and his completed sacrifice, and wisdom
through his revelation of the Father, — all this is Christ to
the humblest believer. The gospel comes to men through
their needs; and hence the self-righteous and the proud are
more ready to oppose than to receive it. But it holds its way
with undeviating power through that uplifted cross which
I shall yet draw all men unto it.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Praj^er.
[Nos. 11,93,99.
Almighty God, our heavenly Father, who hast
graciously opened for us sinners a way by which we
may approach thee with acceptance ! we thank thee
for all thine unnumbered gifts and mercies ; but,
above all, for thine unspeakable love in the redemp-
tion of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ.
Lord ! give us grace to live as thy people ; as those
who know that they have been redeemed with the
precious blood of the Lamb of God ; as those who
have been quickened from the death of sin, and
raised to a life of righteousness. Help us to walk
before thee in newness of life, and to seek those
things which are above, where Christ sitteth at
thy right hand. Deliver us from over-carefulness
about earthly things. Strengthen our confidence
in thy providence and thy grace; and dispose
us to seek first thy kingdom and righteousness,
trusting that all things needful for this life shall be
added unto us.
Let thy sabbath be precious to our souls, as the
day on which Jesus rose from the dead and led
captivity captive. May we ever value its sacred
ordinances, and find them profitable for our re-
freshment and edification !
We pray thee to grant an especial blessing this
day to all thy ministers. Fill their understandings
with light and heavenly wisdom. Fill their hearts
with zeal and love, and give thy word power and
unction from their lips. Remember the Sunday
school. O blessed Jesus ! feed thy lambs with
thine own truth and grace. Visit this house,
we beseech thee, with thy salvation. Thankful
for the mercies of the week, we commit ourselves,
Lord ! and all that concerns us, to thy gracious
care. Direct our steps this day, and keep us stead-
fast in thy faith and fear. Make all the dealings
of thy providence to work for our good. If thou
shouldst appoint trials and afflictions for us, make
us patient and submissive to thy holy will. If we
enjoy comfort and prosperity, make us humble and
thankful. Lead us safely through this world of
sin, and bring us at last to thy heavenly kingdom,
for the sake of Jesus Christ, our Mediator and Re-
deemer. Amen.
10
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
SUNDAY EVENING.
Hebrews xi. — 1. Now, faith is the substance of
things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen ;
2. For by it the elders obtained a good report.
3. Through faith we understand that the worlds
were framed by the word of God, so that things
which are seen were not made of things which do
appear.
4. By faith Abel offered unto God a more excel-
lent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained wit-
ness that he was righteous, God testifying of his
gifts ; and by it, he, being dead, yet speaketh.
5. By faith Enoch was translated, that he should
not see death ; and was not found, because God had
translated him : for before his translation he had
this testimony, that he pleased God.
6. But without faith it is impossible to please
him; for he that cometh to God must believe that
he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that dili-
gently seek him.
7. By faith Noah, being warned of God of things
not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark
to the saving of his house ; by the which he con-
demned the world, and became heir of the right-
eousness which is by faith.
8. By faith Abraham, when he was called to go
out into a place which he should after receive for
an inheritance, obeyed ; and he went out, not know-
ing whither he went.
9. By faith he sojourned in the land of promise
as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles
with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the
same promise ;
10. For he looked for a city which hath founda-
tions, whose builder and maker is God.
12. Therefore sprang there even of one, and him
as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in
multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea-
shore innumerable.
13. These all died in faith, not having received
the promises, but having seen them afar off, and
were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and
confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on
the earth.
14. For they that say such things declare plainly
that they seek a country.
15. And truly, if they had been mindful of that
country from whence they came out, they might
have had opportunity to have returned.
16. But now they desire a better country ; that
is, an heavenly : wherefore God is not ashamed to
be called their God ; for he hath prepared for them
a city.
To the ancients the city was the embodiment of the ideas
of home, of society, of enjoyment, of order, of security, of
religion. In contrast with a roving life in tents, it was a
settled abode ; in contrast with the desert, the wilderness, the
un travelled world, in which one felt himself a stranger, ex-
posed to the wild powers of Nature, or to savage beasts and
men, the city, with its walls, gates, and ramparts, was a place
of safety and" peace. The Divinity watched over it, and all good
was centred in it. " Country," said Socrates, " is more than
father and mother." And central in this idea of country, as
its very sanctuary, was the city. To the Jew, Canaan was
the ideal country ; but Jerusalem was the joy of the whole
earth. But all this was only a type of the city that God has
prepared for us : a city of abounding felicity and satisfaction ;
of all beautiful things and rational delights ; of the most
select and congenial society ; of perfect immunity from evil,
where there shall be no hunger, nor thirst, nor pain, nor
sorrow, nor death : a city into which there shall enter nothing
that defileth ; where all good shall be complete, secure, and
perpetual : a city illumined with the glory of God. This
city, which kindled the faith of patriarchs, prophets, and
apostles, shall be ours also, if our desire of it shall lead us to
renounce the world, and to seek it with godly zeal and
patience. The faith which gives reality to things unseen, which
enables us to behold God in the creation, will bring us to
the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 39, 62, 127.
God, who hast taught us in thy Word that
there is still laid up a rest for thy people, and
who hast given us a promise of entering into it !
grant to us, we beseech thee, that we fail not of
that promise through unbelief and disobedience.
Teach us that here we have no abiding city.
Teach us to look for a house that hath founda- \
tions, of which thou art the maker and builder.
Lift our hearts thither in earnest desire.
sabbath of eternal peace ! haven where the
wicked cease from troubling, and the weary are at
rest ! When shall we see thee, Lord ! and behold
the King in his beauty? When shall we meet the j
apostles and prophets, and the great multitude
wliom no man can number ? When shall we see :
again our dear friends who sleep in Jesus ?
God the Father, who hast the times and sea-
sons in thine own power ! let not that day come
upon us unawares. God the Son, who art gone
to prepare a place for us ! in thine own time take
us to thyself, that where thou art, there may we be
also. God the Holy Ghost, the pledge of future
glory in our hearts ! seal us until the redemption
of the purchased possession.
We bless thee for the help we have this clay re-
ceived in the divine life through thy holy Word
and the prayers and praises of thy Church. We
supplicate thy favor upon all who have heard thy
Word, and upon those who have it not. We bless
thee for thy mercy to this household, and commit
ourselves to thy fatherly protection for the night.
Keep us under the shadow ol thy wings ; and,
Father ! bring us, we pray thee, finally to rest in
thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
11
MONDAY.
Joel ii. — 28. And it shall come to pass after-
ward, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh ;
and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
your old men shall dream dreams, your young men
shall see visions ;
29. And also upon the servants and upon the
handmaids in those days will 1 pour out my
Spirit.
30. And I will show wonders in the heavens and
in the earth, — blood and fire, and pillars of smoke.
31. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and
the moon into blood, before the great and the ter-
rible day of the Lord come.
32. And it shall come to pass, that whosoever
shall call on the name of the Lord shall be de-
livered.
Acts ii. — 1. And, when the day of Pentecost
was fully come, they were all with one accord in
one place.
2. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven
as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the
house where they were sitting.
3. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues
like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
4. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost,
and began to speak with other tongues as the Spirit
gave them utterance.
5. And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews,
devout men, out of every nation under heaven.
6. Now, when this was noised abroad, the multi-
tude came together, and were confounded, because
that every man heard them speak in his own lan-
guage.
7. And they were all amazed, and marvelled,
saying one to another, Behold, are not all these
which speak Galileans ?
8. And how hear we every man in our own
tongue wherein we were born ?
9. Parthians and Medes and Elamites, and the
dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea and Cap-
padocia, in Pontus and Asia,
10. Phrygia and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in
the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of
Rome, Jews and proselytes,
11. Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them
speak in our tongues the wonderful works of
God.
12. And they were all amazed, and were
in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth
this?
As the disruption of human speech came by man's sunder-
ing his spiritual connection with God, it was fitting that the
restoration of this spiritual unity should be accompanied
with the faculty of utterance in other tongues, — the life of
the spiritual breaking through the barriers which the carnal
had created. The minds of the disciples being brought into
harmony with God, and filled with his Spirit, a new vocaliza-
tion seems almost a natural sequence. The grandeur of the
miracle was in the coming of the Holy Ghost, — a second
incarnation, as it were, of the Godhead ; not, as before, in the
body of Jesus, but within every believing soul.
The Divine Spirit is master of all forms ; and the rushing
wind, the tongues of fire, and the " other tongues " of the apos-
tles, were but symbols and attestations of his presence. The
whole scene, too, was typical of the future spread of the gospel,
and the mastery of the Church over the minds, the thoughts,
the speech, of men. The great theme of redemption shall yet
so possess the mind of the world, that every thought shall be
brought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and every
tongue confess that Jesus is Lord. The Pentecost of divine
love and grace shall counteract the Babel of human wide and
greed.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 5, 15, 28.
Almighty and most merciful Pather, who of thy
tender love toward us didst send thy Son, our Sa-
viour Jesus Christ, to be our advocate and interces-
sor, hear us for his sake, and grant us the mercies
which we need for another day.
Graciously bestow upon us, heavenly Pather !
that Holy Spirit which thou hast promised to give
to them that ask thee. Remove the scales from
our eyes. Take away our ignorance, our hardness
and coldness of heart, and our too great love of
this present world. Enlighten our understand-
ings ; give unto us the spirit of wisdom and revela-
tion in the knowledge of Christ. May we know
thee as our God and Saviour ! May we enter more
and more into the riches of redeeming love ! Grant
that, being set free from sin, and made servants to
God, we may have our fruit unto holiness, and the
end everlasting life.
We thank thee for all thy goodness and thy
care. Thou spreadest our table ; thou givest us
life and breath and all things. Lord! our souls,
and all that is within us, would bless and praise
thy holy name. As a family, we bless thee for
our home, and for all the comforts and joys of our
daily life. [May the children whom thou hast so
favored in this house remember thee, their heaven-
ly Pather, and love and serve thee !] Be with us
this day to guide and keep us.
most merciful Saviour, our compassionate
High Priest ! pity all our infirmities ; heal our souls'
sicknesses ; give us the joy of thy salvation, and a
hope full of immortality. Strengthen us to live
and labor for thee. Give us grace always to act
as thy true servants, and to do every thing to thy
glory. May each one of us be able to say, " For
me to live is Christ ; to die is gain." And at
length take us to rest with thee above, for thine
own name and mercy's sake ; and unto thee, with
the Father and the Holy Ghost, be all honor and
glory, now and for evermore. Amen.
12
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
TUESDAY.
Isaiah xlii. — 1. Behold my servant, whom I
uphold ; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth ;
I have put my Spirit upon him : he shall bring
forth judgment to the Gentiles.
2. He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his
voice to be heard in the street.
3. A bruised reed shall he not break, and the
smoking flax shall he not quench : he shall bring
forth judgment unto truth.
4. He shall not fail nor be discouraged till he
have set judgment in the earth ; and the isles shall
wait for his law.
5. Thus saith God the Lord, he that created
the heavens, and stretched them out; he that
spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out
of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon
it, and spirit to them that walk therein :
6. I the Lord have called thee in righteousness,
and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and
give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light
of the Gentiles ;
7. To open the blind eyes, to bring out the pris-
oners from the prison, and them that sit in dark-
ness out of the prison-house.
8. I am. the Lord ; that is my name : and my
glory will I not give to another, neither my praise
to graven images.
9. Behold, the former things are come to pass,
and new things do I declare : before they spring
forth I tell you of them.
10. Sing unto the Lord a new song, and his
praise from the end of the earth ; ye that go down
to the sea, and all that is therein ; the isles, and
the inhabitants thereof.
11. Let the wilderness and the cities there-
of lift up their voice, the villages that Kedar
doth inhabit : let the inhabitants of the rock
sing; let them shout from the top of the moun-
tains.
12. Let them give glory unto the Lord, and de-
clare his praise in the islands.
16. And I will bring the blind by a way that
they knew not; I will lead them in paths tliat
they have not known : I will make darkness light
before them, and crooked things straight. These
things will I do unto them, and not forsake
them.
The phrase " covenant of the people " means strictly the me-
dium or mediator of the covenant between God and the people.
This could not be said of Cyrus, friendly as he was to the
Jews ; and if it might be applied figuratively to Isaiah, yet he
could not be called a " light of the Gentiles." But Christ
was "a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of Israel,"
the "messenger of the covenant," through whose interven-
tion its blessings should come to all people. Hence all the
inhabitants of the earth, from the mountains and the valleys,
from the sea and its islands, from populous cities and from
desert places, are summoned to rejoice and give glory to the
Lord for the Saviour's coming.
His coming was full of mercy and peace, of healing and
salvation ; noiseless as the light, gentle as the dew : but, like
the light, giving life and joy ; like the dew, giving beauty,
fragrance, and refreshment. The heart that is bruised and
crushed with its sorrows and sins he will not bi'eak with
the severity of judgment, but soothe and heal with his
pardoning grace. The dim torch of faith and love, though
like the just-expiring wick of flax it emits hardly a spark of
light, he will not extinguish, but with the oil of his mercy
will kindle it to a pure, bright flame. Eyes that have been
blinded to truth he will open to the sunlight ; souls that have
been shut up in the darkness of guilt or of despair he will
bring out into the free air of hope and peace. For every sin
he has mercy ; for every sorrow, healing; while yet his law of
truth and holiness shall judge the earth. This holy, just,
gracious, merciful Prince of Israel is our Saviour and Lord.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 49, 118, 119.
thou eternal Jehovah, King of kings, and
Lord of lords ! we draw nigh unto thee this morn-
ing, rejoicing that we have such a throne of grace
ever open, that through the merits of thy dear Son,
our only Saviour, we can be received and welcomed
and loved.
We confess our great unworthiness ; our sins of
thought, word, and action ; our sins of omission and
commission ; our sins against light and privilege
and providence and grace. We cast ourselves upon
Him who hath borne our griefs, and carried our
sorrows ; who came to seek and to save the lost.
Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift. Re-
membering at what price our redemption hath been
purchased, we would consecrate our lives to Him
who loved us, and gave himself for us.
Bless the members of this household. May
they walk before thee with a perfect heart ! May
the young be enabled to adorn the doctrine of God
their Saviour in all things !
Bless our land. Bless all in authority. May
righteousness run down our streets as a mighty
stream ! May that glorious day soon come when
the wilderness and the solitary place shall be made
glad ; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as
the rose ! Lord ! revive thy work in the midst
of the years.
Thankful for the mercies of the night, we com-
mend ourselves to thee for this day. Guide us ;
provide for us ; go before us. Let us have the
conscious assurance that God is for us, and then
none can be against us.
And now, Lord, what wait we for ? Our hope is
in thee. Prepare us for living ; prepare us for
dying. And all we ask is for the Lord Jesus
Christ's sake. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
13
WEDNESDAY.
Acts iii. — 12. And, when Peter saw it, he an-
swered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why-
marvel ye at this ? or why look ye so earnestly on
us, as though by our own power or holiness we had
made this man to walk ?
13. The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of
Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his
Son Jesus ; whom ye delivered up, and denied him
in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined
to let him go.
14. But ye denied the Holy One and the Just,
and desired a murderer to be granted unto you ;
15. And killed the Prince of life, whom God
hath raised from the dead; whereof we are wit-
nesses.
16. And his name, through faith in his name,
hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know;
yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this
perfect soundness in the presence of you all.
17. And now, brethren, I wot that through ig-
norance ye did it, as did also your rulers.
18. But those things which God before had
showed by the mouth of all his prophets, that
Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled.
19. Repent ye, therefore, and be converted, that
your sins may be blotted out when the times
The sum of all blessings is expressed in this closing verse.
To be saved from sin, — saved not only from the evil and
condemnation that sin brings upon ns, but led by repentance
and the grace of Christ to turn from iniquity, — this is bless-
ing, is salvation indeed. The mission of Christ centred in
redemption ; and we fail to experience the true blessing of
a Saviour, except, through faith in his sacrifice, our sins arc
blotted out. As sin was conquered by his suffering and
dying, and death was conquered by his resurrection, so shall
of refreshing shall come from the presence of the
Lord;
20. And he shall send Jesus Christ, which be-
fore was preached unto you :
21. Whom the heaven must receive until the
times of restitution of all things, which God hath
spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since
the world began.
22. For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A
Prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto
you, of your brethren, like unto me : him shall ye
hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto
you.
23. And it shall come to pass, that every soul
which will not hear that Prophet shall be de-
stroyed from among the people.
24. Yea, and all the prophets from Samuel, and
those that follow after, as many as have spoken,
have likewise foretold of these days.
25. Ye are the children of the prophets, and of
the covenant which God made with our fathers,
saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all
the kindreds of the earth be blessed.
26. Unto you first, God, having raised up his
Son Jesus, sent him to bless you in turning away
every one of you from his iniquities.
the unbelief and wickedness of the world be conquered
through his exaltation at the right hand of God for the resti-
tution of all things by the power of his Spirit. It was in
this power that Peter charged his hearers with having "killed
the Prince of life," and brought home to them the pun-
gent exhortation to repentance. And this is evermore the
power of all true and effective preaching. Greater than all
miracles is the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of
God.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 36, 52.
Almighty and most merciful Father, we have
erred and strayed from thy ways like lost sheep.
We have followed too much the devices and desires
of our own hearts. We have offended against thy
holy laws. We have left undone those things
which we ought to have done, and we have done
those things which we ought not to have done ;
and there is no health in us. But thou, Lord !
have mercy upon us miserable sinners. For thy
dear So'n's sake, forgive us all that is past; and
grant that we may hereafter serve and please thee in
newness of life, to the honor and glory of thy name.
Enable us to live in peace with all men.
thou who art the Prince of peace ! keep us from
envy, malice, and all uncharitableness. Give us
unselfish hearts. Make us 'kind to all around us.
May we bear one another's burdens, and so fulfil
the law of Christ! Saviour! may we in all
things follow thy blessed example, and grow daily
more like unto thee! May thy gospel be made
known to all men ! May the erring be reclaimed ;
the ignorant be enlightened; the sick, the dying,
and the sorrowing be comforted ! Oh, may thy
grace pardon and renew the guilty, succor the per-
ishing, save the lost !
Most merciful God, we thank thee for rest and
safety in the night-season, and for the health and
comfort with which we begin the day. Grant us
wisdom in our affairs, success in our labors, pros-
perity in all lawful undertakings, the conscious
guidance of thy providence, and, above all, the
experience of thy grace. May this family be ever
in thy holy keeping ! And now, heavenly
Father ! Ave pray thee to accept this our morning
sacrifice of prayer and praise ; and as thou hast
promised, that, when two or three are gathered to-
gether in thy name, thou wilt grant their requests,
fulfil now, Lord ! the desires and petitions of thy
servants, and keep us this day and always in thy
love, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
14
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
THURSDAY.
Romans X. — 1. Brethren, my heart's desire and
prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.
2. For I bear them record that they have a zeal
of God, but not according to knowledge.
3. For they, being ignorant of God's righteous-
ness, and going about to establish their own right-
eousness, have not submitted themselves unto the
righteousness of God.
4. For Christ is the end of the law for righteous-
ness to every one that believeth.
5. For Moses describeth the righteousness which
is of the law, That the man which doeth those things
shall live by them.
6. But the righteousness which is of faith speak -
eth on this wise : Say not in thine heart, Who shall
ascend into heaven ? (that is, to bring Christ down
from above ;)
7. Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that
is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.)
8. But what saith it? The word is nigh thee,
even in thy mouth and in thy heart; that is, the
word of faith, which we preach :
9. That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth
the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart
that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt
be saved.
10. For with the heart man believeth unto
righteousness, and with the mouth confession is
made unto salvation.
11. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth
on him shall not be ashamed.
How simple a thing it is to be a Christian ! Because of our
sins, which we can neither cancel nor atone, we cannot estab-
lish for ourselves that holy character which the law requires.
But Christ, by his righteous obedience, set forth the end or
object of the law in a perfect man ; and by his atonement
for our sins, and his grace renewing and helping us, Christ
secures in and for us that righteousness which the law
aims at, but had failed to effect in us. To possess our-
12. For there is no difference between the Jew
and the Greek ; for the same Lord over all is rich
unto all that call upon him.
13. For whosoever shall call upon the name of
the Lord shall be saved.
14. How, then, shall they call on him in whom
they have not believed? and how shall they believe
in him of whom they have not heard? and how
shall they hear without a preacher?
15. And how shall they preach except they be
sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet
of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring
glad tidings of good things !
16. But they have not all obej-ed the gospel.
For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our re-
port ?
17. So, then, faith cometh by hearing, and hear-
ing by the word of God.
18. But I say, Have they not heard? Yes, ver-
ily: their sound went into all the earth, and their
words unto the ends of the world.
19. But I say, Did not Israel know? First,
Moses saith, I will provoke you to jealousy by
them that are no people, and by a foolish nation
I will anger you.
20. But Esaias is very bold, and saith, I was
found of them that sought me not; I was made
manifest unto them that asked not after me.
21. But to Israel he saith, All clay long I have
stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and
gainsaying people.
selves of this righteousness, we must believe in the Lord
Jesus Christ ; believe in the heart ; believe by accepting him
as Redeemer and Lord ; believe by devoting ourselves to him
in grateful, loving obedience. And the sincerity of this faith
will prove itself by an open confession of Christ : the mouth
will declare what the heart feels ; the life will make manifest
what the heart believes. No fear, no shame, will keep back
one who truly receives Christ from openly confessing Christ.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 30, 67.
Lord ! we draw near into thy holy presence in
the name of Him whom thou hearest always. We
come casting ourselves on the infinite fulness of
our adorable Redeemer. Of that fulness may we
all receive, even grace for grace ! Let us walk as
thy children, advancing in conformity to thy blessed
mind and will, laying aside every weight, and run-
ning with patience the race that is set before us.
Let it be our constant aim and endeavor to know
what the will of the Lord is; and, knowing that
will, may we have strength given us to obey it !
We bless thee, O Lord ! for the mercies of the
past night, and implore thy presence with us this
day. God of Bethel, dwell in this household;
make every member of it thine. Those that are
absent, Lord, be near them; those that are in dis-
tress, Lord, comfort them ; those that know thee
not, Lord, bring them to thyself. What thanks
do we owe thee for our allotment in life ! — our birth
and education, our home and friends, our privileges
and opportunities. Lord, we would return thee all
that we have received. May thy Word be in our
hearts, to inspire faith and zeal ; and upon our lips,
to show forth thy praise ! Prosper thy Church every-
where. Raise up preachers who shall go into all the
earth with the gospel of peace. Let Satan's king-
dom be destroyed, the kingdom of grace advanced,
the kingdom of glory hastened. Save thy people ;
bless thine inheritance ; feed them also, and lift
them up forever. Give to each of us this day thy
gracious benediction ; finally give unto us the full
fruition of thyself, through Jesus Christ. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
15
FRIDAY.
Deuteronomy xxviii. — 58. If thou wilt not
observe to do all the words of this law that are
written in this book, that thou mayest fear this
glorious and fearful name THE LORD THY
GOD;
59. Then the Lord will make thy plagues won-
derful, and the plagues of thy seed, even great
plagues, and of long continuance, and sore sick-
nesses, and of long continuance.
60. Moreover, he will bring upon thee all the
diseases of Egypt, which thou wast afraid of; and
they shall cleave unto thee.
61. Also every sickness and every plague
which is not written in the book of this law,
them will the Lord bring upon thee untd thou
be destroyed.
62. And ye shall be left few in number, whereas
ye were as the stars of heaven for multitude ; be-
cause thou wouldest not obey the voice of the Lord
thy God.
63. And it shall come to pass, that as the Lord
rejoiced over you to do you good and to multiply
you, so the Lord will rejoice over you to destroy
you and to bring you to nought ; and ye shall be
This fearful denunciation was more than a warning : it was
a prediction ; and in substance it has been fulfilled, again
and again, in the history of Israel, in their wars, their cap-
tivities, their dispersions, their many and fearful oppressions.
Nor could a more graphic picture of their actual calamities be
given than this, of restless, homeless wandering ; of trembling
heart, failing eyes, and sorrow of spirit ; of life always in fear
and peril ; of longing for the evening and for the morning.
For ages, the misfortunes of the Jews in almost every land
plucked from off the land whither thou goest to
possess it.
61. And the Lord shall scatter thee among all
people, from the one end of the earth even unto the
other ; and there thou shalt serve other gods, which
neither thou nor thy fathers have known, even
wood and stone.
65. And among these nations shalt thou find no
ease, neither shall the sole of thy foot have rest ;
but the Lord shall give thee there a trembling
heart, and failing of eyes, and sorrow of mind.
66. And thy life shall hang in doubt before thee ;
and thou shalt fear day and night, and shalt have
none assurance of thy life :
67. In the morning thou shalt say, Would God
it were even ! and at even thou shalt say, Would
God it were morning ! for the fear of thine heart
wherewith thou shalt fear, and for the sight of
thine eyes which thou shalt see.
68. And the Lord shall bring thee into Egypt
again with ships, by the way whereof I spake unto
thee, Thou shalt see it no more again ; and there
ye shall be sold unto your enemies for bond-men
and bond-women, and no man shall buy you.
were a commentary upon these prophetic words of their great
lawgiver: their whole history as a people is a standing re-
cord that this witness is true. But, through all warnings and
judgments, there is ever the refrain of promise and hope.
Jehovah is still mindful of the children of the covenant, the
seed of Abraham, his friend ; and the time shall come when
they shall be brought in with the fulness of the Gentiles,
" and so all Israel shall be saved."
Appropriate Hymn,] Prayer. [^°- 182.
Lord ! how can we stand if thou shouldst j people, witnessing among all nations to the truth
mark our iniquities ? But blessed be thy name ! of thy Word. We thank thee that in these latter
that thou hast reconciled us to thyself by thy be- days they are so far exempt from the violence and
loved Son, and wilt not impute our trespasses unto persecutions of other times ; and pray that through
us. For his merits, and in his name, cast us not their experience, both of the goodness and the
out of thy presence, and take not thy Holy Spirit
from us.
Thou hast taught us to pray that thy kingdom
may come. Hear us while we plead with thee for
the spread of thy gospel throughout the world.
Lord ! look in mercy on thine own flock who have
entered into covenant with thee. Oh ! heal their
divisions, enlighten their dark places, strengthen
their feeble and scattered efforts. Look upon vast
tracts of Christendom yet bound in ignorance and
superstition. Look upon those, who, having thy
commandments, yet worship other gods besides
thee ; and do thou look in mercy on the darkness
of heathendom, and on them that sit in the shadow
of death cause thy light to shine. More especially
do we entreat thee for thine ancient Israel, whom
thou hast for so many ages preserved a separate
severity of God, they may be brought to a saving
knowledge of thy grace in Christ.
Almighty God, the Governor and Disposer of
the world, grant that, in the history of its king-
doms and peoples, we may ever see thee preparing
the way of thy Christ, and putting all things un-
der his feet ; and grant that we, looking for the
kingdoms of this world to become the kingdom of
the Lord and of his Christ, may be found faithful
at his appearing, who liveth and reigneth with
thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without
end.
Lord our Preserver ! we humbly thank thee
for thy merciful protection during the past night ;
and we commit ourselves and all dear to us unto
thy gracious guidance this day, through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen.
16
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
SATURDAY.
Mark X. — 35. And James and John, the sons
of Zebedee, come unto him, saying, Master, we
would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we
shall desire.
36. Aud he said unto them, What would ye that
I should do for you ?
37. They said unto him, Grant unto us that we
may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on
thy left hand, in thy glory.
38. But Jesus said unto them, Ye know not
what ye ask : can ye drink of the cup that I drink
of? and be baptized with the baptism that I am
baptized with ?
39. And they said unto him, We can. And
Jesus said unto them, Ye shall indeed drink of the
cup that I drink of; and with the baptism that I
am baptized withal shall ye be baptized :
40. But to sit on my right hand and on my left
hand is not mine to give ; but it shall be given to
them for whom it is prepared.
41. And, when the ten heard it, they began to
be much displeased with James and John.
42. But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto
them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule
over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and
their great ones exercise authority upon them.
43. But so shall it not be among you ; but who-
soever will be great among you shall be your min-
ister,
Our Lord's allusions to his coming glory had revived in
his disciples the Jewish notion of a Messianic kingdom, with
worldly pomps and honors. Once they had contended among
themselves who should be greatest : now two of them sought
to forestall the others, and secure the places next the throne.
Jesus, who already felt in his own soul the foreshadowing of his
great agony, tenderly reminded them of the cup of sorrow which
he must drink, and the baptism of blood which he must receive :
that, in his kingdom, sacrifice would be the measure of great-
ness ; self-denial, of reward : and he distinctly announced that
he would otfer his life a ransom, the redemption-price of a
Appropriate Hymns,]
44. And whosoever of you will be the chiefest
shall be servant of all.
45. For even the Son of man came not to be
ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his
life a ransom for many.
46. And they came to Jericho ; and, as he went
out of Jericho with his disciples and a great num-
ber of people, blind Bartimeus, the son of Timeus,
sat by the highway-side begging.
47. And, when he heard that it was Jesus of
Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou
son of David, have mercy on me !
48. And many charged him that he should hold
his peace ; but he cried the more a great deal,
Thou son of David, have mercy on me !
49. And Jesus stood still, and commanded him
to be called : and they call the blind man, saying
unto him, Be of good comfort ; rise ; he calleth
thee.
50. And he, casting away his garment, rose,
and came to Jesus.
51. And Jesus answered and said unto him,
What wilt thou that I should do unto thee ? The
blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might re-
ceive my sight.
52. And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way : thy
faith hath made thee whole. And immediately
he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the
way.
sinning world. The disciples drank the cup. James was the
first martyr among his apostles. John lived a long life of per-
secution and exile, witnessing for his beloved Lord.
In contrast with the momentary weakness of these disciples
in seeking worldly distinction is presented the simple, earnest,
importunate faith of Bartimeus, who, feeling that his moment
of opportunity had come, hastened to beg of the Son of
David the mercy of healing.
How the heart of Jesus went forth to meet every cry of real
faith ! How ready is his word of mercy still for the humble,
believing suppliant !
Prayer
Thou blessed and glorious Redeemer, who didst
give thy life a ransom for us, grant us grace, we
beseech thee, to follow in thy steps, and be bap-
tized with the same baptism of devotion and sac-
rifice for the glory of the Father and the good of
men. O Thou who art the light of the world ! en-
lighten our minds, we pray thee, that we may truly
know and rightly value the things of thy kingdom.
Keep us from the absorbing power of earthly
things. May we live under the powers of the world
to come, loving thee now with a sweet and blessed
foretaste of that love with which we shall love thee
forever !
We commend to thy gracious providence all in
whom we are interested. Sanctify them by the
indwelling of thy Holy Spirit ; prosper them out-
[Nos. 21, 58, 187.
wardly and inwardly. Bless our own immediate
circle : may God be their Father, and Jesus their
elder Brother, and heaven their everlasting home !
[May the children of this family make thee their
portion and their hope ! May they early learn to
do thy will ; to wish for and to do only that which
will please their Father in heaven !]
May thy kingdom come ! Support and strength-
en all missionaries in heathen lands. Sanctify
affliction to all in sorrow ; and satisfy the poor
with bread. Grateful for the mercies of the night,
we pray thee to direct, control, suggest, this day,
all our thoughts, purposes, designs, and actions,
that we may consecrate soul and body to the glory
of thy holy name. And all that we ask or hope
for is for the Redeemer's sake. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
17
SUNDAY MORNING-.
Genesis i. — 1. In the beginning, God created
the heaven and the earth.
2. And the earth was without form, and void; and
darkness was upon the face of the deep ; and the
Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
3. And God said, Let there be light ; and there
was light.
4. And God saw the light, that it was good;
and God divided the light from the darkness.
5. And God called the light Day, and the
darkness he called Night; and the evening and
the morning were the first day.
6. And God said, Let there be a firmament in
the midst of the waters, and let it divide the
waters from the waters.
7. And God made the firmament, and divided
the waters which were under the firmament from
the waters which were above the firmament ; and
it was so.
8. And God called the firmament Heaven ; and
the evening and the morning were the second day.
9. And God said, Let the waters under the
heaven be gathered together unto one place, and
let the dry land appear ; and it was so.
10. And God called the dry land Earth, and
the gathering-together of the waters called he
Seas ; and God saw that it was good.
11. And God said, Let the earth bring forth
grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit-tree
yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself,
upon the earth ; and it was so.
12. And the earth brought forth grass, and herb
yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding
fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind ; and
God saw that it was good.
13. And the evening and the morning were the
third day.
14. And God said, Let there be lights in the
firmament of the heaven to divide the day from
the night ; and let them be for signs and for sea-
sons, and for days and years.
15. And let them be for lights in the firmament
of the heaven to give light upon the earth ; and it
was so.
16. And God made two great lights ; the great-
er light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule
the night : he made the stars also.
17. And God set them in the firmament of the
heaven to give light upon the earth,
18. And to rule over the day and over the night,
and to divide the light from the darkness ; and
God saw that it was good.
1J). And the evening and the morning were the
fourth day.
The great thought presented in these verses is that of
God as the Creator of all things. His self-existence, the
spirituality of his being, his eternity, and his omnipotence,
are revealed in the fact of creation. His wisdom brings order,
out of chaos, arranges the succession of created things, and
adjusts the several elements and species of our globe and all
the parts and members of the material universe to each other
in a beautiful and perpetual harmony. His love also appears
in his purpose that every thing which he made should be good,
— good in itself, good in its place, good for its uses, and good
in its effects. Only sin has marred the beauty and goodness
of the works of God.
This account of the creation is not scientific, but poetic in
form, and popular in style. It was not intended to teach
astronomy, geology, or natural history, but to impress upon
the minds of men the thought of the living, personal, infinite,
eternal Creator. Yet as a grand outline of creation, in the
order of events, the narrative is in striking harmony with
what geology teaches of the structure of our globe ; and this
fact, taken in connection with the sublime conception of God
that it brings before us, points to its origin in a divine revela-
tion, either by word or by vision. Only God could thus have
told what God only could know.
The term " day " is not to be taken literally ; for the
heavenly bodies that measure time for man were not made
visible to our globe until the fourth " day ; " but it denotes an
epoch, like the eras of geology, which had a beginning and an
ending. And so the Bible, like science, leads us back over the
vast spaces of creation, and through all orders of beings and
things, to where we find only, in the beginning, God.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
|Nos. 18, 69, 150.
O Lord God, Father of mercies, the Fountain
of all comfort and blessing, who fillest heaven with
thy glory, and earth with thy goodness ; to whom
the heavens sing praise, and all their powers, with
the earth and sea and all that are therein ! we
praise and bless and glorify and give thanks to
thee. Thou broughtest us out of nothing; and
when, by our disobedience, we were fallen, thou
didst raise us up again to an inheritance in thy
kingdom. For these and all thy mercies, we give
thanks to thee, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
henceforth and forevermore.
"We bless thee for the sabbath, and.pray that we
may rightly improve its holy rest and the worship
of thy holy house. We pray for the whole Church
of Christ, that she may possess all the gifts of
thy Holy Spirit ; for all Sunday schools, — oh !
hear the hosannas of children, and show to them
the love of Jesus their Saviour; for the poor and
needy, sick and afflicted, widows and orphans; for
all whom thou hast given to be near and dear to
us. Give them thy blessing, Lord ! for the
sake of Him who hath taught us to love one
another even as he hath loved us.
Accept, we beseech thee, Lord ! these our
praises and supplications, and look graciously upon
this family ; and so assist us by thy grace, that we
may be fitted for that kingdom where all shall be
joy and peace in the Holy Ghost ; to whom, with
thee and thy Son, be all glory forever. Amen.
18
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
SUNDAY EVENING.
John XX. — 19. Then the same day at evening,
being the first day of the week, when the doors
were shut where the disciples were assembled for
fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the
midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.
20. And, when he had so said, he showed unto
them his hands and his side. Then were the dis-
ciples glad when they saw the Lord.
21. Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be
unto you : as my Father hath sent me, even so
send I you.
22. And, when he had said this, he breathed on
them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy
Ghost.
23. Whosesoever sins ye remit, they are remit-
ted unto them ; and whosesoever sins ye retain,
they are retained.
24. But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didy-
mus, was not with them when Jesus came.
25. The other disciples therefore said unto him,
We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them,
Except I shall see in his hands the print of the
nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails,
and thrust my hand into his side, I will not be-
lieve.
26. And, after eight days, again his disciples
were within, and Thomas with them : then came
Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the
midst, and said, Peace be unto you.
27. Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy
finger, and behold my hands ; and reach hither
thy hand, and thrust it into my side ; and be not
faithless, but believing.
28. And Thomas answered and said unto him,
My Lord and my God !
29. Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou
hast seen me, thou hast believed : blessed are they
that have not seen, and yet have believed.
30. And many other signs truly did Jesus in
the presence of his disciples, which are not writ-
ten in this book.
31. But these are written that ye might believe
that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God ; and that,
believing, ye might have life through his name.
The demand of Thomas shows what havoc the spirit of
Rationalism would make of all that pertains to a religious
faith. The resurrection of Lazarus, which he had seen, had
given him a sufficient warrant for believing in the resurrection
of Christ. The word of his brethren was entitled to his con-
fidence ; but he refused the testimony of their senses, and in-
sisted upon the evidence of his own sight and touch. What
then'? Would he expect others to believe upon his testi-
mony'? or should everyone insist upon seeing for himself?
In that case, Jesus must continue to live and die, and rise
again, for each succeeding generation. Then who should
establish his identity from age to age? And to how few
could he become personally known ! The facility of faith is
as natural to man as the faculty of sight ; and, when there
is moral evidence to warrant our faith, we may feel as secure
in believing as could Thomas in seeing. For such a faith
our Lord provided a special blessing. Accepting the homage
of Thomas to his divinity, he reached forth his benediction to
all who should believe upon him as their Lord, though they
had not seen his bodily presence nor his marvellous works.
The spiritual apprehension of Christ through faith is a loftier
condition of the mind, a richer and more rewarding partici-
pation of his Spirit, than could ever be reached through the
bodily senses. Believing, we have life through his name.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 135, 159.
Lord Jesus ! increase our faith, that we may
know thee in the fellowship of thy sufferings, and
in the power of thy resurrection.
holy and almighty God ! we present ourselves
before thee this evening with humble and thankful
hearts. Receive us as thou hast promised by thy
well-beloved Son, saying, "Ask, and ye shall have;
seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be
opened unto you." So give now unto us that ask ;
let us that seek find ; open the gate unto us that
knock.
We thank thee, heavenly Father ! that of thy
tender mercy thou hast given thine only Son Jesus
Christ to suffer death upon the cross for our re-
demption. Through faith in his blood, may we ob-
tain remission of our sins ! May we know him
and love him, and serve him with all our hearts !
and may we daily endeavor to follow the steps of
his most holy life ! Lord ! let thy mercy be
upon us as we do put our trust in thee.
Teach us, God ! both how to live and how to
die. May our loins be always girt and our lamps
burning, and we ourselves like servants who wait
for the coming of their lord ! May we live a life
of faith, and may we die the death of the right-
eous !
Look in mercy upon all our brethren, our friends,
neighbors, and acquaintance. Be with all who are
dear to us, especially with any who may at this
time be in affliction or distress. Cheer their
hearts, and lift up the light of thy countenance
upon them. Send down upon all who minister in
thy Church, and all congregations committed to
their charge, the healthful spirit of thy grace;
and, that they may truly please thee, pour upon
them the continual dew of thy blessing.
And be with us who are now gathered together
in thy name. Defend us from all the perils and
dangers of this night. Let thy fatherly hand
ever be over us. Let thy Holy Spirit ever be
with us. And so lead us in the knowledge and
obedience of thy word, that in the end we may
obtain everlasting life, through Jesus Christ our
Lord. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
19
MONDAY.
Acts vii. — 51. Ye stiff-necked and uncircum-
cised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the
Holy Ghost : as your fathers did, so do ye.
52. Which of the prophets have not your fa-
thers persecuted ? and they have slain them which
showed before of the coming of the Just One; of
whom ye have been now the betrayers and mur-
derers ;
53. Who have received the law by the disposi-
tion of angels, and haye not kept it.
54. When they heard these things, they were
cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with
their teeth.
55. But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked
up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of
God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,
56. And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened,
and the Son of man standing on the right hand
of God.
57. Then they cried out with a loud voice, and
stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one
accord,
These are the closing words of the address of Stephen, in
which, with cogent reasoning and fervid eloquence, he arrayed
the whole course of Jewish prophecy in evidence for Jesus of
Nazareth as the Messiah. So clear and strong was this evi-
dence, that to resist it was to resist the Holy Ghost, who had
spoken through the prophets. But argument and appeal are
lost upon minds hardened by prejudice, or blinded by pas-
sion ; and the reproof of sin, if it does not lead to repentance,
is apt to provoke hatred of the reprover. But Stephen was
prepared to sacrifice his life in fidelity to his Master. So
strong was his faith, that it had already turned into vision ;
58. And cast him out of the city, and
stoned him; and the witnesses laid down their
clothes at a young man's feet whose name was
Saul.
59. And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God,
and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.
60. And he kneeled down and cried with a loud
voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge ; and,
when he had said this, he fell asleep.
Acts viii. — 1. And Saul was consenting unto
his death. And at that time there was a great
persecution against the church which was at Jeru-
salem ; and they were all scattered abroad through-
out the regions of Judsea and Samaria, except the
apostles.
2. And devout men carried Stephen to his burial,
and made great lamentation over him.
3. As for Saul, he made havoc of the church,
entering into every house, and, haling men and
women, committed them to prison.
4. Therefore they that were scattered abroad
went everywhere preaching the word.
and, while men gnashed their rage around him, he could see
Jesus from above approving him with welcome and reward.
No groans escaped him as the mob rained stones upon his head
and breast. He who could be so stern and bitter toward the
rejecters of the truth had no bitterness for his own persecutors
and murderers. In the same breath in which he committed
his own spirit to Christ, he prayed for their forgiveness ; and
such was the majesty of faith, such the serenity of love, that,
under that hail-storm of death, he " fell asleep." But the
stoning of Stephen was the saving of Paul : the death of the
first martyr was the birth of a new apostle.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 57, 89.
Lord Jesus, the author and the finisher of our
faith ! we give thee thanks for all thy servants
departed in the faith, who, having witnessed a good
confession, have entered into rest. Grant us grace,
we beseech thee, to be faithful unto death, that
we also may receive a crown of life. May we
have such a sense of thy presence and glory as
shall lift us above the love or the fear of this
world !
Assist us by thy grace to do this day such
things as are pleasing to thee. Strengthen us to
resist and overcome any temptations to which we
may be exposed. Preserve us from a worldly mind.
Lord ! by the power of thy Holy Spirit, draw
our desires and hopes and affections heavenward.
Deliver us from anxiety about earthly things, from
a discontented and unthankful spirit.
Strengthen, Lord ! our faith in the promises of
thy Word. Enable us to stay our minds on thee.
Thou knowest our exceeding weakness, and the
numberless dangers which every day surround us.
Supply all our needs. Beat down every spiritual
enemy under our feet. Let thy Word be our guide,
and thy Holy Spirit our sanctifier and comforter.
If it should please thee to visit us with affliction,
oh ! make it work for our real and eternal good, and
give us a patient and submissive spirit. Be thou
our defender through all the trials of life, our hope
in death, and our portion forever.
We thank thee for thy loving-kindness in the
night-season. Be pleased, Lord! to bless all who
are near and dear to us. Lead all whom we love into
the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Bless our
neighbors. Look graciously upon this part of thy
vineyard ; assist all who are laboring for the good
of their fellow-creatures ; and grant that true god-
liness may increase and abound among us. Help
us to shine as lights in the world, and to com-
mend the religion which we profess by the meek-
ness and gentleness of our conduct, and by the
holiness of our lives. Make us happy in our own
souls, and useful to all around us. These mercies
we ask for ourselves and others in the name of
Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.
20
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
TUESDAY.
Acts viif. — 26. And the angel of the Lord spake
unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south,
unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto
Gaza, which is desert.
27. And he arose, and went; and behold, a man
of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under
Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who had the
charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusa-
lem for to worship,
28. Was returning, and, sitting in his chariot,
read Esaias the prophet.
29. Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near,
and join thyself to this chariot.
30. And Philip ran thither to him, and heard
him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Under-
standest thou what thou readest ?
31. And he said, How can I, except some man
should guide me ? And he desired Philip that he
would come up and sit with him.
32. The place of the scripture which he read
was this : He was led as a sheep to the slaughter ;
and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened
he not his mouth :
33. In his humiliation his judgment was taken
How simple a thing it is to become a Christian ! How
readily can one become a Christian who opens his mind to
receive the truth, and sets his heart to obey it ! How natural
and proper it is that one who has embraced Christ should
confess his name, and join his followers ! How obvious is the
duty of those who have learned Christ to preach him to
others as he is set forth in the Scriptures ! How rich the joy
that comes of believing on Christ, and of winning others to
a like faith and grace ! Such reflections crowd upon us in
this story of the converted Ethiopian.
Ethiopia was a country of Africa, south of Egypt ; and the
eunuch was on the way towards Egypt, through the thinly-
inhabited region of Southern Judaea. A man of high politi-
cal station and of ample fortune, he was nevertheless devout
in his religious duties. As a convert to the Jewish faith, he
had made the long journey to Jerusalem to keep the festivals.
While there, of course, he had heard of the stir about Jesus
of Nazareth ; and now he relieved the tedium of the way by
reading the Scriptures. In this frame of mind, he was ripe
away : and who shall declare his generation ? for
his life is taken from the earth.
34. And the eunuch answered Philip, and said,
I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this ?
of himself, or of some other man ?
35. Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at
the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.
• 36. And, as they went on their way, they came
unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See,
here is water ; what doth hinder me to be bap-
tized ?
37. And Philip said, If thou believest with all
thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and
said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
38. And he commanded the chariot to stand
still : and they went down both into the water, both
Philip and the eunuch ; and he baptized him.
39. And, when they were come up out of the
water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip,
that the eunuch saw him no more ; and he went
on his way rejoicing.
40. But Philip was found at Azotus ; and, pass-
ing through, he preached in all the cities till he
came to Cesarea.
for the instructions of Philip, who showed the wonderful ap-
plication of Isaiah's prophecy to the sufferings of Christ. He
saw and believed that Jesus Christ was the Son of God ; be-
lieved this with his heart ; and, so believing, was ready to
avow it, and take the consequences of being a follower of the
despised and crucified Nazarene. Why should not men of
business now come to the same prompt decision % Why should
not all who have learned of Christ in the Scriptures embrace
him with their hearts, and confess him with their lips ?
The readiness with which Philip administered baptism to
the eunuch need not surprise us when we consider all the facts
of the case. As a man of intelligence, of a devout habit, and
well versed in the Scriptures, he was prepared to act with
judgment and decision as soon as he understood the truth.
And, when such a man was ready to take the risk of avowing
himself a disciple of Christ, there could be no reason for
doubting his sincerity, or delaying his confession. The safe
rule is to confess Christ as soon as we feel that we believe with
all the heart.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 43, 75, 99.
Oh ! grant us grace. Father in heaven, to hear
thy Word, and to obey it. We would make haste,
and delay not, to keep thy commandments. Thou
hast a right, Lord ! to our time, our gifts, our
hearts, our persons; to all that we are, and all that
we have : for thou hast created us, and hast re-
deemed us with the precious blood of thy Son.
We would begin this day in thy fear : help us in
all things to please and honor thee.
We give thee thanks for the mercies of the night,
and for all the mercies of our past lives, — for home
and its blessings ; for friends, and all the ministries
of love ; for health, knowledge, comfort, and pros-
perity ; but, above all things, for thy grace in the
gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. May we ever be
ready to acknowledge him the Son of God, the
Saviour of the world ! May men in the high places
of power and influence consecrate themselves to
him ! may the poor and lowly trust in him ! may
children sing hosannas to the Son of David ! How
shall we praise thee, God ! for thy love and grace
to us sinners ? For all thy mercies, we bless and
magnify thy glorious name ; humbly beseeching
thee to accept this our morning sacrifice of praise
and thanksgiving for His sake who lay down in
the grave, and rose again for us, — thy Son, our
Saviour Jesus Christ ; to whom be glory and do-
minion, world without end. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
21
WEDNESDAY.
Acts ix. — 1. And Saul, yet breathing out
threatenings and slaughter against the disciples
of the Lord, went unto the high priest,
2. And desired of hirn letters to Damascus to the
synagogues, that if he found any of tills way,
whether they were men or women, he might bring
them bound unto Jerusalem.
3. And, as he journeyed, he came near Damas-
cus ; and suddenly there shined round about him
a light from heaven.
4. And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice
saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou
me?
5. And he said, Who art thou, Lord ? And the
Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. It
is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
6. And he, trembling and astonished, said, Lord,
what wilt thou have me to do ? And the Lord said
unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall
be told thee what thou must do.
7. And the men which journeyed with him stood
speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.
8. And Saul arose from the earth ; and, when his
eyes were opened, he saw no man : but they led
him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.
9. And he was three days without sight, and
neither did eat nor drink.
10. And there was a certain disciple at Damas-
cus, named Ananias ; and to him said the Lord
! in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am
here, Lord.
11. And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go
into the street which is called Straight, and inquire
in the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus ;
for, behold, he prayeth,
12. And hath seen in a vision a man named Ana-
nias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that
he might receive his sight.
13. Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard
by many of this man, how much evil he hath done
to thy saints at Jerusalem;
14. And here he hath authority from the chief
priests to bind all that call on thy name.
15. But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way;
for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name
before the Gentiles and kings and the children of
Israel.
16. For I will show him how great things he
must suffer for my name's sake.
17. And Ananias went his way, and entered into
the house, and, putting his hands on him, said,
Brother Saul, the Lord (even Jesus that appeared
unto thee in the way as thou earnest) hath sent
me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be
filled with the Holy Ghost.
18. And immediately there fell from his eyes as
it had been scales ; and he received sight forthwith,
and arose, and was baptized.
The conversion of Saul, like that of the Ethiopian eunuch,
was instantaneous ; and his confession of Christ was imme-
diate, hearty, and complete. But while the eunuch glided
into the confession of Christ through the humble, reverential
studv of the word of God, Saul was arrested in a career of
opposition to Christianity, in which were enlisted his pride,
his passion, and his prejudice, which he mistook for his con-
science. Fresh from the lynching of Stephen, inflamed like
a wild beast by the taste of blood, he volunteered to go in
quest of victims to be dragged to martyrdom at Jerusalem.
The miracle arrested and confounded him. The blinding
light, the reproving voice, the manifestation of Jesus, con-
victed, awed, and humbled him ; but his conversion was the
submission of his will to do the will of Christ. That this
scene was real, was attested by the fact that Paul often re-
ferred to it as the beginning of his Christian life, and was
ready to die for the Saviour whom he then owned as his
Lord. To tame his fiery spirit, he was left blind for three
days, that he might give himself to reflection and prayer ;
then sight was restored, and instruction and baptism admin-
istered by one of the very disciples whom he had come to
destroy. Thus did Christ honor the agency of his Church,
and lead the greatest of apostles into his kingdom by the
door of humility, and in the spirit of a little child.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 1, 58, 144.
Father of lights, thou hast dispersed the dark-
ness of another night, and permitted the sun once
more to arise upon us. thou Sun of righteous-
ness ! do thou disperse the darkness of sin ; cause
the scales to fall from our eyes, that we may receive
sight ; shine on us with the brightness of thy
rising ; let us enjoy this day the blessedness of
peace with God.
Lord Jesus, we commit ourselves anew to thy
keeping. In all the concerns of life, teach us what
thou wilt have us to do. May it be our sovereign
the bruised reed nor quench the smoking flax, and
whose dying words were words of forgiveness.
We pray for all in sorrow. thou God of all
consolation ! be a father to the fatherless, a hus-
band to the widow, the stranger's shield, and the
orphan's stay. Enable thy suffering people to rest
in thy love. Bless our beloved friends : if there
be any among them who are still strangers to thee,
make them to know thee in Christ. Preserve us
as a household from all danger and sin ; hide us in
the hollow of thy hand ; and may death, when it
motive so to walk as to please thee ! May we shall come, find us still doing that which thou hast
diffuse around us the silent influence of a heavenly given us to do, and watching for our Lord ! And
life ! May we deal tenderly with others, remem-
bering the tenderness of Him who would not break
unto the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be
praise forever. Amen.
22
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
THURSDAY.
Acts ix. — 19. Then was Saul certain days with
the disciples which were at Damascus.
20. And straightway he preached Christ in the
synagogues, that he is the Son of God.
21. But all that heard him were amazed, and
said, Is not this he that destroyed them which
called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither
for that intent, that he might bring them bound
unto the chief priests ?
22. But Saul increased the more in strength, and
confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus,
proving that this is very Christ.
23. And, after that many days were fulfilled, the
Jews took counsel to kill him.
24. But their laying wait was known of Saul.
And they watched the gates day and night to kill
him.
25. Then the disciples took him by night, and
let him down by the wall in a basket.
26. And, when Saul was come to Jerusalem,
The genuineness of Saul's conversion was proved by the
earnestness with which, at the risk of his life, he began to
preach the faith he had so fiercely persecuted. He came near
falling a victim to the very rage which he had incited against
the Christians. Both at Damascus and at Jerusalem, he
was in peril of his life. At Damascus he had a narrow
escape. The city being surrounded with walls, and having
but two or three gates, it seemed impossible for him to evade
his enemies. But the house of a friend was built against the
city wall, with a window overhanging it ; and from this he
was let down in a basket such as would be used to lower a
man into a well. Though the particular window that favored
Paul's escape must long ago have been destroyed in the
changes of time and war, yet one can see windows just like it
on the present walls of the city ; and the street called
" Straight " can still be identified.
he essayed to join himself to the disciples ; but they
were all afraid of him, and believed not that he
was a disciple.
27. But Barnabas took him, and brought him to
the apostles, and declared unto them how he had
seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken
to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damas-
cus in the name of Jesus.
28. And he was with them coming in and going
out at Jerusalem.
29. And he spake boldly in the name of the
Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians;
but they went about to slay him.
30. Which when the brethren knew, they
brought him down to Cesarea, and sent him forth
to Tarsus.
31. Then had the churches rest throughout all
Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified;
and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the
comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.
The danger which threatened the outset of Paul's ministry
thickened about it until it closed in martyrdom. But never
did he waver in his devotion to Christ. The commitment
made in a moment was made for life. Paul was drawn
to Jesus by the conviction that he was the Son of God, and
by the grateful sense of mercy toward him in his blindness
and unbelief. With the consecration of his intellect to the
service of Christ, and the reverence of a loyal heart, was
blended the fervor of a personal love, which made whatever
concerned the honor of Christ dear to him as his own life.
For a time he had to encounter the prejudices of the disci-
ples, who feared that he had some sinister end in trying to
join them. But an honest heart wins its way to confidence,
and Paul grew in favor and in power. Barnabas set a noble
example of brotherly fellowship.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 59, 133.
Lord, who by the example of thy blessed
apostle Paul hast taught us to forget those things
which are behind, and to reach forth unto those
things that are before ! give us grace this day that
we may press toward the mark for the prize of our
high calling of thee in Christ Jesus. May we
lay aside every weight, and the sins which easily
beset us, and run with patience the race set before
us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher
of our faith ! As he for the joy set before him en-
dured the cross, despising the shame ; even so may
we ever have before us our heavenly reward, and in
like manner not fear what men can do unto us,
if we may only acceptably serve thee.
From all idleness and carelessness ; from all
self-conceit, and love of praise ; from all confidence
in our own powers, and neglect of seeking thy
grace, — Lord, preserve and keep us.
From all want of love to one another ; from all
lack of charity in thinking and speaking of men ;
from all undue cleaving to our own likings and
opinions, — Lord, preserve and keep us.
From all unsocial and selfish feelings ; from tak-
ing advantage of the weakness or the ignorance of
others ; from slighting any one, or inwardly de-
spising any one, — Lord, preserve and keep us.
In the constant sense of our membership of
Christ ; in the unfailing thought that we are his
soldiers and servants ; in the love for our Father's
house, and the blessed hope of our eternal home, —
Lord, preserve and keep us.
For the mercies of the past night ; for the health
and comfort with which we begin the day ; for the
provision for our wants ; for means of improve-
ment, of enjoyment, and of usefulness, — we hum-
bly thank thee, the Giver of all good. Bless all
dear to us. Multiply the preachers of thy gospel ;
turn opposers and persecutors into witnesses for
thee ; and subdue all hearts unto thyself, through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
FRIDAY.
Philippians i. — 12. I would ye should under-
stand, brethren, that the things which happened
unto me have fallen out rather unto the further-
ance of the gospel :
13. So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in
all the palace, and in all other places;
14. And many of the brethren in the Lord,
waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold
to speak the word without fear.
15. Some, indeed, preach Christ even of envy
and strife ; and some also of good will.
16. The one preach Christ of contention,
not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my
bonds ;
17. But the other of love, knowing that I am
set for the defence of the gospel.
18. What then ? Notwithstanding, every way,
whether in pretence or in truth, Christ is preached ;
and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.
19. For I know that this shall turn to my sal-
vation through your prayer, and the supply of the
Spirit of Jesus Christ,
20. According to my earnest expectation, and
my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but
that with all boldness, as always, so now also,
Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it
be by life or by death.
21. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is
gain. «
22. But, if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit
of my labor ; yet what I shall choose I wot not.
23. For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a
desire to depart, and to be with Christ ; which is
far better :
24. Nevertheless, to abide in the flesh is more
needful for you.
25. And, having this confidence, I know that I
shall abide and continue with you all for your fur-
therance and joy of faith ;
26. That your rejoicing may be more abundant
in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again.
27. Only let your conversation be as it becom-
eth the gospel of Christ ; that whether I come
and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your
affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one
mind striving together for the faith of the gospel,
28. And in nothing terrified by your adversa-
ries ; which is to them an evident token of perdi-
tion, but to you of salvation, and that of God.
29. For unto you it is given in the behalf of
Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer
for his sake ;
30. Having the same conflict which ye saw in
me, and now hear to be in me.
The hand that wrote these words of faith and hope was
chained to a Roman soldier ; the eye that looked forward to
the ineffable glory of being with Christ was shut in by the
walls of a dungeon. But no chain could bind the spirit that
here pours itself forth with such magnanimity of love, such
triumph of devotion ; which makes bonds witnesses for
Christ, and the violence of adversaries a token that God's
deliverance is at hand. No dungeon could darken, no threats
of execution could intimidate, the spirit which knew that to
die would be gain.
But while faith thus triumphed over death, and love longed
to depart and be with Christ, the apostle, in his Master's
spirit of sacrifice, was willing to postpone his own glory to
the good of the Church, and to preach Christ through pains
and sufferings and patience, if thereby he might inspirit oth-
ers to the like joy of faith. Compare this magnanimity, this
courage, this patience, this unrepining, unselfish devotion,
of Paul, in his narrow cell, with the sullenness, the peevish-
ness, the misanthropy of Napoleon in a captivity solaced
by so many comforts, and one cannot hesitate upon which
head to place the crown of true greatness and of final vic-
tory.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 30, 104.
God, who hast spared our lives, and brought
us to the beginning of another day ! we lift up our
hearts to thee. We thank thee for rest during
the past night ; for life preserved, and strength re-
newed; and for the many tokens of thy loving-
kindness which surround us.
And now, Lord ! prepare us for the duties and
trials which this day may bring. Whatever we
have to do, may we do it willingly and heartily, as
unto thee, and not as unto men. Whatever may
be our besetting sins, grant that we may know
them, and watch and fight against them. Give us
grace to take up, each one of us, our peculiar cross,
whatever it may be ; to exercise constant self-de-
nial; and in all things to follow our Master, so
that each of us may say, " For me to live is Christ."
Make us more like him in lowliness and meekness ;
tender-hearted, forgiving one another; ready to
bear each other's burdens, and so fulfil the law of
Christ.
Let not the world with its cares and vanities fill
our hearts, and so make us forget the worth of our
souls, the love of our Saviour, and the nearness'
of eternity. Whilst we are busy in the world, may
our hearts rise above it !
Lord, watch over us, and all who are dear to us,
this day. Defend our souls from the assaults of
the Wicked One, and preserve our bodies in health
and safety. May all thy wise and merciful inspira-
tions bind us to thee, and fit us better for thy ser-
vice ! May we walk in the light of thy countenance,
and know the happiness of those who have the
Lord for their God ! Finally, prepare us to depart
and be with Christ. Hear us, heavenly Father,
and when thou hearest forgive, for the sake of
Jesus our Saviour. Amen.
24
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
SATURDAY.
2 Timothy iv. — 1. I charge thee, therefore, be-
fore God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall
judge the quick and the dead at his appearing
and his kingdom,
2. Preach the word; be instant in season, out
of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all long-
suffering and doctrine.
3. For the time will come when they will not
endure sound doctrine ; but after their own lusts
shall they heap to themselves teachers, having
itching ears ;
4. And they shall turn away their ears from the
truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
5. But watch thou in all things ; endure afflic-
tions ; do the work of an evangelist ; make full
proof of thy ministry.
6. For I am now ready to be offered, and the
time of my departure is at hand.
7. I have fought a good fight ; I have finished
my course ; I have kept the faith :
8. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown
of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous
Judge, shall give me at that day ; and not to me
only, but unto all them also that love his appear-
ing.
16. At my first answer no man stood with me,
but all men forsook me : i" fray God that it may
not be laid to their charge.
17. Notwithstanding, the Lord stood with me,
and strengthened me; that by me the preaching
might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles
might hear : and I was delivered out of the mouth
of the lion.
18. And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil
work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly king-
dom; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
" Henceforth " — from this time onward — the glory seemed
immediate, the crown a present possession. The days or
months of imprisonment yet before him, the tortures that
might await him, the martyrdom that he must certainly un-
dergo, — all this vanished from the scene; and, in the ecstasy
of faith, he beheld only his beloved Lord coming to bless him
with the rewards of heaven. The confidence of Paul was not
self-boasting. "I have kept the faith;" and that faith, as he
elsewhere testifies, had kept him through conflicts and perils,
and would now make him " more than conqueror " over death.
This victory and crown he fain would share with all who loved
his Lord. This magnanimity of love often appears in the
utterances of Paul ; as when he said of his Thessalonian con-
verts, "What is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing?
Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at
his coming ? Por ye are our glory and joy."
It is the triumph of Christ in and through him that he
here celebrates ; and the crown that he looks for is one that
Christ shall give him, — not the reward of merit, but the con-
summation of that justifying grace which shall be to the be-
liever " a crown of righteousness." Already he had been
brought up to be sentenced, and every friend had deserted
him. The disciples were too timid to risk his fate. But, in
the strength of his 'Lord, he had boldly proclaimed the
gospel to the court of Coesar ; and the Lord had delivered
him. He was not afraid to testify for Christ ; not afraid
to die for him. Porgetting himself, he thinks only of the gos-
pel, and exhorts Timothy to be faithful to that. If the
gospel is our highest joy, we can look death calmly in the
face, and leave the world in triumph to be with Christ in his
glory.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 62, 64, 143.
Deliver us, Lord ! we pray thee, from every
evil work, and preserve us unto thy heavenly king-
dom. "We thank thee, gracious God ! for all thy
mercies both bodily and spiritual. Bless the Lord,
our souls ! and all that is within us, bless his
holy name. Thou crownest us with loving-kind-
ness and tender mercies. Thou hast not dealt
with us after our sins, neither rewarded us accord-
ing to our iniquities.
Father of mercies, we thank thee for our family
blessings, and for the goodness thou hast shown
to each of us individually. But most of all we
thank thee for the redemption of the world by our
Saviour Jesus Christ. Oh that we may always re-
member his exceeding great love in dying for us,
and the innumerable benefits which by his precious
blood he hath obtained for us ! May we carefully
walk in his footsteps, and study to serve him in
true holiness and righteousness all the days of our
life ! Help us to keep ever in mind the great day
of his appearing ; and, by the faith of that coming
redemption, may we be steadfast, unmovable, al-
ways abounding in the work of the Lord. Oh !
hasten, Lord, that great and glorious day. Pre-
pare all men for it. Spread abroad the gospel of
thy grace. Increase and multiply thy Church, and
fill the whole earth with thy glory.
As we enter upon a new day, we commit our-
selves unto thy holy keeping. May our dependence
be our strength ! May we not be anxious for the
morrow, nor vexed with the cares of life, nor led
astray by the deceitfulness of riches ! May we
shun the temptation to do wrong, and be ready for
every opportunity of doing good ! May love to
God and love to man rule in our hearts continu-
ally!
And now, heavenly Father ! do thou draw
away our minds from earthly things, and fix them
on things above. And as thy Son Jesus Christ
hath ascended into the heavens, and sitteth at thy
right hand, we pray thee to send down upon us
thy Holy Ghost to comfort us, and exalt us unto
the same place whither our Saviour Christ is
gone before ; who liveth and reigneth with thee
and the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end.
Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
25
SUNDAY MORNING.
Psalm ii. — 1. Why do the heathen rage, and
the people imagine a vain thing ?
2. The kings of the earth set themselves, and the
rulers take counsel together, against the Lord, and
against his anointed, saying,
3. Let us break their bands asunder, and cast
away their cords from us.
4. He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh :
the Lord shall have them in derision.
5. Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath,
and vex them in his sore displeasure.
6. Yet have I set my King upon my holy hill
of Zion.
7. I will declare the decree : The Lord hath said
unto me, Thou art my Son ; this day have I be-
gotten thee.
8. Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen
for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of
the earth for thy possession.
9. Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron ;
thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.
10. Be wise now therefore, ye kings ! be in-
structed, ye judges of the earth.
11. Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with
trembling.
This psalm, in the spirit of prophecy, celebrates the in-
auguration of the Messiah as king in his Church, with
authority and power to subdue the world. David himself
never attained to any such universal dominion as is here
described, though it be taken with the license of poetry; and
the reign of Solomon was not disturbed by any such array of
enemies as this vision brings before us. Neither David nor
Solomon, therefore, could have been the king whom the
psalm celebrates ; nor did any subsequent period of the king-
dom of Judah answer to these conditions. It was interpreted
as a prophecy of Christ by the apostles, when " Herod and
Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel,
were gathered together against the holy child Jesus;" and
again by Paul in the Epistle to the Hebrews, where Christ is
set above the angels, as the only-begotten Son of God. He
who was born into the world of a lowly virgin, was, before
his advent, consecrated in heaven to be King over God's true
12. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye per-
ish from the way when his wrath is kindled but
a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust
in him.
Revelation i. — 4. Grace be unto you, and peace,
from him which is, and which was, and which is to
come ; and from the seven spirits which are before
his throne ;
5. And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful
Witness, and the first-begotten of the dead, and
the Prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him
that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his
own blood,
6. And hath made us kings and priests unto
God and his Father ; to him be glory and domin-
ion for ever and ever. Amen.
7. Behold, he cometh with clouds ; and every
eye shall see him, and they also which pierced
him : and all kindreds of the earth shall wail
because of him. Even so, Amen.
8. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning
and the ending, saith the Lord, which is,
and which was, and which is to come, the Al-
mighty.
Israel, with the promise of the universal triumph of his
spiritual dominion. This is his coronation-hymn. John, in
the Revelation, takes up the strain in a doxology to Christ as
having divine power and glory.
Providential causes and powers will contribute to this re-
sult. In language borrowed from our human emotions, the
Lord is said to "laugh " at his enemies, and to be " angry"
with them in turn. The " derision " shows how vain and
foolish are all the combinations of men against truth and
righteousness; the "displeasure" signifies the justice of God
aroused against those who attempt to obstruct his truth and
hinder his grace. So, in time, all oppressive governments
and false religions shall go down.
This should give us hope and confidence in times of dark-
ness and confusion in the world. Christ's kingdom must
prevail. May ours be the blessedness of those who trust in
him !
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 49, 80.
Thine, Lord! is the greatness, and the power,
and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty;
for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is
thine : thine is the kingdom, Lord! and thou art
exalted as Head over all. We bless thee that thou
hast given unto thy Son the kingdom in this
world, and hast promised that the gates of hell
shall not prevail against his Church ; and we be-
seech thee, upon this thy holy day, so to bless thy
truth and all the appointed means of grace that a
great multitude of souls shall be born into the
kingdom of Christ through the power of the
Holy Ghost. Make thy Word a comfort - and a
joy unto all believers, and the power of God
unto salvation to the world that lieth in wicked-
Lord Jesus ! rule thou in our hearts ; by thy
redeeming grace take away our sins ; by thy sanc-
tifying presence fill our souls with thy peace.
May we do all things to thy glory, and show forth
thy praise in our lives ! We humbly thank thee,
Lord ! for the blessings of the past week, for thy
daily benefits to us, and to all dear to us. Bless
this household, this day and always, with thy grace.
May every one of its before thee, and all who are
united with us in family ties, be found within the
kingdom of thy dear Son ! May we know the joy
of a full consecration unto Him who hath redeemed
us to God with his precious blood ! and, having
served him in his kingdom here, may we come to
be partakers of his glory in the kingdom of his
Father, for Christ's sake !
Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
SUNDAY EVENING.
Luke ix. — 51. And it came to pass, when the
time was come that he should be received up, he
steadfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem,
52. And sent messengers before his face; and
they went and entered into a village of the Samari-
tans to make ready for him.
53. And they did not receive him, because his
face was as though he would go to Jerusalem.
54. And, when his disciples James and John saw
this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command
fire to come down from heaven, and consume them,
even as Elias did?
55. But he turned and rebuked them, and
said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are
of;
56. For the Son of man is not come to destroy
men's lives, but to save them. And they went to
another village.
57. And it came to pass, that, as they went in
the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will
follow thee whithersoever thou goest.
58. And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes,
and birds of the air have nests ; but the Son of
man hath not where to lay his head.
59. And he said unto another, Follow me. But
he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my
father.
60. Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury
their dead ; but go thou and preach the kingdom
of God.
61. And another also said, Lord, I will follow
thee ; but let me first go bid them farewell which
are at home at my house.
62. And Jesus said unto him, No man having
put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is
fit for the kingdom of God.
I chanced to be at an inland town at the starting of a regi-
ment to the seat of war. It was a tender hour ; for almost
every spectator had some relative or friend among the sol-
diers : but the sympathy of the multitude seemed to be con-
centrated upon a young captain, whose face wore an expres-
sion of peculiar sadness. " That," said my friend, " is the
son of one of our most respected and influential citizens.
His father died yesterday, and is to be buried to-morrow ; but
the regiment was ordered to hurry to the front, and he goes
with it." There was no lack of filial piety in that young
man, who thus left the dead to bury their dead, while he went
to offer his life, if need be, for his country. In the hour of
the nation's peril, there must be no looking back on the part
of any who were enlisted for her defence. The love of coun-
try was more than the love of kindred and home.
In this spirit of supreme, all-absorbing devotion to the
kingdom of God have missionaries gone forth to the heathen.
In this spirit of unhesitating, self-sacrificing consecration
must every disciple enter upon the service of Christ, with no
looking back toward the world, no divided interest between
God and Mammon. The Saviour has a right to demand
this ; since, for our sakes, he left the glory he had with the
Father before the world was, and gave himself for us. He
came to save us ; and, when the time for offering up his life
had come, he went steadfastly forward to meet the fate that
awaited him at Jerusalem, ready to sacrifice himself even for
those who rejected and insulted him upon the way. May
the love of Christ constrain us to feel that we are not our
own !
Appropriate Hymns,]
Lord our God ! we come before thee this even-
ing, trusting only in the name of Christ our Sa-
viour. We are not worthy to lift up our hearts
and our voices unto thee ; but He is worthy in
whose name we approach thee. Though thou art
high and holy, yet dost thou humble thyself to be-
hold the dwellers upon earth, and dost hearken to
the cry of the needy for thy dear Son's sake.
We thank thee for health and strength, and
every earthly comfort and blessing. But we praise
thee yet more for the measure of grace which thou
hast given to us ; for thy holy Word, and for the
way of salvation which it points out. Teach us to
devote all that we have, and all that we are, to
Him who gave himself for us. Oh, may the love of
Christ constrain us ! May we walk as children of
the light ! and may our light so shine before men,
that they may see our good works, and glorify our
Father which is in heaven !
Give unto us the spirit of self-denial, — the same
mind that was in Christ Jesus our Lord. So fill us
with the grandeur of thy kingdom, with the reality
of things not seen, with the nearness of eternity,
that we shall count all earthly things but loss for
Prayer. [Nos. 98, 179, 199.
May we trust thy providence to take
while we seek first the kingdom of
thy sake,
care of us
God!
[May the children of this family grow up in the
love of all that is pure and good and holy !] We
implore thy blessing upon all who are in any way
connected with us, especially those who are in any
trouble and sorrow. Comfort those who mourn.
Enlighten and sanctify any who are yet far from
thee, and who are ignorant of the great salvation.
Bless, Lord ! we beesech thee, all societies
formed for the spread of thy gospel. Give wis-
dom to those who manage them, and grace and
zeal to all whom they employ. May their labors
be crowned with success ! and may they be the
means of leading many to the knowledge of the
Saviour ! And hasten the time, we entreat thee,
when all shall know thee, from the least to the
greatest.
And now, most gracious Father, we pray thee
to watch over and protect us through this night.
Let thy love cheer us, and thy Holy Spirit comfort
us, for the sake of Jesus Christ, our Mediator and
Advocate. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
27
MONDAY.
Matthew iii. — 1. In those days came John the
Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judoea,
2. And. saying, Eepent ye ; for the kingdom of
heaven is at hand.
3. For this is he that was spoken of by the pro-
phet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the
wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord ; make
his paths straight.
4. And the same John had his raiment of cam-
el's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins ; and
his meat was locusts and wild honey.
5. Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all
Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan,
6. And were baptized of him in Jordan, con-
fessing their sins.
7. But, when he saw many of the Pharisees
and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unito
them, generation of vipers ! who hath warned
you to flee from the wrath to come ?
The " wilderness " in which John the Baptist began his
preaching lay along the River Jordan upon either side, and
probably in the neighborhood of Suceoth, — the ford by which
Jacob crossed when he returned from Padan-Aram. His
dress was such as is worn to-day by Bedouins of that re-
gion, — "a cloak w r oven of camel's hair, thrown over the
shoulders, and tied in front on the breast ; round the waist
is a girdle of skin ; the hair is flowing loose about the head."
The Arabian traveller Burckhardt says, "All the Bedou-
ins of Arabia are accustomed to eat locusts. I have seen
at Medina and Tayp locust-shops where these animals are
sold by measure. They are sometimes eaten boiled in but-
ter ; and they often contribute materials for a breakfast
when spread over unleavened bread mixed with butter."
Wild honey is found in trees in the wilderness, and in rocks
in the wadies. John led an austere life, without luxuries
8. Bring forth, therefore, fruits meet for repent-
ance :
9. And think not to say within yourselves, We
have Abraham to our father ; for I say unto you,
that God is able of these stones to raise up chil-
dren unto Abraham.
10. And now also the axe is laid unto the root
of the trees : therefore every tree which bringeth
not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into
the fire.
11. I indeed baptize you with water unto re-
pentance : but he that cometh after me is mightier
than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear ; he
shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with
fire :
12. Whose fan is in his hand, and he will thor-
oughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into
the garner ; but he will burn up the chaff with
unquenchable fire.
or even comforts, as became bis mission of repentance and
reformation.
The threshing-floor was a raised bed of hardened earth,
from fifty to a hundred feet in diameter, in the open air,
upon which the grain was threshed out by the feet of oxen, or
by rollers dragged over it by the cattle. The fan was a
shovel, or sieve, by which the contents of the floor were stirred
and tossed against the wind until all the chaff and dust were
blown away. These strong figures indicated the work of purify-
ing to be done in Israel itself before Christ's spiritual mission
could be received. They were none too strong to express the
need of piirification in the Church at the period of the Ref-
ormation ; and again in the times of the Puritans, of the
Wesleys, and other spiritual reformers. They still teach us
that our hearts must be purged of all sin, winnowed of self-
ishness, to receive the grace of Christ
Appbopbiate Htiins,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 36, 67, 95.
Search us, God ! and know our hearts ; try us,
and know our thoughts ; and see if there be any
wicked way in us ; and lead us in the way ever-
lasting. Have mercy upon us, Lord ! according
to thy loving-kindness ; according to the multitude
of thy tender mercies, blot out our transgressions.
Wash us thoroughly from our iniquities, and cleanse
us from our sin. For we acknowledge our trans-
gressions, and our sin is ever before us.
We thank thee that thou hast safely brought us
to the beginning of this day ; defend us in the
same by thy mighty power ; and grant that this
day we fall into no sin, neither run into any kind
of danger, but that all our doings, being ordered
by thy governance, may be righteous in thy sight.
Fit us day by day for the duties that lie before
us. We would put ourselves and all that concerns
us into thy hands, and ask thee to be our Guide and
Counsellor. In all our ways we desire to acknowl-
edge thee ; and do thou direct our path. Keep us,
we beseech thee, from all evil, that we, being ready
both in body and soul, may cheerfully accomplish
those things that thou wouldst have us to do.
Fit us, Lord ! for all the events of this short
and uncertain life. If prosperity be our portion,
keep us humble and watchful in the midst of it;
or, if sorrows and trials come upon us, give us
grace cheerfully to submit, saying, "Father, not
my will, but thy will, be done."
[Give unto the children of this family grace to
serve thee in the morning of life. Oh ! keep them
from temptation and evil, and from every false and
hurtful way.] Be very gracious to our friends :
grant to them health and prosperity in this life,
and make them meet for the life everlasting. And,
Lord ! bless and save the whole world.
Accept, we beseech thee, for Christ's sake, our
poor imperfect services, and give us grace to serve
thee better. May all we undertake be begun, con-
tinued, and ended in thee, that so we may glorify
thy holy name, and finally by thy mercy obtain ever-
lasting life, through Jesus Christ our Lord! Amen.
28
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
TUESDAY.
Malachi iv. — 1. For, behold, the day corneth
that shall burn as an oven ; and all the proud,
yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble :
and the day that cometh shall burn them up,
saith the Lord of hosts, that it shall leave them
neither root nor branch.
2. But unto you that fear my name shall the
Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his
wings ; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as
calves of the stall.
3. And ye shall tread down the wicked ; for
they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in
the day that I shall do this, saith the Lord of
hosts.
4. Remember ye the law of Moses my ser-
vant, which I commanded unto him in Horeb
for all Israel, with the statutes and judg-
ments.
5. Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet
before the coming of the great and dreadful day of
the Lord ;
6. And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to
the children, and the heart of the children to their
fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a
curse.
John i. — 19. This is the record of John, when
the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem
to ask him, Who art thou ?
20. And he confessed, and denied not ; but con-
fessed, I am not the Christ.
21. And they asked him, What then ? Art thou
Elias ? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that
prophet ? And he answered, No.
22. Then said they unto him, Who art thou ?
that we may give an answer to them that sent us.
What sayest thou of thyself?
23. He said, I am the voice of one crying in the
wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as
said the prophet Esaias.
24. And they which were sent were of the
Pharisees.
25. And they asked him, and said unto him,
Why baptizest thou, then, if thou be not that
Christ, nor Elias, neither that prophet?
26. John answered them, saying, I baptize with
water ; but there standeth one among you whom
ye know not :
27. He it is, who, coming after me, is preferred
before me ; whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to
unloose.
28. These things were done in Bethabara be-
yond Jordan, where John was baptizing.
The rite of baptism was not new to the Jews. They were
accustomed to administer it to proselytes, and as a token of a
new dispensation. Hence they demanded of John his authority
for baptizing, and not an explanation of the rite itself.
How remarkable was the humility of John ! Stern and
bold in the denunciation of sin, earnest and fervent in preach-
ing repentance, he was yet modest and self-depreciating con-
cerning his own mission. Surrounded as he was by eager
crowds, multitudes of whom sought baptism at his hands
and became his disciples, aware of the feverish expectation
of the Messiah in the minds of his countrymen, the tempta-
tion was strong to win personal popularity by allowing the
rumor to go out that he was the Christ. Bat he resolutely
disclaimed the honor that others were ready to put upon
him, and directed their thoughts to another. Jesus was his
own cousin, and his junior: he was as poor as himself, — of
even a humbler condition, — was without friends, and had as
yet done nothing to manifest his divine mission. Yet such
was the faith of John in the story of his birth, and in the
word of prophecy, that he recognized in him the Son of God,
and declared himself unworthy even to loose the sandals from
his feet.
We admire such humility. Let us strive to imitate it ; and,
while we appreciate the work that God has given us to do,
let us not seek honor one of another, but render all praise
and glory to Christ alone.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 8, 97, 177.
Lord ! make clean our hearts before thee.
Baptize us with thine own Spirit, that we may be
renewed in the spirit and temper of our minds, and
may exhibit in our daily walk all the virtues and
graces of the Christian life.
We render thanks to thee for thy loving care in
the night-season. We thank thee that health and
home and friends and country are preserved to us.
We thank thee for all thy goodness to us as a
family; and pray thee, O our Saviour! to abide
with us ever.
O Lord ! we beseech thee to visit us this day
with thy loving-kindness. May the Sun of right-
eousness arise upon us with healing in his wings !
Give us grace to discharge faithfully our duties
to thee and to each other. Make us kind and
courteous unto all men, honest in our dealings,
truthful in our words, guileless in our thoughts.
Strengthen us to bear with patience whatsoever
trials or sufferings may be in store for us, preserve
us from the sins which do most easily beset us, and
enable us this day and ever to walk worthy of our
Christian calling, through Jesus Christ pur Lord.
Lord Jesus ! we long for thy coming in power
and glory among the nations. May thy Church
arise, and make straight the way of the Lord !
almighty and most merciful Father ! we com-
mend to thee ourselves and all that belong to us,
all who pray for us, and all who have at any time
asked our prayers for them. Have pity upon the
poor, the sick, the dying, and the sorrowing. Incline
thine ear to us, and hear us, we beseech thee, and
order all our ways, this and every day, according to
thy will, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
WEDNESDAY.
Psalm XV. — 1. Lord, who shall abide in thy
tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill?
2. He that walketh uprightly, and worketh
righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart.
3. He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor
doeth evil to his neighbor, nor taketh up a re-
proach against his neighbor.
4. In whose eyes a vile person is contemned ;
but he honoreth them that fear the Lord. He
that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not.
5. He that putteth not out his money to usury,
nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that
doeth these tilings shall never be moved.
John i. — 43. The day following, Jesus would
go forth into Galilee ; and findeth Philip, and
saith unto him, Follow me.
44. Now, Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of
Andrew and Peter.
45. Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto
him, We have found him of whom Moses in the
law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Naza-
reth, the son of Joseph.
46. And Nathanael said unto him, Can there
any good thing come out of Nazareth ? Philip
saith unto him, Come and see.
47. Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and
saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom
is no guile !
48. Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest
thou me ? Jesus answered and said unto him, Be-
fore that Philip called thee, when thou wast under
the fig-tree, I saw thee.
49. Nathanael answered and saith unto him,
Babbi, thou art the Son of God ; thou art the King
of Israel.
50. Jesus answered and said unto him, Because
I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig-tree, be-
lievest thou ? Thou shalt see greater things than
these.
51. And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say
unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and
the angels of God ascending and descending upon
the Son of man.
Nazareth was an insignificant village, and, for some cause,
was in bad repute. The Jews of Southern Palestine, possess-
ing the capital and the temple, held in contempt the region
of Galilee, remote from religious privileges, and upon the
border line of pagan countries. But, as Nathanael was a
Galilean, his question of surprise shows that Nazareth was in
disrepute even in Galilee itself. Philip, having obeyed the
call of Jesus, sought out his particular friend, that he might
bring him to the knowledge of Christ. It is a first duty of a
young Christian, and should be a first impulse, to lead others
to the Saviour, saying, " / have found him : come and see
for yourself also."
Nathanael was already a true servant of God, living in the
inner spirit of the Old-Testament revelation ; and, in welcom-
ing him with the reading of his heart and life, Jesus revealed
his own omniscience. This personal experience drew from
Nathanael the immediate confession of Jesus as the Son of
God, the promised Messiah ; and our Lord not only accepted
this open recognition of his character, but declared that the
confession of his disciple should be certified by most glorious
signs from heaven, blending in an ineffable dignity the human
with the divine, the " Son of man " and the " Son o' God."
The incident shows that one mat/ be in spirit a Christian
who has not yet heard of Christ ; that the heart may be pre-
pared by grace to receive and welcome the Saviour when re-
vealed ; that God may see in the heart of an Israelite, or of a
pagan, that guileless devotion to truth, that prayerful conse-
cration to duty, that sincere regard for righteousness, which
are the precursors of a Christian faith, where, as yet, the grace
of Christ is not known. The cases of Nathanael and Cor-
nelius should teach us to be charitable in our judgment of
our fellow-men.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 9, 62, 154.
Our voice shalt thou hear in the morning,
Lord ! in the morning will we direct our prayer
unto thee, and will look up. Oh ! lead us this day
in thy righteousness ; make thy way straight before
our face. Grant that we may see and know clear-
ly what things we ought to do ; and, whatever we
do, may we do it heartily, as unto the Lord, and
not unto man.
Keep us from vain self-dependence, from pride,
self-will, and presumption. Plant in all our hearts
thy holy fear ; and may we show such meekness
and gentleness and humility as become the true
followers of Christ !
Whilst we are this day diligent in business, give
us grace at the same time to be fervent in spirit,
serving thee. May the continual recollection of
thy manifold and great mercies incline us to pre-
sent our souls and bodies a living sacrifice unto
thee ! May we not be conformed to this world, but
transformed by the renewing of our minds, that we
may prove what is that good and acceptable and
perfect will of God !
[May the children of this family set thy love be-
fore them as their chief portion in life, and make
thy Word their guide ! May they always speak the
truth, and grow up free from guile ! May they hear
the voice of Jesus, and follow him !] Be gracious,
Lord! to all our kindred. Visit thy Church
with thy salvation. Inspire thy people with a
readiness to testify of thy love, and to invite others
to thy grace. May we behold even greater fruits
of thy coming than were seen by thine own apos-
tles ! Open thou the windows of heaven, and
cause thy glory to shine forth, that all the ends of
the earth shall acknowledge thee. And unto
Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins
in his own blood, be honor and praise, world with-
out end. Amen.
30
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
THURSDAY.
John ii. — 1. And the third day there was a
marriage in Cana of Galilee ; and the mother of
Jesus was there.
2. And both Jesus was called, and his disciples,
to the marriage.
3. And, when they wanted wine, the mother of
Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine.
4. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to
do with thee ? Mine hour is not yet come.
5. His mother saith unto the servants, Whatso-
ever he saith unto you, do it.
6. And there were set there six water-pots of
stone, after the manner of the purifying of the
Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece.
7. Jesus saith unto them, Fill the water-pots
with water ; and they filled them up to the brim.
8. And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and
bear unto the governor of the feast ; and they
bare it.
9. When the ruler of the feast had tasted the
water that was made wine, and knew not whence
it was (but the servants which drew the water
knew), the governor of the feast called the bride-
groom,
10. And saith unto him, Every man at the
beginning doth set forth good wine ; and when
men have well drunk, then that which is
worse : but thou hast kept the good wine until
now.
11. This beginning of miracles did Jesus in
Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory ;
and his disciples believed on him.
The village of Cana lay about three hours distant in a
north-easterly direction from Nazareth, which, up to this time,
had been the home of our Lord. Probably this marriage
was at the house of a relative, where the mother of Jesus was
sufficiently at home to give directions to the servants, and to
feel some responsibility for the entertainment. The expecta-
tions which she had so long hidden in her heart were now
ready to burst into fruition. Possibly Jesus had given her
some intimation that he would open his ministry by miracle ;
or she had divined in him the latent power of God. But the
revelation of his divinity must proceed from himself in his
own time and way, and could not be hurried to meet the
desire of his mother for the honor of her son, or her concern
for the reputation of the host. His answer was a reproof to
her eagerness for his action upon such grounds : in the depths
of his consciousness, he would await an intimation from his
Father. God alone must here direct him, and even his mother
may not interfere. The term " woman," however, was not one
of disrespect. Jesus thus addressed his mother from the cross,
when with the tenderest love he commended her to John.
This miracle was most striking in its nature and its proofs.
The servants of the family filled to the brim with water the
great water-jars that stood" in the dining-hall. Jesus did not
touch them. Then the servants drew from these same
vessels ; and, lo ! the water had become wine, which was pro-
nounced excellent by persons at the table, who knew nothing
of what had passed. " In order for wine to be produced, we
have the growth and ripening of the grape, the crushing of it
in proper vessels, the fermentation ; but here all these are
in a moment brought about in their results by the same Power
which made the laws of Nature."
There could be no physical connection between the word
spoken by Jesus and the change produced in the nature of the
water ; no cause and effect within the range of material laws.
It was the direct power of his will acting upon a physical sub-
stance, — the power of spirit over matter.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 115, 192.
eternal, everlasting God, fountain of all hap-
piness, God of all grace ! we acknowledge with
grateful hearts thine undeserved mercies. Thou
hast made our cup to overflow with blessings.
From the first moment of our being, thou hast
been our Guardian; thou hast visited our home
with daily benefits ; thou hast given us the com-
forts of thy providence, and grace ; thou hast
shielded us from unknown dangers ; thou hast
warded off unseen calamities : no earthly friend
could have loved us and cared for us like thee.
O blessed Saviour, who hast sanctified the home
of love with thy presence and benediction ! may thy
presence ever abide with us, thy benediction ever
rest upon us ! May we know the happiness of true
holiness, and experience the joy of angels, in doing
thy holy will on earth as they do it in heaven !
Fill us with all joy and peace in believing, that we
may abound in hope through the power of the
Holy Ghost.
Thou who art the Lord of all ! help us to dis-
cern thy hand in the supply of our daily wants,
and to remember that the power which created all
things at the first, the power which hath wrought
mighty wonders in times past, is the same which
provides for us through the regular and silent course
of nature, and by the ministry of human love.
Bless our family and friends. May ours be a
household where the God of salvation dwells !
May every member of it be zealous in the promo-
tion of thy glory !
This day, and every day, may we do something
for thee. Let us die daily to sin, and live daily to
God, that, when the hour of our earthly departure
arrives, it may be to all of us the birthday of a
new life in glory everlasting.
We pray for all the families of the earth, that
they may be blessed in thee. We pray for the
homeless and the desolate; and beseech thee to
be the God of the widow, and the Father of the
fatherless.
We ask all these manifold blessings, for our-
selves and for others, in the name and for the sake
of our adorable Lord and Saviour, who is now
within the veil ; where with thee, eternal Father !
and thee, O ever-blessed Comforter ! three in one,
he ever liveth and reigneth, world without end.
Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
31
FRIDAY.
Malachi iii. — 1. Behold, I will send my mes-
senger, and lie shall prepare the way before me ;
and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come
to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant,
whom ye delight in : behold, he shall come, saith
the Lord of hosts.
2. But who may abide the day of his coming ?
and who shall stand when he appeareth ? for he is
like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap.
3. And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of
silver; and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and
purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer
unto the Lord an offering in righteousness.
4. Then shall the offering of Judah and Jeru-
salem be pleasant unto the Lord as in the days
of old, and as in former years.
5. And I will come near to you to judgment ;
and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers,
and against the adulterers, and against false
Svvearers, and against those that oppress the hire-
ling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless,
and that turn aside the stranger from his right,
and fear not me, saith the Lord of hosts.
John ii. — 13. And the Jews' passover was at
hand ; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem,
11. And found in the temple those that sold
oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of
money, sitting :
15. And, when he had made a scourge of small
cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the
sheep and the oxen ; and poured out the changers'
money, and overthrew the tables ;
16. And said unto them that sold doves, Take
these things hence : make not my Father's house
an house of merchandise.
17. And his disciples remembered that it was
written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up.
18. Then answered the Jews, and said unto
him, What sign showest thou unto us, seeing that
thou doest these things ?
19. Jesus answered and said unto them, De-
stroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it
up.
20. Then said the Jews, Forty and six years
was this temple in building ; and wilt thou rear it
up in three days ?
21. But he spake of the temple of his body.
22. When therefore he was risen from the dead,
his disciples remembered that he had said this
unto them ; and they believed the scripture, and
the word which Jesus had said.
23. X ow, when he was in Jerusalem at the pass-
over, in the feast-day, many believed in his name
when they saw the miracles which he did.
24. But Jesus did not commit himself unto
them, because he knew all men,
25. And needed not that any should testify of
man : for he knew what was in man.
Our Lord observed carefully all the requirements of the '
Old-Testament ritual. Although its provisions would be ;
superseded by his sacrifice upon the cross and his priestly i
mediation in heaven, he continued to regard them until the ;
day of his death ; and, on the very night of his betrayal, he !
kept the passover with his disciples. And, while he himself
thus honored the worship appointed of God, he could not en- ;
dure to see it perverted or dishonored by others, and changed
from a devout spiritual offering to a matter of merchandise. !
The animals required for the sacrifices, and the Jewish coin — !
the sh*kel — exacted for tribute, were exposed for sale within !
the outer court of the temple ; and this chaffering was gains' ;
on in sight and hearing of the religious services. Bv his
authority as a prophet, which he had already proved by his
works, Jesus drove out these intruders with haste from the
precincts of the sacred building. There was a place in his
gentle, loving spirit for righteous indignation and holy zeal.
Awed by his appearance and manner, the Jews called for
some special token of his authority. The temple begun by
Herod upon a scale of unprecedented magnificence, the work
of almost half a century, was well-nigh completed, and was
the pride and boast of the Jews. Yet it must soon give place
to that spiritual edifice of which Christ himself was then the
representative. To dark, unappreciative minds he announced
the glorious resurrection of that temple whose growing splen-
dor we are permitted to behold.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 5, 78, 104.
Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be
thy name ; thy kingdom come ; thy will be done
in earth as it is in heaven. Oh, may thy kingdom
fully come in our hearts, casting out all sin ; may
thy will take possession of our wills, so that in all
things we shall please and serve thee ! Thy mercy,
Lord ! of which every night and morning bears
witness, binds us to thee in love and gratitude ;
and we dedicate ourselves to thee this day as
obedient children. Help us to fulfil our vows.
Keep us, we pray thee, from the love of this world,
and from the power of evil.
God, the protector of all that trust in thee,
without whom nothing is strong, nothing is
holy ! increase and multiply upon us thy mercy ;
that, thou being our ruler and guide, we may so
pass through things temporal, that we finally lose
not the things eternal. Dwell thou in our hearts
by thy Spirit ; yea, make our very bodies temples
of the Holy Ghost : and may all sin be put far
away from us ! Lord our Saviour ! make this
home thy habitation. [May the children gather
about thee with songs of praise, with hearts
and hands to do thy will !] And finally bring
us unto our Father's house, to dwell forever in
love and purity and joy. And to the Father,
the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be glory forever.
Amen.
32
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
SATURDAY.
I Samuel xvi. — 10. Again Jesse made seven of
his sons to pass before Samuel; and Samuel said
unto Jesse, The Lord hath not chosen these.
11. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all
thy children ? And he said, There remaineth yet
the youngest ; and, behold, he keepeth the sheep.
And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him ;
for we will not sit down till he come hither.
12. And he sent, and brought him in. Now he
•was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance,
and goodly to look to. And the Lord said, Arise,
anoint him ; for this is he.
13. Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and
anointed him in the midst of his brethren; and
the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that
day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to
Raman.
I Samuel xvii. — 34. And David said unto Saul,
Thy servant kept his father's sheep, and there
came a lion and a bear, and took a lamb out of
the flock:
35. And I went out after him, and smote him, and
delivered it out of his mouth; and, when he arose
against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote
him, and slew him.
36. Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear;
and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one
of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the
living God.
37. David said moreover, The Lord that delivered
me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw
of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of
this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go;
and the Lord be with thee.
Psalm xxiii. — 1. The Lord is my shepherd: I
shall not want.
2. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures ;
he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3. He restoreth my soul ; he leadeth me in the
paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the
shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou
art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort
me.
5. Thou preparest a table before me in the pres-
ence of mine enemies : thou anointest my head
with oil ; my cup runneth over.
6. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the
house of the Lord forever.
This psalm confirms and illustrates the story of David's
early life as given in the Book of Samuel. It is a perfect gem
of poetry ; but its beauty springs from the personal experience
of the writer as reflected upon the inner life of the soul.
Simply as a poet, David could not have written it ; for the
mere poet would have described the shepherd's life from an
outward point of view, — how he fed and watered his flock,
choosing for them quiet haunts, and watching over and de-
fending them in places of danger ; and then would have
drawn from this an analogy of God's care of his people.
But David was a shepherd; and, instead of describing a shep-
herd's life, he transfers his own experience in the care of the
flock to God's loving care of him. The Lord is my shep-
herd : he is doing for me just what I am doing for these ten-
der lambs. He takes care of me ; sees that I have food and
rest and comfort ; is always with me for my supply and de-
fence, so that I can want nothing and fear nothing. And he
is so much greater and richer than I, that his goodness over-
flows my present needs : he consecrates me with the oil of
gladness. So may we beautify and dignify our daily life ;
seeing in our calling, however humble, God's provision for
our comfort, and enjoying its fruits as his gift. So may we
rise above the fear of death ; finding, in God's favor, strength,
grace, victory, and joy.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 43, 70, 116.
thou great and good Shepherd! thou hast
watched over us in the hours of darkness and of
sleep ; defended us from evil : and, with our awak-
ing consciousness, we find thee still at our side.
As our eyes open to behold the light of day, our
souls would look up and rejoice in the light of thy
countenance. Oh ! keep us, this day, close unto
thee, and lead us in paths of righteousness. Thou
art our portion and our joy. Our waiting eyes are
unto thee, Lord ! We are fed by thy bounty, pre-
served by thy care, sustained by thy power. Give
us, this day, our daily bread. But thou hast taught
us in thy Word that man shall not live by bread
alone : we therefore pray thee, feed our souls with
the bread of life, and strengthen us by thy Spirit
with might in the inner man, that we may do all
thy holy will. [Blessed Saviour, care for the
children of this family, as lambs of thy flock;
guide, nourish, and defend them.] God, who
art the only worthy portion of our souls ! keep us
from that love of this world which would draw us
away from thee. May the grace of Christ pre-
serve us from sin, and the love of Christ con-
strain us unto holy living ! May thought, motive,
temper, speech, action, all be regulated by his
blessed teaching and example ! In trials succor us ;
in dangers defend us ; in sorrows heal us ; in death
grant us thy staff to comfort us. Our Father in
heaven, be thou the father of this family, supply-
ing all our need, and binding our hearts unto thy-
self. Join with us in the household of faith all
who are dear to us ; and bless and multiply the
family of thy people till it shall embrace all the
kindreds and peoples of the earth. Gather thy
whole Church as one flock under the one Shepherd,
for the sake of Him who died to save us. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
33
SUNDAY MORNING.
Exodus xxxiii. — 7. And Moses took the taber-
nacle, and pitched it without the camp afar off from
the camp, and called it the Tabernacle of the Con-
gregation. And it came to pass, that every one
which sought the Lord went out unto the taber-
nacle of the congregation which was without the
camp.
8. And it came to pass, when Moses went out
unto the tabernacle, that all the people rose up,
and stood every man at his tent-door, and looked
after Moses until he was gone into the taber-
nacle.
9. And it came to pass, as Moses entered into
the tabernacle, the cloudy pillar descended, and
stood at the door of the tabernacle, and the LORD
talked with Moses.
10. And all the people saw the cloudy pillar
stand at the tabernacle-door; and all the people rose
up and worshipped, every man in his tent-door.
11. And the Lord spake unto Moses face to face,
as a man speaketh unto his friend.
12. And Moses said unto the Lord, See, thou
sayest unto me, Bring up this people ; and thou
hast not let me know whom thou wilt send with
me. Yet thou hast said, I know thee by name,
and thou hast also found grace in my sight.
13. Now therefore, I pray thee, if I have found
grace in thy sight, show me now thy way, that I
may know thee, that I may find grace in thy sight ;
and consider that this nation is thy people.
Even the most spiritual religion cannot dispense with all
forms of worship, and every symbol of faith. Though Je-
hovah was invisible, and no graven image was suffered to be
made, yet the cloudy pillar represented his presence, and a
sacred tent was erected, where all the people could see it,
though none of them were permitted to approach it. Here
Moses held communion with the Lord, separated from the
camp by a cloud. Thus were maintained the sanctity of
Jehovah and the authority of his servant. But Moses did
not use this privilege of communion for his own advantage,
14. And he said, My presence shall go with thee,
and I will give thee rest.
15. And he said unto him, If thy presence go
not with me, carry us not up hence.
16. For wherein shall it be known here that I
and thy people have found grace in thy sight? Is
it not in that thou goest with us ? So shall we be
separated, I and thy people, from all the people that
are upon the face of the earth.
17. And the Lord said unto Moses, I will do this
thing also that thou hast spoken ; for thou hast
found grace in my sight, and I know thee by name.
18. And he said, I beseech thee, show me thy
glory.
19. And he said, I will make all my goodness
pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of
the Lord before thee ; and will be gracious to whom
I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom
I will show mercy.
20. And he said, Thou canst not see my face ;
for there shall no man see me, and live.
21. And the Lord said, Behold, there is a place
by me, and thou shalt stand upon a rock ;
22. And it shall come to pass, while my glory
passeth by, that I will put thee in a cleft of the
rock, and will cover thee with my hand while I
pass by;
23. And I will take away mine hand, and thou
shalt see my back parts ; but my face shall not be
seen.
nor suffer it to inflate him with pride. It was as a humble
suppliant for grace, and as an intercessor for the people, that
he went into the presence of God. That presence, the sense
of God's nearness and favor, was his sole reliance in his re-
sponsible task. But even Moses was not permitted to see
God. The glory of his majesty and power, the splendor of
light about him, the sapphire pavement under his feet, — these
made no revelation of his essence ; and not even this most
favored servant could see his face. Only in Christ can we see
the Father.
Appropriate Hymns,] Prayer
Almighty Father, who dwellest in the light
which no man can approach unto ! look upon us in
the face of thy blessed Son, who bore our sins in
his own body on the tree, and receive us graciously,
for the sake of Jesus Christ, our Saviour.
Many and great have been the favors bestowed
on thy unworthy servants and on those belonging
to us. Oh ! cause us to see and feel thy goodness
in all that thou hast given, and in all thou hast de-
nied or taken from us. We praise thee for our
creation, preservation, and for all the comforts and
blessings of this present life, but more especially
for the grace of our Christian calling in Christ
Jesus, for thy long-suffering mercy and forgive-
ness, for the knowledge of thy truth and will, and
for the blessed hope of everlasting life. We bless
[Nos. 59, 145.
thee for this holy day ; for thy holy Church ; for
thy holy Word ; for the house of prayer and the
communion of saints ; and pray that all the means
of grace may this day minister to our spiritual
good. Lord ! command thy blessing upon Zion,
even life forevermore.
Give thy blessing, we beseech thee, to the
schools, that all children may be brought up in the
nurture and admonition of the Lord. And grant,
heavenly Father ! that all we of this household
may ever, as far as in us lies, promote thy glory,
and the spiritual as well as temporal good of all
men in this place ; that thy name may be hallowed,
thy kingdom come, and thy will be done among us
as it is in heaven, for thy mercy's sake, through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
34
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
SUNDAY EVENING.
John xiv. — 1. Let not your heart be troubled:
ye believe in God; believe also in me.
2. In my Father's house are many mansions : if
it were not so, I would have told you. I go to
prepare a place for you.
3. And, if I go and prepare a place for you, I
will come again and receive you unto myself; that
where I am, there ye may be also.
4. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye
know.
5. Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not
whither thou goest ; and how can we know the
way ?
6. Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, and the
truth, and the life : no man cometh unto the Fa-
ther but by me.
7. If ye had known me, ye should have known
my Father also ; and from henceforth ye know him,
and have seen him.
8. Philip saith unto him. Lord show us the
Father, and it sufficeth us.
9. Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long
time with you, and yet hast thou not known me,
Philip ? He that hath seen me hath seen the
Father; and how sayest thou, then, Show us the
Father?
10. Believest thou not that I am in the Father,
and the Father in me ? The words that I speak
unto you, I speak not of myself; but the Father
that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.
11. Believe me that I am in the Father, and the
Father in me ; or else believe me for the very
works' sake.
12. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that be-
lieveth on me, the works that I do shall he do also;
and greater ivorlis than these shall he do ; because
I go unto my Father.
13. A n d whatsoever ye shall ask in my name,
that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in
the Son.
14. If ye shall ask any thing in my name I
will do it.
Was ever such love as this? A man, upon the eve of the
most dreadful and ignominious suffering, setting aside his
own sorrows, and giving comfort and hope to his friends ;
thinking only of their griefs, and providing for their consola-
tion ; yea, making his very sorrow the medium of their joy,
his suffering the pathway to their glory ! Ah ! this is not
the love of a mere suffering, dying man. By the works, that,
through the whole course of his ministry, Jesus had done in
the presence of his disciples, he was entitled to their recogni-
tion of his divinity. He is now about to resume the mani-
festation of that higher nature which had been veiled from
human view. The Father dwelleth in him ; and so all truth, all
life, all salvation, centre in himself. He does not say, " I will
show you the way, I will teach you the truth, I will lead you
unto life ; " but I am the way, and the truth, and the life, —
the only way, and yet the way for all : so that whoever will
truly believe in Christ, and, by prayer, will take hold upon
his promise, shall know his presence and his power. He will
honor his own name, fulfil his own desire, in answering our
petitions, and succeeding our efforts for his cause. But in
announcing his divine glory, and his return to the Father,
our Lord did not divorce himself from his human friends.
Not heaven itself would suffice him, could he not have his re-
deemed there to share his joys. As for us he came, for us he
died, so he has gone to the Father to prepare a place for us.
What can trouble us with such love about us, such grace
within us, such hope before us? Shall we not trust all to
Him who is ready to give us all ?
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer
[Nos. 76, 166.
O Thou who art the Way ! we beseech thee to
lead us ; Thou who art the Truth ! we beseech
thee to teach us ; Thou who art the Life ! we
beseech thee to preserve us unto the life everlasting.
We thank thee, O God ! that in Christ we may know
thee as our Father, reconciling us unto thyself.
Transform us from day to day, and from week
to week, more into the image of thy Son, that we
may at last be presented faultless before the pres-
ence of thy glory with exceeding joy. We praise
thee for this sabbath and all its blessings, at home
and in thy house.
We pray for all who have worshipped with us
this day. May grace, mercy, and peace be upon
them, and upon the whole Israel of God ! Extend
thy cause and kingdom everywhere. May the
glorious gospel of the grace of God speedily tri-
umph over all the pride and wisdom and will-wor-
ship and delusion of man ! Arise, God ! and
plead thine own cause.
Bless this family. Thou who didst bring
from the dead the Lord Jesits, that great Shepherd
of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting
covenant ! do thou make us all perfect to do thy
will, working in us that which is well-pleasing in
thy sight.
May our friends who are at a distance from us
be protected and guarded by thy gracious provi-
dence ! The Lord watch between them and us
when we are absent one from another ! May their
names also be written in the Lamb's book of life !
Teach us how to walk as pilgrims and strangers
on the earth, — sojourners, as all our fathers were, —
looking for that blessed hope, even the glorious ap-
pearing of the great God our Saviour. Oh ! bring
us at last to our Father's house in everlasting peace.
As the curtains of the night are now drawing
around us, be pleased to grant us thy guardian
care. Lying down in thy fear, may we awake in
thy favor, fitted for all the calls and duties of a
new day ! And all this we ask for the sake of Jesits
Christ, our only Saviour. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
MONDAY.
Romans ii. — 1. Therefore thou art inexcusable,
man ! whosoever thou art, that judgest: for where-
in thou judgest another thou condemnest thyself;
for thou that judgest doest the same things.
2. But we are sure that the judgment of God is
according to truth, against them which commit
such things.
3. And thinkest thou this, man ! that judgest
them which do such things, and doest the same,
that thou shalt escape the judgment of God ?
4. Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness
and forbearance and long-suffering, not knowing
that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repent-
ance?
5. But, after thy hardness and impenitent heart,
treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day
of wrath, and revelation of the righteous judgment
of God ;
6. Who will render to every man according to
his deeds :
7. To them who, by patient continuance in well-
doing, seek for glory and honor and immortality,
eternal life ;
8. But unto them that are contentious, and do
not obey the truth, but obey unrighteouness, in-
dignation and wrath,
9. Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of
man that doeth evil ; of the Jew first, and also of
the Gentile ;
10. But glory, honor, and peace to every man
that worketh good ; to the Jew first, and also to the
Gentile :
11. For there is no respect of persons with God.
12. For as many as have sinned without law
shall also perish without law, and as many as have
sinned in the law shall be judged by the law,
13. (For not the hearers of the law are just be-
fore God, but the doers of the law shall be justified;
14. For when the Gentiles, which have not the
law, do by nature the things contained in the law,
these, having not the law, are a law unto them-
selves ;
15. Which show the work of the law written in
their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness,
and their thoughts the meanwhile accusing, or else
excusing, one another,)
16. In the day when God shall judge the secrets
of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel.
Conscience in man attests the existence of a moral law
above man, the reality of the distinction between right and
wrong, and the certainty of a judgment and retribution for
sin. As the brief phrase, " lam," expresses the consciousness
of a distinct personal existence ; and the phrase, " I can," or
" / will," expresses the consciousness of the power of choice :
so the phrase, " / might," expresses the sense of obligation as
a moral agent. This feeling of the ought gives pleasure or
pain according as we obey it or act contrary to it. He who
goes contrary to his conscience, must, sooner or later, suffer
remorse for his wrong-doing. Men who have not the revealed
law of God do have in their consciences the sense of obliga-
tion to the self-same antics which that law commands ; and
even when they disregard truth, justice, honor, purity, fidelity,
in their own actions, they exact these virtues from others
toward themselves. But he who condemns another for theft,
fraud, lying, murder, shows that he has in his own heart a
law, a standard of right and wrong ; and by that law he him-
self shall be judged. God deals with men according to their
light; but all men have light enough to know the difference
between right and wrong. God is patient towards sinners,
and seeks to win them by his love ; but, if they will not re-
pent, the warnings of conscience shall be followed by the judg-
ment of the last day.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 21,95, 169.
Almighty Father! look down from heaven
upon us thy unworthy children, and hear us while
we draw near to thee this morning in the Saviour's
name. We thank thee, God ! for the blessings of
the past night. Thou hast kept us safely during
the hours of darkness. Thou hast watched over us
when we could not watch ourselves ; and thou hast
brought us in peace to the beginning of another j
day. As thou hast been about our bed during the
night, be thou also about our path this day.
We thank thee for the measure of health which
we enjoy, for our family comforts, and for our many
spiritual mercies. We bless thee, most of all, for
giving us a Saviour. Oh that he may be precious
to our souls ! May we know him, and love him,
and serve him ! Enable each one of us now before
thee to be his true and faithful follower.
Lord ! as we are entering upon the business
and employments of another week, be with us in
our going-out and coming-in. Give thine angels
charge concerning us. Keep us not only from
outward transgressions, but also from inward and
secret sins. May we be watchful over our hearts,
and keep the door of our lips ! When forbidden
thoughts come into our minds, enable us to drive
them out. Give us grace to correct our evil tem-
pers. Make us kind and gentle one towards
another ; tender-hearted ; forgiving one another,
even as thou, for Christ's sake, hast forgiven us.
Enable us to practise during the week the holy
lessons which were taught us on thy sacred day.
Keep us constantly mindful how short our time is,
and that we are drawing day by day nearer to the
close of life. Oh that each day may find us holier
and more heavenly-minded, growing in grace, more
conformed^ to the image of Christ, and more meet
for heaven ! And grant, that, when our days on
earth are ended, we may be received into thy pres-
ence, to dwell with thee forever, through the merits
of Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.
36
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
TUESDAY.
Genesis iii. — 17. And unto Adam he said,
Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy
wife, and hast eaten of the tree of which I com-
manded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it ;
cursed is the ground for thy sake ; in sorrow shalt
thou eat of it all the days of thy life ;
18. Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth
to thee ; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field.
19. In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat
bread till thou return unto the ground ; for out of
it wast thou taken : for dust thou art, and unto
dust shalt thou return.
20. And Adam called his wife's name Eve, be-
cause she was the mother of all living.
21. Unto Adam also and to his wife did the Lord
God make coats of skins, and clothed them.
22. And the Lord God said, Behold, the man
is become as one of us to know good and evil : and
now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of
the tree of life, and eat, and live forever;
23. Therefore the Lord God sent him forth from
the garden of Eden to till the ground from whence
he was taken.
24. So he drove out the man ; and he placed at
the east of the garden of Eden cherubims, and a
Man, placed under conditions the most favorable, and mo-
tives the most persuasive to obedience, sinned under the first
temptation. Some test was important for his moral disci-
pline : for every moral nature is the stronger for being subjected
to trial, if it meets the trial without faltering ; and, in this
case, the test was as simple and light as could have been pro-
posed. Nothing necessary to the support and comfort of
Adam, nothing indispensable to his happiness, was denied
to him. He had the use of the whole garden, with the excep-
tion of one single tree. That tree, with its forbidden fruit,
was the symbol of the authority of God, who made him, and
who had laden him with the gifts of his love. In seizing its
fruit, he disowned that authority, slighted that love, and set
up his own desire and will against the known will of his
Father. For such wilful, inexcusable disobedience, the punish-
flaming sword which turned every way, to keep
the way of the tree of life.
Revelation xxii. — 1. And he showed me a pure
river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding
out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.
2. In the midst of the street of it, and on either
side of the river, was there the tree of life, which
bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit
every month ; and the leaves of the tree were for
the healing of the nations.
3. And there shall be no more curse : but the
throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it,
and his servants shall serve him ;
4. And they shall see his face, and his name
shall be in their foreheads.
5. And there shall be no night there ; and they
need no candle, neither light of the sun ; for the
Lord God giveth them light : and they shall reign
for ever and ever.
13. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and
the end, the first and the last.
14. Blessed are they that do his command-
ments, that they may have right to the tree of
life, and may enter in through the gates into the
city.
ment was none too severe. Death had been in the world
before, in the animal creation ; but man was now to know
his first experience of it, and this not as the mere cessation of
life, but an event full of pain, sorrow, and fear.
In the paradise of Middle Asia, man was under conditions
of nature most favorable to an easy and happy life. Through
his own fault, he was driven out from this to struggle with
hardship and toil. But the second Adam, in bringing us re-
demption from sin, has brought us again relief from care and
sorrow and death ; and the Book of God, which opens with
the story of the lost paradise, closes with the picture of para-
dise restored. There we shall be debarred nothing through
fear of sin or death ; for the Redeemer has promised, " To him
that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life which is
in the midst of the paradise of God."
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 72,97,99, 116.
God ! we are sinners, and of a sinful race.
We deserve thy righteous displeasure ; yet do we
draw nigh unto thee in the assurance of thy grace
to help in every time of need. Thou dost supply
all our need; yea, the greater our sense of need
and helplessness, the more plenteous is thy grace,
the more ready is thy help. For Christ's sake,
hear and save us.
Thou madest us to lie down and rest in safety ;
thou callest us to rise up and rejoice as in newness
of life. Oh ! bless and furnish us abundantly, we
beseech thee, for all that is before us this day, —
our minds with strength, our hands with diligence,
our hearts with love and devotion. May we be
perfect as our Father in heaven is perfect in doing
good unto all !
We beseech thee to have compassion on our in-
firmities, and to give us the constant assistance of
thy Holy Spirit, that we may be effectually re-
strained from sin, and incited to our duty. Imprint
upon our hearts such a dread of thy judgments, and
such a grateful sense of thy goodness to us, as may
make us both afraid and ashamed to offend thee.
Above all, inspire us with the joy of being with
Christ in his glory ; and, having this hope in him,
may we purify ourselves as he is pure !
Oh ! keep this household in thy love ; bless abun-
dantly our friends, near or far away ; minister of
thy comforts to the sick and needy, succor the per-
ishing, and save the lost. Guide us ever with thy
counsel, and finally bring us unto thy rest, for the
Redeemer's sake. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
37
WEDNESDAY.
Genesis iv. — 3. And, in process of time, it
came to pass that Cain brought of the fruit of the
ground an offering unto the Lord.
4. And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of
his flock, and of the fat thereof. And the Lord
had respect unto Abel, and to his offering ;
5. But unto Cain and to his offering he had not
respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his coun-
tenance fell.
6. And the Lord said unto Cain, Why art thou
wroth ? and why is thy countenance fallen ?
7. If thou doest well, shalt thou not be ac-
cepted ? and, if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the
door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou
shall rule over him.
8. And Cain talked with Abel his brother ; and
it came to pass, when they were in the field, that
Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew
him.
9. And the Lord said unto Cain, Where is Abel
thy brother ? And he said, I know not. Am I
my brother's keeper ?
10. And he said, What hast thou done ? The
voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from
the ground.
11. And now art thou cursed from the earth,
which hath opened her mouth to receive thy broth-
er's blood from thy hand.
12. When thou tillest the ground, it shall not
henceforth yield unto thee her strength : a fugi-
tive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the earth.
13. And Cain said unto the Lord, My punish-
ment is greater than I can bear.
I John iii. — 10. In this the children of God
are manifest, and the children of the Devil : who-
soever doeth not righteousness is not of God,
neither he that loveth not his brother.
11. For this is the message that ye heard
from the beginning, that we should love one an-
other.
12. Not as Cain, who was of that Wicked One,
and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him?
Because his own works were evil, and his brother's
righteous.
13. Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate
you.
14. We know that we have passed from death
unto life, because we love the brethren. He that
loveth not his brother abideth in death.
15. Whosoever hateth his brother is a murder-
er ; and ye know that no murderer hath eternal
life abiding in him.
How swift in its descent is apostasy from God ! Sin be-
gets crime. The child of God, who had sinned against his
Father, now sees his own child guilty of the crime of murder.
All sin and crime come of casting off the fear of the Lord ;
and the most pleasurable beginning of transgression may lead
to the most fearful ending. There was something, no doubt,
in the spirit of Cain, — perhaps a self-righteous spirit, as con-
trasted with the humility of Abel, — which rendered his offering
unacceptable. Jehovah taught him that even acts of worship
might be perverted to sin by an evil heart. " If thou doest
well, shalt thou not be accepted ? " The way of access to
God was open to him by faith equally with his brother Abel.
" But, if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door ; " crouches
like a wild beast, ready to spring upon its prey. Its desire
shall be unto thee : sin longs to possess thee ; and, by yielding,
thou shalt rule over it ; appropriate it to thy service ; though,
in reality, sin would become his master. How sad and dread-
ful may be the consequence of yielding to passion, envy,
jealousy, pride, or any form of selfishness ! Let us pray God
to keep us from every sin, and to save us from ourselves.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 63, 67, 96.
O God, our heavenly Father ! we come to thee in
our need ; for thou alone art able to succor us : we
come to thee in our weakness ; for thou alone canst
give us strength : we come to thee in our sins ; for
thou alone canst pardon, heal, and save us. Have
mercy upon us, Lord ! for the sake of thy Son,
our Saviour Jesus Christ ; and suffer us never to
fall away from thee.
Thou art good, and doest good continually ; and
thy tender mercies are over all thy works. Thou
didst create us to be blessed in each other and in
thyself, to dwell in love, and so to dwell in God :
oh ! keep us ever in thy love. We bless thee for thy
watchful providence over us in our persons, in our
family, in our home, in all that pertains to our
well-being ; and, we beseech thee, grant unto us,
this day, health and prosperity, and preserve us
from all harm and danger. Keep us from all
impatience and anger, from envy and jealousy,
from every evil lust. Keep our hearts from the
thought of evil, and our lips from speaking guile ;
keep our feet from falling, our eyes from tears,
our souls from death. Grant us grace to be
faithful in all the offices and relations of life.
May we study to be helpful to each other, be
patient of each other's infirmities, and rejoice in
each other's prosperity ! Let no selfishness dis-
turb our peace. [May parents and children,
brothers and sisters, all be joined together in the
household of faith !] And may the love that
blesses our earthly home interpret to us the love
of our Father in heaven, and draw us toward the
better home ! We make supplication for all men ;
beseeching thee, the Father of all, to dispense unto
all thy mercies according to their several condi-
tions and necessities, and to show forth thy salva-
tion in all the earth, through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
THURSDAY.
I Samuel ii. — 1. And Hannah prayed, and
said, My heart rejoiceth in the Lord, mine horn
is exalted in the Lord ; my mouth is enlarged
over mine enemies ; because I rejoice in thy sal-
vation.
2. There is none holy as the Lord ; for there is
none beside thee : neither is there any rock like
our God.
6. The Lord killeth, and maketh alive ; he
bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up.
7. The Lord maketh poor, and maketh rich ; he
bringeth low, and lifteth up.
8. He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and
lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set
them among princes, and to make them inherit
the throne of glory; for the pillars of the earth
are the Lord's, and he hath set the world upon
them.
9. He will keep the feet of his saints, and the
wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength
shall no man prevail.
10. The adversaries of the Lord shall be broken
to pieces ; out of heaven shall he thunder upon
them : the Lord shall judge the ends of the earth ;
and he shall give strength unto his king, and exalt
the horn of his anointed.
Luke i.— 46. And Mary said, My soul doth
magnify the Lord,
47. And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my
Saviour.
48. For he hath regarded the low estate of his
handmaiden ; for, behold, from henceforth all gen-
erations shall call me blessed.
49. For he that is mighty hath done to me great
things ; and holy is his name.
50. And his mercy is on them that fear him,
from generation to generation.
51. He hath showed strength with his arm ; he
hath scattered the proud in the imagination of
their hearts.
52. He hath put down the mighty from their
seats, and exalted them of low degree.
53. He hath filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he hath sent empty away.
54. He hath holpen his servant Israel, in re-
membrance of his mercy ;
55. As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham,
and to his seed forever.
These two holy women, Hannah and Mary, were moved to
a like song of thanksgiving for the birth of a son. Probably
Hannah had hoped that her son would prove to be the prom-
ised Messiah. Many mothers in Israel cherished that hope
concerning their sons : and the angel said to Mary, " Hail,
thou that art highly favored ; blessed art thou among wo-
men'."
The song of the Virgin Mary is an answer to those who
claim for her divine honors, and exalt her above Christ himself.
She did not believe herself to be either divine or immaculate.
Neither in her most exalted frame of thanksgiving, while an-
ticipating the honors that should come to her in all after-times
as the mother of Jesus, did she presume to call herself " the
mother of God." Humility, gratitude, trust, devotion, are
graces for which Mary is conspicuous in the gospel history.
There is no authority there for regarding the Virgin Mary as
excepted from the universal experience of the race as subjects
of sin, nor for magnifying her character and influence as a
saint and an intercessor. More than once did Jesus himself
declare, that to do the will of his Father, to hear the word of
God and keep it, was of more account than to have been his
mother. Yet, while we shun idolatrous veneration, the Virgin
Mary is entitled to our respectful regard as the ideal of true
womanhood. Her modesty and discretion under the most
trying conditions, her devout waiting upon God in secret
silent meditation, her motherly tenderness and care for the
child committed to her from heaven, her open faith in Jesus
before he had disclosed his supernatural power, her strength
of character and self-control as she stood before the cross,
even as the sword pierced her soul, and her devotion to duty
under all trials, — these are virtues and graces of character,
for the example of which all nations shall call her blessed.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 21, 130, H5.
God, the Father of all the families of men ! |
we thank thee for thy great love in the gift of j
children ; for all the joy they bring with them ; I
for all the good thou dost prepare for them and by
them. [May the children of this family be thine
in the covenant of thy love, and grow up in the
household of faith !]
Lord ! we adore thee as God over all, blessed
forevermore. Thou art the Former of our bodies,
and the Father of our spirits ; the God in whom
we live and move, and have our being. All we
are and all Ave have is derived from thee. There
is nothing which we have that we have not re-
ceived. Oh ! give us the blessing of grateful hearts.
Let thy Spirit be our teacher , let thy Word be our
guide ; let thy will be our sovereign motive ; let
thy glory be our final end. We bring thee thanks
for the rest and refreshment of sleep, and for the
comforts of the morning. Guide, keep, and pros-
per us this day. Bless all connected with us by
whatever tie. May our ever-present God be with
them, guiding them by his grace, defending them
from temptation, fitting them by his providence for
the varied duties of the present life, and for the
joys of his saints in glory everlasting !
Bless the lambs of thy flock. We commend
them to the Great Shepherd of the sheep, beseech-
ing him to make them perfect, and to fold them
in the arms of his mercy. We leave ourselves,
God ! in thy hands. May all our doings this day,
begun, carried on, and ended in thee, redound,
through Jesus, to thy praise and glory ! Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
FRIDAY.
Luke ii. — 22. And, when the days of her pu-
rification according to the law of Moses were ac-
complished, they brought hirn to Jerusalem to
present him to the Lord ;
24. And to offer a sacrifice according to that
which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of
turtle-doves, or two young pigeons.
25. And behold there was a man in Jerusalem,
whose name was Simeon ; and the same man was
just and devout, waiting for the consolation of
Israel ; and the Holy Ghost was upon him.
26. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy
Ghost that he should not see death before he had
seen the Lord's Christ.
27. And he came by the Spirit into the temple ;
and when the parents brought in the child Jesus
to do for him after the custom of the law,
28. Then took he him up in his arms, and
blessed God, and said,
29. Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in
peace, according to thy word :
30. For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,
31. Which thou hast prepared before the face of
all people ;
32. A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the
glory of thy people Israel.
33. And Joseph and his mother marvelled at
those things which were spoken of him.
34. And Simeon blessed them, and said unto
Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the
fall and rising again of many in Israel, and for a
sign which shall be spoken against;
35. (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thine
own soul also ;) that the thoughts of many hearts
may be revealed.
36. And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the
daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser : she was
of a great age, and had lived with an husband
seven years from her virginity.
37. And she was a widow of about fourscore and
four years, which departed not from the temple,
but served God with fastings and prayers night
and day.
38. And she, coming in that instant, gave
thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him
to all them that looked for redemption in Jeru-
salem.
Too poor to bring a lamb for sacrifice, the mother of our
Lord brought him to the temple with the humble offering of
a pair of doves, — all unconscious as yet that she was carry-
ing in her arms the Lamb of God, whose sacrifice shouM su-
persede the sacrifices of the law, and take away the sin of the
world. But Simeon's devout and spiritual interpretation of the
prophecies had prepared him for the Messiah ; and he foresaw
in this child both the hope of Israel and her reproach and
condemnation.
A little while ago, enthusiasm for the Prince Imperial was
a mode of devotion to the dynasty of Napoleon, a revelation of
the thoughts of the heart touching the government. How
many hoped to rise by attaching themselves to his fortunes
who have fallen into reproach and peril now that his name
has become " a sign to be spoken against " ! There was not a
prouder woman in Europe than Euge'nie, as mother and
teacher of a future emperor ; but how the sword has pierced
her soul !
Much more in the spiritual world does the Son of Mary,
" who was everywhere spoken against " by his own people,
now reveal the thoughts of men concerning the kingdom of
God. By his life and works, by his doctrine and commands,
by his cross and his resurrection, Jesus is the touchstone of
hearts, the revealer of character ; and by their treatment of
him must all men rise or fall. Oh ! let us acknowledge him
our Lord, that we may know him as our Saviour.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 130, 147, 162.
Our Father in heaven, we bless thee that thou
dost make the household an object of thy special
love and care. Thou who in the beginning
didst constitute the family in unity and love, to be
the channel of thy grace from generation to genera-
tion ; Thou who didst establish thy covenant with
Abraham, making sure thy mercies unto his seed ;
and by thy gospel dost encourage parents to dedi-
cate their children unto thee ! we beseech thee to
acknowledge as thine own the children of this
household who are called by thy name. May
they ever be to their parents a cause of thankful-
ness and joy ! If trouble and sorrow shall come to
them, or to any of us, oh ! grant us all grace to ac-
cept thy holy will, and to bear with patience the
trials of our lot. If men shall speak evil of us, or
do us wrong, help us to remember thy holy child
Jesus, and to have the spirit of meekness and for-
giveness. We bless thee, Lord, that thou hast
provided consolations for old age ; that the prom-
ises and hopes of thy gospel remain to cheer those,
who, like Simeon and Anna, have waited upon thee
in prayer and holy living. So may our lives be
filled with thy light, and end in thy peace.
God, our reconciled Father in Christ ! we come
to thee as thine own children to thank thee for
thy great mercies. We lay down and slept, and
arose in safety ; for thine arms were around us.
We bless thee for our food and raiment, for our
affections and comforts, for all that makes this
present life to be desired ; but, above all, we bless
thee for our place in thy family by redemption
through Jesus Christ thy Son. Oh, may we live
by faith in him ; may we increase in union with
him ; may we this day, and every day, become
more and more like him, till we shall see him as
he is, and be changed into his perfect likeness !
All which we ask in his name. Amen.
40
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
SATURDAY.
Exodus xxiii. — 14. Three times thou shalt keep
a feast unto me in the year.
15. Thou shalt keep the feast of unleavened
hread (thou shalt eat unleavened bread seven days,
as I commanded thee, in the time appointed of the
month Abib ; for in it thou earnest out from Egypt ;
and none shall appear before me empty) ;
16. And the feast of harvest, the first-fruits of
thy labors, which thou hast sown in the field;
and the feast of ingathering, which is in the end
of the year, when thou hast gathered in thy labors
out of the field.
17. Three times in the year all thy males shall
appear before the Lord God.
Luke ii. — 40. And the child grew, and waxed
strong in spirit, filled with wisdom ; and the grace
of God was upon him.
41. Now, his parents went to Jerusalem every
year at the feast of the passover.
42. And, when he was twelve years old, they
went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the
feast.
43. And, when they had fulfilled the days, as they
returned the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusa-
lem ; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it.
The " day's journey," mentioned in verse 44, must not be
measured by modern standards. In the East, a caravan set-
ting out upon a march of several days would commonly start
after noon, and go only a few miles before encamping for the
first night. This short stage enables the company to review
its stores, and make sure that nothing is wanting or left be-
hind.
Three special feasts were enjoined upon the Jews ; and once
a year certainly, at the feast of unleavened bread, every male
made it a point to go up to Jerusalem. So great was the crowd
at the Passover, and such the confusion at starting, that Joseph
and Mary might very naturally have begun the journey with-
out missing Jesus, taking it for granted that he was in the
party with relatives or neighbors. In Jerusalem there was no
police-station at which they could make inquiries, no town-
crier whom they could send out to search for the lost child, no
44. But they, supposing him to have been in the
company, went a day's journey ; and they sought
him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.
45. And, when they found him not, they turned
back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.
46. And it came to pass, that after three days
they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst
of the doctors, both hearing them and asking them
questions.
47. And all that heard him were astonished at
his understanding and answers.
48. And, when they saw him, they were amazed :
and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou
thus dealt with us ? behold, thy father and I have
sought thee sorrowing.
49. And he said unto them, How is it that ye
sought me ? wist ye not that I must be about my
Father's business ?
50. And they understood not the saying which
he spake unto them.
51. And he went down with them, and came to
Nazareth, and was subject unto them; but his
mother kept all these sayings in her heart.
52. And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature,
and in favor with God and man.
newspaper in which they could advertise for him. The city
was still thronged with strangers ; and the temple was the last
place where they would think of looking : so the search lasted
over two days.
In the temple-porches, the scribes gave instruction in the
law ; and here the child asked and answered questions, while
the bystanders heard him with amazement. But how true to
nature it was that his mother, instead of joining in this ad-
miration, should give vent to her sorrow, and that the very
intensity of her love and grief should give a tone of chiding
to her first utterance ! The answer of Jesus marks the dawn-
ing consciousness of his divine mission. But how beautiful
an example he gave of filial love and obedience ! That he grew
in wisdom and stature shows how completely human was his
nature ; that he increased in favor with God and man shows
how divine was the life within.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nbs. 142, 148.
Thou who didst humble thyself to be born of
a virgin, the everlasting Son of the Father, the
Prince of peace ! we bless and adore thee for thy
grace, and compassion for us sinners. We give
thanks unto the Father, who *o loved the world
that he gave his only-begotten Son, that whosoever
believeth in him should not perish, but have ever-
lasting life ; we praise and worship the Son, who
took upon him our nature that he might redeem us
from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a pecu-
liar people, zealous of good works. Oh ! grant us,
we beseech thee, thy peace, through the forgive-
ness of sin, reconciliation with God, and the in-
dwelling of the Spirit, that we may glorify and
praise thee in our lives for all that we have heard
and seen of thy grace.
[May the children of this family remember that
Jesus came as a little child to bless them ! may they
give their hearts to his love !] and may we all, in
the spirit of little children, love and serve Him
who came into the world to save sinners ! And,
oh, may the world be saved ! may all men come
to Christ ! may peace reign on earth, and good-
will bind all hearts together for the glory of
God!
We bless thee, Lord, that thine angels have kept
watch over us in the night. We pray that the love
that has defended us may go with us this day and
always. Grant us thy peace, — that peace which
the world cannot give. And to Father, Son, and
Holy Spirit, will we ascribe all honor and glory.
Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
41
SUNDAY MORNING.
Exodus xvii. — 1. And all the congregation of
the children of Israel journeyed from the wilder-
ness of Sin, after their journeys, according to the
commandment of the Lord, and pitched in Rephi-
dim; and there was no water for the people to
drink.
2. Wherefore the people did chide with Moses,
and said, Give us water that we may drink. And
Moses said unto them, Why chide ye with me ?
wherefore do ye tempt the Lord ?
3. And the people thirsted there for water ; and
the people murmured against Moses, and said,
Wherefore is this that thou hast brought us up out
of Egypt to kill us and our children and our cattle
with thirst?
4. And Moses cried unto the Lord, saying, What
shall I do unto this people ? they be almost ready
to stone me.
5. And the Lord said unto Moses, Go on before
the people, and take with thee of the elders of Is-
rael; and thy rod, wherewith thou smotest the
river, take in thine hand, and go.
6. Behold, I will stand before thee there upon
the rock in Horeb ; and thou shalt smite the rock
and there shall come water out of it, that the peo-
ple may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of
the elders of Israel.
7. And he called the name of the place Massah,
and Meribah, because of the chiding of the' chil-
dren of Israel, and because they tempted the Lord,
saying, Is the Lord among us, or not ?
8. Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel
in Kephidim.
9. And Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out
men, and go out, fight with Amalek : to-morrow
I will stand on the top of the hill, with the rod of
God in mine hand.
10. So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and
fought with Amalek ; and Moses, Aaron, and Hur
went up to the top of the hill.
11. And it came to pass, when Moses held up
his hand, that Israel prevailed ; and, when he let
down his hand, Amalek prevailed.
12. But Moses' hands were heavy ; and they took
a stone and put it under him, and he sat thereon :
and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on
the one side, and the other on the other side ; and his
hands were steady until the going-down of the sun.
13. And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his
people with the edge of the sword.
" Why chide ye with me ■? " Because it is so much easier
to find fault with man than to put faith in God; so much
more natural to complain than to pray. To complain is to
take the attitude of demanding one's rights ; to pray, that of
entreating for favors. In all this the children of Israel only
acted out our common human nature ; and the most humili-
ating moral of the story is, that the multiplication of favors
tends to render the recipient exacting, and even querulous,
when things do not altogether suit him. The people grew ar-
rogant and violent ; and Moses was driven to the last extrem-
ity of faith. He was near the scene of the burning bush,
Appropriate Hymns,]
where first his rod was made the symbol of Jehovah's power.
Without that rod he could work no miracle ; for it was also
the symbol of his own dependence, reminding him that he
must never detach himself from God, or assume to do any
thing in his own name and strength. Hence, in the battle with
the Amalekites, the fierce descendants of Esau, while Joshua
and his picked men must fight out the day, the victory was
made to depend upon the exaltation of Jehovah by the up-
lifted rod. The stream here opened proved an unfailing sup-
ply ; and Paul makes the rock a type of Christ, from whose
ever-present, all-satisfying fulness our souls may daily drink.
Prayer.
This is the day which the Lord hath made : we
will rejoice and be glad in it. Draw thou near to
us, God our Saviour ! as we draw near to thee.
Whom have we in heaven but thee ? and there is
none upon earth that we desire besides thee. May
we this day see thy glory as we have seen thee
within thy holy temple ! May our manifold privi-
leges further our sanctification ! May the foun-
tain of living waters comfort and refresh our souls !
and may it cheer us through all the pilgrimage of
life ! May every temporal mercy which gladdens
our lot be sweetened and hallowed and endeared
by the thought that it comes to us through Jesus !
May blessings and trials, comforts and crosses,
health and sickness, joy and sorrow, bring us only
nearer him, and redound to the glory of his great
name ! Subdue whatever is inconsistent with his
mind and will ; repress all vain imaginations ;
crucify every lingering sin. May our hearts be-
come holy temples, and our lives living sacrifices !
[Nos. 3, 50, 195.
We bless thee for all the mercies of the week
that is now past. Day by day thou hast siipplied
our wants ; night by night thou hast watched over
us and defended us. Oh ! give us hearts of thank-
fulness, as the children of thy love.
We pray for the poor, the afflicted, the bereaved,
and the dying. thou Comforter of all that are
cast down ! do thou heal their sorrows, bind up their
wounds. To the friendless do thou prove a friend.
In the multitude of their thoughts within them,
may thy comforts delight their souls !
We commend our friends, and all belonging to
us, implicitly to thy sovereign care. May the pil-
lar of thy presence go continually before them !
Guide them by thy counsel. Fit them for living
and for dying. May all our souls be consecrated
with their undivided energies to the glory of
Him who gave himself for us ! — to whom, with
the Father and the Spirit, be glory everlasting.
Amen.
42
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
SUNDAY EVENING.
Psalm Ixxviii. — 18. And they tempted God in
their heart by asking meat for their lust.
19. Yea, they spake against God; they said,
Can God furnish a table in the wilderness ?
20. Behold, lie smote the rock, that the waters
gushed out, and the streams overflowed: can he
give bread also? can he provide flesh for his
people ?
21. Therefore the Lord heard this, and was
wroth : so a fire was kindled against Jacob, . r„nd
anger also came up against Israel.
I Corinthians x. — 1. Moreover, brethren, I
would not that ye should be ignorant how that
all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed
through the sea ;
2. And were all baptized unto Moses in the
cloud and in the sea ;
3. And did all eat the same spiritual meat ;
4. And did all drink the same spiritual drink
(for they drank of that spiritual Rock that fol-
lowed them ; and that Rock was Christ).
5. But with many of them God was not well
pleased ; for they were overthrown in the wilder-
ness.
6. Now, these things were our examples, to the
intent we should not lust after evil things, as
they also lusted.
7. Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them :
as it is written, The people sat down to eat and
drink, and rose up to play.
8. Neither let us commit fornication, as some of
them committed, and fell in one day three and
twenty thousand.
9. Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them
also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.
10. Neither murmur ye, as some of them also
murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.
11. Now, all these things happened unto them
for ensamples ; and they are written for our admo-
nition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.
12. Wherefore let him that thinketh he stand-
eth take heed lest he fall.
13. There hath no temptation taken you but
such as is common to man : but God is faithful,
who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye
are able ; but will with the temptation also make a
way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
14. Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from
idolatry.
15. I speak as to wise men : judge ye what I say.
It was a tradition of the Jews, that the rock smitten by
Moses at Horcb followed the Israelites in their journeyings,
and gave forth water all the way. There is a presumption
that the stream then opened continued to flow, inasmuch as
from that time there is little mention of murmuring for water.
This ever-flowing river was a type of the life that comes to us
from Christ. The apostle is warning his readers against a
vain confidence in the Christian sacraments, which might ex-
pose them to their former habits of idolatry, if it did not be-
tray them into an abuse of the sacraments themselves, in the
manner of their old pagan rites. " Their peril lay in their
false security : they were tempted to think that all things were
safe to do because all things were lawful. They were ready
to rest satisfied with the knowledge that they were God's peo-
ple and God's Church. He shakes this sense of safety by re-
minding them that the ancient Church of Israel fell, although
they had the same privileges."
When Israel passed through the Red Sea, they renounced
Egypt, as in baptism we renounce the world ; they committed
themselves to follow Moses, as we to follow Christ. They had
the manna and the stream as symbols of the bread of heaven
and the water of life in Christ ; but none of these things could
save them. Let their fate be our warning, — to shun tempta-
tion, to avoid self-confidence, and cling to God in humble faith.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 98, 143, 172.
We give thanks to thee our Father, ho.y, excel-
ling all tilings, Creator of all, who hast granted to
us the blessings and privileges of this holy day ;
who hast opened to us, in Christ Jesus our Lord,
the way of life ; who hast showed us the path by
which we may ascend to heaven ; who hast be-
stowed upon us a multitude of good things.
Lord! preserve to us the gifts of thy grace, and
grant that they may not be for our greater condem-
nation, but for the strengthening of our souls and
the purification of our bodies ; that we may live
in thee, and fulfil our duties in righteousness
all the days of our lives ; that thy name may be
glorified in us ; and that we may ever render glory
and praise to thee, with all the company of thy
saints, through Jesus Christ, our blessed Lord and
Saviour.
Lord, thou keeper of Israel,' who never slum-
berest nor sleepest ! be pleased in thy mercy to
watch over us this night, and make us ever mind-
ful of our last hour, that we may then rest in
thee.
Lord ! we most humbly beseech thee to heark-
en graciously unto the prayers and accept the
praises which have been offered unto thee this day
by thy holy Church throughout the world. Bless,
Lord ! thy whole Church ; and grant that all who
confess thy holy name may agree in the truth of
thy holy Word, and, departing from all iniquity,
may devoutly serve thee in all good works to their
lives' end ; that we with them, and they with
us, and with all those that are departed in thy
most holy faith, may inherit thine everlasting
kingdom, and enter into that rest which thou hast
reserved for thy people, through the merits of
Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth
with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, blessed
forever. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
43
MONDAY.
Isaiah Ixi. — 1. The Spirit of the Lord God is
irDon me ; because the Lord hath anointed me to
preach good tidings unto the meek ; he hath sent
me to hind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim lib-
erty to the captives, and the opening of the prison
to them that are bound ;
2. To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord,
and the day of vengeance of our God ; ; to comfort
all that mourn ;
3. To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to>
give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for
mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of
heaviness; that they might be called Trees of
righteousness, The planting of the Lord, that he
might be glorified.
Matthew V. — 1. And, seeing the multitudes, he
went up into a mountain ; and, when he was set,
his disciples came unto him.
2. And he opened his mouth, and taught them,
saying,
3. Blessed are the poor in spirit ; for theirs is
the kingdom of heaven.
This wonderful discourse was delivered, in all probability,
from one of the hills that border the Plain of Esdraelon, and m
the vicinity of the Lake of Galilee. Such a site would be cen-
tral to the multitudes that thronged to Jesus from, that whole
region ; and the marvellous beauty of the scenery might well
suggest the allusions to Nature in the sermon. But the reli-
gion of Christ was so spiritual in its character and aim, that
no sacredness was attached to' the places where his words of
truth and life were spoken. He opened this sermon with a
series of benedictions, bestowed upon all who shall put them-
selves in character to receive them: the poor, not simply in
condition, nor because of this, but in spirit, humble in their
own esteem, humble before God because of sin, — these, and not
those who pride themselves upon their gifts, or are ambitious
of place and reward, shall have the kingdom of heaven ; those
whose hearts have been touched with sorrow — above all, with
the sorrow of repentance — shall rind heavenly comfort; the
4. Blessed are they that mourn ; for they shall
be comforted.
5. Blessed are the meek ; for they shall inherit
the earth.
6. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst
after righteousness ; for they shall be filled.
7. Blessed are the merciful ; for they shall ob-
tain mercy.
8. Blessed are the pure in heart ; for they shall
see God.
9. Blessed are the peace-makers ; for they shall
be called the children of God.
10. Blessed are they which are persecuted for
righteousness' sake; for theirs is the kingdom of
heaven.
11. Blessed are ye when men shall revile you,
and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil
against you falsely, for my sake.
12. Kejoice, and be exceeding glad ; for great is
your reward in heaven : for so persecuted they the
prophets which were before you.
meek, biding their time, shall see the triumph of goodness in
the earth ; they who long for conformity to the will of God, as
the hungry for food, and the thirsty for drink, shall be satisfied
with his likeness ; they who are compassionate toward the
needy, merciful to enemies, gracious to all, shall find mercy
in their time of need ; they who strive after inward holiness
shall attain to the vision of God ; they who study to promote
peace and good-will among men shall be acknowledged by
God as his children ; they who are so upright in their walk,
so devoted to righteousness, so loyal to truth and to Christ,
that for this they incur the malice and abuse of men, shall
receive the reward of their faithfulness in the peace and bless-
edness of heaven. These characteristics are not isolated vir-
tues, to be taken up as meritorious works : they are all the
fruits and signs of one inner spirit of loving, filial devotion to
God. He who has this has within himself the fountain of all
blessedness for time and for eternity.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 9, 53, 187.
O Lord Jesus ! we do hunger for thy Word ; we
do thirst for thy Spirit. Weak, empty, perishing
in ourselves, we cry unto thee for the bread of
heaven, for the water of life. With longings for
good that this world can never satisfy, we turn to
thy fulness that we also may be filled. Confess-
ing our folly in forsaking thee, mourning our sin
in grieving thee, we come with broken and con-
trite hearts, and entreat thee to grant us forgive-
ness, comfort, and peace. Oh ! strengthen us to re-
sist temptation, to overcome evil, to renounce the
world. We beseech thee, show us the Father;
make us pure in heart, that we may see God.
Most merciful God, who in Jesus Christ thy Son
hast revealed thyself as our reconciling Father,
grant us grace, we beseech thee, to be followers of
God as dear children. [May the children of this
family love and obey the precepts of thy gospel, and
follow the example of their Lord and Saviour !]
And, oh, may the numbers of thy children be multi-
plied throughout the world, until the whole family
of man shall be made one in Christ Jesus ! Bless
the peace-makers, and let the nations learn war no
more. Have compassion, O Lord ! upon the poor
and the sorrowing ; deliver the persecuted and the
oppressed ; have mercy upon all prisoners and
captives. Grant us grace to endure with patience
any trials and afflictions that may come upon us
for thy cause, and to conquer the world by faith.
And do thou, Lord ! forgive our enemies, and
forgive us as we forgive them. O Lord our Pre-
server, who hast kept us through the perils of the
night ! keep us from evil this day and always ;
and finally bring us unto thy heavenly kingdom,
through Jesus Christ, our Mediator and Kedeemer.
Amen.
44
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
TUESDAY.
Matthew V. — 13. Ye are the salt of the earth ;
but, if the salt have lost his savor, wherewith shall
it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing
but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot
of men.
14. Ye are the light of the world. A city that
is set on a hdl cannot be hid.
15. Neither do men light a candle and put it
under a bushel, but on a candlestick ; and it giveth
light unto all that are in the house.
16. Let your light so shine before men, that they
may see your good works, and glorify your Father
which is in heaven.
17. Think not that I am come to destroy the
law or the prophets : I am not come to destroy,
but to fulfil.
18. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and
earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise
pass from the law till all be fulfilled.
19. Whosoever, therefore, shall break one of
these least commandments, and shall teach men
so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of
Concerning the salt used in Syria, Dr. W. M. Thomson, in
his " Land and Book," says, " It is obtained from marshes
along the seashore, or from salt lakes in the interior, which
dry up in summer. Not a little of it is so impure, that it can-
not be used at all ; and such salt soon effloresces, and turns to
dust. It is not only good for nothing itself, but it destroys
all fertility wherever it is thrown. No man will allow it to
be thrown into his field ; and the only place for it is the street,
and there it is cast to be trodden under foot of men." A sad
picture, this, of religious teachers, who, having made a show of
piety, have lost its vitality, and are disowned by the Church,
and despised by the world ! A sad picture of all who aposta-
tize from the Christian confession and life ! On the contrary,
a consistent Christian life is like a light which illuminates
every thing around it ; and a church of holy men is like the
cities of Palestine, built on the hills, whose white walls and
heaven; but whosoever shall do and teach them,
the same shall be called great in the kingdom of
heaven.
20. For I say unto you, That, except your right-
eousness shall exceed the righteousness of the
scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into
the kingdom of heaven.
21. Ye have heard that it was said by them of
old time, Thou shalt not kill ; and whosoever shall
kill shall be in danger of the judgment :
22. But I say unto you, That whosoever is an-
gry with his brother without a cause shall be in
danger of the judgment ; and whosoever shall say
to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the
council ; but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall
be in danger of hell-fire.
23. Therefore, if thou bring thy gift to the altar,
and there rememberest that thy brother hath
aught against thee,
24. Leave there thy gift before the altar, and
go thy way ; first be reconciled to thy brother,
and then come and offer thy gift.
pinnacles glitter afar. The light of Christ's disciples shines,
not for ostentation, but to the glory of God : it is the light of
inward principle, the light of Christ's presence in the soul ;
and their lives are radiant with holy deeds because the light
of holy love shines through every action. The distinction
between the forms of morality and the fruits of spiritual life
is strongly marked in modes of dealing with those who in-
jure us. Some will technically observe the law as to outward
moralities, but will sin against its spirit and intent in word
and in heart. But a true Christian will cherish in his heart
the spirit of forgiveness, and will guard his words, his feel-
ings, his thoughts, as sacredly as his actions. Christ stripped
the law of the formalities of tradition and custom ; but he
did not abrogate it : on the contrary, he filled out its inner
spirit, and gave us an example of perfect holiness and love,
which is the Light of the world, the Light of life.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 40, 89, 134.
Create in us a clean heart, God ! and renew a
right spirit within us. So purify us by thy grace
that we shall shine as lights in the world, holding
forth the word of life. "We bless thee for thy lov-
ing care, for rest and safety in the night, for the
comfort and promise of the morning. heavenly
Father ! we beseech thee to look with favor upon
this family. May each of us in our respective sta-
tions truly serve thee ! May we do unto others as
we would that they should do unto us ! May we
be true and just in all our dealings ! May we bear
no hatred nor malice in our hearts ! May we be
honest and upright in our daily conduct ! May
we keep our tongues from evil, and our lips from
speaking guile !
May thy word be precious to our souls ! May it
be sweet to our taste ; yea, sweeter than honey
to our mouth ! May we love its precepts, under-
stand its doctrines, and rest upon its promises!
Give us grace, that we may be established in
the truth, and be doers of thy word, and not
hearers only, deceiving our own selves. When-
ever we read the Holy Scriptures, be thou thy-
self our teacher. Sow the seed of eternal life in
our hearts, and enable us to bring forth fruit,
to the glory of thy name, and the comfort of our
souls.
[0 Lord ! grant unto the children of this house-
hold the teaching of thy Spirit, the guidance of
thy providence, that they may walk in the way of
wisdom and of life.]
Defend us with thy heavenly grace, that we may
continue thine forever, and daily increase in thy
Holy Spirit more and more, until we come unto
thine everlasting kingdom, through the merits of
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
45
WEDNESDAY.
Proverbs iv. — 14. Enter not into the path of
the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men.
15. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and
pass away.
20. My son, attend to my words ; incline thine
ear unto my sayings.
21. Let them not depart from thine eyes ; keep
them in the midst of thine heart.
22. For they are life unto those that find them,
and health to all their flesh.
23. Keep thy heart with all diligence ; for out
of it are the issues of life.
24. Put away from thee a froward mouth, and
perverse lips put far from thee.
25. Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine
eyelids look straight before thee.
26. Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy
ways be established.
27. Turn not to the right hand nor to the left :
remove thy foot from evil.
Matthew V. — 29. If thy right eye offend thee,
pluck it out, and cast it from thee ; for it is profit-
able for thee that one of thy members should
perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast
into hell.
30. And, if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off,
and cast it from thee ; for it is profitable for thee
that one of thy members should perish, and not
that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
31. It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away
his wife, let him give her a writing of divorce-
ment.
32. But I say unto you, That whosoever shall
put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornica-
tion, causeth her to commit adultery ; and whoso-
ever shall marry her that is divorced committeth
adultery.
33. Again : ye have heard that it hath been said
by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thy-
self, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths.
34. But I say unto you, Swear not at all : nei-
ther by heaven ; for it is God's throne :
35. Nor by the earth ; for it is his footstool :
neither by Jerusalem ; for it is the city of the
great King :
36. Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, be-
cause thou canst not make one hair white or black.
37. But let your communication be Yea, yea ;
Nay, nay : for whatsoever is more than these com-
eth of evil.
These conditions of entrance into the kingdom of heaven
may seem severe to our worldly, carnal natures ; but it is
the severity of love. The surgeon who saves life by amputat-
ing a poisoned or mortified limb is the patient's truest friend.
He does not willingly inflict the pain or mutilation ; but the
state of the member renders it necessary. In like manner,
any cherished sin, any darling passion, endangers the life of
the soul, and must be put away at whatever cost. We should
" withstand the first springs and occasions of evil desire, even
by the sacrifice of what is most useful and dear to us." The
merciful Saviour warns us that sin will lead to destruction, and
that we cannot be saved from ruin except through being freed
from sin.
Our Lord emphatically condemned the habit which had
sprung up among the Jews of dissolving the marriage-tie
for slight causes, declaring it criminal to trifle with that
sacred relation which lies at the foundation of human
society.
As the most sacred thing among men had been slighted, so,
too, had the sacred name of God been dishonored. " The
Jews held that no oath was binding in which the name of God
did not directly occur ; " and by this device they sought to
evade the obligation of oaths, while yet many did not scruple
to take the name of God in vain. Our Lord teaches that an
oath given for confirmation, under whatever form, is to be
sacredly observed ; that the habit of invoking names and
things by way of emphasis leads to profaneness, and should
be avoided ; and that we should maintain such a character
for truth, that our simple word will carry with it even more
than the weight of an oath, wherever we are known.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 128, 136, 154.
Lord ! we beseech thee, grant us grace to with-
stand the temptations of the world, the flesh, and
the Devil, and with pure hearts and minds to fol-
low thee ; and, forasmuch as without thee we are
not able to please thee, mercifully grant that thy
Holy Spirit may in all things direct and rule our
hearts through Jesus Christ our Lord.
O Lord Jesus, who art exalted to be a Prince and
a Saviour to give repentance and forgiveness of
sins ! we do repent of our sins before thee, and hum-
bly beseech thee to receive us, according to thy
promise that him that cometh unto thee thou wilt
in no wise cast out. Give unto us, O Lord ! that
rest which thou hast promised to the weary and
heavy-laden; that peace which the world cannot
give nor take away. As we shall go forth into the
world this day, may thy presence guide and keep us !
We bring thee thanks for the mercies of the
night, and supplicate thy grace for our friends and
neighbors, for the absent dear to us, for thy Church,
for this family, yea, Lord, for the whole family of
mankind, — the world which thou hast died to
save.
We beseech thee, Lord ! to instruct us in our
duty, and help us to perform it ; to give us a
tender conscience and an earnest spirit ; to uphold
us in the slippery ways of the world, and give us
sterling integrity of heart ; to save us from the
enmity of men, from the malice of Satan, and
from our own faults and follies ; to support us in
the hour of death ; and finally to receive us to thy
presence in the world of endless life. And to the
Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be glory
forever. Amen.
46
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
THURSDAY.
Proverbs xxiv. — 11. If thou forbear to deliver
them that are drawn unto death, and those that
are ready to be slain ;
12. If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not ; doth
not he that pondereth the heart consider it ? and
he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it ? and
shall not he render to every man according to his
works ?
17. Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and
let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth ;
18. Lest the Lord see it, and it displease him,
and he turn away his wrath from him.
19. Fret not thyself because of evil men, neither
be thou envious at the wicked :
20. For there shall be no reward to the evil
man ; the candle of the wicked shall be put out.
28. Be not a witness against thy neighbor with-
out cause, and deceive not with thy lips.
29. Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done
to me : I will render to the man according to his
work.
Matthew v. — 38. Ye have heard that it hath
been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a,
tooth.
39. But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil ;
To retaliate injuries is the prompting of man's animal na-
ture, and private revenge obtains among all savage tribes.
The first advance upon this was the attempt to regulate re-
venge by a law of retaliation in States which had attained to
some degree of civilization. A further advance was by courts
of criminal law, through which a violence or wrong done to an
individual was dealt with as a crime against society, and the
redress of injuries was taken out of the hands of individuals
into the power of the State. But in civilized communities,
when the law is relaxed and the penalty of crime evaded,
private revenge will sometimes break out as in the most sav-
age tribes.
The Ten Commandments inculcated love ; but some pre-
cepts of the penal code of Moses were perverted into a sanc-
tion of private revenge. Christ teaches his disciples to sup-
press the spirit of revenge by cultivating the spirit of meekness,
patience, and forgiveness under injuries. We may still be
but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek,
turn to him the other also.
40. And if any man will sue thee at the law, and
take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also.
41. And whosoever shall compel thee to go a
mile, go with him twain.
42. Give to him that asketh thee, and from him
that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.
43. Ye have 1 heard that it hath been said, Thou
shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy :
44. But I say unto you, Love your enemies,
bless them that curse you, do good to them that
hate you, and pray for them which despitefully
use you and persecute you ;
45. That ye may be the children of your Father
which is in heaven ; for he maketh his sun to rise
on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on
the just and on the unjust.
46. For, if ye love them which love you, what re-
ward have ye ? do not even the publicans the same ?
47. And, if ye salute your brethren only, what
do ye more than others ? do not even the publi-
cans so ?
48. Be ye therefore perfect even as your Father
which is in heaven is perfect.
required, for the peace and safety of society, to bring to jus-
tice the criminal who has wronged us ; but we must harbor no
malice toward him as a personal enemy.
Our Lord refers to oppressions which the Jews suffered
under the Romans. Soldiers were billeted upon them who
would treat them roughly : they were compelled to serve as
carriers for the government, going miles from home ; they were
dragged before tribunals upon false pretences. But Chris-
tians must bear such injuries meekly, and conquer injustice
by love. This is to follow the example of Christ ; this is to
imitate the impartial, the perfect love of our Father in heaven.
God does good to all, even the unthankful and the evil. If
we cherish this spirit of patient, uncomplaining love, and the
practice of universal kindness, then will our lives shine like
the sun, scattering the darkness and wickedness of the world,
and we shall overcome evil with good.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 53, 63, 82.
Thou holy and blessed Son of God, who for our
sakes didst endure such contradiction of sinners
against thyself, grant us, we pray thee, the spirit of
meekness and patience under injury, and of for-
giveness toward all who do us wrong. How often
have we grieved and offended thee ! Have mercy
upon us, we beseech thee, and teach us to be mer-
ciful unto all men. May we be followers of Him
who went about doing good ! Lord our heavenly
Father! we bless thee for thy loving-kindness to-
ward us, so free, so constant, so abounding. We
would show forth thy loving-kindness in the morn-
ing, and thy faithfulness every night. Oh ! grant,
that, walking in love, we may be the children of
our Father in heaven. [May the children of this
family grow up in the spirit of love, being kind
to one another, to their schoolmates and compan-
ions, and to all around them !] May love so rule
in the hearts and lives of thy children, that it
shall constrain the world to confess thee !
God, whose blessed Son was manifested that
he might destroy the works of the Devil, and make
us the sons of God, and heirs of eternal life ! grant
us, we beseech thee, that, having this hope, we
may purify ourselves even as he is pure ; that,
when he shall appear again with power and great
glory, we may be made like unto him in his eternal
and glorious kingdom, where, with thee, Father !
and thee, Holy Ghost ! he liveth and reigneth,
ever one God, world without end. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
47
FRIDAY.
Ecclesiastes V. — 1. Keep thy foot when thou
goest to the house of God, and be more ready to
hear than to give the sacrifice of fools; for they
consider not that they do evil.
2. Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine
heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for
God is in heaven, and thou upon earth : therefore
let thy words be few.
4. When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not
to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay
that which thou hast vowed.
Matthew vi. — 1. Take heed that ye do not your
alms before men, to be seen of them : otherwise
ye have no reward of your Father which is in
heaven.
2. Therefore, when thou doest thine alms, do
not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites
do, in the synagogues and in the streets, that they
may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you,
They have their reward.
3. But, when thou doest alms, let not thy left
hand know what thy right hand doeth :
4. That thine alms may be in secret ; and thy
Father, which seeth in secret, himself shall reward
thee openly.
5. And, when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as
the hypocrites are ; for they love to pray standing
in the synagogues, and in the corners of the streets,
that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto
you, They have their reward.
6. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy
closet ; and, when thou hast shut thy door, pray
to thy Father which is in secret ; and thy Fa-
ther, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee
openly.
7. But, when ye pray, use not vain repetitions,
as the heathen do; for they think that they shall be
heard for their much speaking.
8. Be not ye, therefore, like unto them ; for your
Father knoweth what things ye have need of be-
fore ye ask him.
16. Moreover, when ye fast, be not as the hypo-
crites, of a sad countenance ; for they disfigure
their faces that they may appear unto men to
fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their
reward.
17. But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine
head, and wash thy face ;
18. That thou appear not unto men to fast, but
unto thy Father, which is in secret ; and thy
Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee
openly.
Our Lord does not here forbid publicity in giving alms, —
for this is sometimes necessary and useful, — but alms-giving
for the sake of publicity. We are commanded to let our light
shine before men, that they may see our good works ; but not
to do this in the spirit of ostentation, that we may have glory
of men, but with that self-forgetting love for God and man
which shall cause others to ascribe our good deeds to our
Father in heaven. So far must we be from self-praise and
spiritual pride, that, in the motive and aim of our charity as
concerns ourselves, the left hand shall not know what the
right hand doeth. With regard to prayer, the comment of
Dean Alford on verse 7, in his own Italics, is complete :
" What is forbidden in this verse is not mvrh praying, for our
Lord himself passed whole nights in prayer ; nor praying in
the same ivords, for this he did in the very intensity of his agony
at Gethsemane : but the making number and length a point
of observance, and imagining that prayer will be heard, not
because it is the genuine expression of the desire of faith, but
because it is of such a length, has been such a number of
times repeated," — as in the repetition of Paternosters and Ave
Marias in the Latin Church, " the number of repetitions being
prescribed, and the efficacy of the performance made to depend on
it." The secret of all true prayer is the communing of our
spirits with the Holy Spirit of God.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 42, 102, 115.
Our Father which art in heaven, we draw nigh
to thee through Jesus Christ our Saviour. Thou
reignest above in light unapproachable. Heaven
is thy throne, and earth is thy footstool : what
are we that thou shouldst regard us, and adopt us
as thy reconciled children ? Teach thou us to for-
get ourselves, and seek thy glory. Let thy praise
be shown forth in our time - ; let thy great name
be known and feared ; let the kingdoms of the
world become thine, till thy holy law is kept by
men as angels keep it above. And as for us,
Father ! preserve us from day to day, and feed us
with food convenient for us. And, inasmuch as our
love cannot reach the measure of thine, teach us
to forgive others as thou hast forgiven us. Suffer
us not to be tempted above that we are able : but,
however thou triest us, keep us from harm within
and without ; from the evil in the world around
ourselves ; from the
us ; from the evil that is in
Evil One, who lies in wait for our souls
Thou, our Father, canst hear and answer our
pra}rers; for thou reignest over all from the be-
ginning, and with thee nothing is impossible : for
thy pleasure and thy praise all things are, and were
created. Thou hast created us, preserved us, re-
deemed us ; our lives have been fall of thy mercies ;
thou 'hast blessed us in our home, in our friends,
in our country, in our times, in the means of
knowledge and of grace. Help us to use to thy
glory, and the good of others, that which Ave have
so freely received. We come unto thee through
Him who taught us to pray, — even Jesus Christ
our Lord ; to whom, with thee and the Holy Ghost,
be all praise and dominion ; for thine is the
kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever.
Amen.
SATURDAY.
Matthew VI. — 19. Lay not up for yourselves
treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth
corrupt, and where thieves break through and
steal ;
20. But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven,
where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and
where thieves do not break through nor steal.
21. For where your treasure is, there will your
heart be also.
22. The light of the body is the eye : if there-
fore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be
full of light.
23. But, if thine eye be evil, thy whole body
shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light
that is in thee be darkness, how great is that dark-
ness !
24. No man can serve two masters : for either
he will hate the one, and love the other ; or else
he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye
cannot serve God and Mammon.
25. Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought
for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall
drink ; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put
on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body
than raiment ?
26. Behold the fowls of the air : for they sow
not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns ;
yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye
not much better than they?
27. Which of you by taking thought can add
one cubit unto his stature ?
28. And why take ye thought for raiment?
Consider the lilies of the field how they grow;
they toil not, neither do they spin :
29. And yet I say unto you, That even Solo-
mon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of
these.
30. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the
field, which to-day is, and to-morrow is cast into
the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, ye
of little faith ?
31. Therefore take no thought, saying, What
shall we eat ? or, What shall we drink ? or, Where-
withal shall we be clothed ?
32. (For after all these things do the Gentiles
seek ; ) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye
have need of all these things.
33. But seek ye first the kingdom of God and
his righteousness, and all these things shall be
added unto you.
34. Take therefore no thought for the morrow ;
for the morrow shall take thought for the things
of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil
thereof.
But we must think and plan for the morrow if we would
get on in the world, would carry on its business, make pro-
vision for the support and education of our families. The
Scriptures teach us to be " not slothful in business," as well
as " fervent in spirit," in both alike " serving the Lord."
The " thought " which our Lord condemns is such as divides
the mind with uncertainties, distracts it with anxieties, un-
settles it with solicitude ; in a word, it is care. Each day will
bring its own burdens and cares ; and it is folly to increase
these by anticipating those of to-morrow. The antidote to
worldly care is faith in God, and devotion to his will. This
gives stability to the mind, unity to its desires, consistency to
its purposes, loftiness to its aims, assurance to its hopes. If
our hearts are set upon spiritual good, the treasure in heaven,
this will hold them up and steady them amid all the fluctua-
tions of life. If we have unreservedly chosen God as our
portion, we have an object great enough to fill our thoughts
and satisfy our desires, and nothing can really disturb us. If
we are the children of God, under his loving care, the good-
ness that clothes the flowers and feeds the birds will provide
for all our necessities. Wherefore let it be our one object,
our first care, to serve and honor God, living unto him in all
our thoughts, and trusting to him the care of our earthly
life.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 32, 56, 68, 118.
Blessed be God, the Father of all mercies, for
the daily comforts of his providence and grace.
Thy mercies, Lord ! are new every morning.
Thou spreadest our table, and fillest our cup. In
thee we live and move, and have our being. Grant
us grace, we beseech thee, ever to live unto thee,
to do thy holy will, and to glorify thee in our bod-
ies and spirits which are thine. Suffer not the
cares of this life to distract our minds from thee ;
but may we seek first the kingdom of God and his
righteousness.
Give us, this day, our daily bread ; and feed our
souls with that living bread which came down from
heaven, of which if a man eat he shall never die.
May Christ be in us the hope of glory, and the
power of an endless life ! Lord, the Maker and
Ruler of all ! we bless thee for all thy marvellous
works, and for thy ways unto the children of men.
Thou givest us rain from heaven, and fruitful sea-
sons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.
Bless the earth, we pray thee, with abundant har-
vests, that there may be seed for the sower, and
bread for the eater. And, O most merciful Father !
do thou visit our land with plenteous showers of
grace, making thy word fruitful, reviving thy
Church, and causing righteousness to flourish and
abound. Rule in the hearts of our rulers, and
turn the people unto the things of thy kingdom.
We commend unto thee all dear to us. We commit
our souls unto thee for this day ; beseeching thee
for Christ's sake to forgive our sins, to keep us un-
spotted from the world, and pure in thy sight. And
to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be
glory forever. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
49
SUNDAY MORNING.
Psalm xix. — 1. The heavens declare the glory
of God; and the firmament showeth his handi-
work.
2. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto
night showeth knowledge.
3. There is no speech nor language ivhere their
voice is not heard.
4. Their line has gone out through all the earth,
and their words to the end of the world. In them
hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,
5. Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his
chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a
race.
6. His going-forth is from the end of the heav-
en, and his circuit unto the ends of it ; and there
is nothing hid from the heat thereof.
7. The law of the Lord is perfect, converting
the soul ; the testimony of the Lord is sure, mak-
ing wise the simple.
8. The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing
the heart ; the commandment of the Lord is pure,
enlightening the eyes.
9. The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for-
ever; the judgments of the Lord are true and
righteous altogether.
10. More to be desired are they than gold ; yea,
than much fine gold : sweeter also than honey and
the honey-comb.
11. Moreover, by them is thy servant warned ;
and in keeping of them there is great re-
ward.
12. Who can understand his errors? Cleanse
thou me from secret faults.
13. Keep back thy servant also from presump-
tuous siras ; let them not have dominion over me :
then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent
from the great transgression.
14. Let the words of my mouth, and the medita-
tion of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O
Lord ! my strength and my redeemer.
By omitting the Italicized words in verse 3, we make more
clear the poetic beauty and delicate thought of the original.
Though day and night are silent in their coming and going,
though they utter no audible voice, no articulate speech, yet
do they give forth a testimony for God co-extensive with the
earth and the heaven. " Like an unbroken chain, their mes-
sage is delivered from day to day, and from night to night.
At the silence of one herald, another takes up his speech ;
and holy silence itself is a speech to the listening soul."
But the same God who speaks to us of his wisdom and
beneficence, his might and majesty, in the glory of the sun and
the stars, addresses our moral nature through his revealed
word, his law of truth and right and purity, the perfection of
love. Like the sun in the Syrian sky, this law searches every
thing by its light and heat, — the secret faults, the unconscious
errors, no less than wilful and presumptuous sins.
Yet the Psalmist would not shrink from this all-penetrat-
ing presence of God in his word : for as the light of the
sun is health to the body, so this searching light of the
Bible is cleansing also ; and, in the degree that the truth
purifies the life, it rejoices the heart. Through and above
the light that exposes and condemns, the trembling, re-
pentant soul discerns the Lord, its strength and its re-
deemer.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 18,31, 79, 90.
Lord, our Lord ! how excellent is thy name in
all the earth ! who hast set thy glory above the
heavens. We bless thee for all thy works of crea-
tion and of providence ; but above all for the reve-
lation of thyself in thy Son our Saviour, who was
the brightness of the Father's glory, and the ex-
press image of his person.
Almighty Father, Lord of heaven and earth,
who on the first day didst create the light, and
hast raised us up to praise and adore thee ! make
us to walk as children of light, that we may have
no fellowship with the unfruitful works of dark-
ness, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Lord, most gracious Saviour, who on this day
didst rise again from the dead ! raise up our souls
unto newness of life, granting us repentance from
dead works, and planting us in the likeness of thy
resurrection.
O thou blessed Spirit, Lord and Giver of life, who
on this day didst come down to sanctify and to
teach, to guide and to comfort, thine elect ! lead us,
we beseech thee, into all truth, and fill our hearts
with thy manifold gifts of grace.
Lord ! we beseech thee so to purify our hearts
this day, that we may worship thee acceptably,
with reverence and godly fear. Incline us to re-
ceive thy word into honest and good hearts, and to
bring forth fruit with patience ; that we may at
last inherit everlasting life, through the mediation
of thy blessed Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Thou Lord of the evening and morning, we bless
thee for thy love which shines upon us in the
morning light. As thy goodness hath preserved
us in the night, may thy grace attend and keep us
this day. As we shall study thee in thy works
and word, kindle our minds with thy truth, and
cause our hearts to glow with thy love. Teach
the children to read thy glory in the heavens, and
to know thy grace in the gospel of thy Son.
Let thy special blessing, Lord ! rest on all our
relations, friends, and neighbors : and so quicken
us by thy grace, that, with one mind and one
heart, we may serve and please thee ; that having
washed our robes, and made them white in the
blood of the Lamb, we may dwell with thee for-
evermore, through his merits ; to whom, with the
Father and the Holy Ghost, be all praise and
thanksgiving forever. Amen.
50
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
SUNDAY EVENING.
Deuteronomy xxiii. — 24. When thou comest
into thy neighbor's vineyard, then thou mayest eat
grapes thy till, at thine own pleasure ; but thou
shalt not put any in thy vessel.
25. When thou comest into the standing-corn of
thy neighbor, then thou mayest pluck the ears with
thine hand; but thou shalt not move a sickle unto
thy neighbor's standing-corn.
Mark ii. — 23. And it came to pass, that he
went through the corn-fields on the sabbath-day ;
and his disciples began, as they went, to pluck the
ears of corn.
24. And the Pharisees said unto him, Behold,
why do they on the sabbath-day that which is not
lawful ?
25. And he said unto them, Have ye never
read what David did, when he had need and was
an hungred, he and they that were with him ?
26. How he went into the house of God, in the
days of Abiathar the high priest, and did eat the
show-bread, which is not lawful to eat but for
the priests, and gave also to them which were
with him ?
27. And he said unto them, The sabbath was
made for man, and not man for the sabbath :
28. Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the
sabbath.
Mark iii. — 1. And he entered again into the
synagogue ; and there was a man there which had
a withered hand.
2. And they watched him, whether he would
heal him on the sabbath-day, that they might
accuse him.
3. And he saith unto the man which had the
withered hand, Stand forth.
4. And he saith unto them, Is it lawful to do
good on the sabbath-days, or to do evil ? to save life,
or to kill ? But they held their peace.
5. And when he had looked round about on them
with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their
hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine
hand. And he stretched it out ; and his hand was
restored whole as the other.
6. And the Pharisees went forth, and straightway
took counsel with the Herodians against him how
they might destroy him.
Christ redeemed the sabbath from the superstitious forms
and stringent rules by which the Jews had made it a heavy
yoke, and restored it to its proper uses, — for the thankful wor-
ship of God, and for services of kindness and mercy to men.
These two incidents commend works of necessity and works
of mercy to be done upon the sabbath.
The first took place during a walk to the synagogue. In
Palestine, the fields are not divided by fences ; but private
property is marked by boundary-stones, and sometimes a path
or highway runs through fields of grain. When I entered
Palestine from the desert, the wheat was jttst ripening ; and,
as our path lay through a large field, my dragoman plucked
a handful of ears, rubbed out the grain, and offered it to me
to eat, saying, " Good, very good." This any traveller was
at liberty to do, according to the law of Moses. The Phari-
sees accused the disciples, not of taking that to which they
Appkopriate Htmns,]
had no right, but because they thus satisfied their hunger
upon the sabbath ! But Jesus set man and his wants above
the day and its forms.
In the second instance, these sticklers for rules and forms
of their own making, instead of entreating Jesus to heal a
poor cripple, or watching with prayerful interest for some
token of his mercy, set out to accuse him for deeds of kind-
ness done upon the sabbath. Grieved to indignation at their
lack of sympathy for the suffering, at their perversion of the
day which God had given as a special blessing to the poor,
at their turning religion into red-tape regulations that choked
all charity and humanity, he looked round on these hard-
hearted hypocrites with anger ; then poured forth his com-
passion upon the cripple at his side. May we learn to keep
the sabbath holy, with a devotion to God that blends itself
with holy love to man !
[Nos. 10, 37, 48.
Prayer.
Almighty God, from whom all good things do I be sealed by him unto the day of redemption !
come, we thank and praise thee for the mercies of j May his gracious teaching enlighten us, and his
this holy day. Make our hearts so deeply thankful \ holy comfort cheer and refresh our souls ! May no
for its many blessings, that we shall be ready to
devote ourselves afresh — body, soul, and spirit —
to thy service through the coming week.
Give unto us, God ! more of the mind which
was in Christ Jesus. May we esteem others bet-
ter than ourselves ! Teach us to pity and to help
all who are in want and sorrow. May we show
that we are Christians, not in name only, but in
deed and truth ; and, by our holy and blameless
lives, may we adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour
in all things ! May thy truth make us free !
Almighty Father, teach us to imitate thy love,
that we may be sanctified in heart and life, fitted
to serve thee here, and to dwell with thee here-
after. May we be temples of the Holy Ghost, and
cherished sin grieve this blessed Spirit, or quench
the flame of love which he would kindle within us !
Bless, Lord ! thy Church with light and peace.
Bless our government and our country. Make us
a nation fearing thee and working righteousness.
Be gracious to all our dear friends and rela-
tives, and guide their feet into the way of holiness.
Bring nigh any who may be yet far from thee.
Stablish, strengthen, and settle those who know
and love thee.
Hear, Lord ! we beseech thee, these our sup-
plications. Pardon for thy mercy's sake all our
iniquities, and do for us exceeding abundantly above
all that we ask or think, for the sake of Jesus
Christ, our most blessed Lord and Saviour. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
51
MONDAY.
Proverbs X. — 11. The mouth of a righteous
man is a well of life; but violence covereth the
mouth of the wicked.
12. Hatred stirreth up strifes ; but love covereth
all sins.
13. In the lips of him that hath understanding,
wisdom is found ; but a rod is for the back of him
that is void of understanding.
18. He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and
he that uttereth a slander, is a fool.
19. In the multitude of words there wanteth
not sin ; but he that refraineth his lips is
wise.
20. The tongue of the just is as choice silver :
the heart of the wicked is little worth.
21. The lips of the righteous feed many; but
fools die for want of wisdom.
23. It is as sport to a fool to do mischief; but a
man of understanding hath wisdom.
31. The mouth of the just bringeth forth wis-
dom ; but the froward tongue shall be cut out.
32. The lips of the righteous know what is ac-
ceptable ; but the mouth of the wicked spealceth
frowardness.
Matthew vii. — 1. Judge not, that ye be not
judged.
2. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall
be judged; and with what measure ye mete, it
shall be measured to you again.
3. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in
How ready we are to judge and criticise others ! and how
sensitive to their judgment or criticism upon ourselves!
While we cannot be indifferent to faults, we should guard
against the spirit of fault-finding; and the faults we see in
others should render us watchful concerning our own.
In estimating the conduct of others, we should endeavor to
put the best construction upon their actions, should make due
allowance for their circumstances, and be slow to judge their
motives. If we avoid hasty and censorious criticism, and are
more intent upon keeping ourselves right than making others
so, we shall be in a better position to influence them for good.
thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam
that is in thine own eye ?
4. Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me
pull out the mote out of thine eye ; and, behold,
a beam is in thine own eye ?
5. Thou hypocrite ! first cast out the beam
out of thine own eye ; and then shalt thou see
clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's
eye.
6. Give not that which is holy unto the dogs,
neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they
trample them under their feet, and turn again and
rend you.
7. Ask, and it shall be given you ; seek, and
ye shall find ; knock, and it shall be opened unto
you:
8. For every one that asketh receiveth, and he
that seeketh findeth, and to him that knocketh
it shall be opened.
9. Or what man is there of you, whom if his son
ask bread, will he give him a stone ?
10. Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a
serpent ?
11. If ye then, being evil, know how to give
good gifts unto your children, how much more
shall your Father which is in heaven give good
things to them that ask him !
12. Therefore all things whatsoever ye would
that men should do to you, do ye even so to them ;
for this is the law and the prophets.
At the same time, in proffering advice, we must discriminate
as to time, place, and persons, or we may not only throw away
good counsel, but provoke abuse and hatred in return.
The great law of intercourse with our fellow-men should
be the golden rule of love : that which it would be right and
proper for us, in their circumstances, to desire to have done to
ourselves, we should endeavor to the best of our ability to do
to them ; remembering always how we ourselves, in our weak-
ness and our sinfulness, are dependent upon the mercy of our
Father in heaven, and following his example in doing good
unto all.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 40, 89, 154.
Almighty God, who givest us all things richly
to enjoy, we bless thee that thou hast made us
capable of knowing thee as our Father, and of
holding communion with thee through thy Son,
our Saviour Jesus Christ. We come to thee with
the opening day to render thanks for light and
life, for reason, for the affections that bless our
home, for the bounties of thy providence, and the
riches of thy grace. Acknowledging our unwor-
thiness, we implore the forgiveness of our sins, and
the gracious, comforting, sanctifying presence of
thy Holy Spirit. Even as now we ask, do thou,
O Lord ! send forth thy Spirit in our hearts, crying,
Abba, Father ! and witnessing that we are thine.
Help us this day to walk before thee in lowliness
of mind, and in all holy conversation. Give to us
wisdom in our affairs, and success in our under-
takings ; the spirit of good will toward our fellow-
men, and an unworldly, unselfish mind in all
things. May we keep our tongue from evil, and
our lips from speaking guile, and rejoice in every
opportunity of doing good to others ! May this
home be sanctified by thy presence, and our hearts
filled with thy love ! and may the homes to which
our hearts go out in loving remembrance be like-
wise the habitations of thy grace ! Lord ! save
thy people, and bless thine heritage ; govern them,
and lift them up forever. Fill all lands with thy
glory, and all hearts with thy grace, through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen.
52
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
TUESDAY.
Matthew vii. — 13. Enter ye in at the strait
gate ; for wide is the gate, and broad is the way,
that leadeth to destruction, and many there be
which go in thereat :
14. Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the
way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that
find it.
15. Beware of false prophets, which come to
you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are
ravening wolves.
16. Ye shall know them by their fruits : do men
gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles ?
17. Even so every good tree bringeth forth good
fruit ; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
18. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit,
neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
19. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit
is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
20. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know
them.
21. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord,
Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven ; but
he that doeth the will of my Father which is in
heaven.
22. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord,
have we not prophesied in thy name ? and in thy
name have cast out devils ? and in thy name done
many wonderful works ?
23. And then will I profess unto them, I never
knew you : depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
24. Therefore, whosoever heareth these sayings
of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a
wise man, which built his house upon a rock :
25. And the rain descended, and the floods came,
and the winds blew, and beat upon that house;
and it fell not ; for it was founded upon a rock.
26. And every one that heareth these sayings
of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto
a foolish man, which built his house upon the
sand :
27. And the rain descended, and the floods came,
and the winds blew, and beat upon that house ; and
it fell ; and great was the fall of it.
28 And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended
these sayings, the people were astonished at his
doctrine ;
29. For he taught them as one having author-
ity, and not as the scribes.
With these words our Lord closed the Sermon on the
Mount, which, unlike the petty criticisms of the scribes touch-
ing the law, laid down the deepest principles of the inner life
with the authority of One who knew the heart, and who spake
from God. The people felt and owned this authority. It did
not proceed from office, rank, position, but from that spiritual
insight which searched the heart, and exposed the conscience
to the light of truth. That which gives power to the minis-
try is not official dignity, nor a reputed learning or sanctity,
but the faculty of carrying truth home to the heart.
Our Lord's sermon, which began with benedictions, ends
with warnings. In matters of religion, it is not safe to follow
the multitude. The way of life is narrow : it requires self-
denial, painstaking, to walk in it ; and the many prefer the
broad and easy ways of sin. It is not safe to follow every
Appropriate Hymns,]
! teacher : men, doctrines, systems, churches, must be judged by
their fruits ; and holy living is the evidence of a true faith.
Religion is an inward principle of consecration to God which
conforms the life to his will, just as the nature of a tree deter-
mines the kind and quality of its fruit. It is not enough to
make a profession of religion, and to be active in works of
piety : the motive, the principle, the heart, determines the
character ; and those who build upon their own foundation,
and are not joined to Christ by a living faith, will come to a
sudden disappointment in the end. A house built loosely
upon the sandy margin of a stream, without care for its foun-
dation, when, as often happens in Palestine, the torrents rise
swiftly with the beating tempest, will be undermined and
swept away. Let us take heed that our faith and hope are
built upon Christ the Rock.
Prayer
Blessed Lord, who hast caused all holy Scriptures
to be written for our learning, grant that we may
in such wise hear them, read, mark, learn, and in-
wardly digest them, that, by patience and comfort
of thy holy Word, we may embrace and ever hold
fast the blessed hope of everlasting life which thou
hast given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ. May
we receive the truth in the love of it ! and, walking
in its light, may we ourselves shine as lights in the
world, holding forth the word of life ! Preserve us,
we pray thee, from pride, prejudice, and unbelief;
from a worldly and covetous spirit ; from self-right-
eousness, and from uncharitableness toward others ;
from all false hopes, and from all unholy desires.
As new-born babes, may we desire the sincere milk
of the Word, that we may grow thereby.
[We entreat thee, Lord ! so to feed the chil-
dren of this household with the words of Jesus
[Nos. 11, 39, 76.
their Saviour, that they shall grow tip in the nur-
ture and admonition of the Lord. Cause them to
shun the ways of sin, and to walk in the narrow
way which leadeth unto life.] Be very gracious to
our friends, our kindred, our neighbors ; and bring
them all into the kingdom of heaven. Oh ! let thy
gospel go forth to enlighten and save the whole
world.
Heavenly Father, we thank thee for the daily
gifts of thy providence ; for rest in the night ; for
the light of the morning ; for health, comfort, and
hope. Give unto us, we pray thee, that which
thou seest to be good for us. Defend us, Lord !
from all evil ; be thou our rock, our refuge, our
strong tower ; and, when heart and flesh shall fail
us, be thou, God ! the strength of our heart, and
our portion forever, through Jesus Christ our Sa-
viour. Amen.
WEDNESDAY.
2 Peter ii. — 4. For if God spared not the angels
that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and deliv-
ered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved
unto judgment ;
5. And spared not the old world, but saved Noah
the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness,
bringing in the flood upon the world of the un-
godly ;
6. And, turning the cities of Sodom and Gomor-
rah into ashes, condemned them with an overthrow,
making them an ensample unto those that after
should live ungodly ;
7. And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy
conversation of the wicked ;
8. (Tor that righteous man dwelling among
them, in seeing and hearing, vexed Ms righteous
soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds :)
9. The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly
out of temptation, and to reserve the unjust unto
the day of judgment to be punished.
Genesis vi. — 1. And it came pass, when men
began to multiply on the face of the earth, and
daughters were born unto them,
2. That the sons of God saw the daughters of
men that they were fair ; and they took them wives
of all which they chose.
3. And the Lord said, My Spirit shall not al-
ways strive with man, for that he also is flesh ;
yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty
years.
4. There were giants in the earth in those days ;
and also after that, when the sons of God came
in unto the daughters of men, and they bare chil-
dren to them, the same became mighty men, which
were of old, men of renown.
5. And God saw that the wickedness of man
was great in the earth, and that every imagination
of the thoughts of his heart was only evil contin-
ually.
6. And it repented the Lord that he had made
man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.
7. And the Lord said, I will destroy man whom
I have created from the face of the earth, both
man and beast, and the creeping thing, and the
fowls of the air ; for it repenteth me that I have
made them.
8. But Noah found grace in the eyes of the
Lord.
The posterity of Cain appear to have inherited the evil
passions of their father : for, though they displayed much en-
ergy in material civilization, they neglected religion ; and, in
the days of Lamech, deeds of violence and blood were rife
among them. The descendants of Seth, on the contrary, are
described as men who " called on the name of the Lord : "
they showed their piety in the public worship of God. In the
course of time, however, these " sons of God " were betrayed
into alliances with the worldly, irreligious daughters of
the lineage of Cain ; and the consequence was a universal
apostasy from true religion : a race having strong physical
qualities, devoted to war and the chase, and fond of sensual
Appropriate Hymns,]
pleasures, addicted themselves to every device of evil ; until,
their reformation being hopeless, their Maker resolved upon
their destruction.
Speaking after the manner of men, the Lord is said to have
been so grieved and disappointed at the downward career of
mankind, that it repented him that he had made man in the
earth. Yet, even amid this wide-spread apostasy, some soli-
tary seeds of virtue and piety were found ; and to these was
owing the preservation of the earth from that utter destruc-
tion to which the wickedness of men had justly exposed it.
So has it been again and again with a degenerate nation : the
" holy seed " has proved its redeeming " substance."
[Nos. 5, 22, 155, 172.
Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God
Almighty ; just and true are thy ways, thou King
of saints. Who shall not fear thee, Lord ! and
glorify thy name ? for thou only art holy. When
thou with rebukes dost correct man for iniquity,
thou makest his beauty to consume away like a
moth. Thou turnest man to destruction, and say-
est, Keturn, ye children of men. Thou carriest
them away as with a flood. Yet, Lord, thou wilt not
cast off forever : thou dost not afflict willingly nor
grieve the children of men. We bless thee that
thou hast spared us the punishment that we deserve
for our sins; and we beseech thee, for Christ's sake,
to forgive and save us.
We awake this morning to the light of thy love,
to the sense of thy gracious protection, and the joy
of thy presence ; and we would bring to thee our
sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. Oh! keep
us this day from sin ; bless us in our home, in our
labors, in our studies; bless all our friends with
Prayer.
both temporal and spiritual good ; and remember
all men in mercy. May we be followers of them
who through faith and patience inherit the prom-
ises !
Lord, who hast taught us not only to pray, but
to give thanks for all men ! we beseech thee to ac-
cept our unfeigned thanks and praises for the grace
thou hast wrought in thy saints, and through them
bestowed on thy holy Church from the beginning of
the world. For all those thy servants who have
departed this life with the seal of faith, we praise
and magnify thy glorious name ; most humbly de-
siring, of thy mercy and goodness, that we may
continue in their holy communion ; and that, fol-
lowing with all diligence their holy examples, we
may together with them attain to the resurrection
of the just, and have our perfect consummation
and bliss, in body and soul, in thine eternal and
everlasting glory, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
■«*dn»«UHenawfHroRB«aBSfl
54
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
THURSDAY.
Genesis vi. — 13. And God said unto Noah,
Tho end of all flesh is come before me ; for the
earth is filled with violence through them : and,
behold, I will destroy them with the earth.
14. Make thee an ark of gopher-wood : rooms
shalt thou make in the ark, and shalt pitch it
within and without with pitch.
15. And this is the fashion which hou shalt
make it of: The length of the ark shall be three
hundred cubits, the breadth of it fifty cubits, and
the height of it thirty cubits.
16. A window shalt thou make to the ark, and
in a cubit shalt thou finish it above ; and the door
of the ark shalt thou set in the side thereof: with
lower, second, and third stories shalt thou make it.
17. And behold, I, even I, do bring a flood of
waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh, wherein
is the breath of life, from under heaven ; and every
thing that is in the earth shall die.
18. But with thee will I establish my covenant ;
and thou shalt come into the ark, thou, and thy
sons, and thy wife, and thy sons' wives with thee.
19. And of every living thing of all flesh, two
of every sort shalt thou bring into the ark, to keep
them alive with thee : they shall be male and
female.
20. Of fowls after their kind, and of cattle after
their kind, of every creeping thing of the earth
after his kind, two of every sort shall come unto
thee, to keep them alive.
21. And take thou unto thee of all food that is
eaten, and thou shalt gather it to thee ; and it shall
be for food for thee and for them.
22. Thus did Noah ; according to all that God
commanded him, so did he.
Ezekiel xiv. — 12. The word of the Lord came
again to me, saying,
13. Son of man, when the land sinneth against
me by trespassing grievously, then will I stretch
out mine hand upon it, and will break the staff of
the bread thereof, and will send famine upon it,
and will cut off man and beast from it :
14. Though these three men, Noah, Daniel, and
Job, were in it, they should deliver but their own
souls by their righteousness, saith the Lord God.
19. If I send a pestilence into that land, and
pour out my fury upon it in blood, to cut off from
it man and beast ;
20. Though Noah, Daniel, and Job were in it,
as I live, saith the Lord God, they shall deliver
neither son nor daughter : they shall but deliver
their own soids by their righteousness.
According to the usual estimate of the cubit, the ark was,
in round numbers, 525 feet long, 87 feet broad, and 52 feet
high. The largest vessel of modern times, " The Great East-
ern," is 6S0 feet long, 83 feet broad, and 58 feet high. But
the form of the ark gave it a greater capacity for stowage ;
and, since it was intended to float rather than to sail, stowage
was the first consideration. It was arranged in three tiers ;
and the ability to construct so vast a building shows that the
mechanic arts were well advanced before the flood. The
construction of the window is a mysterv, — one of the lost
arts. But how much did the ark contain 1 Such universal
terms as " all the earth," " every living thing," and the like,
are not always to be taken with literal exactness. They may
denote simply the earth as known to man. There is no
mention of fish or insects among the creatures taken into the
ark. It would have been impossible to have made room
within its area for pairs of all the species in existence at that
time, together with the food necessary to keep them alive.
Life in the ark was not sustained by miracle. Moreover,
the carnivorous animals could not have been trusted among
the tamer sorts ; and numbers of the latter must have been
provided for their food. If the flood spread only over the
region then inhabited by man, a supply of the animals re-
lated to man's uses and wants would cover the statement
of the text. Noah entered the ark at the head of the whole
creation.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 32, 57, 166.
O God ! thou art great, and greatly to be feared.
Heaven and earth are full of the majesty of thy
glory. We have sinned against heaven and in
thy sight : we are no more worthy to be called thy
children. But do thou for Jesus' sake, thine own
dear Son, have mercy upon us miserable offenders.
Behold, God our shield ! look upon the face
of thine Anointed. When troubles come, when
billows of sorrow roll over us, when thy judg-
ments are abroad in the earth, may we find refuge
in the ark of his salvation ! May we look forward
to our rest ! May our citizenship be in heaven,
and we of the company of thy saints who declare
plainly that they seek a better country ! May we
be like Christ now, remembering that we are soon
to be with him, and that forever ! May we glorify
him in the midst of an evil and gainsaying world !
and, whatever the sphere in which thy providence
has placed us, may we use our time and talents
and opportunities for thee !
We look to thee, Lord ! this day, for daily
bread. All thy creatures wait upon thee. That
thou givest them they gather. Thou openest thine
hands; they are filled with good. Oh! fill us
this day with good things. [Bless every member
of this family, parents and children, brothers and
sisters, and all our kindred : may each, in the
several relations of life, fulfil all the offices of love,
doing good to one another as thou givest oppor-
tunity !] Prosper the labors of industry ; bless the
earth with abundant harvests ; bless our land with
health, peace, plenty, righteousness ; and save the
world which thy mercy has spared, through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen-.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
55
FRIDAY.
Psalm xciii. — 1. The Lord reigneth ; lie is
clothed with majesty; the Lord is clothed with
strength, wherewith he hath girded himself: the
world also is established, that it cannot be moved.
2. Thy throne is established of old: thou art
from everlasting.
3. The floods have lifted up, Lord ! the floods
have lifted up their voice ; the floods lift up their
waves.
4. The Lord on high is mightier than the noise
of many waters ; yea, than the mighty waves of
the sea.
5. Thy testimonies are very sure : holiness be-
cometh thy house, Lord ! forever.
Genesis vii. — 1. And the Lord said unto Noah,
Come thou and all thy house into the ark ; for thee
have I seen righteous before me in this genera-
tion.
7. And Noah went in, and his sons, and his wife,
and his sons' wives with him, into the ark, because
of the waters of the flood.
8. Of clean beasts, and of beasts that are not
"We have seen (p. 5-t) that the terms "earth," "every,"
&c, may be fairly understood to mean nothing more than the
physical creation as then peopled by man, or known to man, —
a portiou of Western Asia. Had the entire globe been cov-
ered with salt water, all fresh-water fish would have perished ;
and, since none of these were taken into the ark, their species
would have become extinct. Many species of land animals
also, which could not have been contained in the ark, would
have been destroyed. But the flood was not followed by a
new creation. The flood covered all the mountains within
the range of man's vision, and devastated the whole region
where man had lived. Hence it is fitly said that " all flesh
died that moved upon the earth."
How wondrous the tribute here rendered to faith and
righteousness ! Noah was the solitary exception to the uni-
versal and abominable wickedness of his times ; and, but for
him, the entire race of man would have been destroyed from
the earth, perhaps never to have been renewed. How easily
clean, and of fowls, and of every thing that creep-
eth upon the earth,
9. There went in two and two unto Noah into
the ark, the male and the female, as God had com-
manded Noah.
10. And it came to pass, after seven days, that
the waters of the flood were upon the earth.
11. In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in
the second month, the seventeenth day of the
month, the same day were all the fountains of the
great deep broken up, and the windows of heaven
were opened.
12. And the rain was upon the earth forty days
and forty nights.
23. And every living substance was destroyed
which was upon the face of the ground, both man,
and cattle, and the creeping things, and the fowl
of the heaven ; and they were destroyed from the
earth ; and Noah only remained alive, and they
that were with him in the ark.
24. And the waters prevailed upon the earth a
hundred and fifty days.
might the Lord have translated Noah as Enoch was trans-
lated, and have closed the sad record of humanity with the
flood ! But, in the midst of judgments, he had purposes of
mercy ; and he put salvation in contrast with destruction by
providing for the safety of his servant and his family, and
continuing, through him, at once the line of descent from
Adam and the line of promise unto the Saviour. How tender
and thoughtful was the care that God took of his servant in
all the preparations for his comfort during the time of the
flood ! And how strong were the faith of Noah and his spirit
of obedience, that led him, without hesitation, to undertake so
vast a work as building and storing the ark upon the bare
command of Jehovah ! But, as he rode above that mighty
sea, that faith was justified, that righteousness was honored,
and his ark became the symbol of refuge and hope to the
people of God in all after-ages. Oh! let us all, like faith-
ful Noah, commit to God the keeping of our souls in well-
doing.
Appeopeiate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 77, 178, 185.
We lift up our eyes unto the hills, whence Com-
eth our help : our help cometh from the Lord, which
made heaven and earth. Thine angels, Lord !
have encamped round about us in the night-sea-
son, and thou hast given them charge concern-
ing us to defend us from all evil. We open our
eyes to the remembrance of thy mercy, to the con-
sciousness of thy presence, to the sense of our de-
pendence. Only our sins separate us from thee,
our loving Father ; and we beseech thee to blot
these out for thy name's sake, and to receive
us in Christ as thy redeemed and reconciled chil-
dren.
Help us, Lord ! this day, to walk worthy of
thy love, and, as obedient children, to do thy will.
[May the children of this family remember thee in
the days of their youth ! May every one of us daily
acknowledge and serve thee !] Keep us, Lord !
we pray thee, from all evil and sin this day. In
our intercourse with others may we be true and
just, loving and patient, gentle and kind, and
so may we commend unto all the gospel of thy
grace.
May thy favor be upon the community in
which we dwell, upon thy Church, upon our land !
Give peace in our time, Lord ! and incline
the hearts of our rulers to that which is just
and lawful in thy sight. Have mercy upon the
poor, the afflicted, the solitary, the bereaved ;
and cause that the grace of thy gospel shall go
forth everywhere to heal the sins and sorrows of
all mankind. Finally bring us unto thine ever-
lasting kingdom, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
56
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
SATURDAY.
Psalm civ. — 1. Bless the Lord, my soul!
Lord my God ! thou art very great ; thou art
clothed with honor and majesty :
2. Who coverest thyself with light as with a
garment ; who stretchest out the heavens like a
curtain ;
3. Who layeth the heams of his chambers in
the waters ; who maketh the clouds his chariot ;
who walketh upon the wings of the wind;
4. Who maketh his angels spirits, his ministers
a flaming fire ;
5. Who laid the foundations of the earth, that
it should not be removed forever.
6. Thou coveredst it with the deep as with
a garment :. the waters stood above the moun-
tains.
7. At thy rebuke they fled ; at the voice of thy
thunder they hasted away.
8. They go up by the mountains ; they go down
by the valleys unto the place which thou hast
founded for them.
9. Thou hast set a bound that they may not
pass over ; that they turn not again to cover the
earth.
Genesis viii. — 1. And God remembered Noah,
and every living thing, and all the cattle that was
with him in the ark ; and God made a wind to pass
over the earth, and the waters assuaged.
2. The fountains also of the deep, and the win-
dows of heaven, were stopped, and the rain from
heaven was restrained.
3. And the waters returned from off the earth
continually ; and, after the end of the hundred and
fifty days, the waters were abated.
4. And the ark rested in the seventh month, on
the seventeenth day of the month, upon the moun-
tains of Ararat.
5. And the waters decreased continually, until
the tenth month : in the tenth month, on the first
day of the month, were the tops of the mountains
seen.
6. And it came to pass at the end of forty days,
that Noah opened the window of the ark which he
had made ;
7. And he sent forth a raven, which went forth
to and fro until the waters were dried up from off
the earth.
8. Also he sent forth a dove from him to see if
the waters were abated from off the face of the
ground.
9. But the dove found no rest for the sole of her
foot, and she returned unto him into the ark ; for
the waters were on the face of the whole earth.
Then he put forth his hand and took her, and
pulled her in unto him into the ark.
10. And he staid yet other seven days ; and
again he sent forth the dove out of the ark.
11. And the dove came in to him in the even-
ing ; and, lo ! in her mouth was an olive-leaf
plucked off. So Noah knew that the waters were
abated from off the earth.
12. And he staid yet other seven days, and sent
forth the dove ; which returned not again unto him
any more.
How tender and loving was the care of God for the ark
and its inhabitants! Not for a moment were these forgotten.
When the flood had accomplished its work of destruction, God
at once began to prepare the desolated earth to be again the
habitation of man. Even the beasts were thought of in this
new provision of his mercy ; for God remembered not Noah
and his family alone, but all the creatures that were with him
in the ark.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Blessed be God, the Father of all mercies, for
the mercies of the past night ; for shelter, safety,
comfort, rest, and peace. How precious are thy
thoughts unto us, God ! how great is the sum of
them! When we awake, we are still with thee.
So would our hearts rise to thee, Lord ! with the
morning light, with the incense of prayer and
praise ; yea, we would present our bodies unto thee
a living sacrifice. May this, our reasonable service,
be made holy through the blood of Jesus, and ac-
ceptable through the Spirit of all grace ! May the
Holy Spirit like a dove descend and rest upon us,
making our home and our hearts the abode of
peace !
Help us this day to live unto thee, and in all
The birds were true to their instincts, — the raven flying in-
cessantly back and forth, the dove returning in search of rest.
The fact that the dove found an olive-leaf shows that the
waters had risen steadily and gradually, and that the face of
Nature was not utterly wasted. How beautiful a symbol was
this bird of peace of the assuaging of the divine wrath, and
the return of man to his rest and hope in the loving-kindness
of the Lord !
[Nos. 26, 54, 103.
Prayer.
our works and ways to do that which is well-pleas-
ing in thy sight. Prosper, we beseech thee, the
labor of our hands, our studies, our various call-
ings; bless to us the means of knowledge and
improvement ; make us thoughtful of others, con-
siderate of the poor and afflicted, wise and ready
unto every good word and work. We commend
unto thee our kindred and friends, beseeching thee
to grant them the promise of the life that now
is ; and in the world to come, life everlasting. We
pray for thy holy Church universal, for the coming
of light and peace and salvation in the latter-day
glory to all the earth, through Christ our Lord ;
and to thy name be power and glory and dominion,
world without end. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
57
SUNDAY MORNING.
Genesis viii. — 15. And God spake unto Noah,
saying,
16. Go forth of the ark, thou, and thy wife, and
thy sons, and thy sons' wives with thee. ,
17. Bring forth with thee every living thing that
is with thee, of all flesh, both of fowl, and of cat-
tle, and of every creeping thing that creepeth upon
the earth ; that they may breed abundantly in the
earth, and be fruitful, and multiply upon the earth.
18. And Noah went forth, and his sons, and his
wife, and his sons' wives with him :
19. Every beast, every creeping thing, and every
fowl, and whatsoever creepeth upon the earth,
after then- kinds, went forth out of the ark.
20. And Noah builded an altar unto the Lord,
and took of every clean beast, and of every clean
fowl, and offered burnt-offerings on the altar.
21. And the Lord smelled a sweet savor : and
the Lord said in his heart, I will not again curse
the ground any more for man's sake ; for the im-
agination of man's heart is evil from his youth ;
neither will I again smite any more every thing
living, as I have done.
22. "While the earth remaineth, seed-time and
The charmins: simplicity of man's intercourse with God in
the garden of Eden was here renewed through the second
father of the race. Noah's first thought, on finding himself
once more upon the solid ground, was to render to God grati-
tude and devotion for the preservation of himself and his
family. He did not think first of his own wants, of building
a house for himself, of preserving his scanty stock of ani-
mals, and selecting the best for breeding ; but he built an al-
tar, and culled out the very choicest of the beasts and birds,
and offered these to the Lord in sacrifice. And God, who
harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and win-
ter, and day and night, shall not cease.
Isaiah liv. — 2. Enlarge the place of thy tent,
and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine
habitations; spare not, lengthen thy cords, and
strengthen thy stakes :
3. For thou shalt break forth on the right hand
and on the left ; and thy seed shall inherit the
Gentiles, and make the desolate cities to be in-
habited.
7. For a small moment have I forsaken thee, but
with great mercies will I gather thee.
8. In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for
a moment ; but with everlasting kindness will I
have mercy on thee, saith the Lord thy Bedeemer.
9. For this is as the waters of Noah unto me ;
for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah should
no more go over the earth, so have I sworn that I
would not be wroth with thee, nor rebuke thee.
10. For the mountains shall depart, and the hills
be removed ; but my kindness shall not depart from
thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be
removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on
thee.
ever delights in mercy, and welcomes the least sign of love
and gratitude in man, accepted this offering as grateful to his
own heart, and responded to it by a new covenant to preserve
the earth in the orderly succession of its seasons, in the beauty
and fruitfulness of its harvests. Observe how closely related
are physical blessings to religious faith and obedience. He
who loves and serves God receives not only gifts of grace, but
the pledge of divine favor in all things ; and the very earth
in its teeming prosperity is a witness to the loving faithful-
ness of God to a righteous man.
Appropriate Htjtxs,]
Prayer.
£Nbs. 27, 32, 81.
It is good to give thanks unto thee, Lord !
and to sing praises to thy name, thou Most High !
to show forth thy loving-kindness in the morning,
and thy faithfulness every night. We thank thee
for the quiet and sleep of the past night, and for
the renewed vitror that is ours this morninsr.
Lord ! we thank thee that we have the means
of satisfying our daily wants. The earth is thine,
and the fulness thereof; the beasts of the forest,
and the cattle upon a thousand hills. It is thou
who hast ordained seed-time and harvest, summer
and winter : thou dost crown the year with plenty,
and dost give seed to the sower, and bread to the
eater. Fulfil this day, we beseech thee, the prom-
ise that thy word shall be even as the rain, and as
good seed in good ground. Oh ! feed our souls with
the bread of life. May thy goodness lead us to
devote all our possessions to thy service ! may what
God has given be consecrated to him ! and to-day
may we go forth as stewards of thy grace, to suc-
cor the needy and comfort the sorrowing, remem-
bering that every one of us shall give account of
himself to God !
[Lord, look upon us as a family. May the chil-
dren obey their parents in the Lord, and love one
another ! Help them in acquiring that knowl-
edge which will be of service to them in the
present life; and, above all, may they know thee
the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou
hast sent !]
We pray for thy rich blessing, Lord ! this day,
upon all means and labors for the spread of divine
truth. Prosper thy servants who are employed in
the instruction of the young, in the visitation of
the poor, the afflicted, the distressed ; and pour out
thy Spirit, thou great Head of the Church, on all
ministers and missionaries who have sat at thy
feet, received thy word, and are devoted to thy
glory ; and fill thy Church with thy praise.
Oh ! may our worship go up before thee as a sac-
rifice of sweet savor, through Jesus Christ our
Lord ! Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
SUNDAY EVENING.
Genesis ix. — 8. And God spake unto Noah,
and to his sons with him, saying,
9. And I, behold, I establish my covenant with
you, and with your seed after you ;
10. And with every living creature that is with
you, of the fowl, of the cattle, and of every beast
of the earth with you, from all that go out of the
ark, to every beast of the earth.
11. And I will establish my covenant with you ;
neither shall all flesh be cut off any more by the
waters of a flood, neither shall there any more be
a flood to destroy the earth.
12. And God said, This is the token of the cove-
nant which I make between me and you, and every
living creature that is with you, for perpetual gen-
erations :
13. I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be
for a token of a covenant between me and the earth.
14. And it shall come to pass, when I bring a
cloud over the earth, that the bow shall be seen in
the cloud :
15. And I will remember my covenant, which is
between me and you, and every living creature of
all flesh ; and the waters shall no more become a
flood to destroy all flesh.
16. And the bow shall be in the cloud; and
I will look upon it, that I may remember the
everlasting covenant between God and every
living creature of all flesh that is upon the
earth.
17. And God said unto Noah, This is the token
of the covenant which I have established between
me and all flesh that is upon the earth.
Ezekiel i. — 26. And above the firmament that
was over their heads ivas the likeness of a throne,
as the appearance of a sapphire stone ; and upon
the likeness of the throne was the likeness as the
appearance of a man above upon it.
27. And I saw as the color of amber, as the ap-
pearance of fire round about within it, from the
appearance of his loins even upward, and from the
appearance of his loins even downward, I saw as
it were the appearance of fire, and it had bright-
ness round about.
28. As the appearance of the bow that is in the
cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of
the brightness round about. This ivas the appear-
ance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord.
And when I saw it I fell upon my face, and I
heard a voice of one that spake.
The early biblical histoiy records a series of moral experi-
ments with the human race, in which the grace of God was
contrasted with the wickedness of men. Adam was placed
under the most favorable conditions, but fell before the first
temptation. Cain transformed the earth from a paradise into
a hell. The grace of God revived spiritual life in Seth and
Enos, and " men began to call upon the name of the Lord : "
but, as we have already seen (p. 5.3), the descendants of Seth,
" the sons of God," intermarried with the posterity of
Cain, the beautiful but impioais " daughters of men ; " and
by this means wickedness became so great, that God deter-
mined to sweep over with a flood the regions peopled by man.
Yet a remnant of righteousness, in Noah and his family, was
preserved in the ark ; and, now that the flood had subsided,
the Lord appropriated the most beautiful object in Nature, the
bow in the cloud, as the symbol of his grace, to remind men,
that, however their sins may provoke his judgments, he de-
lighteth in mercy. The prophet Ezekiel, and the apostle John
in the Revelation, picture the Son of man in heaven as sur-
rounded with this beautiful emblem of love and peace. The
ark itself is another such symbol, — the place of refuge made
ready for us, the provision of mercy freely offered, the gospel
of salvation inviting us to escape the judgment to come, the
Church of God upheld by his covenant grace amid all the
commotions of the world. Oh, may our souls find refuge and
rest in the ark, and abide beneath the bow of promise !
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 8, 41, 42.
God, whose mercy is from everlasting to ever-
lasting ! we bless thee for thy loving-kindness to
us in the abounding gifts of thy providence and
grace ; but, above all, for the gift of thy Son, our
Mediator, who standeth between us and thy judg-
ments as the bow that is in the cloud in the day
of rain. May he be our righteousness and our
peace ! and may we be found in him in the great
day of his appearing ! We bless thee for all the
tokens of promise given us in thy past mercies ;
for the hope of immortality, the joy unspeakable
and full of glory brought to us in thy gospel and in
the worship of thy house this day.
And now, at the end of the Lord's day, we
would thank thee for its hours of rest, and for
its means of grace. Hasten that blessed time
when thy kingdom shall have come, and all
shall know thee, from the least even to the
greatest ; when the knowledge of thy glory shall
cover the earth as the waters cover the sea. And,
to that end, prosper thou the missionary work
of thy Church. Turn towards thyself the hearts of
the heathen and the unbelieving. Pour out more
and more upon thy people the spirit of grace and
supplication ; the spirit of zeal and self-devotion ;
the spirit of holy fear and Christian love.
To thee, heavenly Father, we commend ourselves
this night. O thou Good Shepherd! watch over
us, the sheep of thy pasture. Holy Ghost, the
Comforter ! guide and hallow our thoughts.
Thou in whom all families are blessed, bless thou
our kindred and friends. May all who are united
to us be with us united to thee ; be with us pre-
sented by thee in the presence of thy Father with
exceeding joy ! And to the Father, the Son, and
the Holy Ghost, be glory everlasting. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
59
MONDAY.
2 Peter iii. — 1. This second epistle, beloved, I
now write unto you, in both which I stir up your
pure minds by way of remembrance ;
2. That ye may be mindful of the words which
were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of
the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord
and Saviour :
3. Knowing this first, that there shall come
in the last days scoffers, walking after their own
lusts,
4. And saying, Where is the promise of his com-
ing? for, since the fathers fell asleep, all things
continue as they were from the beginning of the
creation.
5. For this they willingly are ignorant of, that
by the word of God the heavens were of old, and
the earth standing out of the water and in the
water ;
6. Whereby the world that then was, being over-
flowed with water, perished :
7. But the heavens and the earth, which are
now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved
unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition
of ungodly men.
8. But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one
thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand
years, and a thousand years as one day.
9. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise,
as some men count slackness ; but is long-suffering
to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but
that all should come to repentance.
10. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief
in the night ; in the which the heavens shall pass
away with a great noise, and the elements sball
melt with fervent heat ; the earth also and the
works that are therein shall be burned up.
11. Seeing, then, that all these things shall be
dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be
in all holy conversation and godliness,
12. Looking for and hasting unto the coming of
the day of God, wherein the heavens, being on fire,
shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with
fervent heat?
13. Nevertheless, we, according to his promise,
look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein
dwelleth righteousness.
14. Wherefore, beloA^ed, seeing that ye lcok for
such things, be diligent that ye may be found of
him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
15. And account that the long-suffering of our
Lord is salvation.
17. Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these
tilings before, beware lest ye also, being led away
with the error of the wicked, fall from your own
steadfastness.
18. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of
our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be
glory both now and forever. Amen.
" The heavens and the earth " denote this world with its
atmosphere, which is the medium through which man is ac-
quainted with the heavenly bodies, — that material consti-
tution of things with which man is directly connected, and
through which he is connected also with the whole physical
universe. The world, as the abode of man, was once destroyed
by water; but the earth was not annihilated, nor were the
sun, moon, and stars affected by the flood, except as they were
blotted out to the. view of man. A geological change upon a
grander scale will hereafter take place through the agency of
fire, which even now rages in the interior of our globe, rend-
ing it with earthquakes, and belching forth through volcanoes.
That fiery convulsion will consrme every vestige of sin ; and
the renovated, reconstituted earth, with its pure, bright, ethe-
real atmosphere, or " heavens," will be one mansion of the re-
deemed in the vast area of their " Father's house."
The certainty of this coming destruction should cause us
to lead unworldly, godly lives ; the delay of it should discipline
our faith, and lead us to improve the time in bringing men to
holiness ; the fact that it will come suddenly should keep us
watchful against sin ; the prospect of the glory beyond should
make us diligent in the service of Christ.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Kos. 39, 46, 91.
Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foun-
dations of the earth ; and the heavens are the
works of thine hands. They shall perish ; but thou
remainest : and they shall wax old as doth a gar-
ment ; and as a vesture shalt thou fold them up,
and they shall be changed ; but thou art the same,
and thy years shall not fail. In thee, Lord ! do
we put our trust : let us never be confounded.
With our affections on things above, may we be
ever looking for that blessed hope, even the glo-
rious appearing of the great God, our Saviour Jesus
Christ, like waiting and expectant servants, seek-
ing to occupy till our Lord comes ! Keep us from
inactivity and sloth. Let our loins be girded, and
our lamps burning. Let us be growing in faith
and love, in charity and meekness, in diligence
and faithfulness, rejoicing in hope of the glory of
God.
Father, glorify thy name. Darkness is still cov-
ering the lands, and gross darkness the peojde ;
but may the Lord arise, and his glory be seen on
the earth ! May the time to favor Zion, yea, the
set time, speedily come ! Bevive thy work in the
midst of the years ; in the midst of wrath do
thou remember mercy.
We bring to thee our personal and family wants,
praying thee to guide, help, and bless us. We
come with thanksgiving for the mercies of the
night and of our past lives ; and for our future,
trusting only in thy grace, we would commit our
souls unto thee as to our faithful Creator. To
whom be glory and dominion forever. Amen.
60
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
TUESDAY.
Revelation XX. — 11. And I saw a great white
throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face
the earth and the heaven fled away; and there
was found no place for them.
12. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand
before God; and the books were opened; and
another book was opened, which is the book of life ;
and the dead were judged out of those things
which were written in the books, according to
their works.
13. And the sea gave up the dead which were
in it, and death and hell delivered up the dead
which were in them ; and they were judged every
man according to their works.
14. And death and hell were cast into the lake
of fire. This is the second death.
15. And whosoever was not found written in
the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
Revelation xxi. — 1. And I saw a new heaven
and a new earth : for the first heaven and the first
earth were passed away ; and there was no more sea.
2. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusa-
lem, coming down from God out of heaven, pre-
pared as a bride adorned for her husband.
3. And I heard a great voice out of heaven, say-
ing, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and
he will dwell with them, and they shall be his peo-
ple ; and God himself shall be with them, mid be
their God.
4. And God shall wipe away all tears from their
eyes ; and there shall be no more death, neither
sorrow nor crying, neither sball tbere be any more
pain : for the former things are passed away.
5. And he that sat upon the throne said, Be-
hold, I make all things new. And he said
unto me, Write; for these words are true and
faithful.
6. And he said unto me, It is done. I am
Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I
will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain
of the water of life freely.
7. He that overcometh shall inherit all things ;
and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.
8. But the fearful and unbelieving, and the
abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers,
and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, sball
have their part in the lake which burnetii with
fire and brimstone ; which is the second death.
The renovation of the earth and its atmospheric " heaven "
was described under the last lesson. The disappearing of
the sea argues a complete change in the conditions of existence,
— a change as difficult for us now to conceive of as it would
have been for a spectator of our globe, when the air was
dense with the noxious gases of the carboniferous era, to con-
ceive of the earth as fitted for the abode of man. We should
remember that this wondrous scene appeared to John in a
vision ; and a vision must be expected to present incongruities,
if we press its interpretation to literal exactness. " Nature
will not be annihilated, but purified : all corruption shall be
swept away ; but the work of God shall remain." Under the
type of the new Jerusalem — the central dwelling-place of
Jehovah — coming down out of heaven, the apostle describes
the abiding presence and the loving communion of God with
the redeemed of this world. They shall forever realize that
God is with them as their Father, their Saviour, and their joy.
The negations of the fourth verse are peculiarly impressive.
We are not told what heaven is, nor of what its joys con-
sist ; but nothing that has here' caused evil or suffering shall
be there. The apostle pictures before him all the woes of this
world : the canvas is lurid with war, red with crimes, sombre
with grief, black with death ; and he takes his pencil, dipped
in the incandescent light of heaven, and draws it across the
scene, and every vestige of sorrow vanishes, and the golden
city of God fills the whole vision. This wondrous blessed-
ness shall be given to every one who trusts lovingly in
Christ. But the incorrigibly wicked, the unbelieving and
the faithless, shall be shut out by their own fault. Oh ! let
us make sure of the grace so freely offered.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 19, 20, 34.
O God, who hast prepared for those who love
thee such good things as pass man's understand-
ing ! pour into our hearts such love toward thee,
that we, loving thee above all things, may obtain
thy promises, which exceed all that we can desire ;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. May we believe
all that thou hast spoken, and set our affections
upon things above !
We thank thee, Lord ! for the precious com-
fort that remains to us concerning dear friends
who have departed in the faith ; that to them
heaven is even now a reality ; that they have no
more want, nor sorrow, nor care, nor sin. Oh, may
heaven be a reality to our faith ! and may the hope
of it, yea, the assurance of it as our home, lift us
above all the temptations and trials of this present
world ! Give to us strength for labors, courage
for conflicts, patience under afflictions, fidelity to
duty, and faith that shall endure to the end, and
sball make us more tban conquerors over death.
May the true life be now begun in our souls, and
daily may we live in thee !
We praise thee, Lord ! for the blessings of the
present time ; for another night of rest ; for another
morning of mercy and hope. Oh, may we this day
love thee more, know thee more, and serve thee bet-
ter than ever before ! In all that is given us to do
may we glorify thy name ; in all that we are called
to bear may we accept thy holy will ! So may we
daily live to thee ; and, when the things of earth
shall pass away, make us to be numbered with
thy saints in glory everlasting, through Jesus
Christ our Saviour; to whom be all honor and
glory, world without end. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
61
WEDNESDAY.
James i. — 1. James, a servant of God and of
the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which
are scattered abroad, greeting.
2. My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall
into divers temptations ;
3. Knowing this, that the trying of your faith
worketh patience.
4. But let patience have her perfect work, that
ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
5. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of
God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraid-
eth not ; and it shall be given him.
6. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering.
For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea
driven with the wind and tossed.
7. For let not that man think that he shall re-
ceive any thing of the Lord.
8. A double-minded man is unstable in all his
ways.
9. Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that
he is exalted :
10. But the rich, in that he is made low ; be-
cause as the flower of the grass he shall pass away.
11. For the sun is no sooner risen with a burn-
ing heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower
thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it
perisheth : so also shall the rich man fade away in
his ways.
12. Blessed is the man that endureth tempta-
tion; for, when he is tried, he shall receive the
crown of life which the Lord hath promised to
them that love him.
13. Let no man say when he is tempted, I am
tempted of God ; for God cannot be tempted with
evil, neither tempteth he any man :
14. But every man is tempted when he is drawn
away of his own lust and enticed.
15. Then, when lust hath conceived, it bringeth
forth sin; and sin, when it is finished, bringeth
forth death.
16. Do not err, my beloved brethren.
17. Every good gift and every perfect gift is
from above, and cometh down from the Fatber of
lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shad-
ow of turning.
18. Of his own will begat he us with the word
of truth, that we should be a kind of first-fruits of
his creatures.
19. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every
man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath ;
20. For the wrath of man worketh not the
righteousness of God.
21. Wherefore lay apart all filthiness, and su-
perfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meek-
ness the ingrafted word, which is able to save your
souls.
The philosophy of sin is given in verses 13-16 in terms that
answer exactly to our own experience. God is not the author
of sin : God does not subject us to temptation, that, through
sinning, we may illustrate his grace. Trials as tests of our
choice of good or evil, of our faith in himself, of our
love and devotion, he does appoint for our moral discipline
and culture ; but temptations that look toward sin, and lead
to sin, are the prompting of our own desires, when these are
loosed from the control of reason and conscience. The sin
does not lie in the fact of temptation, nor in the susceptibil-
ity to temptation : but when we suffer our susceptibilities to
natural good to be wrought upon to such a degree that they
entice us to forget reason, conscience, duty to God ; when
these over-stimulated desires come to a head in the decision
of the will to gratify them, — then do they bring forth sin.
The counteractive to such temptation is a just conception of
our highest good as in God, and from him; a patient, prayer-
ful, unwavering trust in him ; and the keeping his word in our
hearts as our law and guide.
Appropeiate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 28, 40, 67.
O God, in whom we live and move, and have
our being, and from whom all blessings flow ! we
give thee thanks for thy care and guardianship
during the past night, and for the light and com-
fort of this morning. We take the cup of salva-
tion, and call upon thy name. We adore thee for
health and reason, and the manifold bounties of
thy providence. Give us that due sense of all thy
mercies, that our hearts maybe unfeignedly thank-
ful ; and that we may show forth thy praise, not
only with our lips, but in our lives. We bring to
thee this household and all who are allied to us by
kindred or affection, and pray for thy good gifts
from above, according to thy wisdom and our
necessities.
Holy Father, we commit ourselves to thy love
and blessing for the day. We go forth to its du-
ties in childlike dependence on thy strength and
wisdom and grace. Preserve us from temptation
and sin, from danger and from death. Help us to
walk as becometh saints, keeping our garments un-
spotted from the world. Teach us to govern our
tempers, to subdue our passions, to do whatsoever
things are true, whatsoever things are honest,
whatsoever things are good, and whatsoever things
are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, and what-
soever things are of good report. Pitifully behold
us in our weakness and insufficiency, and grant
unto us strength and fortitude and all heavenly
influence. Suffer not our affections to be fixed on
the things of earth and time : purify and lift
them up to things unseen and eternal.
All this we ask in the name of Him who hath
redeemed us with his most precious blood, our only
Mediator, Jesus Christ ; to whom be glory in the
Church throughout all ages. Amen.
62
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
THURSDAY.
James i. — 22. Be ye doers of the word, and
not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
23. For if any he a hearer of the word, and not
a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural
face in a glass ;
24. For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his
way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of
man he was.
25. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of
liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a for-
getful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man
shall be blessed in his deed.
26. If any man among you seem to be religious,
and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own
heart, this man's religion is vain.
27. Pure religion and undefiled before God and
the Father is this : To visit the fatherless and
widows in their affliction, and to keex^ himself un-
spotted from the world.
James ii. — 14. What doth it profit, my breth-
ren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not
works ? Can faith save him ?
15. If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute
of daily food,
16. And one of you say unto them, Depart in
peace, be ye warmed and filled, notwithstanding
ye give them not those things which are needful
to the body, what doth it profit ?
Faith and works are like the two poles of the galvanic
battery : they must be brought together in order that the cur-
rent of life may flow and give out sparks of love. Either is
powerless without the other. They are the two foci of an
ellipse, in which the Christian life moves on its heavenly
course, — now nearing one, and now the other, — but held by
both in constant equilibrium. To remove either would be to
make that life erratic, or cause it suddenly to collapse and
come to a stand. James represents one pole, one focus ; Paul,
the other. Their teachings are not opposed, and should not
be divorced.
James puts faith into concrete forms. He holds as
strongly as docs Paul to the necessity of faith : every thing
17. Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead,
being alone.
18. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and
I have works : show me thy faith without thy
works, and I will show thee my faith by my
works.
19. Thou believest that there is one God ; thou
doest well : the devils also believe, and trem-
ble.
20. But wilt thou knoAv, vain man ! that faith
without works is dead ?
21. Was not Abraham our father justified by
works when he had offered Isaac his son upon the
altar ?
22. Seest thou how faith wrought with his works,
and by works was faith made perfect ?
23. And the scripture was fulfilled which saith,
Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto
him for righteousness ; and he was called the
Friend of God.
24. Ye see, then, how that by works a man is
justified, and not by faith only.
25. Likewise also was not Bahab the harlot
justified by works when she had received the
messengers, and had sent them out another
way ?
26. For as the body without the spirit is dead,
so faith without works is dead also.
must be sought in faith ; every thing must be done in faith.
But it must be a living faith, — a faith that shows its sincerity
by the sacrifices of self which it makes, by the works of love
which it performs. A merely intellectual orthodoxy may be
held hy demons. A mere profession of faith may be worth
no more than the body of a man without the breath of life.
A true faith loves, works, lives. It regulates the conscience,
the speech, and the life, by the conviction of God's constant
presence ; it shows its appreciation of spiritual realities by
separation from the world ; it takes the law of God as a re-
ality, and, bringing its grand truths and inspiring motives
to bear directly upon the conduct of every day, works by
love.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 60, Gl.
Almighty God, who dwellest in light that no
man can approach unto, we bless thee that thou
comest to us in the gentle opening of the day, and
dost visit us every morning with the light and
warmth of thy love. May our eyes ever discern
thee in thy works, and our hearts ever open to
welcome thee ! May thy Word scatter from our
minds all unbelief, error, and darkness ! may it
make us pure within ! May thy Spirit deliver us
from all sin, and lead us in the light of thy coun-
tenance !
Blessed be thy name that we are permitted to
draw nigh unto thee through Jesus Christ our
Saviour, who for us hath entered within the veil.
Oh, may the sense of thy presence keep us this
day unspotted from the world ! Give us grace to
be just and upright in all our dealings; quiet and
peaceable ; full of compassion, and ready to do good
to all men according to our abilities and opportuni-
ties. Direct us in all our ways, and prosper the
work of our hands in the business of our several
stations. Defend us from all dangers and adver-
sities; and be graciously pleased to take us, and
all tilings belonging to us, under thy fatherly care
and protection. These things, and whatever else
thou shalt see necessary and convenient for us,
we humbly beg through the merits and mediation
of thy Son Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour;
who, with thee and the Holy Ghost, livest and
reignest evermore. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
FKIDAY.
Proverbs xxii. — 1. A good name is rather to be
chosen than great riches, and loving favor rather
than silver and gold.
2. The rich and poor meet together : the Lord is
the maker of them all.
4. By humility and the fear of the Lord are
riches and honor and life.
16. He tli at oppresseth the poor to increase his
riches, and he that giveth to the rich, shall surely
come to want.
22. Rob not the poor because he is poor ; neither
oppress the afflicted in the gate :
23. For the Lord will plead their cause, and
spoil the soul of those that spoiled them.
James ii. — 1. My brethren, have not the faith
of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with
respect of persons.
2. For if there come unto your assembly a man
with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come
in also a poor man in vile raiment ;
3. And ye have respect to him that weareth the
gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a
good place ; and say to the poor, Stand thou there,
or sit here under my footstool :
4. Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are
become judges of evil thoughts ?
Christianity elevates the poor by teaching the eqnal worth
of all men in the sight of God, the equal share of all in
the redemption of Christ, the equal right of all to the privi-
leges of worship ; and by inculcating upon all the spirit of
mutual kindness. The equality taught by the gospel is not
socialism : it does not require the equal distribution of property ;
does not call upon the rich to surrender their possessions in-
discriminately to the poor ; but it forbids the rich to be haughty
and distant toward their poorer brethren, or cold and unchar-
itable toward any because of their condition. It forbids mak-
ing worldly circumstances a ground of distinction in the
5. Hearken, my beloved brethren : Hath not God
chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and
heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to
them that love him ?
6. But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich
men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment-
seats ?
7. Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by
the which ye are called ?
8. If ye fulfil the royal law according to the
scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself,
ye do well ;
9. But, if ye have respect to persons, ye commit
sin, and are convinced of the law as transgress-
ors.
10. For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and
yet offend in one. point, he is guilty of all.
11. For he that said, Do not commit adultery,
said also, Do not kill. Now, if thou commit no
adultery, yet, if thou kill, thou art become a trans-
gressor of the law.
12. So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be
judged by the law of liberty.
13. For he shall have judgment without mercy
that hath showed no mercy ; and mercy rejoiceth
against judgment.
Church ; and sets up God's electing love in spiritual things as
the true standard of honor, the true basis of communion.
The law of God is not a string of precepts : it is a princi-
ple, a spirit, a unity. It encircles one like a ring of gold. If
he steps over it at any point, he goes outside of it, and is a
transgressor as really as though he should break it in pieces
at ever}' point. Indeed, one breaks this law by the spirit of
pride, of envy, of jealousy ; by any feeling, which, if carried
out into action, would do injury to a neighbor. Only the
spirit of love, pervading all our conduct, can preserve intact
the pure and holy law.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 11, 53, 63.
May thy good Spirit, Lord ! we pray thee,
write in our hearts the things that we have heard
out of thy Holy Scriptures, that we may this day
walk according to thy word, doing thy will, and
showing forth thy praise ! We have followed too
much the devices and desires of our own hearts,
and have erred and strayed from thy ways. We
confess our sin and folly, and entreat thee for
Christ's sake to forgive the errors and iniquities of
our past lives, and henceforth to lead us in the way
everlasting. Thou hast not dealt with us accord-
ing to our sins, but hast been patient and long-
suffering, and abundant in goodness and mercy.
Oh, may thy great love toward us in Christ our Sa-
viour bind us to thee in grateful and loving devotion !
May we love supremely the things that thou lovest ;
love and practise whatsoever is true, honest, just,
pure, lovely, and of good report ; love the Church
of our Lord Jesus Christ which he hath redeemed
with his own precious blood ; love our fellow-men,
and do them good as thou givest us opportunity ;
in all things living, not to ourselves, but to Him
who loved us, and died for us, and rose again !
And do thou, Lord ! hasten the blessed day
when thy kingdom shall come, and thy will be
done in earth as it is in heaven.
With thanksgivings for the mercies of the past
night and of the opening day, for shelter and re-
pose, for food and raiment, for health and home ;
with supplications for thy favor and guidance in all
that is before us, and for the blessings of thy prov-
idence and grace upon all dear to us, — we ask and
offer all in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus
Christ ; for whom we ever bless thee ;. to whom,
with thee, Father! and the Holy Ghost, be praise
and glory evermore. Amen.
64
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
SATURDAY.
John iv. — 1. When, therefore, the Lord knew
how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and
baptized more disciples than John,
2. (Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his
disciples,)
3. He left Judsea, and departed again into Gali-
lee.
4. And he must needs go through Samaria.
5. Then cometh he to a city of Samaria, which
is called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that
Jacob gave to his son Joseph.
6. Now, Jacob's well was there. Jesus therefore,
being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the
well ; and it was about the sixth hour.
7. There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw
water : Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink.
8. (For his disciples were gone away unto the
city to buy meat.)
9. Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him,
How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of
me, which am a woman of Samaria ? for the Jews
have no dealings with the Samaritans.
10. Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou
knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to
thee, Give me to drink, thou wouldest have asked
of him, and he would have given thee living water.
11. The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast
nothing to draw with, and the well is deep : from
whence, then, hast thou that living water ?
12. Art thou greater than our father Jacob,
which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself,
and his children, and his cattle ?
13. Jesus answered and said unto her, Whoso-
ever drinketh of this water shall thirst again :
14. But whosoever drinketh of the water that I
shall give him shall never thirst ; but the water
that I shall give him shall be in him a well of
water springing up into everlasting life.
15. The woman saith unto him, Sir, give me this
water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw.
In going northward from Judoea into Galilee, our Lord
would necessarily pass through the central district of Palestine,
then peopled by the descendants of the colony sent by the king
of Assyria to occupy the cities from which he had carried away
the Israelites into captivity. These " Samaritans," originally
idolaters, had embraced in part the Mosaic law, and set up a
temple of their own upon M't. Gerizim. Between this moun-
tain on the south, and Ebal on the north, about one-third of a
mile in width, lies the Vale of Shechem, a lovely valley of
groves, gardens, and orchards, kept green and fresh by springs
and rivulets, and shaded with the soft gray tints of the olive.
In the midst of this enchanting verdure, and surrounded by
fountains and purling brooks, stands a picturesque town of
white houses, crowning the upper end of the valley ; and at
the mouth of the valley, barely two miles below, is the well
which sacred history and unbroken tradition identify with the
name of Jacob. By the side of this well Jesus halted at noon
to rest, while his disciples went up to Sychar to buy pro-
visions.
How tenderly is the Saviour brought home to our sympa-
thies by the fact that he was weary and thirsty ! — "a poor
wayfaring man of grief; " and how wondrous that union of
divine grace with human weakness which made this weary,
thirsty man the source to us of full and abiding strength and
consolation ! He who receives Christ has within himself the
power of an endless life. Whatever his earthly privations and
wants, he possesses an inward satisfaction which nothing can
disturb ; a supply of strength, comfort, hope, joy, that noth-
ing can exhaust. The well is within him, and it is deep;
but it bubbles up with its perennial fulness, and causes the
eye and the lip to sparkle with the exuberant life and strength
and joy within. May Christ be to every one of us the all-sym-
pathizing and the all-sufficing Saviour !
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 3, 192, 195.
O God, who art the fountain of life and light,
the source of all blessing! we give thee thanks for
the light of this morning ; for the gifts of thy kind
providence ; for the continuance of our reason ;
for the throne of the heavenly grace. We praise
thee for the Holy Scriptures, which are able to
make us wise unto salvation through faith in Christ
Jesus. May his word dwell in us richly in all wis-
dom and spiritual understanding! For him we
bless thee ; for all he taught and did and suffered ;
for his glorious doctrines, and perfect righteous-
ness, and atoning death ; for the example he has
left, the promises he has made to his Church, and
his intercession at thy right hand ; and for the
certainty that all who come unto thee by him shall
be saved with an everlasting salvation. Thanks be
unto God for his unspeakable gift. Oh that each
one of us may know him, and the power of his
resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings,
being made conformable unto his death ! May
Christ be in us the hope of glory ! May his truth
and grace satisfy all the longings of our souls, and
be in us a well of living water !
Give us this day, we beseech thee, the favors of
thy good providence, and keep us in thy love.
Prepare us for the duties of the day. Let those
who remain at home, and those who resort to
business, study, or recreation, be continually mind-
ful that the omnipresent One is round about them.
Be gracious to all our friends. Take this house-
hold, we pray thee, under thy protection : keep us
all from sin, from danger, and from death. [Oh !
teach these children the blessedness of trusting
Jesus as their Saviour ; of knowing, loving, serv-
ing him as their Friend.] Be continually in our
home. Evermore make a temple of our hearts ;
and let us at last reach the house not made with
hands, eternal in the heavens, for His sake who
died, and rose again, and ever liveth to make inter-
cession for us. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
65
SUNDAY MORNING.
John iv. — 16. Jesus saith unto her, Go call thy
husband, and come hither.
17. The woman answered and said, I have no
husband. Jesus said unto her, Thou hast well
said, I have no husband ;
18. For thou hast had five husbands, and he
whom thou now hast is not thy husband : in that
saidst thou truly.
19. The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive
that thou art a prophet.
20. Our fathers worshipped in this mountain ;
and ye say that in Jerusalem is the place where
men ought to worship.
21. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me,
the hour cometh when ye shall neither in this
mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the
Father.
22. Ye worship ye know not what : we know
what we worship ; for salvation is of the Jews.
23. But the hour cometh, and now is, when
How astounding the grace of the Lord Jesus, that he should
first reveal himself as the Christ to a solitary stranger of an
alien and even hostile race, and of irregular life ! His disciples,
filled with the prejudices of Jews against Samaritans, and
sharing the then common error that women were not the
equals of men in knowledge and position, were astonished to
find him talking with the woman ; but, had they known what
he had been saying, they would have been utterly confounded.
Not yet had they heard from his lips the declaration that he
was the Christ ; but this announcement of him for whom the
whole nation was eagerly looking, withheld from the Jewish
people and from his familiar friends, was made to this stranger,
this woman, this Samaritan ! But Jesus made it to a mind
peculiarly open to receive it. His kingdom came not with
observation, but in the silence of spiritual light and power ;
and in thus proclaiming it, afar from the temple of Jerusalem,
under the open sky, before the sacred mountain of another peo-
the true worshippers shall worship the Father in
spirit and in truth ; for the Father seeketh such to
worship him.
24. God is a Spirit ; and they that worship him
must worship him in spirit and in truth.
25. The woman saith unto him, I know that
Messias cometh, which is called Christ : when he
is come, he will tell us all things.
26. Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee
am he.
27. And upon this came his disciples, and mar-
velled that he talked with the woman : yet no man
said, What seekest thou? or, Why talkest thou
with her ?
28. The woman then left her water-pot, and
went her way into the city, and saith to the men,
29. Come see a man which told me all things
that ever I did : is not this the Christ ?
30. Then they went out of the city, and came
unto him.
pie, he set forth the freeness and universality of his grace, and
its adaptation to all classes and conditions of mankind.
Worship should be the homage of the soul : its true seat,
therefore, is the inner sanctuary of the spirit ; and, whatever
the place or the mode of worship, the act itself should cor-
respond with the essence of God, who is Spirit. Our Lord
said literally, God is Spirit ; not simply a Spirit, but Spirit
itself. God in himself answers to the conception of the
spiritual in essence, and from him all spirit proceeds. Hence
he alone is worthy to be worshipped by intelligent creatures.
This, however, is not a mystic abstract notion of God, that
would place him at an infinite remove from us : but this in-
finite Spirit is the Father of our spirits ; and, with the love
of a Father for every one of his children alike, he desires from
every one the same simple, affectionate, grateful devotion.
The truest worship is the communion of our spirits with God.
In this spirit let us praise and pray.
Appropriate Hymns,] Prayer. [Nos. 107, 172, 177.
Lord, the Giver of life ! we bless thee that we \ of thy house ; bless the assemblies of thy people,
are of the living to praise thee. Thou hast created | the communion of thy saints, the instruction of
us ; thou hast redeemed us ; thou hast preserved
us : of thee, and through thee, and to thee, are all
things ; and to thee, Lord ! be glory and praise
forever.
We bring to thee the homage of our hearts, de-
siring to worship thee this day in spirit and in
truth; to celebrate thy glory in thy works; to
show forth thy loving-kindness to the children of
men ; to praise and adore thee for thy great mercy
in Jesus Christ our Saviour. Oh ! do thou for his
sake take away our sins, which with one accord
we now confess before thee ; and sanctify our hearts
by thy truth and thy Spirit, that, being delivered
from all corruption and evil, we may keep the sab-
children, the visiting and teaching of thy servants
among the poor, by the wayside, and from house
to house. Command thy blessing upon Zion, even
life forevermore.
As a family we consecrate ourselves to thee, our
Father in heaven ; giving thanks to thee for such
a home, for such love and peace and prosperity, as
it is ours to enjoy. We bless thee for the memory
of the good who have gone before us, and have
taught us thy way, and for the hope of immor-
tality brought nigh to us in the gospel. May we
so improve these earthly sabbaths, that by thy grace
we shall come unto the fruition of this blessed hope
with the spirits of just men made perfect in
bath holy in thy rest. May the peace of God, that j heaven, through Him who died and rose again,
passeth all understanding, keep our hearts and and ever liveth to make intercession for us ! — to
minds in Christ Jesus ! Bless to us the reading i whom, with thee and the Holy Spirit, be all honor
and hearing of thy Word, the worship and order j and glory. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
SUNDAY EVENING.
John iv. — 31. In the mean while his disciples
prayed him, saying, Master, eat.
32. But he said unto them, I have meat to eat
that ye know not of.
33. Therefore said the disciples one to another,
Hath any man brought him aught to eat ?
34. Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do
the will of him that sent me, and to finish his
work.
35. Say not ye, There are yet four months, and
then cometh harvest ? Behold, I say unto you, Lift
up your eyes, and look on the fields ; for they are
white already to harvest.
36. And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and
gathereth fruit unto life eternal ; that both he
that soweth, and he that reapeth, may rejoice to-
gether.
37. And herein is that saying true, One soweth,
and another reapeth.
38. I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed
no labor : other men labored, and ye are entered
into their labors.
39. And many of the Samaritans of that city
believed on him for the saying of the woman,
which testified, He told me all that ever I did.
40. So, when the Samaritans were come unto
him, they besought him that he would tarry with
them ; and he abode there two days.
41. And many more believed because of his own
word ;
42. And said unto the woman, Now we believe,
not because of thy saying ; for we have heard him
ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ,
the Saviour of the world.
The opening of this narrative presented Jesus under a com-
pletely human aspect of his nature, — as one needing food and
rest. His conversation with the woman gave a glimpse of the
divinity within him, as imparting a life that can never hunger
nor thirst, never faint nor die. And now this section exhibits
the triumph of his own spiritual nature, as devoted to the
Father, over the physical and the perishing. Absorption in
the will of God lifts the spirit above the wants of the body.
Jesus became so engrossed in teaching the woman the essence
of religion, so absorbed in the sublime truths he was uttering,
that he forgot his hunger and fatigue, and gave himself to the
spiritual work that opened before him. That work immedi-
ately took the character and proportions of a harvest. The
woman, convinced by the knowledge of her life which Jesus
had shown that he must be the Christ, had hurried up to the
city, and told every one she met the wondrous story ; and now
the Samaritans came flocking down the valley — some of them
already convinced — to hear Jesus for themselves. It was just
the seed-time ; and, in the course of nature, four months must
yet elapse before the fields would be waving for the harvest.
But here was a spiritual harvest ripe for gathering. These
eager, susceptible souls must be brought to the truth ; and
Jesus devoted two days to teaching them the life from above.
They believed without external miracle, upon their personal
experience of the word of Christ ; and they received him in
his true character as the Saviour of the world. Thus the
spiritual religion that Jesus taught brought forth immediate-
ly the fruits of life. And so, receiving him by faith, we shall
reap joy from the moment of the sowing, and, carrying his
gospel to others, shall gather fruit unto life eternal.
The readiness with which the men of Sychar received the
word of Christ was a striking commentary upon that saying
of John, " He came to his own, and his own received him
not." The Jews rejected him, derided him, or disputed with
him ; and, notwithstanding his many mighty works, they
demanded new signs from heaven. But these Samaritans
witnessed no miracle, and asked for none ; raised no cavils ;
made no opposition to Jesus as a Jew ; but welcomed truth
that commended itself to their spiritual wants : and so many
as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of
God. Where Abraham built his first altar was gathered this
first harvest of faith from an alien race.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 35, 118, 176.
Heavenly Father, we desire to close this, thy
holy sabbath, with thee. Thou hast been as a pil-
lar of cloud before us this day ; thou hast again
spread for us a table in the wilderness ; we have
seen again thy gloiy in thy temple. As the shad-
ows of night are falling around us, do thou still
be near us, dispersing all the darkness of sin, and
giving us the inner light of thy presence and
love.
We entreat thee to forgive the sins that have
mingled in our efforts to serve thee this day. Look
not on us as we are in ourselves : but behold,
God our shield ! look upon the face of thine
Anointed. Through him may our wills be absorbed
in thine, and thy will become our meat day by
day.
We pray for a world lying in wickedness. Oh !
look upon the fields already white, and send forth
laborers into the harvest. Save thy people ; bless
thine inheritance -, feed them also, and lift them up
forever. Bless abundantly the preaching of thy
holy Word. Glorify thyself in the salvation of
sinners.
We entreat thee to take under thy merciful pro-
tection, this night, all our beloved friends. We
commend both present and absent ones to the gra-
cious Shepherd of Israel. Be thou to them all as
the shadow of a rock in a weary land. Draw near
to the sons and daughters of sorrow; give them
everlasting consolation and good hope through
grace.
We thank thee for thy many mercies still vouch-
safed to us. Watch over us during this night.
Grant us the sleep of thy beloved. When we
awake, may we still be with thee ! And all that we
ask is in the name and for the sake of Him whom
thou hearest always ; to whom, with thee, the
Father, and thee, Eternal Spirit ! one God, be
ascribed all blessing and honor and glory and
praise, world without end. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
67
MONDAY.
John iv. — 43. Now, after two days, he departed
thence, and went into Galilee.
44. For Jesus himself testified that a prophet
hath no honor in his own country.
45. Then, when he was come into Galilee, the
Galileans received him, having seen all the things
that he did at Jerusalem at the feast ; for they
also went unto the feast.
46. So Jesus came again into Cana of Galilee,
where he made the water wine. And there was a
certain nobleman, whose son was sick at Caper-
naum.
47. When he heard that Jesus was come out of
Judaea into Galilee, he went unto him, and be-
sought him that he would come down and heal his
son ; for he was at the point of death.
48. Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see
signs and wonders, ye will not believe.
A short journey from Samaria brought Jesus again within
the borders of Galilee ; but he found here a different moral
atmosphere from that which he had left at Sychar. There
multitudes had shown a remarkable aptitude for spiritual
truth, an impulse toward faith, which led them to embrace
Christ upon hearing his word. But in Galilee there was, on
the one hand, the indifference or incredulity which men are
apt to manifest concerning the extraordinary claims of one
with whom they have been familiar from childhood ; and, on
the other, the curiosity for marvels which marks an ignorant
and superstitious community. The fame of his miracle at
Cana had been augmented by the report of other miracles,
brought back by Galileans who had been to Jerusalem ; and
this nobleman, moved by parental anxiety, hastened to the
worker of wonders as one now-a-days would go to a famous
physician. Jesus, who always sought the moral basis of
faith, either as the condition or the object of a work of divine
49. The nobleman saith unto him, Sir, come
down ere my child die.
50. Jesus saith unto him, Go thy way ; thy son
liveth. And the man believed the word that Je-
sus had spoken unto him, and he went his way.
51. And, as he was now going down, his ser-
vants met him, and told him., saying, Thy son
liveth.
52. Then inquired he of them the hour when he
began to amend. And they said unto him, Yes-
terday, at the seventh hour, the fever left him.
53. So the father knew that it was at the same
hour in the which Jesus said unto him, Thy
son liveth ; and himself believed, and his whole
house.
54. This is again the second miracle that
Jesus did when
Galilee.
he was come out of Judaea into
power, at first reproaches him " that he had been led to come
to him, not by the need of the heart, but by the need of a mir-
acle."
But the earnestness of entreaty which the father now
assumed as he thought of his dying boy evinced a faith
which Jesus met by giving him more and better than he had
asked. The manner of the cure manifested the omnipresence
as well as the omnipotence of Christ. Here was no interven-
tion of second causes ; no use of physical means ; no formula
of healing, as in the ease of the blind man ; not even, as in
some other miracles, the spoken word of Jesus himself. His
bare will, acting at the distance of many miles, cured a dying
boy whom he had never seen. " In this very way, however, a
severer test of the father's faith was made. He endures the test ;
goes his way ; and the rejoicing servants, unable to wait for the
time of his arrival, announce to him what has occurred, and in
the very same words in which it had been foretold by the Lord."
Appropriate Hymns,]
Gracious God, who newer failest to help and
govern them that put their trust in thee, we go
forth to the duties and engagements of this day in
dependence on thy promised aid and mercy. Grant
that the word of Christ may dwell in us richly in
all wisdom, that we may be able to teach and
admonish one another, while we perform our rela-
tive duties with contented and cheerful spirits,
singing with grace in our hearts to the Lord.
Be near to each of us in the greatness of thy
power. Give us heart and courage for all the
toils and struggles, for all the pains and sacrifices,
of this mortal life. Help us ever to act as seeing
thee who art invisible. Let our walk with thee
be close ; that, being filled with light and strength
from above, we may daily practise whatsoever
things are true, and honest, and just, and pure,
and lovely, and of good report ; and that in the
doing of these things we may be filled with that
peace which passeth all understanding. Let us
yield to no temptation, neither fall before the force
of any evil. Inspire us with humility. Let us
Prayer. [Nos. 27, 121, 130.
not be high-minded, but fill us with holy, loving,
child-like fear. Guide us by thy counsel, and pre-
serve us unto thine eternal glory.
We render thanks to thee for the comfort of rest
and sleep, and for a home undisturbed by fear or
sorrow. We pray for all men. Pity such as are
in darkness and in error, and lead them into
the way of truth. Ering the wickedness of the
wicked to an end, and let the just be established.
Bless the education of the young, the instruc-
tion of the ignorant, the visitation of the sick.
Comfort all in sorrow, and prepare the dying for
the rest and the joy of heaven.
Holy Father, command thy blessing on each
member of this family ; and take us, and all whom
we love, into union with thyself. Lift upon us the
brightness of thy countenance ; and so let the
light of heaven fall upon our path, that we may
finally come into the everlasting life, through Je-
sus Christ, our only Saviour ; to whom, with thee
and the Holy Spirit, be honor and praise through-
out all ages. Amen.
68
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
TUESDAY.
Psalm cxlv. — 14. The Lord upholdeth all that
fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down.
15. The eyes of all wait upon thee ; and thou
givest them their meat in due season.
16. Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the
desire of every living thing.
17. The Lord is righteous in all his ways, and
holy in all his works.
18. The Lord is nigh unto all them that call
upon him ; to all that call upon him in truth.
19. He will fulfil the desire of them that fear
him : he also will hear their cry, and will save
them.
20. The Lord preserveth ah them that love him ;
but all the wicked will he destroy.
21. My mouth shall speak the praise of the
Lord ; and let all flesh bless his holy name for ever
and ever.
Luke xii. — 1. In the mean time, when there
were gathered together an innumerable multitude
of people, insomuch that they trode one upon
another, he began to say unto his disciples first of
all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees,
which is hypocrisy.
Our Saviour taught the tender, providential care of God
over all his creatures. Nothing is too minute for his eye,
nothing too insignificant for his regard. In this case, our
heavenly Father employs the services of nature and of man
to do his will. See how, in the great busy city of New York,
God cares for the sparrows which so abound in the parks and
streets ! Their natural instinct prompts them to seek their
food. The helpless innocence and the confiding ways of these
tiny creatures appeal to the humane feelings of housekeepers
and of passers-by ; their usefulness in preserving the trees dis-
poses the Park Commissioners to provide houses and food for
them, and to protect them from harm ; and even the newspa-
2. For there is nothing covered that shall not be
revealed, neither hid that shall not be known.
3. Therefore, whatsoever ye have spoken in
darkness shall be heard in the light ; and that
which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall
be proclaimed upon the housetops.
4. And I say unto you, my friends, Be not afraid
of them that kill the body, and after that have no
more that they can do.
5. But I will forewarn you whom ye shall
fear : fear him, which, after he hath killed, hath
power to cast into hell ; yea, I say unto you,
Fear him.
6. Are not five sparrows sold for two far-
things ? and not one of them is forgotten before
God;
7. But even the very hairs of your head are all
numbered. Fear not, therefore : ye are of more
value than many sparrows.
8. Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess
me before men, him shall the Son of man also con-
fess before the angels of God;
9. But he that denieth me before men shall be
denied before the angels of God.
pers, occupied with the affairs of the world, find space now
and then for a plea for the sparrows. And so our heavenly
Father, who has the care of all worlds, careth for the little
birds. Much more will he care for us, preserve and defend
us, if we walk devoutly in his fear, and trust him with the
charming simplicity of the sparrows.
Shunning all deception, discarding all timidity, we should
frankly, boldly confess Christ our Saviour. Nothing shall
really harm us if we walk in Christ : our lives shall be safe
so long as he has any service for us here ; and death itself
shall greet us with his open and blessed recognition in the
presence of the angels.
Appropriate Hymns,] Prayer
Almighty God, in whom alone we live and move,
and have our being, graciously accept the prayers
and praises with which we would begin another day.
We thank thee for thy watchful care over us,
and for all thy bounty towards us. Grant, Lord !
that we may show our thankfulness to thee, not
only with our lips, but in our lives, by giving up
ourselves to thy service, and by daily endeavoring
to do such things as are pleasing to thee.
We bless thee that in thy holy Word thou hast
made known to us thy will and thy love. May it
always prove a word in season to us ! Teach us to
hide its truths and precepts in our hearts, that we
[Nos. 178, 189, 197.
may not sin against thee. Teach us also to read
thy love in all thy works, and in all the ways of
thy providence.
Lord, preserve us this day in body and soul.
Be pleased to grant us such a measure of health
and strength, that we shall be enabled rightly to
fulfil the duties of our different stations. And do
thou always keep our hearts steadfast in thy fear.
Never suffer us to forget that thou, God, seest us.
Hold up our goings in thy paths, that our footsteps
slip not. In word and deed may we seek to adorn
the doctrine of God our Saviour, and to prove our-
selves thy true disciples. May our light so shine
before men, that they, seeing our good works, may
glorify thee, our heavenly Father, and desire to
be numbered with thy children !
Impress upon our hearts a constant trust in thy
providence. [May these children learn to confide
in their heavenly Father, who watches over the
sparrows ! and, oh, may they fear to sin, remember-
ing that wherever they are, and whatever they do,
the eye of God is upon them !]
And now, Lord, we commit ourselves to thy care
for the coming day. May we act as in thy pres-
ence, and do all this day to thy glory ! Hear us,
we beseech thee, for the sake of Jesus Christ our
Saviour. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
WEDNESDAY.
Luke xii. — 13. And one of the company said
unto nim, Master, speak to my brother, that he
divide the inheritance with me.
14. And he said unto him, Man, who made me
a judge or a divider over you?
15. And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware
of covetousness ; for a man's life consisteth not in
the abundance of the things which he possesseth.
16. And he spake a parable unto them, saying,
The ground of a certain rich man brought forth
plentifully :
17. And he thought within himself, saying,
"What shall I do, because I have no room where to
bestow my fruits ?
18. And he said, This will I do : I will pull
down my barns, and build greater ; and there will
I bestow all my fruits and my goods.
19. And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast
much goods laid up for many years ; take thine
ease, eat, drink, and be merry.
20. But God said unto him, Thou fool ! this night
thy soul shall be required of thee : then whose shall
those things be which thou hast provided ?
21. So is he that layeth up treasure for himself,
and is not rich toward God.
32. Fear not, little flock ; for it is your Father's
good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
33. Sell that ye have, and give alms : provide
yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in
the heavens that faileth not, where no thief ap-
proacheth, neither moth corrupteth.
34. For where your treasure is, there will your
heart be also.
35. Let your loins be girded about, and your
lights burning ;
36. And ye yourselves like unto men that wait
for their lord when he will return from the wed-
ding ; that, when he cometh and knocketh, they
may open unto him immediately.
37. Blessed are those servants whom the lord,
when he cometh, shall find watching : verily I say
unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make
them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and
serve them.
38. And if he shall come in the second watch,
or come in the third watch, and find them so,
blessed are those servants.
39. And this know, that, if the goodman of the
house had known what hour the thief would come,
he would have watched, and not have suffered his
house to be broken through.
40. Be ye therefore ready also ; for the Son of
man cometh at an hour when ye think not.
How base is the greed of gain ! Our Lord was discoursing
of the ever-watchful, ever-merciful care of our heavenly Fa-
ther over us, and had given this as a reason for confessing
him before the world, when this mercenary man sought to
take advantage of his reputation as a prophet to settle a dispute
about property. Thus did Mammon not only displace moral
truth, but intrude into the presence of Christ.
Again and again did Jesus warn his hearers against
covetousness, and always with marked solemnity. Life con-
sists not in things, but in truth; and is sustained, not by pos-
sessions, but by prayer. Worldly good can never increase en-
joyment in the ratio of its own increase. He took the case
of a prosperous man of the world, against whom no want of
integrity or morality is alleged ; yet he is guilty of a fourfold
folly : " He forgets the Giver (my fruits, my goods) ; he greed-
ily reserves all for himself; he imagines such things to be
food for his soul ; he forgets death, which is everv day possi-
ble."
By contrast with such a life, and such a fate, Jesus ex-
horted his disciples to lay aside worldly cares, and seek the
kingdom of God, trusting to him for support in this life, and
for salvation in the next ; to use their property as stewards
for the good of others, not setting their affection upon any
treasure this side of heaven. There is the chief treasure of
the soul, Christ the Lord ; and he that waits and longs for his
appearing shall be blessed with a princely, a heavenly treasure
that cannot fail. To him death can come only as the sur-
prise of an ineffable joy.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 51, 97, 109.
God, who makest the outgoings of the morn-
ing and the evening to rejoice ! we lift up our
hearts to thee with thanksgiving for the joy of
another day ; for vigor for its duties, appetite for
its pleasures, and readiness for its opportunities of
good. Bless us jn our labors, keep us pure in our
enjoyments, incite us to do thy will ; and oh ! we
beseech thee, preserve us from harm, from temp-
tation, and from sin. Keep us from that love of
this world which would estrange us from thee. Oh,
maj our treasure and our hearts be in heaven !
§eeing that we know not what a day may bring
forth, we pray, that, if trials and disappointments
shall come, we may have grace to meet them, and
to profit by them ; that in all events we may see
the hand of our Father, and may say, "Thy will be
done." Conscious of our own weakness, humbly
confessing our sins, we cast ourselves upon tbine
infinite grace in Christ our Saviour for pardon,
strength, and sanctification. May we as a family
honor thee in our daily walk and conversation !
May old and young alike know the beauty of holi-
ness, the joy of consecration to Christ ! Grant thy
grace to all who are dear to us ; and grant us grace
to hold all men dear for Christ's sake, and to win
them to the knowledge of his gospel. And may
the peace of God, which passeth all understand-
ing, keep our hearts and minds in the knowledge
and love of God, through Jesus Christ our Lord !
Amen.
70
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
THURSDAY.
Jeremiah xxiii. — 24. Can any hide himself in
secret places that I shall not see him ? saith the
Lord. Do not I fill heaven and earth ? saith the
Lord.
25. I have heard what the prophets said that
prophesy lies in my name, saying, I have dreamed,
I have dreamed.
26. How long shall this be in the heart of the
prophets that prophesy lies ? Yea, they are proph-
ets of the deceit of their own heart,
27. Which think to cause my people to forget
my name by their dreams, which they tell every
man to his neighbor, as their fathers have forgot-
ten my name for Baal.
28. The prophet that hath a dream, let him tell
a dream ; and he that hath my word, let him speak
my word faithfully. What is the chaff to the
wheat ? saith the Lord.
29. Is not my word like as a fire ? saith the
Lord ; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock
in pieces ?
Luke xii. — 49. I am come to send fire on the
earth ; and what will I if it be already kindled ?
50. But I have a baptism to be baptized with ;
and how am I straitened till it be accomplished !
51. Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on
earth ? I tell you, Nay ; but rather division :
52. For from henceforth there shall be five in
one house divided, three against two, and two
against three.
53. The father shall be divided against the son,
and the son against the father ; the mother against
the daughter, and the daughter against the moth-
er ; the mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law,
and the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-
law.
54. And he said also to the people, When ye see
a cloud rise out of the west, straightway ye say,
There cometh a shower ; and so it is.
55. And, when ye see the south wind blow, ye
say, There will be heat ; and it cometh to pass.
56. Ye hypocrites ! ye can discern the face of the
sky and of the earth ; but how is it that ye do not
discern this time ?
57. Yea, and why even of yourselves judge ye
not what is right?
58. When thou goest with thine adversary to
the magistrate, as thou art in the way, give dili-
gence that thou mayest be delivered from him ;
lest he hale thee to the judge, and the judge de-
liver thee to the officer, and the officer cast thee
into prison.
59. I tell thee, thou shalt not depart thence till
thou hast paid the very last mite.
The coming of Christ was announced as " peace on earth,
and good will to men ; " and his parting word to his disciples
was, " Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you."
He came to reconcile man to God through his cross ; to estab-
lish a brotherhood of love : he inculcated upon his disciples
meekness, humility, and patience ; and gave it as a distinctive
mark of his kingdom, that his servants would not fight. Yet
such is the depravity of man, that the principles of the gospel
have become the occasion of discord in families, of strife and
persecution in communities, of revolution and war among
nations. This grows out of the necessary antagonism between
light and darkness, truth and error, holiness and sin. Men
of evil deeds shun the light ; men wedded to error and sin
hate truth and righteousness. The confession of Christ by
I one member of an irreligous family is a quiet testimony
against the worldliness of the rest, and may excite their vio-
lent opposition. The establishment of a church in an un-
godly community is a public protest against vice and im-
piety, and may provoke open persecution. The tendency of
the gospel to enlighten and elevate the masses may stir up
arbitrary governments to suppress the Bible, and to use the
gibbet and the stake against the confessors of Christ. But
men of wise and honest judgment will discern that the real
anise of strife is, not the gospel, but the sin that it rebukes;
and also that a true peace can come only through the triumph
of truth. And therefore, as Jesus himself was ready to be bap-
tized unto death for the truth, so should all who love the
truth witness a good confession before a gainsaying world.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 40, 82, 90.
Holy Father, who hast brought us to the begin-
ning of another day, mercifully keep us through the
same, and surround us with the tokens of thy pres-
ence and favor. As we go forth to the active
duties of life in dependence on thy promised aid
and grace, grant us strength equal to our engage-
ments ; and in all things may thy glory be our
first and final end ! We pray, not that thou
wouldest take us out of the world, but that thou
wouldest keep us from the evil. In the midst of its
defilement, help us to preserve our garments un-
spotted ; amidst its manifold temptations, succor
us by thy mighty grace ; in all its dangers, let thy
shield be over us ; in its strifes and conflicts, grant
us the peace of God that passeth all understanding,
and victory over all evil. May we be wise to dis-
cern the signs of the times, and diligent to follow
in the way of thy precepts ! Oh, may this family be
one in heart and life in the service of God, help-
ing one another in the way to heaven ! May we
live the rest of our life in the fle^h, by the faith,
and according to the faith, of the Son of God, who
loved us, and gave himself for us !
Keep us to-day from all evil. May we acknowl-
edge thee in all things, and fear to wander from
thy paths ! Bless all who are in affliction. Have
mercy on our country, and continue unto it thy
favor. Oh ! pour out thy Spirit on all men, and
fill the earth with thy glory. We ask these bless-
ings in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
FRIDAY.
Job xxxviii. — 1. Then the Lord answered Job
out of the whirlwind, and said,
2. Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words
without knowledge ?
3. Gird up now thy loins like a man ; for I will
demand of thee, and answer thou me.
4. Where wast thou when I laid the foundations
of the earth ;
7. When the morning stars sang together, and
all the sons of God shouted for joy ?
31. Canst thou bind the sweet influences of
Pleiades, or loose the bands of Orion ?
32. Canst thou bring forth Mazzaroth in his
season ? or canst thou guide Arcturus with his
sons?
33. Knowest thou the ordinances of heaven ?
canst thou set the dominion thereof in the earth ?
Psalm viii. — 1. Lord our Lord, how excellent
is thy name in all the earth ! who hast set thy
glory above the heavens.
2. Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast
thou ordained strength because of thine enemies,
j that thou mightest still the enemy and the aven-
Iger.
3. When I consider thy heavens, the work of
thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou
hast ordained ;
4. What is man, that thou art mindful of him ?
and the son of man, that thou visitest him ?
5. For thou hast made him a little lower than
the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and
honor.
6. Thou madest him to have dominion over the
works of thy hands : thou hast put all things un-
der his feet ;
7. All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the
field;
8. The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea,
and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the
seas.
9. Lord our Lord, how excellent is thy name
in all the earth !
David, familiar from boyhood with rural life, had learned
to see God in Nature, and thus to add to the beauty and glory
of natural objects in themselves the thought of the divine wis-
dom and goodness reflected in them all. His shepherd-life in the
open fields, and upon the slopes of the mountains, had ac-
quainted him with the habits of birds and beasts, and had led
him to observe the stars in his nightly watches. Those youth-
ful experiences, matured by the meditations of riper years, find
expression in this psalm. In the nineteenth psalm he cele-
brates the glory of the sun. But now, sitting at eventide
upon the housetop, under the mild and lustrous Syrian sky, he
is absorbed with the beauty and order of the moon and stars.
These are God's possession, — " thy heavens ; " the work of
His "finger," manifesting beauty and skill; "ordained" with
divine wisdom and order, and established forever. The first
thought awakened in him by the contemplation of this majes-
ty and glory is of the littleness of man. What was David's
kingdom in comparison with a single star ? what his royal
splendor beside the brightness of the moon 1 Yet with this
came the thought of the condescending goodness of God, who
made man in his image, the representative of his glory and
dominion. The word " angels," Elohim, is commonly used
for the name of God : " Thou madest man but little short
of the Divine." This high dignity and prerogative man dis-
graced and forfeited by the fall ; but it was restored in Jesus,
the second Adam, " crowned with glory and honor." While
we praise God in his works, let us, above all, bless and honor
him in his Son, the head and glory of our redeemed humanity.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 18, 31, 38.
All thy works praise thee, God ! — the glo-
rious company of the apostles praise thee ; the
goodly fellowship of the prophets praise thee ; the
noble army of martyrs praise thee. The heavens
declare thy glory ; the firmament showeth thy
handiwork. Day unto day uttereth speech ; night
unto night showeth knowledge of thee. There is
no speech nor language where the voice of thy
praise is not heard. We would join in this uni-
versal anthem to thy glory, and would bless thy
name for ever and ever. Bless the Lord, O our
souls ! and all that is within us, bless his holy
name : who forgiveth all our iniquities ; who heal-
eth all our diseases ; who redeemeth our life from
destruction ; who crowneth us with loving-kindness
and tender mercies. Bless the Lord, all his works,
in all places of his dominion ; bless the Lord,
our souls !
We draw nigh unto thee, heavenly Father, to
thank thee for the life that thou hast given to us,
and for the life which from day to day thou dost
preserve ; for in thee we live and move, and have
our being. We bless thee for food and raiment,
for shelter and safety, for the health of body and
of mind which we enjoy. Help us to use all
powers and gifts in thy service. Forbid,
Father ! that the abundance and regularity of thy
blessings should diminish our feeling of depend-
ence or of thankfulness.
We thank thee for our home and all its joys ; for
thy constant favor to us as a household. And, while
we thank thee for the blessings of thy providence,
we pray that thou wilt also fill our hearts with love
and gratitude for the richer gifts of thy Son and
thy Spirit. We bless thy name, righteous
Father ! that thou didst not leave us in our sins ;
but, when we were without strength, thou didst lay
our help upon One mighty to save, and didst bring
life and immortality to light through the gospel.
Through him we praise thee ; for him we bless
thee ; and we pray thee in him to pardon, bless, and
save us. And to thy name be glory forever. Amen.
72
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
SATURDAY.
Hebrews ii. — 1. Therefore we ought to give the
more earnest heed to the things which we have
heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.
2. For if the word spoken by angels was stead-
fast, and every transgression and disobedience re-
ceived a just recompense of reward ;
3. How shall we escape if we neglect so great
salvation, which at the first began to be spoken
by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them
that heard him;
4. God also bearing them witness, both with
signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and
gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own
will?
5. For unto the angels hath he not put in sub-
jection the world to come whereof we speak.
6. But one in a certain place testified, saying,
What is man, that thou art mindful of him ? or
the son of man, that thou visitest him ?
7. Thou madest him a little lower than the
angels ; thou crownedst him with glory and honor,
and didst set him over the works of thy hands ;
8. Thou hast put all things in subjection under
his feet. For, in that he put all in subjection
under him, he left nothing that is not put under
him. But now we see not yet all things put under
him:
9. But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower
than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned
with glory and honor ; that he by the grace of God
should taste death for every man.
The glory of the gospel appears not only in the themes of
which it treats, but in the Person by whom it came. The law
was ushered in by wonders of Nature and by the ministry of
angels ; but the gospel was proclaimed by the Son of God.
To give efficacy to his grace, he came in our nature ; put
himself in our place ; entered into a personal experience of
our temptations, sufferings, and sorrows ; wrought out before
us the perfection of a human character ; made atonement for
our sins ; tasted death for us ; and, by his resurrection, spoiled
death of its terror, and Satan of his power. Christ was as
complete in his humanity as in his divinity. Only as a true
10. For it became him, for whom are all things,
and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons
unto glory, to make the Captain of their salvation
perfect through sufferings.
11. For both he that sanctifieth, and they who
are sanctified, are all of one : for which cause he is
not ashamed to call them brethren ;
12. Saying, I will declare thy name unto my
brethren ; in the midst of the church will I sing
praise unto thee.
13. And again : I will put my trust in him.
And again : Behold, I, and the children which God
hath given me.
14. Forasmuch, then, as the children are par-
takers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise
took part of the same ; that through death he
might destroy him that had the power of death,
that is, the Devil ;
15. And deliver them, who, through fear of
death, were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
16. For verily he took not on him the nature
of angels ; but he took on him the seed of Abra-
ham.
17. Wherefore in all things it behooved him to
be made like unto his brethren ; that he might be
a merciful and faithful High Priest in things per-
taining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins
of the people.
18. For in that he himself hath suffered, being
tempted, he is able to succor them that are
tempted.
and proper man could he be tempted as we are ; could he be
for us an example in temptation and suffering ; could he feel
with us the tie of brotherhood. Through his humanity we
are ennobled. In him, man is restored to the glory and honor
for which God created him. For us this great salvation is
provided in his gospel. If we will obey his voice, all that
Christ hath wrought is ours ; all that he hath promised we
shall obtain. Yet it is possible to fail of all this, and to bring
upon ourselves all the degradation and woe of sin by neglect-
ing his word. It was the warning of Christ himself, " Take
heed how ye hear."
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 2, 139, 187.
O God, who didst make the first man after thine
own image ! mercifully grant, that in following thy
Son, the second man from heaven, we may recover
that which hath been lost through sin, and may
put on the new man, which is created after thee in
righteousness and true holiness.
Teach us, day by day, to use thy gifts to our
best good and to thy glory. [May these children
early learn the true secret of happiness in life, and,
like the blessed Saviour, go about doing good!]
Keep us, Lord ! from all covetous desires, from
all self-seeking, from all love of sinful pleasures.
Almighty God, the Father and Saviour of all
men, help us, we beseech thee, to behave with
Christian cnarity to all that are in distress, poverty,
or suffering. As thou hast had mercy upon us,
let none of us come under thy condemnation on
the great day of judgment for want of mercy or
charity to our brethren, who, in this world of trial,
were hungry or thirsty, or naked or sick, or in
prison, and to whom, when we had the power, we
did not administer. Help us to deny ourselves,
that we may each, in our measure, have to give
to them that need, and that we may ever work
with thee, and for thee, in diminishing the sor-
rows, the miseries, and the sin of this evil world,
for the sake of Him who suffered and died for all.
Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
73
SUNDAY MORNING.
Acts i. — 1. The former treatise have I made,
Theophilus ! of all that Jesus began both to do
and teach,
2. Until the day in which he was taken up,
after that he through the Holy Ghost had given
commandments unto the apostles whom he had
chosen :
3. To whom also he showed himself alive after
his passion, by many infallible proofs ; being seen
of them forty days, and speaking of the things
pertaining to the kingdom of God ;
4. And, being assembled together with them,
commanded them that they should not depart from
Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father,
which, saith he, ye have heard of me.
5. For John truly baptized with water ; but ye
shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many
days hence.
6. "When they therefore were come together,
they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this
time restore again the kingdom to Israel?
7. And he said unto them, It is not for you to
know the times or the seasons which the Father
hath put in his own power.
8. But ye shall receive power after that the
Holy Ghost is come upon you ; and ye shall be
This bodily ascension of Jesus certified him as the Son of
God, and lifted our humanity to a place in heaven. If, after
his resurrection, he had silently, mysteriously disappeared, his
whole career would have been thrown into doubt by the uncer-
tainty of its end. But the ascension, while it completed the
resurrection, answered to the incarnation, and testified that
Christ was " the Lord from heaven." It prefigured also the
completeness of man's redemption in the glorified body. It
was the man Christ Jesus who ascended. He did not vanish
like an apparition ; he was not spirited away : he rose in his
proper body, with his hands stretched out in blessing ; he rose
from the ground, where he had stood among his disciples, into
the air above them ; and continued rising until lost to their
view. They saw whither he had gone, and stood gazing
witnesses unto me, both in Jerusalem, and in all
Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost
part of the earth.
9. And when he had spoken these things, while
they beheld, he was taken up ; and a cloud re-
ceived him out of their sight.
10. And, while they looked steadfastly toward
heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by
them in white apparel ;
11. Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why
stand ye gazing up into heaven ? This same Jesus
which is taken up from you into heaven shall so
come in like manner as ye have seen him go into
heaven.
12. Then returned they unto Jerusalem from
the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem
a sabbath-day's journey.
13. And, when they were come in, they went up
into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and
James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thom-
as, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of
Alpheus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother
of James.
14. These all continued with one accord in pray-
er and supplication, with the women, and Mary
the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.
steadfastly after him. He carried up with him into heaven
his human identity, — " the same Jesus " here and there !
And so he carried up us also into heaven ; made heaven
real to us as an abode, as a place that we can enter, a
home where humanity can dwell with God. Every pur-
pose of good that brought him into the world, every tie of
sympathy and love that here bound him to our humanity,
every promise of redemption that was pledged by his cross,
is represented through that body which here was tempted,
suffered, died, and rose again, and ascended into glory.
With what confidence, then, should our faith look forward to
a union with Christ, when he who carried our nature up
into heaven shall come " in like manner " to take his beloved
to his home !
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 34, 74, 80.
Blessed be God, that, in Christ Jesus our Lord,
heaven is brought nigh to us as our home ; that He
who descended and took our nature, and lived and
suffered and died in human flesh, hath ascended
to heaven, the same Jesus, glorifying our nature
in his own ! Oh, may we feel the grace of his re-
demption, the power of his resurrection, the glory of
his ascension, the promise of his coming, as mo-
tives to draw us from earthly things ! and may the
exaltation of our Redeemer, as head over all things
to his Church, inspire us with faith in the triumph
of his Church in the world ! Build up thy Church
this day ; bless her worship, her schools, her teach-
ing; hear her prayers, and manifest thy saving
power. Go with us to thine house. Grant, we
beseech thee, Almighty God, that like as we do
believe thy only-begotten Son to have ascended
into the heavens, so we may also in heart and mind
thither ascend, and with him continually dwell ;
who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy
Ghost, one God, world without end.
Thy mercy, Lord ! hath visited us with the re-
freshing slumbers of the night. As a family we
would dedicate ourselves to thee, and supplicate
thy grace upon every one of us here present before
thee, and upon all the dear ones who are absent
from us. And, while we so rejoice in thine abound-
ing goodness, we make supplication for the poor,
the needy, the outcast, the oppressed ; beseeching
thee that the consolations of the gospel may be
multiplied to them all, through the grace of our
ascended Lord ; to whom be glory forever. Amen.
74
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
SUNDAY EVENING^
Isaiah Iv. — 1. Ho, every one that thirsteth,
come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money ;
come ye, buy and eat ; yea, come, huy wine and
milk without money and without price.
2. Wherefore do ye spend money iovthativ7iich
is not bread, and your labor for that which sat-
isfieth not ? Hearken diligently unto me, and eat
ye that which is good, and let your soul delight
itself in fatness.
3. Incline your ear, and come unto me ; hear,
and your soul shall live ; and I will make an ever-
lasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies
of David.
4. Behold, I have given him for a witness to the
people, a leader and commander to the people.
5. Behold, thou shalt call a nation that thou
knovvest not, and nations that knew not thee shall
run unto thee, because of the Lord thy God, and
for the Holy One of Israel ; for he hath glorified
thee.
6. Seek ye the Lord while he may be found ; call
ye upon him while he is near.
7. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the un-
righteous man his thoughts : and let him return
unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him ;
and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
8. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nei-
ther are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.
9. For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways, and my
thoughts than your thoughts.
10. For as the rain cometh down, and the snow
from heaven, and returneth not thither, but wa-
tereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and
bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread
to the eater:
11. So shall my word be that goeth forth out of
my mouth : it shall not return unto me void, but
it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall
prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
12. For ye shall go out with joy, 'and be led
forth with peace : the mountains and the hills shall
break forth before you into singing, and all the
trees of the field shall clap their hands.
13. Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir-
tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the
myrtle-tree; and it shall be to the Lord for a name,
for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.
Food and money are objects which all men desire : the first
a necessity of life ; the second a means of comfort and luxury,
and also of distinction and power. Both here are symbols of
good or happiness, which is that for which men are always
longing and striving; but they often mistake for food that
which is not wholesome nor nourishing. Christ comes to us as
the embodiment of all good : he is the bread from heaven ; he
is the fountain of living waters ; he is the incorruptible treasure ;
he is the life everlasting. And all that he is he offers to all freely,
without price. "These gratuitous blessings are contrasted with
the costly and unprofitable labors of mankind to gain the
same end in another way." Only one condition is annexed,
and this arising from the nature of the case, — the sense of need,
the desire to possess. To every hungry, thirsty soul, Christ
offers all his fulness. Do the very greatness and richness of
the offer discourage us 1 ? But we must not measure God's
thoughts by ours : they are as high above ours as the heavens
above the earth. He plans nothing in vain. As in the king-
dom of nature he provides with certainty for the harvest, so in
his kingdom of grace he will not suffer the munificent pro-
visions of his mercy to go for nought. The lifting-up of
Christ upon the cross shall yet draw the nations to him.
The world made desolate by sin and woe shall be tilled with
grace and joy. Let us make sure of our part in this great
salvation by turning from sin to the Lord, who delights to
pardon.
Appropriate Hymn's,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 162, 186, 200.
Thou that dwellest in the heavens ! holy and
reverend is thy name. Unto thee would we lift up
our souls. As the eyes of servants look unto the
hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden
unto the hand of her mistress, so our eyes wait
upon the Lord our God. To whom can we go but
unto thee ? Thou hast the words of eternal life.
We praise and bless thy name for all thy mercy
to us this day ; for the bounties of thy providence,
and for the riches of thy grace ; for the supply of
our bodily wants, and for the spiritual food which
nourishes and refreshes our souls. We thank thee
for the Holy Scriptures, for the preaching of the
gospel, for the privilege of prayer, for all the ordi-
nances and means of grace. Follow these with thy
blessing. Lord, pardon what thy pure eyes hath
seen amiss in us, and accept us in the Beloved.
We commend ourselves to thy care and keeping
for the night. Watch over us in the hours of
darkness and helplessness. If it be thy will, may
we have refreshing sleep, and rise renewed for the
duties and employments of another day ! Sleep-
ing or waking, may we be ever with thee ! Be
with all in whom we are specially interested,
and to whom we are bound by the ties of nature
or of grace. Lord, bestow on them the blessings
which we have asked for ourselves. And draw nigh
to all who are in distress. Be a very present help
in trouble. Send the Holy Spirit, the Comforter,
to all the suffering and the dying. Sanctify to
them their affliction, and give them deliverance
in thine own time and way. To live may it be
Christ, and to die may it be gain. Our prayers
are before thee : grant us an answer in peace. Do
to us and for us exceeding abundantly above all
we ask or think ; and unto thee be glory in the
Church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world
without end. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
75
MONDAY.
Proverbs i. — 20. Wisdom crieth without ; she
uttereth her voice in the streets :
21. She crieth in the chief place of concourse,
in the openings of the gates : in the citj T she utter-
eth her words, saying,
22. How long, ye simple ones, will ye love sim-
plicity ? and the scorners delight in their scorning,
and fools hate knowledge ?
23. Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour
out my spirit unto you ; I will make known my
words unto you.
24. Because I have called, and ye refused ; I hare
stretched out my hand, and no man regarded ;
25. But ye have set at nought all my counsel,
and would none of my reproof :
26. I also will laugh at your calamity ; I will
mock when your fear cometh ;
27. When your fear cometh as desolation, and
your destruction cometh as a whirlwind ; when dis-
tress and anguish cometh upon you.
28. Then shall they call upon me, but I will not
answer ; they shall seek me early, but they shall
not find me ;
29. For that they hated knowledge, and did not
choose the fear of the Lord :
30. They would none of my counsel ; they de-
spised all my reproof.
31. Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of
their own way, and be filled with their own de-
vices.
32. For the turning-away of the simple shall
slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy
them.
33. But wboso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell
safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.
Psalm Ixxxi. — 11. My people would not heark-
en to my voice ; and Israel would none of me.
12. So I gave them up unto their own hearts'
lust; and they walked in their own counsels.
13. Oh that my people had hearkened unto me,
and Israel had walked in my ways !
14. I should soon have subdued their ene-
mies, and turned my hand against their adver-
saries.
15. The haters of the Lord should have sub-
mitted themselves unto him ; but their time should
have endured forever.
16. He should have fed them also with the finest
of the wheat ; and with honey out of the rock
should I have satisfied thee.
"Wisdom is here the representative of true piety : " the fear
of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." It is good sense to
be virtuous ; it is the mark of a sound mind to regulate our
lives by the will of God. At the gates of the city, which
answered to a modern exchange, where men were gathered
together, eager for news and for bargains ; to the modern
caucus, where men crowded about some leader or officer to
make interest for themselves ; to the modern saloon, where
men sought social pleasure and excitement, — in the midst of
scenes and affairs that so engross the multitude of men, Wis-
dom gives forth her counsels and admonitions, reminding
them that there is a higher life, a nobler aim, and warning
them of the disappointment and ruin that await a life of
worldliness and sin. Eeligion is not for Sundays only, but
for the every-day life ; not for the Church, but for the school,
the shop, the factory, the market, the out-door world of hurry
and commotion, the streets and gates of the city. To suffer
our daily affairs to cause us to forget God is most unwise.
Terrible are the warnings given to those who neglect this
heavenly wisdom ; yet these truly picture the experiences of
a soul that forsakes God for the world and sin. Observe, too,
that the warnings are attended with invitations, entreaties,
promises, reaching forth the hand with the offer of safety
and peace to whoever will be wise.
Appropriate Hyiiss,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 11, 40, 65.
Father of mercies, accept our humble thanksgiv-
ing for all the tokens of thy love. We adore thee
for thy watchful care over us during the past night,
and for the light and the comfort of this morning.
For life and health and reason, for thy j:>roviden-
tial bounty, for our personal and domestic bless-
ings, for all that mingles in the cup of life to make
life happy, we offer our grateful praise. Accept
our gratitude, and command upon us thy choicest
favor. Bestow upon us the wisdom that is from
above. Give us heart and courage for the duties
of this day. Keep us in our going-out and our
coming-in. Preserve us from all danger and evil,
from accident and from sudden death. Plentifully
endue us with thy grace, that we may walk worthy
of our high calling, and in all things adorn the
doctrine of God our Saviour. Let not sin have
dominion over us ; but, perfecting holiness in thy
fear, may we attain unto everlasting life and joy !
Ever keep this household in thy love. [Oh, may
these children be preserved from all harm, from all
evil, from all sin. and made happy in thy love !
May they shun the way of folly, and choose the
fear of the Lord !]
The blessings which we thus ask for ourselves,
let it please thee, God ! to extend to all who are
dear to us by the ties of nature and affection. Lift
upon them the light of thy countenance, and sat-
isfy them with thy goodness. Hear its when we
pray for the good estate of the whole catholic
Church. Clothe thy ministers with salvation, and
I let thy chosen people rejoice. Have pity upon
the nations, and fill the world with thy glory.
I Strengthen the sons of toil, and comfort the
children of sorrow. Be thou the Father of the
fatherless, the Judge of the widow, and the rest of
the weary. We ask these mercies in the name of
Jesus Christ, our only Lord and Saviour. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
TUESDAY.
Acts ii. — 37. Now, when they heard this, they
were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter
and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren,
what shall we do ?
38. Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be
baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus
Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall re-
ceive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
39. For the promise is unto you, and to your
children, and to all that are afar off, even as many
as the Lord our God shall call.
40. And with many other words did he testify
and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this un-
toward generation.
41. Then they that gladly received his word
were baptized ; and the same day there were added
unto them about three thousand souls.
42. And they continued steadfastly in the apos-
tles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of
bread, and in prayers.
43. And fear came upon every soul ; and many
wonders and signs were done by the apostles.
44. And all that believed were together, and
had all things common ;
45. And sold their possessions and goods, and
parted them to all men as every man had
need.
46. And they, continuing daily with one accord
in the temple, and breaking bread from house to
house, did eat their meat -with gladness and single-
ness of heart,
47. Praising God, and having favor with all the
people. And the Lord added to the church daily
such as should be saved.
The apostles were called to meet that question which has
ever since been the question of the soul awakened to the sense
of its guilt and need, " What shall I do? How can I be
saved." Their answer, given by inspiration of the Holy
Ghost, contains specific and precise instruction for every case.
What Peter did not say is highly significant. He did not
himself grant indulgence, nor pronounce absolution ; did not
prescribe a course of penance, nor enjoin any church rites,
ceremonies, obligations, or beliefs, as necessary to salvation, or
the means of procuring it. He addressed himself to the mind,
— the conscience, the understanding, the feelings, the will.
Repent was his first word. Literally, change your mind, — the
state of your mind ; change your views and feelings toward
Christ ; change your motives and aims in living ; change the
inner, abiding, governing purpose of your soul ; renounce the
evil, and set your heart upon serving and pleasing Christ.
This counsel applied equally to all. Peter's audience was
made up of people who were religious in their way, " devout "
in keeping their church appointments : no charge of immoral-
ity was brought against them ; but they had all rejected Christ.
Some had done this blindly, through prejudice ; others wil-
fully, through passion. But no degrees of guilt were meas-
ured : one and all, they were summoned to repent.
Every man has something to repent of before God, — his
selfish heart, his proud will, his unbelief, his worldliness, his
ingratitude, his indifference to spiritual things. One who does
not confess his obligation to repent cannot offer the Lord's
J Prayer with its express petition for the forgiveness of sin. Re-
| pentance should be followed by the open confession of Christ,
| of which baptism is the visible symbol, — the acknowledgment
\ of Jesus as the Saviour, through whom alone remission of sins
J can be obtained. Three thousand penitents thus openly con-
fessed Christ upon the day of Pentecost. They at once proved
the sincerity of their new faith by the largeness of their liber-
ality, the fervor of their love, the constancy of their devo-
i tion.
Appropriate Htmns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 30, 113.
Almighty and everlasting God, who art ever
ready to hearken to the cry of the humble, and
hast promised to refuse none who come to thee in
the name of thy dear Son, look upon us in mercy
for his sake, and grant our requests. We thank
thee that we have a throne of grace to come to ;
that thine ear is ever open to the prayers of thy
children ; and that the arms of thy mercy are
stretched out towards us. Lord, we come to thee
as to a father : give us, we pray thee, a father's
blessing. Thou knowest how we have, one and
all, wandered from thee.
Our sins are great ; but great also is thy for-
bearance. Oh, may thy goodness lead us to repent-
ance ! May the love of Christ be shed abroad in
our hearts, and constrain us to live no longer to
ourselves, but to thee. Thou hast brought us
safely through the night : blessed be thy name for
preserving us from dangers both seen and unseen,
for spreading our table with plenty, and for all the
kindness we receive from those around us.
But, Lord ! we praise thee especially for those
gifts which concern the welfare of our souls, — for
thy holy Word, for thy ministers, for thy house of
prayer, for the means of grace, and for the hope
of future glory.
Have mercy on those who are deprived of the
blessings we enjoy. Visit with thy compassion
the houseless, the fatherless, and the afflicted.
Dry up the tears of all that mourn. Pity the ig-
norant, and those that are out of the way. Thou
Saviour of the lost, bring home the wanderers to
thy fold. Bless those who are gone forth to pro-
claim thy truth in distant lands : cheer and
encourage their hearts; strengthen their faith;
give them boldness and wisdom and love ; preserve
them from every peril ; and crown their labors
with success.
And grant, blessed Lord, that we who have the
light may walk in the light. Oh ! enable us to
shine brightly for thee in the midst of a dark
world. May we not only own thee with our lips,
but may we follow thee with all our hearts ! And
do thou make us now and ever thine, through Him
who died, and rose again, and ever liveth to make
intercession for us. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IX THE YEAR.
77
WEDNESDAY.
Acts iii. — 1. Now, Peter and John went up
together into the temple at the hour of prayer, be-
ing the ninth hour.
2. And a certain man lame from his mother's
womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the
gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask
alms of them that entered into the temple ;
3. Who, seeing Peter and John about to go into
the temple, asked an alms.
4. And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with
John, said, Look on us.
5. And he gave heed unto them, expecting to
receive something of them.
6. Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none ;
but such as I have give I thee : In the name of
Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.
The most magnificent gate of the temple was that which
stood before the sanctuary itself. This was seventy cubits high,
and twenty-five broad : it was completely overlaid with gold,
and had above it golden vines with huge clusters of grapes.
In the courts and walls were nine gates, all overlaid throughout
with gold and silver ; and besides these one of Corinthian brass,
which, according to Josephus, "greatly exceeded in sump-
tuousness those plated with silver and gold." Either this, or
the one first mentioned, was distinguished as " the Beautiful
Gate." In contrast with this magnificence of material wor-
ship was a dilapidated temple of humanity, deformed, crippled,
beggared. Just as, at the doors of the churches in Continental
Europe, the most wretched objects are privileged to sit or lie
as beggars ; so this impotent beggar was daily at the temple-
gate to remind worshippers that charity is ever the most accept-
able service.
Peter and John knew what it was to be poor ; and the
sight of this helpless fellow-creature touched them with such
7. And he took him by the right hand, and lifted
him up ; and immediately his feet and ankle-bones
received strength.
8. And he, leaping up, stood and walked, and
entered with them into the temple, walking
and leaping, and praising God.
9. And all the people saw him walking, and
praising God ;
10. And they knew that it was he which sat for
alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple : and
they were filled with wonder and amazement at
that which had happened unto him.
11. And, as the lame man which was healed held
Peter and John, all the people ran together unto
them in the porch that is called Solomon's, greatly
wondering.
compassion as Jesus was wont to feel for suffering humanity.
With the sympathy of the Master came his power also ; and
the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth imparted strength and
motion to feet that had never walked. So conspicuous a
miracle was like another resurrection of the crucified Nazarene,
and gave new life and power to his gospel.
Our Lord wrought miracles by his proper personality : the
power resided in his own spirit ; the virtue went out from
himself. His apostles performed miracles in his name, and
never assumed to possess this power independently. By thus
invoking Jesus for a power properly divine, they proclaimed
their faith in his resurrection, his continued life, his ascension,
his government over the world, his omnipresence and omnipo-
tence ; in a word, their faith in his divinity. The cripple him-
self felt that his healing was a divine act ; and his first use of
his new powers was in praising God. So should every gift,
every mercy, every new experience of his goodness, inspire us
to show forth his praise.
Appropriate Htmns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 9, 32.
Father of lights, Fountain of all good, we lift up
our hearts and voices in gratitude and love. Thy
mercies are new every morning, and thy faithful-
ness is repeated every night. We bless thee for
life and health and reason ; for the use of our
limbs and powers ; for our food and raiment and
habitation ; for labor and reward ; for friends and
kindred; for freedom from suffering, infirmity,
and pain. By the remembrance of thy goodness,
awaken in our hearts, God ! a purer love and
danger. Help us in all things to show forth thy
glory by a life and conversation becoming thy chil-
dren. Keep us from conformity to a sinful world ;
and so aid us by thy good Spirit, that we shall pre-
serve ourselves unspotted, and shall perfect holiness
in thy fear. In all our intercourse and dealings
with men, help us to maintain our holy principles,
and so commend the faith which we profess.
May it please thee to bless all whom we love, and
grant unto them the healthful spirit of thy grace !
devotion to thee. Inspire us with a true and child- ! Have compassion on all the children of toil and
like trust in thy faithfulness and mercy. So stay j sorrow and suffering. Mercifully look upon the
our minds on thyself, that we may be anxious about : afflicted and the dying, and give unto them ever-
ything, but, leaving the future to thine infinite i lasting consolation and good hope through grace,
wisdom, pass the rest of our lives in peace and Bless this household with such favors as thou seest
quietness, fulfil all duty in reliance on thy prom- to be good for us ; and teach us to desire and seek
ised strength, suffer all trials in submission to thy
will, and patiently wait the issue of all thy deal-
ings in our salvation.
O God ! since thou hast opened our eyes to see
the light of another day, be pleased to prosper us
with thy continual favor in all its duties and en-
only that which is good in thy sight.
Holy Father, open our hearts to deeper and
more living impressions of unseen and eternal
things. Help us to walk by faith, that, by a pa-
tient continuance in well-doing, we may come to
glory and honor, through Jesus Christ, our blessed
gagements. Keep us from sin, temptation, and i Lord and Saviour. Amen
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
THURSDAY.
Acts iv. — 1. And, as they spake unto the peo-
ple, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and
the Sadducees, came upon them ;
2. Being grieved that they taught the people,
and preached through Jesus the resurrection from
the dead.
3. And they laid hands on them, and put them in
hold unto the next day ; for it was now eventide.
4. Howbeit, many of them which heard the
word believed ; and the number of the men was
about five thousand.
5. And it came to pass on the morrow, that their
rulers and elders and scribes,
6. And Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas
and John and Alexander, and as many as were of
the kindred of the high priest, were gathered to-
gether at Jerusalem.
7. And, when they had set them in the midst,
they asked, By what power or by what name have
ye done this ?
8. Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said
unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of
Israel,
9. If we this day be examined of the good deed
done to the impotent man, by what means he is
made whole;
10. Be it known unto you all, and to all the peo-
ple of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of
Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised
from the dead, even by him doth this man stand
here before you whole.
11. This is the stone which was set at nought of
you builders, which is become the head of the corner.
The men who had compassed the death of Jesus of Naza-
reth were startled by the new impulse given to his doctrine.
Five thousand converts gathered in Jerusalem alone within a
few days gave a formidable aspect to the faith which the
Sanhedrim imagined they had crucified along with its Teach-
er. Not only was the hold of the priests upon the people
again threatened, but there was danger of a popular re-action
12. Neither is there salvation in any other ; for
there is none other name under heaven given
among men whereby we must be saved.
13. Now, when they saw the boldness of Peter
and John, and perceived that they were unlearned
and ignorant men, they marvelled ; and they took
knowledge of them that they had been with Jesus.
14. And, beholding the man which was healed
standing with them, they could say nothing
against it.
15. But, when they had commanded them to go
aside out of the council, they conferred among
themselves,
16. Saying, What shall we do to these men ? for
that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by
them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusa-
lem, and we cannot deny it.
17. But, that it spread no farther among the
people, let us straitly threaten them that they
speak henceforth to no man in this name.
18. And they called them, and commanded them
not to speak at all, nor teach in the name of Jesus.
19. But Peter and John answered and said unto
them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to
hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye ;
20. For we cannot but speak the things which
we have seen and heard.
21. So, when they had further threatened them,
they let them go, finding nothing how they might
punish them, because of the people; for all men
glorified God for that which was done.
22. For the man was above forty years old on
whom this miracle of healing was showed.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Almighty God, our heavenly Father, who of thy
great mercy hast promised forgiveness of sins to
all that with hearty repentance and true faith
turn unto thee, have mercy upon us ; pardon and
deliver us from all our sins ; confirm and strengthen
us in all goodness ; and finally bring us to ever-
lasting life, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God
Almighty; just and true are all thy ways, thou
King of saints. We would praise thee and wor-
ship thee ever, world without end. We commit
ourselves to thy love and faithfulness. In thee
would we trust at all times. Confident in thy
promises, and in the help of thy Spirit, may we
not fear what man can do unto us !
against the instigators of the crucifixion. Yet they could
think only of violence as a remedy. These preachers must
be silenced by fear. But the disciples, who ran away at
the approach of danger to their Lord, were now fortified
by his death against the fear of dying. Conscience was
mightier than any human authority, and faith stronger
than fear.
[Nos. 16, 47, 49.
Prayer.
Thou of thy great goodness hast caused us to
dwell in safety during another night, and to awake
in peace. May our conversation, this day, be such
as becometh the gospel of Christ ! If trouble
befall us, may we trust, and not be afraid ! Feed
us with food convenient for us. Assist us to honor
thee with our substance and with the first-fruits
of our increase. May we do justice, love mercy,
and walk humbly with our God ! and may each
member of our family be kept from sin, and pre-
served to recount thy mercies at evening! All
these mercies we humbly beg in the adorable
name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ ; who,
with the Father and the Spirit, liveth and reigneth
evermore. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
79
FRIDAY.
Acts iv. — 23. And, being let go, they went to
their own company, and reported all that the chief
priests and elders had said unto them.
21. And, when they heard that, they lifted up
their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord,
thou art God, which hast made heaven and earth,
and the sea, and all that in them is ;
25. Who by the mouth of thy servant David
hast said, "Why did the heathen rage, and the peo-
ple imagine vain things ?
26. The kings of the earth stood up, and the
rulers were gathered together against the Lord,
and against his Christ.
27. For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus,
whom thou hast anointed, both Herod and Pon-
tius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of
Israel, were gathered together,
28. For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy
counsel determined before to be done.
29. And now, Lord, behold their threaten in gs ;
and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness
they may speak thy word,
30. By stretching forth thy hand to heal ; and
that signs and wonders may be done by the name
of thy holy child Jesus.
31. And, when they had prayed, the place was
shaken where they were assembled together; and
they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they
spake the word of God with boldness.
32. And the multitude of them that believed
were of one heart and of one soul : neither said
any of them that aught of the things which he
possessed was his own ; but they had all things
common.
33. And with great power gave the apostles wit-
ness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus ; and
great grace was upon them all.
34. Neither was there any among them that
lacked ; for as many as were possessors of lands or
houses sold them, and brought the prices of the
things that were sold,
35. And laid them down at the apostles' feet ;
and distribution was made unto every man accord-
ing as he had need.
36. And Joses, who by the apostles was sur-
named Barnabas (which is, being interpreted, the
son of consolation), a Levite, and of the country of
Cyprus,
37. Having land, sold it, and brought the money,
and laid it at the apostles' feet.
" If we take the account of the origin of Christianity from
the last evening of the life of Christ to the end of the fifty
days that followed, it is undeniable that in this brief interval
something- of a quite extraordinary character in inspiring
their courage must have occurred to have brought the apos-
tles, who timorously fled in that night, who were to the last
degree helpless and destitute of self-reliance, — to have
brought them to the point at which they stood, when, lifted
above all fear of death in the presence of the judges of the mur-
dered Jesus, judges exasperated to the last degree, they ex-
claimed, ' We ought to obey God rather than man.' " —
Paulus.
This concession was forced from a disbeliever in the Gos-
pels, as the honest verdict of a student of history. But the
solution of this marvel is given in two facts, — the resurrection
of Jesus, and the coming of the Holy Ghost. For the fact of
the resurrection the apostles were ready to die ; and their
word fell with the power of the Spirit. This power was
mightily increased through prayer. Committing themselves
to the glory of God, they drew upon his strength.
Their common faith drew them together in love and in
self-sacrifice for the common cause. Disowned by the Jewish
leaders, they shared what they had one with another, and
gave themselves unitedly to the work of the Lord.
Appropeiate Htjixs,]
Prayer.
[Xos. Ill, 118, 202.
God, our heavenly Father, in whom we live, I
move, and have our being ! we give thee humble
thanks for all thy mercies renewed to us every
morning ; for life and health, for food and raiment,
for relations and friends ; for the guardianship of
thy holy angels, and for all the known and the
unobserved favors, deliverances, visitations, and j
graces of thy Holy Spirit. Grant that we may
receive all things as from thee, and study to live
always in thy fear and to thy glory, through Jesus
Christ our Lord.
O Lord! look graciously upon us in that state of
life unto which thou hast been pleased to call us.
May thy blessing be upon our persons, upon our
labors, upon our substance, and upon all that be- J
longs to us ! Enable us to resist the temptations
of the world, the flesh, and the Devil ; to follow the
motions of thy good Spirit ; to be serious and holy
in our lives, true and just in our dealings, watch- ,
ful over our thoughts, words, and actions, diligent
in our business, and temperate in all things. Give
us grace that we may honestly improve all the tal-
ents thou hast committed to our trust, and that no
worldly business, no worldly pleasures, may ever
divert us from the thoughts of the life to come.
O God ! we pray thee to bless all men. Bless
thy holy Church, the children and the absent mem-
bers of this family, our friends and benefactors, the
poor, the sick, and the distressed : to each, Lord !
grant that which thou knowest to be best for him,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Into thy hands, God ! we commend ourselves
this day. Let the favor of thy special presence be
with us even to its close. Grant us never to lose
sight of thee all the day long, but to worship and
pray to thee, and to ponder the words of thy law
and the blessings of thy saving grace, through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
SATURDAY.
Acts V. — 1. But a certain man named Ananias,
with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,
2. And kept back part of the price (his wife
also being privy to it), and brought a certain part,
and laid it at the apostles' feet.
3. But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled
thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep
back part of the price of the land ?
4. While it remained, was it not thine own ? and
after it was sold, was it not in thine own power ?
Why hast thou conceived this thing in thine
heart ? Thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.
5. And Ananias, hearing these words, fell down,
and gave up the ghost. And great fear came on
all them that heard these things.
6. Aid the young men arose, wound him up,
and carried him out, and buried him.
7. And it was about the space of three hours
after, when his wife, not knowing what was done,
came in.
8. And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether
ye sold the land for so much ? And she said, Yea,
for so much.
9. Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye
have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the
A great religious revival is apt to bring along with it a re-
vival of hypocrisy. No sin is so damning as covetousness.
Ananias and Sapphira felt the pressure of the example of lib-
erality around them, and wanted to share in the repute of such
good works ; yet their hearts hankered after their treasures,
and this betrayed them into hypocrisy and falsehood.
The community of goods was not intended to be a law of
the Church ; nor was this example of primitive communism
to be taken as a binding precedent. The converts to Christi-
anity at Jerusalem were people from all countries, who had
come to the capital, as Jews, to observe their festival. At
such times the residents of the city were extremely hospita-
Lord ? Behold, the feet of them which have buried
thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee
out.
10. Then fell she down straightway at his feet,
and yielded up the ghost. And the young men
came in and found her dead, and, carrying her
forth, buried her by her husband.
11. And great fear came upon all the church,
and upon as many as heard these things.
12. And by the hands of the apostles were many
signs and wonders wrought among the people
(and they were all with one accord in Solomon's
porch.
13. And of the rest durst no man join himself
to them ; but the people magnified them.
14. And believers were the more added to the
Lord, multitudes both of men and women) ;
15. Insomuch that they brought forth the sick
into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches,
that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by
might overshadow some of them.
16. There came also a multitude out of the cities
round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks,
and them which were vexed with unclean spirits ;
and they were healed every one.
ble. But these guests had adopted a faith which doubtless
alienated from many the friends who had entertained them.
They had overstaid their time, and were without means. To
meet this condition of things, those converts who had property
volunteered to share it with the rest. The sin of Ananias
and Sapphira lay in professing to make the same sacrifice,
when they were using it as a veil for their covetousness. It
was necessary to free the infant Church from all taint of
worldliness, time-serving, or hypocrisy. Hence this terrible
judgment. Ah! if the Searcher of hearts should now go
through the Church with a like test, how many, it is feared,
must fall under his righteous sentence !
Appropriate Hymns,]
Search us, God ! and know our hearts ; try us,
and know our thoughts ; and see if there be any
wicked way in us ; and lead us in the way ever-
lasting. Have mercy upon us, Lord ! according
to thy loving-kindness ; according to the multitude
of thy tender mercies, blot out our transgressions.
Wash us thoroughly from our iniquities, and cleanse
us from our sin. For we acknowledge our trans-
gressions, and our sin is ever before us.
We thank thee that thou hast safely brought us
to the beginning of this . day ; defend us in the
same by thy mighty power : and grant that this
day we fall into no sin, neither run into any kind
of danger, but that all our doings, being ordered
by thy governance, may be righteous in thy sight.
Fit us day by day for the duties that lie before
us. We would put ourselves and all that concerns
us into thy hands, and ask thee to be our Guide and
Counsellor. In all our ways we desire to acknowl-
Prayer. [Nos. 28, 89.
edge thee ; and do thou direct our path. Keep us,
we beseech thee, from all evil, that we, being ready
both in body and soul, may cheerfully accomplish
those things that thou wouldst have us to do.
Fit us, Lord ! for all the events of this short
and uncertain life. If prosperity be our portion,
keep us humble and watchful in the midst of it ;
or, if sorrows and trials come upon us, give us
grace cheerfully to submit, saying, "Father, not
my will, but thy will, be done."
[Give unto the children of this family grace to
serve thee in the morning of life. Oh ! keep them
from temptation and evil, and from every false and
hurtful way.] Be very gracious to our friends :
grant to them health and prosperity in this life,
and make them meet for the life everlasting. And,
Lord ! bless and save the whole world.
We ask these blessings in the name of Jesus
Christ, our Lord and Saviour. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
81
SUNDAY MORNING.
Exodus xix. — 1. In the third month, when
the children of Israel were gone forth out of the
land of Egypt, the same day came they into the
wilderness of Sinai.
3. And Moses went up unto God, and the Lord
called unto him out of the mountain, saying, Thus
shalt thou say to the house of Jacob, and tell the
children of Israel :
4. Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians,
and how I bare you on eagles' wings, and brought
you unto myself.
5. Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice in-
deed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a
peculiar treasure unto me above all people ; for all
the earth is mine :
6. And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests,
and a holy nation. These are the words which
thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.
7. And Moses came and called for the elders of
the people, and laid before their faces all these
words which the Lord commanded him.
8. And all the people answered together, and said,
All that the Lord hath spoken we will do. And Mo-
ses returned the words of the people unto the Lord.
9. And the Lord said unto Moses, Lo, I come unto
thee in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when
I speak with thee, and believe thee forever. And
Moses told the words of the people unto the Lord.
10. And the Lord said unto Moses, Go unto the
people, and sanctify them to-day and to-morrow,
and let them wash their clothes,
11. And be ready against the third day ; for the
third day the Lord will come down in the sight of
all the people upon Mount Sinai.
12. And thou shalt set bounds unto the people
round about, saying, Take heed to yourselves that
ye go not up into the mount, or touch the border
of it : whosoever toucheth the mount shall be surely
put to death.
13. There shall not a hand touch it but he
shall surely be stoned or shot through ; whether
it be beast or man, it shall not live : when the
trumpet soundeth long, they shall come up to the
mount.
16. And it came to pass on the third day, in the
morning, that there were thunders and lightnings,
and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice
of the trumpet exceeding loud ; so that all the
people that was in the camp trembled.
17. And Moses brought forth the people out of
the camp to meet with God ; and they stood at the
nether part of the mount.
18. And Mount Sinai was altogether on a smoke,
because the Lord descended upon it in fire; and
the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a fur-
nace, and the whole mount quaked greatly.
19. And when the voice of the trumpet sounded
long, and waxed louder and louder, Moses spake,
and God answered him by a voice.
20. And the Lord came down upon Mount Sinai,
on the top of the mount ; and the Lord called Moses
up to the top of the mount, and Moses went up.
There is a peak of Horeb known as lias Sufsafeh, which
answers remarkably to the conditions of this narrative. In
front of it is the broad plain of Er Rahah, which, with the ad-
jacent wadies, would afford room for a vast encampment. The
mountain, from base to summit, is in full view from every
part of the plain ; and it rises so sheer, that it " might be
touched " by one standing below. Here, in all probability,
was made that display of majesty and might, the very thought
of which fills one with awe as to-day he stands before the
bare and silent precipice. Such warning, such reserve, such
sanctity, such dread, were needed to impress a rude people
with the power and the holiness of their God. But through
all the grandeur and terror of this manifestation his gentle-
ness appears, infolding, protecting, uplifting his people as
with eagles' wings.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 155, 170, 176.
Almighty God, who in times past didst speak
unto the fathers by the prophets, we bless thee
that in these latter days thou hast spoken unto us
by thy Son ; that the glory which the patriarchs
beheld afar off, and the promise which the prophets
waited for, have been revealed in Christ ; and, above
all, that we have in him the forgiveness of sins
and the life everlasting. Grant us grace, we be-
seech thee, ever to walk in thy light and to keep
thy testimonies. May thy gospel this clay min-
ister to our peace and comfort, our faith and hope,
our instruction in righteousness, our sanctification
through obedience of the truth ! May it quicken
souls that are dead in trespasses and sins, and
comfort and edify thy saints ! May children hear
the voice of Jesus their Saviour, and come unto
him ! While in thy house, may we have the
spirit of prayer and praise, and give earnest heed
to the things that we shall hear ! thou God of
peace, who didst bring again the Lord Jesus from
the dead ! grant us peace, we pray thee, through
pardon in his blood and the hope of his resur-
rection. May none of us neglect his great salva-
tion !
We give thee thanks, Lord our preserver ! for
rest and refreshment in the night : grant us, this
day, rest from the toils and cares of life, — rest in
thee. Fulfil unto this household, and to all believ-
ing households, the mercies of thy covenant, through
Jesus Christ our Lord; to whom, with thee,
Father ! and the Eternal Spirit, be glory ever-
lasting. Amen.
82
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
SUNDAY EVENING.
John vii. — 14. Now, about the midst of the
feast, Jesus went up into the temple, and taught.
15. And the Jews marvelled, saying, How know-
eth this man letters, having never learned ?
16. Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine
is not mine, but his that sent me.
17. If any man will do his will, he shall know
of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether
I speak of myself.
18. He that speaketh of himself seeketh his
own glory ; but he that seeketh his glory that sent
him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in
him.
19. Did not Moses give you the law, and yet
none of you keepeth the law ? Why go ye about
to kill me ?
20. The peojale answered and said, Thou hast a
devil : who goeth about to kill thee ?
21. Jesus answered and said unto them, I have
done one work, and ye all marvel.
22. Moses, therefore, gave unto you circum-
cision (not because it is of Moses, but of the
fathers) ; and ye on the sabbath-day circumcise
a man.
23. If a man on the sabbath-day receive circum-
cision that the law of Moses should not be broken,
are ye angry at me because I have made a man
every whit whole on the sabbath-day ?
24. Judge not according to the appearance, but
judge righteous judgment.
25. Then said some of them of Jerusalem, Is
not this he whom they seek to kill ?
26. But, lo, he speaketh boldly, and they say
nothing unto him. Do the rulers know indeed
that this is the very Christ ?
27. Howbeit, we know this man, whence he is ;
j but, when Christ cometh, no man knoweth whence
he is.
28. Then cried Jesus in the temple as he taught,
saying, Ye both know me, and ye know whence I
am; and I am not come of myself, but he that
sent me is true, whom ye know not.
29. But I know him ; for I am from him, and
he hath sent me.
30. Then they sought to take him ; but no man
laid hands on him, because his hour was not yet
come.
31. And many of the people believed on him,
and said, When Christ cometh, will he do more
miracles than these which this man hath done ?
Jesus had not been trained in the schools of the Rabbis;
and beyond the fact that he could read and write, as every
Jewish child was taught to do, there is no intimation of his
having studied any branch of secular knowledge . his wisdom
proceeded from his own higher life, which was " the light of
men." Such teaching could not be tested by the teaching of
the scribes, which dwelt upon the letter of the law, to the neg-
lect of the spirit : its meaning must be felt in order to be appre-
ciated ; and it could be felt only through the medium of a hum-
ble teachable spirit, intent upon doing the will of God. This
brings the blessed fulness of the gospel within the reach of
all. However deficient in general knowledge and in the
wisdom of this world, yet, by a docile obedient faith, we
may know the only true God, and Jesus Christ, which is life
eternal.
A child leams by obedience; by trusting the word of
parents and teachers in things which it cannot yet under-
stand. But much more are spiritual truths to be apprehended
by faith. Such truths cannot be weighed and measured like
the facts of physical science: they are spiritually discerned.
Faith is the eye of the spirit. When we take down the bars
of prejudice, of unbelief, the light which God has prepared
for this most delicate and receptive spiritual eye will shine in
and irradiate the mind. Jesus identified himself with God
in the truth he uttered and in the works he wrought. To
believe Christ is to know God.
Appropriate Hymns,) Prayer
Lord ! we draw nigh unto thy throne of grace, of the wicked to an end,
(Nos. 23, 33, 42.
adoring thee as God over all, blessed for evermore.
May we this night enter the inner chamber of
thy presence ! Draw near to us as we draw near
to thee. We bless thee that thou hast spared us
during this day, and hast given us the privileges
of the sabbath and the sanctuary. We thank
thee for the Bible, the Sunday school, the Church,
and all the means of grace ; and pray that by these
helps, this day enjoyed, we may be made more meet
for heaven. We thank thee, Lord ! for that home
made ready for us, and endeared to us by the
thought of many who have gone before us. May
we follow their faith, and enter their rest !
While we pray for ourselves, we would remem-
ber before thee all whom we ought to bear on our
hearts at the throne of grace. Prosper thy cause
Bless the young: may
they spring up as willows by the water-courses, —
trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord!
Bless the aged: may they be gathered to the
garner of the Great Husbandman as the shock
of corn in its season, full of years, and ripe for
glory !
Bless us as a family [parent and child]. Let
us all own one common Master, one Father in
heaven. Whether we wake or sleep, may we live
together with thee ! There is no darkness to us if
thou art with us. Defend us during the uncon-
scious hours of slumber, that we may rise to a
new day fitted for duty, happy in the assured con-
tinuance of thy favor and love. And all we ask is
for Jesus Christ's sake, our only Mediator and Ke-
deemer : in whose blessed name we ask and offer
and kingdom in the world. Bring the wickedness , all. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
MONDAY.
Psalm i. — 1. Blessed is the man that walketh |
not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth
in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of
the scornful.
2. But his delight is in the law of the Lord ; and
in his law doth he meditate day and night.
3. And he shall be like a tree planted by the
rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his
season ; his leaf also shall not wither ; and what-
soever he doeth shall prosper.
4. The ungodly are not so, but are like the
chaff which the wind driveth away.
5. Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the
judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the
righteous.
6. For the Lord knoweth the way of the right-
eous ; but the way of the ungodly shall perish.
Jeremiah xvii. — 5. Thus saith the Lord :
Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and
maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth
from the Lord.
The contrast here so forcibly put, between the righteous
and the ungodly, does not always appear in their outward
temporal condition ; but it is to be found in their internal
sources of happiness. It becomes more and more marked
in the development of character as life goes on, and is
often strikingly manifested in the close of life. There is a
gradation in the terms of the first verse, such as often, in fact,
marks the career of those who make companions of the
wicked. He who begins with looking for pleasure to the ex-
ample and counsel of men who disregard God, and adopting
their suggestions, will presently be found standing in the way
of sinners, frequenting their haunts, and lingering in their
society, and by and by will deliberately sit among those who
make a mock of serious things.
Many a young man, who begins, by yielding to the solici-
tations of irreligious companions, to throw off the outward
6. For he shall be like the heath in the desert,
and shall not see when good cometh, but shall
inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a
salt land and not inhabited.
7. Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord,
and whose hope the Lord is.
8. For 'he shall be as a tree planted by the
waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the
river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her
leaf shall be green ; and shall not be careful in the
year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding
fruit.
9. The heart is deceitful above all things, and
desperately wicked : who can know it ?
10. I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins,
even to give every man according to his ways, and
according to the fruit of his doings.
11. As the partridge sitteth on eggs, and hatch-
eth them not ; so he that getteth riches, and not
by right, shall leave them in the midst of his days,
and at his end shall be a fool.
restraints of religion, ends in habits of profaneness and vice
that shock the very decencies of life ; but, in the midst of his
reckless career, he may be driven away like chaff to receive
the judgment of his deeds.
The best safeguard against a life so foolish, wasteful, and
ruinous, is to make the word of God the counsellor, the com-
panion, the delight, of the soul. He who does this shall be
like the fruit-trees planted along the rivulets that flow
through the gardens of Damascus, — always fresh and flourish-
ing, and, in the season, yielding ripe and wholesome fruit. At
peace with conscience, satisfied in his own soul, and approved
of God, such a man is forever blessed. The roots of his life
are nourished by the unfailing source of all life ; and so the
vigor and beauty of his piety are perennial. No outward
changes can affect him whose life is planted in the life of
God.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 52, 162, 165.
We adore thee, Lord our God ! that thou hast
not only revealed to us a heaven to come, but
hast assured us that there are yet good things in
store for this earth which we inhabit, and which
has so long groaned under the curse of sin. We
pray that thou wilt shorten these days of igno-
rance, wickedness, and folly, and hasten the reign
of the Lord Jesus. Help us, Lord our God!
that we may not merely pray, but may also labor
to the utmost to spread thy gospel and extend
thy dominion.
Oh ! fill us with the love of Him who went about
doing good. May we glorify thee by bringing forth
much fruit ! Thou hast commanded and encour-
aged us, O Lord ! to make prayers and intercessions
for all men. We commend to thee the members
of this family, present or absent. May all be par-
takers of thy grace ! Help us rightly to fulfil the
duties of our several stations, always so exercising
ourselves as to have a conscience void of offence
towards God and towards men.
[Bless the children. Cause them to remember
thee, their Creator, in the days of their youth.
Sanctify them by thy grace. Guide them by thy
Spirit, and enable them in all things to prove
themselves thy faithful and obedient children.
Preserve them in health and strength, if it seem
good in thy sight ; but oh ! above all, save them
with an everlasting salvation.]
We commend ourselves to thy merciful protection
and kindness throughout this day. Preserve us
from all evil ; and, in all our thoughts and words
and actions, may we remember that thou, God,
seest us !
. And unto Him who hath been with us all our life
long — our Creator, our Preserver, our Benefactor,
and our Redeemer, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit —
be glory both now and forever. Amen.
84
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
TUESDAY.
Psalm cxix. — 40. Behold, I have longed after
thy precepts : quicken me in thy righteousness.
41. Let thy mercies come also unto me, Lord !
even thy salvation, according to thy word.
42. So shall I have wherewith to answer him
that reproacheth me ; for I trust in thy word.
43. And take not the word of truth utterly out
of my mouth ; for I have hoped in thy judgments.
44. So shall I keep thy law continually for ever
and ever.
45. And I will walk at liberty ; for I seek thy
precepts.
Romans vii. — 9. I was alive without the law
once ; but, when the commandment came, sin re-
vived, and I died.
10. And the commandment which was ordained
to life I found to be unto death.
11. For sin, taking occasion by the command-
ment, deceived me, and by it slew vie.
12. Wherefore the law is holy, and the com-
mandment holy and just and good.
13. Was, then, that which is good made death
unto me ? God forbid ! But sin, that it might ap-
pear sin, working death in me by that which is
good ; that sin by the commandment might become
exceeding sinful.
14. For we know that the law is spiritual ; but I
am carnal, sold under sin.
15. For that which I do I allow not : for what
I would, that do I not ; but what I hate, that do I.
16. If, then, I do that which I would not, I con-
sent unto the law that it is good.
17. Now, then, it is no more I that do it, but sin
that dwelleth in me.
18. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh)
dwelleth no good thing : for to will is present with
me ; but how to perform that which is good, I find
not.
19. For the good that I would I do not ; but the
evil which I would not, that I do.
20. Now, if I do that I would not, it is no more
I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
21. I find, then, a law, that, when I would do
good, evil is present with me.
22. For I delight in the law of God, after the
inward man ;
23. But I see another law in my members war-
ring against the law of my mind, and bringing me
into captivity to the law of sin which is in my
members.
24. wretched man that I am ! who shall de-
liver me from the body of this death ?
25. I thank God, through Jesus Christ our
Lord. So, then, with the mind I myself serve
the law of God ; but with the flesh, the law of
sin.
This inward conflict between good and evil, of right con-
victions with unholy desires, of good purposes with evil solici-
tations, of the inner law of conscience with the power of habit
in the senses, is a universal experience of human nature.
Pagan moralists have depicted it in language scarcely less
vivid and earnest than this. David, in the Psalms, bewails it
as pathetically as docs Paul in this touching lament. In
Paul's philosophy, which he expresses more fully in other
epistles, man consists of body, soul, and spirit : the body, with
its animal appetites and desires ; the spirit, with its conscience,
and its capacity for communion with God ; and the soul, which,
by its various susceptibilities, links these two together. The
spirit, in its normal state, has an affinity for God, and both
reason and conscience would delight in his law. But the
desires of the flesh have led away the soul, and the whole
sentient nature is committed to sinful gratification. "While
the illusion lasts, sin seems to give only pleasure ; and, while
the law is kept out of sight, this kind of indulgence seems
like enjoying life. But there comes a re-action : the law of
God, in conscience and in his Word, asserts itself; the higher
nature struggles to be free only to find itself chained to sin as
to a body of death. Alas, poor wretched soul ! there is no
deliverance, no hope, in thyself: only in Christ is there free-
dom and peace.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 26, 58.
Thou who wast tempted in all points like as we
are, yet without sin, and who for our sakes didst
endure such contradiction of sinners against thy-
self! keep us, we pray thee, both outwardly in our
bodies, and inwardly in our souls, that we may be
defended from all adversities which may happen to
the body, and from all evil thoughts which may as-
sault and hurt the soul. Help us, Lord ! in our
inward conflicts with doubts and fears and sins;
help us in our conflicts with the temptations and
evils of the world ; and, oh ! help us in our wrest-
lings with unseen powers of evil, with the great
Adversary of our souls. Lord ! increase our
faith. Our hope is in thee ; our strength is from
thee alone : dwell in us by thy grace ; fill us with
thy Spirit. This very day may we gain new victo-
ries over evil ! May we resist temptations in busi-
ness to swerve from the truth, to take advantage
of others, to act dishonorably, to be covetous and
unjust ! May we resist temptations in society to
envy and evil-speaking, to worldliness and frivol-
ity ! May we in all things do that which is right in
the sight of God ! [May these children grow up,
dear Saviour, in thy strength and love, safe from
the power of evil !]
We thank thee for another night of rest, another
day of mercy and of hope. Bless all dear to us ;
our friends and neighbors. Succor, Lord ! the
poor and needy, the sick, the tempted, the dying.
O Lord Jesus ! be with us in our last conflict, and
make us more than conquerors over
to thy name be glory forever. Amen,
death : and
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
85
WEDNESDAY.
Romans viii. — 1. There is, therefore, now no
condemnation to them which are in Christ
Jesus, who walk, not alter the flesh, but after the
Spirit.
2. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ
Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and
death.
3. For what the law could not do, in that it was
weak through the flesh, God, sending his own Son
in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, con-
demned sin in the flesh;
4. That the righteousness of the law might be
fulfilled in us, who walk, not after the flesh, but
after the Spirit.
5. For they that are after the flesh do mind the
things of the flesh ; but they that are after the
Spirit, the things of the Spirit.
6. For to be carnally-minded is death ; but to be
spiritually-minded is life and peace.
7. Because the carnal mind is enmity against
God ; for it is not subject to the law of God, nei-
ther indeed can be.
8. So, then, they that are in the flesh cannot
please God.
9. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit,
if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now,
if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is
none of his.
10. And, if Christ be in you, the body is dead
because of sin ; but the Spirit is life because of
righteousness.
11. But, if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus
from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up
Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mor-
tal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
12. Therefore, brethren, we are debtors not to
the flesh, to live after the flesh.
13. For, if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die ;
but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds
of the body, ye shall live.
The preceding chapter left man in a state of utter wretch-
edness and hopelessness, straggling between two laws, — the
law of reason and conscience, the inner voice of the spirit,
dictating obedience to God ; but the desires of the flesh, and
the habit of sinful indulgence, working as " a law in the mem-
bers," and dragging him on to do that which he would not.
To the soul thus struggling, almost despairing, Christ comes
with succor, deliverance, and peace. By his life of holy obe-
dience in human flesh, he condemned and conquered sin, and
proved the possibility of obedience to the righteous law.
Therefore he is able to take our sins upon himself, and to
free from condemnation the soul that accepts Ms mediation
and humbly trusts his grace.
But this freedom comes through obedience to yet another
law ; for while we are saved by believing, yet believing is
obeying. We accept Christ by renouncing sin, by subjecting
our will to his will, by walking in his steps. The carnal
mind, or, more exactly, camal-mindedness, — a state of mind
in which the affections and aims are fixed upon the things of
this world as the chief good, — such love of the world is in
opposition to the will of God, and can never be reconciled to
the law of God.
But, when the Spirit of divine life and love enters into
the soul, he incites it to a loving, holy obedience to God ;
and the evidence that we are in Christ, and freed from
condemnation, is that we no longer follow mere natural
appetites as our law, but seek to know and to do the things
of God.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.
When there was no eye to pity, and no arm to save,
thou, Lord, didst not spare thine own Son, but
didst deliver him up for us all. We draw nigh
to thee with humble faith, and cast ourselves upon
thee for salvation. We have sinned ; and what can
we do unto thee, thou Preserver of men ? We
can make no atonement for the past ; nor can we
offer thee any excuse.
But, gracious God, though we are thus helpless
and hopeless in ourselves, we cannot despair when
we look up unto thee. Thanks to thy name for
having sent thy Son as our Saviour and Example.
We rejoice that he died in our stead ; and we glori-
fy thee that he lived to teach us how to live. Oh !
deliver us from condemnation, and from the fear of
evil.
We pray to be filled with Christ, and clothed
with Christ. May we dwell in him, and may he
dwell in us ! Seal us for thine own by thy Holy
Spirit, that we may pray and live and walk in the
Spirit, and be freed from the law of sin and death.
[0 Lord ! we bring to thee the children of this
Pra} T er. pfos. 25, 62, 124.
household in earnest, believing prayer, that thou
wouldst early rescue them from the power of evil,
and so draw their thoughts and affections unto
thyself, that they shall grow up in thy Spirit, and
ever delight in thy will. Consecrated to thee,
oh ! may they never become the children of this
world, the children of the Wicked One !]
We bless thee for thy mercy during the silence
of the last night. We were not alarmed nor dis-
turbed, because thy hand preserved us in safety
and in peace. We give thee thanks for the light
of this new day, and for remembering us with
necessary food and raiment. May we use thy gifts
as not abusing them, and see in them all our
Father's hand ! Graciously bless us this day in
our basket and store, in our domestic circle, in our
going-out and coming-in, in our worldly business
and transactions, and in our bodies and souls ; and
for the sake of Him who was delivered for our of-
fences, and raised again for our justification, and
who is now at thy right hand making intercession
for us, we pray for all these blessings and favors.
Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
THURSDAY.
Romans viii. — 14. For as many as are led by
the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
15. For ye have not received the spirit of bond-
age again to fear ; but ye have received the Spirit
of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
16. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our
spirit that we are the children of God :
17. And if children, then heirs ; heirs of God,
and joint-heirs with Christ ; if so be that we suf-
fer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
18. For I reckon that the sufferings of this
present time are not worthy to be compared with
the glory which shall be revealed in us.
19. For the earnest expectation of the creature
waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.
20. For the creature was made subject to vanity,
not willingly, but by reason of him who hath sub-
jected the same in hope ;
21. Because the creature itself also shall be de-
livered from the bondage of corruption, into the
glorious liberty of the children of God.
22. For we know that the whole creation
groaneth, and travaileth in pain together until
now ;
23. And not only they, but ourselves also, which
have the first-fruits of the Spirit, even we our-
selves groan within ourselves, waiting for the
adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
24. For we are saved by hope. But hope that
is seen is not hope ; for what a man seeth, why
doth he yet hope for ?
25. But if we hope for that we see not, then
do we with patience wait for it.
26. Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infir-
mities ; for we know not what we should pray for
as we ought ; but the Spirit itself maketh inter-
cession for us with groanings which cannot be
uttered.
27. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth
what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh
intercession for the saints according to the will of
God.
Man lost by sin that conscious intercourse with the Father
of spirits which was at first his privilege as a son of God.
By subjecting his spirit to the rule of his lower appetites, he
was thrown out of communion with his Maker. But he who
believes on Christ, and turns to God in faith, receives the
Spirit of God to restore within him this sense of the divine
fellowship, by quickening his own spiritual life, his longings
after God, and guiding both feeling and utterance in prayer.
To such a soul there comes the consciousness of sonship.
Discerning the compassion of God in the forgiveness of sin,
feeling the " drawing " of the divine love, he cries, " My Fa-
ther ! " and, in whatever language that cry is uttered, — the
Abba of the ancient Hebrew, the Pater of the Greek and Ro-
man, the Father of our English tongue, — the same Spirit
bears witness to the believing supplicating soul that he is a
child of God.
This sonship, now revealed in the consciousness of all
believers, shall hereafter be made manifest in their glorifica-
tion at the coming of Christ. Then shall creation itself be
delivered from the curse of sin , and in the new heavens and
the new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness, shall be dis-
played the glorious liberty of the children of God.
The Bible represents the lower creation as in sympathetic
woe with the fall of man. And certainly the brute creation
suffers much through human wickedness : Nature is abused
through the follies and vices of men ; and her development
has been retarded through man's loss of that spiritual power
wherewith he was originally invested for dominion over mat-
ter. Man's final redemption — a purified spirit in a spiritual
body — will restore the harmony of the whole creation which has
been so disturbed and broken by his transgression. What a
world of joy and beauty might even this be made by a holy race !
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 20, 41, 105.
Gracious God and Father in Christ Jesus, we
lift up our hearts to thee this morning in the love
and confidence of children. We acknowledge thy
mercy, which hath surrounded our persons and our
habitation through the night, and hath made the
incoming of the morning to rejoice over us. As
a family, we bring to thee our morning sacrifice of
prayer and praise. Oh ! fill our home with thy
peace ; fill our hearts with thy love. May we re-
ceive thy gifts with humility, and use them as
stewards who must give account to their Lord !
Especially do we bless thee for the revelation of
thy redeeming love through our Lord Jesus Christ.
We praise thee that he loved the Church, and gave
himself for it, that he might sanctify and cleanse
it with the washing of water by the Word ; that he
might present it to himself a glorious Church, not
having spot or wrinkle, or any such thing; but
that it should be holy and without blemish. May
it be the wish of our souls and the effort of our
lives to be holy, and to be conformed to his divine
will in all things !
We pray that He who has so freely loved us,
and who has done so much for us, would make us
still his peculiar care, keeping us from all evil in
this present evil world, and finally taking us to
himself.
We adore thee, our blessed Redeemer ! for the
great work thou didst on the earth. Hasten the
day when those who have not heard thy name nor
seen thy glory shall know the truth and be made
free, and shall glory in the Lord. Soon may all
nations hear of Him in whom are hid all the treas-
ures of wisdom and knowledge. Then shalt thou,
O Lord ! see of the travail of thy soul, and be
satisfied. Then shall the earth yield her increase ;
and God, even our own God, shall bless us : God
shall bless us, and all the ends of the earth shall
fear him. Hear these our unworthy petitions, gra-
cious Father, in the name of our Redeemer. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
87
FRIDAY.
Romans viii. — 28. We know that all things
work together for good to them that love God ; to
them who are the called according to his purpose.
29. For whom he did foreknow, he also did pre-
destinate to be conformed to the image of his Son,
that he might be the first-born among many breth-
ren.
30. Moreover, whom he did predestinate, them
he also called ; and whom he called, them he also
justified ; and whom he justified, them he also
glorified.
31. What shall we then say to these things ? If
God be for us, who can be against us ?
32. He that spared not his own Son, but deliv-
ered him up for us all, how shall he not with him
also freely give us all things?
33. Who shall lay any thing to the charge of
God's elect ? It is God that justifieth.
34. Who is he that condemneth ? It is Christ
that died, yea, rather, that is risen again ; who is
even at the right hand of God ; who also maketh
intercession for us.
35. Who shall separate us from the love of
Christ ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecu-
tion, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword ?
36. As it is written, For thy sake we are killed
all the day long ; we are accounted as sheep for
the slaughter.
37. Nay, in all these things we are more than
conquerors through him that loved us.
38. For I am persuaded that neither death, nor
life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor
things present, nor things to come,
39. Nor height, nor depth, nor any other crea-
ture, shall be able to separate us from the love of
God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Oar salvation in Christ is a divine plan founded in divine
love. Did it depend upon our goodness, our resolution, our
faith, we should certainly fail through the weakness of the
flesh, the temptations of the world, the trials of life. But the
love of God, which led him to give his own Son to die for us,
will not be baffled in our recovery to holiness and heaven,
either by our weakness or by the combinations of evil against
us. That love is committed to our salvation.
When God sent his Son for our redemption, he foresaw all
the hinderances to our recovery in ourselves and in the world,
and planned to overcome these, and to carry through our
salvation to the end. Christ bore every trial that meets us ;
conquered every enemy that assails us : and in his arms we
are safe ; we are strong. His love has undertaken to bear us
through ; and nothing outside of ourselves can wrest or divide
us from that love. This is our encouragement to faith and
hope, to courage and patience, in conflicts and trials ; and,
when we have fallen into sin, this, too, is our encouragement
to return with penitential trust to the unfaltering love of
Appropriate Hymns,]
Christ. Notliing can truly harm us if we cling to that love.
He who controls all events will order incidents the most ad-
verse in their seeming to work out some real good, either in
our circumstances, our feelings, or our Christian character
and life ; and, in the end, we shall find that He who bore the
cross for us will conduct us through all crosses and trials
here, to be glorified hereafter with himself.
The children of God should live not merely in the hope of
a final salvation, but in the present comfort of a salvation ac-
complished and made sure. All things are even now working
together for their good. Events taken singly may seem un-
toward ; but the overruling providence of God can combine
these hostile agencies for the service of his people. Thus, in
the case of Joseph, the jealousy of his brethren, their selling
him into slavery, his imprisonment in Egypt, the neglect of
the butler, each in turn seemed a hopeless evil ; yet all these
things worked together for good to him and to the house of
Israel. "All things are yours; and ye are Christ's, and
Christ is God's."
Prayer
Blessing and honor and glory and power be unto
Him that sitteth on the throne, and to the Lamb
for ever and ever ! God our Father ! how shall
we praise thee for thy love in Jesus Christ thy
Son ? Oh love eternal, infinite, past finding out !
Lord ! fill our souls with thankfulness to thee,
that thy love may constrain us evermore. May we
walk as thy redeemed ones ! May we follow the
guidance of thy blessed Spirit ! Whether we eat
or drink, or whatever we do, may we do all to thy
glory !
Thou God of love, teach us by thy Spirit of
love, hear us through the Son of thy love, while
we make our intercessions for all men.
For all in authority in our land ; for thy Church
and her ministers, — we pray thee, good Lord.
For all whom we love, and all who love us ; for
our dear relations now absent from us ; for all con-
nected with us in business or in society, — ive pray
thee, good Lord.
For all who have wronged or slighted us ; for all
[Nos. 4, 142, 168.
whom we have wronged or slighted ; for all who
hate us without a cause, and all of whom we are
disposed to think or speak uncharitably, — we
pray thee, good Lord.
For all who are infirm or sick or dying ; for all
who have lost dear friends ; for all aged persons,
and all little children, — we pray thee, good Lord.
For all who are under sore temptation ; for all
who are doubting in faith, or distressed in con-
science ; for all who are under dejection, and
hiding of thy countenance, — we pray thee, good
Lord.
We thank thee, as a family, for thy constant
goodness to us ; for all the way in which thou hast
led us ; for the home which thou hast given us ;
for our means of support and of enjoyment ; for
the loves and hopes that brighten our way, and for
all the dealings of thy providence with us.
Lord ! unite us all in the faith and hope of the gos-
pel, and in the family of thy redeemed, through
Jesus Christ. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
SATURDAY.
John V. — 1. After this there was a feast of the
Jews ; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
2. Now, there is at Jerusalem, by the sheep-wior-
ket, a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue
Bethesda, having five porches.
3. In these lay a great multitude of impotent
folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the mov-
ing of the water.
4. For an angel went down at a certain season
into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever
then first, after the troubling of the water, stepped
in, was made whole of whatsoever disease he had.
5. And a certain man was there which had an
infirmity thirty and eight years.
6. When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he
had been now a long time in that case, he saith
unto him, Wilt thou be made whole ?
7. The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have
no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into
the pool ; but, while I am coming, another steppeth
down before me.
8. Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed,
and walk.
9 And immediately the man was made whole,
and took up his bed, and walked ; and on the same
day was the sabbath.
10. The Jews therefore said unto him that was
cured, It is the sabbath-day : it is not lawful for
thee to carry thy bed.
11. He answered them, He that made me whole,
the same said unto me, Take up thy bed, and walk.
12. Then asked they him, What man is that
which said unto thee, Take up thy bed, and
walk ?
13. And he that was healed wist not who it was;
for Jesus had conveyed himself away, a multitude
being in that place.
14. Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple,
and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole :
sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.
15. The man departed, and told the Jews that it
was Jesus which had made him whole.
The Pool of Bethesda is pretty well identified with the
" Fountain of the Virgin," in the Valley of Jehoshaphat, a
little south-east of the city. This fountain probably receives
the overflow of the reservoir under the grand mosque which
lies above it. It is connected with the Pool of Siloam, about
four hundred paces below it ; and has the qualities of an inter-
mittent spring. This gave rise to the popular notion, which
is quoted, without being sanctioned, in verse 4. Porticos were
built around the pool to shelter the sick. Jesus selected this
paralytic because of the long continuance of his infirmity, its
incurable nature, and the helplessness of his condition. It was
a case for his compassion and his power, which he always
rejoiced to blend in his miracles. At his word, the poor cripple
felt life returning to the limbs that had long refused to do
their office; the nerves of motion resumed their power: he rose,
stood ou his feet, and walked, carrying the quilt used as a bed.
Jesus, shunning notoriety, and wishing to bring men to him-
self through their moral convictions, avoided the crowd which
he knew the rumor of the miracle would bring together; but,
meeting the man again, he revealed his omniscience by show-
ing that he knew the sinful abuse which had brought his infir-
mity upon him, and then aroused his conscience by a warning
against further sin. God's judgments follow our transgres-
sions even here ; and vain would be the healing of the body
if the soul should still harbor the curse of sin. By sin we
have made ourselves wretched and helpless ; but Jesus comes
to heal us by his word in the fountain which he has opened
for the sin of the world. Let us rise in his strength, and bless
his name. We need not wait for help from man or angel.
None could help us here. Christ has come ; the healing
fountain is at our side ; his grace is all-sufficient : he bids us
look to him, trust in him, follow him, and be saved.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 3, 100, 119.
Eternal God, by whose power we were made, by
whose goodness we have been preserved, let our
cry come up unto thee with acceptance, for our Re-
deemer's sake.
God ! preserve us graciously through the day
which has now begun. Make us obedient to thy
holy will. Fit us for the discharge of our various
duties. Whatsoever our hands find to do that is
according to thy will, may we do it with all our
might !
thou Lamb of God that takest away the sin
of the world ! take away our sins. Be thou our
shield and hiding-place. Draw us, thou Good
Shepherd ! to thyself; keep us near thee ; suffer us
not to wander ; feed us in the green pastures of thy
Word. Let thy rod and thy staff guide, comfort,
and support us. Make us to feel continually that
we are thine, — bought with the price of thine own
most precious blood. Help us to glorify thee in
our bodies and in our spirits, which are thine.
Grant that thy blessed book may be a lamp to
our feet, and a light unto our path. May its coun-
sels guide us, and its precious promises cheer and
comfort us at all times ! Lord ! our eyes are upon
thee, and our expectations from thee. From thee
cometh every good and perfect gift. Give us, we
beseech thee, wisdom and strength; give us joy
and peace and comfort ; give us a hope that mak-
eth not ashamed. Thou who hast not spared thine
own Son, but hast delivered him up for us all, give
us for his sake all things that are good and needful
for us both for time and for eternity.
We thank thee for daily strength and nightly
rest ; for powers of mind and body ; for peace and
quietness ; for the many gifts which thou daily
bestowest upon us. Lord ! make us increasingly
thankful for all thy loving-kindness ; and do thou
accept our prayers and praises for the sake of Him
who died, and rose again, and who liveth evermore.
Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
SUNDAY MORNING.
John v. — 16. And therefore did the Jews per-
secute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he
had done these things on the sabbath-day.
17. But Jesus answered them, My Father work-
eth hitherto, and I work.
18. Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill
him, because he not only had broken the sabbath,
but said also that God was his Father, making
himself equal with God.
19. Then answered Jesus, and said unto them,
Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do
nothing of himself but what he seeth the Father
do ; for what things soever he doeth, these also
doeth the Son likewise.
20. For the Father loveth the Son, and showeth
him all things that himself doeth ; and he will show
him greater works than these, that ye may marvel.
21. For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and
quickeneth them, even so the Son quickeneth
whom he will.
22. For the Father judgeth no man, but hath
committed all judgment unto the Son ;
23. That all men should honor the Son, even as
they honor the Father. He that honoreth not
the Son, honoreth not the Father which hath
sent him.
When Jesus spake of his Father, it was not in the sense in
which we address God as our Father ; for, whereas we express
hy this phrase a relation of dependence and the feeling of filial
reverence, he associated himself with God upon terms of
equality, and declared an absolute unity of the Father and
the Son in thought, knowledge, purpose, will, honor, author-
ity, power. The Jews understood him to make himself equal
with God, and often charged him with blasphemy in such
a claim. Yet Jesus never sought to free himself of such a
charge by saying that they misunderstood him or perverted
his meaning : on the contrary, he proved his oneness with the
Father by citing his acts of divine supremacy. So complete
is this oneness, that the Father and the Son could not possibly
act in contrariety, nor would either act apart from the other.
It was morally impossible that Jesus should do any thing
of himself. By virtue of his oneness with the Father, he rep-
24. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that hear-
eth my word, and believeth on him that sent me,
hath everlasting life, and shall not come into con-
demnation, but is passed from death unto life.
25. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is
coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the
voice of the Son of God ; and they that hear shall
live.
26. For as the Father hath life in himself, so
hath he given to the Son to have life in himself;
27. And hath given him authority to execute
judgment also, because he is the Son of man.
28. Marvel not at this : for the hour is coming,
in the which all that are in the graves shall hear
his voice,
29. And shall come forth ; they that have done
good, unto the resurrection of life ; and they that
have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.
Daniel xii. — 2. And many of them that sleep
in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to ever-
lasting life, and some to shame and everlasting
contempt.
3. And they that be wise shall shine as the
brightness of the firmament ; and they that turn
many to righteousness, as the stars for ever and
ever.
resented to men the will of God, and wrought before them
the works of God. He had power, at his own will, to raise the
dead, — an act of absolute divinity. He was clothed with the
prerogative of judgment, which requires both omniscience and
omnipotence. He fixed the conditions of life and death for
the whole race of man ; and in the last day he will summon
the dead from their graves, and pronounce upon every one his
appropriate sentence of life or condemnation. Even now this
formal judgment is anticipated. He quickens our souls by
his word ; and if we obey the voice of this almighty Saviour,
believe on him, and live to do good, he will impart to us
the warrant and the power of an endless life. All life is in
him by reason of his essential unity with God ; all spir-
itual life comes to us through his grace ; and the life ever-
lasting is secured to us by the resurrection of Jesus from the
dead.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 159, 177, 180.
Almighty Father, who hast given thine only Son
to die for our sins, and to rise again for our justifi-
cation, grant, we humbly pray thee, that we may
so truly partake of his death and resurrection as
ourselves to be dead unto sin, but alive unto God
through Jesus Christ our Lord. May this holy
day witness to us the grace of Christ in our re-
demption ! and may thy Holy Spirit witness and
seal within us the pardon and peace which that
redemption brings ! Grant us the comforts of thy
gospel, Lord ! the joy of thy salvation ; the spirit
of prayer and praise ; the communion of thy saints ;
and, above all, communion with thyself.
Bless thy Church, her worship and sacraments,
her ministers and members : may the beauty of the
Lord our God be upon her! Bless the Sunday
school, and guide teachers and scholars in thy Word.
Have compassion upon those who disregard thy day,
and upon all who know thee not ; and incline thy
people to seek and save the lost. Be with the mis-
sionaries of the cross, according to thy promise, O
Lord! and make known thy way among the hea-
then. Hasten the coming of thy kingdom in uni-
versal peace and knowledge and righteousness.
We humbly thank thee for the mercies of an-
other week, and the blessings of the past night.
We commit to thy loving care this family, and all
dear to us at home or abroad; and pray thee to
bring us all together unto thy heavenly kingdom,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
SUNDAY EVENING.
— 1.
me !
Lord, how
many
are they increased
are they that rise up
Psalm
that trouble
against me.
2. Many there be which say of my soul, There
is no help for him in God.
3. But thou, Lord ! art a shield for me ; my
glory, and the lifter-up of mine head.
4. I cried unto the Lord with my voice, and he
heard me out of his holy hill.
5. I laid me down, and slept ; I awaked : for the
Lord sustained me.
6. I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people
that have set themselves against me round about.
7. Arise, Lord ! save me, my God ! for thou
hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek-
bone ; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly.
8. Salvation belongeth unto the Lord : thy bless-
ing is upon thy people.
Psalm iv. — 1. Hear me when I call, God of
my righteousness ! Thou hast enlarged me wfien I
was in distress : have mercy upon me, and hear
my prayer.
2. ye sons of men ! how long will ye turn my
glory into shame ? how long will ye love vanity,
and seek after leasing ?
It is the beauty of a true piety that it grows more calm
and rich in faith and love toward God as troubles, sorrows,
and perils are multiplied without. David's life was marked by
dangers and conflicts before which a mere native heroism
might have quailed ; but in presence of these he was serene
and hopeful. When Absalom rebelled, and David fleeing from
Jerusalem was mocked at by the people, and many rose up
against him, he trusted in God as his shield, and slept calmly
under his protection. When the Amalekites had burnt
Ziklag, and carried off captive the women and children,
David's band marching to the relief of the town were so bitter
at their loss, that they turned against David, and would have
stoned him to give vent to their rage. In this extremity,
Appropriate Hymns,]
3. But know that the Lord hath set apart him
that is godly for himself : the Lord will hear when
I call unto him.
4. Stand in awe, and sin not ; commune with
your own heart upon your bed, and be still.
5. Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put
your trust in the Lord.
6. There be many that say, Who will show us
any good? Lord, lift thou up the light of thy
countenance upon us.
7. Thou hast put gladness in my heart more
than in the time that their corn and their wine
increased.
8. I will both lay me down in peace, and
sleep ; for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in
safety.
Psalm cxxxi. — 1. Lord, my heart is not haugh-
ty, nor mine eyes lofty ; neither do I exercise my-
self in great matters, or in things too high for
me.
2. Surely I have behaved and quieted myself
as a child that is weaned of his mother : my soul
is even as a weaned child.
3. Let Israel hope in the Lord from henceforth
and forever.
beaten by his enemies, and set upon by his own people,
"David encouraged himself in the Lord his God " (1 Sam. xxx.
6). He took refuge in prayer; and, strong in the confidence
of God's help, he rebuked his companions for their falseheart-
edness toward himself, for their faint-heartedness toward God.
At the very moment when they were murmuring against
him, and clamoring, " Who will show us any good ? " he
was silently communing with his own heart, and gathering
strength and gladness from his trust in the Lord. In the
most untoward circumstances, he could lie down in peace, and
sleep, under the loving care of God. How sweet and blessed
is that faith which can bring rest to the body through the
peace and comfort of the soul !
Prayer
Thou, Lord, only makest us to dwell in safety :
therefore will we lie down in peace, and sleep. We
commit ourselves to thy keeping ; for the darkness
and the light are both alike to thee. O Thou who
never slumberest nor sleepest ! keep us this night
under the shadow of thy wings : grant us the sleep
which thou givest to thy beloved ; or, if wakeful
hours shall be allotted us, may we remember thee
upon our bed, and meditate upon thee in the night-
watches !
O Lord Jesus, who hast invited the weary and
heavy-laden to come unto thee that thou mayest
give them rest ! grant us, we pray thee, rest from
all care and trouble, from all sin and sorrow; and
prepare us by thy grace for that holy and blessed
rest which remaineth for the people of God.
We thank thee for this holy day, — its sacred
memories, its blessed communion of prayer and
[Nos. 33, 37, 71.
praise, its comforting sacraments, its teachings,
and promises, and its immortal hopes.
Grant, we beseech thee, Almighty God, that the
words which we have heard this day with our out-
ward ears, may, through thy grace, be so grafted
inwardly in our hearts, that they may bring forth
in us the fruit of good living, to the honor and
praise of thy name, through Jesus Christ our
Lord.
And bless thy Word, also, to all who have heard
it : to the young, for their guidance ; to the aged,
for their comfort ; to all, for their instruction in
righteousness. And, Lord ! send, we pray thee,
thy Word to those who have it not. Let thy salva-
tion be known in all the earth ; and hasten the
coming of thy kingdom. And unto the King eter-
nal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be
honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
91
MONDAY.
John V. — 30. I can of mine own self do noth-
ing : as I hear, I judge ; and my judgment is just;
because I seek not mine own will, but the will of
the Father which hath sent me.
31. If I bear witness of myself, my witness is
not true.
32. There is another that beareth witness of me ;
and I know that the witness which he witnesseth
of me is true.
33. Ye sent unto John, and he bare witness
unto the truth.
34. But I receive not testimony from man ; but
these things I say that ye might be saved.
35. He was a burning and a shining light ; and
ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light.
36. But I have greater witness than that of
John ; for the works which the Father hath given
me to finish, the same works that I do, bear wit-
ness of me that the Father hath sent me.
37. And the Father himself, which hath sent
me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have nei-
ther heard his voice at any time, nor seen his
sha
Jesus could not conceive of himself as separate from the
Father. When he declares that he can do nothing of himself,
he is not speaking of the inability of a mere man to perform
the mighty works of resurrection and judgment committed to
his hands, but of the impossibility of the Son's separating
himself from the Father, with whom he existed in an essen-
tial unity of being, which, by the necessity of the case, ren-
dered them one in thought, will, and act. The testimony of
others that he was the Son of God, even that of so honored a
prophet as John the Baptist, was nothing in comparison to
the testimony of works which only the will of God, acting in
and through him, could perform.
38. And ye have not his word abiding in you ;
for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not.
39. Search the Scriptures ; for in them ye think
ye have eternal life : and they are they which tes-
tify of me.
40. And ye will not come to me that ye might
have life.
41. I receive not honor from men.
42. But I know you, that ye have not the love
of God in you.
43. I am come in my Father's name, and ye re-
ceive me not : if another shall come in his own
name, him ye will receive.
44. How can ye believe, which receive honor one
of another, and seek not the honor that cometh
from God only ?
45. Do not think that I will accuse you to the
Father : there is one that accuseth you, even
Moses, in whom ye trust.
46. For, had ye believed Moses, ye would have
believed me ; for he wrote of me.
47. But, if ye believe not his writings, how shall
ye believe my words ?
Yet with this consciousness of divinity, and this preroga-
tive of judgment, Jesus did not upon earth fulfil the office of
Judge. He even submitted himself, his character, his works,
his claims, to the judgment of men ; he honored the reason of
his hearers by submitting to this the evidences of his mission;
he honored their religious sentiment by referring to their own
Scriptures for testimony concerning himself. But pride and
ambition, leading them to look for the pomp and power of
earthly royalty in their Messiah, closed their eyes to the evi-
dences alike of the works and the word of God. The reception
we give to Christ is the test, at once, of our sincerity in seek-
ing the truth, and of our love to God the Father.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 135, 151, 188.
O God, who hast spoken to us by thy Son, our
Saviour Jesus Christ ! grant us, we pray thee, that
faith in him which is eternal life. May we believe
all that God the Lord hath spoken !
We thank thee for the many means which thou
hast provided for our growth in grace and knowl-
edge. Make thy holy Word to be our nourish-
ment, our guide, and the great source of our
comfort. May we by it be made wise unto salva-
tion ! May it ever be as a lamp to our feet,
and a light to our path ! Lord ! thou only
teachest to profit : thou art the fountain of light
and wisdom and truth. Do thou, we pray, by all
the means of grace, lead us onward in the way to
heaven.
Pardon our many sins and short-comings.
Cleanse thou us from secret faults. Keep us back
from presumptuous sins. Help us, Lord ! to
serve thee better, and to love thee more heartily.
Sanctify us wholly, body, soul, and spirit. Let us
not be conformed to this world, but transformed by
the renewing of our minds. May thy Holy Spirit
enlighten our understandings, and purify our hearts !
We bless thee that thou hast granted us peace-
ful rest in the night-season. Now take our souls,
holy Father ! into thy keeping. Whether we
live, may we live unto thee ; and whether we die,
may we die unto thee ; so that, living or dying, we
may be evermore thine. We look to thee in trust
for all things needful in this life. Continue thy
favor to this family ; be very gracious to all our
friends ; and show thy mercy and salvation unto
all men. Follow with thy blessing the worship
and teachings of thy Church upon thy holy day.
May streams of life flow from thy sanctuary
through all the week! Kevive thy people; and
quicken unto a new life souls dead in trespasses
and sins. Lord! hear these our prayers, and
grant unto us an answer of peace ; for we come to
thee trusting not in our own righteousness, but in
the alone mediation of Jesus Christ our Saviour.
Amen.
92
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
TUESDAY.
was
of
Genesis xi. — 1. And the whole earth
one language, and of one speech.
2. And it came to pass, as they journeyed from
the east, that they found a plain in the land of
Shinar ; and they dwelt there.
3. And they said one to another, Go to, let us
make brick, and burn them thoroughly. And
they had brick for stone, and slime had they for
mortar.
4. And they said, Go to, let us build us a city,
and a tower whose top may reach unto heaven ;
and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered
abroad upon the face of the whole earth.
5. And the Lord came down to see the city and
the tower which the children of men builded.
6. And the Lord said, Behold, the people is one,
and they have all one language ; and this they be-
gin to do : and now nothing will be restrained from
them which they have imagined to do.
7. Go to, let us go down, and there confound
their language, that they may not understand one
another's speech.
8. So the Lord scattered them abroad from
thence upon the face of all the earth ; and they
left off to build the city.
The building of Babel was an act of impiety ; an attempt,
on the part of men with whom the flood was a yet recent
tradition, to provide themselves a refuge and defence against
further judgments of the Almighty, and especially to compact
themselves together as a community, and to fortify their po-
sition, so as to defy the physical agencies of divine retribution.
They would fain set up an organic unity of their own in
place of that spiritual unity which should bind all men to-
gether as the children of God : they sought the consciousness
of power by casting off their dependence upon their Maker.
The land of Shinar answers, in the main, to the Babylonia
and Chaldea of later times, — the vast fertile plain between the
Euphrates and the Tigris. Several of the huge mounds still
to be seen in that region have been taken for the remains of
the Tower of Babel, and have in turn received its name in the
local traditions ; and, though the exact site of Babel cannot
be identified, these stupendous ruins serve to show upon what
9. Therefore is the name of it called Babel,
because the Lord did there confound the lan-
guage of all the earth ; and from thence did the
Lord scatter them abroad upon the face of all the
earth.
Daniel iv. — 30. The king spake, and said, Is
not this great Babylon, that I have built for the
house of the kingdom by the might of my power,
and for the honor of my majesty?
31. While the word was in the king's mouth,
there fell a voice from heaven, saying, king
Nebuchadnezzar ! to thee it is spoken : The king-
dom is departed from thee ;
32. And they shall drive thee from men, and thy
dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field : they
shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and seven
times shall pass over thee, until thou know that
the Most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and
giveth it to whomsoever he will.
33. The same hour was the thing fulfilled upon
Nebuchadnezzar; and he was driven from men,
and did eat grass as oxen, and his body was wet
with the dew of heaven, till his hairs were grown
like eagles' feathers, and his nads like birds'
claws.
scale buildings were there projected, and this primitive tower
may have been the pattern of the towers erected as temples of
Belus. That of Bus Nimrud, for instance, was built in the
form of an oblique pyramid, measuring two hundred and
twenty-two feet square, and rising by receding platforms to
the height of a hundred and fifty-six feet. Here was that
great Babylon over which Nebudchadnezzar boasted himself,
till, like the builders of the tower, he fell under the rebuke of
the Almighty for his impious pride. The lines of race-mi-
gration converge toward this middle plateau of Western Asia
as the primitive home of man ; and the branches of language
seem to have sprung from some common though yet undis-
covered root in that same soil. Thus the traditions, the mon-
uments, and the tongues of men all tend to confirm the Bible
story. But that story, alas ! is the repetition of the sad tale
of apostasy from God, marring the beauty and unity of the
Creator's plan.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 88, 137.
Lord our Creator, who hast made of one blood
all nations of men ! we worship thee, the King of
kings, and Lord of lords. Thou puttest down one,
and settest up another ; and none can deliver out
of thy hand. Thou hast set up thine own king-
dom in this world, — a kingdom which shall never
be moved. Oh ! make us willing subjects of thy
kingdom. Lord, put thy good Spirit within us,
that we may keep thy judgments and do them.
We are not our own : we are bought with a
price, — even the blood of thy dear Son. Oh ! let
us not live to advance our own interests, or secure
our own enjoyment, but to glorify him in our bodies
and spirits, which are his. Deliver us from selfish-
ness, and give us to feel the blessedness of submit-
ting our own wills to thine. May we never build
in our own pride, nor trust in our own strength,
nor lean to our own understanding !
Gracious Father, thou hast watched over us
through another night, and renewed our life and
health, and family comforts. Thankful for the
past, we would be trustful for the future. Deliver
us this day from all fretting cares. Keep us this
day from all evil tempers : may we be forbearing
and forgiving, endeavoring to keep the unity of
the Spirit in the bond of peace ! Prepare us for
all unlooked-for events this day, whether of joy or
sorrow ; yea, Lord, prepare us for all which thou
hast in store for us in life and for thy heavenly
kingdom, through Jesus Christ. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
WEDNESDAY.
Genesis xii. — 1. Now, the Lord had said unto
Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy
kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land
that I will show thee :
2. And I will make of thee a great nation, and
I will bless thee, and make thy name great ; and
thou shalt be a blessing :
3. And I will bless them that bless thee, and
curse him that curseth thee ; and in thee shall all
families of the earth be blessed.
4. So Abram departed as the Lord had spoken
unto him, and Lot went with him ; and Abram
was seventy and five years old when he departed
out of Haran.
5. And Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his
brother's son, and all their substance that they had
gathered, and the souls that they had gotten in
Haran : and they went forth to go into the land
of Canaan; and into the land of Canaan they
came.
6. And Abram passed through the land unto the
place of Sichem, unto the plain of Moreh. And
the Canaanite was then in the land.
7. And the Lord appeared unto Abram, and
said, Unto thy seed will I give this land; and
The early home of Abram was Ur, a city of Chaldea, on
the right bank of the Euphrates, near the ancient head of the
Persian Gulf. From this point he removed first to Haran, a
pleasant and fertile region in the north-western part of Meso-
potamia, watered by tributaries of the Euphrates, and skirted
on the north by the mountains of Armenia. Here he seems
to have been prospered in the accumulation of property. But
the Lord commanded him to leave this second home, as he
had already left the first, and to go to a strange land, then
occupied by an unfriendly people ; and this with no title or
prospect but the promise of God, " I will make of thee a great
nation." Yet, upon that single warrant, Abram left country,
kindred, home, every thing that attaches one to the place of
his nativity, and "went out, not knowing whither he went;"
and this at a time of life when men commonly think of pro-
viding for their comfort and repose.
there builded he an altar unto the Lord, who ap-
peared unto him.
8. And he removed from thence unto a mountain
on the east of Beth-el, and pitched his tent, having
Beth-el on the west, and Hai on the east; and
there he builded an altar unto the Lord, and called
upon the name of the Lord.
Psalm cv. — 1. Oh ! give thanks unto the Lord ;
call upon his name ; make known his deeds among
the people.
2. Sing unto him ; sing psalms unto him : talk
ye of all his wondrous works.
3. Glory ye in his holy name : let the heart of
them rejoice that seek the Lord.
4. Seek the Lord and his strength ; seek his
face evermore.
5. Remember his marvellous works that he hath
done, his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth,
6. ye seed of Abraham his servant, ye chil-
dren of Jacob his chosen!
7. He is the Lord our God : his judgments are
in all the earth.
8. He hath remembered his covenant forever,
the word which he commanded to a thousand gen-
erations.
Upon entering Canaan, he first halted at Sichem, the beau-
tiful valley lying between Mounts Ebal and Gerizim in Middle
Palestine, afterwards so celebrated as the site of Jacob's well,
the place of Joseph's burial, the scene of the blessing and
cursing of Israel, and, above all, the place where Jesus con-
versed with the woman of Samaria. There Abram built an
altar; and on removing farther south, to Beth-el, he built
there also an altar to the Lord. Faith in God directed
Abram in the whole course of his life. He planned nothing
of himself, nothing for himself. Following the leadings of
Divine Providence, with the one desire to honor and obey
God, he carried with him the presence of the Lord ; and,
wherever he fixed his abode, he consecrated it with an
altar. We must walk in the steps of Abram's faith and
devotion if we would be blessed of God in our lives and our
homes.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 47, 84, 142.
O Lord God ! our fathers trusted in thee, and
were not ashamed ; and in thy love we would con-
fide for ever and ever. While we are weak, and
unable to help ourselves or to aid one another, we
would look up to thyself, in whom is everlasting
strength, and in thee would we trust. In health
and in sickness, in hope and in sorrow, in enjoy-
ment and in suffering, we would look up to the
hills, whence cometh our help ; and we pray, that,
trusting in thee, we may have that perfect peace
which is given to those only whose minds are
stayed upon the Lord.
We come to thee this morning to thank thee for
the mercies which have attended us during another
night, and for the goodness and mercy thou hast
provided with the opening day. The sun has
spread its light over the world ; the earth is bring-
ing forth renewed supplies of good. Thou providest
for the wants of man and beast. We bless thee,
Lord ! for thy gifts, and pray that thou wilt re-
ceive our humble tribute of thanksgiving and
praise. And still, merciful Father, be merciful to
us in our renewed wants, and visit us with thy
salvation. Continue to us, we entreat thee, the
gifts of thy providence ; and ponr upon us, at the
same time, the blessings of thy grace.
Go forth with us, Lord ! to the engagements,
the difficulties, the duties, and the pleasures which
await us to-day. Oh ! keep us from evil and sin.
Bless all who are dear to us by any tie ; all who are
in any want, trouble, or sorrow ; and hasten the com-
ing of thy kingdom, for Jesus Christ's sake. Amen.
94
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
THURSDAY.
Genesis xii. — 10. And there was a famine in
the land : and Abram went down into Egypt to
sojourn there ; for the famine was grievous in the
land.
11. And it came to pass, when he was come near
to enter into Egypt, that he said unto Sarai his
wife, Behold now, I know that thou art a fair
woman to look upon.
12. Therefore it shall come to pass, when the
Egyptians shall see thee, that they shall say, This
is his wife ; and they will kill me, but they will
save thee alive.
13. Say, I pray thee, thou art my sister : that it
may be well with me for thy sake ; and my soul
shall live because of thee.
14. And it came to pass, that, when Abram was
come into Egypt, the Egyptians beheld the woman
that she was very fair.
15. The princes also of Pharaoh saw her, and
commended her before Pharaoh ; and the woman
was taken into Pharaoh's house.
16. And he entreated Abram well for her sake ;
and he had sheep, and oxen, and he-asses, and
men-servants, and maid-servants, and she-asses,
and camels.
17. And the Lord plagued Pharaoh and his
house with great plagues because of Sarai, Abram's
wife.
18. And Pharaoh called Abram, and said, What
is this that thou hast done unto me ? Why didst
thou not tell me that she was thy wife ?
19. Why saidst thou, She is my sister? so I
might have taken her to me to wife : now, there-
fore, behold thy wife, take her, and go thy
way.
20. And Pharaoh commanded his men concern-
ing him ; and they sent him away, and his wife,
and all that he had.
Egypt being watered by the Nile, which we now know to
be fed by immense lakes that drain the vast mountain regions
of the equator, often had plentiful harvests, when Syria, which
was dependent upon the uncertain rains, was suffering from
famine. This contrast between these two neighboring coun-
tries often comes out in the sacred narratives.
The Bible is remarkable for its candor and fidelity in deal-
ing with the characters of good men. Their frailties are made
as prominent as their virtues, and they appear in all respects
completely human. This is one token of the Divine Mind in
the book ; for God knows what is in man, and God is always
true. Abram resorted to equivocation in order to avoid
trouble with the Egyptians on account of his wife. In one
sense, he could call Sarah "his sister; " for she was the daugh-
ter of his father, but not of his mother : but he meant to give
the impression that she was not his wife. This device brought
him into the trouble that he had hoped to escape by it ; and
but for the mercy of God, shown through the forbearance of
Pharaoh, it might have gone hard with the patriarch. As it
was, he lost character in the eyes of the king of Egypt, and
received his bitter reproaches.
It is never profitable, as it can never be justifiable, to
swerve from the truth. The attempt to deceive others degrades
our own moral sense, and is pretty likely at some time to lead
to exposure, and re-act to our injury. It is a true proverb,
that one lie leads to another; and by and by the deceiver
becomes so involved in the meshes of his own falsehoods, that
he cannot extricate himself, and must stand convicted of his
shame. And, when one has lost the confidence of others in
his word, it is very hard to regain it. Children should shun
a lie as they would shun poison. There can be no sterling
character where truth is wanting.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 65, 136, 154.
Almighty and most merciful Father, the day is
thine, and the night also. Day unto day uttereth
speech, and night unto night showeth knowledge
concerning thee. All thy works, Lord ! do
praise thee ; and, oh ! forbid that we, thine intel-
ligent and immortal creatures, should refuse to
bless thee. Remove the coldness of our hearts
towards thee, and draw us nearer to thyself.
Thou hast renewed to us this morning all the
comforts needful for the body ; thou hast refreshed
us with sleep, and spread our table with abundance.
Lord, we bless thee for these ; but we pray thee to
feed our souls likewise. Make good the blessed
promise to each of us here. We know that we
cannot be satisfied with the best blessings this
world can give us. We are sinners before thee,
the righteous and holy God : we have forfeited all
claim to thy favor, and need the assurance of thy
forgiveness. Our hearts are ever prone to evil,
and we need thy blessed Spirit to purify our secret
thoughts and motives. We bless thee for the sure
promise, that, if any man sin, we have an Advocate
with the Father, Jesus Christ ; and that, if we con-
fess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us
our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteous-
ness. Lord, cleanse thou the thoughts of our
hearts by thy Holy Spirit. Create in us a clean
heart, and renew within us a right spirit. Oh, may
we not grieve thy Spirit so as to cause "him to de-
part from us ! May he be with us in our several
duties this day ! May we be diligent in business,
fervent in spirit, serving the Lord !
We pray thee to keep us from temptation, from
all deception and envy, from covetousness and
evil desire. Give to us wisdom, Lord ! in
our daily affairs, and grace to trust thee in all
things.
O Lord ! we place ourselves and our concerns in
thy hands for the day on which we have now
entered. May we in all things live as thine, and
live in thy love ! And this, our morning sacrifice
of prayer and praise, we offer through our great
High Priest, who ever liveth to make intercession
for us. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
95
FRIDAY.
Genesis xiii. — 1. And Abram went up out of
Egypt, he and his wife, and all that he had, and
Lot with him, into the south.
2. And Abram was very rich in cattle, in silver,
and in gold.
3. And he went on his journeys from the south
even to Beth-el, unto the place where his tent had
been at the beginning, between Beth-el and Hai ;
4. Unto the place of the altar, which he had
made there at the first : and there Abram called
on the name of the Lord.
5. And Lot also, which went with Abram, had
flocks and herds and tents.
6. And the land was not able to bear them, that
they might dwell together ; for their substance was
great, so that they could not dwell together.
7. And there was a strife between the herdmen
of Abram's cattle and the herdmen of Lot's cattle ;
and the Canaanite and the Perizzite dwelt then in
the land.
8. And Abram said unto Lot, Let there be no
strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and
between my herdmen and thy herdmen ; for we be
brethren.
9. Is not the whole land before thee ? Separate
thyself, I pray thee, from me : if thou wilt take the
left hand, then I will go to the right ; or if thou de-
part to the right hand, then I will go to the left.
10. And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all
the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every-
where, before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Go-
morrah, even as the garden of the Lord, like the
land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar.
11. Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan,
and Lot journeyed east ; and they separated them-
selves the one from the other.
12. Abram dwelt in the land of Canaan ; and
Lot dwelt in the cities of the plain, and pitched
his tent toward Sodom.
13. But the men of Sodom were wicked and
sinners before the Lord exceedingly.
Psalm xlix. — 6. They that trust in their wealth,
and boast themselves in the multitude of their
riches ;
7. None of them can by any means redeem his
brother, nor give to God a ransom for him.
10. For he seeth that wise men die, likewise
the fool and the brutish person perish, and leave
their wealth to others.
11. Their inward thought is, that their houses
shall continue forever, and their dwelling-places
to all generations: they call their lands after their
own names.
12. Nevertheless, man, being in honor, abideth
not: he is like the beasts that perish.
13. This their way is their folly ; yet their pos-
terity approve their sayings.
14. Like sheep they are laid in the grave ; death
shall feed on them ; and the upright shall have
dominion over them in the morning; and their
beauty shall consume in the grave from their dwell-
ing.
"Worldly interests beget jealousies and rivalries even among
kindred, often among good men. The magnanimity of
Abram in this affair is worthy of all praise. The elder in
years and in family position, and holding directly from
Jehovah the charter of the land, he might with propriety have
assigned a portion to Lot, and have reserved the best for
himself. But he gave the choice to his nephew, and was
willing to accept whatever Lot should leave to him. The
covetousness of Lot got the better of his respect for his vene-
rable kinsman, the head of the house, the heir of the cove-
nant ; and, as they stood upon a hill to the east of Bethel
which commands a wide view upon the right hand and the
left, he looked down the long ravine, clothed with the vine, the
olive, and the fig, which from that point opens into the broad
rich valley of the Jordan, and recalling the well-watered plain,
which, before the catastrophe that sank the cities, rivalled
Egypt in fertility, the tempting vision proved too much for
his affection or his piety. For the prospect of worldly advan-
tages, he chose to reside in a community notorious for wicked-
ness. He turned his back upon the altar of the Lord, and
pitched his tent toward Sodom. The fate that overtook him
there is a warning to those who rush into temptation for the
sake of gain.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 82, 136, 154.
Almighty and everlasting God, in whom we live
and move, and have our being, we, thy needy crea-
tures, render thee our humble praises for thy
preservation of us from the beginning of our lives
to this day, and especially for having delivered us
from the dangers of the past night. We thank
thee that we have been kept from the alarm of
sickness, of fire, of robbers, of sudden death, and
have awaked in peace to behold the day. Lord !
we beseech thee, lift upon us the light of thy
countenance, that we may begin the day in the
conciousness of thy love, and may spend it joyfully
in doing thy will, [May the children of this fam-
ily learn to please thee, their Father in heaven,
in all that they think and say and do ! and in
these things may we all have the spirit of little
children !] Keep us from malice and anger, from
envy and pride, from covetousness, worldliness,
and all sin. May we be useful in the world
and in the Church of Christ ! May our kin-
dred and friends be prospered in their lawful
undertakings and desires, and all be partakers of
thy grace ! Mercifully forgive our sins, and save
us with an everlasting salvation, through our Lord
Jesus Christ, who. with thee and the Holy Spirit,
liveth and reigneth evermore. Amen.
96
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
SATURDAY.
Genesis xiv. — 14. And, when Abram heard that
his brother was taken captive, he armed his trained
servants born in his own house, three hundred
and eighteen, and pursued them unto Dan.
15. And he divided himself against them, he
and his servants, by night, and smote them, and
pursued them unto Hobah, which is on the left
hand of Damascus.
16. And he brought back all the goods, and also
brought again his brother Lot and his goods, and
the women also, and the people.
17. And the king of Sodom went out to meet
him, after his return from the slaughter of Chedor-
laomer and of the kings that were with him, at
the valley of Shaveh, which is the king's dale.
18. And Melchizedek, king of Salem, brottght
forth bread and wine ; and be was the priest of the
most high God.
19. And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be
Lot's choice soon brought him into trouble. The distiict
where he had settled was a tempting prize to the border
tribes of the wilderness, and also to the kings of Assyria, as
an important route to Egypt. These last formed an alliance,
and, coming down suddenly upon the princes of Sodom and
Gomorrah, took their cities, and carried away much spoil.
Lot was taken with all his family and possessions. A fugitive
brought word of this to Abram, who was then living at
Mamre, near Hebron. Overlooking the disrespect of his
nephew in taking the first choice of the land, and his folly in
settling among such an ungodly people, Abram set out at
once for his rescue. It is evident that Abram's servants were
not bond-slaves, but retainers, who were bound to him by
fealty, and whom he was willing to trust with arms. Having
Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven
and earth ;
20. And blessed be the most high God, which
hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And
he gave him tithes of all.
21. And the king of Sodom said unto Abram,
Give me the persons, and take the goods to thy-
self.
22. And Abram said to the king of Sodom, I
have lifted up my hand unto the Lord, the most
high God, the possessor of heaven and earth,
23. That I will not take from a thread even to
a shoe-latchet, and that I will not take any thing
that is thine, lest thou shouldest say, I have made
Abram rich :
24. Save only that which the young men have
eaten, and the portion of the men which went with
me, Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre ; let them take their
portion.
routed the enemy, delivered the captives, and brought back
Lot and his household, Abram would have returned quietly to
his own home. But on the way he was met by a venerable
man, who combined in himself the offices of king and priest,
— the king of Salem, or Peace, and a worshipper of the true
God. This Melchizedek brought refreshment to Abram,
blessed him, and blessed God for his victories. Abram con-
secrated his victory by paying tithes for the service of religion,
and thus, as we afterwards learn, rendering homage, in the
person of Melchizedek, to Christ, the true Prince of peace, the
one High Priest. In striking contrast to this, with unselfish
dignity, he refused to accept any portion of the spoil. This
noble man served others without cost ; desired nothing from
the world ; offered freely to the Lord.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 53, 86, 145.
O Almighty God, who art the King of kings,
and Lord of lords, and who art also the gracious
Father of thy people ! we beseech thee to hear our
praises and our supplications. We are not worthy
to approach thee, or to take thy name into our lips.
We are not worthy to be called thy children ; for
we have offended thee in thought, word, and deed.
Pardon and deliver us from all our sins, confirm
and strengthen us in all goodness, and bring us to
everlasting life. As we shall go forth into the
world this day, oh ! give us grace that we may put
off the works of darkness, and put upon us the
armor of light. Grant that we may both perceive
and know what things we ought to do, and also
may have grace and power faithfully to fulfil the
same. May our life be a daily preparation for
heaven ! May we live now by faith, and have
hereafter the fruition of thy glorious Godhead !
And since thou hast exalted thy Son Jesus Christ
into thy kingdom in heaven, so may we in heart and
mind thither ascend, and with him continually dwell.
Whilst we are in the world, Lord ! do thou
keep us from the evil. Let nothing turn us from
the narrow path that leads to heaven. Grant that
we may be ever ready when thou shalt call us
hence ; so that, amidst all our occupations and en-
gagements, our minds may be kept in perfect peace,
being stayed upon thee. Lord ! be thou our por-
tion now, and prepare us for thy presence here-
after.
We bless thee that thou hast provided for us a
merciful and faithful High Priest : to him would
we consecrate our persons and possessions, praying
that we may receive his benediction of peace. And
may that peace be given to all who are in any
tribulation ! Have mercy upon any who are made
desolate by war. Be with all who are travelling by
land or by sea, with all sick persons, especially
with any who are suffering in our own parish.
Draw near to them in the hour of trouble, _ and
give them a happy issue out of all their afflictions.
Bless each one of us who are now kneeling
before thee; be with all our dear kindred and
friends ; and grant an answer of peace to these our
prayers, which we offer up in the name of Jesus
Christ our Saviour. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
97
SUNDAY MORNING.
Genesis XV. — 1. After these things, the word
of the Lord came unto Abram in a vision, saying,
Fear not, Abram : I am thy shield, and thy exceed-
ing great reward.
2. And Abram said, Lord God, what wilt thou
give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of
my house is this Eliezer of Damascus ?
3. And Abram said, Behold, to me thou hast
given no seed ; and, lo, one born in my house is
mine heir.
5. And he brought him forth abroad, and said,
Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou
be able to number them ; and he said unto him, So
shall thy seed be.
6. And he believed in the Lord ; and he counted
it to him for righteousness.
7. And he said unto him, I am the Lord that
brought thee out of Ur of the Chaldees, to give
thee this land to inherit it.
8. And he said, Lord God, whereby shall I know
that I shall inherit it.
9. And he said unto him, Take me a heifer of
three years old, and a she-goat of three years old,
and a ram of three years old, and a turtle-dove,
and a young pigeon.
10. And he took unto him all these, and divided
them in the midst, and laid each piece one against
another ; but the birds divided he not.
11. And, when the fowls came down upon the
carcasses, Abram drove them away.
12. And, when the sun was going down, a deep
sleep fell upon Abram ; and, lo, a horror of great
darkness fell upon him.
13. And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety
that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is
not theirs, and shall serve them ; and they shall
afflict them four hundred years ;
14. And also that nation whom they shall serve
will I judge : and afterward shall they come out
with great substance.
15. And thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace ;
thou shalt be buried in a good old age.
16. But, in the fourth generation, they shall come
hither again ; for the iniquitj r of the Amorites is
not yet full.
17. And it came to pass, that when the sun went
down, and it was dark, behold a smoking furnace, and
a burning lamp that passed between those pieces.
18. In that same day the Lord made a covenant
with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given
this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great
river, the River Euphrates.
Abram had shown the strength of his faith by his ready
and cheerful obedience. But lie was growing old ; and, as yet,
he had no child : how, then, could the promise to his seed be
fulfilled ? In this questioning frame, the Lord met him first
with the broad declaration, " I am thy shield, and thy exceed-
ing great reward." What guaranty could be compared with
this, — God his protection, God his portion f But the Lord
added a specific promise touching his seed and their future in-
heritance ; and, to confirm the faith of Abram, he entered into
the sacred solemnity of a covenant, making himself one with
his servant in its promises and obligations. Abram accepted as
real all that was set forth in the promise and the symbol. He
believed God, and God acknowledged him as a friend. The
same blessed assurance of God's protecting and rewarding
love is sealed to us through the new covenant in the blood of
Jesus. By faith in him, we, too, are made righteous, and be-
come " the seed of Abraham, and heirs according to the
promise."
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 79, 107.
Our heavenly Father, we thank thee for all thy
goodness to us, especially for the many and great
mercies of the Lord's day. Bless to us the priv-
ilege of prayer, the reading and preaching of
thy Word, and all the ordinances of thy house.
And, we beseech thee, give us that due sense of our
mercies, that our hearts may be unfeignedly thank-
ful ; and that we may show forth thy praise, not
only with our lips, but in our lives, by giving up
ourselves to thy service, and by walking before
thee in holiness and righteousness all our days.
Cause us to feel our sinfulness and our need of a
Saviour. Teach us to love Christ with all our
hearts ; and, as there is none other name under
heaven given to men in whom and through whom
we may receive health and salvation, give us faith
to believe on him to the saving of our souls.
Look, Lord ! in mercy on the world around us.
Have compassion upon those who are sitting in
darkness and in the shadow of death ; cause the
light of the gospel to shine throughout the world ;
make thy ways known upon earth, thy saving health
unto all nations. Bless thy servants who are gone
forth into distant lands to proclaim the message of
salvation. Endue them with thy Holy Spirit ; en-
rich them with thy heavenly grace ; prosper them
in all their labors ; and give them souls as their re-
ward. And, thou Lord of the harvest ! we pray
thee to send forth more laborers into the harvest.
Enable them both to sow the seed and to reap the
fruit of their labors.
Make sure to this household the mercies of that
covenant of faith whereof we are made partakers
through Christ, thy well-beloved Son, the seed of
Abraham.
And now, O heavenly Father! as thou hast
promised to hear the prayers of those who ask^
in thy Son's name, fulfil the desires and petitions
of thy servants as may be most expedient for us :
granting us, in this world, knowledge of thy
truth ; and in the world to come, life everlasting.
Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
SUNDAY EVENING.
Luke xxii. — 1. Now, the feast of unleavened
bread drew nigh, which is called the Passover.
2. And the chief priests and scribes sought how
they might kill him ; for they feared the people.
3. Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed
Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve.
4. And be went his way, and communed with
the chief priests and captains how he might be-
tray him unto them.
5. And they were glad, and covenanted to give
him money.
6. And he promised, and sought opportunity to
betray him unto them in the absence of the multi-
tude.
7. Then came the day of unleavened bread, when
the passover must be killed.
8. And he sent Peter and John, saying, Go and
prepare us the passover, that we may eat.
9. And they said unto him, Where wilt thou
that we prepare ?
At the time of the passover, Jerusalem was thronged with
Jews from all countries who came up to celebrate the feast ;
and, as there were few inns, private hospitality was freely prof-
fered to these guests. A householder, a friend of Jesus, had
placed at his disposal a large upper room ; and a sign was
given to Peter and John by which they should identify the
place. To this observance of the yearly festival would per-
tain an unprecedented interest, which had caused Jesus to
look forward to it with intense desire. Not only would it be
his last passover, but the whole meaning of the rite would
then centre in himself- For ages this yearly sacrifice had
been offered, to remind the people how the Lord, when he
smote the first-born of the Egyptians, passed over the houses
of the children of Israel whose door-posts were sprinkled with
10. And he said unto them, Behold, when ye
are entered into the city, there shall a man meet
you, bearing a pitcher of water : follow him into
the house where he entereth in.
11. And ye shall say unto the goodman of the
house, The Master saith unto thee, Where is the
guest-chamber, where I shall eat the passover with
my disciples ?
12. And he shall show you a large upper room
furnished : there make ready.
13. And they went and found as he had said
unto them ; and they made ready the passover.
14. And, when the hour was come, he sat down,
and the twelve apostles with him.
15. And he said unto them, With desire I have
desired to eat this passover with you before I
suffer.
16. For I say unto you, I will not any more
eat thereof until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of
God.
the blood of the lamb. But this memorial was also a sym-
bol of the greater redemption that should be accomplished
through the blood of Jesus ; and, now that Christ our pass-
over was to be sacrificed for us, he longed to gather about
him the disciples who constituted his family, thus to fix in
their minds the true significance of his dying, and to trans-
form the sacrifice that prefigured his atonement into the sacra-
ment that should commemorate his love.
Already Jesus knew that Judas had yielded himself wholly
to Satan, and was plotting his death. Calmly, tenderly, lov-
ingly, our Lord prepared himself for the hour that should
merge the passover of Moses in the supper of the Lamb, and
so fulfil all that the law and the prophets had spoken in the
perfected kingdom of God.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 37, 100, 161.
Almighty Father, we humbly draw near to thee
this evening in the name of Jesus Christ, our
Mediator and Redeemer. We bless and praise
thee that through him thou hast opened a way by
which we may approach thee with acceptance.
We humbly thank thee for the supply of our
bodily wants, and our preservation from danger
and death. O God ! suffer us not to think little of
our common blessings because they are every day
renewed to us, and because others share them with
us. Make us ever mindful of our own unworthi-
ness, that we may be more truly thankful for all
thy loving-kindness and tender mercy. Thou
who art the God of all grace ! as thou hast supplied
our temporal wants, supply also our spiritual ne-
cessities. We thank thee for thine unspeakable
gift, — the gift of thine own dear Son. Implant in
us, Lord ! a true and lively faith in Christ. May
our whole trust be in him, all our dependence upon
him, and all our hopes drawn from him ! May his
name he precious unto us, and his service delight-
ful ! May we love his voice, and meekly follow him !
Lord, thou knowest our errors, and our faults
are not hid from thee. Oh ! pity our weakness, and
strengthen us with might by thy Spirit in the in-
ner man. Pity our ignorance, and give us heav-
enly wisdom. Of thy great mercy pardon our
many sins and shortcomings, and incline us to
walk more humbly and more diligently in thy
ways.
Bless thy gospel this day proclaimed, the truth
taught to children in the family and the Sunday
school, the truth preached in the sanctuary,
the truth scattered by the wayside. Oh! unite
thy whole Church in the feast of the Saviour's
love.
And, now that we are about once more to lie
down to sleep, Lord ! graciously watch over us
and protect us. Preserve our bodies from harm,
and keep our minds in peace. Raise up, O Lord !
our hearts and hopes to thyself; scatter every anx-
ious thought that disturbs us ; and keep us sim-
ply trusting in thee, for the sake of Jesus Christ
our Saviour. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
MONDAY.
John xiii. — 1. !Nbw, before the feast of the
passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come
that he should depart out of this world unto the
Father, having loved his own which were in the
world, he loved thern unto the end.
2. And supper being ended (the devil having
now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's
son, to betray him),
3. Jesus knowing that the Father had given
all things into his hands, and that he was come
from God, and went to God-;
4. He riseth from supper, and laid aside his
garments, and took a towel, and girded himself.
5. After that, he poureth water into a basin,
and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe
them with the towel wherewith he was girded.
6. Then cometh he to Simon Peter; and Peter
saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet ?
7. Jesus answered and said unto him, What I
do thou knowest not now ; but thou shalt know
hereafter.
8. Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash
my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not,
thou hast no part with me.
In the hour of his sorrow, Jesus, so far from retiring within
himself, absorbed in his own sufferings, made the more tender
demonstrations of love to his disciples. He gathered them
about him for a family observance of the passover, gave them
the most affectionate counsels, and instituted the Supper as a
perpetual memorial of his presence and his love. At the mo-
ment, also, when he was most deeply conscious of his divine
power and glory, he the more graciously humbled himself in acts
of love to his friends Assuming the dress, the manner, the
office, of a servant, he expressed his scrupulous regard for the
purity of his disciples by washing their feet. This was not
9. Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my
feet only, but also my hands and my head.
10. Jesus saith to him, He that is washed
needeth not save to wash his feet, but is
clean every whit ; and ye are clean, but not
all.
11. For he knew who should betray him : there-
fore said he, Ye are not all clean.
12. So after he had washed their feet, and had
taken his garments, and was set down again, he
said unto them, Know ye what I have done to
you?
13. Ye call me Master and Lord : and ye say
well ; for so I am.
14. If I then, your Lord and Master, have
washed your feet, ye also ought to wash one
another's feet.
15^ For I have given you an example, that ye
should do as I have done to you.
16. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant
is not greater than his lord, neither he that is sent
greater than he that sent him.
17. If ye know these things, happy are ye if
ye do them.
intended as a sacrament, nor as an action to be repeated in
kind, but as a symbolical lesson in humility, which is the most
difficult and at the same time the most characteristic virtue
of Christianity. On Maundy-Thursday, the Pope, with much
ostentation, goes through the ceremony of washing the feet
of twelve beggars ; but Bengel has aptly said, " The Pope
would do a more remarkable thing, if, in unfeigned humility,
he washed the feet of one king, than he does in washing the
feet of twelve poor men." The true imitation of Christ con-
sists in forgetting ourselves, and acting for the good of others,
without respect to our own honor or advantage.
Appropriate Hymns, |
Prayer.
[Nos. 74, 78.
Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.
When there was no eye to pity, and no arm to save,
thou, Lord, didst not spare thine own Son, but
didst deliver him up for us all. We draw nigh
to thee with humble faith, and cast ourselves upon
thee for salvation. We have sinned ; and what can
we do unto thee, thou Preserver of men ? We
can make no atonement for our transgressions : we
cannot answer thee one of a thousand.
But, though we are thus helpless and hopeless
in ourselves, we cannot despair when we look up
to thee. Thanks be unto thee, Lord ! for hav-
ing sent thy Son as our Saviour and Example.
We bless thee that he died in our stead ; and we
glorify thee that he lived to teach us how to live.
Oh ! deliver us from condemnation and from the
fear of evil.
We pray to be filled with Christ, and clothed
with Christ. May we dwell in him, and may he
dwell in us ! Seal us for thine own by thy Holy
Spirit, that we may pray and live and walk in the
Spirit, and be freed from the law of sin and death.
Grant us the grace of humility, of brotherly-kind-
ness, and of self-denial for the good of all men.
We bless thee for thy mercy during the watches
of the night. We were not disturbed by any
danger, because thy hand preserved us in safety
and in peace. We give thee thanks for the light
of this new day, and for remembering us with
necessary food and raiment. May we use thy gifts
as not abusing them, and see in them all our heaven-
ly Father's hand ! Graciously bless us this day in
our basket and store, in our domestic circle, in our
going-out and coming-in, in our worldly business
and transactions, and in our bodies and souls ; and
for the sake of Him who was delivered for our of-
fences, and raised again for our justification, and
who is now at thy right hand making intercession
for us, we pray for all these blessings and favors.
Amen.
HBHBOnHSBH
100
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
TUESDAY.
pray the Father, and he shall
Comforter, that he may abide
John xiv. — 15. If ye love me, keep my com-
mandments :
16. And I will
give you another
with you forever;
17. Even the Spirit of truth ; whom the world
cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither
knoweth him : but ye know him ; for he dwelleth
with you, and shall be in you.
18. I will not leave you comfortless : I will come
to you.
19. Yet a little while, and the world seeth me
no more ; but ye see me : because I live, ye shall
live also.
20. At that day ye shall know that I am in my
Father, and ye in me, and I in you.
21. He that hath my commandments, and keep-
eth them, he it is that loveth me ; and he that
loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I
will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
22. Judas saith unto him (not Iscariot), Lord,
how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us,
and not unto the world ?
23. Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man
love me, he will keep my words ; and my Father
will love him, and we will come unto him, and make
our abode with him.
What precious, wondrous words are these, — peace, com-
fort, the coming of Christ, the indwelling of the Spirit, the
manifestation of the Father ! We long for peace ; we seek for
peace ; and, paradoxical as it seems, we strive for peace ; but
Christ here promises to give peace, — even the perfect, the in-
effable peace which kept his heart through all his conflicts,
trials, and sufferings. When our hearts are burdened with
anxieties, cast down with sorrows, distracted with cares and
fears, we sigh for comfort; we seek a friend to confide in, —
a help, a refuge, a deliverer : but in the Holy Spirit is provided
a Helper ever within call. Sometimes, perplexed with doubts,
unsettled in our affairs, disappointed in men, we long for the
certainty of truth, a permanent and satisfying love : and,
24. He that loveth me not keepeth not my say-
ings ; and the word which ye hear is not mine, but
the Father's which sent me.
25. These things have I spoken unto you, being
yet present with you ;
26. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost,
whom the Father will send in my name, he shall
teach you all things, and bring all things to
your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto
you.
27. Peace I leave with you ; my peace I give
unto you : not as the world giveth give I unto you.
Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be
afraid.
28. Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go
away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me,
ye would rejoice, because I said I go unto the
Father; for my Father is greater than I.
29. And now I have told you before it come to
pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might be-
lieve.
30. Hereafter I will not talk much with you;
for the prince of this world cometh, and hath
nothing in me.
31. But that the world may know that I love
the Father ; and as the Father gave me command-
ment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence.
behold ! Christ proffers his lore so fully, so tenderly, so inti-
mately, that it shall be as the coming of himself into our
very hearts ; and by the coming of the Spirit to abide with
us, teaching us, guiding us, quickening us, he will make
his presence known to the consciousness of every believer, as
he could not were he to remain in person on the earth ; and,
more than all, God, who had been looked upon with distance
and with dread, shall be recognized as a Father, and brought
into near, constant, and reciprocal relations of love. All this
is to be had upon the simple condition that we love Christ,
and keep his commandments, — keep thtm in the spirit of love ;
since love is "not only the bliss of sensibility, but has the
moral feature of the unity of will with the object beloved."
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 159, 166.
Blessed Saviour, we beseech thee manifest thy-
self unto us as thou dost not unto the world. May
we know the peace of forgiveness,, the joy of com-
munion with thyself! We thank thee, Lord !
for another day. As we go forth to the active
duties of life in dependence on thy promised aid
and grace, grant us strength equal to our engage-
ments ; and in all things may thy glory be our
first and final end ! We pray, not that thou
shouldest take us out of the world, but that thou
wouldest keep us from the evil. In the midst of its
defilements, help us to preserve our garments un-
spotted ; amidst its manifold temptations, succor
us by thy mighty grace ; in all its dangers, let thy
shield be over us ; in its strifes and conflicts, grant
us the peace of God that passeth all understanding,
and victory over all evil. May the Holy Comforter
guide us into all truth, and lead us in ways of
righteousness, for thy name's sake ! Oh, may this
family be one in heart and life in the service of
God, helping one another in the way to heaven !
May we live the rest of our life in the flesh by the
faith of the Son of God, who loved us, and gave
himself for us ! Help us to do his commandments,
and to dwell in his love.
Keep us to-day from all evil. May we acknowl-
edge thee in all things, and fear to wander from
thy paths ! Bless all who are in affliction. Have
mercy on our country, and continue unto it thy
favor. Oh ! pour out thy Spirit upon all men, and
fill the earth with thy glory. We ask these bless-
ings in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
101
WEDNESDAY.
Isaiah iiii. — 1. Who hath believed our report ?
and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed ?
2. For he shall grow up before* him as a tender
plant, and as a root out of a dry ground : he hath
no form nor comeliness ; and, when we shall see
him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.
3. He is despised and rejected of men ; a man
of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid,
as it were, our faces from him ; he was despised,
and we esteemed him not.
4. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried
our sorrows ; yet we did esteem him stricken,
smitten of God, and afflicted.
5. But he was wounded for our transgressions ;
he was bruised for our iniquities : the chastisement
of our peace was upon him ; and with his stripes
we are healed.
6. All we like sheep have gone astray ; we have
turned every one to his own way ; and the Lord
hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
7. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted ; yet
he opened not his mouth : he is brought as a lamb
to the slaughter ; and as a sheep before her shearers
is dumb, so he opened not his mouth.
8. He was taken from prison and from judg-
ment : and who shall declare his generation ?
for he was cut off out of the land of the liv-
ing ; for the transgression of my people was he
stricken.
9. And he made his grave with the wicked,
and with the rich in his death ; because he had
done no violence, neither was any deceit in his
mouth.
10. Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him ; he
hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his
soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he
shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord
shall prosper in his hand.
11. He shall see of the travail of his soul, and
shall be satisfied : by his knowledge shall my
righteous servant justify many ; for he shall bear
their iniquities.
12. Therefore will I divide him a portion with
the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the
strong ; because he hath poured out his soul unto
death : and lie was numbered with the transgress-
ors ; and he bare the sin of many, and made inter-
cession for the transgressors.
From the tone of hope and exaltation in which the prophet
had proclaimed the coming of Christ, he now drops into the
minor key of lamentation as he foresees the reception that is
given him by the people whom he comes to save. Seven hun-
dred years after, John recorded the fact that "he came unto
his own, and his own received him not." Though divine
tokens heralded his coming, and his works revealed the arm
of the Lord attesting his mission, he is not recognized in the
lowliness of his advent, is not received in the spirituality of his
life and teaching. This man of Nazareth, of so mean birth,
without pretence of royalty or power to assume it, is despised
like a root of feeble growth that gives no promise of beauty or
of fruitfulness. " This is not the object of desire and trust for
whom the people have been waiting : nay, his low condition,
and especially his sufferings, make him rather an object of con-
tempt. Even they for whom he suffers mistake his person
and his office."
Yet these very sufferings are the key to his character, the
prelude and the means to his triumph. Voluntarily assumed,
meekly borne for the sins and woes of others, these identify
him with our humanity, and work out our redemption :
through souls redeemed by his sacrifice, he who seemed so
suddenly and hopelessly cut off from men prolongs his days
in an ever-multiplying seed. His meekness before Pilate, his
crucifixion between the thieves, his burial in the rich man's
tomb, are pictured as graphically as if the prophet were an
eye-witness of these events. But he looks through and beyond
them to their issue in the numbers of the saved ; and so this
wondrous elegiac strain emerges at last into the triumphal
march of the world's redemption.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 177, 189, 195.
Lord Jesus, who for our sakes didst endure
such contradiction of sinners against thyself! grant
us grace, that, like thee, we may be meek and lowly
of heart. When offended and wronged by others,
may we remember Him, who, when he was reviled,
reviled not again, and who from the cross prayed
for the forgiveness of his enemies !
Our Father in heaven, as we pray thee to for-
give our manifold offences, may we ever show the
spirit of forgiveness toward all who do us harm !
Set a watch, O Lord ! at the door of our lips, that
we offend not in word ; and, while bold and firm
for thy truth and cause, in all that concerns our-
selves may we study the things that make for
peace ! Help us this day to resist temptation, to
walk uprightly, to do good as we have opportunity,
to relieve the suffering and the needy, to be kind
toward all, and to overcome the world.
Father of all mercies, we commend this house-
hold to thy loving care. [Oh ! take these children
into thine arms ; defend them from the power of
evil-, draw them to the cross of Christ, that they
may there be baptized into the love of Him who
died for them.] Grant us, Lord ! such prosperity
as shall please thee ; yet, in all that we possess and
enjoy, help us ever to remember that we are not
our own, but are bought with a price, — even the
precious blood of Christ. We pray for thy Church
which thou hast redeemed: grant her peace and
unity. And, oh ! hasten the ingathering of the
nations, that thou mayest see of the travail of thy
soul, and be satisfied. Heavenly Father, we bless
thee for the mercy that has brought us to the be-
ginning of this day ; we supplicate thy favor upon
all our friends ; and, Lord ! have mercy upon us,
and upon all men, for Christ's sake. Amen.
102
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
THURSDAY.
Matthew XXVi. — 36. Then cometh Jesus with
them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith
unto the disciples, Sit ye here while I go and pray
yonder.
37. And he took with him Peter and the two
sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and
very heavy.
38. Then saith he unto them, My soul is ex-
ceeding sorrowful, even unto death : tarry ye here
and watch with me.
39. And he went a little farther, and fell on his
face, and prayed, saying, my Father ! if it be
possible, let this cup pass from me : nevertheless,
not as I will, but as thou wilt.
40. And he cometh unto the disciples, and find-
eth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What !
could ye not watch with me one hour ?
41. Watch and pray, that ye enter not into
temptation : the spirit indeed is willing ; but the
flesh is weak.
42. He went away again the second time, and
prayed, saying, my Father ! if this cup may not
pass away from me except I drink it, thy will be
done.
43. And he came and found them asleep again ;
for their eyes were heavy.
44. And he left them, and went away again,
and prayed the third time, saying the same
words.
45. Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith
unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: be-
hold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is
betrayed into the hands of sinners.
46. Rise, let us be going : behold, he is at hand
that doth betray me.
47. And while he yet spake, lo ! Judas, one of
the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude
with swords and staves, from the chief priests and
elders of the people.
The passover was celebrated at the full moon ; and at that
season the climate of Jerusalem would admit of spending the
night in the open air. After the discourse and prayer which
followed the institution of the Supper as narrated by John,
our Lord went with his disciples out at the eastern gate of the
city, down into the Valley of the Kedron (one may follow the
same path to-day), and, crossing the brook to the slope of
the Mount of Olives, entered a garden of olive-trees called
Gethsemane. The probable spot is still marked by a group of
very ancient olives. Leaving his disciples, he entered the
shadow of the trees, and fell upon his face in prayer ; only
Peter, James, and John bein^ near enough to afford him that
sense of human companionship which the spirit craves in its
inward conflicts. The innocent, sensitive spirit of Jesus
shrank from the ignominy and suffering now immediately be-
fore him. Yet his was not the mere nervous shrinking of a
delicate nature from pain. A dread mystery of sorrow for our
sakes entered into the anguish of his soul : a last temptation
from Satan to swerve him from his resolve to die ; a forebod-
ing of his loneliness when his disciples should forsake him,
and the Father's face be hid, — all this was wrung into the
cup now given him to drink ; and, as the holy purpose of his
soul wrestled with the weakness of the flesh, his sweat ran
from him as great drops of blood.
Yet there was no faltering of his will to do the will of his
Father. The Man of sorrows lies prostrate before us, in all
the abasement and weakness of the nature he had taken upon
him ; but even as the Son of man, tempted and suffering, yet
without sin, he triumphs by faith and prayer and submission.
Though his disciples, weary with watching and sorrow, fall
asleep, there are heavenly watchers nigh to comfort and
strengthen him ; for the struggle in his soul renews the con-
flict between heaven and hell for the possession of the soul of
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 86, 171.
Lord Jesus ! how shall we ever love thee and
praise thee for the greatness of thy love for us?
Forgive us our sloth and self-indulgence, our waver-
ing and timidity ; and, by thine agony and bloody
sweat, help us to bear our cross, and suffer us never
to fall away from thee. May the love of Christ
constrain us ! May we learn the joy of sacrifice,
and be willing to labor and to suffer for those who
do us wrong ! Father in heaven, teach us like
thyself to do good to the evil and the unthankful.
O God, who makest the outgoings of the morn-
ing and the evening to rejoice ! we bless thee that
ours has not been a night of anguish and sorrow.
We lift up our hearts to thee with thanksgiving for
the joy of another day ; for vigor for its duties, ap-
petite for its pleasures, and readiness for its oppor-
tunities of good. Bless us in our labors, keep us
pure in our enjoyments, incite us to do thy will ;
and oh ! we beseech thee, preserve us from harm,
from temptation, and from sin. Keep us from
that love and that fear of this world which would
estrange us from thee.
Seeing that we know not what a day may bring
forth, we pray, that, if trials and disappointments
shall come, we may have grace to meet them and
to profit by them ; that in all events we may see
the hand of our Father, and may say, "Thy will be
done." Conscious of our weakness, humbly con-
fessing our sins, we cast ourselves upon thine
infinite grace in Christ our Saviour for pardon,
strength, and sanctification. May we as a family
honor thee in our daily walk and conversation !
May old and young alike know the beauty of holi-
ness, the joy of consecration to Christ ! Grant thy
grace to all who are dear to us ; and grant us grace
to hold all men dear for Christ's sake, and to win
them to the knowledge of his gospel. And may
the peace of God, which passeth all understanding,
keep our hearts and minds in the knowledge and
love of God, through Jesus Christ our Lord ! Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
103
FRIDAY.
Luke xxiii. — 26. And, as they led him away,
they laid hold upon one Simon, a Cyrenian, coming
out of the country ; and on him they laid the cross,
that he might hear it after Jesus.
27. And there followed him a great company of
people, and of women, which also bewailed and
lamented him.
28. But Jesus, turning unto them, said, Daugh-
ters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for
yourselves and for your children.
29. For, behold, the days are coming, in the
which they shall say, Blessed are the barren, and
the wombs that never bare, and the paps which
never gave suck.
30. Then shall they begin to say to the moun-
tains, Fall on us ; and to the hills, Cover us.
31. For, if they do these things in a green tree,
what shall be done in the dry ?
32. And there were also two others, malefactors,
led with him to be put to death.
33. And when they were come to the place which
is called Calvary, there they crucified him and the
malefactors ; one on the right hand, and the other
on the left.
34. Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them ; for
they know not what they do. And they parted his
raiment, and cast lots.
35. And the people stood beholding. And the
rulers also with them derided him, saying, He
saved others : let him save himself, if he be Christ,
the chosen of God.
36. And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to
him, and offering him vinegar,
37. And saying, If thou be the King of the
Jews, save thyself.
38. And a superscription also was written over
him, in letters of Greek and Latin and He-
brew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE
JEWS.
39. And one of the malefactors which were
hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ,
save thyself and us.
40. But the other, answering, rebuked him, say-
ing, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the
same condemnation?
41. And we indeed justly ; for we receive the
due reward of our deeds : but this man hath done
nothing amiss.
42. And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me
when thou comest into thy kingdom.
43. And Jesus said unto him, Verily, I say
unto thee, To-day shalt thou be with me in
paradise.
The passions of thepopulace are quickly swayed from one
extreme to another. The arrest of Jesus took place in the
night, his trial and condemnation in the early morning ; and
he was dragged to execution in the most summary manner.
The chief priests had resorted to this secrecy and haste fear-
ing that the popular enthusiasm which had greeted Jesus
upon his entry into Jerusalem, live days before, would rally
for his rescue. They had enlisted a mob against him ; and
having a judicial warrant for his crucifixion, and the soldiers
at their back, they no longer apprehended violence. But the
news of their proceedings spread rapidly through the city ;
and many ran together whose sympathies were moved for the
sufferer, whom they looked upon as the friend of the people.
Among these were women, who gave vent to their feelings in
loud cries ; but Jesus, true to his unselfish pity, knowing the
sad fate that hung over Jerusalem, bespoke their sympathy
for themselves and their children.
Near the city gate, the officers laid hold of a man who was
just coming from the country, and compelled him to bear the
cross ; for Jesus, worn down with suffering, was sinking under
its burden. Arrived at Cavalry, the rulers, the rabble, and
the soldiers vied with each other in reviling the sufferer ; one
of the thieves even joining in their coarse abuse. With the
tenderness of divine compassion, Jesiis invoked forgiveness
for his tormentors ; while, with the majesty of divine preroga-
tive, he promised to the penitent thief a place with him in
paradise. Never were suffering and triumph, humiliation and
glory, so blended as in this wondrous scene.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Pra3 r er.
[Nos. 30, 116, 164.
Saviour of sinners ! we look to thee. Thou
who hast died that we might live ! help us to live
to thee alone. Redeemed with the precious blood
of the Son of God, may we walk as children of
heaven ! Help us, Lord ! in our inward conflicts
with doubts and fears and sins ; help us in our
conflicts with the temptations and evils of the
world ; and, oh ! help us in our wrestlings with
unseen powers of evil, with the great Adversary
of our souls. Lord ! increase our faith. Our
hope is in thee ; our strength is from thee alone :
dwell in us by thy grace ; fill us with thy Spirit.
This very day may we gain new victories over evil !
May we resist temptations in business to swerve
from the truth, to take advantage of others, to act
dishonorably, to be covetous and unjust ! May we
resist temptations in society to envy and evil-
speaking, to worldliness and frivolity ! May we in
all things do that which is right in the sight of
God ! [May these children grow up, dear Saviour,
in thy strength and love, safe from the power of
evil !]
We thank thee for another night of rest, another
day of mercy and of hope. Bless all clear to us ;
our friends and neighbors. Succor, Lord ! the
poor and needy, the sick, the tempted, the dying.
Lord Jesus ! be with us in our last conflict, and
make us more than conquerors over death ; and
to thy name be honor and glory for ever and ever.
Amen.
104
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
SATURDAY.
John xix. — 19. And Pilate wrote a title, and
put it on the cross. And the writing was, JESUS
OF NAZAKETH, THE KING OF THE
JEWS.
20. This title then read many of the Jews ; for
the place where Jesus was crucified was nigh to
the city : and it was written in Hebrew and
Greek and Latin.
21. Then said the chief priests of the Jews to
Pilate, Write not, The King of the Jews ; but that
he said, I am King of the Jews.
22. Pilate answered, What I have written, I
have written.
23. Then the soldiers, when they had crucified
Jesus, took his garments, and made four parts,
to every soldier a part ; and also his coat : now
the coat was without seam, woven from the top
throughout.
24. They said therefore among themselves, Let
us not rend it, but cast lots for it whose it shall be;
that the scripture might be fulfilled which saith,
What strange, even violent, contrasts were witnessed in the
last moments of the Saviour's life ! — the vacillating governor
rendering the tribute of his conscience to the " innocent " man
whom his policy had sacrificed ; the malignant Pharisees pur-
suing their victim with insults, even upon the cross ; the rough
soldiers raffling for their spoils, and unwittingly fulfilling
prophecy ; women looking on through their tears ; the Son of
man thirsting, loving, praying, dying ! But how exquisite,
amid these contrasted incidents, is the touch of humanity in
the parting of Jesus from his mother ! He had shown the di-
vine elevation of his spirit in praying for the forgiveness of his
murderers ; he had exercised his divine prerogative as Re-
deemer, by promising salvation to the thief; and he unveils
his human tenderness by designating from his cross a home
They parted my raiment among them, and for my
vesture they did cast lots. These things, therefore,
the soldiers did.
25. Now, there stood by the cross of Jesus his
mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of
Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.
26. When Jesus, therefore, saw his mother, and
the disciple standing by whom he loved, he saith
unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son !
27. Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy
mother ! And from that hour that disciple took
her unto his own home.
28. After this, Jesus knowing that all things
were now accomplished, that the scripture might
be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.
29. Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar ;
and they filled a sponge with vinegar, and put it
upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth.
30. When Jesus, therefore, had received the
vinegar, he said, It is finished ; and he bowed his
head, and gave up the ghost.
for his mother, and the disciple whom he loved to be to
her, in his stead, as a son. In his mortal agony, as his soul
was about to fall under the sword that smote him for our
sakes, as he was entering into that horror of darkness that
hid his Father's face, he turned to her that bare him, gave
her a last look and word of love, and pointed her to a pro-
tector.
How beautiful, too, is Mary, in strength of character and
fervor of affection, as she stands beneath the cross while the
sword pierces her own soul, that she may look upon that dear
face to the last! — as great in fortitude and endurance under
trial as she had been humble, discreet, modest, and wise under
the promise of mercy. How is the family relation exalted and
sanctified in such a mother and such a son !
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 16, 42, 99.
Thou art the King of glory, Christ ! Thou
art the everlasting Son of the Father. When thou
hadst overcome the sharpness of death, thou didst
open the kingdom of heaven to all believers. Thou
sittest at the right hand of God, in the glory of the
Father. We believe that thou shalt come to be
our Judge. We therefore pray thee help thy ser-
vants, whom thou hast redeemed with thy precious
blood: make them to be numbered with thy
saints in glory everlasting.
We bless thee, Lord ! for the peace and com-
fort given us in Christ concerning those dear to us
whom thou hast taken unto thyself: may we, by
thy grace, walk in their steps in all things wherein
they followed thee, and so live unto thee, day by
day, that we shall be ready at all times for thy
coming !
Merciful Saviour, we give thee thanks that thou
didst enter into all the circumstances of our earthly
condition, and didst sanctify all the relationships
of life. Thou didst take little children in thine
arms, and bless them ; thou didst hallow marriage
by thy first miracle of power and grace ; thou didst
bless the home of Martha and Mary; thou didst
provide for thy mother a home of krve. Oh ! bless
this home, we pray thee, — parents, children, broth-
ers, sisters, all kindred and friends. Give to every
one of us the spirit of our blessed Lord.
Thou who hast brought us again from sleep
to behold the light of a new day! help us so to con-
fide in thee, to keep thee ever so near and so pre-
cious to our thought, that we shall live above the
fear of death, and look forward with joy to our
final rest with thee. As children of the light,
may we shun all evil, and show forth thy praise !
Fill us this day with the peace of Christ and the
hope of immortality; fill thy Church with the faith
and the power of his resurrection. May this house-
hold, and all dear to us, be joined to the family
of the saints on earth, and finally to the company
of the redeemed in heaven, through Him who died
for us ! — to whom be glory forever. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
105
SUNDAY MORNING.
Luke xxiv. — 36. And, as they thus spake,
Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and
saith unto them, Peace be unto you.
37. But they were terrified and affrighted, and
supposed that they had seen a spirit.
38. And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled ?
and why do thoughts arise in your hearts ?
39. Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I
myself: handle me, and see ; for a spirit hath not
flesh and bones, as ye see me have.
40. And, when he had thus spoken, he showed
them his hands and his feet.
41. And while they yet believed not for joy, and
wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any
meat?
42. And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish,
and of a honey-comb.
43. And he took it, and did eat before them.
44. And he said unto them, These are the
words which I spake unto you while I was yet
with you, that all things must be fulfilled which
were written in the law of Moses, and in the pro-
phets, and in the psalms, concerning me.
45. Then opened he their understanding that
they might understand the scriptures,
46. And said unto them, Thus it is written, and
thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from
the dead the third day ;
47. And that repentance and remission of sins
should be preached in his name among all nations,
beginning at Jerusalem.
48. And ye are witnesses of these things.
49. And, behold, I send the promise of my Father
upon you ; but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem
until ye be endued with power from on high.
Zechariah xiii. — 1. In that day there shall be a
fountain opened to the house of David and to the in-
habitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness.
6. And one shall say unto him, What are these
wounds in thy hands ? Then he shall answer,
Those with which I was wounded in the house of
my friends.
7. Awake, O sword ! against my Shepherd, and
against the man that is my fellow, saith the Lord
of hosts ; smite the Shepherd, and the sheep shall
be scattered.
This was on the evening of the day of our Lord's resurrec-
tion. The women and Peter, who had seen him, were just
telling their story, when the two disciples from Emmaus en-
tered, and told how they also had seen the Lord. At this
moment Jesus himself appeared, coming like an apparition,
yet giving them tangible proofs of his identity. A mystery
attaches to the bodily state of our Lord after his resurrection,
which we cannot fully explain. " He appeared suddenly and
vanished suddenly, when he pleased ; when it pleased him, he
ate, he spoke, he walked : but his body was the body of the
resurrection, only not as yet his glorified body, because he had
not yet assumed his glory."
The mystery of his appearing at first excited that dread of
the spirit-world which is common to human nature ; but Jesus
came with the same benediction of peace with which he had
parted from them on the night of the Supper. Now was ful-
filled that gracious promise, " Yet a little while, and ye shall
see me." His work on earth was finished : theirs was to
begin, — the work of testimony to his life, the work of convic-
tion and persuasion through his death. That which he com-
missioned his disciples to preach was not a new system of
theology, a new code of morals, but the religion of the Bible,
summoning men to repentance, and bringing the forgiveness
of sins through a suffering and risen Saviour.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 17, 177, 180.
Almighty God, who hast set apart one day in
seven for the .special good of our souls, enable us
to keep this day holy. Thou hast bidden us to
rest from our worldly labors and employments : do
thou also shut the world out of our hearts, and
take full possession of them thyself.
Lord, we cannot pray to thee aright without the
help of thy Holy Spirit. May he rest upon us
abundantly this day, teaching us both what to
ask, and how to ask it ! And, when thy gospel is
preached, give us the hearing ear and the under-
standing heart; and enable us to receive with
meekness and with faith the ingrafted word, which
is able to save our souls.
Bless, gracious God, thy Church : make it the
instrument in thy hands of leading many to heav-
en. Raise up faithful and earnest men for the
work of the minstry. Do thou thyself teach them,
that they may teach others. Especially be with
the minister of this parish, who is set over us in
the Lord. Holy Spirit ! let thy grace descend
upon us in large measure. Let thy power be felt
among us, awakening those who sleep, leading us
all to greater earnestness, and making us more holy
in our lives. And wherever thy gospel is preached
this day, whether at home or abroad, oh ! grant that
its influence may be felt, and that thousands may
be' turned from darkness to light, and from the
power of Satan unto God.
Grant, Lord, that a special blessing may rest
upon our Sunday schools, and all who are called to
teach in them. Be with each one of our fellow-
worshippers. Help them and us, and all who are
dear to us, this day, on our way to heaven.
We thank thee for all the mercies of the week ;
we acknowledge thy goodness to this family ; and
humbly commit ourselves to thy care, praying that
our names may be written in heaven.
Hear these our prayers, we beseech thee, and
grant our requests, through the intercession
of thy beloved Son Jesus Christ our Saviour.
Amen.
106
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
SUNDAY EVENING.
Psalm CXV. — 1. Not unto us, Lord ! not unto
us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy,
and for thy truth's sake.
2. Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is
now their God?
3. But our God is in the heavens : he hath done
whatsoever he hath pleased.
4. Their idols are silver and gold, the work of
men's hands.
5. They have mouths, but they speak not ; eyes
have they, but they see not :
6. They have ears, but they hear not; noses
have they, but they smell not :
7. They have hands, but they handle not ; feet
have they, but they walk not ; neither speak they
through their throat.
8. They that make them are like unto them ; so
is every one that trusteth in them.
9. Israel ! trust thou in the Lord: he is their
help and their shield.
10. O house of Aaron ! trust in the Lord : he is
their help and their shield.
11. Ye that fear the Lord, trust in the Lord:
he is their help and their shield.
12. The Lord hath been mindful of us : he will
bless us ; he will bless the house of Israel ; he will
bless the house of Aaron.
These psalms belonged to the temple-service, and were ar-
ranged to be sung in a responsive form of worship. The
first eight verses of Psalm cxv. would be sung by the choir of
Levites ; then, in verses nine, ten, and eleven, the precentor
invokes several classes to trust in the Lord, and the chorus re-
sponds, " He is their help and their shield ; " after which the
choir sing the praises of the Lord. This psalm was prob-
ably composed during a time of pagan invasion and oppres-
sion. Surrounding nations had their tutelary gods, who were
represented to the eye under visible forms ; but Jehovah had
no such form in his temple nor in the houses of his worship-
pers ; and, when he suffered the Hebrews to be vanquished,
the heathen would say, " Where is now their God 1 " Such a
taunt called forth this magnificent burst of adoration to the
God who is in the heavens, and who rules over all ; and this
13. He will bless them that fear the Lord, both
small and great.
14. The Lord shall increase you more and more,
you and your children.
15. Ye are blessed of the Lord, which made
heaven and earth.
16. The heaven, even the heavens, are the
Lord's ; but the earth hath he given to the chil-
dren of men.
17. The dead praise not the Lord, neither any
that go down into silence.
18. But we will bless the Lord from this time
forth and forevermore. Praise the Lord.
Psalm cxxvi. — 1. When the Lord turned again
the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream.
2. Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and
our tongue with singing ; then said they among
the heathen, The Lord hath done great things for
them.
3. The Lord hath done great things for us;
whereof we are glad.
4. Turn again our captivity, Lord ! as the
streams in the south.
5. They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.
6. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing
precious seed, shall doubtless come again with re-
joicing, bringing his sheaves with him.
enthusiastic confidence that he will help and save those who
put their trust in him.
Yet, when deliverance came, so marvellous was the hand
of God, that, like the disciples upon the resurrection of Christ,
they believed not for joy. When He to whom they had cried
for help, and in whom they had trusted, put forth his hand, it
was in a way so utterly beyond all human methods and cal-
culations, that it seemed as a blissful dream. Even the heathen
who had mocked at them now acknowledged that they had
a God who cared for them and was able to deliver them. Most
striking was such testimony from Cyrus when he decreed that
the Jews should return from captivity. The experience of
Israel invites us, under all discouragements,, and in face of all
enemies, to maintain our trust in God ; sowing even in tears
the seeds of faith and hope, that shall yield the harvest of joy.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 156, 160, 168.
We come to thee this morning, heavenly Father,
with hearts full of thankfulness for the mercies of
the night. Thou hast kept us quiet from the fear
of evil : nor sickness, nor death, nor tempest, nor
fire, nor any calamity, hath overtaken us or our
dwelling. Fulfil unto us, we beseech thee, thy
mercies and promises in Christ, and cause that
this day we may rejoice in thy salvation.
Oh ! sanctify us by thy truth ; and, while we re-
ceive its instruction and comfort in our hearts,
may we carry out its precepts in our lives, and
adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all
things ! May every day witness some new victory
over evil desires and passions within us, and over
the evil that is in the world ! [Oh, may these
children grow in grace as they grow in years and in
knowledge ! May they shun evil companions and
evil ways, and walk in the way of thy command-
ments !] Keep all dear to us even as the apple of
thine eye. Bless our neighbors, and send thy Spirit
upon this whole community. Bless our rulers, and
the schools and churches in our land. May all who
rule, and all who teach, be led and taught by thee !
Have pity upon the poor and the sorrowing ; upon
homes made desolate by famine, pestilence, or war.
Stay thy judgments, Lord ! and send peace and
salvation to all people. Mercifully forgive our sins,
and bring us unto the perfection of knowledge, of
holiness, and of blessedness, in Jesus Christ our
Lord; to whom be glory forever. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
107
MONDAY.
Romans i. — 16. I am not ashamed of the gos-
pel of Christ : for it is the power of God unto sal-
vation to every one that believeth ; to the Jew
first, and also to the Greek.
17. For therein is the righteousness of God
revealed from faith to faith: as it written, The
just shall live by faith.
18. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven
against all ungodliness, and unrighteousness of
men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness.
19. Because that which may be known of God
is manifest in them ; for God hath showed it unto
them.
20. For the invisible things of him from the
creation of the world are clearly seen, being under-
stood bj T the things that are made, even his eternal
power and Godhead; so that they are without ex-
cuse:
21. Because that, when they knew God, they
glorified him not as God, neither were thankful,
but became vain in their imaginations, and their
foolish heart was darkened.
22. Professing themselves to be wise, they be-
came fools,
23. And changed the glory of the uncorruptible
God into an image made like to corruptible man,
and to birds, and four-footed beasts, and creeping
things.
21. "Wherefore God also gave them up to un-
cleanness, through the lusts of their own hearts, to
dishonor their own bodies between themselves ;
25. "Who changed the truth of God into a lie,
and worshipped and served the creature more than
the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
28. And, even as they did not like to retain God
in their knowledge, God gave them over to a repro-
bate mind, to do those things which are not con-
venient :
29. Being filled with all unrighteousness, forni-
cation, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness ;
full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity;
whisperers,
30. Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud,
boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to
parents,
31. "Without understanding, covenant-break-
ers, without natural affection, implacable, unmer-
ciful :
32. Who, knowing the judgment of God, that
they which commit such things are worthy of
death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in
them that do them.
In going to Rome, which was then, even more than the
Paris of our time, the splendid capital of learning, art, luxury,
empire, Paul knew that he should encounter both ridicule and
violence in proclaiming the gospel of Christ. Yet confident
in the power of that gospel, through the testimony of ^Nature,
of conscience, of history, to the truth of God, and through
the attestation of the Holy Spirit in the hearts of believers,
he felt no timidity nor shame at the prospect of the contempt
of philosophers, the scoffs of worldlings, the persecution of
bigots.
The very condition of Rome was an argument for the gos-
pel. With all her intellectual pride, and her civic and military
glory, she was barbarian in her idolatry, and beastly in her
vices. The writings of Cicero, Seneca, Plutarch. Epictetus,
and other sages of Rome, so nearly contemporary with Paul,
the views of earlier Greek philosophers of the school of Socra-
tes, the primitive monotheism of Egypt, and the theology of
her " Book of the Dead," clearly show that it is possible for
the human mind to know God from the study of itself and
of the physical universe. But this knowledge was darkened,
perverted, debased, through moral depravity ; and the super-
stition and degradation of the pagan world, its very ignorance
and idolatry, were the offspring of sin. Hence redemption
from moral evil was necessary to render possible that very in-
tellectual and social progress of which science now boasts.
In every sense, Christ was the Light of the world.
Appropriate Hymxs,]
Prayer.
\~Sos. 7, 18, 38.
God, who didst create us in thine own image
that we might know thee and enjoy thee forever [
we confess with shame that we have turned away
from the blessedness that is found in thee to seek
our good in the beggarly elements of this world.
We have worshipped and served the creature more
than the Creator; have abused our powers, mis-
spent our time, wasted our opportunities, and have
chosen death rather than life. Oh ! for the sake
of Christ, the Son of thy love, forgive this our
folly and sin, and restore within us the image of
God by thine own Spirit.
T\ e would look up to thee this morning as chil
thy Word, and obey the voices of thy providence
and grace ! Keep us, Lord ! from every evil
passion and unholy desire ; from all sin in thought,
word, or deed.
We beseech thee, Father ! mercifully to look
upon our nation, and, for the glory of thy name,
turn from us all those evils that we most justly
have deserved; and give unto us thy Holy Spirit.
We bless thee for thy great goodness to us as a
family. Incline us ever, we pray thee, to the choice
of that which is good in thy sight. Be very gra-
cious to all our friends. Bless our rulers; our
schools and churches ; the poor and needy ; the
dren, crying "Abba, Father !" Thou hast watched ! sick, the unfortunate, the sorrowing; yea, bless all
over us with a Father's care ; thou dost surround
us with a Fathers love : oh ! give to us a Fathers
blessing in all the duties and occupations of this
day. May we see thee in thy works, hear thee in j without end. Amen
peoples with thy salvation, and turn the nations
unto thy ways. And unto the Father, the Son,
and the Holy Ghost, be glory and dominion world
108
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
TUESDAY.
Romans iii. — 10. As it is written, There is
none righteous ; no, not one :
11. There is none that understandeth ; there is
none that seeketh after God.
12. They are all gone out of the way ; they are
together hecome unprofitable : there is none that
doeth good ; no, not one.
13. Their throat is an open sepulchre ; with
their tongues they have used deceit ; the poison of
asps is under their lips
14.
Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitter-
ness.
15. Their feet are swift to shed blood.
16. Destruction and misery are in their ways ;
17. And the way of peace have they not known.
18. There is no fear of God before their eyes.
19. Now, we know that what things soever the
law saith, it saith to them who are under the law ;
that every mouth may be stopped, and all the
world may become guilty before God.
20. Therefore, by the deeds of the law, there shall
no flesh be justified in his sight ; for by the law
is the knowledge of sin.
21. But now the righteousness of God without
the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law
and the prophets ;
22. Even the righteousness of God, tchich is by
faith of Jesus Christ unto all, and upon all them
that believe ; for there is no difference :
23. For all have sinned, and come short of the
glory of God ;
24. Being justified freely by his grace, through
the redemption that is in Christ Jesus :
25. Whom God hath set forth to be a propitia-
tion, through faith in his blood, to declare his
righteousness for the remission of sins that are past,
through the forbearance of God ;
26. To declare, I say, at this time, his righteous-
ness ; that he might be just, and the justifier of
him which believeth in Jesus.
27. Where is boasting, then ? It is excluded.
By what law ? of works ? Nay ; but by the law
of faith.
28. Therefore we conclude that a man is justi-
fied by faith without the deeds of the law.
29. Is he the God of the Jews only? Is he not
also of the Gentiles ? Yes, of the Gentiles also ;
30. Seeing it is one God which shall justify the
circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through
faith.
31. Do we, then, make void the law through
faith ? God forbid ! yea, we establish the law.
That is a fearful indictment against human nature with
which this section opens. That David should thus charac-
terize tha treacherous and barbarous enemies who surrounded
him was natural enough ; but when we consider, that, in the
time of Paul, the Greeks and Romans held the foremost place
in literature and art, and in whatever pertained to the civiliza-
tion of the Old World, it may surprise us that the same sweep-
ing indictment was brought against them. But look at the
scenes in Paris in the year of grace 1871, so near the close of
this nineteenth century of science, art, civilization. Every
word of this indictment holds good against the atheistic Com-
munists of to-day. The men who set tire to the city of Paris,
and murdered in cold blood the ministers of religion, would
have crucified the Lord Jesus Christ. It is human nature
which is charged with these atrocious crimes : and, after all
that civilization has done for the race, human nature, alike in
man and in woman, is still capable of the same guilt, so long
as it remains godless ; and " all have sinned, and come
short of the glory of God." It is this universality of human
sinfulness that calls for a propitiation, a redemption, such as
only the Son of God could make. His righteousness vindicat-
ing the holy law of God, his sacrifice upon the cross testify-
ing at once for the justice and the mercy of God, is the one
way of restoration for our sinning race.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
God ! we are sinners, and of a sinful race ; but
great is thy mercy. Accept our thanks and praise.
For our creation and preservation ; for our sleep
last night, and our safety this morning ; for the
comforts of this world, and the hopes of the world
to come, — we bless thee, good Lord.
For our stations and occupations in life ; for our
dear relations and friends ; for all that reminds us
of thee, and all opportunities of glorifying thee, —
we bless thee, good Lord.
For thy love in our redemption ; for thy free be-
stowal of thine only-begotten Son ; for thine un-
speakable gift of the Holy Spirit, — above all we
bless thee, good Lord.
We give thee thanks this day for home and
country ; for knowledge and freedom ; for the favor
of thy providence upon our land ; for the tokens of
thy mercy in thy Church. As by obedience to
[Nos. 5, 22, f5.
jlory, and the earth
thee the heavens declare thy
showeth forth thy praise ; even so may we obey thy
holy Word in all things, and finally be glorified
with Him who redeemed us.
We beseech thee, O Lord ! to continue the favor
which thou hast shown unto us as a family. [May
these children grow up in the knowledge and love
of thy truth ! May they always incline to thy
will, and walk in thy way ! May they be kept
from the evil that is jn the world, and be the fol-
lowers of the Lord Jesus !] Dwell by thy good
Spirit in the homes of all whom we love. Bless
this community, our State, our nation, with good
things, temporal and spiritual. Have mercy, we
beseech thee, upon an evil and ungodly world.
Oli ! bring the wickedness of the wicked to an
end ; and do good, in thy loving-kindness, unto all
men, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
109
WEDNESDAY.
Romans iv. — 1. What shall we then say that
Abraham, our father as pertaining to the flesh,
hath found ?
2. For, if Abraham were justified by works, he
hath whereof to glory, but not before God.
3. For what saith the scripture ? Abraham be-
lieved God, and it was counted unto him for right-
eousness.
4. Now, to him that worketh is the reward not
reckoned of grace, but of debt.
5. But to him that worketh not, but believeth
on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is
counted for righteousness.
6. Even as David also describeth the blessedness
of the man unto whom God imputeth righteousness
without works ;
7. Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are
forgiven, and whose sins are covered.
8. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will
not impute sin.
9. Cometh this blessedness, then, upon the cir-
cumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also ?
For we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for
righteousness.
10. How was it then reckoned ? when he was in
The gospel, in the sense of a blessing promised to the obe-
dience of faith, which could not rightfully have been claimed
by one who had failed of perfect obedience to the law, — this
reward of grace was given to Abraham in the promise of a
blessing to his seed. At his time of life, all human experi-
ence was against the fulfilment of such a promise ; but Abra-
ham was not staggered by seeming impossibilities where he
had the word of Jehovah. And again : when Abraham was
commanded to sacrifice the son whom God had expressly
given as the child of promise, though to human view this
must defeat the covenant itself, he went forward in the obe-
circumcision, or in uncircumcision ? Not in cir-
cumcision, but in uncircumcision.
11. And he received the sign of circumcision, a
seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had
yet being uncircumcised : that he might be the
father of all them that believe, though they be not
circumcised, that righteousness might be imputed
unto them also ;
12. And the father of circumcision to them who
are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk
in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham
which he had being yet uncircumcised.
20. He staggered not at the promise of God through
unbelief, but was stron g in faith, giving glory to G od ;
21. And being fully persuaded, that what he had
promised he was able also to perform.
22. And therefore it was imputed to him for
righteousness.
23. Now, it was not written for his sake alone,
that it was imputed to him,
24. But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed
if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord
from the dead,
25. Who was delivered for our offences, and
was raised again for our justification.
dience of faith, " accounting that God was able to raise him
up even from the dead."
Though Abraham had defects of character, so that by the
standard of the law he could not be considered perfect, yet
this marvellous faith was accepted as righteousness. Here is
our encouragement as sinners, conscious of our short-com-
ings and our ill-desert in presence of the holy law of God.
By faith in God's own Son, whom he did not spare, but de-
livered up for us all, we obtain pardon, justification, and
eternal life. Even so great a thing as our salvation is possi-
ble, if we will only believe.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Heavenly Father, we bless thee for the light of
the morning : oh ! lift upon us the light of thy
countenance, that we may see thy glory in the sun,
may feel thy presence in the breath of life, may
discern thy hand in all the good that comes to us,
may meet thy grace in thy holy Word. Oh for a
heart to love thee, to praise thee, to serve thee, as
we ought! Goodness and mercy have followed us
all the days of our lives. Thou didst create us for
thy glory ; thou hast enriched us with thy bounty ;
thou hast redeemed us with the precious blood of
thy Son. Thou hast sent forth thy Spirit into our
hearts to quicken us to a new life, that we might
receive the.adoption of children; and crying with-
in us, Abba, Father, oh, may we feel that we are
thy children, and be separate from the children of
this world in our loves and hopes, our aims and
joys! Disobedient and unthankful children we
have been ; and we confess our waywardness and our
Prayer. t Nos - 30, 67.
sin. Forgive us, we beseech thee, our Father !
for Christ's sake ; and help us this day to walk as
children of the light, as children of heaven.
God ! thy watchful providence is over all our
ways. We pray thee this day to deliver us from
temptation, to defend us from evil. Make sure to
this family the mercies of thy covenant. [Give to
the children grace to serve thee in the morning of
life ; to be gentle, obedient, loving, and kind. May
they grow up pure and holy !] Bemember all dear
to us ; bless them in their hearts and in their
homes. Visit, Lord ! with thy grace, the com-
munity in which we live. Bless thy Church here,
and in our land, and throughout the world. Oh !
send thy salvation to all people. We beseech thee
to. comfort the poor, the sick, the sorrowing, the
dying; and Lord! when heart and flesh shall
fail us, be thou the strength of our heart, and our
portion forever, for Christ's sake. Amen.
110
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
THURSDAY.
Isaiah ix. — 1. Nevertheless, the dimness shall
not be such as was in her vexation, when at the
first he lightly afflicted the land of Zebulun and
the land of Naphtali, and afterward did more
grievously afflict her by the way of the sea, beyond
Jordan, in Galilee of the nations.
2. The people that walked in darkness have seen
a great light : they that dwell in the land of the
shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.
3. Thou hast multiplied the nation, and not in-
creased the joy: they joy before thee according to
the joy in harvest, and as men rejoice when they
divide the spoil.
4. For thou hast broken the yoke of his burden,
and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his op-
pressor, as in the day of Midian.
5. For every battle of the warrior is with con-
fused noise, and garments rolled in blood ; but this
shall be with burning and fuel of fire.
6. For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is
given ; and the government shall be upon his
shoulder ; and his name shall be called Wonder-
ful, Counsellor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting
Father, the Prince of Peace.
7. Of the increase of his government and peace
there shall be no end, upon the throne of David,
and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish
it with judgment and with justice from henceforth,
even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will
perform this.
Revelation xix. — 11. And I saw heaven opened,
and, behold, a white horse ; and he that sat upon
him was called Faithful and True, and in right-
eousness he doth judge and make war.
12. His eyes ivere as a flame of fire, and on his
head were many crowns ; and he had a name writ-
ten that no man knew but he himself.
13. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in
blood ; and his name is called the Word of God.
14. And the armies which were in heaven fol-
lowed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen,
white and clean.
15. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword,
that with it he should smite the nations ; and he
shall rule them with a rod of iron : and he tread-
eth the wine-press of the fierceness and wrath of
Almighty God.
16. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh
a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LOED
OF LOEDS.
There cannot be a doubt as to the child whose birth was
here predicted. The promise was literally fulfilled in Christ ;
and such titles never could have been applied to any other :
for, though Oriental courtiers and poets were accustomed to
flatter their sovereigns with the names and attributes of their
divinities, a Hebrew prophet was incapable of the blasphemy
of ascribing to an earthly king the names and offices of Je-
hovah. In a time of darkness and distress, when the calami-
ties of war and captivity were hanging over the nation, the
prophet promises that the night shall not be perpetual, the
distress shall not be hopeless. In the midst of darkness, light
shall break forth ; and even the. shadow of death shall be scat-
tered by its shining. Israel, reduced to a remnant, should be
multiplied by a spiritual increase from the Gentile nations, to
whom also Christ should come through his mission in Gali-
lee (verse 3 should read, " Thou hast multiplied the nation ;
thou hast increased joy to it"); and so the joy of the op-
pressed and afflicted people of God should be increased like
the rejoicing at harvest or at a great victory. Through his
coming, the very weapons and garments of war should lie
heaped together upon the bloody field as food for fire. By the
sword of his truth, as King of kings, he shall subdue the na-
tions, and conquer war itself. For he is the Prince of peace, —
wonderful in character and works ; infinite in wisdom as
Counsellor ; clothed with the might of Jehovah ; the very
Father of eternity in his inherent life, and eternal in his love
for his people. Every glorious name and attribute of God
was concentrated in the name of Jesus, which is above every
name. Oh ! let us serve and adore him, our merciful Saviour,
our glorious Leader, our everlasting Friend.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 119, 173, 186.
O Thou who didst humble thyself to be born of
a virgin, the everlasting Son of the Father, the
Prince of peace ! we bless and adore thee for thy
grace, and compassion for us sinners. We give
thanks unto the Father, who so loved the world
that he gave his only-begotten Son, that whosoever
believeth in him should not perish, but have ever-
lasting life ; we praise and worship the Son, who
took upon him our nature that he might redeem us
from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a pecu-
liar people, zealous of good works. Oh ! grant us,
we beseech thee, thy peace, through the forgive-
ness of sin, reconciliation with God, and the in-
dwelling of the Spirit, that we may glorify and
praise thee in our lives for all that we have heard
and seen of thy grace.
Save us, Lord ! from unbelief. Forbid that,
by indifference to the gospel of thy Son, we should,
at the last, fall under the condemnation of the
Saviour as our Judge. And grant, we pray thee,
that thy very judgments in the earth, overturning
the powers of wickedness, may open the way for
his grace to all nations. We give thee thanks for
peaceful rest. Lord, keep this household from evil.
[May the children remember that Jesus came as a
little child to bless them ! May they give their
hearts to his love !] May we all, in the spirit of
little children, love and serve Him who came into
the world to save sinners ! And, oh, may the world
be saved ! may all men come to Christ ! may peace
reign on the earth, and good-will bind all hearts to-
gether for the glory of God ! And to Father, Son,
and Holy Spirit, be honor and praise throughout
all ages. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
Ill
FRIDAY.
Isaiah xi. — 1. And there shall come forth a rod
out of the stem of Jesse, and a branch shall grow
out of his roots;
2. And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon
him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the
spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge
and of the fear of the Lord,
3. And shall make him of quick understanding
in the fear of the Lord : and he shall not judge
after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the
hearing of his ears ;
4. But with righteousness shall he judge the
poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the
earth ; and he shall smite the earth with the rod
of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall
he slay the wicked.
5. And righteousness shall be the girdle of his
loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins.
6. The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and
the leopard shall lie down with the kid ; and the
calf and the young lion and the fatling together ;
and a little child shall lead them.
7. And the cow and the bear shall feed ;' their
young ones shall lie down together : and the lion
shall eat straw like the ox.
8. And the sucking child shall play en the hole
of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand
on the cockatrice's den.
9. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my
holy mountain ; for the earth shall be full of the
knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the
sea.
10. And in that day there shall be a root of
Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the peo-
ple ; to it shall the Gentiles seek : and his rest
shall be glorious.
In the preceding chapter, the prophet had. likened the king-
doms of this world to the mighty forests that clothed the sides
of Lebanon. Assyria, the oppressor of Israel, had thus lifted
herself up in the pride of her strength ; and, by the side of her,
Judali, which represented the kingdom of God, was like the
stump of a felled tree, like a root without stem or branches.
But, to prepare for Christ's kingdom, this - great forest of
worldly pride and power should be hewn down : and from the
despised stump of Jesse, the humblest member of the almost
extinct family of David, there should spring out of the buried
root the merest twig ; but this fresh, green shoot should grow
to strength, beauty, and fruitfnlness.
The Son of David, born of the Virgin Mary, fulfilled this
promise. This Heaven-appointed King should be endowed
with the highest wisdom of discernment, the highest power of
execution, the highest righteousness of decision. He would
use his power and authority for the destruction of evil, for the
protection of the poor and weak, for the defence of justice and
truth. Righteousness should be his very garment.
So much of this prediction as relates to the personal char-
acter and qualities of the promised Prince found its counter-
part in the just, the meek, the wise, the gracious, the loving,
the holy Jesus of Kazareth. So much as relates to the prin-
ciples that through the Messiah should transform society and
rule the world was met in the doctrines and precepts of Christ.
The conversion of the Roman Empire to Christianity gave
promise of the early realization of the whole of this glorious
picture; and, though that promise is yet delayed, all things
are moving toward its consummation. With the growth of
Christ's kingdom, the most hostile and noxious things shall
be subdued ; the most incongruous elements of human society
shall be harmonized ; bloody men, in disposition like the wolf,
the leopard, the lion, the bear, deceitful men like the asp and
the cockatrice, shall be changed in their nature to the spirit of
a little child. There is no reformer like the gospel: it is the
kingdom of Christ, filling the earth, that will bring peace and
good-will to men.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 2, 22, 146.
Almighty and most merciful Father, who of thy
tender love toward us didst send thy Son, our Sa-
viour Jesus Christ, to be our Advocate and Interces-
sor, hear us for his sake, and grant us the mercies
which we need for another day.
Graciously bestow upon us, O heavenly Father !
that Holy Spirit which thou hast promised to give
to them that ask thee. Take away our ignorance,
our hardness and coldness of heart, and our love
of this present world. Enlighten our understand-
ings ; give unto us the spirit of wisdom and revela-
tion in the knowledge of Christ. May we know
thee as our God and Saviour ! May we enter more
and more into the riches of redeeming love ! Grant
that, being set free from sin, and made servants to
God, we may have our fruit unto holiness, and the
end everlasting life.
We thank thee for all thy goodness and thy
care. Thou spreadest our table ; thou givest us
life and breath and all things. Lord! our souls,
and all that is within us, would bless and praise
thy holy name. As a family, we bless thee for
our home, and for all the comforts and joys of our
daily life. [May the children whom thou hast so
favored in this house remember thee, their heaven-
ly Father, and love and serve thee !] Be with us
this day to guide and keep us.
most merciful Saviour, our compassionate
High Priest, who ever liveth to intercede for us !
turn from us all those evils which we most justly
have deserved ; pity our infirmities; heal our souls'
sicknesses ; give us the joy of thy salvation, and a
hope full of immortality. Strengthen us to live
and labor for thee. Build up thy Church, Lord!
Hasten that blessed day when war and violence,
injustice and deceit, shall vex the earth no more,
and the Prince of peace shall reign in righteous-
ness. And at length take us to rest with thee
above, for thine own name and mercy's sake ; and
unto thee, with the Father and the Holy Ghost,
be all honor and glory, now and forevermore.
Amen.
J
112
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
SATURDAY.
Romans V. — 1. Therefore, being justified by
faith, we have peace with God, through our Lord
Jesus Christ ;
2. By whom also we have access by faith into
this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope
of the glory of God.
3. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations
also ; knowing that tribulation worketh patience ;
4. And patience, experience ; and experience,
hope ;
5. And hope maketh not ashamed, because the
love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the
Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
6. For, when we were yet without strength, in
due time Christ died for the ungodly.
7. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die ;
yet peradventnre for a good man some would even
dare to die.
8. But God commendeth his love toward us, in
that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for
us.
9. Much more then, being now justified by his
blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
10. For if, when we were enemies, we were recon-
ciled to God by the death of his Son, much more,
being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
11. And not only so, but we also joy in God
through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have
now received the atonement.
12. Wherefore as by one man sin entered into
the world, and death by sin ; and so death passed
upon all men, for that all have sinned.
Death as a physical event was in the world long prior to
the fall of man. This geology teaches from the remains of
races that had become extinct upon our globe before man was
created. But death, as we now conceive of it from the point
of mere nature, with its pain and gloom and fear, and its fore-
bodings of the judgment to come, is a perpetual witness for
the divine displeasure at sin. Moreover, if man had not
sinned, he might have been removed from this world to a
higher sphere, as Elijah was, by a translation without death ;
or the natural body, untainted by sin, might have been trans-
formed into the spiritual. Sin is disobedience to law ; and
since death, which to man is a consequence of sin, is universal,
13. (For, until the law, sin was in the world ;
but sin is not imputed when there is no law.
14. Nevertheless, death reigned from Adam to
Moses, even over them that had not sinned after
the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the
figure of him that was to come.
15. But not as the offence, so also is the free gift.
For if, through the offence of one, many be dead ;
much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace,
which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded
unto many.
16. And not as it xvas by one that sinned, so is
the gift. For the judgment was by one to con-
demnation ; but the free gift is of many offences
unto justification.
17. For if, by one man's offence, death reigned
by one ; much more they which receive abundance
of grace, and of the gift of righteousness, shall
reign in life by one, Jesus Christ :)
18. Therefore as, by the offence of (me, judgment
came upon all men to condemnation ; even so, by
the righteousness of one, the free gift came upon
all men unto justification of life.
19. For as, by one man's disobedience, many
were made sinners ; so by the obedience of one
shall many be made righteous.
20. Moreover, the law entered that the offence
might abound. But, where sin abounded, grace did
much more abound ;
21. That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so
might grace reign through righteousness unto eter-
nal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.
therefore all men have transgressed the law of God. Those
who have not, like Adam, transgressed a positive revealed com-
mand, are nevertheless convicted of having disobeyed the law
written in their hearts ; and so all men have followed Adam in
his apostasy. The coming-in of a revelation has rendered more
manifest this universal sinfulness of the race. But, through
the coming of Christ, death itself has been transformed into a
new agency of life. By his own death upon the cross he con-
quered death and sin, and provided for our justification with
God ; and now, to the believer in Christ, death has no more
terror, no more power. Peace, patience, hope, love, joy, have
entered in where once all was fear, darkness, despair.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 34, 39, 54.
Just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints.
Who shall not fear thee, Lord ! and glorify thy
name ? We confess our great unworthiness ; our
sins of thought, word, and action ; our sins against
light and privilege, and providence and grace.
We cast ourselves upon Him who came to seek
and to save the lost. Thanks be unto God for his
unspeakable gift. Eemembering at what price our
redemption hath been purchased, we would conse-
crate our lives to Him who loved us, and gave
himself for us.
Bless the members of this household. May they
walk before thee with a perfect heart ! May the
young adorn the doctrine of God their Saviour in all
things ! Have mercy, Lord ! upon a world that
lieth in wickedness and in the shadow of death.
Thankful for the mercies of the night, we com-
mend ourselves to thee for this day. Guide us;
provide for us ; go before us with thy presence ;
defend us by thy grace.
And now, Lord, what wait we for ? Our hope is
in thee. Prepare us for living ; prepare us for
dying. And all we ask is for the Lord Jesus
Christ's sake. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
113
SUNDAY MORNING.
I Corinthians xv. — 1. Moreover, brethren, I
declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto
you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye
stand ;
2. By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in
memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have
believed in vain.
3. For I delivered unto you first of all that
which I also received, how that Christ died for our
sins according to the scriptures ;
4. And that he was buried, and that he rose
again the third day according to the scriptures ;
5. And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the
twelve ;
6. After that he was seen of above five hundred
brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain
unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.
7. After that he was seen of James ; then of all
the apostles.
8. And last of all he was seen of me also, as of
one born but of due time.
9. For I am the least of the apostles, that am
not meet to be called an apostle, because I perse-
cuted the church of God.
10. But by the grace of God I am what I am :
and his grace which was bestowed upon me was
not in vain, but I labored more abundantly than
they all ; yet not I, but the grace of God which was
with me.
11. Therefore, whether it were I or they, so we
preach, and so ye believed.
12. N"ow, if Christ be preached that he rose from
the dead, how say some among you that there is no
resurrection of the dead?
13. But if there be no resurrection of the dead,
then is Christ not risen ;
14. And if Christ be not risen, then is our
preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.
15. Yea, and we are found false witnesses of
God; because we have testified of God that he
raised up Christ : whom he raised not up, if so be
that the dead rise not.
16. For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ
raised :
17. And if Christ be not raised, your faith is
vain ; ye are yet in your sins.
18. Then they also which are fallen asleep in
Christ are perished.
19. If in this life only we have hope in Christ,
we are of all men most miserable.
The resurrection of Christ is the truth upon which Chris-
tianity itself hinges. By this he was proved to be the Son
of God ; by this his life was attested as an incarnation ; by
this his death was interpreted as an atonement ; by this his
triumph over death and hell, and the complete redemption of
our humanity, were assured. Yet this sublime fact lies so be-
yond the grasp of man's philosophy, that mere rationalism
cannot receive it. The Sadducees among the Jews, the Epi-
cureans among the Greeks, mocked at the resurrection, as a
thing impossible. But they were materialists, and believed
neither in a spiritual existence nor in an hereafter. Some
believers of the gospel were so staggered at a literal resurrec-
tion, that they spiritualized the idea, and rejected the fact. It
is such doubters whom the apostle is addressing in this grand
argument for the resurrection. How strong, how invincible,
is the evidence concerning Christ ! He was crucified in open
day ; he was pronounced dead by the official guard, and then
pierced to the heart by the spear of a Roman soldier ; he was
buried in a new tomb cut from the solid rock ; the door was
sealed, and put under guard ; he afterwards appeared in a body
which was at once recognized by those who had known him
intimately for years ; he appeared to them again and again,
speaking and acting as a man ; and they were ready to die as
witnesses to that fact. Yes, Christ rose from the dead ; and
therefore there is redemption for our sins, and there is hope
for our resurrection.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 79, 80, 94.
O Lord God, Father of mercies, the Fountain
of all comfort and blessing, who fillest heaven with
thy glory, and earth with thy goodness ; to whom
the heavens sing praise, and all their powers, with
the earth and sea and all that are therein ! we
praise and bless and glorify and give thanks to
thee. Thou broughtest us out of nothing; and
when, by our disobedience, we were fallen, thou
didst raise us up again to an inheritance in thy
kingdom. For these and all thy mercies we give
thanks to thee, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
henceforth and forevermore.
We bless thee for the sabbath, and pray that we
may rightly improve its holy rest and the worship
of thy holy house. May we have in lively remem-
brance the resurrection and ascension of our
blessed Lord ; by faith in him, be lifted above the
power of sin, above the fear of death ; and, being
risen with Christ, may we set our affections upon
things above, and look with joy for his appearing !
[May these children delight in the Lord's day,
and love to speak and sing of Jesus !] We pray
for the whole Church of Christ, that she may
possess all the gifts of thy Holy Spirit ; for all
Sunday schools, — oh ! hear the hosannas of chil-
dren, and show to them the love of Jesus their
Saviour. We pray for the poor and needy, the
sick and afflicted, for widows and orphans ; for all
whom thou hast given to be near and dear to us.
Give them thy blessing, Lord ! for Christ's sake.
Accept, we beseech thee, O Lord! these our
praises and supplications, and look graciously upon
this family ; and so assist us by thy grace, that we
may be fitted for that kingdom where all shall be
joy and peace in the Holy Ghost ; to whom, with
thee and thy Son, be all glory forever. Amen.
114
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
SUNDAY EVENING.
I Corinthians xv. — 20. But now is Christ risen
from the dead, and become the first-fruits of them
that slept.
21. For since by man came death, by man came
also the resurrection of the dead.
22. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ
shall all be made alive.
23. But every man in his own order : Christ the
first-fruits ; afterward they that are Christ's at his
coming.
24. Then cometh the end, when he shall have
delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father ;
when he shall have put down all rule, and all au-
thority and power.
25. For he must reign till he hath put all ene-
mies under his feet.
26. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is
death.
27. For he hath put all things under his feet ;
but, when he saith all things are put under him,
it is manifest that he is excepted which did put
all things under him.
28. And when all things shall be subdued unto
him, then shall the Son also himself be subject
unto him that put all things under him, that God
may be all in all.
To make complete the redemption of humanity, it was
needful that man should triumph on the very field where man
had fallen, and over every foe to which man had been sub-
jected. By his holy life, Christ triumphed over sin in human
flesh, and over the condemnation which the law had pro-
nounced upon our sinful race. In his atoning sacrifice, Christ
triumphed over Satan through suffering, as he had before tri-
umphed over him in the temptation ; and, by his resurrection,
Christ triumphed over death. But this triumph, to be made
complete and final, must be renewed in every one of his fol-
lowers. Christ set up a kingdom of spiritual life and power.
For this, he, as Mediator, now has dominion ; and unto this
every enemy must be subdued : then the dominion of the Son
as Redeemer shall be merged in that of God as Father. But
29. Else what shall they do which are baptized
for the dead, if the dead rise not at all ? why are
they, then, baptized for the dead?
30. And why stand we in jeopardy every
hour ?
31. I protest by your rejoicing which I have in
Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.
32. If after the manner of men I have fought
with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me
if the dead rise not ? Let us eat and drink ; for
to-morrow we die.
33. Be not deceived : evil communications cor-
rupt good manners.
34. Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for
some have not the knowledge of God. I speak
this to your shame.
35. But some man will say, How are the
dead raised up ? and with what body do they
come ?
36. Thou fool ! that which thou sowest is not
quickened except it die :
37. And that which thou sowest, thou sowest
not that body that shall be, but bare grain ; it may
chance of wheat or of some other grain :
38. But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased
him, and to every seed his own body.
this shall not take place until death is conquered in the final
resurrection. Of this the resurrection of Christ was the
earnest and the pledge. The question of bodily identity,
which perplexes some, Paul disposes of by a beautiful analogy.
The sower does not expect to reap the self-same seed which
he casts into the ground, but the same kind of grain, — wheat
from wheat, barley from barley, maize from maize ; but what
he reaps grows out of the germ of the seed that he sows,
which is quickened into life by the death of its own body.
So physiology itself may teach us that there is within us a
life-principle, or germ, of spirit-potency, which is capable of
being hereafter quickened and clothed with a body by Him
who gives to every grain and plant its own body, answering
to the seed from which it springs.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 8, 42, 45.
O God, who hast taught us in thy Word that
there is still laid up a rest for thy people, and
who hast given us a promise of entering into it !
grant to us, we beseech thee, that we fail not of
that promise through unbelief and disobedience.
Teach us to look for a house that hath founda-
tions, of which thou art the maker and builder.
Lift our hearts thither in earnest desire.
sabbath of eternal peace ! haven where the
wicked cease from troubling, and the weary are at
rest ! When shall we see thee, Lord ! and behold
the King in his beauty? When shall we meet the
apostles and prophets, and the great multitude
whom no man can number ? When shall we see
again our dear friends who sleep in Jesus ?
O God the Father, who hast the times and sea-
sons in thine own power ! let not that day come
upon us unawares. God the Son, who art gone
to prepare a place for us ! in thine own time take
us to thyself, that where thou art, there we may be
also. God the Holy Ghost, the pledge of future
glory in our hearts ! seal us until the redemption
of the purchased possession. We bless thee for
the help this clay received through thy holy Word
and the prayers and praises of thy Church. We
supplicate thy favor upon all who .have heard thy
Word, and upon those who have it not. We bless
thee for thy mercy to this household, and commit
ourselves to thy fatherly protection for the night.
Keep us under the shadow of thy wings ; and,
Father ! bring us, we pray thee, finally to rest in
thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
115
MONDAY.
I Corinthians xv. — 39. All flesh is not the same
flesh ; but there is one kind of flesh of men, an-
other flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another
of birds.
40. There are also celestial bodies, and bodies
terrestrial ; but the glory of the celestial is one,
and the glory of the terrestrial is another.
41. There is one glory of the sun, and another
glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars ;
for one star differeth from another star in glory.
42. So also is the resurrection of the dead. It
is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption :
43. It is sown iu dishonor ; it is raised in glory :
it is sown in weakness ; it is raised in power :
44. It is sown a natural body ; it is raised a
spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there
is a spiritual body.
45. And so it is written : The first man, Adam,
was made a living soul ; the last Adam was made
a quickening spirit.
46. Howbeit, that was not first which is spirit-
ual, but that which is natural ; and afterward that
which is spiritual.
47. The first man is of the earth, earthy : the
second man is the Lord from heaven.
48. As is the earthy, such are they also that are
earthy ; and as is the heavenly, such are they also
that are heavenly.
The "natural" or psychical body is a body in which the
animal nature — which Paul terms the psi/che, or "soul" —
has ruled in place of the spiritual, which Paul terms the
pneuma, or "spirit." By reason of this, the life has been
" earthy," — more nearly related to sense, appetite, and the
outer, visible world, than to the world of spiritual realities.
But, in the resurrection, the spiritual life, restored by Christ,
and fed with his power, shall mould the outer form to its
own laws, and use it at its own will. The body itself shall
be spiritualized. Sown in dishonor, with death as the mark
of its degradation by sin, buried out of sight to return to its
dust, it shall be raised resplendent with beauty and majesty
like unto Christ's glorious body. Sown in weakness, too
weak to cope with disease, helpless in the presence of death,
it shall be raised with a dynamic force within itself capable
49. And as we have borne the image of the earthy,
we shall also bear the image of the beavenly.
50. Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and
blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God ; neither
doth corruption inherit incorruption.
51. Behold, I show you a mystery : "We shall
not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
52. In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye,
at the last trump ; for the trumpet shall sound, and
the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we sball
be changed.
53. For this corruptible must put on incorrup-
tion, and this mortal must put on immortality.
54. So when this corruptible shall have put on
incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on
immortality, then shall be brought to pass the
saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in
victory.
55. Death ! where is thy sting ? Grave !
where is thy victory ?
56. The sting of death is sin, and the strength
of sin is the law.
57. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the
victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
58. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stead-
fast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of
the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is
not in vain in the Lord.
of resisting all evil, and of performing all the behests of the
spirit. The renovated spirit shall lift the body to its own
plane as a spiritual organism for the expression of only high
and sacred thoughts, of pure and blessed feelings and desires.
To the Christian, death is the liberation of the life-principle
for an untold career of power and glory. The utmost gran-
deur of existence is opened to him whose " life is hid with
Christ in God." Where science speaks of improvement,
Christianity speaks of renovation ; where science speaks of
development, Christianity speaks of sanctification ; where sci-
ence speaks of progress, Christianity speaks of perfection.
And where, in the whole vocabulary of science, are terms to
match these three, — incorruption, glory, power? Gladly do
we join in this hymn of thanks to God ; willingly do we devote
ourselves to the work of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 20, 34, 105.
Thou blessed and glorious Bedeemer, who didst
give thy life a ransom for us, grant us grace, we
beseech thee, to follow in thy steps, and be bap-
tized with the same baptism of devotion and sacri-
fice for the glory of the Father and the good of men.
Keep us from the absorbing power of earthly tilings.
May we live under the powers of the world to come,
loving thee now with a sweet and blessed foretaste
of that love with which we shall love thee forever!
We commend to thy gracious providence all thy
people. Sanctify them by the indwelling of thy
Holy Spirit. Give unto them both outward and
inward peace. Bless our own immediate circle :
may God be their Father, and Jesus their Elder
Brother, and heaven their everlasting home !
[May the children of this family make thee their
portion and their hope ! May they early learn to
do thy will ; to wish for and to do only that which
will please their Father in heaven !]
May thy kingdom come ! May thy servants
abound in the work of the Lord ! Sanctify affliction
to all in sorrow ; and satisfy the poor with bread.
Grateful for the mercies of the night, we pray thee
help us to consecrate body, soul, and spirit to the
glory of thy holy name. And all that we ask or
hope for is for the Redeemer's sake. Amen.
116
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
TUESDAY.
Genesis xvii. — 3. And Abram fell on his face ;
and God talked with him, saying,
4. As for me, behold my covenant is with thee,
and thou shalt be a father of many nations.
5. Neither shall thy name any more be called
Abram ; but thy name shall be Abraham : for a
father of many nations have I made thee.
6. And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and
1 will make nations of thee ; and kings shall come
out of thee.
7. And I will establish my covenant between
me and thee, and thy seed after thee, in their gen-
erations, for an everlasting covenant ; to be a God
unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.
10. This is my covenant, which ye shall keep,
between me and you, and thy seed after thee :
Every man-child among you shall be circum-
cised.
Galatians iii. — 16. Now to Abraham and his
seed were the promises made. He saith not, And
to seeds, as of many ; but as of one, And to thy
seed, which is Christ.
17. And this I say, That the covenant that was
confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which
was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot
disannul, that it should make the promise of none
effect.
18. For, if the inheritance be of the law, it is no
more of promise ; but God gave it to Abraham by
promise.
This wonderful argument proves the identity of the sys-
tem of grace in the Old Testament and the New. The gospel
is, in reality, older than the law. When Jehovah entered into
a covenant with Abraham to bless all nations in his seed, that
promise looked forward to Christ. Between the giving of the
promise and its fulfilment, the law came in as a means of train-
ing and discipline. It was our schoolmaster, or, more exactly,
our pedagogue, — the name given to a guardian who every day
led the child to the teacher, and kept him under proper re-
straint in going and coming. So the law led to Christ; and
this in two ways : its commands caused men to realize the fail-
ure of self-made righteousness, of attempts at character ; and
its sacrifices fixed in the human mind and in human speech
the idea of an atonement. With the coming of Christ, the
Jewish system, with all that was local or national or typical
19. Wherefore, then, serveth the law ? It was
added because of transgressions, till the seed should
come to whom the promise was made ; and it was
ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.
20. Now, a mediator is not a mediator of one ;
but God is one.
21. Is the law, then, against the promises of
God ? God forbid ! for if there had been a law
given which could have given life, verily righteous-
ness should have been by the law.
22. But the scripture hath concluded all under
sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ
might be given to them that believe.
23. But, before faith came, we were kept under
the law, shut up unto the faith which should after-
wards be revealed.
24. Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to
bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by
faith.
25. But, after that faith is come, we are no
longer under a schoolmaster.
26. For ye are all the children of God by faith
in Christ Jesus.
27. For as many of you as have been baptized
into Christ have put on Christ.
28. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is
neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor
female ; for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
29. And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's
seed, and heirs according to the promise.
in it, passed away ; but the original platform of the gospel re-
mained, and Christ carried this out to the full meaning of the
promise, abolishing in his kingdom the distinctions of race, of
sex, and of condition. Baptism into this kingdom has taken the
place of circumcision under the law, and carries with it all the
blessings of the covenant to ourselves and to our children.
Circumcision was practised among the ancient Egyptians,
perhaps for sanitary reasons ; but to Abraham it was a sacred
token, signifying the renewal of his nature through the con-
secration of himself and his household unto God. The use of
any such symbol in religion is both to assist our faith, and to
remind us of our obligation. The covenant brought to Abra-
ham duties as well as privileges ; and all God's promises to us
are conditioned upon our fidelity to him. Let us, therefore,
do our duty while we trust his grace.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 10, 59, 84, 88.
O thou faithful God, who keepest covenant and
mercy forever ! we awake this morning to the light
of thy love, to the sense of thy gracious protec-
tion, and the joy of thy presence ; and we bring
to thee our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving.
Oh ! keep us this day from sin ; bless us in our
home, in our labors, in our studies ; bless all our
friends with both temporal and spiritual good ; and
remember all men in mercy. May we be followers
of them who through faith and patience inherit the
promises ! May we all be the children of thy grace !
Lord, who hast taught us not only to pray, but
to give thanks for all men ! we beseech thee to ac-
cept our unfeigned thanks and praises for the grace
thou hast wrought in thy saints, and through them
bestowed on thy holy Church from the beginning of
the world. For all thy servants who have departed
this life with the seal of faith, we praise and mag-
nify thy glorious name ; most humbly desiring of
thy mercy and goodness that we may continue in
their holy communion ; and that, following with all
diligence their holy examples, we may together
with them attain to the resurrection of the just,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
117
WEDNESDAY.
Genesis xviii. — 1. And the Lord appeared unto
Abraham in the plains of Marnre ; and he sat in
the tent-door in the heat of the day ;
2. And he lifted up his eyes, and looked ; and, lo,
three men stood by him : and, when he saw them,
he ran to meet them from the tent-door, and
bowed himself toward the ground,
3. And said, My Lord, if now I have found favor
in thy sight, pass not away, I pray thee, from thy
servant :
4. Let a little water, I pray you, be fetched ; and
wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree :
5. And I will fetch a morsel of bread, and com-
fort ye your hearts ; after that ye shall pass on :
for therefore are ye come to your servant. And
they said, So do as thou hast said.
6. And Abraham hastened into the tent unto
Sarah, and said, Make ready quickly three meas-
ures of fine meal, knead it, and make cakes upon
the hearth.
7. And Abraham ran unto the herd, and fetched
a calf tender and good, and gave it unto a young
man ; and he hasted to dress it.
8. And he took butter and milk, and the calf
which he had dressed, and set it before them ; and
he stood by them under the tree, and they did eat.
9. And they said unto him, Where is Sarah thy
wife ? And he said, Behold, in the tent.
10. And he said, I will certainly return unto
thee according to the time of life ; and, lo, Sarah
thy wife shall have a son. And Sarah heard it in
the tent-door, which teas behind him.
13. And the Lord said unto Abraham, . . .
14. Is any thing too hard for the Lord? At
the time appointed I will return unto thee, accord-
ing to the time of life ; and Sarah shall have a
son.
Psalm exxviii. — 1. Blessed is every one that
feareth the Lord ; that walketh in his ways.
2. For thou shalt eat the labor of thine hands':
happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with
thee.
3. Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the
sides of thine house ; thy children like olive-plants
round about thy table.
4. Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed
that feareth the Lord.
5. The Lord shall bless thee out of Zion ; and
thou shalt see the good of Jerusalem all the days
of thy life.
6. Yea, thou shalt see thy children's children,
and peace upon Israel.
The promise of Isaac to Abraham had special reference to
the covenant of grace. Ishmael was the son of a bond-woman,
and, as such, could not fitly become the type of that free
spiritual community which was to be founded upon the faith
of Abraham. The Bible always speaks of children as precious
gifts of God ; and in the Old Testament they were the more
prized as giving hope of the Messiah in the line of God's
special promise.
There is hardly a more lovely spot in Palestine than the
valley along which lies the city of Hebron, — creeping up the
hills upon either side, and imbosomed in vineyards, for which
the locality is still famous, as the ancient " Eshcol." About
a mile from the city, in the midst of the vineyards, stands a
venerable tree, which tradition honors as the oak of Abraham,
and which may mark the site of Mamre, where he so long
Appropriate Hymns,]
God, the Father of all the families of men !
we thank thee for thy great love in the gift of
children ; for all the joy they bring with them ;
for all the good thou dost prepare for them and by
them. [May the children of this family be thine
in the covenant of thy love, and grow up in the
household of faith !]
O Lord ! we adore thee as God over all, blessed
forevermore. Thou art the Former of our bodies,
and the Father of our spirits. All we are and all
we have is derived from thee. There is nothing
which we have that we have not received. Oh !
give us the blessing of grateful hearts. Let thy
Spirit be our teacher ; let thy Word be our guide ;
let thy will be our sovereign motive ; let thy glory
be our final end.
pitched his tent. The passage gives a beautiful picture of
patriarchal hospitality. As Abraham was reposing at noon-
tide in the shade, three travellers appeared before him ; and he
hastened to show them attentions, — perhaps with a vague
suspicion that these might be heavenly visitants. As the san-
dals worn in the East exposed the feet to the dust of the way,
the first thing was to provide water for the guests. Then,
speaking modestly of his provision, he hastened to prepare for
them the best that tent and herd afforded. According to cus-
tom, the calf was cooked and eaten as soon as killed; and
Abraham, in token of respect for his guests, stood to serve
them while they sat to eat. His delicate and generous hospi-
tality was followed by the choicest promises of divine favor.
So the grace of God may come as a daily guest to our hearts
and homes, if we are ever ready to welcome it.
[Nos. 85, 124, 125.
Prayer.
Heavenly Father, we bring thee thanks for the
rest and refreshment of sleep, and for the comforts
of the morning. Bless us at our table, in our
domestic occupations, and in all the business of
life. Oh ! gladden this home with thy presence.
Guide, keep, and prosper us this day. Bless all
connected with us by whatever tie. May our ever-
present God be with them, guiding them by his
grace, defending them from temptation, and fitting
them by his providence for the varied duties of
the present life !
Bless the lambs of thy flock. We commend
them to the Great Shepherd of the sheep, beseech-
ing him to make them perfect, and to fold them
in the arms of his mercy. And to thy name be
ascribed all the praise. Amen.
118
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
THURSDAY.
Gsnesis xviii. — 16. And the men rose up from
thence, and looked toward Sodom ; and Abraham
went with him to bring him on the way.
17. And the Lord said, Shall I hide from Abra-
ham that thing which 1 do ;
18. Seeing that Abraham shall surely become
a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of
the earth shall be blessed in him ?
19. For I know him, that he will command his
children and his household after him, and they
shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and
judgment ; that the Lord may bring upon Abra-
ham that which he hath spoken of him.
20. And the Lord said, Because the cry of Sodom
and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is
very grievous,
21. I will go down now and see whether they
have done altogether according to the cry of it
which is come unto me ; and, if not, I will know.
22. And the men turned their faces from thence,
and went toward Sodom ; but Abraham stood yet
before the Lord.
23. And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt
thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked ?
24. Peradventure there be fifty righteous within
the city : wilt thou also destroy and not spare the
place for the fifty righteous that are therein ?
25. That be far from thee to do after this man-
ner, to slay the righteous with the wicked; and
that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be
The word of God, like his providence, often brings judg-
ments and mercies into close connection. The heavenly mes-
sengers who had just given to Abraham the promise of a son
left his tent of blessing upon an errand of warning to Lot, and
of destruction to Sodom. Sometimes the self-same purpose
that looks toward the exaltation of the righteous involves the
overthrow of the incorrigibly wicked. But, in the ways of
God, " mercy rejoiceth against judgment ; " and, if the wicked
would repent, he would rather pardon than punish.
How exquisite the commingling of divine tenderness and
far from thee : shall not the Judge of all the earth
do right ?
26. And the Lord said, If I find in Sodom fifty
righteous within the city, then I will spare all the
place for their sakes.
27. And Abraham answered and said, Behold,
now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the
Lord, which am but dust and ashes :
28. Peradventure there shall lack five of the fifty
righteous : wilt thou destroy all the city for lack of
five ? And he said, If I find there forty and five,
I will not destroy it.
29. And he spake unto him yet again, and said,
Peradventure there shall be forty found there.
And he said, I will not do it for forty's sake.
30. And he said unto him, Oh ! let not the Lord
be angry, and I will speak : Peradventure there
shall thirty be found there. And he said, I will
not do it if I find thirty there.
31. And he said, Behold, now, I have taken upon
me to speak unto the Lord : Peradventure there
shall be twenty found there. And he said, I will
not destroy it for twenty's sake.
32. And he said, Oh ! let not the Lord be angry,
and I will speak yet but this once : Peradventure
ten shall be found there. And he said, I will not
destroy it for ten's sake.
33. And the Lord went his way as soon as he
had left communing with Abraham ; and Abraham
returned unto his place.
human pathos in the scene here described ! What a testimony
did God render to the faithfulness of Abraham in admitting
him to his confidence, and taking him, as it were, into his
counsel ! And how wonderful the privilege and the power of
intercessory prayer, when a man can almost prescribe terms
to God in pleading with him as friend with friend ! But even
human sympathy and entreaty must at length pause before
an iniquity that is past all recovery ; and the Judge of all the
earth will do right. Ah ! let us secure by timely repentance
an interest in the great salvation.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 57, 117, 166.
G-od ! we are sinners, and of a sinful race.
We deserve thy righteous displeasure ; yet do we
draw nigh unto thee in the assurance of thy grace
to help in every time of need : yea, the greater our
sense of need and helplessness, the more plenteous
is thy grace, the more ready is thy help. For
Christ's sake, hear and save us.
Thou madest us to lie down and rest in safety ;
thou callest us to rise up and rejoice as in newness
of life. Oh ! bless and furnish us abundantly, we
beseech thee, for all that is before us this day, —
our minds with strength, our hands with diligence,
our hearts with love and devotion. May we be
perfect as our Father in heaven is perfect in doing
good unto all ! Keep us from the snares of the
world.
We beseech thee to have compassion upon all
who are yet living in sin. Oh ! spare thy judg-
ments, Lord, and show forth thy salvation; and
imprint upon our hearts such a dread of thy judg-
ments, and such a grateful sense of thy goodness
to us, as may make us both afraid and ashamed to
offend thee. Above all, inspire us with the joy of
being with Christ in his glory ; and, having this
hope in him, may we purify ourselves as he is
pure !
Oh ! keep this household in thy love ; bless abun-
dantly our friends, near or far away ; minister of
thy comforts to the sick and needy, succor the per-
ishing, and save the lost. Guide us ever with thy
counsel, and finally bring us unto thy rest, for the
Redeemer's sake. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
119
FRIDAY.
Genesis xix. — 15. And when the morning
arose, then the angels hastened Lot, saying, Arise,
take thy wife and thy two daughters which are
here, lest thou be consumed in the iniquity of the
city.
16. And, while he lingered, the men laid hold
upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and
upon the hand of his two daughters, the Lord be-
ing merciful unto him; and they brought him
forth, and set him without the city.
17. And it came to pass, when they had brought
them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life :
look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the
plain ; escape to the mountain, lest thou be con-
sumed.
18. And Lot said unto them, Oh ! not so, my
Lord.
19. Behold, now, thy servant hath found grace in
thy sight, and thou hast magnified thy mercy,
which thou hast showed unto me in saving my life ;
and I cannot escape to the mountain, lest some evil
take me, and I die.
20. Behold, now, this city is near to flee unto,
and it is a little one : oh ! let me escape thither,
(is it not a little one ?) and my soul shall live.
21. And he said unto him, See, I have accepted
thee concerning this thing also, that I will not
overthrow this city for the which thou hast
spoken.
22. Haste thee ; escape thither : for I cannot do
any thing till thou be come thither. Therefore the
name of the city was called Zoar.
The night before had been one of hoifible wickedness. Lot
had taken home the strangers to his house, where they should
have been safe under the sacred rights of hospitality. But a
vile mob followed them, and strove in every way to insult,
abuse, and injure them. The angels warned Lot to make
ready his family for an early flight from the doomed city.
Peter tells us that Lot had maintained his piety, and that his
righteous soul was " vexed from day to day with the unlaw-
ful deeds " of his townsmen. Yet at the last moment he " lin-
gered," in hope of rescuing some of the goods that he had ac-
cumulated at so great risk to the morals of his family. The
angels almost forced him away : the one paramount concern
23. The sun was risen upon the earth when Lot
entered into Zoar.
24. Then the Lord rained upon Sodom and upon
Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the Lord out of
heaven ;
25. And he overthrew those cities, and all the
plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and
that which grew upon the ground.
26. But his wife looked back from behind him,
and she became a pillar of salt.
Jude. — 6. And the angels which kept not their
first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath
reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto
the judgment of the great day.
7. Even as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities
about them in like manner, giving themselves over
to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set
forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of
eternal fire.
17. But, beloved, remember ye the words which
were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord
Jesus Christ ;
18. How that they told you there should be
mockers in the last time, who should walk after
their own ungodly lusts.
19. These be they who separate themselves,
sensual, having not the Spirit.
20. But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on
your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,
21. Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking
for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eter-
nal life.
was to escape for his life from the city of destruction. When
God bids us forsake the world, we may not stop to parley, nor
hope to carry something of the world with us. The light-
nings from heaven, combining with the volcanic elements of
the district, consumed Sodom and Gomorrah as speedily as
Herculaneum and Pompeii were overwhelmed by the lava and
cinders of Vesuvius. Lot's wife — regretting her home, or
questioning the catastrophe, or curious to observe it — dis-
obeyed the express injunction of the angel, was overtaken by
the tempest of destruction, and perished. Our Saviour has
warned us never to trifle with divine judgments : " Kemember
Lot's wife."
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 9, 82, 200.
Thou holy and blessed Son of God, who for our
sakes didst endure such contradiction of sinners
against thyself, grant us, we pray thee, the spirit of
meekness and patience under injury, and of for-
giveness toward all who do us wrong. How often
have we grieved and offended thee ! Have mercy
upon us, we beseech thee, and teach us to be mer-
ciful unto all men. May we be followers of thee,
doing good as we find opportunity ! Heavenly
Father, we bless thee for thy loving-kindness to-
ward us, so free, so constant, so abounding. We
would show forth thy loving-kindness in the morn-
ing, and thy faithfulness every night. Oh ! grant,
that, walking in love, we may be the children of
our Father in heaven.
God, whose blessed Son was manifested that
he might destroy the works of the Devil ! grant
us, we beseech thee, that, having this hope, we
may purify ourselves even as he is pure ; that,
when he shall appear again with power and great
glory, we may be made like unto him in his eternal
and glorious kingdom, where, with thee, Father !
and thee, Holy Ghost ! he liveth and reigneth,
ever one God, world without end. Amen.
120
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
SATURDAY.
Luke xvii. — 20. And, when he was demanded
of the Pharisees when the kingdom of God should
come, he answered them, and said, The kingdom of
God cometh not with observation.
21. Neither shall they say, Lo here ! or, Lo
there ! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within
you.
22. And he said unto the disciples, The days
will come when ye shall desire to see one of the
days of the Son of man, and ye shall not see it.
23. And they shall say to you, See here ! or, See
there ! Go not after them, nor follow them.
24. For as the lightning, that lighteneth out of
the one part under heaven, shineth unto the other
part under heaven ; so shall also the Son of man
be in his day.
25. But first must he suffer many things, and be
rejected of this generation.
26. And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it
be also in the days of the Son of man.
27. They did eat, they drank, they married wives,
they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe
entered into the ark, and the flood came and de-
stroyed them all.
28. Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot :
At the time of Christ's appearing, the computation of the
prophetic periods, the political circumstances of the Jews, and
a general state of fermentation in the public mind, had awa-
kened the expectation of the Messiah as a revolutionary leader,
a conquering prince and deliverer. The kingdom of God was
looked for with some sudden and mighty demonstration of
power. More than once, Jesus had refused to pander to this
feeling by taking advantage of the excitement caused by his
miracles ; and now the Pharisees, with a tantalizing air, de-
manded some positive information of the time and manner of
that kingdom. But already that kingdom was among them,
— in his presence, in his doctrine, in the hearts of his disciples :
it would spread by moral means gentle and silent as the light ;
they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold,
they planted, they builded ;
29. But, the same day that Lot went out of
Sodom, it rained fire and brimstone from heaven,
and destroyed them all :
30. Even thus shall it be in the day when the
Son of man is revealed.
31. In that day, he which shall be upon the
house-top, and his stuff in the house, let him not
come down to take it away ; and he that is in the
field, let him likewise not return back.
32. Remember Lot's wife.
33. Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose
it, and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.
34. I tell you, in that night there shall be two
men in one bed : the one shall be taken, and the
other shall be left.
35. Two women shall be grinding together : the
one shall be taken, and the other left.
36. Two men shall be in the field : the one shall
be taken, and the other left.
37. And they answered and said unto him,
Where, Lord ? And he said unto them, Whereso-
ever the body is, thither will the eagles be gathered
together.
but at last its presence should be manifested through the uni-
versal kindling of that light, as when in an instant the light-
ning illumines the whole heaven. While the kingdom itself
should spread through the action of truth and grace within
the hearts of men, the providences of God in the outer world
would often concert for its manifestation. In this view its
coming would be sudden, startling men in the common occu-
pations of life, working in the field or reposing upon the flat
roof of the house, or the women pounding the corn with the
mill-stones at the street-door, — according to the customs of
Eastern society. May we learn so to consecrate our daily
life, that, whenever the Master shall come, we shall be found
ready !
Appropriate Hymns,]
Blessed be God for the hope and the consolation
of the gospel; for that faith which even now is
our victory over the world, and which shall make us
more than conquerors over death. O Lord ! may
thy grace enable us to live as faithful and wise stew-
ards who watch for the coming of their lord ! We
bring to thee this morning the powers which thou
hast given us, the lives which thou hast spared,
and, with thanksgiving for thy mercies, consecrate
all that we are and all that we possess unto
thy service and glory.
Heavenly Father, who hast commanded us that
we should not be slothful in business, but fervent
in spirit, serving thee, help us ever to remember
that our work is thy appointment, and to do it
heartily as unto thee. Make us to live with loins
girded and lamps burning, looking for our Lord.
Teach us to carry thy Word and thy Spirit with
Prayer. [Nos. 21, 28, 39.
us into the daily occupations of life. May our
household-affairs, our studies, our dealings with the
world, our social intercourse, all be in harmony with
the gospel of Christ ! [Teach these children thus
to make life happy in thy service.]
O Lord ! to thy merciful providence we commend
the wants of all mankind. Cause the light of thy
glorious gospel to shine throughout the world.
Bless thy whole Church, heal its divisions, and
restore unto it the blessings of truth, unity, and
peace. Bless our country : defend and preserve
all in authority. Bless our schools of learning : fill
them with thy light. Hear the cry of the poor and
needy ; be gracious to all our relations and friends ;
and grant, Lord ! that we may all at length find
rest and peace with thy saints in thine eternal
kingdom, through Jesus Christ our Mediator and
Redeemer. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
121
SUNDAY MORNING.
Psalm xlv. — 1. My heart is inditing a good
matter : I speak of the things which I have made
touching the King : my tongue is the pen of a
ready writer.
2. Thou art fairer than the children of men:
grace is poured into thy lips : therefore God hath
blessed thee for ever.
3. Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, Most
Mighty ! with thy glory and thy majesty ;
4. And in thy majesty ride prosperously because
of truth and meekness and righteousness ; and thy
right hand shall teach thee terrible things.
5. Thine arrows are sharp in the heart of the
King's enemies ; whereby the people fall under
thee.
6. Thy throne, God ! is for ever and ever :
the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre.
7. Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wick-
edness : therefore God, thy God, hath anointed
thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.
8. All thy garments smell of myrrh and aloes
and cassia, out of the ivory palaces, whereby they
have made thee glad.
9. Kings' daughters were among thy honorable
women : upon thy right hand did stand the queen
in gold of Ophir.
10. Hearken, daughter! and consider, and
incline thine ear ; forget also thine own people,
and thy father's house ;
11. So shall the King greatly desire thy beauty :
for he is thy lord ; and worship thou him.
12. And the daughter of Tyre shall be there
with a gift ; even the rich among the people shall
entreat thy favor.
13." The King's daughter is all glorious within :
her clothing is of wrought gold.
14. She shall be brought unto the King in
raiment of needlework ; the virgins her compan-
ions that follow her shall be brought unto thee.
15. With gladness and rejoicing shall they be
brought : they shall enter into the King's palace.
16. Instead of thy fathers shall be thy children,
whom thou mayest make princes in all the earth.
17. I will make thy name to be remembered in
all generations : therefor shall the people praise
thee for ever and ever.
Under the figure of a marriage festival, the union of Christ
with his Church is set forth in this exceedingly rich and beau-
ful psalm. That Christ is the subject of the song is clear from
the quotation of the 6th and 7th verses, in Heb. i. 8, 9, to
prove the divine kingship of Jesus. It could not have referred
to David ; for he did not wed a foreign princess : nor to Solo-
mon ; for, though he married a daughter of Pharaoh, he was
not a warrior, such as is here described. Nor would divine
honors and an eternal kingdom have been ascribed to any
mortal sovereign.
The heart of the Psalmist bursts with his theme, — the
beauty, the righteousness, the grace, the majesty, the glory of
the just and victorious King whom he celebrates. The Church,
led forth as it were from a strange land, is brought to him to
be enriched and beautified as his bride. Under this delicate
symbol is pictured the love of Christ for his Church. He
admits her to the most near, loving, confidential com-
munion ; he elevates her to his own dignity and honor ; and
he will hereafter bestow upon her the full blessedness of
his presence, the full glory of his kingdom. Shall not our
hearts, too, swell with his love, our tongues sound forth his
praise 1
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 49, 62, 121.
Almighty God, the fountain of truth and grace,
who hast revealed unto us what eye had not seen,
nor ear heard, and what had never entered into
the heart of man to conceive, we bless thee for the
revelation of thyself in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Oh ! for his sake hear us, and take away our sins.
Thankful for the night and the week now closed,
which have brought us so many tokens of thy
goodness, we joyfully commit ourselves to thee for
this holy day.
Lord of the sabbath, hear our prayers, that it
may please thee to bless us with thy Spirit, so that,
through the power of his grace, we may enter into
the holiest rest, and partake of the purest joy. Mer-
cifully prepare us for all holy service. Go with us
to thy house. Help us to worship in the beauty
of holiness. Give efficacy to thine own truth ;
and may we receive it as able .to make us wise
unto salvation through faith in thy Son !
We commend to thee, God, the whole catho-
lic Church. Pour down upon her ministry, and
all congregations committed to their care, the
healthful spirit of thy grace ; and may it please
thee to accompany their message with the demon-
strations of thy Spirit and with power. Bless thy
people, and lift them up forever. Let thy king-
dom come, and thy will be done on earth as it
is in heaven. Praised be thy name for the
mercies of this life, — for our home-comforts, our
means of education, our manifold enjoyments and
privileges.
Holy Father, we pray for all who are in trouble
and sorrow, that it may please thee to comfort
them in their distress, and give them a happy
issue out of their affliction. Have compassion on
the poor ; succor the tried and the tempted ; loose
the chain of the captive ; hear the sigh of the
prisoner; and be with those who are doomed to
die. Finally, we commend ourselves as a family,
with all our kindred and friends, unto thy heavenly
care and blessing. Accept our thanks, pardon our
sins, sanctify our souls, and prepare us for glory
everlasting, through Jesus Christ, our only Medi-
ator. Amen.
122
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
SUNDAY EVENING.
Isaiah Ix. — 15. Whereas thou hast been for-
saken and hated, so that no man went through
thee, I will make thee an eternal excellency, a joy
of many generations.
16. Thou shalt also suck the milk of the Gen-
tiles, and shalt suck the breast of kings ; and thou
shalt know that I the Lord am thy Saviour and
thy Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.
17. For brass I will bring gold, and for iron I
will bring silver, and for wood brass, and for stones
iron : I will also make thine officers peace, and
thine exactors righteousness.
18. Violence shall no more be heard in thy land,
wasting nor destruction within thy borders; but
thou shalt call thy walls Salvation, and thy gates
Praise.
19. The sun shall be no more thy light by day;
neither for brightness shall the moon give light
unto thee : but the Lord shall be unto thee an
everlasting light, and thy God thy glory.
20. Thy sun shall no more go down ; neither
Not as a political power, nor through alliance with the
State, is the Church to realize this condition of prosperity
and splendor. Only the mastery of the spiritual over the
material, through the consecration of all earthly power, pos-
sessions, and affairs, to Jehovah, could bring about the state of
society described in these verses, — a state of universal peace,
justice, order, safety, — and the prosperity which this would
secure ; peoples and governments alike honoring the prin-
ciples of the gospel, and illustrating its spirit in all the con-
cerns of life. As the kingdom of Christ is the proclamation
of free grace, its gates shall be open continually, that all may
enter in. As it acknowledges no distinction of race or caste,
the Gentiles of every land shall come to it, kings and shep-
herds alike, the wandering tribes of Midian and the rovers of
the sea. Since Christianity shall sanctify trade, merchandise,
art, — gold, silver, brass, iron, the wealth of nations, shall be
shall thy moon withdraw itself: for the Lord shall
be thine everlasting light, and the days of thy
mourning shall be ended.
21. Thy people also shall be all righteous : they
shall inherit the land forever, the branch of my
planting, the work of my hands, that I may be
glorified.
22. A little one shall become a thousand, and a
small one a strong nation : I the Lord will hasten
it in his time.
Zechariah xiv. — 6. And it shall come to pass in
that day that the light shall not be clear nor dark ;
7. But it shall be one day which shall be known
to the Lord, not day, nor night : but it shall come
to pass, that at evening-time it shall be light.
20. In that day shall there be upon the bells of
the horses, HOLINESS UNTO THE LOED :
and the pots in the Lord's house shall be like the
bowls before the altar;
21. Yea, every pot in Jerusalem and in Judah
shall be holiness unto the Lord of hosts.
devoted to its service and refined by its touch, and the choicest
woods of Lebanon shall beautify its sacred places.
And such ascendency shall its spirit and principles gain in
the affairs of the world, in laws and institutions of govern-
ment, and in the customs of society, that they who once de-
spised it shall bow down and confess its power, and the sons
of its early persecutors shall build its walls. Indeed, such
shall be the predominance of this new spiritual power in the
civilization of the world, that the nation which will not receive
it shall perish. In the universal Christianizing of society,
government, commerce, art, customs, laws, the alternative pre-
sented to each nation is, to be itself Christianized, to receive a
pure Christianity as the inspiring and moulding power of its
life, or to fall behind the march of' civilization, and waste
away, till it shall cease to be recognized among the powers of
the earth.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 133, 186, 197.
Lord ! how great is thy mercy toward us, in
the circumstances of our lives, in the comforts of
our home, in the means of grace, and the hope of
the gospel ! We bless thee for the sacred rest of the
sabbath, for the peace and quietness in which we
dwell, for the plenty that spreads our table and
fills our cup. Oh ! feed us with the bread of life.
Bring home to our hearts thy truth which has
this day been preached. May it prove to be the
power of God unto the salvation of our souls !
Grant that the words which we have heard with
our outward ears may, through thy grace, be so
grafted inwardly in our hearts, that they may bring
forth in us the fruit of good living, to the honor
and praise of thy name.
May it please thee to bring into the way of
truth all such as have erred and are deceived ; to
strengthen such as do stand ; to comfort and help
the weak-hearted ; to raise up those who fall ; and
finally to beat down Satan under our feet !
We beseech thee to bless our country. Turn
the hearts of our rulers unto thyself. Sanctify all
trade, industry, knowledge, all wealth and influ-
ence, unto thy service. May we be truly a Chris-
tian people ! Oh ! bring in the latter-day glory
among the nations, and fill the earth with thy
praise.
We commend unto thee, God ! all who are dear
to us, and also those who are at this time afflicted
or distressed in mind, body, or estate. May it
please thee to relieve them according to their sev-
eral necessities, giving them patience under their
sufferings, and a happy issue out of all their afflic-
tions !
And now, Father ! we desire to put ourselves
under thy protection and care for the coming night.
Defend us from all harm. Let thine angels en-
camp round about us, and keep us in all our
ways ; and so do thou bring us at length unto our
Father's house, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
123
MONDAY.
Acts V. — 17. Then the high priest rose up,
and all they that were with him (which is the sect
of the Sadducees), and were filled with indigna-
tion,
18. And laid their hands on the apostles, and
put them in the common prison.
19. But the angel of the Lord by night opened
the prison-doors, and brought them fortb, and
said,
20. Go, stand and speak in the temple to the
people all the words of this life.
21. And, when they heard that, they entered
into the temple early in the morning, and taught.
But the high priest came, and they that were with
him, and called the council together, and all the
senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the
prison to have them brought.
22. But when the officers came, and found them
not in the prison, they returned, and told,
23. Saying, The prison truly found we shut with
all safety, and the keepers standing without before
the doors ; but, when we had opened, we found no
man within.
24. Now, when the high priest, and the captain
of the temple, and the chief priests, heard these
things, they doubted of them whereunto this would
grow.
25. Then came one and told them, saying, Be-
hold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing
in the temple, and teaching the people.
26. Then went the captain with the officers, and
brought them without violence ; for they feared the
people, lest they should have been stoned.
27. And, when they had brought them, they set
them before the council : and the high priest asked
them,
28. Saying, Did not we straitly command you
that ye should not teach in this name ? and, behold,
ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and
intend to bring this man's blood upon us.
29. Then Peter and the other apostles answered
and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
30. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus,
whom ye slew and hanged on a tree :
31. Him hath God exalted with his right hand
to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance
to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.
32. And we are his witnesses of these things ;
and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath
given to them that obey him.
It is always a hard fight when the civil power arrays itself
against conscience. To a superficial observer, the issue may
seem to be all upon one side. The civil power can arrest, im-
prison, scourge, maim, hang, burn ; and, all the while, there is
no physical resistance. Yet conscience lives, protests, main-
tains its position, and gains ground before the people. Con-
science cannot be reached by violence, cannot be intimidated
by penalties, cannot be bound with chains, cannot be hurt of
death. The Jewish council had already imprisoned Peter
and John, and threatened them with severer penalties should
they persist in preaching Christ. But the apostles insisted
that they must obey the voice of God. Again they were ar-
rested, and thrust into the prison of common felons. Eeleased
by miracle, instead of seeking safety in flight, they began at
once to preach the same name and doctrine. Their courage
and enthusiasm stirred the people ; their doctrine grew ; faith
and conscience were getting the better of persecution ; and,
when the rulers attempted to silence the preachers by a show
of authority, they were met by the assertion of a higher law,
" We ought to obey God rather than men." Long ago that
persecuting power went down ; but the truth for which the
apostles testified lives and rules. Let this be our encourage-
ment, in times of public irreligion and corruption, to stand by
the truth of God.
Appropriate Hymns,]
O God ! we pray thee, make thy strength perfect
in our weakness. In the trials and conflicts of life,
in its perils and temptations, be thou ever nigh to
counsel, uphold, direct, and comfort us. May we
set our hearts supremely upon our duties to thee,
and never fear what man can do unto us !
We beseech thee to regard us as a family, and
sweetly constrain us all to walk in the narrow way.
May we all have faith in the doctrines of thy
Word ! Help us to rely on thy promises and obey
thy commands. May we take thy yoke upon us,
and learn of Christ, who was meek and lowly in
heart, that we may find rest unto our souls !
May all who are weary and heavy-laden come to
him, and find rest ! May thy heralds be multiplied
until the world shall hear and obey thy truth ! Let
the seed of the kingdom of heaven be broadcast
everywhere ; and, according to thy promise, pour
out of thy Spirit upon all flesh, that all may call
Prayer. [ Nos - 122, 137, 191.
upon thy name and be saved. Hasten the time
when all the Lord's people shall be prophets, and
thy Spirit shall be on them all.
May the dreams, the visions and prophecies, of
thy Word, be so fulfilled, that the young and the
aged, thy sons and thy daughters, thy servants and
thine handmaids, shall all testify of Christ ; that
there may be no need of saying one to another,
" Know the Lord," because all shall know thee,
from the least to the greatest !
And now, Lord, we commend ourselves and all
our concerns to thy gracious care. Keep us to-day
from every snare of sin and of the Wicked One.
Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from
evil; and whether we eat or drink, or whatever
we do, may we do all to the glory of God ! And
we will ascribe the praise to the Father, the
Son, and the Holy Spirit, for ever and ever.
Amen.
124
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
TUESDAY.
Acts viii. — 5. Then Philip went down to the
city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.
6. And the people with one accord gave heed
unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and
seeing the miracles which he did.
7. For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice,
came out of many that were possessed with them ;
and many taken with palsies, and that were lame,
were healed.
8. And there was great joy in that city.
9. But there was a certain man, called Simon,
which beforetime in the same city used sorcery,
and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out
that himself was some great one ;
10. To whom they all gave heed, from the least
to the greatest, saying, This man is the great
power of God.
11. And to him they had regard, because that
of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries.
12. But when they believed Philip, preaching
the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the
name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both
men and women.
13. Then Simon himself believed also ; and,
when he was baptized, he continued with Philip,
and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs
which were done.
14. Now, when the apostles which were at Jeru-
salem heard that Samaria had received the word of
God, they sent unto them Peter and John ;
The preaching of Philip in Samaria was the beginning of
evangelization outside the pale of Judaism. Missions were
born of persecution. The violent measures of the adversary
for the suppression of the gospel scattered it everywhere
abroad. Majric arts were in great repute in the East ; and as,
in times of religious excitement, all forms of enthusiasm come
to the surface, Simon took advantage of the prevalent expec-
tation of the Messiah to set himself up as one possessed of
supernatural power. But " when he saw his followers drop-
ping off, and was himself astounded at the miracles wrought
by Philip, he thought it best himself also to acknowledge this
15. Who, when they were come down, prayed
for them that they might receive the Holy Ghost :
16. (For as yet he was fallen upon none of
them : only they were baptized in the name of the
Lord Jesus.)
17. Then laid they their hands on them, and
they received the Holy Ghost.
18. And, when Simon saw that through laying
on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was
given, he offered them money,
19. Saying, Give me also this power, that, on
whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy
Ghost.
20. But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish
with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift
of God may be purchased with money.
21. Thou hast neither part nor lot in this mat-
ter ; for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.
22. Bepent, therefore, of this thy wickedness,
and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine
heart may be forgiven thee ;
23. For I perceive that thou art in the gall of
bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.
24. Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to
the Lord for me, that none of these things which
ye have spoken come upon me.
25. And they, when they had testified and
preached the word of the Lord, returned to Jeru-
salem, and preached the gospel in many villages of
the Samaritans.
superior power. He was convinced, from the works which
Philip did, that he was in league with some powerful spirit.
He viewed baptism as the initiation into communion with
that spirit, and expected that he should be able to make use
of the higher power thus gained for his own purposes, and
unite this new magical power to his own." The offer to buy
the Holy Ghost has given rise to the term simony, applied to
buying and selling ecclesiastical benefices. Alas ! how many,
who would revolt at the grossness of Simon's offer, neverthe-
less endeavor to get some worldly gain out of the profession
of godliness !
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 73, 82, 90.
We acknowledge thy loving-kindness this morn-
ing, O God ! and bless thee for the consolations
and the promises of thy holy Word. Thou hast
spoken by thy prophets blessed things concerning
the future ; and we pray thee hasten the day when
the kingdoms of this world shall become the king-
dom of our Lord and of his Christ. Let the peo-
ple praise thee, God ! let all the people praise
thee. Then shall the earth yield her increase ; and
God, even our own God, shall bless us. God shall
bless us ; and all the ends of the earth shall fear him.
We praise thee that we have heard of this great
salvation, and have known the power of redeem-
ing grace. May we never pervert thy gospel to
selfish ends, nor corrupt it with the spirit of Mam-
mon ! Lord ! purify thy Church, and save thy
people.
Father in heaven, thou hast graciously spared us
to see the light of another day. Thou hast spread
a table for us in the wilderness ; our cup runneth
over. Bless the Lord, our souls ! and forget not
all his benefits. Keep us this day, we beseech
thee, from all evil ; keep us mindful of thy will and
our duty in all our occupations. May thy revealed
will be the man of our counsel, and the rule of
our lives ! Whatsoever things are just and true
and honest and lovely and of good report, if there
be any virtue, and if there be any praise, may we
think upon these things ! We ask all for the
Redeemer's sake. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
125
WEDNESDAY.
Matthew ix. — 27. And, when Jesus departed
thence, two blind men followed him, crying, and
saying, Thou son of David, have mercy on us.
28. And, when he was come into the house, the
blind men came to him ; and Jesus saith unto
them, Believe ye that I am able to do this ? They
said unto him, Yea, Lord.
29. Then touched he their eyes, saying, Accord-
ing to your faith be it unto you.
30. And their eyes were opened ; and Jesus
straitly charged them, saying, See that no man
know it.
31. But they, when they were departed, spread
abroad his fame in all that country.
32. As they went out, behold, they brought to
him a dumb man possessed with a devil.
33. And, when the devil was cast out, the dumb
spake ; and the multitudes marvelled, saying, It
was never so seen in Israel.
34. But the Pharisees said, He casteth out
devils through the prince of the devils.
35. And Jesus went about all the cities and vil-
lages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching
the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sick-
ness and every disease among the people.
36. But, when he saw the multitudes, he was
moved with compassion on them, because they
fainted, and were scattered abroad as sheep having
no shepherd.
37. Then saith he unto his disciples, The har-
vest truly is plenteous ; but the laborers are.
few.
38. Pray ye, therefore, the Lord of the harvest,
that he will send forth laborers into his har-
vest.
Ezekiel xxxiv. — 11. For thus saith the Lord
God: Behold, I, even I, will both search my sheep,
and seek them out.
12. As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the
day that he is among his sheep that are scattered,
so will I seek out my sheep, and will deliver them
out of all places where they have been scattered
in the cloudy and dark day.
14. I will feed them in a good pasture, and upon
the high mountains of Israel shall their fold be :
there shall they lie in a good fold, and in a fat
pasture shall they feed upon the mountains of
Israel.
15. I will feed my flock, and I will cause them
to lie down saith the Lord God.
There is no sight more common in Syria than that of blind
men sitting by the wayside, or begging at the village-gates
and other public places. Indeed, throughout the East, blind-
ness is much more common than with us, — a fact which Arch-
bishop Trench attributes to these causes : " The dust and fly-
ing sand, pulverized and reduced to minutest particles, enter
the eyes, causing inflammations, which, being neglected, end
frequently in total loss of sight. The sleeping in the open
air, on the roofs of the houses, and the consequent exposure
of the eyes to the noxious nightly dews, is another source of
this malady." Add to these the incessant glare of light,
and want of personal cleanliness.
In healing the blind, our Lord commonly brought the act
to their consciousness through the sense of touch ; and, in this
instance, he directly measured the blessing by their faith. In
the case of the dumb man, the physical infirmity was traced
to a malignant spirit ; and to cast out the greater evil was
to cure the less. Indeed, much as our Lord was affected by
the infirmities and sorrows of men, he was more deeply
" moved with compassion " because of their spiritual condi-
tion : they were like sheep wandering every whither without
guardians or guides. Now that we have heard his call, let
us return unto the Shepherd and Bishop of our souls ; let
us open our eyes to his gracious presence ; let us open our
ears to his voice of mercv ■ let us loose our tongues for his
praise.
Appropriate Htmns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 24, 43, 91.
Thou that leadest Joseph like a flock! we
bless thee, that, when we were wandering and lost,
thou didst send forth thy beloved Son the Good
Shepherd, who laid down his life for the sheep ;
who leads his flock, and feeds them ; who gathers
the lambs, and carries them in his bosom ; who
watches over his own continually, and never slum-
bers nor sleeps. May we be of the number of his
sheep ! and, oh, may the time soon come when
all mankind shall be brought into his fold! And
for this we pray, thou Great Shepherd of the
sheep ! that thou wilt give faithful pastors to thy
churches and to the whole world. Millions are
wandering, scattered, torn, and fainting, because
they have no shepherds. May thy Spirit be
poured out from on high, that thousands may go
forth in thy name into the wilderness, and bring
these lost sheep back to the fold !
thou compassionate Redeemer ! send forth
laborers into thy harvest; incline the young to
consecrate themselves to the blessed work of
spreading thy gospel. May "Holiness to the
Lord" be inscribed on all our domestic pursuits,
on our trade, our commerce, our politics, and our
pleasures !
We thank thee that we see this morning. Thy
watchful care has preserved us during our sleep,
and thou hast again spread our table with thy
bounties. Help us to treasure the memorials of
thy goodness in our hearts ; and may we shun
every thing that might offend thee, our merciful
and gracious Benefactor ! Keep us this day from
all evil. Remember us as a family, and number us
all with thy children. May all before thee be born
of the Spirit, and be thine in an everlasting cov-
enant ! And to thy name be glory forever. Amen.
126
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
THURSDAY.
Psalm Ixiv. — 1. Hear my voice, God! in my
prayer ; preserve my life from fear of the enemy.
2. Hide me from the secret counsel of the wicked ;
from the insurrection of the workers of iniquity :
3. Who whet their tongue like a sword, and bend
their bows to shoot their arrows, even bitter words ;
4. That they may shoot in secret at the perfect :
suddenly do they shoot at him, and fear not.
10. The righteous shall be glad in the Lord, and
shall trust in him ; and all the upright in heart
shall glory.
Matthew X. — 16. Behold, I send you forth as
sheep in the midst of wolves : be ye therefore
wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
17. But beware of men ; for they will deliver
you up to the councils, and they will scourge you
in their synagogues.
18. And ye shall be brought before governors
and kings for my sake, for a testimony against
them and the Gentiles.
19. But, when they deliver you up, take no
thought how or what ye shall speak ; for it shall be
given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.
20. For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of
your Father which speaketh in you.
21. And the brother shall deliver up the brother
to death, and the father the child ; and the chil-
dren shall rise up against their parents, and cause
them to be put to death.
22. And ye shall be hated of all men for my
name's sake; but he that endureth to the end
shall be saved.
37. He that loveth father or mother more than
me is not worthy of me ; and he that loveth son
or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
38. And he that taketh not his cross, and fol-
loweth after me, is not worthy of me.
39. He that findeth his life shall lose it; and
he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.
40. He that receiveth you, receiveth me ; and he
that receiveth me, receiveth him that sent me.
41. He that receiveth a prophet in the name of
a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward ; and
he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of
a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's
reward.
42. And whosoever shall give to drink unto one
of these little ones a cup of cold water only, in.
the name of a disciple, verily, I say unto you, He
shall in no wise lose his reward.
Christ held out no worldly inducements to his disciples.
He warned them of the opposition and persecution they would
encounter in spreading his gospel ; the hatred of religious
zealots, of despotic rulers, of traffickers in idols and in the
vices of society, and of the mob of evil-doers whose passions
are enlisted against reformers. Personal interests or fears,
religious bigotry or selfish passion, would, in some cases, prove
stronger than family ties, and lead one member of a house-
hold to betray another. This was often literally true in the
first ages of the Church ; and there have not been wanting
modern examples of such hatred and treachery toward con-
verts, in Heathen, Mohammedan, and even in Koman-Catholic
countries.
In such circumstances, Christians should be careful not to
provoke opposition by an imprudent and offensive zeal. Yet
they must not be timid nor time-serving. He who makes his
own comfort and safety, or even his life, his first care, shall
forfeit the higher life in the hereafter ; but he who does not
shrink from confessing Christ and doing his duty, even in the
face of death, shall be kept in peace under all trials, and shall
receive the blessed reward of the life everlasting. No earthly
love, no earthly fear, should keep us back from Christ. By
meditating upon his cross, we shall gain strength and endur-
ance for bearing our own. His love, his meekness, his pa-
tience, will enter and possess our souls ; and his life shall give
us the victory over death.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 5, 10, 30.
O Thou who never slumberest nor sleepest ! we
have lain down and slept, and have risen again,
because thou, Lord, hast sustained us. To thy
watchful providence we owe it that no disturbance
hath come nigh us or our dwelling, but that we
are brought in safety to the beginning of this day.
Thankful for the mercies of the night, we commit
ourselves unto thee with all our wakeful powers,
humbly beseeching thee to guide us in ways of
truth and righteousness for thy name's sake.
Send unto us, we pray thee, such prosperity as
thou seest to be best for us ; and, above all, grant
that our souls, being freed from sin, may prosper
and be in peace, through the grace of Jesus Christ
our Lord. Oh, may his mind be in us ! and may
we be made like unto him ! — holy, harmless, un-
defined, and separate from sinners. May every
one of us, from the oldest to the youngest, be a
child of God, partaking of the mercies of thy
covenant ! Oh ! help us to give up all things for
Christ; to know the joy of losing ourselves in
Him, the sweetness of bearing the cross for Him,
who hath borne our sorrows. May we fear noth-
ing that this world can do to hinder our salvation !
for, if God be for us, who can be against us ? May
we have the charity of the gospel, and do good in
little things, by the word, the look, the act of
kindness, in the Saviour's name !
We thank thee, O Lord ! for the friends thou
hast given us, and pray that these may all be
joined with us in fellowship of thy redeemed. We
ask thy favor for the poor and needy, the sick, the
afflicted, the dying ; for all sorts and conditions of
men ; that thou wouldst be pleased to make thy
ways known unto them, thy saving health unto all
nations, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
127
FRIDAY.
Psalm Ixxi. — 1. In thee, Lord ! do I put my
trust : let me never be put to confusion.
2. Deliver me in thy righteousness, and cause me
to escape ; incline thine ear unto me, and save me.
3. Be thou my strong habitation, whereunto I
may continually resort : thou hast given com-
mandment to save me ; for thou art my rock and
my fortress.
4. Deliver me, my God ! out of the hand of
the wicked; out of the hand of the unrighteous
and cruel man.
5. For thou art my hope, Lord God ! thou art
my trust from my youth.
9. Cast me not off in the time of old age ; for-
sake me not when my strength faileth.
10. For mine enemies speak against me ; and
they that lay wait for my soul take counsel to-
gether,
11. Saying, God hath forsaken him : persecute
and take him ; for there is none to deliver him.
12. God ! be not far from me. my God !
make haste for my help.
16. I will go in the strength of the Lord God :
I will make mention of thy righteousness, even of
thine only.
Matthew X. — 24. The disciple is not above his
master, nor the servant above his lord.
25. It is enough for the disciple that he be as
his master, and the servant as his lord : if they
have called the master of the house Beelzebub,
how much more shall they call them of his house-
hold !
26. Fear them not, therefore : for there is noth-
ing covered that shall not be revealed, and hid
that shall not be known.
27. What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye
in light ; and what ye hear in the ear, that preach
ye upon the house-tops.
28. And fear not them which kill the body, but
are not able to kill the soul ; but rather fear him
which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
29. Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing?
and one of them shall not fall on the ground with-
out your Father.
30. But the very hairs of your head are all num-
bered.
31. Fear ye not, therefore : ye are of more value
than many sparrows.
32. Whosoever, therefore, shall confess me be-
fore men, him will I confess also before my Father
which is in heaven ;
33. But whosoever shall deny me before men,
him will I also deny before my Father which is in
heaven.
Some ancient priests and philosophers had two sets of doc-
trines, — one for the ear of the common people ; another,
perhaps at variance with this, for the ear of select disciples :
and the mystery thrown around this inner doctrine was one
source of their power over the imaginations of the ignorant
and the credulous. But Christ had one doctrine, one mes-
sage, one faith, one salvation, for all men. Though he some-
times explained his parables and discourses more fully to his
disciples in private, this was for the convenience of indoctri-
nating them in order that they might be prepared to preach
the gospel to others. This he bids them do with the utmost
boldness, speaking in the light, preaching from the house-
Appropkiate Hymns,]
O thou Preserver of men ! in the multitude of
thy mercies hast thou preserved us during the
hours of sleep, and raised us up to the duties of
another day in the possession of health and rea-
son, and surrounded by the manifold tokens of thy
favor. Accept our humble praise, and graciously
keep us this day from sin and every evil. Bless
us in all the labor of our hands, and in all things
teach us to glorify thy holy name. Show thy pity
upon us as a family ; ever keep us in thy love ;
and may we all be numbered with thy saints in
glory everlasting !
Thou who watchest over the fall of the sparrow,
how gently and graciously thou has cared for us,
in the least things as well as in the greatest !
We thank thee for this thy daily care, and com-
mit ourselves to thy loving providence. [May these
tops ; and, to encourage them to fidelity, he points them to his
own example of suffering in their behalf. Next he assures
them that the plots of their enemies shall be exposed and
frustrated ; and, at the worst, they can but kill the body.
Again he warns them of Him who in the next world shall
have power to visit upon them any lack of fidelity in this ; at
the same time he encom-ages them to trust in the constant,
personal, loving care of their Father in heaven, and to hope
for the recognition and reward which he himself will give to
his faithful servants at his coming. Thus the highest motives
possible to the human mind attract and urge us to the faith-
ful service of Christ.
[Nos. 159, 183, 202.
Prayer.
children learn to see thee in the birds and the
flowers, in all the beautiful things which thou
hast made, and to love and trust thee, their gra-
cious Father and Saviour !]
Hear us, God ! when we pray that it may
please thee to bless and keep all thy people ; that
it may please thee to give to all nations unitj'',
peace, and concord; that it may please thee to
defend and provide for the fatherless children and
widows, and for all that are desolate and oppressed ;
that it may please thee to bring into the way of
truth all such as have erred and are deceived;
that it may please thee to give us true repentance,
to forgive us all our sins, to endue us with the
grace of thy Holy Spirit ; and, after this present
life, to take us to live and reign with thee and
thy Son in glory everlasting. Amen.
128
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
SATURDAY.
Job i. — 6. Now, there was a day when the sons
of God came to present themselves before the
Lord; and Satan came also among them.
7. And the Lord said unto Satan, "Whence
comest thou ? Then Satan answered tbe Lord,
and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and
from walking up and down in it.
8. And the Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou
considered my servant Job, that there is none like
him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man,
one that feareth God, and escheweth evil ?
9. Then Satan answered the Lord, and said,
Doth Job fear God for nought ?
10. Hast not thou made a hedge about him, and
about his house, and about all that he hath on
every side? Thou hast blessed the work of his
hands, and his substance is increased in the land.
11. But put forth thine hand now, and touch all
that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face.
12. And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, all
that he hath is in thy power : only upon himself
put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth
from the presence of the Lord.
Luke X. — 17. And the seventy returned again
with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject
unto us through thy name.
18. And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as
lightning fall from heaven.
19. Behold, I give unto you power to tread on
serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of
the enemy ; and nothing shall by any means hurt
you.
20. Notwithstanding, in this rejoice not, that the
spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice be-
cause your names are written in heaven.
21. In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and
said, I thank thee, Father, Lord of heaven and
earth ! that thou hast hid these things from the
wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto
babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in
thy sight.
22. All things are delivered to me of my Father :
and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the
Father ; and who the Father is, but the Son, and
he to whom the Son will reveal him.
23. And he turned him unto his disciples, and
said privately, Blessed are the eyes which see the
things that ye see.
24. For I tell you, that many prophets and kings
have desired to see those things which ye see, and
have not seen them; and to hear those things
which ye hear, and have not heard them.
The Bible teaches that there is an evil spirit, called Satan,
or the Devil, the enemy of God and man. He tempted our
first parents; he tempted David to sin ; he brought calamity
upon Job. The account of Satan in the Book of Job is
highly poetic and dramatic in form ; but the New Testament
gives the same doctrine in literal words. Our Lord taught
in many ways the personality of Satan ; and he here confirms
the doctrine that Satan was originally a spirit in heaven, who
was cast out because of sin. In saying that he witnessed the
fall of Satan, he announced his own pre-existence.
Scorpions abound in some parts of Syria, especially among
ruins ; and are much dreaded on account of their venomous
Appropriate Hymns,]
O Thou who wast tempted in all points like as
we are, yet without sin, and who for our sakes didst
endure such contradiction of sinners against thy-
self! keep us, we pray thee, both outwardly in our
bodies, and inwardly in our souls, that we may be
defended from all adversities which may happen to
the body, and from all evil thoughts which may
assault and hurt the soul. Help us, Lord ! in
our inward conflicts with doubts and fears and
sins ; help us in our conflicts with the temptations
and evils of the world ; and, oh ! help us in our
wrestlings with unseen powers of evil, with the
great Adversary of our souls. Lord ! increase
our faith. Our hope is in thee ; our strength is
from thee alone. Dwell in us by thy grace ; fill us
with thy Spirit. This very day, may we gain new
victories over evil ! May we resist temptations in
business to swerve from the truth, to take advan-
sting. Serpents and scorpions are a common biblical symbol
of evil spirits. But miraculous power over the forces of evil
is not once to be compared with the power of faith over the
spirit of evil in the heart. It is a greater honor to be enrolled
and acknowledged as a disciple of Christ, and an heir of his
glory, than to be clothed upon earth with miraculous gifts.
The least in the kingdom of grace is greater than the mighti-
est in the kingdom of nature ; and the revelation of God in
Christ renders the humblest believer richer and wiser than the
kings and prophets of the Jewish state : indeed, if we but use
aright the prerogative of faith, we ourselves are made kings
and priests unto God.
[Nos. 159, 166.
Prayer.
tage of others, to act dishonorably, to be covetous
and unjust ! May we resist temptations in society
to envy and evil-speaking, to worldliness and frivol-
ity ! May we in all things do that which is right
in the sight of God ! [May these children grow
up, dear Saviour, in thy strength and love, safe
from the power of evil !] We thank thee for
another night of rest, another day of mercy and of
hope. Bless all dear to us ; our friends and neigh-
bors : bless thy people. Succor, Lord ! the poor
and needy, the sick, the tempted, the dying.
Unveil to them the glories of thy presence, the
promise of thy coming, that, by faith in thee, they
may rise above all trouble and all fear. Lord
Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith ! be
with us in our last conflict, and make us more
than conquerors over death ; and to thy name be
glory forever. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
129
SUNDAY MORNING-.
I Corinthians xiii. — 1. Though I speak with
the tongues of men and of angels, and have not
charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tink-
ling cymbal.
2. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and
understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and
though I have all faith, so that I could remove
mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
3. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the
poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and
have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
4. Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity
envieth not ; charity vaunteth not itself, is not
puffed up,
5. Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not
her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
6. Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the
truth.
7. Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth
all things, endureth all things.
8. Charity never faileth : but whether there be
prophecies, they shall fail ; whether there be tongues,
they shall cease ; whether there be knowledge, it
shall vanish away.
9. For we know in part, and we prophesy in
part.
10. But when that which is perfect is come, then
that which is in part shall be done away.
11. When I was a child, I spake as a child, I
understood as a child, I thought as a child; but,
when I became a man, I put away childish things.
12. For now we see through a glass, darkly;
but then face to face : now I know in part ; but
then shall I know even as also I am known.
13. And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these
three ; but the greatest of these is charity.
Love, which has ever been the choicest theme of poets, is
here celebrated in strains so exalted, that no verse could fitly
reproduce them. " No single word in any language will ex-
press the fulness of the Christian grace here spoken of." The
common meaning of charity, though one should give all his
goods to feed the poor, is far too narrow ; the human passion
of love, too personal and too earthly : even philanthropy may
be an instinct, or a sentiment merely, wanting in that Chris-
tian view of man which creates a true " enthusiasm for hu-
manity." This love makes no display of its sacrifices, and
rests no pretensions upon its good deeds; it knows nothing of
envy or jealousy; it is kind and persistent, without regai'd to
the treatment that itself receives ; it is so deeply rooted in the
heart, so well balanced in its principle, so unselfish in its aim,
so impartial in its objects, that it cannot be ruffled by abuse
or neglect, nor misled by impulse into any unbecoming or un-
timely demonstration. It takes no satisfaction in the faults of
others ; dislikes to think evil of any, but prefers to believe
good of all ; and rejoices whenever truth triumphs over slan-
der and falsehood. It never tattles, and never retaliates ; it
bears reproaches against itself, endures meekly the indignities
that are put upon it, and hopes on, "even against hope," that
men will love the good and do the right. Such a love is
greater than all knowledge, stronger than all faith. It is the
one thing that shall never wear out nor exhaust itself. When
the light of heaven shall open upon us, and it shall be seen
how imperfectly truth was here reflected in the mirror of our
sciences, then shall the boast of our wisdom vanish away.
"Hope will remain, as anticipation certain to be fulfilled;
Faith will remain, as trust, entire and undoubting. But we
believe only one whom we love ; we hope only that which
we love. And thus the forms of Faith and Hope, which will
there forever subsist, will be sustained in and overshadowed
by the all-pervading superior element of eternal love."
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 53, 63, 89.
Almighty and everlasting God, we bless thee for
the return of another day of the Son of man.
We thank thee that of thy great mercy we have
been spared during another week. Let us hear
thy gracious benediction, "Peace be unto you."
May thine own day be begun, carried on, and
ended with thee ! May all worldly thoughts,
cares, and disquietudes be laid aside, that we may
enjoy a foretaste of the everlasting blessedness
and joy which are at thy right hand!
We would remember before thee in our petitions
all in whom we are interested. Bless all thy
people this day throughout the Christian world :
may multitudes be added to the Church of such as
shall be saved ! Strengthen thy ministering ser-
vants : may they have singleness of eye, and single-
ness of aim! May many careless souls be arrested;
may weak ones be strengthened ; may sorrowing
ones be comforted; may the weary and heavy la-
den find rest !
We commend our dear friends especially to thy
protection. May they, too, be in the Spirit on the
Lord's day ! may they call and find the sabbath a
delight ! Keep them, good Lord, by thy mighty
power. May they live soberly and righteously
and godly in the present evil world, looking for
that blessed hope, even the glorious appearing of
the great God our Saviour ! Bless the members of
this family-circle ; keep us ever near to thee. [May
these children be the peculiar care of the great and
good Shepherd ! May they know early the safety
and happiness of his fold ! Make them to lie down
in his green pastures ; lead them by the still waters.]
Sanctify trial to the many sons and daughters
of affliction. Grant them grace to submit to thy
sovereign appointments, saying ever, "Even so,
Father; for so it seemeth good in thy sight."
Thou who art love ! fill us, we pray thee, with
thine own Spirit, that, dwelling in love, we may
dwell in God, and God in us. May we love our
neighbor as ourselves; be kind toward all; bear
malice toward none ! May we avoid evil-speaking,
uncharitable judgments, unkind thoughts, envious
desires ! We ask all this for Christ's sake. Amen.
130
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
SUNDAY EVENING.
Philfppians ii. — 1. If there he, therefore, any-
consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any
fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,
2. Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be like-minded,
having the same love, being of one accord, of one
mind.
3. Let nothing be done through strife or vain-
glory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem
other better than themselves.
4. Look not every man on his own things, but
every man also on the things of others.
5. Let this mind be in you which was also in
Christ Jesus :
6. Who, being in the form of God, thought it
not robbery to be equal with God y
7. But made himself of no reputation, and took
upon him the form of a servant, and was made in
the likeness of men :
8. And, being found in fashion as a man, he
humbled himself, and became obedient unto death,
even the death of the cross.
9. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him,
and given him a name which is above every name ;
10. That, at the name of Jesus, every knee should
bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and
things under the earth ;
11. And that every tongue should confess that
The gospel requires of us no virtue or grace which Christ
has not exhibited in that nature which he took upon him in
common with our own ; hut the most amazing example of
humility and of self-sacrifice for the good of others was given
when he was made in the likeness of men. The full force of
this example is brought out by a slight change in the reading
of the sixth verse, according to the best scholars. The apos-
tle here uses a bold figure, from the robber who is intent upon
seizing and holding the prey or booty that he covets. Now,
Christ was already in possession of the highest riches and
glory, " being in the form of God : " yet, when he looked
upon the possibility of saving men, he did not cling to and
covet to retain the dignity and blessedness that were then his
own ; he did not deem his equality with God a possession to
Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the
Father.
Revelation V. — 9. And they sang a new song,
saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to
open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and
hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of
every kindred and tongue and people and nation ;
10. And hast made us unto our God kings and
priests ; and we shall reign on the earth.
11. And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many
angels round about the throne, and the beasts, and
the elders ; and the number of them was ten thou-
sand times ten thousand, and thousands of thou-
sands ; '
12. Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the
Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches,
and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory,
and blessing.
13. And every creature which is in heaven, and
on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are
in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I say-
ing, Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power be
unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto
the Lamb, for ever and ever.
14. And the four beasts said, Amen. And the
four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped
him that liveth for ever and ever.
be held fast against the call to save a dying world. He did
not insist upon retaining his glory, but freely emptied himself
of the honors and joys of his divine majesty, and took upon
him the form of a servant ; and, having descended to this
low condition, he accepted the further humiliation of death
under the most painful and disgraceful form. He who was
without sin submitted to death, which is the perpetual stigma
of sin upon our humanity, and to death upon the cross be-
tween malefactors ; and all this through the love he had for
us sinners. How should this love inspire our hearts to con-
fess and glorify the name of Christ! and how should this
sacrifice incite us to renounce ourselves, that we may carry
salvation to others !
Appropriate Hymns,]
Almighty and everlasting God, by whose prov-
idence both the day and night are governed,
vouchsafe, we beseech thee, as thou hast this day
preserved us by thy goodness, so still this night to
shelter us beneath the shadow of thy wings, that
the powers of darkness may not hurt us ; that we
may be preserved from all adversities which may
happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts
which may assault and hurt the soul, through
Jesus Christ our Lord.
God, the God of the spirits of all flesh ! we
humbly beseech thee to accept our intercessions in
behalf of all men. We pray for thy universal
Church, that it may be guided by thy Holy Spirit
in the way of truth and peace ; and that thy peo-
ple everywhere may shine like lights in the world,
Prayer. t Nos - 8 > "> 157 -
and adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all
things.
We commend, Lord ! to thy fatherly good-
ness, our relations, friends, and neighbors, and
all who desire or ought to be especially remem-
bered in our prayers. Succor the poor and needy;
bind up the broken-hearted; have mercy on the
sick and dying ; and help us by thy grace to pre-
pare ourselves daily for the hour of death. Look
down, Lord ! we beseech thee, on this dwelling,
and drive far from it all manner of evil. Let thy
holy presence dwell within us to preserve us in
peace, and let thy blessing be upon us forever,
through Christ our Lord. The blessing of God
Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost,
be with us this night and evermore. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
131
MONDAY.
2 Kings vii. — 1. Then Elisha said, Hear ye
the word of the Lord : Thus saith the Lord, To-
morrow about this time shall a measure of fine
flour be sold for a shekel, and two measures of
barley for a shekel, in the gate of Samaria.
2. Then a lord on whose hand the king leaned
answered the man of God, and said, Behold, if the
Lord would make windows in heaven, might this
thing be ? And he said, Behold, thou shalt see
it with thine eyes, but shalt not eat thereof.
John vi. — 1. After these things, Jesus went
over the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Ti-
berias.
2. And a great multitude followed him, because
they saw his miracles which he did on them that
were diseased.
3. And Jesus went up into a mountain, and
there he sat with his disciples.
4. And the passover, a feast of the Jews, was
nigh.
5. When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw
a great company come unto him, he saith unto
Philip, Whence shall we buy bread that these may
eat?
6. (And this he said to prove him ; for he him-
self knew what he would do.)
7. Philip answered him, Two hundred penny-
worth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every
one of them may take a little.
8. One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's
brother, saith unto him,
9. There is a lad here which hath five barley-
loaves and two small fishes ; but what are they
among so many?
10. And Jesus said, Make the men sit down.
(Now, there was much grass in the place.) So the
men sat down in number about five thousand.
11. And Jesus took the loaves ; and, when he
had given thanks, he distributed to the disci-
ples, and the disciples to them that were set
down ; and likewise of the fishes, as much as they
would.
12. When they were filled, he said unto his dis-
ciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that
nothing be lost.
13. Therefore they gathered them together, and
filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five
barley-loaves which remained over and above unto
them that had eaten.
14. Then those men, when they had seen the
miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that
Prophet that should come into the world.
Observe how Jesus, in putting forth his divine power,
maintained also his human condition of relative dependence.
He first gave thanks ; thus teaching his disciples, under all cir-
cumstances, to honor their Father in heaven. The fame of his
miracles brought to him the sick, and their friends and attend-
ants, from a wide region ; so that it was in vain that he sought
rest by crossing the lake into the comparatively unsettled dis-
trict upon the eastern side. Thousands here thronged about
him, having come many miles without provision, in their
eagerness to witness some wonder, or to receive some benefit
at his hand. Touched with compassion for this famished
multitude, Jesus used his power over the elements of Nature
for their immediate relief. The miracle was the more signal
because wrought upon substances with which the people were
familiar, and which were then before their eyes. Five thin
cakes of the coarse barley-bread in common use among the
people, and two tiny fishes, were so multiplied in the act of
breaking by his hand, that all the thousands were fed. There
was no mistaking the evidence of such a miracle, and no
resisting the conviction that this was the Messiah. Christ
here set before us the twofold example of ministering to the
physical necessities of others, and of carefulness against
waste in using the bountiful favors of God.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 115, 132.
Holy Father, we, thy children, commit ourselves
to thee in the confidence of faith. At thy com-
mand we lay down the burden of our cares and
sorrows, and look up to thee as our helper and our
comforter. Grant unto us, we beseech thee, the
plenitude of thy grace and strength. Endue us
with divine power and heavenly wisdom. Lift us
out of ourselves, and out of all dependence on our
own resources. Take from us the spirit of pride,
and clothe us with humility. Teach us to lean
upon thy hand, to confide in thy wisdom, to rest
on thy power, to repose in thy love, to live on thy
fulness. Ever bend our wills to thine ; and do
thou, in thy great mercy, overrule all things in
our lot for thy glory and our good. In the knowl-
edge of thyself and of thy Son Jesus Christ may
we seek eternal life ; and do thou so nourish this
life in our souls by the daily communications of
thy grace and the ever-active power of thy Spirit,
that we may at last attain to the everlasting joy of
thy presence.
Thou givest us our daily bread : oh ! feed us with
the bread of heaven ; and give unto all dear to us
a like interest in the things of Christ.
We would begin the labors of this week by ask-
ing thy blessing on every one before thee. Let
peace rule in our hearts, and reign in this house-
hold. May mutual kindness, and harmony and
love, here have their abode ! On our pursuits in
life let thy blessing descend. Give us bread to eat,
and raiment to put on ; give us thankful and cheer-
ful hearts ; give us every spiritual gift necessary to
prepare us for heaven ; and, in thy good time, give
us an abundant entrance in that happy world,
for the sake of our blessed Lord and Redeemer.
Amen.
132
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
TUESDAY.
John vi. — 22. The day following, when the
people which stood on the other side of the sea
saw that there was none other boat there save
that one whereinto his disciples were entered, and
that Jesus went not with his disciples into the
boat, but that his disciples were gone away alone ;
23. (Howbeit there came other boats from Ti-
berias nigh unto the place where they did eat
bread, after that the Lord had given thanks ;)
24. When the people therefore saw that Jesus
was not there, neither his disciples, they also took
shipping, and came to Capernaum, seeking for
Jesus.
25. And, when they had found him on the other
side of the sea, they said unto him, Rabbi, when
earnest thou hither?
26. Jesus answered them, and said, Verily, ver-
ily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye
saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the
loaves and were filled.
27. Labor not for the meat which perisheth, but
for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life,
which the Son of man shall give unto you ; for
him hath God the Father sealed.
28. Then said they unto him, What shall we do
that we might work the works of God ?
29. Jesus answered and said unto them, This is
the work of God, that ye believe on him whom
he hath sent.
30. They said therefore unto him, What sign
showest thou, then, that we may see, and believe
thee ? what dost thou work ?
31. Our fathers did eat manna in the desert ; as
it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to
eat.
32. Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily,
I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread
from heaven ; but my Father giveth you the true
bread from heaven.
33. For the bread of God is he which cometh
down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.
34. Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore
give us this bread.
35. And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread
of life : he that cometh to me shall never hunger,
and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.
36. But I said unto you, That ye also have seen
me, and believe not.
There are natures in which the love of the marvellous
could never be satisfied. Each miracle would create a de-
mand for another ; and, if miracles were continually repeated
to meet this craving of credulous minds, they would soon be-
come like the every-day facts of Nature. The very people
who had witnessed the power of Jesus in healing all manner
of diseases, and had been fed by the miracle of the loaves and
fishes, now demanded " a sign " that his works were of God ;
for instance, a shower of manna from heaven. Jesus, who
read their hearts, knew that their running after him, and
their professed eagerness for something to assure their faith,
were not prompted by a desire to be brought nearer to God,
but by curiosity ; by love of excitement and adventure ; by
the hope of profiting in some way by his wonderful works.
But faith is a higher evidence of " the work of God " than
miracle. This lifts the soul into that spiritual sphere of life
from which the power of miracle descends ; and men who to-
day imagine that signs from heaven would cause them to be-
lieve, if only they would believe upon what Christ has done
and said, would find in their experience a proof of God's
work as strong as the raising of the dead. A tithe, a thou-
sandth part, of the labor they put into inquiries and endeavors
about religion, if concentrated upon the simple act of faith,
would secure to them the " true bread from heaven," the
source and the pledge of everlasting life. So simple, so sure,
so satisfying, is the substance of all true religion, — faith in
the Lord Jesus Christ.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 118, 177, 188.
Thy hands, Lord ! have made us and fashioned
us : give us understanding, that we may learn thy
commandments. By thy wisdom we have been
fearfully and wonderfully made ; by thine ever-
watchful providence we have been preserved. Oh !
give us thy grace, that the lives which thou hast
bestowed and prolonged may be dedicated to thy
service. Take not thy Holy Spirit from us. Per-
fect thy strength in our weakness. Put into our
minds good desires ; and, by thy continual help,
enable us to bring them to good effect.
We ask thy grace and guidance, Lord ! for the
duties of another day. Thou hast appointed unto
us our different stations ; thou hast placed us
where we are. Give us cheerful and contented
minds, and keep us from every faithless murmur-
ing thought. Deliver us from a spirit of sloth
and self-indulgence. Make us ready for every
good word and work. May we all be filled with
one great and earnest desire to serve and love and
honor thee ! and, loving thee above all others,
may we love one another with a pure heart fer-
vently !
Lord, bless our country, and let it be established
in righteousness. Grant unto all in authority over
us true wisdom : direct all their plans and counsels
for the promotion of thy glory, and the good of
thy Church and people.
Be gracious to our neighbors. Oh, may thy
Word and thy truth be spread and honored in
the midst of us ! Hasten the glorious day when
the kingdoms of this world shall become the king-
dom of our Lord and of his Christ ; in whose
name we offer up these our prayers, and to whom
be glory and honor and dominion, world without
end. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
133
WEDNESDAY.
Proverbs viii. — 22. The Lord possessed me in
the beginning of his way, before his works of old.
23. I was set up from everlasting, from the be-
ginning, or ever the earth was.
30. Then I was by him, as one brought up with
him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always
before him ;
31. Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth ;
and my delights were with the sons of men.
32. Now therefore hearken unto me, ye chil-
dren ! for blessed are they that keep my ways.
33. Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it
not.
34. Blessed is the man that heareth me, watch-
ing daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my
doors.
35. For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall
obtain favor of the Lord.
36. But he that sinneth against me wrongeth
his own soul : all they that hate me love death.
John vi. — 37. All that the Father giveth me
shall come to me ; and him that cometh to me I
will in no wise cast out.
38. For I came down from heaven, not to do
mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.
39. And this is the Father's will which hath
Luther, in his homely but emphatic way, paraphrases the
last four verses as follows : " You wish to subject me to measure
and square, and judge my word by your reason ; but I say to
you, That is not the right way. You will not come to me till
the Father opens to you his great mercy, and himself teaches
you that from his fatherly love he sent Christ into the world.
For the drawing is not as a hangman draws a thief to the gal-
lows ; but it is a friendly alluring and drawing to himself."
An old Greek father puts it still better thus : " As the magnet
does not attract every thing, but only iron ; so also, to be at-
tracted by Christ, there must exist a certain frame of mind, —
the feeling of what we should be, and are not." This drawing
is neither arbitrary nor miraculous, but by all the varied influ-
sent me, that of all which he hath given me I
should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at
the last day.
40. And this is the will of him that sent me,
that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth
on him, may have everlasting life; and I will raise
him up at the last day.
41. The Jews then murmured at him because
he said, I am the bread which came down from
heaven.
42. And they said, Is not this Jesus the son of
Joseph, whose father and mother we know ? How
is it, then, that he saith, I came down from heaven ?
43. Jesus therefore answered and said unto
them, Murmur not among yourselves.
44. No man can come to me, except the Father,
which hath sent me, draw him ; and I will raise
him up at the last day.
45. It is written in the prophets, And they shall
be all taught of God. Every man, therefore, that
hath heard and hath learned of the Father, cometh
unto me.
46. Not that any man hath seen the Father,
save he which is of God ; he hath seen the Father.
47. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that
believeth on me hath everlasting life.
ences of truth and motive in the word, the providence, and the
grace of God.
How many, alas ! are drawn who will not come ! — by the
voice of God in mercies, afflictions, invitations, and warnings,
to which they give no heed. But never did a sinner heed that
voice, and come to Christ in vain ; never was a trembling
penitent cast out. Whosoever will may come : and, to every
one who trusts in him, Jesus gives everlasting life ; not merely
the promise of life in the hereafter, but the possession now of
that principle of life which can never die. Even his body
shall not be hurt of death, but shall be raised up at the last
day in the likeness of Christ's glorious body. Redemption
shall thus forever destroy both the power and the effects of sin.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 59, 108, 154.
O almighty and most merciful God, who hast
delivered us from all the dangers of the past night !
of thy bountiful goodness keep us this day, we
beseech thee, from all things that may hurt us;
that we, being ready both in body and soul, may
cheerfully accomplish those things which thou
commandest, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
We lift up our hearts in thanksgiving for the
mercies that daily crown our lives, — for home and
its comforts ; for education, freedom, peace, and
general prosperity; for the gratification of our
tastes in the beauty and glory of thy works, and
of our affections in the joys of human friendship,
and in communion with thyself as our Father, and
with Jesus our loving Saviour.
We give thee thanks for thy promises to thy
Church, and for the hope of salvation for our ruined
world ; and we pray thee, bless the efforts of thy
people to extend the knowledge of thy gospel, and
speedily bring all nations under its power. Help
us, Lord ! to live in all things according to the
spirit and the precepts of Christ, and by the gen-
tleness and purity of the gospel, illustrated in our
daily walk, to commend it to all around us.
We call to mind, God ! before thy throne of
grace, all who are near and dear to us, and all for
whom we are bound to pray ; beseeching thee to
remember them for good, and to supply, as may
be most expedient for them, all their desires and
wants. And we commend to thy mercy all who
have wronged us, whether by word or deed ; be-
seeching thee to forgive them all their sins, and
to bring them, together with us, to thy heavenly
kingdom, though Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
134
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
THURSDAY.
Psalm Ixxviii. — 22. They believed not in God,
and trusted not in his salvation ;
23. Though he had commanded the clouds from
above, and opened the doors of heaven,
24. And had rained down manna upon them to
eat, and had given them of the corn of heaven.
25. Man did eat angels' food : he sent them
meat to the full.
26. He caused an east wind to blow in the heaven ;
and by his power he brought in the south wind.
27. He rained flesh also upon them as dust, and
feathered fowls like as the sand of the sea ;
28. And he let it fall in the midst of their
camp, round about their habitations.
29. So they did eat, and were well filled : for
he gave them their own desire ;
30. They were not estranged from their lust.
But, while their meat was yet in their mouths,
31. The wrath of God came upon them, and
slew the fattest of them, and smote down the
chosen men of Israel.
32. For all this they sinned still, and believed
not for his wondrous works.
33. Therefore their days did he consume in
vanity, and their years in trouble.
34. When he slew them, then they sought him ;
and they returned and inquired early after God.
35. And they remembered that God was their
E/Ock, and the high God their Redeemer.
In his best gifts to men, Christ was himself that which he
gave. He did not content himself with promising to give the
bread of life, to provide that divine knowledge which is the
food of the soul. He said, " I am the bread of life ; " and in-
vited his disciples to a participation of himself so intimate
and entire, that it would be like eating his flesh and drink-
ing his blood, and thus, as it were, incorporating his life into
ours. His language is sacrificial and symbolic : it teaches the
offering of himself a sacrifice "for us men and for our salva-
tion ; " and, under the symbol of bread, it represents the faith
that appropriates Christ as the true ambrosial food that con-
fers immortal youth. He is not here speaking literally of the
sacrament of the Supper, which had not then been instituted,
John vi. — 48. I am that bread of life.
49. Your fathers did eat manna in the wilder-
ness, and are dead.
50. This is the bread which cometh down from
heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die.
51. I am the living bread which came down from
heaven : if any man eat of this bread, he shall
live forever : and the bread that I will give is my
flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.
52. The Jews therefore strove among themselves,
saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat ?
53. Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily,
I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the
Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life
in you.
54. Whoso eateth my flesh and drinketh my
blood hath eternal life ; and I will raise him up at
the last day.
55. For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood
is drink indeed.
56. He that eateth my flesh and drinketh my
blood dwelleth in me, and I in him.
57. As the living Father hath sent me, and I
live by the Father ; so he that eateth me, even he
shall live by me.
58. This is that bread which came down from
heaven ; not as your fathers did eat manna, and
are dead : he that eateth of this bread shall live
forever.
though this is one very obvious application of his words ;
but whatever tends to incorporate into our souls as a living
principle the sacrificial death of Christ is that " eating his
flesh " which causes us to live by him. As we feed upon the
words, the looks, the tokens, of an absent friend, and, when
next we greet him, devour him with love ; so do we seize upon
all that pertains to Christ, and especially upon the fact that
he died for us, as the very nourishment and life of our souls.
His words most clearly teach, that " not the appearing of
Christ in human life in itself, but the offering-tip of this life
for the world, possesses the nourishing power. His atone-
ment becomes life to the soul that believes upon him as the
Saviour of the world.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 100, 134, 177.
Almighty God, the living Father of all, in whom
we live and move and have our being, we worship
thee in thy majesty, and give thanks unto thee for
thy great glory. As we behold thee in the works
of thy hands, and commune with thee in the pages
of thy Word, may our hearts ever be filled with
thy praise !
Thou art the God of the evening and the morn-
ing ; and every day renews the testimony of thy
tender mercies, which are over all thy works. We
bless thee for thy mercy unto us in the night-sea-
son ; for the refreshment of sleep ; for the health
and comfort with which we enter upon another
day. Remembering that life is thy gift, may we
spend it in thy service and to thy glory ! Give
us, this day, our daily bread ; and, oh ! give unto
us that bread from heaven which shall nourish our
souls for the eternal life. We pray thee to pre-
serve us from evil, and keep us from sin. May
thy blessing rest upon this household, and all that
pertain to it; upon the families of all who are
allied to any of us ; upon the community in which
we dwell ; upon our country ; upon all kindreds
and peoples of the earth, the creatures of thy
power, the children of thy love! Make perfect,
we beseech thee, the new creation which thou hast
begun in Christ Jesus our Lord ; and blessed be
thy glorious name forever. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
135
FRIDAY.
'" John vi. — 59. These things said he in the
synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum.
60. Many therefore of his disciples, when they
had heard this, said, This is a hard saying : who
can hear it ?
61. When Jesus knew in himself that his dis-
ciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth
this offend you ?
62. What and if ye shall see the Son of man
ascend up where he was before ?
63. It is the Spirit that quickeneth ; the flesh
profiteth nothing : the words that I speak unto you,
they are spirit, and they are life.
64. But there are some of you that believe not.
For Jesus knew from the beginning who they
were that believed not, and who should betray
him.
65. And he said, Therefore said I unto you,
that no man can come unto me except it were
given unto him of my Father.
66. From that time many of his disciples went
back, and walked no more with him.
67. Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye
also go away ?
68. Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to
whom shall we go ? thou hast the words of eternal
life.
69. And we believe and are sure that thou art
that Christ, the Son of the living God.
The true sacrament is in the doctrine of Christ. The
visible sacraments are forms whose inner substance and life is
the truth which they set forth to the eye. When Christ spake
of eating his flesh and drinking his blood, he did not refer to
the form of partaking of the Lord's Supper ; much less did
he give countenance to the notion of transubstantiation, — that
he is literally present, in body and blood, in the bread and
wine. His words were spirit and life. Whoever shall pene-
trate to the deep meaning of that saying, " He that eateth
me shall live by me," shall find in these words a quickening
spiritual power, which is the earnest of eternal life. It was
his death that he was speaking of, which should be followed
70. Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen
you twelve, and one of you is a devil ?
71. He spake of Judas Iscariot, the son of
Simon ; for he it was that should betray him, being
one of the twelve.
I John i. — 1. That which was from the begin-
ning, which we have heard, which we have seen
with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and
our hands have handled, of the Word of life ;
2. (For the life was manifested, and we have
seen it, and bear witness, and show unto you that
eternal life which was with the Father, and was
manifested unto us ;)
3. That which we have seen and heard declare
we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship
with us : and truly our fellowship is with the
Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.
6. If we say that we have fellowship with him,
and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth ;
7. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light,
we have fellowship one with another, and the blood
of Jesus Christ his' Son cleanseth us from all sin.
8. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive
ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
9. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just
to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all
unrighteousness.
10. If we say that we have not sinned, we make
him a liar, and his word is not in us.
by his ascending up where he was before. It was his death as
an offering for the life of the world ; and when the poor,
famishing, condemned soul seizes upon Christ as its Saviour,
it wins from his cross that spiritual power which is life from
the dead.
Yet, now as then, this very doctrine of the cross sifts and
tests mankind, and even the followers of Christ. How many
will not believe upon Christ crucified ! But, if we turn away
from Jesus, whither shall we go ? Where is the philosophy,
the learning, the science, that can speak to us such words of
eternal life, or that possesses this quickening, renovating
power to transform the soul, and lift it up to God ?
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayeu
[Nos. 76, 134, 135.
O God, the Author of our being, and the Pre-
server of our lives ! we raise our hearts and voices
unto thee this morning in thankfulness for preser-
vation during the night, and for the circumstances
of mercy in which we are permitted to begin the
day. Oh ! quicken our souls by thy Word : may
it be to us spirit and life ! Let that mind be in
us which was in Christ Jesus ; who was holy, harm-
less, undefiled, and separate from sinners ; who
came down from heaven, not to do his own will,
but the will of Him who sent him; and who,
though he were a Son, yet learned obedience by
the things that he suffered. When sinners entice
us, may we not consent. Suffer no temptation
to bring us in peril of our souls ; but, with
every temptation, make a way for our escape.
Being born of God, may we, while in the world,
be kept from its evil, and prove that this is the
victory which overcometh the world, even our
faith !
May it please thee, Lord ! to prosper us in our
daily occupations ; to preside over this household
with thy good Spirit ; to preserve us from harm ;
to bless the children, and lead them in the right
way ; to bless our friends, and number them all
with thy chosen ; to bless our land with plenty,
with peace, and with the power of thy gospel ; to
bless and save a world that lieth in wickedness.
These mercies we ask, humbly confessing our sins,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
136
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
SATURDAY.
Psalm I. — 16. Unto the wicked God saith, What
hast thou to do to declare my statutes, or that thou
shouldest take my covenant in thy mouth ?
17. Seeing thou hatest instruction, and castest
my words behind thee.
18. When thou sawest a thief, then thou con-
sentedst with him, and hast been partaker with
adulterers.
19. Thou givest thy mouth to evil, and thy
tongue frameth deceit.
20. Thou sittest and speakest against thy
brother ; thou slanderest thine own mother's son.
21. These things hast thou done, and I kept
silence : thou thoughtest that I was altogether
such a one as thyself: but I will reprove thee,
and set them in order before thine eyes.
22. Now, consider this, ye that forget God, lest
I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver.
Acts i . — 15. And in those days Peter stood up
in the midst of the disciples, and said (the num-
ber of the names together were about a hundred
and twenty),
16. Men and brethren, this scripture must needs
have been fulfilled which the Holy Ghost by the
mouth of David spake before concerning Judas,
which was guide to them that took Jesus.
17. For he was numbered with us, and had ob-
tained part of this ministry.
The fate of Judas is a terrible example of the power of
conscience. Possibly he had deluded himself with the
thought that Jesus would escape arrest by some miracle, and
so he should get his compensation without crime ; but, when
he saw that he had brought his Lord to the cross, he was so
wrung with remorse that he refused to take his pay, saying,
" I have sinned in that I have betrayed innocent blood."
And, when his hire was forced upon him, " he cast down the
pieces of silver in the temple, and went and hanged himself."
The priests took the money, and bought a potter's field, in
which, probably, the traitor was the first to be buried ; and
18. Now, this man purchased a field with the re-
ward of iniquity ; and, falling headlong, he burst
asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out.
19. And it was known unto all the dwellers at
Jerusalem ; insomuch as that field is called, in
their proper tongue, Aceldama ; that is to say, the
field of blood.
20. For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let
his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell
therein ; and, His bishopric let another take.
21. Wherefore of these men which have com-
panied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus
went in and out among us,
22. Beginning from the baptism of John, unto
that same day that he was taken up from us, must
one be ordained to be a witness with us of his
resurrection.
23. And they appointed two, Joseph called Bar-
sabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.
24. And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord,
which knowest the hearts of all men, show whether
of these two thou hast chosen,
25. That he may take part of this ministry and
apostleship, from which Judas by transgression
fell, that he might go to his own place.
26. And they gave forth their lots, and the lot
fell upon Matthias ; and he was numbered with
the eleven apostles.
hence he is said to have purchased the field with the reward
of iniquity. " He thought to enrich himself by his treachery ;
but all that he gained was, that he got for himself a field
where blood was paid for blood."
A necessary qualification for the apostleship was a per-
sonal knowledge of the life and death of Christ : hence the
choice of a substitute for Judas was limited ; and, after the
first generation, the apostles strictly could have no successors.
Paul was qualified by the immediate call of Christ, and by
such visions and revelations as were the equivalent of this
personal knowledge.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 40, 78, 89.
O Lord ! we beseech thee, grant us grace to with-
stand the temptations of the world, the flesh, and
the Devil, and with pure hearts and minds to fol-
low thee. Suffer us never to fall away from
Christ ; never, never to betray him. Oh ! keep
us from all covetous and worldly desires.
O Lord Jesus, who art exalted to be a Prince and
a Saviour to give repentance and forgiveness of
sins ! we do repent of our sins before thee, and hum-
bly beseech thee to receive us, according to thy
promise that him that cometh unto thee thou wilt
in no wise cast out. Give unto us, Lord ! that
sense of thy presence which shall preserve us
from sin ; that strength of faith which shall over-
come evil ; that peace which the world cannot
give nor take away.
We bring thee thanks for the mercies of the
night, and supplicate thy grace for our friends and
neighbors, for the absent dear to us, for thy Church,
for this family, yea, Lord, for the whole family of
mankind, — the world which thou hast died to
save. Oh ! raise up a faithful ministry, and keep
thy servants pure.
We beseech thee, Lord ! to instruct us in our
duty, and help us to perforin it ; to give us a
tender conscience and an earnest spirit ; to uphold
us in the slippery ways of the world, and give us
sterling integrity of heart; to save us from the
enmity of men, from the malice of Satan, and
from our own faults and follies ; to support us in
the hour of death ; and finally to receive us to thy
presence in the world of endless life. And to the
Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be glory
forever. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
137
SUNDAY MORNING.
Psalm ex. — 1. The Lord said unto my Lord,
Sit thou at my right hand until I make thine ene-
mies thy footstool.
2. The Lord shall send the rod of thy strength
out of Zion : rule thou in the midst of thine ene-
mies.
3. Thy people shall be willing in the day of
thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the
womb of the morning : thou hast the dew of thy
youth.
4. The Lord hath sworn, and will not repent,
Thou art a priest forever after the order of Mel-
chizedek.
5. The Lord at thy right hand shall strike
through kings in the day of his wrath.
6. He shall judge among the heathen ; he shall
fill the places with the dead bodies ; he shall wound
the heads over many countries.
7. He shall drink of the brook in the way:
therefore shall he lift up the head.
Revelation i. — 4. John to the seven churches
which are in Asia : Grace be unto you, and peace,
from him which is, and which was, and which is
to come ; and from the seven spirits which are be-
fore his throne ;
5. And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful
Witness, and the first-begotten of the dead, and
the Prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him
that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his
own blood,
6. And hath made us kings and priests unto God
and his Father ; to him be glory and dominion for
ever and ever. Amen.
7. Behold, he cometh with clouds ; and every
eye shall see him, and they also which pierced
him : and all kindreds of the earth shall wail be-
cause of him. Even so, Amen.
8. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and
the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which
was, and which is to come, the Almighty.
This psalm has the rhythm and tone of a triumphal mai - ch.
In words of majestic beauty and of sustained fervor, it cele-
brates the kingdom, the priesthood, the conquests, and the
exaltation of Christ. It is the magnificent panorama of the
Revelation by John given in miniature, with every principal
scene suggested by some leading feature. David, in spirit fore-
seeing the glory of Christ, calls him his Lord, and hears the
voice of Jehovah inviting the Messiah to share his throne.
As an Oriental conqueror used the necks of captives for his
footstool, the absolute triumph of Christ is represented by his
putting all enemies under his feet. He shall tread upon
death, and rise victorious from the grave.
But the Church shall be the seat of his gracious power.
Gladly owning this redeeming King, his people shall follow his
standard with willing hearts : their ranks shall be recruited
from rising generations, till his hosts, brilliant as the dew in the
beauty of holiness, shall also be innumerable as the drops that
burst into splendor with the coining of the dawn. More copious
even than these liquid jewels from the womb of the morning
shall be the myriads of new-born souls bright with the dew
of their consecration. This King shall unite in himself also
the priestly functions, of no human order or pedigree, but
as the spiritual antetype of that royal priest, the king of
peace, who blessed Abraham, and received his homage. All
kings shall bow or bend to his authority ; all nations shall
be gathered before him in judgment. If at times his triumph
seems to be checked, he but pauses, as it were, to refresh him-
self by the way, and again lifts up his head. How blessed
and glorious it is to follow such a King ! How sad and
ruinous to be found among his enemies !
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 86, 137, 159.
O Almighty Father, Lord of heaven and earth,
who on the first day didst create the light, and
hast raised us up to praise and adore thee ! make
us to walk as children of light, that we may have
no fellowship with the unfruitful works of dark-
ness, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Lord, most gracious Saviour, who on this day
didst rise again from the dead ! raise up our souls
unto newness of life, granting us repentance from
dead works, and planting us in the likeness of thy
resurrection.
O thou blessed Spirit, Lord and Giver of life, who
on this day didst come down to sanctify and to
teach, to guide and to comfort, thine elect ! lead us,
we beseech thee, into all truth, and fill our hearts
with thy manifold gifts of grace.
O Lord ! we beseech thee so to purify our hearts
this day, that we may worship thee acceptably,
with reverence and godly fear. Incline us to re-
ceive thy Word into honest and good hearts, and to
bring forth fruit with patience ; that we may at
last inherit everlasting life, through the mediation
of our great High Priest, who has passed into the
heavens, and who liveth evermore.
Thou Lord of the evening and morning, we bless
thee for thy love which shines upon us in the
motning light. As thy goodness hath preserved
us in the night, may thy grace attend and keep us
this day ! As we shall study thee in thy works
and Word, fill our minds with thy truth, and our
hearts with thy love. Grant us thy peace. Teach
the children thy grace in the gospel of thy Son,
that they may consecrate to thee the dew of their
youth.
Let thy special blessing, Lord ! rest on all our
relations, friends, and neighbors : and so quicken
us by thy grace, that with willing hearts we may
serve and please thee ; that having washed our
robes, and made them white in the blood of the
Lamb, we may dwell with thee forevermore. Oh !
hasten the final coming and glory of Christ our
Saviour; to whom, with the Father and the Holy
Ghost, be all praise and thanksgiving forever.
Amen.
138
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
SUNDAY EVENING.
Hebrews vii. — 17. For he testifieth, Thou art
a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.
18. For there is verily a disannulling of the
commandment going before, for the weakness and
unprofitableness thereof.
19. For the law made nothing perfect ; but the
bringing-in of a better hope did ; by the which we
draw nigh unto God.
20. And inasmuch as not without an oath he
was made priest ;
21. (For those priests were made without an
oath ; but this with an oath, by him that said unto
him, The Lord sware, and will not repent, Thou
art a priest forever after the order of Melchize-
dek ;)
22. By so much was Jesus made a surety of a
better testament.
23. And they truly were many priests, because
they were not suffered to continue by reason of
death ;
24. But this man, because he continueth ever,
hath an unchangeable priesthood.
25. Wherefore he is able also to save them to
the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing
he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
26. For such an high priest became us, who is
holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners,
and made higher than the heavens ;
27. Who needeth not daily, as those high priests,
to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then
for the people's ; for this he did once, when he
offered up himself.
28. For the law maketh men high priests which
have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which
was since the law, maketh the Son, who is conse-
crated forevermore.
As Abraham was returning from the rescue of Lot, a ven-
erable man, who was at once the king of Salem and the priest
of the most high God, met him, and blessed him in the name
of the Lord. Touched with the dignity of his character and
office, Abraham bowed before him, and paid him tithes of all
the spoils of victory. Thus, for one instant of that far-off his-
tory, Melchizedek flits before us, and disappears. But that
momentary vision was a prophecy of the priesthood of Christ
in its royal pre-eminence and its unchanging virtue. No record
is left of the family of Melchizedek, his birth, his kindred, his
death : he stands before us in the grandeur of his character
and office, and in his immediate relations with the Most High,
— king of righteousness, king of peace, without father, without
mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days,
nor end of life, but made like unto the Son of God. After
almost two thousand years, this typical character re-appears
in perfection in the person of Christ, made a priest, not accord-
ing to a changeable human law, but by the power of an end-
less life ; consecrated by the word of Jehovah forevermore.
All the meaning of the sacrifices was summed up in his
death : no more offering for sin is needed ; no other could be
made. The perfection of his own nature attaches also to his
work of redemption. But, though the atonement was finished
upon the cross, the other function of the priesthood, that of
intercession, is in constant exercise by Jesus, seeing he ever
liveth. What encouragement to prayer, what assurance of
sympathy and help, what confidence of salvation, are given in
the fact, that He who so loved us that he came to die for us,
lives, with all his human tenderness unchanged, to intercede
for us, to succor and to save us !
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 28, -86, 179.
Merciful Father, we draw nigh to thy throne of
grace through Jesus, our great High Priest. For
his sake may we obtain mercy, and find grace to
help according to our need !
O Thou who art the Way ! we beseech thee to
lead us ; Thou who art the Truth ! we beseech
thee to teach us ; Thou who art the Life ! we
beseech thee to preserve us unto the life everlasting.
We thank thee, God ! that in Christ we may know
thee as our Father, reconciling us unto thyself.
Transform us from day to day, and from week
to week, more into the image of thy Son, that we
may at last be presented faultless before the pres-
ence of thy glory with exceeding joy.
We praise thee for this sabbath and all its bless-
ings, at home and in thy house. We pray for all
who have worshipped with us this day. May
grace, mercy, and peace be upon them, and upon
the whole Israel of God ! Extend thy cause and
kingdom everywhere. May the glorious gospel of
the grace of God speedily triumph over all the pride
and wisdom and will-worship and delusion of man !
Arise, God ! and plead thine own cause.
Bless this family. O Thou who didst bring
from the dead the Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd
of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting
covenant ! do thou make us all perfect to do thy
will, working in us that which is well-pleasing in
thy sight.
May our friends who are at a distance from us
be protected and guarded by thy gracious provi-
dence ! The Lord watch between them and us
when we are absent one from another ! May their
names also be written in the Lamb's book of life !
Teach us how to walk as pilgrims and strangers
on the earth, — sojourners, as all our fathers were, —
looking for that blessed hope, even the glorious
appearing of the great God our Saviour. Oh !
bring us at last to our Father's house in ever-
lasting peace.
As the curtains of the night are now drawing
around us, be pleased to grant us thy guardian
care. Lying down in thy fear, may we awake in
thy favor, fitted for all the calls and duties of a
new day ! And all this we ask for the sake of Jesus
Christ, our only Saviour. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
139
MONDAY.
Psalm cxix. — 57. Thou art my portion,
Lord ! I have said that I would keep thy words.
58. I entreated thy favor with my whole heart :
he merciful unto me according to thy word.
59. I thought on my ways, and turned my feet
unto thy testimonies.
60. I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy
commandments.
63. I am a companion of all them that fear thee,
and of them that keep thy precepts.
65. Thou hast dealt well with thy servant,
Lord ! according unto thy word.
67. Before I was afflicted, I went astray; hut
now have I kept thy word.
71. It is good for me that I have heen afflicted,
that I might learn thy statutes.
72. The law of thy mouth is better unto me
than thousands of gold and silver.
73. Thy hands have made me and fashioned
me : give me understanding, that I may learn thy
commandments.
74. They that fear thee will be glad when they
see me ; because I have hoped in thy word.
75. I know, Lord ! that thy judgments are
right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted
me.
76. Let, I pray thee, thy merciful kindness be
for my comfort, according to thy word unto thy
servant.
77. Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that
I may live ; for thy law is my delight.
This centurion was a Eoman officer in command of the
garrison at Capernaum ; but, though a foreigner and a Gen-
tile, he had rendered himself acceptable to the Jews by his con-
ciliatory manners and by his respectful treatment of their re-
ligion. Perhaps he was already a proselyte to the Jewish
faith : he certainly had the spirit of a true believer. Not pre-
suming to approach Jesus in person, he employed as his mes-
sengers some of the more prominent Jews, who willingly used
their influence in his behalf; but, as Jesus approached the
house, this Gentile, whose humility would not suffer him to ac-
cept the privileges of an Israelite, manifested a faith greater
Luke vii. — 1. Now, when he had ended all his
sayings in the audience of the people, he entered
into Capernaum.
2. And a certain centurion's servant, who was
dear unto him, was sick, and ready to die.
3. And, when he heard of Jesus, he sent unto
him the elders of the Jews, beseeching him that he
would come and heal his servant.
4. And, when they came to Jesus, they besought
him instantly, saying, That he was worthy for
whom he should do this ;
5. For he loveth our nation, and he hath built
us a synagogue.
6. Then Jesus went with them. And, when he
was now not far from the house, the centurion sent
friends to him, saying unto him, Lord, trouble not
thyself: for I am not worthy that thou shouldest
enter under my roof;
7. Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy
to come unto thee ; but say in a word, and my ser-
vant shall be healed.
8. For I also am a man set under authority,
having under me soldiers : and I say unto one, Go,
and he goeth ; and to another, Come, and he com-
eth ; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.
9. When Jesus heard these things, he marvelled
at him, and turned him about, and said unto the
people that followed him, I say unto you, I have
not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.
10. And they that were sent, returning to the
house, found the servant whole that had been sick.
than that of Israel. "I know how to obey, being myself
under authority ; and, in turn, know how others obey, having
soldiers under me : if then I, in my subordinate station of com-
mand, am obeyed, how much more thou, who art over all, and
whom diseases serve as their master ! " And Jesus confirmed
the centurion's faith : his word healed the sick man whom he
did not even see. So is Jesus ever quick to heal our sorrows,
when, with a humble, unquestioning faith, we cast them wholly
upon him, put ourselves under his authority, and accept his will.
Our faith often fails us because it lacks the quality of obedience.
We are more ready to urge our wishes than to do Christ's will.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Lord, our heavenly Father ! we have
nothing
to bring to thee but our wants, and such poor re-
turn of love and gratitude and praise as these
hearts can render for thy goodness. As thou dost
cause our lives to overflow with thy mercies, so do
thou fill our hearts to overflowing with thy Spirit,
that we may thank thee and praise thee as we
ought. The morning calls us again to praise thee
for thy loving-kindness in the night-season ; and
every day renews the tokens of thy bounty. Every
good gift cometh clown from thee, the Father of
lights ; and though we are so changeful in our love,
so inconstant in our service, with thee there is no
variableness, neither shadow of turning. Bind us
Prayer. [Nos. 121, 160, 184.
to thyself, O our Father ! by the mighty attraction
of thy love. May the love of Christ, who died
for us that we might live, constrain us to live ever
unto thee.
We pray, Lord ! that multitudes may be
saved ; that thy Church may increase ; that mis-
sions may prosper ; that thy Word may be given to
all people, and the knowledge of the Lord may fill
the earth as the waters fill the sea. We thank thee
for our home, and pray thee to bless us with all
things that we need as a family. Bless the absent
who are dear to us ; and bring them together with
us, we beseech thee, unto thy heavenly kingdom ;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
140
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
TUESDAY.
2 Kings iv. — 18. And, when the child was
grown, it fell, on a day, that lie went out to his
father to the reapers.
19. And he said unto his father, My head, my
head ! And he said to a lad, Carry him to his
mother.
20. And when he had taken him, and brought
him to his mother, he sat on her knees till noon,
and then died.
21. And she went up, and laid him on the bed
of the man of God, and shut the door upon him,
and went out.
32. And, when Elisha was come into the house,
behold, the child was dead, and laid upon his
bed.
33. He went ia therefore, and shut the door
upon them twain, and prayed unto the Lord.
34. And he went up, and lay upon the child,
and put his mouth upon his mouth, and his eyes
upon his eyes, and his hands upon his hands : and
he stretched himself upon the child ; and the flesh
of the child waxed warm.
35. Then he returned, and walked in the house
to and fro, and went up, and stretched himself
upon him ; and the child sneezed seven times, and
the child opened his eyes.
36. And he called Gehazi, and said, Call this
Nain was a few hours distant from Capernaum, near
Mount Tabor. The tombs of the Jews were commonly out-
side their cities ; and this funeral processsion had just reached
the place of burial as Jesus drew nigh. The scene was one of
most tender sorrow, — a widow following to the grave her
only son, her companion, her support, her hope, her all. Jesus,
who bore our griefs and carried our sorrows, and who loved
to make our human sympathies the channel of his divine
power and grace, touched with compasion for this broken-
hearted stranger, approached her with words of comfort. He
identified himself with her grief, and then brought her deliv-
erance. In the eloquent words of Massillon, " Elisha raised
the dead, it is true ; but he was obliged to stretch himself
many times upon the body of the child : he prayed, walked to
and fro, was intensely agitated. It was evident that he invoked
a power outside of himself; that he would recall from the
Shunamite. So he called her. And, when she
was come in unto him, he said, Take up thy son.
37. Then she went in, and fell at his feet, and
bowed herself to the ground, and took up her son,
and went out.
Luke vii. — 11. And it came to pass the day
after, that he went into a city called Nain ; and
many of his disciples went with him, and much
people.
12. Now, when he came nigh to the gate of the
city, behold there was a dead man carried out, the
only son of his mother, and she was a widow ; and
much people of the city was with her.
13. And, when the Lord saw her, he had com-
passion on her, and said unto her, Weep not.
14. And he came and touched the bier ; and
they that bare him stood still. And he said,
Young man, I say unto thee, Arise.
15. And he that was dead sat up, and began to
speak ; and he delivered him to his mother.
16. And there came a fear on all : and they
glorified God, saying, That a great prophet is risen
up among us ; and, That God hath visited his
people.
17. And this rumor of him went forth through-
out all Judaea, and throughout all the region round
about.
dominion of death a soul that was not subject to his voice ;
that he was not in himself the master of death and of life.
Jesus Christ raised the dead as he performed the most com-
mon actions : he spoke as a master to those who were sleeping
the eternal sleep. One feels that he was Lord of the dead as of
the living ; never more tranquil than when he wrought the
mightiest works." This miracle of the resurrection he does
not now repeat ; but he still meets us at the grave, the sym-
pathizing Saviour, the Resurrection and the Life. To the
heart that yearns to receive its dead to life again he gives a
consolation greater than the miracle. Though the cry of
nature be not heard, faith wins the answer of peace.
It may not be : one deed of power
Sufficed to give the ages faith.
Hear what My living gospel saith,
And trust Me in the darksome hour.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 106, 158, 167.
Thou art the King of glory, Christ ! Thou
art the everlasting Son of the Father. When thou
hadst overcome the sharpness of death, thou didst
open the kingdom of heaven to all believers. Thou
sittest at the right hand of God, in the glory of the
Father. We believe that thou shalt come to be
our Judge. We therefore pray thee help thy ser-
vants, whom thou hast redeemed with thy precious
blood: make them to be numbered with thy
saints in glory everlasting. Oh, may thy wonders
among the dead cause us to fear thy name, and to
hope in thy mercy ! We believe in thee, O Lord
Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life !
Thou who hast brought us again from sleep
to behold the light of a new day ! help us so to con-
fide in thee, to keep thee ever so near and so pre-
cious to our thought, that we shall live above the
fear of death, and look forward with joy to our
final rest with thee. Grant us grace to bear all
trials, resist all temptations, fulfil all duties, in the
hope of thine appearing. As children of the light,
may we shun all evil, and show forth thy praise !
Comfort all in sorrow. Be the God of the widow
and the fatherless. May this household, and all
dear to us, be joined to the family of the saints
on earth, and finally to the company of the re-
deemed in heaven, through Him who died for
us ! — to whom be glory forever. Amen.
.J
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
141
WEDNESDAY.
Luke vii. — 36. And one of the Pharisees de-
sired him that he would eat with him. And he
went into the Pharisee's house, and sat down to
meat.
37. And behold, a woman in the city, which was
a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in
the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster-box of
ointment,
38. And stood at his feet behind him, weeping;
and began to wash his feet with tears, and did
wipe them with the hairs of her head ; and kissed
his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.
39. jSTow, when the Pharisee which had bidden
him saw it, he spake within himself, sa}'ing, This
man, if he were a prophet, would hare known who
and what manner of woman this is that toucheth
him ; for she is a sinner.
40. And Jesus, answering, said unto him, Simon,
I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith,
Master, say on.
41. There was a certain creditor, which had two
debtors : the one owed five hundred pence, and the
other fifty.
42. And, when they had nothing to pay, he
frankly forgave them both. Tell me, therefore,
which of them will love him most?
43. Simon answered and said, I suppose that he
to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him,
Thou hast rightly judged.
44. And he turned to the woman, and said unto
Simon, Seest thou this woman ? I entered into
thine house ; thou gavest me no water for my feet :
but she bath washed my feet with tears, and wiped
them with the hairs of her head.
45. Thou gavest me no kiss ; but this woman,
since the time I came in, hath not ceased to kiss
my feet.
46. Mine head with oil thou didst not anoint ; but
this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment.
47. "Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which
are many, are forgiven ; for she loved much : but
to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.
48. And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven.
49. And they that sat at meat with him began
to say within themselves, Who is this that for-
giveth sins also?
50. And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath
saved thee : go in peace.
"A sinner;" i.e., a notorious sinner; one who had led a
life of open immorality. Her heart had been touched by the
preaching of Jesus ; and, as his disciples and others followed
him into the house, she probably slipped in with the com-
pany unnoticed. According to custom, Jesus would recline
at the table on a couch, with his feet behind him. Hence the
woman could have anointed his feet without interrupting the
meal, or in any way interfering with Jesus or with other guests ;
though her weeping must have attracted their attention. In
the view of the Pharisee, the touch of such a person was a cere-
monial defilement ; but, as he was mentally judging his guest
to be lacking in the spiritual insight of a prophet, Jesus
poured upon Ms heart the searching light of omniscience,
and revealed his inmost thoughts. This outcast woman had
come as a penitent ; and, as such, Christ had pardon, grace,
and encouragement for her. She showed the sinceritv of her
repentance by the humble, earnest, self-sacrificing spirit of her
trust and devotion. She bought an offering costly and fra-
grant ; she kissed his feet in token of reverence ; and her
tears flowed so fast, that she must needs wipe them with her
hair. Absorbed in what she was doing, she took no thought
of those around her, and did not heed their cavils.
The incident is for our example and our eneouragment. The
chief of sinners may come to Christ, and welcome. For peni-
tence his pardon is ever ready ; for the love of a grateful devo-
tion he has a love that takes away sin, and gives his own peace.
Appropriate Htmns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 59, 117.
May thy good Spirit, Lord ! we pray thee,
write in our hearts the things that we have heard
out of thy Holy Scriptures, that we may this day
walk according to thy word, doing thy will, and
showing forth thy praise ! We confess our sin
and folly, our carnal desires, our worldly spirit ;
and we entreat thee for Christ's sake to forgive the
errors and iniquities of our past lives, and hence-
forth to lead us in the way everlasting. Thou
hast not dealt with us according to our sins, but
hast been patient and long-suffering, and abundant
in goodness and mercy. Oh, may thy great love
toward us in Christ our Saviour bind us to thee in
grateful and loving devotion ! May we ever be
ready to testify for Christ, and to consecrate to him
the best that we have ! May we love supremely
the things that thou lovest ; love and practise
whatsoever is true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and
of good report ; love the Church of our Lord Jesus
Christ, which he hath redeemed with his own
precious blood; love our fellow-men, and do them
good as thou givest us opportunity ; have compas-
sion upon the sinful and the erring ; in all things
living, not to ourselves, but to Him who loved us,
and died for us, and rose again ! And do thou,
Lord ! hasten the blessed day when thy kingdom
shall come, and thy will be done in earth as it is
in heaven.
With thanksgivings for the mercies of the past
night and of the opening day, for shelter and re-
pose, for food and raiment, for health and home ;
with supplications for thy favor and guidance in all
that is before us, and for the blessings of thy prov-
idence and grace upon all dear to us, — we ask and
offer all in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus
Christ ; for whom we ever bless thee ; to whom,
with thee, Pather ! and the Holy Ghost, be praise
and glory evermore. Amen.
^Wl
142
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
THURSDAY.
Matthew xi. — 1. And it came to pass, when
Jesus had made an end of commanding his twelve
disciples, he departed thence to teach and to preach
in their cities.
2. Now, when John had heard in the prison the
works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples,
3. And said unto him, Art thou he that should
come ? or do we look for another ?
4. Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and
show John again those things which ye do hear
and see :
5. The hlind receive their sight, and the lame
walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear,
the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gos-
pel preached to them.
6. And blessed is he whosoever shall not be of-
fended in me.
7. And, as they departed, Jesus began to say
unto the multitudes concerning John, What went
ye out into the wilderness to see ? A reed shaken
with the wind ?
8. But what went ye out for to see ? A man
clothed in soft raiment ? Behold, they that wear
soft clothing are in kings' houses.
9. But what went ye out for to see ? A prophet ?
yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet.
10. For this is he of whom it is written, Behold,
I send my messenger before thy face, which shall
prepare thy way before thee.
11. Verily, I say unto you, Among them that
are born of women, there hath not risen a greater
than John the Baptist : notwithstanding, he that
is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than
he.
12. And, from the days of John the Baptist
until now, the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence,
and the violent take it by force.
13. For all the prophets and the law prophesied
until John.
14. And, if ye will receive it, this is Elias which
was for to come.
15. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
16. But whereunto shall I liken this generation ?
It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and
calling unto their fellows,
17. And saying, We have piped unto you, and
ye have not danced ; we have mourned unto you,
and ye have not lamented.
18. For John came neither eating nor drinking ;
and they say, He hath a devil.
19. The Son of man came eating and drinking;
and they say, Behold, a man gluttonous, and a
wine-bibber, a friend of publicans and sinners.
But Wisdom is justified of her children.
John, who had been so bold in proclaiming' Jesus as the
Messiah, appears to have fallen under a cloud. Shut up in
prison, exposed to a cruel death, he fell to wondering why-
Jesus did not proclaim himself in his royal power, and sent
his disciples to beg some positive assurance of his Messiahship.
Jesus pointed to his deeds of power and mercy ; but above
these physical wonders he placed the simple fact that he
preached his gospel to the poor. Then, taking John as a text,
he reproved his hearers for false standards of character. He
refused to conform to popular notions, or to minister to popu-
lar prejudices, either in his own manner of life or in the con-
stitution of his kingdom. His gospel was not to be a system
of asceticism, nor of any kind of external uniformity. It
would take men as it found them, and enter into the daily life.
The kingdom of heaven was more than meat and drink, more
than names or rules : men must take hold of it from within,
with true earnestness of spirit, with energy of faith, — must
break away from the world, not by going into the desert, but
by breaking off from sin. The outer life must be governed
by the inner spirit of wisdom, truth, and love. In outward
affairs, questions of conformity or nonconformity, of toleration
or dissent, change from generation to generation. The Chris-
tian should not bind himself by tradition or custom in things
not essential. The true Christian spirit will not compromise
with sin, nor court the world ; yet it is full of mercy and of
good fruits.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 9, 121, 183.
Father of lights, thou hast dispersed the dark-
ness of another night, and permitted the sun once
more to arise upon us. thou Sun of righteous-
ness ! do thou disperse the darkness of sin ; cause
the scales to fall from our eyes, that we may receive
sight ; shine on us with the brightness of thy
rising ; let us enjoy this day the blessedness of
peace with God.
Lord Jesus, we commit ourselves anew to thy
keeping. In all the concerns of life, teach us what
thou wilt have us to do. May it be our sovereign
motive so to walk as to please thee! May we
be governed by thy will, and not by our own will
nor by the will of our fellow-men ! May we dif-
fuse around us the silent influence of a heavenly
life ! May we deal tenderly with others, remem-
bering the tenderness of Him who would not
break the bruised reed nor quench the smoking
flax, and whose dying words were words of for-
giveness.
We pray for all the sick, the infirm, the af-
flicted, the sorrowing. thou God of all con-
solation ! be a father to the fatherless, a husband
to the widow, the stranger's shield, and the
orphan's stay. Enable thy suffering peopl e to rest
in thy love. Bless our beloved friends : if there
be any among them who are still strangers to thee,
make them to know thee in Christ. Preserve us
as a household from all danger and sin ; hide us in
the hollow of thy hand ; and may death, when it
shall come, find us still doing that which thou hast
given us to do, and watching for our Lord ! And
unto the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be
praise forever. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
143
FRIDAY.
Jonah iii. — 3. So Jonah arose, and went unto
Nineveh according to the word of the Lord.
Now, Nineveh was an exceeding great city of
three days' journey.
4. And Jonah began to enter into the city a
day's journey ; and he cried, and said, Yet forty
days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown.
5. So the people of Nineveh believed God, and
proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the
greatest of them even to the least of them.
6. For word came unto the king of Nineveh,
and he arose from his throne, and he laid his robe
from him, and covered him with sackcloth, and sat
in ashes.
7. And he caused it to be proclaimed and pub-
lished through Nineveh by the decree of the king
and his nobles, saying, Let neither man nor beast,
herd nor flock, taste any thing ; let them not feed,
nor drink water :
8. But let man and beast be covered with sack-
cloth, and cry mightily unto God ; yea, let them
turn every one from his evil way, and from the
violence that is in their hands.
9. Who can tell if God will turn and repent, and
turn away from his fierce anger, that we perish not ?
10. And God saw their works, that they turned
from their evil way : aud God repented of the evil
that he had said that he would do unto them ; and
he did it not.
Matthew xi. — 20. Then began he to upbraid
the cities wherein most of his mighty works were
done, because they repented not.
Men sometimes say, " If we had lived in the time of Christ,
we should have believed;" or, "If we could witness a miracle,
we should now believe." Yet multitudes who saw the mir-
acles of Christ were so blinded by prejudice, by passion, or by
sin, that they did not receive him ; and, if miracles were re-
peated to meet such demands, their frequency would so impair
the impression of the supernatural, that they would come to
be regarded as common events. The nature of the truths
contained in the gospel and their moral effects are the abid-
ing evidence of their divine origin ; and this evidence addresses
itself to a humble, sincere mind, to a childlike state of feel-
ing. The mysteries of Providence, which lie beyond the
analysis of reason, may lie open to the higher vision of faith.
21. Woe unto thee, Chorazin ! woe unto thee,
Bethsaida ! for, if the mighty works which were
done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon. they
would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.
22. But I say unto you, It shall be more toler-
able for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment
than for you.
23. And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted
unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell ; for, if
the mighty works which have been done in thee
had been done in Sodom, it would have remained
until this day.
24. But I say unto you, That it shall be more
tolerable for the land of Sodom, in the day of judg-
ment, than for thee.
25. At that time Jesus answered and said, I
thank thee, Bather, Lord of heaven and earth !
because thou hast hid these things from the wise
and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes :
26. Even so, Father ; for so it seemed good in
thy sight.
27. All things are delivered unto me of my
Father : and no man knoweth the Son but the
Father ; neither knoweth any man the Father
save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will
reveal him.
28. Come unto me, all ye that labor and are
heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.
29. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me :
for I am meek, and lowly in heart ; and ye shall find
rest unto your souls.
30. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
I A meek and lowly mind will rest in the word of Christ, in
the wisdom and love of the Father, and cannot be disquieted
by that which for the present baffles the understanding. The
true rest comes, not from outward circumstances, nor from
the decision of vexed problems, but is within the soul, — in its
. moral convictions, in its spiritual affections, in its trust and
i hope ; and, when these are fixed upon God, no disturbance of
! affairs, no perplexities of providence, no mysteries of faith,
j can really disquiet the mind. In such a frame, Christ be-
I comes manifested to the consciousness as the embodiment of
> divine truth, love, and grace ; and so the Father is revealed in
I the Son. With the cumulative evidence of the gospel in its
I effects, how great must be our condemnation if we reject it !
Appsopriatb Hymns,] Prayer. [Nos. 44, 59, 103, 134.
Thou, Lord, art the God of the evening and the I May thy blessing rest upon this household, and
morning, and every day renews the testimony of thy i all that pertain to it ; upon the families of all who
tender mercies which are over all thy works. We are allied to any of us ; upon the community in
bless thee for thy mercy unto us in the night-sea- I which we dwell ; upon our country ; upon all kin-
son ; for the refreshment of sleep ; for the health dreds and peoples of the earth, the creatures of
and comfort with which we enter upon another ' thy power, the children of thy love ! Bring all
day. Bemembering that life is thy gift, may we ! men to repentance, and to the acknowledgment of
spend it in thy service and to thy glory ! We pray
thee to preserve us from evil, and keep us from sin.
Oh ! save us from unbelief, and hardness of heart.
May we obey the word of the Lord Jesus, and i forever ; and let the whole earth be filled with thy
trust in his grace ! I glory. Amen.
the truth. Make perfect, we beseech thee, the
new creation which thou hast begun in Christ
Jesus our Lord : and blessed be thy glorious name
144
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
SATURDAY.
Hebrews iii. — 1. Wherefore, holy brethren,
partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the
Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ
Jesus ;
2. Who was faithful to him that appointed him,
as also Moses was faithful in all his house.
3. For this man was counted worthy of more
glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath
buikled the house hath more honor than the
house.
4. For every house is huilded by some man ; but
he that built all things is God.
5. And Moses verily was faithful in all his house,
as a servant, for a testimony of those things which
were to be spoken after ;
6. But Christ as a Son over his own house :
whose house are we, if we hold fast the confi-
dence, and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the
end.
7. Wherefore, as the Holy Ghost saith, To-day
if ye will hear his voice,
8. Harden not your hearts as in the provocation,
in the day of temptation in the wilderness ;
9. When your fathers ' tempted me, proved me,
and saw my works forty years.
10. Wherefore I was grieved with that genera-
tion, and said, They do always err in their heart ;
and they have not known my ways.
11. So I sware in my wrath, They shall not en-
ter into my rest.
12. Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of
you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the
living God.
13. But exhort one another daily, while it is
called To-day ; lest any of you be hardened through
the deceitfulness of sin.
14. For we are made partakers of Christ if we
hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto
the end ;
15. While it is said, To-day if ye will hear his
voice, harden not your hearts as in the provoca-
tion.
16. For some, when they had heard, did pro-
voke : howbeit, not all that came out of Egypt by
Moses.
17. But with whom was he grieved forty years ?
was it not with them that had sinned, whose car-
casses fell in the wilderness ?
18. And to whom sware he that they should not
enter into his rest, but to them that believed not?
19. So we see that they could not enter in be-
cause of unbelief.
This is but an echo of our Lord's repeated warnings
against unbelief. Faith is the link of union between our
souls and God. It makes him real ; it gives us access to
him through Christ as our High Priest ; it makes us " par-
takers of Christ " in the confidence and rejoicing of hope ;
it gives reality to heaven as the home which Christ's love has
prepared for us. Hence, to falter in faith is to lose the con-
ception of these realities, the power of these motives, the com-
fort of these promises and hopes. The deceitful allurements
of sin, which would betray us through that which is near,
visible, sensual, can be resisted only by a faith that gives
reality to higher things, and keeps God and the Saviour always
near. Unbelief is the point of departure from God, the be-
ginning of apostasy, the hardening of the heart. It is not
enough to have believed, to have confessed Christ : by prayer
and the word of God we must " hold the beginning of our
confidence steadfast unto the end."
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 50, 59, 109.
God, who hast spared our lives, and brought
us to the beginning of another day ! we lift up our
hearts to thee. We thank thee for rest during
the past night ; for life preserved, and strength re-
newed; and for the many tokens of thy loving-
kindness which surround us. May we ever have
true gratitude for thy mercies, and never grieve
thee by a hard and unthankful heart !
And now, O Lord! prepare us for the duties and
trials which this day may bring. Whatever we
have to do, may we do it willingly and heartily, as
unto thee, and not as unto men ! Whatever may
be our besetting sins, grant that we may know
them, and watch and fight against them. Give us
grace to take up, each one of us, our peculiar cross,
whatever it may be ; to exercise constant self-de-
nial ; and in all things to follow our Master, so
that each of us may say, "Forme to live is Christ."
Make us more like him in lowliness and meekness ;
tender-hearted, forgiving one another; ready to
bear each other's burdens, and so fulfil the law of
Christ. Oh ! give to us a living faith, an earnest
faith, a constant faith.
Let not the world with its cares and vanities fill
our hearts, and so make us forget the worth of our
souls, the love of our Saviour, and the nearness
of eternity. Whilst we are busy in the world, may
our hearts rise above it !
Lord, watch over us, and all who are dear to us,
this day. Defend our souls from the assaults of
the Wicked One, and preserve our bodies in health
and safety. May all thy wise and merciful inspira-
tions bind us to thee, and fit us better for thy ser-
vice ! May we walk in the light of thy countenance,
and know the happiness of those who have the
Lord for their God ! Finally, prepare us to depart
and be with Christ. Hear us, heavenly Father,
and when thou hearest forgive, for the sake of
Jesus our Saviour, who with thee and the Holy
Ghost reigneth evermore. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
145
SUNDAY MORNING.
Give the king thy judg-
thy righteousness unto the
Psalm Ixxii. — 1.
ments, God! and
king's son.
2. He shall judge thy people with righteousness,
and thy poor with judgment.
3. The mountains shall bring peace to the
people, and the little hills, by righteous-
ness.
4. He shall judge the poor of the people, he
shall save the children of the needy, and shall
break in pieces the oppressor.
5. They shall fear thee as long as the sun and
moon endure, throughout all generations.
6. He shall come down like rain upon the mown
grass ; as showers that water the earth.
7. In his days shall the righteous flourish ;
and abundance of peace so long as the moon en-
dureth.
8. He shall have dominion also from sea to
sea, and from the river unto the ends of the
earth.
9. They that dwell in the wilderness shall
bow before him ; and his enemies shall lick the
dust.
10. The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall
bring presents ■ the kings of Sheba and Seba shall
offer gifts.
"What king is this whose reign is described in such globing
measures, and for whose prosperity and glory all good things in
earth and heaven are invoked ? The common heading to the
psalm in our English Bibles makes it a prayer of David for
Solomon ; but the heading in the Hebrew is, " A Prayer of
Solomon." Since Solomon was the author of the psalm, of
course it could not have referred to David ; and we can hardly
believe him to have used such lofty language concerning him-
self. Besides, much of the psalm is of the tenor of prophecy ;
and, like Psalms ii., xvi., xxii., xlv., and others, this must be
applied to Christ. And how beautifully, and at the same time
how faithfully, does it picture the characteristics of the Re-
deemer's kingdom, — peace, righteousness, justice, compassion,
11. Yea, all kings shall fall down before him ;
all nations shall serve him.
12. For he shall deliver the needy when he
crieth ; the poor also, and him that hath no
helper.
13. He shall spare the poor and needy, and shall
save the souls of the needy.
14. He shall redeem their soul from deceit and
violence ; and precious shall their blood be in his
sight.
15. And he shall live, and to him shall be
given of the gold of Sheba : prayer also shall
be made for him continually; and daily shall he
be praised.
16. There shall be a handful of corn in the
earth upon the top of the mountains ; the fruit
thereof shall shake like Lebanon : and they of the
city shall flourish like grass of the earth.
17. His name shall endure forever; his name
shall be continued as long as the sun : and men
shall be blessed in him ; all nations shall call him
blessed.
18. Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel,
who only doeth wondrous things.
19. And blessed be his glorious name forever ;
and let the whole earth be filled with his glory.
Amen, and amen.
the relief of suffering, the redress of wrongs, the over-
throw of evil ! Where the principles of Christ prevail in
society and government, there is peace, plenty, prosperity;
oppression is broken ; violence and deceit are banished ; the
poor are cared for, the needy succored ; industry and commerce
flourish ; the hills are clothed with com, the cities thrive as
with the verdure of spring. Blessed be God that this king-
dom of Christ is yet to prevail in all the earth ! " The most
uncivilized, the most distant, and the most opulent nations shall
pay their homage to him ; the barbarous inhabitants of the
desert, the remote isles of the West, and the kings of rich Ara-
bia (Sheba) and Ethiopia (Seba), shall lie prostrate in homage
at his feet."
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 6, 49, 75.
Thine, Lord ! is the greatness, and the power,
and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty;
for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is
thine : thine is the kingdom, Lord ! and thou art
exalted as Head over all. We bless thee that thou
hast given unto thy Son the kingdom in this
world, and hast promised that the gates of hell
shall not prevail against his Church ; and we be-
seech thee, upon this thy holy day, so to bless thy
truth and all the appointed means of grace that a
great multitude of souls shall be born into the
kingdom of Christ through the power of the
Holy Ghost. Make thy Word a comfort and a
joy unto all believers, and the power of God
unto salvation to the world that lieth in wicked-
ness.
Lord Jesus ! rule thou in our hearts ; by thy
redeeming grace take away our sins ; by thy sanc-
tifying presence fill our souls with thy peace.
May we do all things to thy glory, and show forth
thy praise in our lives ! We humbly thank thee,
Lord ! for the blessings of the past week ; for thy
daily benefits to us, and to all dear to us. Bless
this household, this day and always, with thy grace.
May eveiy one of us before thee, and all who are
united with us in family ties, be found within the
kingdom of thy dear Son ! May we know the joy
of a full consecration unto Him who hath redeemed
us to God with his precious blood! and, having
served him in his kingdom here, may we come to
be partakers of his glory in the kingdom of his
Father, for Christ's sake ! Amen.
146
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
SUNDAY EVENING.
Hebrews viii. — 1. Now, of the things which
we have spoken, this is the sum : We have such an
high priest, who is set on the right hand of the
throne of the Majesty in the heavens ;
2. A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true
tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.
3. For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts
and sacrifices : wherefore it is of necessity that
this man have somewhat also to offer.
4. For, if he were on earth, he should not be a
priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts
according to the law ;
5. Who serve unto the example and shadow of
heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God
when he was about to make the tabernacle : for,
See (saith he) that thou make all things according
to the pattern showed to thee in the mount.
6. But now hath he obtained a more excellent
ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a
better covenant, which was established upon better
promises.
7. For if that first covenant had been faultless,
then should no place have been sought for the
second.
8. For, finding fault with them, he saith, Behold
the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a
new covenant with the house of Israel and with
the house of Judah :
9. Not according to the covenant that I made
with their fathers, in the day when I took them by
the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt ;
because they continued not in my covenant, and I
regarded them not, saith the Lord.
10. For this is the covenant that I will make
with the house of Israel, after those days, saith the
Lord : I will put my laws into their mind, and
write them in their hearts ; and I will be to them
a God, and they shall be to me a people :
11. And they shall not teach every man his
neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, Know
the Lord ; for all shall know me, from the least to
the greatest.
12. For I will be merciful to their unrighteous-
ness, and their sins and their iniquities will I re-
member no more.
13. In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath
made the first old. Now, that which decayeth and
waxeth old is ready to vanish away.
The elaborate system of worship established by Moses was
never meant to be an end in itself. Its offerings and sacri-
fices, its prayers and songs, its priestly mediations and abso-
lutions, assumed an inner spirit of penitence, faith, thanksgiv-
ing, love, devotion. The ritual was an appropriate expres-
sion in outward signs of the emotions of the heart in view of
its sins and sorrows, and of the goodness and mercy of the
Lord. It was also a help to the understanding of promises to
come, and to faith in their fulfilment. In believing hearts it
nursed the expectation of the Messiah, and set forth the great
doctrine of atonement through the daily sacrifice, — a type of
the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. This was
the real import of the covenant that God made with Israel at
Sinai. When, however, from being an exponent of feeling
and an educator of faith, the Jews perverted their worship to
an end in itself, and a meritorious act, both the prophets of
the Lord and his providence taught them that the ritual could
neither save them nor preserve itself. Yet the mercy of God
prevailed, even over the abuse of mercy. There always was
a spiritual Israel ; and it was promised, that, by the coming of
Christ, the covenant of an inner spiritual life — of knowledge,
obedience, grace, righteousness, salvation — should be renewed,
enlarged, and made perpetual. Christ was not only a greater
and more perfect priest than any other ; he superseded all
others as priest in his own right, and priest forever : and
therefore, to put a priesthood or ritual in his place is to usurp
his sole prerogative, and to forfeit his atoning and saving
grace.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 83, 119, 196.
Our heavenly Father, who seekest those who
worship thee in spirit and in truth, grant us grace
to serve thee with all the heart. May the worship
in which we have engaged this day minister to our
sanctification, and our instruction in righteousness !
We pray thee, heavenly Father ! to plant thy
fear and thy love in all our hearts. Teach us to
remember that thou art ever near us; and draw us
closer to thyself. Make us consistent followers of
our blessed Lord and Master. Give us a spirit of
watchfulness and prayer. Forgive our vain and
foolish thoughts, our idle and unprofitable words,
our unkind and hasty tempers, our wasted time
and misused talents.
May we lie down this night at peace with thee !
and casting all care upon the Lord, who careth for
us, may we rest under the shadow of thy wings !
We bless thee that by faith we may rise above all
earthly forms and helps, and come directly to thee.
We humbly beseech thee to own this family
in the covenant of thy grace. May each mem-
ber of it be a member of the true family of
Christ !
We would entreat thy blessing on behalf of all
whom we love. If any of them are still far from
thee, do thou in thy great mercy change their
hearts, and bring them home to thy fold.
Look favorably upon our land. Prosper us as a
nation. Let true religion flourish amongst us.
Let thy Word have free course and be glorified in
the midst of us ; and from us may thy gospel go
forth into other lands, and may all the ends of the
earth acknowledge the Lord !
Accept, God ! these our imperfect supplications,
and do for us far above our desires and our deserv-
ings. Guide us evermore with thy counsel, and
afterward receive us to thy glory, for the sake of
Jesus Christ our Redeemer. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
147
MONDAY.
Hebrews ix. — 1. Then verily the first cove-
nant had also ordinances of divine service, and a
worldly sanctuary.
2. For there was a tabernacle made ; the first
wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and
the show-bread ; which is called the Sanctuary.
3. And, after the second veil, the tabernacle
which is called the Holiest of all ;
4. Which had the golden censer, and the ark of
the covenant overlaid round about with gold,
wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and
Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the
covenant ;
5. And over it the cherubims of glory shadow-
ing the mercy-seat ; of which we cannot now
speak particularly.
6. Now, when these things were thus ordained,
the priests went always into the first tabernacle,
accomplishing the service of God :
7. But into the second went the high priest
alone once every year, not without blood, which he
offered for himself, and for the errors of the people ;
8. The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the
way into the holiest of all was not yet made mani-
Nothing more beautiful could be devised than the material
instruments and appliances of the Jewish worship ; nothing
more expressive than the symbolism of that worship ; nothing
more imposing and effective than the ritual through which
the Israelite made his offerings and uttered his devotions.
And yet all this was empty, vain, worthless, without the con-
secration of the heart to God and the living exercise of faith.
Indeed, used as a mere form, it became repugnant to God as
a worship. At length it was utterly done away in Christ ;
fest while as the first tabernacle was yet stand-
ing :
9. Which was a figure for the time then present,
in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that
could not make him that did the service perfect, as
pertaining to the conscience ;
10. Which stood only in meats and drinks, and
divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on
them until the time of reformation.
11. But Christ being come an high priest of
good things to come, by a greater and more perfect
tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say,
not of this building ;
12. Neither by the blood of goats and calves,
but by his own blood, he entered in once into the
holy place, having obtained eternal redemption
for us.
13. For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and
the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanc-
tifieth to the purifying of the flesh ;
14. How much more shall the blood of Christ,
who through the eternal Spirit offered himself with-
out spot to God, purge your conscience from dead
works to serve the living God !
and hence to revive, under other names and forms, the ritual-
istic and the sacrificial as of the essence of worship, is to dis-
honor the perfect sacrifice and the completed work of Christ.
The substance of all religion and of all worship is to have
the inmost consciousness purified from all self-righteousness
and all dependence upon forms, and to be in direct relations
of faith and love with God as the living Saviour, the recon-
ciled Father. So shall we worship him in spirit and in
truth.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 2, 12, 95.
Our Father in heaven, we come to thee with
wants which thou knowest far better than we, and
for blessings which thou art more ready to give
than we to ask. But thou hast bidden to pray ;
and we love to come, saying, " Our Father." Oh,
may we have the spirit of little children, — hum-
ble, teachable, trustful, obedient, — and show our
love and gratitude in lives of devotion ! Thou
hast kept us in the watches of the night from
every trouble, sorrow, and alarm ; thou hast given
us refreshing sleep. And now we bless thee for
the day, for life and health, for food and raiment,
for home and friends, for means of education and
of enjoyment, for means of occupation and of sup-
port, for means of improvement in the knowledge
of thyself from thy works and thy Word, and for
opportunities of doing good to others. Oh ! grant
us grace that we may use to thy glory the lives
which thou didst give, and which thy mercy doth
continually spare.
We acknowledge, Lord! our unworthiness
and our sinfulness, and beseech thee to pardon our
transgressions and heal our infirmities. Help us
this day to live aright. In the business of life
may we be diligent, faithful, true ! and do thou,
Lord, prosper the labor of our hands. In our in-
tercourse with others, may we manifest the gentle-
ness, the sincerity, the charity, of the gospel of
Christ ! May we be patient under trials, meek
under injuries, firm against temptation, bold for
the truth, zealous for thy cause ! May we be kind
to the poor, helpful to the suffering, gentle toward
all men ! [Give unto these children, Lord !
grace to serve thee in the morning of life, and in
their thoughts and words, their studies and their
play, always to please their Father in heaven.]
Bemember with thy mercy all our friends ; visit
with thy grace the homes of all who are dear to
us. Build up, Lord ! thy Church ; prosper thy
kingdom in our land, and throughout the world.
Ever guide, keep, and bless us. Bring us to the
close of the day in peace, and to the close of life
in a hope full of immortality, through Jesus
Christ, our Lord and Saviour. Amen.
148
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
TUESDAY.
Hebrews ix. — 15. And for this cause he
[Christ] is the mediator of the new testament, that
by means of death, for the redemption of the trans-
gressions that were under the first testament, they
which are called might receive the promise of eter-
nal inheritance.
16. For where a testament is, there must also of
necessity be the death of the testator.
17. For a testament is of force after men are
dead; otherwise it is of no strength at all while
the testator liveth.
18. Whereupon neither the first testament was
dedicated without blood.
19. For, when Moses had spoken every precept
to all the people according to the law, he took the
blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scar-
let wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book
and all the people,
20. Saying, This is the blood of the testament
which God hath enjoined unto you.
21. Moreover, he sprinkled likewise with blood
both the tabernacle and all the vessels of the min-
istry.
22. And almost all thjngs are by the law purged
with blood ; and without shedding of blood is no
remission.
23. It ivas therefore necessary that the patterns
of things in the heavens should be purified with
these, but the heavenly things themselves with
better sacrifices than these.
24. For Christ is not entered into the holy
places made with hands, which are the figures of
the true ; but into heaven itself, now to appear in
the presence of God for us :
25. Nor yet that he should offer himself often,
as the high priest entereth into the holy place every
year with blood of others ;
26. For then must he often have suffered since
the foundation of the world : but now once in the
end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin
by the sacrifice of himself.
27. And as it is appointed unto men once to die,
but after this the judgment :
28. So Christ was once offered to bear the sins
of many ; and unto them that look for him shall he
appear the second time without sin unto salvation.
There is but one atonement, but one probation, but one
Saviour, but one judgment ; and our personal relations to the
redemption and salvation wrought by Christ must be decided
by our action in this present life. The sin-offerings under the
old covenant were symbols and prophecies of the atonement
of Christ, which was more emphatically personated by the
high priest, when once a year, with great solemnity, he en-
tered into the holy place. That first covenant was ratified
with blood ; and, since the grace promised was to be the in-
heritance of believers, the covenant is likened to a testament
which is made availing by the death of the testator. When
our Lord was about to offer himself for our redemption, he
took the cup as a symbol of his blood, and said, " This is
my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for
the remission of sins." His death gave force to that new
covenant : that death avails for the salvation of every sinner
who will believe upon the Lord Jesus Christ. But, in the na-
ture of things, there can be no other atonement ; and, if men
reject this, they must remain in condemnation : then shall
death come as the beginning of penalty ; after death, the judg-
ment. In vain shall they who reject Christ here look for
another probation hereafter ; for, when Christ shall appear
the second time, this will not be to bear sin, but to save all
who have believed, and to usher in the judgment.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 4, 20, 126.
God, who hast redeemed us by the precious
blood of thy Son ! help us, we beseech thee, to live
only and in every thing unto Him that loved us
and died for us. We confess and renounce all our
sins. Oh, may we hate that which crucified the
Son of God ! and, keeping ever in view the day of
his appearing, may we live soberly, righteously,
and godly in this present evil world ! We bless
thee for the glory which is promised to his saints at
that appearing. Oh, may we then be found in him !
God, who hast prepared for those who love
thee such good things as pass man's understand-
ing! pour into our hearts such love toward thee,
that we, loving thee above all things, may obtain
thy promises, which exceed all that we can desire,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. May we believe
all that thou hast spoken, and set our affections
upon things above !
We thank thee, Lord ! for the precious com-
fort that remains to us concerning dear friends
who have departed in the faith ; that to them
heaven is even now a reality; that they have no
more want, nor sorrow, nor care, nor sin. Oh,
may heaven be a reality to our faith ! and may the
hope of it, yea, the assurance of it, as our home,
lift us above all the temptations and trials of this
present world ! Give to us strength for labors,
courage for conflicts, patience under afflictions,
fidelity to duty, and faith that shall endure to the
end, and shall make us more than conquerors over
death.
We praise thee, Lord ! for the blessings of the
present time ; for another night of rest ; for another
morning of mercy and hope. Oh, may we this
day love thee more, know thee more, serve thee
better, than ever before ! In all that is given us
to do, may we glorify thy name ! in all that we are
called to bear, may we accept thy holy will ! So
may we daily live to thee ; and, when the things
of earth shall pass away, make us to be numbered
with thy saints in glory everlasting, through Jesus
Christ our Saviour. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
149
WEDNESDAY.
Hebrews X. — 1. For the law, having a shadow
of good things to come, and not the very image
of the things, can never, with those sacrifices which
they offered year by year continually, make the
comers thereunto perfect.
2. For then would they not have ceased to be
offered ? because that the worshippers once purged
should have had no more conscience of sins.
3. But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance
again made of sins every year.
4. For it is not possible that the blood of bulls
and of goats should take away sins.
5. Wherefore, when he cometh into the world,
he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not,
but a body hast thou prepared me :
6. In burnt-offerings and sacrifices for sin thou
hast had no pleasure.
7. Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the
book it is written of me) to do thy will, God !
8. Above, when he said, Sacrifice and offering
and burnt-offerings and offering for sin thou
wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein,
which are offered by the law ;
9. Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will,
Had God no pleasure in sacrifices and offerings which he
had prescribed, and the neglect of which was regarded as a
disrespect to himself? Was the blood of bulls and of goats
absolutely without effect as to the sins for the remission of
which it was appointed ? The words of the apostle should
not be pressed to this extreme of contradiction. According
to Lev. xxii. 11, the blood of the altar was "an atonement
for the soul." The Mosaic law was at once a civil, a cere-
monial, and a moral code ; and infractions of the civil or the
ceremonial law, which did not involve serious moral transgres-
sion, were compensated by the prescribed sacrifice or offering.
But, in respect to transgressions of the moral law, the blood
of the victim could not be the instrument of a true propitia-
God ! He taketh away the first, that he may es-
tablish the second.
10. By the which will we are sanctified through
the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for ail.
11. And every priest standeth daily ministering
and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which
can never take away sins :
12. But this man, after he had offered one sacri-
fice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand
of God ;
13. From henceforth expecting till his enemies
be made his footstool.
14. For by one offering he hath perfected for-
ever them that are sanctified.
15. Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to
us ; for after that he had said before,
16. This is the covenant that I will make with
them after those days, saith the Lord : 1 will put
my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will
I write them ;
17. And their sins and iniquities will I remember
no more.
18. Now, where remission of these is, there is
no more offering for sin.
tion : it could only express the humiliation, penitence, and
self-condemnation of the offerer, and set forth the divine pro-
vision of an atonement as indispensable to salvation. The
very repetition of the sacrifices proved that they could not
operate to wipe out sin and its penalty. But the blood of
Jesus Christ cleanseth from all sin, — from sin in heart as well
as in life ; and this offering, therefore, was made once for all,
and avails always. The atonement of Christ was complete
and final. Nothing can be added to its worth, and nothing
shall hinder its final triumph over sin and death. The remis-
sion of sins is followed by the sanctification of the believer ;
and his redemption here shall issue in his perfection here-
after.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 16, 42.
Gracious God and Father in Christ Jesus, we
lift up our hearts to thee this morning in the love
and confidence of children. We acknowledge thy
mercy, which hath surrounded our persons and our
habitation through the night, and hath made the
incoming of the morning to rejoice over us. As
a family, we bring to thee our morning sacrifice of
prayer and praise. Oh ! fill our home with thy
peace ; fill our hearts with thy love.
Especially do we bless thee for the revelation of
thy redeeming love through our Lord Jesus Christ.
We praise thee that he loved the Church, and gave
himself for it, that he might sanctify and cleanse
it with the washing of water by the Word ; that he
might present it to himself a glorious Church, not
having spot or wrinkle, or any such thing; but
that it should be holy and without blemish. May
his atoning sacrifice take away our sin, and his
perfect righteousness be our shield ! And, oh,
may his Spirit write thy laws in our hearts, and
incline us to keep thy commandments always !
We pray that He who has so freely loved us,
and who has done so much for us, would make us
still his care, keeping us from all evil in this pres-
ent world, and finally taking lis to himself.
We adore thee, our blessed Bedeemer ! for thy
teaching and example, for thy sacrifice and medi-
ation. Hasten the day when those who have not
heard thy name, nor seen thy glory, shall know the
truth, and be delivered from the bondage of sin.
Soon may all nations hear of Him in whom are hid
all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge! Soon
may Jesus our Lord see of the travail of his soul,
and be satisfied ! Then shall the earth yield her
increase ; and God, even our own God, shall bless
us : God shall bless us, and all the ends of the earth
shall fear him. Hear these our petitions, gracious
Father, in the name of our Kedeemer. Amen.
150
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
THURSDAY.
Hebrews X. — 19. Having therefore, brethren,
boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of
Jesus,
20. By a new and living way, which he hath
consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say,
his flesh ;
21. And having a high priest over the house of
God;
22. Let us draw near with a true heart, in full
assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled
from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed
with pure water.
23. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith
without wavering ; for he is faithful that promised :
24. And let us consider one another, to provoke
unto love and to good works :
25. Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves
together, as the manner of some is, but exhorting
one another ; and so much the more, as ye see the
day approaching.
26. For, if we sin wilfully after that we have re-
ceived the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth
no more sacrifice for sins,
27. But a certain fearful looking-for of judg-
ment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the
adversaries.
28. He that despised Moses' law died without
mercy under two or three witnesses :
29. Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye,
shall he be thought worthy who hath trodden un-
der foot the Son of God, and hath counted the
blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified,
an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the
Spirit of grace ?
30. For we know him that hath said, Vengeance
belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord.
And again : The Lord shall judge his people.
31. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of
the living God.
35. Cast not away, therefore, your confidence,
which hath great recompense of reward.
36. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye
have done the will of God, ye might receive the
promise.
37. For yet a little while, and he that shall come
will come, and will not tarry.
38. Now, the just shall live by faith ; but, if any
man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in
him.
39. But we are not of them who draw back unto
perdition, but of them that believe to the saving
of the soul.
To enter into the holy place of the temple was death to
any but the high priest ; was death even to him, except in
the time and the manner appointed by the law. Only once
a year — on the great day of atonement — was the high priest
permitted to pass within the veil, and stand before the mercy-
seat, which was upon the ark. And for this most sacred
service he must first wash himself in pure water, then clothe
himself in holy linen ; and then kill a bullock for a sin-offer-
ing, and sprinkle its blood upon the mercy-seat. Awe, dis-
tance, mystery, pertained to that portion of the temple which
represented the more immediate presence of God. Freedom,
nearness, confidence in access to God as our Father, repre-
sent the privilege of the believer in Christ ; but this only on
condition that we come putting away sin from heart and life,
and trusting in the blood of the Son of God.
The boldness is not presumption, but trust ; the assurance
is not of merit, but of faith. This sense of nearness to God
should cause us the more deeply to abhor sin, the more ear-
nestly to purge our conscience of evil, the more devoutly to
revere the holiness which we are permitted to behold, unveiled,
in the face of Jesus Christ his Son. Above all should it hold
us steadfast in devotion to duty and in faith under trial.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 12, 40, 73.
God ! thou dost invite us to draw near to thee
as our Father : and we come to thee in our need ;
for thou alone art able to succor us : we come to
thee in our weakness ; for thou alone canst give
us strength : we come to thee in our sins ; for
thou alone canst pardon, heal, and save us. Have
mercy upon us, Lord ! for the sake of thy Son,
our Saviour Jesus Christ ; and suffer us never to
fall away from thee.
Thou didst create us to be blessed in each other
and in thyself, to dwell in love, and so to dwell in
God : oh ! create us anew in Christ Jesus our Lord,
and make us holy as thou art holy, that we may
be filled with thy love. We bless thee for thy
watchful providence over us in our persons, in our
family, in our home, in all that pertains to our
well-being ; and we beseech thee grant unto us,
this day, health and prosperity, and preserve us
from all harm and danger. Keep us from all
impatience and anger, from envy and jealousy,
from every evil lust. Keep our hearts from the
thought of evil, and our lips from speaking guile ;
keep our feet from falling, our eyes from tears,
our souls from death. Grant us grace to be
faithful in all the offices and relations of life.
May we study to be helpful to each other, be
patient of each other's infirmities, and rejoice in
each other's prosperity ! Let no selfishness dis-
turb our peace. [May parents and children,
brothers and sisters, all be joined together in the
household of faith !] And may the love that
blesses our earthly home interpret to us the love
of our Father in heaven, and draw us toward the
better home ! We make supplication for all men ;
beseeching thee, the Father of all, to dispense unto
all thy mercies according to their several conditions
and necessities, and to show forth thy salvation in
all the earth, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
151
FRIDAY.
James v. — 1. Go to now, ye rich men ; weep
and howl for your miseries that shall come upon
you.
2. Your riches are corrupted, and your garments
are moth-eaten.
3. Your gold and silver is cankered; and the
rust of them shall be a witness against you, and
shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have
heaped treasure together for the last days.
4. Behold, the hire of the laborers who have
reaped down your fields, which is of you kept
back by fraud, crieth ; and the cries of them which
have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord
of sabaoth.
5. Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and
been wanton ; ye have nourished your hearts, as in
a day of slaughter.
6. Ye have condemned and killed the just; and
he doth not resist you.
7. Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the
coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman
waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and
hath long patience for it, until he receive the early
and latter rain.
8. Be ye also patient ; stablish your hearts : for
the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.
9. Grudge not one against another, brethren,
lest ye be condemned : behold, the Judge standeth
before the door.
10. Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have
spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of
suffering affliction and of patience.
11. Behold, we count them happy which endure.
13. Is any among you afflicted ? let him pray.
Is any merry ? let him sing psalms.
14. Is any sick among you ? let him call for
the elders of the church ; and let them pray over
him, anointing him with oil in the name of the
Lord :
15. And the prayer of faith shall save the sick,
and the Lord shall raise him up ; and, if he have
committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.
16. Confess your faults one to another, and pray
one for another, that ye may be healed. The
effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth
much.
17. Elias was a man subject to like passions as
we are ; and he prayed earnestly that it might not
rain : and it rained not on the earth by the space
of three years and six months.
18. And he prayed again ; and the heaven gave
rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.
19. Brethren, if any of you do err from the
truth, and one convert him ;
20. Let him know that he which converteth
the sinner from the error of his way shall save
a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of
sins.
This is not the cry of the Communist for the abolition of
property ; not the declaration of a fanatical reformer against
the existing order of society: it is the sentence of justice
upon men who have abused their trust, and have consumed
upon their pride and their lusts what God had given them
as stewards for the good of society. Not upon rich men as
such, but upon such as have gained their riches by fraud, or
are using their riches for purposes of tyranny and of lux-
ury, is this terrible woe denounced. And this it is that makes
it terrible. All the world shall see the justice of their sen-
tence ; and they themselves must own it to be right. Hence
the people of God should not envy those who have such a
trust with such a risk ; much less should they fear them. In
due time, faith in God — a faith sustained and evidenced by
effectual prayer — shall bring to the righteous greater and
more enduring riches than all that this world can bestow.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 58, 82, 146.
Lord! make clean our hearts before thee.
Baptize us with thine own Spirit, that, being re-
newed in the spirit and temper of our minds, we
may exhibit in our daily walk all the virtues and
graces of the Christian life.
We render thanks to thee for thy loving care in
the night-season. We thank thee that health and
home and friends and country are preserved to us.
We thank thee for all thy goodness to us as a
family. We would trust in the Lord at all times ;
and we pray thee, our Saviour! to abide with us
ever.
Lord ! we beseech thee to visit us this day
with thy loving-kindness. Give us grace to dis-
charge faithfully our duties to thee and to each
other. May we remember, that, as stewards, we
must give account of our talents, our property, and
the use of all thy gifts ! May we be kind and
courteous unto all men, honest in our dealings,
truthful in our words, guileless in our thoughts !
Strengthen us to bear with patience whatever trials
or sufferings may be in store for us, preserve us
from the sins which do most easily beset us, and
enable us to walk worthy of our Christian calling,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Lord Jesus ! we long for thy coming in power
and glory among the nations. May thy Church
arise, and make straight the way of the Lord !
almighty and most merciful Father ! we com-
mend to thee ourselves and all that belong to us,
all who pray for us, and all who have at any time
asked our prayers for them. Have pity upon the
poor, the sick, the dying, and the sorrowing. Incline
thine ear to us, and hear us, we beseech thee, and
order all our ways, this and every day, according to
thy will, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
152
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
SATURDAY.
I Timothy vi. — 6. Godliness with contentment
is great gain.
7. For we brought nothing into this world, and
it is certain we can carry nothing out.
8. And, having food and raiment, let us be there-
with content.
9. But they that will be rich fall into temptation
and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts,
which drown men in destruction and perdition.
10. For the love of money is the root of all evil ;
which while some coveted after, they have erred
from the faith, and pierced themselves through with
many sorrows.
11. But thou, man of God ! flee these things ;
and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love,
patience, meekness.
12. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on
eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast
professed a good profession before many witnesses.
13. I give thee charge in the sight of God, who
quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who
before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession,
14. That thou keep this commandment without
To be rich is a grave responsibility ; to desire to be rich is
a great temptation ; to resolve to be rich is a fearful peril.
None are ever accused or denounced in the gospel simply for
having riches ; but such are warned against making riches
their trust. The history of mercantile communities, of rail-
way investments, of stock speculations, show that nothing is
more uncertain or delusive than what men fancy to be pros-
perity ; and the history of the Church shows that nothing is
more likely to draw away the heart from God than the posses-
sion of great wealth. Hence the rich are admonished to culti-
vate the sense of dependence upon God, and to save themselves
from corruption and apostasy by giving freely to all good
causes. The desire of riches should never be suffered to take
spot, unrebukable, until the appearing of our Lord
Jesus Christ ;
15. Which in his times he shall show, who is
the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings,
and Lord of lords ;
16. Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the
light which no man can approach unto ; whom no
man hath seen, nor can see ; to whom be honor and
power everlasting. Amen.
17. Charge them that are rich in this world that
they be not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain
riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly
all things to enjoy ;
18. That they do good, that they be rich in good
works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate ;
19. Laying up in store for themselves a good
foundation against the time to come, that they may
lay hold on eternal life.
20. Timothy ! keep that which is committed
to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings,
and oppositions of science falsely so called;
21. Which some professing, have erred concern-
ing the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen.
possession of the heart, for this corroding passion is the root
of all evil; while the purpose to be rich, as the one aim of life,
is almost certain to lure one on to the destruction of his soul.
No sin is more dangerous than covetousness ; none more
damning. The offset to this perilous temptation is faith. A
faith that measures this life by the next ; a faith that believes
in God as the rewarder of them that seek him ; a faith that
puts righteousness above mammon ; a faith that sees Christ
upon his throne, and feels assured of immortality at his ap-
pearing, — can rest content with the bare means of living, and
of serving him. When earthly possessions vanish, this con-
tented piety realizes the greatness of its gain. The confession
of Christ is the way to a crown of glory.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 30, 153, 184.
We come to thee this morning, heavenly Father,
with hearts full of thankfulness for the mercies of
the night. We have rested in safety and in peace
under the shadow of thy wing. Thou hast kept us
quiet from the fear of evil : nor sickness, nor death,
nor tempest, nor fire, nor any calamity, hath over-
taken us or our dwelling. How sure are the mercies
of thy covenant, Lord ! All thy promises in Christ
Jesus are Yea and Amen. Fulfil unto us, we be-
seech thee, these thy mercies and promises, and
cause that this day we may rejoice in thy salvation.
Bless to us thy Word which we have now read.
Oh ! sanctify us by thy truth ; and, while we re-
ceive its instruction and comfort in our hearts,
may we carry out its precepts in our lives, and
adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all
things ! May we be just and true, loving and kind,
gentle, forbearing, and forgiving, and so shine as
lights in the world, holding forth the Word of life !
May every day witness some new victory over evil
desires and passions within us, and over the evil
that is in the world ! By feeding upon thy Word,
the bread of heaven, may we grow up into Him
who is our Life and Head, even Christ ! [Oh ! may
these children grow in grace as they grow in years
and in knowledge ! May they shun evil compan-
ions and evil ways, and walk in the way of thy
commandments !] Keep all dear to us even as the
apple of thine eye. Bless our neighbors, and send
thy Spirit upon this whole community. Bless our
rulers, and the schools and churches in our land.
May all who rule, and all who teach, be led and
taught by thee ! Have pity upon the poor and the
sorrowing; upon homes made desolate by famine,
pestilence, or war. Stay thy judgments, Lord !
and send peace and salvation to all people. Mer-
cifully forgive our sins, arid bring us unto the per-
fection of knowledge, of holiness, and of blessed-
ness, in Jesus Christ our Lord ; to whom be glory
forever. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
153
SUNDAY MORNING.
John i. — 1. In the beginning was the Word,
and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2. The same was in the beginning with God.
3. All things were made by him ; and without
him was not any thing made that was made.
4. In him was life ; and the life was the light
of men.
5. And the light shineth in darkness ; and the
darkness comprehended it not.
6. There was a man sent from God, whose name
was John.
7. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of
the Light, that all men through him might believe.
8. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear
witness of that Light.
9. That was the true Light, which lighteth
every man that cometh into the world.
10. He was in the world, and the world was
made by him, and the world knew him not.
11. He came unto his own, and his own received
him not.
The grand central truth of the Bible is the incarnation of
the Son of God for the salvation of the world. Jesus Christ
came into the world through the union of the divine with the
human. All the works and attributes of God are ascribed
to him without qualification. He existed from eternity; he
created all things ; he was God. He revealed the Father, not
only by the truth that he declared, but by the life that was in
himself. This life, manifesting itself through his works and
his spirit, was a new light, capable of imparting to every man
the quickening power of a new and endless life. In his own
person Chi-ist exhibited the perfect holiness which the law of
God requires, and he reiterated that law in all its length and
12. But as many as received him, to them gave
he power to become the sons of God, even to them
that believe on his name ;
13. Which were born, not of blood, nor of the
will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of
God.
14. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt
among us (and we beheld his glory, the glory as
of the only-begotten of the Father), full of grace
and truth.
15. John bare witness of him, and cried, saying,
This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh
after me is preferred before me ; for he was be-
fore me.
16. And of his fulness have all we received, and
grace for grace.
17. For the law was given by Moses ; but grace
and truth came by Jesus Christ.
18. No man hath seen God at any time : the
only-begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the
Father, he hath declared him.
breadth : but, at the same time, he manifested the grace of
God in the forgiveness of sins ; and to all who now come to
him in humble faith he gives the privilege of the sons of
God. This grace, like life itself, is a principle of growth :
the more we have, the more we shall receive, — " grace for
grace," grace upon grace, one measure drawing after it an-
other, until we shall be filled with all the fulness of God. A
divine dignity was stamped upon our humanity by the incar-
nation of Christ ; but the blessing and the glory that he
brought will come to us personally only as we receive his
grace by believing on his name.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 13, 103, 107.
Almighty God, who, after the creation of the
world, didst rest from all thy works, and sanctify
a day of rest for thy creatures, grant to us, we
beseech thee, that, putting away from us all earthly
cares and anxieties, we may worthily approach the
services of thy sanctuary. But grant also, that,
being under grace and under law to Christ, we
may be enabled to hallow all our days by living in
thy constant fear and love, and may, in thy peace,
enjoy a perpetual sabbath of the soul, through
Jesus Christ our Lord.
What can we render to thee, Lord ! for all
that thou hast bestowed upon us ? Accept, we be-
seech thee, our thanks for protection and preserva-
tion, and for all the mercies of this present life ;
but, above all, for salvation by thy Son, and sancti-
fication by thy Spirit. We adore and glorify thee,
and offer to thee the voice of thanksgiving ; and
we beseech thee that thou wilt keep us in the
way of truth and holiness, pardoning our offences,
blotting out all our sins, and leading us to eternal
life, to the glory and honor of thy name, through
Jesus Christ our Lord.
We beseech thee to bless thy Church universal
with the presence of the Holy Ghost. May she
worship thee in the beauty of holiness ! Bless all
family-teaching, all Sunday schools, all mission-
labors, this day ; and advance far and wide the
kingdom of thy Son. May the sabbath of millen-
nial glory soon dawn upon the earth !
To thee, Almighty God ! we commend our
spirits, souls, and bodies, all we are, and all we
have. Direct and order all our thoughts, words,
and works, according to thy good pleasure, to the
praise of thy holy name, and conform them to the
perfect rule of the most holy life of thy blessed
Son. And, together with ourselves, we commend
into thy hands, Lord God! all our relations,
friends, and benefactors ; all sick, destitute, and
afflicted persons; and all who are drawing near
unto death. We pray for mercy upon all who are
tempted, all who are fallen ; and grant that we
may all find mercy and favor at thy hands, in turn-
ing us from our iniquities, and supplying all our
wants, through the merits of thy dear Son, our only
Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.
154
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
SUNDAY EVENING.
Isaiah iv. — 2. In that day shall the branch of
the Lord be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit
of the earth shall be excellent and comely for them
that are escaped of Israel.
3. And it shall come to pass, that he that is
left in Zion, and he that remain eth in Jerusalem,
shall be called holy, even every one that is written
among the living in Jerusalem :
4. When the Lord shall have washed away the
filth of the daughters of Zion, and shall have
purged the blood of Jerusalem from the midst
thereof by the spirit of judgment and by the spirit
of burning.
5. And the Lord will create upon every dwelling-
place of Mount Zion, and upon her assemblies, a
cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a
naming fire by night; for upon all the glory shall
be a defence.
6. And there shall be a tabernacle for a shadow
in the day-time from the heat, and for a place of
refuge, and for a covert from storm and from rain.
Isaiah xxxii. — 1. Behold, a King shall reign
in righteousness, and princes shall rule in judgment.
2. And a man shall be as a hiding-place from
the wind, and a covert from the tempest ; as rivers
of water in a dry place, as the shadow of a great
rock in a weary land.
14. Because the palaces shall be forsaken ; the
multitude of the city shall be left ; the forts and
towers shall be for dens forever, a joy of wild asses,
a pasture of flocks ;
15. Until the Spirit be poured upon us from on
high, and the wilderness be a fruitful field, and the
fruitful field be counted for a forest.
16. Then judgment shall dwell in the wilderness,
and righteousness remain in the fruitful field.
17. And the work of righteousness shall be
peace; and the effect of righteousness, quietness
and assurance forever.
18. And my people shall dwell in a peaceable
habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet
resting-places,
19. When it shall hail, coming down on the for-
est ; and the city shall be low in a low place.
20. Blessed are ye that sow beside all waters ; that
send forth thither the feet of the ox and the ass.
In these words, so full of encouragement and hope, the
prophet seems again to point to the coming of Christ, — the
theme which was the undertone of his entire prophecy. Al-
though he may have had a primary reference to the good king
Hezekiah, in whose reign justice, peace, and the reviving of
pure religion, succeeded the oppression, turbulence, and idolatry
of the reign of Ahaz, yet the full glory of the restoration
here depicted could be realized only under the spiritual king-
dom of the Messiah.
How perfect the sense of rest, security, and refreshment,
indicated in these promises ! The images are all borrowed
from the climate of Palestine, where the traveller may be sud-
denly overtaken by a scorching wind or a violent tempest, or
find himself under the blaze of noon, remote from water or
shade. How welcome the sight of a shelter, the sound of a
gurgling brook, even the shadow of a rock in which one may
rest till the heat is over ! Once in the desert, I was overtaken
by the fierce and stifling Kamsin. The camels, snuffing it
afar, were fain to avert their heads, and lie down and groan
with fear. We veiled our faces to protect eyes and lungs ;
but the whirlwind of fine heated sand penetrated every cover-
ing. Our guide urged us on for an hour against this terrible
tempest, till we came to a rude hut of stone. There we spent
an afternoon and night of darkness ; and in the morning we
dug out a path as through snowdrifts. But, oh, how welcome
that covert from storm and heat ! Christ is that covert of de-
fence, that fountain of refreshment, that rock of shelter and
shade. In him we find refuge from calamity, solace for grief
and loss, supply for inward want, rest from care. And, while
he gives to us personally this spiritual rest and comfort, the
working of his principles tends to a condition of outward
peace and safety. Therefore should we sow in hope, and wait
for his blessed appearing.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 10, 26, 194.
Receive, we pray thee, heavenly Father ! our
evening thanksgiving for thy mercies day by day
renewed to us. Especially do we thank thee for
the sacred privileges of this sabbath, and pray that
these may be blessed to each of us personally for
our spiritual good. Give us grace to improve
them to thy glory, the advancement of thy gospel,
and, as much as in us lieth, to the good of all man-
kind. Give us such a sense of thy great mercy as
may lead us to a true thankfulness ; such as shall
appear in our lives by a humble, holy, and obedient
walking before thee all our days; through Jesus
Christ our Lord.
Thou who acceptest the intercessions which
thy servants offer up in thy Son's name ! have pity,
we beseech thee, on all sorts and conditions of men.
Send forth, we pray thee, laborers fitted to gather
in thy harvest. Have mercy on all who are in
error or in sin. Bless our rulers, and endue them
plenteously with wisdom. Visit with thy love all
those whom thou hast given to be near and dear
to us; and hear us, Almighty God ! for the sake
of thy dear Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Into thy hands we commit ourselves, blessed
Lord, this night and forever. Be thou our hiding-
place from all fear, our rest from all care, our de-
fence from all danger. Give unto us that inward
rest which no outward perils can disturb. As the
night gathers about us, thou Sun of righteous-
ness ! keep us from utter darkness ; and let us so
sleep in peace, that we may be ever ready to arise
and meet thee in thy glory, who, with the Father
and the Holy Ghost, livest, one God, world without
end. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
155
MONDAY.
Matthew xii. — 22. Then was brought unto him
one possessed with a devil, blind and dumb ; and he
healed him, insomuch that the blind- and dumb
both spake and saw.
23. And all the people were amazed, and said, Is
not this the son of David ?
24. But, when the Pharisees heard it, they said,
This fellow doth not cast out devils but by Beelze-
bub, the prince of the devils.
25. And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said
unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself
is brought to desolation ; and every city or house
divided against itself shall not stand.
26. And, if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided
against himself : how shall then his kingdom
stand ?
27. And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by
whom do your children cast them out ? therefore
they shall be your judges.
28. But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God,
then the kingdom of God is come unto you.
29. Or else how can one enter into a strong
man's house, and spoil his goods, except he first
bind the strong man ? and then he will spoil his
house.
30. He that is not with me is against me ; and
he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.
Revelation xii. — 7. And there was war in
heaven : Michael and his angels fought against
the dragon ; and the dragon fought and his
angels,
8. And prevailed not; neither was their place
found any more in heaven.
9. And the great dragon was cast out, that old
serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which de-
ceiveth the whole world : he was cast out iuto the
earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
10. And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven,
Now is come salvation and strength, and the king-
dom of our God, and the power of his Christ ; for
the accuser of our brethren is cast down which ac-
cused them before our God day and night.
11. And they overcame him by the blood of the
Lamb, and by the word of their testimony ; and
they loved not their lives unto the death.
12. Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that
dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth
and of the sea ! for the devil is come down unto
you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that
he hath but a short time.
Jesus distinctly recognized the existence of Safan, and a
kingdom of evil spirits marshalled under Satan for the de-
struction of mankind. The war which began in heaven has
been transferred to this world, and waxes fiercer as the end
draws near. Christ came to destroy the power and the works
of the Devil ; and while, by his teaching, his atonement, and
his Spirit, he sought to deliver men personally from the domin-
ion of Satan, he also maintained, in the region of spiritual
forces, a direct conflict with the powers of darkness. The
fact that he cast out devils was proof that the Spirit of God
wrought in him, and that the kingdom of God was mightier
than the kingdom of Satan. Every man must choose between
these kingdoms, between evil and good, between darkness and
light, between Satan and God. " There is and can be in the
world no middle party : they who are not with Christ, who do
not gather with him, are against him and his work, and, as
far as in them lies, are undoing it." The mightiest spiritual
forces are struggling for the possession of the soul of man :
on the one hand, Satan, the tempter of our first parents, the
" father of lies," with his subtle devices of temptation ; and,
on the other, the Holy Spirit of light, truth, and love, with
his influences of grace. No one can be passive in this conflict
of spiritual powers ; and as one chooses his alliance here will
be his state and portion in the hereafter.
Appropriate Hymns,] Prayer
Lord! we draw near into thy holy presence in
the name of Him whom thou hearest always. We
come casting ourselves on the infinite fulness of
our adorable Redeemer. Of that fulness may we
all receive, even grace for grace ! Let us walk as
thy children, in conformity to thy blessed mind
and will, laying aside every weight, and running
with patience the race that is set before us. May
it be our constant desire to know what the will of
the Lord is ! and, knowing that will, may we have
strength given us to obey it ! Lord ! may we
serve thee with an undivided heart ! May Satan
have no more power over us ! We bless thee for
the assurance that the powers of darkness shall be
vanquished by the sword of thy Spirit, the word of
truth. May we have strength to overcome all
evil!
We bless thee, Lord ! for the mercies of the
past night, and implore thy presence with us this
[Nos. 36, 64, 136.
day. God of Bethel, dwell in this household;
make every member of it thine. Those that are
absent, Lord, be near them; those that are in dis-
tress, Lord, comfort them ; those that know thee
not, Lord, bring them to thyself. What thanks
do we owe thee for our allotment in life ! — our birth
and education, our home and friends, our privileges
and opportunities. Lord, we would return thee all
that we have received. May thy Word be in our
hearts, to inspire faith and zeal ; and upon our lips,
to show forth thy praise ! Prosper thy Church every-
where. Eaise up preachers who shall go into all the
earth with the gospel of peace. Let Satan's king-
dom be destroyed, the kingdom of grace advanced,
the kingdom of glory hastened. Save thy people ;
bless thine inheritance ; feed them also, and lift
them up forever. Give to each of us, this day, thy
gracious benediction ; finally give unto us the full
fruition of thyself, through Jesus Christ. Amen.
156
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
TUESDAY.
Matthew xii. — 31. Wherefore I say unto you,
All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven
unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy
Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.
32. And whosoever speaketh a word against the
Son of man, it shall be forgiven him ; but whoso-
ever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not
be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in
the world to come.
33. Either make the tree good, and his fruit
good ; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit
corrupt : for the tree is known by his fruit.
34. generation of vipers ! how can ye, being
evil, speak good things ? for out of the abundance
of the heart the mouth speaketh.
35. A good man, out of the good treasure of the
heart, bringeth forth good things ; and an evil
man, out of the evil treasure, bringeth forth evil
things.
36. But I say unto you, That every idle word
that men shall speak, they shall give account there-
of in the day of judgment.
37. For by thy words thou shalt be justified,
and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.
Isaiah i. — 11. To what purpose is the multi-
tude of your sacrifices unto me ? saith the Lord : I
am full of the burnt-offerings of rams, and the fat
of fed beasts ; and I delight not in the blood of
bullocks, or of lambs, or of he-goats.
12. When ye come to appear before me, who
hath required this at your hand, to tread my courts ?
13. Bring no more vain oblations ; incense is
an abomination unto me ; the new moons and sab-
baths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away
with : it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting.
14. Your new moons and your appointed feasts
my soul hateth : they are a trouble unto me ; I am
weary to bear them.
15. And, when ye spread forth your hands, I will
hide mine eyes from you; yea, when ye make
many prayers, I will not hear : your hands are full
of blood.
16. Wash ye, make you clean ; put away the evil
of your doings from before mine eyes ; cease to do
evil;
17. Learn to do well ; seek judgment, relieve
the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the
widow.
18. Come now, and let us reason together, saith
the Lord : though your sins be as scarlet, they
shall be as white as snow; though they be red like
crimson, they shall be as wool.
The " sin against the Holy Ghost " has been the occasion,
to sensicive consciences, of a solicitude which the expression
does not call for. The despair and anguish with which per-
sons sometimes imagine themselves to have committed " the
unpardonable sin " is itself evidence to the contrary ; this
sensitiveness of conscience toward sin being a token of the
Holy Spirit's presence. The Pharisees, being confounded by
the miracles of Christ, malignantly imputed these to the
power of Satan. This wilful resistance of the highest evi-
dence of the presence of God and the work of his Spirit indi-
cated a state of mind that nothing could change, — a hatred
of good, a stubbornness in evil, a contumacious disregard of
the advances of divine truth and love, which mark an affinity
with the spirits of darkness. This deliberate and determined
opposition to the manifestations of the Divine Spirit was the
sin against the Holy Ghost, which Jesus here condemned, and
which the Pharisees had aggravated to the pitch of blasphemy.
It was this awful hypocrisy that led him to use such strong
denunciation. He read their hearts ; he knew the malice that
had prompted their taunts. A word, even lightly spoken,
may be an index of the heart : an oath, a lie, a vulgar jest,
reveals corruption within. Wherefore let us take heed to our
ways, that we sin not with our tongues. It was such hypoc-
risy that called forth the denunciations of Jehovah by the
prophet Isaiah ; } r et these were attended with the fullest,
freest offers of forgiveness to the penitent.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 21, 90, 95.
God ! cast us not away from thy presence, and
take not thy Holy Spirit from us. Create within
us' clean hearts, and renew right spirits within us.
Almighty God, who givest us all things richly
to enjoy, we bless thee that thou hast made us
capable of knowing thee as our Father, and of
holding communion with thee through thy Son,
our Saviour Jesus Christ. We come to thee with
the opening day, giving thanks for light and
life, for reason, for the affections that bless our
home, for the bounties of thy providence, and the
riches of thy grace. Acknowledging our unwor-
thiness, we implore the forgiveness of our sins, and
the gracious, comforting, sanctifying presence of
thy Holy Spirit. Even as now we ask, do thou,
O Lord ! send forth thy Spirit in our hearts, crying,
Abba, Father, and witnessing that we are thine.
Help us this day to walk before thee in lowliness
of mind, and in all holy conversation. Give to us
wisdom in our affairs, and success in our under-
takings ; the spirit of good will toward our fellow-
men, and an unworldly, unselfish mind in all
things. May we keep our tongue from evil, and
our lips from speaking guile, and rejoice in every
opportunity of doing good to others ! May this
home be sanctified by thy presence, and our hearts
filled with thy love ! and may the homes to which
our hearts go out in loving remembrance be like-
wise the habitations of thy grace ! Lord ! save
thy people, and bless thine heritage ; govern them,
and lift them up forever. Fill all lands with thy
glory, and all hearts with thy grace, through Jesus
Christ our Lord ; who, with thee and the Holy
Ghost, liveth and reigneth evermore. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
157
WEDNESDAY.
James iii. — 1. My brethren, be not many mas-
ters, knowing that we shall receive the greater
condemnation.
2. For in many things we offend all. If any
man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man,
and able, also, to bridle the whole body.
3. Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths,
that they may obey us ; and we turn about their
whole body.
4. Behold, also, the ships, which, though they be
so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are
they turned about with a very small helm whither-
soever the governor listeth.
5. Even so the tongue is a little member, and
boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter
a little fire kindleth !
6. And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity :
so is the tongue among our members, that it de-
fileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course
of nature ; and it is set on fire of hell.
7. For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of
serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and
hath been tamed, of mankind:
8. But the tongue can no man tame ; it is an
unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
9. Therewith bless we God, even the Father ;
The term " masters " here means strictly teachers ; and the
point of the exhortation is, that the office of teaching religion
in a public assembly is one of such grave responsibility, that
none should assume it rashly. Probably the spirit of contro-
versy had already appeared in the Church ; and, since religious
controversy is most fruitful in abuses of the tongue, the apos-
tle enjoins upon Christians the duty of regulating this unruly
member. How much of mischief in society, how much of un-
happiness in the family, how much of alienation in the Church,
comes from the abuse of the tongue ! How prone are we to
and therewith curse we men, which are made after
the similitude of God.
10. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing
and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not
so to be.
11. Doth a fountain send forth at the same
place sweet water and bitter ?
12. Can the fig-tree, my brethren, bear olive-
berries ? either a vine, figs ? So can no fountain
both yield salt water and fresh.
13. Who is a wise man and endued with knowl-
edge among you ? let him show out of a good con-
versation his works with meekness of wisdom.
14. But, if ye have bitter envying and strife in
your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the
truth.
15. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but
is earthly, sensual, devilish.
16. For where envying and strife is, there is
confusion and every evil work.
17. But the wisdom that is from above is first
pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be en-
treated, full of mercy and good fruits, without par-
tiality, and without hypocrisy.
18. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in
peace of them that make peace.
take up a scandal, or to circulate an injurious report ! — thus
robbing a neighbor of what to him is more than money, or
even than life itself. Or, if we have not a slanderous tongue,
perhaps we have an ear for scandal, without which the scan-
dal-mongers would soon rind their occupation gone. Curiosity
and the love of gossip do infinite mischief in parishes and in
neighborhoods. Be it ours to regulate our speech, our walk,
our whole intercourse with men, by that divine wisdom which
first purifies our hearts of all evil intent, and then distils from
our lips in words of gentleness and peace.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 53, 78, 169.
Blessed Lord, who hast caused all holy Scriptures
to be written for our learning, grant that we may
in such wise hear them, read, mark, learn, and in-
wardly digest them, that, by patience and comfort
of thy holy Word, we may embrace and ever hold
fast the blessed hope of everlasting life which thou
hast given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ. May
we receive the truth in the love of it ! and, walking
in its light, may we ourselves shine as lights in the
world, holding forth the word of life ! Preserve us,
we pray thee, from pride, prejudice, and unbelief;
from a worldly and covetous spirit ; from self-right-
eousness, and from uncbaritableness toward others ;
from all false hopes, and from all unholy desires.
Oh ! touch our lips with a live coal from thine
altar, and sanctify our speech. Give unto us that
wisdom from above which shall purify our hearts
and minds, and shall make us gentle and consider-
ate in dealing with our fellow-men.
[We entreat thee, Lord ! so to feed the chil-
dren of this household with the words of Jesus
their Saviour, that they shall grow up in the nur-
ture and admonition of the Lord. Cause them to
shun the ways of sin, and to walk in the narrow
way which leadeth unto life.] Be very gracious to
our friends, our kindred, our neighbors ; and bring
them all into thy kingdom. Oh ! let thy gospel
go forth to enlighten and save the whole world.
Heavenly Father, we thank thee for the daily
gifts of thy providence ; for rest in the night ; for
the light of the morning ; for health, comfort, and
hope. Give unto us, we pray thee, that which
thou seest to be good for us. Defend us, Lord !
from all evil ; be thou our rock, our refuge, our
strong tower ; and, when heart and flesh shall fail
us, be thou, God! the strength of our heart, and
our portion forever, through Jesus Christ our Sa-
viour. Amen.
158
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
THUESDAY.
PhiHppians iv. — 1, Therefore, my brethren
clearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown,
so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.
2. I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche,
that they be of the same mind in the Lord.
3. And I entreat thee also, true yoke-fellow,
help those women which labored with me in the
gospel, with Clement also, and with other my
fellow-laborers, whose names are in the book of
life.
4. Rejoice in the Lord always ; and again I say,
Rejoice.
5. Let your moderation be known unto all men.
The Lord is at hand.
6. Be careful for nothing ; but in every thing
by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let
your requests be made known unto God.
7. And the peace of God, which passeth all
understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds
through Christ Jesus.
8. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true,
whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things
are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever
things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good
report ; if there be any virtue, and if there be any
praise, think on these things.
9. Those things which ye have both learned and
received and heard, and seen in me, do ; and the
God of peace shall be with you.
10. But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now
at the last your care of me hath flourished again ;
wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked oppor-
tunity.
11. Not that I speak in respect of want ; for I
have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith
to be content.
12. I know both how to be abased, and I know
how to abound: everywhere and in all things I
am instructed both to be full and to be hungry,
both to abound and to suffer need.
13. I can do all things through Christ which
strengtheneth me.
What a beautiful picture is this of a perfect, and conse-
quently a blessed life ! — a life in which the desire for worldly
good is subordinated to the joy that is found in Christ ; in
which envy, jealousy, resentment, are restrained by the
thought that the Lord is at hand, who will remedy all injus-
tice, and put away all evil ; a life so centred in God as its
strength and portion, that it cannot be disturbed by fear,
nor distracted by anxiety ; a life, which, in the inmost seat of
thought and feeling, is guarded by the peace of God. To a
mind kept in this sacred peace, a heart tilled with this holy joy,
the outward conditions of life are relatively of small account.
Such an one appreciates with thankfulness the good gifts of
Providence and the ministries of human friendship ; yet, if
need be, he can suffer the loss of these without repining, and
be content in possessing Christ. The true seat of life, of sat-
isfaction, of power, is in the spirit : and, when Christ satisfies
the hunger of the soul, it is full ; when Christ energizes the
will, it is strong; when Christ abides within the heart, it has
everlasting life. But, though the life within is thus " hid with
Christ in God," its presence is known by the outward tokens
of truth, honor, rectitude, purity, benignity, nobleness : in a
word, whatever imparts grace to character, and beauty to life,
whatever mankind have agreed to honor as virtue or to praise
as loveliness, springs from this indwelling virtue and grace of
Christ.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 4, 27, 45-
Lord Jesus, the author and the finisher of our
faith ! we give thee thanks for all thy servants
departed in the faith, who, having witnessed a good
confession, have entered into rest. Grant us grace,
we beseech thee, to be faithful unto death, that
we also may receive a crown of life. May we
have such a sense of thy presence and glory as
shall lift us above the love or the fear of this
world !
Assist us by thy grace to do this day such
things as are pleasing to thee. Strengthen us to
resist and overcome any temptations to which we
may be exposed. Preserve us from a worldly mind.
O Lord! by the power of thy Holy Spirit, draw
our desires and hopes and affections heavenward.
Deliver us from anxiety about earthly things, from
a discontented and unthankful spirit.
Strengthen, Lord ! our faith in the promises of
thy Word. Enable us to stay our minds on thee.
Thou knowest our exceeding weakness, and the
numberless dangers which every day surround us.
Supply all our needs. Beat down every spiritual
enemy under our feet. Let thy Word be our guide,
and thy Holy Spirit our sanctifier and comforter.
If it should please thee to visit us with affliction,
oh ! make it work for our real and eternal good, and
give us a patient and submissive spirit. Be thou
our defender through all the trials of life, our hope
in death, and our portion forever.
We thank thee for thy loving-kindness in the
night-season. Be pleased, Lord! to bless all who
are near and dear to us. Lead all whom we love into
the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Bless our
neighbors. Look graciously upon this part of thy
vineyard ; assist all who are laboring for the good
of their fellow-creatures ; and grant that true god-
liness may increase and abound among us. Help
us to shine as lights in the world, and to com-
mend the religion which we profess by the meek-
ness and gentleness of our conduct, and by the
holiness of our lives. Make us happy in our own
souls, and useful to all around us. These mercies
we ask for ourselves and others in the name of
Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
159
FRIDAY.
Proverbs xxi. — 8. The way of man is froward
and strange ; but as for the pure, his work is right.
9. It is better to dwell in a corner of the house-
top, than with a brawling woman in a wide house.
10. The soul of the wicked desireth evd : his
neighbor findeth no favor in his eyes.
19. It is better to dwell in the wilderness than
with a contentious and an angry woman.
23. Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue
keepeth his soul from troubles.
24. Proud and haughty scorner is his name who
dealeth in proud wrath.
Genesis xxi. — 9. And Sarah saw the son of
Hagar the Egyptian, which she had borne unto
Abraham, mocking.
10. Wherefore she said unto Abraham, Cast out
this bond- woman and her son; for the son of this
bond-woman shall not be heir with my son, even
with Isaac.
11. And the thing was very grievous in Abra-
ham's sight because of his son. .
12. And God said unto Abraham, Let it not be
grievous in thy sight because of the lad, and be-
cause of thy bond-woman : in all that Sarah hath
said unto thee, hearken unto her voice : for in
Isaac shall thy seed be called.
13. And also of the son of the bond-woman will
I make a nation, because he is thy seed.
" Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous ; but who is able
to stand before envy ? " " jealousy is cruel as the grave : the
coals thereof are coals of fire, which hath a most vehement
flame." This sad story of domestic strife is a picture of envy
and jealousy, each kindling the other to a vehement flame.
Ishmael was old enough to feel the slight that was put on him
after the birth of Isaac, and no doubt was given to under-
stand that this infant would supplant him in the household.
Boy-like, he showed his envy and spite by mocking at the baby
upon his " birthday-party," when Abraham " made a great
feast " in honor of the weaning of Isaac, and Ishmael seemed
of no account. Sarah, seeing this, was stirred with jealousy
and anger, and demanded that Ishmael and his mother should
14. And Abraham rose up early in the morning,
and took bread and a bottle of water, and gave it
unto Hagar (putting it on her shoulder) and the
child, and sent her away ; and she departed, and
wandered in the wilderness of Beer-sheba.
15. And the water was spent in the bottle, and
she cast the child under one of the shrubs.
16. And she went and sat her down over against
him, a good way off, as it were a bow-shot ; for she
said, Let me not see the death of the child. And
she sat over against him, and lifted up her voice,
and wept.
17. And God heard the voice of the lad ; and
the angel of God called to Hagar out of heaven,
and said unto her, What aileth thee, Hagar ? Fear
not ; for God hath heard the voice of the lad where
he is.
18. Arise, lift up the lad, and hold him in thine
hand ; for I will make him a great nation.
19. And God opened her eyes, and she saw a
well of water ; and she went and filled the bottle
with water, and gave the lad drink.
20. And God was with the lad ; and he grew,
and dwelt in the wilderness, and became an
archer.
21. And he dwelt in the wilderness of Paran ;
and his mother took him a wife out of the land of
Egypt.
be turned away. Abraham, who had a tender and noble
heart, could not consent to such meanness and injustice. Yet
something must be done for the peace of the family ; and
when God revealed to him, that, though Isaac should be the
preferred seed, Ishmael also should be the founder of a people,
he consented to the separation. What a picture of a mother's
anguish is this, of Hagar weeping and wailing, with averted
eyes, for her dying boy ! and how tender the grace of God,
that came to her relief in her dire extremity ! Ah ! if we but
trust in him, no injustice of man can separate us from his
love ; no neglect nor cruelty of the world put us beyond the
reach of his compassion and his help.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 53, 63.
thou meek and holy Jesus ! help us to heal
the plague of our own hearts. Preserve us from
anger, from strife and vainglorying. Enable us to
live in peace with all men. 6 Thou who art the
Prince of peace ! keep us from envy, malice, and
all uncharitableness. Give us unselfish hearts.
Make us kind to all around us. May we bear one
another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ !
Saviour ! may we in all things follow thy blessed
example, and grow daily more like unto thee !
May thy gospel be made known to all men ! May
the erring be reclaimed ; the ignorant be enlight-
ened; the sick, the dying, and the sorrowing be
comforted ! Oh, may thy grace pardon and renew
the guilty, succor the perishing, save the lost !
Most merciful God, we thank thee for rest and
safety in the night-season, and for the health and
comfort with which we begin the day. Grant us
wisdom in our affairs, success in our labors, pros-
perity in all lawful undertakings, the conscious
guidance of thy providence, and, above all, the
experience of thy grace. May this family be ever
in thy holy keeping ! And now, heavenly
Father ! we pray thee to accept this our morning
sacrifice of prayer and praise; and as thou hast
promised, that, when two or three are gathered to-
gether in thy name, thou wilt grant their requests,
fulfil now, Lord ! the desires and petitions of thy
servants, and keep us this day and always in thy
love, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
160
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
SATURDAY.
Galatians iv. — 1. Now I say, That the heir, as
long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a ser-
vant, though he be lord of all,
2. But is under tutors and governors until the
time appointed of the father.
3. Even so we, when we were children, were in
bondage under the elements of the world ;
4. But, when the fulness of the time was come,
God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made
under the law,
5. To redeem them that were under the law,
that we might receive the adoption of sons.
6. And, because ye are sons, God hath sent forth
the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba,
Father !
7. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a
son ; and if a son, then an heir of God, through
Christ.
8. Howbeit, then, when ye knew not God, ye did
service unto them which by nature are no gods.
9. But now, after that ye have known God, or
rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the
weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire
again to be in bondage ?
10. Ye observe days and months and times and
years.
11. I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed
upon you labor in vain.
Under the Roman law, with which Paul was familiar, the
power of the father was so absolute, that " the minor was
legally in much the same position as the slave." The eman-
cipation of the young man from this tutelage was marked by
his putting on the manly tot/a, — a ceremony celebrated with
great rejoicings by his friends. It was the custom in Roman
families to employ a tutor as the constant companion and
guide of the child, to look after his manners and morals as
well as his knowledge. The apostle describes the Jews as in
a state of tutelage under the law as their tutor or pedagogue :
but Christ has set us free from this bondage ; and so complete
21. Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law,
do ye not hear the law ?
22. For it is written, that Abraham had two
sons ; the one by a bond-maid, the other by a free-
woman.
23. But he who was of the bond-woman was
born after the flesh ; but he of the free-woman was
by promise.
24. Which things are an allegory : for these
are the two covenants ; the one from the Mount
Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is
Agar.
25. For this Agar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and
answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in
bondage with her children.
26. But Jerusalem which is above is free, which
is the mother of us all.
28. Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the chil-
dren of promise.
29. But as then he that was born after the flesh
persecuted him that was bom after the Spirit, even
so it is now.
30. Nevertheless, what saith the scripture ?
Cast out the bond-woman and her son ; for the son
of the bond-woman shall not be heir with the son
of the free-woman.
31. So then, brethren, we are not children of the
bond-woman, but of the free.
is the privilege of sonship to which he has lifted us up, that his
own Spirit moves us to cry, "Abba, Father ! " Now, to attempt
to save ourselves by our own works is to fall back from this
privilege of sonship under the drudgery of servants. The
very giving of the law is represented as a type of bondage
in the stern and rugged peaks of Sinai ; whereas the gospel is
likened to that wondrous city of crystal, gold, and gems,
which John describes in the Revelation, and which Paul else-
where speaks of as the heavenly Jerusalem. Already, through
grace, our citizenship is there ; and we should make this mani-
fest in the joyous freedom of the spiritual life.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 4, 62, 115.
Our Father in heaven, the God of all the fami-
lies of the earth, we give thee thanks for the mani-
fold blessings which we as a family have received
at thy hand, — for our birth and education under
Christian influences, for the comforts of our home,
for the tender relationships of life. May the mer-
cies of thy covenant abide with this household,
and every member of it be joined to the family of
thy people! Be thou our Father and our God;
and may we know the love and joy of thy dear
children ! We bless thee that through another
night thou hast kept our habitation in peace, and
that we enter upon a new day surrounded with
the tokens of thy providence and grace. Create
within us a clean heart, God ! and renew a right
spirit within us, that in our lives this day we may
show forth thine image, and glorify thee in our
bodies and spirits which are thine. Forgive us
the sins of our past lives ; and help us, Lord ! to
lead the new life in Christ Jesus.
Be gracious to all dear to us ; bless them in their
hearts and their homes ; remember the family of
thy people ; have mercy upon such as have no
home, upon the widow and the fatherless, the for-
saken and outcast ; deliver such as are in bonds ;
convert and restore thine ancient covenant peo-
ple; and hasten the time when all mankind shall
dwell together as one family in Christ their Head.
Finally, we beseech thee to bring us to our Father's
house, to the Jerusalem that is above, to dwell
with thee forever, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
161
SUNDAY MORNING.
Genesis xxii. — 1. And it came to pass after these
things that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto
him, Abraham ; and he said, Behold, here I am.
2. And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son
Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land
of Moriah ; and offer him there for a burnt-offering
upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.
3. And Abraham rose up early in the morning,
and saddled his ass, and took two of his young
men with him, and Isaac his son, and clave the
wood for the burnt-offering, and rose up, and went
unto the place of which God had told him.
4 Then on the third day Abraham lifted up his
eyes, and saw the place afar off.
5. And Abraham said unto his young men,
Abide ye here with the ass, an'd I and the lad will
go yonder and worship, and come again to you.
6. And Abraham took the wood of the burnt-
offering, and laid it upon Isaac his son ; and he took
the fire in his hand, and a knife : and they went
both of them together.
7. And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father,
and said, My father ; and he said, Here am I, my
son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood ;
but where is the lamb for a burnt-offering ?
8. And Abraham said, My son, God will provide
himself a lamb for a burnt-offering: so they went
both of them together.
9. And they came to the place which God had
told him of; and Abraham built an altar there, and
laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son,
and laid him on the altar upon the wood.
10. And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and
took the knife to slay his son.
11. And the angel of the Lord called unto him
out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham. And
he said, Here am I.
12. And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the
lad, neither do thou any thing unto him ; for
now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou
hast not withheld thy son, thine only son, from
me.
13. And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked,
and behold, behind him a ram caught in a thicket
by his horns ; and Abraham went and took the
ram, and offered him up for a burnt-offering in the
stead of his son.
14. And Abraham called the name of that place
Jehovah-jireh : as it is said to this day, In the mount
of the Lord it shall be seen.
There is but one comment upon this scene which can inter-
pret its thrilling, agonizing pathos in harmony with the senti-
ments of justice and of a true piety : it is that God " spared
not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all." This un-
exampled test of faith was the type of an unexampled love :
the sacrifice which the Lord would not suffer an earthly
father to offer to himself was the prophetic symbol of the
sacrifice which he, the infinite Father,, would make for our re-
demption. The custom of human sacrifice among the people
of Canaan showed a deep sense of guilt, but a gross concep-
tion of the character of God, and of the means of propitiation.
By commanding such a sacrifice, Jehovah proved that Abra-
ham was capable of doing for him, through a loving, childlike
faith, what the heathen did for their gods through a slavish
terror. By staying the sacrifice, the Lord taught Abraham,
and the world through him, that he would be served, not by
bloody rites and offerings, but by a self-sacrificing trust and
devotion. By providing the lamb as a substitute, he met at
once the sense of guilt, the desire of propitiation, and the long-
ing of faith, until the only-begotten and well-beloved Son of
God should appear, to redeem the world by his own precious
blood, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Thou Lamb of God, that takest away the sin of
the world! we beseech thee take away our sin.
God, the Fatherof all mercies, who didst not spare
thine own Son, but didst deliver him up for us
all ! for his sake give us all things needful for our
comfort, our strength, and our salvation. May we
be ever submissive and obedient to thy holy will,
ready to be offered for thy cause ! Set a watch,
Lord ! at the door of our lips, that we offend not
in word : may we be holy, harmless, undefiled, and
separate from sinners ! and, while bold and firm
for thy truth, in all that concerns ourselves may
we study the things that make for peace ! Help
us this day to resist temptation, to walk uprightly,
to do good as we have opportunity, to relieve the
suffering and the needy, to be kind toward all, and
to overcome the world.
Father of all mercies, we commend this house-
hold to thy loving care. [Oh ! take these children
into thine arms ; defend them from the power of
Prayer. [ Nos - 86 > "> 195 -
evil ; draw them to the cross of Christ, that they
may there be baptized into the love of Him who
died for them.] Grant us, O Lord ! such prosperity
as shall please thee ; yet, in all that we possess and
enjoy, help us ever to remember that we are not
our own, but are bought with a price, — even the
precious blood of Christ. We pray for thy Church
which thou hast redeemed. Lord Jesus ! bring
forth to the knowledge of all men the true oneness
of thy flock in love and obedience to the one Shep-
herd; and hasten the ingathering of the nations,
that thou mayest see of the travail of thy soul, and
be satisfied.
Heavenly Father, we bless thee for the mercy
that has brought us to the beginning of this day ;
we supplicate thy favor upon all our friends ; we
pray thee to forgive our enemies ; and, O Lord !
prepare us for the great day of thine appearing,
and have mercy upon us, and upon all men, for
Christ's sake. Amen.
162
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
SUNDAY EVENING.
Psalm cxxxiv. — 1. Behold, bless ye the Lord,
all ye servants of the Lord which by night stand
in the house of the Lord.
2. Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and
bless the Lord.
3. The Lord that made heaven and earth bless
thee out of Zion.
Psalm cxxxiii. — 1. Behold, how good and how
pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in
unity !
2. It is like the preeious ointment upon the head,
that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard ;
that went down to the skirts of his garments,
3. As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that
descended upon the mountains of Zion : for there the
Lord commanded the blessing, even life forevermore.
I John iv. — 7. Beloved, let us love one an-
other : for love is of God ; and every one that
loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
8. He that loveth not, knoweth not God ; for
God is love.
9. In this was manifested the love of God toward
us, because that God sent his only-begotten Son
into the world, that we might live through him.
10. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but
that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the pro-
pitiation for our sins.
11. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also
to love one another.
12. No man hath seen God at any time. If we
love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love
is perfected in us.
13. Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and
he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.
14. And we have seen and do testify that the
Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.
15. Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the
Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.
16. And we have known and believed the love
that God hath to us. God is love ; and he that
dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
17. Herein is our love made perfect, that we
may have boldness in the day of judgment ; be-
cause, as he is, so are we in this world.
18. There is no fear in love ; but perfect love
casteth out fear ; because fear hath torment. He
that feareth is not made perfect in love.
19. We love him because he first loved us.
20. If a man say, I love God, and hateth his
brother, he is a liar ; for he that loveth not his
brother, whom he hath seen, how can he love God,
whom he hath not seen ?
21. And this commandment have we from him,
That he who loveth God, love his brother also.
" Herein is love : " this shows us what love is ; this shows
what love will do. There is no pain, no loss, no labor, no
sacrifice, that love will not undergo that it may attain its ob-
ject, that it may bless those upon whom its heart is set. Yet
the most tender, the most noble, the most heroic, the most
pathetic examples of human love are all inadequate even to
illustrate the love of God for us. When he had tested the
faith of Abraham up to the point of binding Isaac for the
sacrifice, and whetting the knife to slay him, God had pity
upon the father's heart, and reached forth his hand, and held
back Abraham from the stroke. But He who spared Isaac to
Abraham spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us
all. His only-begotten Son ; his well-beloved Son ; him in
whom his soul delighted, — the infinite Father gave him for
creatures so far beneath him; for sinners so ungrateful and
so vile ; for enemies who had done all in their power to
break down his law, to abuse his goodness, to hurt his king-
dom. It was love self-moved and self-sacrificing. How
ought it to constrain us to love God, to incite us to love one
another !
Appropriate Htmns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 33, 36, 66.
God of love ! what shall we render unto thee
for thy love to us in the gift of thy Son ? Of
him, through him, and to him, are all things.
May our love answer to thine from the depth of
our hearts ! and may we love one another, and love
all men, in thee ! Of thy goodness we have gone
out and come in this day in safety : we have had a
bountiful supply of all our wants ; our eyes have
been kept from tears, our feet from falling. In a
goodly heritage thou hast placed us, and with in-
numerable favors and blessings thou hast enriched
us. Especially do we thank thee for thy mercy
renewed on this thy holy day.
Father, forgive us our sins, which have dis-
honored thee whilst thou hast been loading us
with thy benefits. Oh ! keep us as a family in thy
love. Send us health and prosperity. Bless our
friends with thy salvation. Remember the poor
.and needy : bless all that is done for their temporal
and spiritual good. May Sunday schools and mis-
sion-labors bring many to Christ !
We entreat thee on behalf of thy people every-
where. Let thy Church awake, and put on her
beautiful garments, and go forth to help the world.
Bless our beloved land. Guide, direct, and prosper
all our rulers. Give peace in our time, Lord !
Give to parents grace to train up their children in
the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Estab-
lish us as a people in righteousness. Endue thy
ministers with grace. Send down upon all con-
gregations of those who worship thee the healthful
Spirit of thy grace ; and, that they may truly please
thee, pour upon them the continual dew of thy
blessing. Let the people praise thee, God ! let all
the people praise thee : then shall the earth yield
her increase ; and God, even our God, shall bless us.
We pray thee watch over us this night, and keep
us ever in thy love, for Christ's sake. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
163
MONDAY.
Genesis xxiii. — 1. And Sarah was a hundred
and seven and twenty years old : these were the
years of the life of Sarah.
2. And Sarah died in Kirjath-arba ; the same is
Hebron in the land of Canaan : and Abraham
came to mourn for Sarah, and to weep for her.
3. And Abraham stood up from before his dead,
and spake unto the sons of Heth, saying,
4. I am a stranger and a sojourner with you :
give me a possession of a burying-place with you,
that I may bury my dead out of my sight.
5. And the children of Heth answered Abraham,
saying unto him,
6. Hear us, my lord : thou art a mighty prince
among us : in the choice of our sepulchres bury thy
dead : none of us shall withhold from thee his
sepulchre, but that thou mayest bury thy dead.
7. And Abraham stood up and bowed himself
to the people of the land, even to the children of
Heth.
8. And he communed with them, saying, If it
be your mind that I should bury my dead out of
my sight, hear me, and entreat for me to Ephron,
the son of Zohar,
9. That he may give me the cave of Machpelah,
which he hath, which is in the end of his field : for
as much money as it is worth he shall give it me
for a possession of a burying-place among you.
10. And Ephron dwelt among the children of
Heth. And Ephron the Hittite answered Abra-
ham in the audience of the children of Heth, even
of all that went in at the gate of his city, say-
ing,
11. Nay, my lord, hear me : the field give I thee,
The cave is there in Hebron to this clay. It was known to
the Jews, when they went up from Egypt, as the burial-place
of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob ; it was held in honor by them
through all the political and social changes of their nation ;
it was kept in remembrance by Christians when they became
the inheritors of the Promised Land; and it is now guarded
with sacred jealousy by the Moslems, who have built over it a
mosque in remembrance of the father of the faithful. The
and the cave that is therein, I give it thee ; in the
presence of the sons of my people give I it thee :
bury thy dead.
12. And Abraham bowed down himself before
the people of the land.
13. And he spake unto Ephron in the audience
of the people of the land, saying, But if thou wilt
give it, I pray thee, hear me : I will give thee
money for the field : take it of me, and I will bury
my dead there.
14. And Ephron answered Abraham, saying
unto him,
15. My lord, hearken unto me : the land is worth
four hundred shekels of silver ; what is that betwixt
me and thee ? bury, therefore, thy dead.
16. And Abraham hearkened unto Ephron, and
Abraham weighed to Ephron the silver which he
had named in the audience of the sons of Heth,
four hundred shekels of silver, current money with
the merchant.
17. And the field of Ephron, which ivas in
Machpelah, which ivas before Mamre, the field and
the cave which was therein, and all the trees that
were in the field, that were in all the borders
round about, were made sure
18. Unto Abraham for a possession in the pres-
ence of the children of Heth, before all that went
in at the gate of his city.
19. And, after this, Abraham buried Sarah his
wife in the cave of the field of Machpelah, before
Mamre : the same is Hebron in the land of Canaan.
20. And the field, and the cave that is therein,
were made sure unto Abraham for a possession of a
burying-place by the sons of Heth.
tenderness of grief, the sacredness of death, the dignity of
faith, the courtesy of sympathy, the nicety of honor, the liber-
ality of love, the consecration of faith and hope, — these all
are pictured here with a simplicity like Homer's, but which
surpassses any poetry in speaking directly to the heart. It is
the universal elegy of human grief, " Give me a possession, a
secure and sacred spot, where I may bury my dead/'
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 20, 41, 105.
God, whose tender mercies are over all thy
works ! it is of thy mercy that another day is added
to our lives ; and we would consecrate ourselves
unto thee, beseeching thee to keep us this day and
always, and to preserve us blameless unto the com-
ing of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. For
him we bless thee. In his name we seek the for-
giveness of our sins, and the promise of thy Spirit.
Dwell thou in our hearts, and consecrate this home
with thy gracious presence.
We thank thee for our home, our friends, our
comforts, and all the manifold blessings of this
life ; and, above all, for the hope of the life ever-
lasting. Oh, may this hope sustain tis in all the
trials of life, and especially in the death of friends !
May the grave be consecrated by the cross of
Christ, and made glorious by his resurrection !
Send down thy blessings, temporal and spiritual,
upon all our relations, friends, and neighbors. Be
merciful to all who are in any trouble ; and incline
our hearts, Lord ! to follow Him who went about
doing good. Be gracious unto thy Church, and
grant that every member of it may be kept from
the evil that is in the world ; and let the light of
thy gospel shine upon all nations, for the sake of
Him who came to seek and save the lost. Amen.
164
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
TUESDAY.
Genesis xxiv. — 29. AndRebekah had a broth-
er, and his name was Laban ; and Laban ran out
unto the man, unto the well.
30. And it came to pass, when he saw the ear-
ring, and bracelets upon his sister's hands, and
when he heard the words of Rebekah his sister,
saying, Thus spake the man unto me, that he
came unto the man ; and, behold, he stood by the
camels at the well.
31. And he said, Come in, thou blessed of the
Lord: wherefore standest thou without? for I have
prepared the house, and room for the camels.
32. And the man came into the house ; and he
ungirded his camels, and gave straw and provender
for the camels, and water to wash his feet, and the
men's feet that ivere with him.
33. And there was set meat before him to eat ;
but he said, I will not eat until I have told mine
errand. And he said, Speak on.
34. And he said, I am Abraham's servant.
35. And the Lord hath blessed my master greatly,
and he is become great ; and he hath given him
flocks and herds, and silver and gold, and men-
servants and maid-servants, and camels and asses.
36. And Sarah, my master's wife, bare a son to
my master when she was old; and unto him hath
he given all that he hath.
37. And my master made me swear, saying,
Thou shalt not take a wife to my son of the daugh-
ters of the Canaanites, in whose land I dwell ;
38. But thou shalt go unto my father's house,
and to my kindred, and take a wife unto my son.
The story of Isaac and Kebekah is a sweet idyl of faith
and love. In those days, marriage was a contract between
parents for the union of their children, over whom they re-
tained authority, even in such matters, to a late period of
life. As Abraham drew near his end, he desired that a wife
should be provided for Isaac from a godly family ; and there
were none such in Canaan. He would not risk sending Isaac
to the distant East, lest he should not return to the land of
promise : so he committed this delicate affair to a trusty ser-
vant who stood in the relation of a confidential manager.
The steward acted with piety and discretion. He sought
the guidance of God, and, even in little things, begged a special
42. And I came this day unto the well, and said,
Lord God of my master Abraham ! if now thou
do prosper my way which I go ;
43. Behold, I stand by the well of water ; and
it shall come to pass, that when the virgin cometh
forth to draw water, and I say to her, Give me, I
pray thee, a little water of thy pitcher to drink,
44. And she say to me, Both drink thou, and I
will also draw for thy camels, let the same be the
woman whom the Lord hath appointed out for my
master's son.
45. And before I had done speaking in mine
heart, behold, Rebekah came forthwith her pitcher
on her shoulder; and she went down unto the
well, and drew water ; and I said unto her, Let me
drink, I pray thee.
46. And she made haste, and let down her
pitcher from her shoulder, and said, Drink, and I
will give thy camels drink also : so I drank, and
she made the camels drink also.
47. And I asked her, and said, Whose daughter
art thou ? and she said, The daughter of Bethuel,
Nahor's son, whom Milcah bare unto him. And I
put the ear-ring upon her face, and the bracelets
upon her hands.
48. And I bowed down my head, and worshipped
the Lord, and blessed the Lord God of my master
Abraham, which had led me in the right way to
take my master's brother's daughter unto his son.
49. And now, if ye will deal kindly and truly
with my master, tell me ; and if not, tell me, that
1 may turn to the right hand, or to the left.
answer to prayer ; but he also prepared himself by the gener-
osity of his outfit and his gifts to make the best impression for
his master. " Prayer and provender hinder no man's jour-
ney." At the well — the place of concourse in an Eastern
village — he met Rebekah, " a damsel very fair to look
upon ; " and she waited upon him with a simple courtesy
and modesty that won his heart. Going to her home, he
told his errand, using the pleas of kindred, of prosperity, of
religious opportunity, and divine guidance; and with these
arguments, and hints of liberal presents, he won his master's
suit. In all the arrangements of life, they prosper best who
at every step seek and acknowledge the hand of God.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 56, 68, 178.
Holy Father ! we bless thee for the faith and
example of the godly who have gone before us. So
enlighten, purify, and strengthen our whole nature,
that we shall faithfully follow them. More espe-
cially we bless thee for the perfect example of thy
Son Jesus Christ, and beseech thee so to endue us
with his spirit, that we may evermore walk in his
steps, and be found faithful to him even unto death.
Thou art the strength of all them that put their
trust in thee. Grant us, we beseech thee, the con-
tinual help of thy grace, that in keeping thy com-
mandments we may please thee, and that, in the
midst of dangers, we may be upheld and preserved.
Father of mercies ! we offer our humble thanks-
giving for thy great and manifold favors bestowed
upon us. Goodness and mercy have followed us
all our days. May it please thee still to be merci-
ful to us, and bless us, and cause thy face to shine
upon us ! Make us strong in faith, and joyful in
hope ; and finally let us stand before thy throne,
accepted and glorified, through the merits of Jesus
Christ. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
165
WEDNESDAY.
Genesis xxiv. — 50. Then Laban and Bethuel
answered, and said, The thing proceedeth from the
Lord : we cannot speak unto thee bad or good.
51. Behold, Bebekah is before thee : take her,
and go, and let her be thy master's son's wife, as
the Lord hath spoken.
52. And it came to pass, that, when Abraham's
servant heard their words, he worshipped the Lord,
bowing himself to the earth.
53. And the servant brought forth jewels of sil-
ver, and jewels of gold, and raiment, and gave
them to Bebekah. He gave also to her brother
and to her mother precious things.
54. And they did eat and drink, he and the men
that were with him, and tarried all night; and
they rose up in the morning, and he said, Send me
away unto my master.
55. And her brother and her mother said, Let
the damsel abide with us a few days, at the least
ten : after that she shall go.
56. And he said unto them, Hinder me not, see-
ing the Lord hath prospered my way : send me
away, that I may go to my master.
57. And they said, We will call the damsel, and
inquire at her mouth.
58. And they called Bebekah, and said unto her,
Wilt thou go with this man? And she said, I
will go.
The gifts to Rebekah were her dower ; those to her kin-
dred were a sort of purchase-money, according to the mar-
riage-customs of the times. Her brother Laban, both here
and in later transactions with Jacob, evidently had an eye to
his own advantage. In fixing the time of parting, there is a
quite natural contrast of brotherly tenderness and girlish
eagerness. The confidence of Rebekah appears beautiful in
its simplicity : but it was warranted by all that she had heard
of her unknown suitor ; and custom led her to acquiesce in
the judgment and desire of her natural protectors. Her
retinue of maidens were the guard of her modesty upon the
way, and the promise of society in her future home.
59. And they sent away Bebekah their sister,
and her nurse, and Abraham's servant, and his
men.
60. And they blessed Bebekah, and said unto
her, Thou art our sister: be thou the mother of
thousands of millions, and let thy seed possess the
gate of those which hate them.
61. And Bebekah arose, and her damsels, and
they rode upon the camels, and followed the
man ; and the servant took Bebekah, and went
his way.
62. And Isaac came from the way of the well
Lahai-roi ; for he dwelt in the south country.
63. And Isaac went out to meditate in the field
at the even-tide ; and he lifted up his eyes, and
saw, and behold, the camels were coming.
64. And Bebekah lifted up her eyes ; and, when
she saw Isaac, she lighted off the camel.
65. For she had said unto the servant, What
man is this that walketh in the field to meet us ?
And the servant had said, It is my master : there-
fore she took a veil, and covered herself.
66. And the servant told Isaac all things that
he had done.
67. And Isaac brought her into his mother
Sarah's tent, and took Bebekah, and she became
his wife ; and he loved her : and Isaac was com-
forted after his mother's death.
Who can estimate the effect upon Isaac of his being bound
upon the altar for sacrifice ? He seems to have been reticent,
passive, docile, fond of solitude. Just now, as he was ex-
pecting the great event of his life, he went out, as was his
habit, to meditate at even-tide ; and so the joy of his earthly
life came to be blended with his religious devotions. De-
scending from her camel, just as an Arab woman would do
to-day to meet her lord, with maidenly modesty Rebekah
veiled her beauty. Isaac met her with a courtly grace ; and
these two affianced strangers soon felt the bloom of love
more fragrant than that of the fields.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 59, 83, 96.
Thou only, Lord ! makest us to dwell in safety.
We lie down at night under the shadow of thy
wings ; we awake in the morning to the light of
thy love. We thank thee for another night of rest
and comfort, for another day of life, health, and
hope. O Lord ! may we be found faithful to thee
in the duties of this day ! and amid its temptations
and its trials do thou sustain us, comfort us, keep
us, and grant us grace in all we do to seek thy
glory. May this household, which thou hast so
blessed, serve thee, not at this altar only, but in all
the walks of life ! As we engage in the business of
the world, as we go into society, wherever we are,
and whatever we do, may we remember thee, and
do thy will ! Oh ! grant that every member of this
family may be a child of God, a humble, faithful
follower of the Lord Jesus Christ ! Bless all dear
to us who are absent from us. Do thou, O Lord !
dwell by thy Spirit in the hearts and the minds
of all our friends. We supplicate thy mercy for
the needy, the afflicted, the bereaved, and sor-
rowing. Oh ! tyrant to all the consolations of thv
gospel.
Build up thy Church, Lord ! Fill our land
with pure religion. Bless the industry of the peo-
ple ; and may its fruit be consecrated to the good of
men ! May our rulers be faithful and just, walking
in thy fear! And we beseech thee to bring all
lands under the power and glory of thy kingdom.
In thy great mercy, Lord ! forgive our sins, and
bring us unto thy heavenly kingdom, through
Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.
166
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
THURSDAY.
John viii. — 12. Then spake Jesus again unto
them, saying, I am the light of the world : he that
followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall
have the light of life.
13. The Pharisees therefore said unto him,
Thou hearest record of thyself: thy record is not
true.
14. Jesus answered and said unto them, Though
I bear record of myself, yet my record is true : for
I know whence I came, and whither I go ; but ye
cannot tell whence I come, and whither I go.
15. Ye judge after the flesh : I judge no man.
16. And yet, if I judge, my judgment is true ;
for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent
me.
17. It is also written in your law, that the testi-
mony of two men is true.
18. I am one that bear witness of myself;
and the Father that sent me beareth witness of
me.
19. Then said they unto him, Where is thy
Father? Jesus answered, Ye neither know me,
nor my Father : if ye had known me, ye should
have known my Father also.
20. These words spake Jesus in the treasury, as
he taught in the temple ; and no man laid hands
on him, for his hour was not yet come.
21. Then said Jesus again unto them, I go my
way, and ye shall seek me, and shall die in your
sins : whither I go ye cannot come.
22. Then said the Jews, Will he kill himself?
because he saith, Whither I go, ye cannot come.
23. And he said unto them, Ye are from be-
neath ; I am from above : ye are of this world ; I
am not of this world.
24. I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die
in your sins ; for, if ye believe not that I am he, ye
shall die in your sins.
25. Then said they unto him, Who art thou ?
And Jesus saith unto them, Even the same that I
said unto you from the beginning.
26. I have many things to say, and to judge of
you : but he that sent me is true ; and I speak to
the world those things which I have heard of
him.
27. They understood not that he spake to them
of the Father.
28. Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have
lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that
I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as
my Father hath taught me, I speak these things.
29. And he that sent me is with me : the Father
hath not left me alone ; for I do always those
things that please him.
Jesus was more than a teacher of truth ; for he not only
gave light, but was the Light : more than the guide to life ;
for he was the Light of life. As the great Augustine has said,
" Light, which brings other things to view, brings itself to
view. Light furnishes its own testimony : it opens healthy
eyes, and itself is a witness to itself." During the Feast of
1 abernacles, it was the custom to light up the courts of the
temple with a brilliancy which illuminated the whole city.
With this extraordinary light from the holy place fresh in the
minds of his hearers, Jesus announced himself as the Light, not
of one city or people only, but of the whole world. This light
had come, not to search men out for judgment, but to guide
them to salvation ; but, for that very reason, so much the
greater must be the condemnation to those who should reject
it. Not to come forth and walk in the light is to abide in
darkness ; not to come to the Saviour will be to die in sin ;
and to die in sin, rejecting Jesus, who alone can save from
sin, will be to die without hope, and to perish without remedy.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 76, 78.
God, who hast spoken to us by thy Son, our
Saviour Jesus Christ ! grant us, we pray thee, that
faith in him which is eternal life. May we believe
unto the saving of our souls !
We thank thee for the many means which thou
hast provided for our growth in grace and knowl-
edge. Make thy holy Word to be our nourish-
ment, our guide, and the constant source of com-
fort and strength. May we by it be made wise
unto salvation ! May it ever be as a lamp to
our feet, and a light to our path ! Lord ! thou
only teachest to profit : thou art the fountain of
light and wisdom and truth. In thy light may
we see light! Preserve vis from error, and from
the sin of unbelief.
Pardon our many sins and short-comings.
Cleanse thou us from secret faults. Keep us back
from presumptuous sins. Help us, Lord ! to
serve thee better, and to love thee more heartily.
Sanctify us wholly, body, soul, and spirit. Let lis
not be conformed to this world, but transformed by
the renewing of our minds.
We bless thee that thou hast granted us peace-
ful rest in the night-season. Now take our souls,
holy Father ! into thy keeping. Whether we
live, may we live unto thee ; and whether Ave die,
may we die unto thee : so that, living or dying, we
may be the Lord's ! We look to thee in trust
for all things needful in this life. Continue thy
favor to this family ; be very gracious to all our
friends ; and show thy mercy and salvation unto
all men. Give thy Word free course, and let it be
glorified. May it be the wisdom of God and the
power of God unto salvation ! Lord ! hear
these our prayers, and grant unto us an answer
of peace ; for we come to thee, trusting not in our
own righteousness, but in the alone merits and
mediation of Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
167
FRIDAY.
Psalm XXV. — 8. Good and upright is the Lord :
therefore will he teach sinners in the way.
9. The meek will he guide in judgment ; and
the meek will he teach his way.
10. All the paths of the Lord are mercy and
truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testi-
monies.
11. For thy name's sake, Lord ! pardon mine
iniquity; for it is great.
12. What man is he that feareth the Lord?
him shall he teach in the way that he shall
choose.
13. His soul shall dwell at ease; and his seed
shall inherit the earth.
14. The secret of the Lord is with them that
fear him ; and he will show them his covenant.
John viii. — 30. As he spake these words, many
believed on him.
31. Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed
on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my
disciples indeed ;
32. And ye shall know the truth, and the truth
shall make you free.
33. They answered him, We be Abraham's seed,
and were never in bondage to any man : how sayest
thou, Ye shall be made free ?
34. Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say
unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant
of sin.
35. And the servant abideth not in the house
forever ; but the Son abideth ever.
The test of discipleship is constancy in obedience. Truth
itself is rendered intelligible by the spirit of obedience : the
appreciative knowledge of truth dispels error, and, by showing
the evil and the danger of sin, delivers the soul from' its bond-
age and power. Sin is a hard taskmaster ; and they who be-
gin by yielding to its pleasures must end by paying its penal-
ties. Christ alone can free us from such bondage ; and to>
enter into union with him by faith is to receive that spirit of
life which is the sense of true freedom. The Jews, who prided
themselves upon being the children of God through the call-
ing and covenant of Abraham, had enslaved themselves to>
formalism, to hypocrisy, to the spirit of darkness, to the
powers of this world. Besenting the tyranny of the Romans
36. If the Son, therefore, shall make you free,
ye shall be free indeed.
37. I know that ye are Abraham's seed ; but ye
seek to kill me because my word hath no place in you.
38. I speak that which I have seen with my
Father-; and ye do that which ye have seen with
your father.
39. They answered and said unto him, Abraham
is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were
Abraham's children, ye would do the works of
Abraham.
40. But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath
told you the truth, which I have heard of God :
this did not Abraham.
41. Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said
they to him, We be not born of fornication : we
have one Father, even God.
42. Jesus said unto them, If God were your
Father, ye would love me : for I proceeded forth
and came from God ; neither came I of myself, but
he sent me.
43. Why do ye not understand my speech ? even
because ye cannot hear my word.
44. Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts
of your father ye will do : he was a murderer from
the beginning, and abode not in the truth ; because
there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie,
he speaketh of his own ; for he is a liar, and the
father of it.
45. And, because I tell you the truth, ye believe
me not..
with a hatred that never died, they yet lived under bondage
to a spiritual power more degrading and more unrelenting
than this hated foreign yoke. Christ came to announce the
year of jubilee, the day of redemption, the salvation of God,
and, by striking at the root of sin in the heart, to deliver all
who would hear him. His religion is not a yoke of rules, a
bondage of forms, but the perfect law of liberty : for its life is
truth ; and its spirit, love.
Had the Jews kept the inner meaning of their own Scrip-
tures, they would have known that meekness and obedience
were the keys of divine knowledge, and that Jehovah would
initiate the humble soul into the mysteries of his kingdom.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 5, 39.
Oh ! grant us grace, Father in heaven, to hear
thy Word, and to obey it. We would make haste,
and delay not, to keep thy commandments. Thou
hast a right, Lord ! to our time, our gifts, our
hearts, our persons ; to all that we are, and all that
we have: for thou hast created us, and hast re-
deemed us with the precious blood of thy Son.
We give thee thanks for the mercies of the night,
and for all the mercies of our past lives, — for home
and its blessings ; for friends, and all the ministries
of love ; for health, knowledge, comfort, and pros-
perity ; but, above all things, for thy grace in the
gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. May we ever be
ready to acknowledge him the Son of God, the
Saviour of the world ! May men in the high places
of power and influence consecrate themselves to
him ! may the poor and lowly trust in him ! may
children sing hosannas to the Son of David ! How
shall we praise thee, God ! for thy love and grace
to us sinners ? For all thy mercies, we bless and
magnify thy glorious name ; humbly beseeching
thee to accept this our morning sacrifice of praise
for His sake who died, and rose again, and who
liveth evermore. Amen.
168
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
SATURDAY.
Psalm xl. — 6. Sacrifice and offering thou didst
not desire ; mine ears hast thou opened : burnt-
offering and sin-offering hast thou not required.
7. Then said I, Lo, I come : in the volume of
the book it is written of me,
8. I delight to do thy will, my God ! yea, thy
law is within my heart.
9. I have preached righteousness in the great
congregation : lo, I have not refrained my lips,
Lord ! thou knowest.
10. I have not hid thy righteousness within
my heart ; I have declared thy faithfulness and
thy salvation : I have not concealed thy loving-
kindness and thy truth from the great congrega-
tion.
11. Withhold not thou thy tender mercies from
me, Lord ! let thy loving-kindness and thy truth
continually preserve me.
John viii. — 46. Which of you convinceth me
of sin ? And, if I say the truth, why do ye not
believe me ?
47. He that is of God heareth God's words : ye
therefore hear, them not, because ye are not of
God.
48. Then answered the Jews, and said unto
him, Say we not well that thou art a Samaritan,
and hast a devil ?
49. Jesus answered, I have not a devil ; but I
honor my Father, and ye do dishonor me.
By the law of Moses, one who was guilty of blasphemy
must be stoned to death by the whole congregation. For a
man to make himself the equal of God was blasphemy ; and,
because the Jews understood Jesus to claim divine attributes,
upon several occasions they threatened to stone him. This
action was something more than the sudden frenzy of a mob :
it was prompted by that religious jealousy, which, when infu-
riated, is the most vindictive of passions. The deportment of
Jesus under these assaults is a striking testimony to his doc-
trine concerning himself. He does not seek to free himself from
the accusation of a crime so abhorrent to his own spirit, nor
even to save his life, by denying the construction which the
Jews put upon his words. He either justified his words, or
withdrew himself from the rage of the people. In this instance
he boldly challenged them to accuse him of sin in his whole
50. And I seek not mine own glory : there is
one that seeketh and judgeth.
51. Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep
my saying, he shall never see death.
52. Then said the Jews unto him, Now we know
that thou hast a devil. Abraham is dead, and the
prophets ; and thou sayest, If a man keep my say-
ing, he shall never taste of death.
53. Art thou greater than our father Abraham,
which is dead ? and the prophets are dead : whom
makest thou thyself? t
54. Jesus answered, If I honor myself, my honor
is nothing : it is my Father that honoreth me ; of
whom ye say, that he is your God.
55. Yet ye have not known him ; but I know
him : and, if I should say I know him not, I shall
be a liar like unto you ; but I know him, and keep
his saying.
56. Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my
day; and he saw it, and was glad.
57. Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art
not yet fifty years old ; and hast thou seen Abra-
ham ?
58. Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say
unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.
59. Then took they up stones to cast at him ;
but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple,
going through the midst of them, and so passed
life. Next he affirmed his power over death, and his unison
with the will of God ; and, to crown all, he asserted his pre-
existence in the selfsame terms in which Jehovah had de-
clared to Moses his own eternity, — I AM. This calm as-
sumption of qualities and prerogatives belonging to God
only, leaves no room to doubt that Jesus claimed equality with
the Father.
Already the Psalmist, in a passage which the Epistle to the
Hebrews directly applies to Christ, had declared the pre-
existence of the Messiah. He came forth from the bosom
of the Father, and by a voluntary offering of himself, to
do away with the sacrifices of the law, and to declare to
an apostate people the truth, the righteousness, and the
mercy of God.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 73, 75.
O Thou who didst humble thyself to be born of
a virgin, the everlasting Son of the Father, the
Prince of peace ! we bless and adore thee for thy
grace and compassion for its sinners. We give
thanks unto the Father, who so loved the world,
that he gave his only-begotten Son, that whosoever
believeth in him should not perish, but have ever-
lasting life ; we praise and worship the Son, who
took upon him our nature that he might redeem us
to God. Oh ! grant us, we beseech thee, thy peace,
through the forgiveness of sin, reconciliation with
God, and the indwelling of the Spirit, that we may
glorify and praise thee in our lives for all that we
have heard and seen of thy grace.
[May the children of this family remember that
Jesus came as a little child to bless them ! May
they give their hearts to his love !] And may we all,
in the spirit of little children, love and serve Him
who came into the world to save sinners ! And,
oh ! may the world be saved ; may all men come to
Christ ; may peace reign on earth, and good will
bind all hearts together for the glory of God!
And to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, be honor
and praise throughout all ages. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
169
SUNDAY MORNING.
Acts X. — 1. There was a certain man in Cesa-
rea, called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called
the Italian band,
2. A devout man, and one that feared God with
all his house ; which gave much alms to the people,
and prayed to God always.
3. Pie saw in a vision evidently, about the ninth
hour of the day, an angel of God coming in to him,
and saying unto him, Cornelius.
4. And, when he looked on him, he was afraid,
and said, What is it, Lord ? And he said unto
him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for
a memorial before God.
5. And now send men to Joppa, and call for
one Simon, whose surname is Peter :
6. He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose
house is by the sea-side : he shall tell thee what
thou oughtest to do.
7. And, when the angel which spake unto Cor-
nelius was departed, he called two of his house-
hold servants, and a devout soldier of them that
waited on him continually ;
8. And, when he had declared all these things
unto them, he sent them to Joppa.
9. On the morrow, as they went on their
journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went
up upon the house-top to pray, about the sixth hour :
10. And he became very hungry, and would
have eaten ; but, while they made ready, he fell into
a trance,
11. And saw heaven opened, and a certain ves-
sel descending unto him, as it had been a great
sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the
earth ;
12. Wherein were all manner of four-footed
beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping
things, and fowls of the air.
13. And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter;
kill and eat.
14. But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have
never eaten any thing that is common or un-
clean.
15. And the voice spake unto him again the sec-
ond time, What God hath cleansed, that call not
thou common.
16. This was done thrice ; and the vessel was
received up again into heaven.
17. Now, while Peter doubted in himself what
this vision which he had seen should mean, behold,
the men which were sent from Cornelius had made
inquiry for Simon's house, and stood before the
gate,
18. And called, and asked whether Simon, which
was surnamed Peter, were lodged there.
The case of Cornelius illustrates the harmony of the reli-
gion of Nature with the religion of the Old Testament, and of
both with Christianity. Nature teaches the unity of God, and
the duties of prayer, of thanksgiving, and of benevolence. The
Old Testament declares the oneness, the spirituality, and the
holiness of God, embodies the practical duties of religion in
specific laws, and sets forth mediation through sacrifices. The
New Testament re-enforces the doctrines and precepts of the
Old with greater emphasis upon an inward spirituality of
worship and obedience, and presents Christ as the sacrifice for
sin, and the one Mediator between man and God.
Cornelius, following the light of reason and conscience, had
renounced idolatry, and, in his search for the true religion, had
begun to worship the God revealed in the Old Testament.
Without adopting the rites of Judaism, he observed the duties
of prayer and alms-giving, was devout in his spirit and life, and
regulated his household in the fear of God. The Lord looketh
upon the heart, and, finding in Cornelius a state of mind pre-
disposing him to welcome higher truths, directed him to the
gospel of Christ, and prepared Peter to unfold a full and free
salvation. Peter needed to be converted from his prejudices
as a Jew ; and the vision taught him that the Jewish system,
having fulfilled its purpose of type and preparation, should
find its own ideal in a system of grace embracing all man-
kind. Thus do the providence and the grace of God re-
spond to every longing heart. But how often does the lesson
of this vision need to be repeated ! — teaching bigotry and
prejudice, that with God no class is common or unclean.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 29, 60, 70.
Almighty God, Father of all mercies, we thine
unworthy servants do give thee most humble and
hearty thanks for all thy goodness and loving-kind-
ness to us and to all men. We bless thee for our
creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this
life ; but, above all, for thine inestimable love in
the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus
Christ, for the means of grace, and for the hope of
glory. Help us, we pray thee, so to improve the
privileges and promises of this thine holy day, so
to meditate upon thy Word, and to worship thee in
the prayers and praises of thine house, that we shall
be edified, comforted, and sanctified, and shall
worthily show forth thy salvation.
We pray for thy holy Church universal, that it
may be so guided and governed by thy good Spirit,
that all who call themselves Christians may be led
into the way of truth, and hold the faith in unity
of spirit, in the bond of peace, and in righteousness
of life. Bless thy Word to children : as in the home
and the Sunday school they shall hear of Jesus, and
sing his praise, may their hearts be filled with his
love ! Send thy Word, Lord ! to those who have
it not : may it have free course and be glorified in
all the earth! Show thy loving-kindness to all
who are dear to us, and grant them thy peace. In
thy mercy, for Christ's sake, take away our sins ;
fill our hearts with the hope of heaven ; and prepare
us to enter into thy rest, through our Lord and
Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
170
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
SUNDAY EVENING.
Acts X. — 34. Then Peter opened his mouth,
and said, Of a truth, I perceive that God is no re-
specter of persons ;
35. But, in every nation, he that feareth him,
and worketh righteousness, is accepted with
him.
36. The word which God sent unto the children
of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ (he is
Lord of all) ;
37. That word. I say, ye know, which was pub-
lished throughout all Judsea, and began from Gali-
lee, after the baptism which John preached :
38. How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with
the Holy Ghost and with power ; who went about
doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of
the devil ; for God was with him.
39. And we are witnesses of all things which he
did, both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusa-
lem ; whom they slew and hanged on a tree :
40. Him God raised up the third day, and
showed him openly ;
41. Not to all the people, but unto witnesses
chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and
drink with him after he rose from the dead.
42. And he commanded us to preach unto the
people, and to testify that it is he Avhich was or-
dained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.
43. To him give all the prophets witness, that,
through his name, whosoever believeth in him shall
receive remission of sins.
44. While Peter yet spake these words, the
Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.
45. And they of the circumcision which believed
were astonished, as many as came with Peter, be-
cause that on the Gentiles also was poured out the
gift of the Holy Ghost.
46. For they heard them speak with tongues,
and magnify God. Then answered Peter,
47. Can any man forbid water, that these should
not be baptized, which have received the Holy
Ghost, as well as we ?
48. And he commanded them to be baptized in
the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to
tarry certain days.
While Peter was wondering what the vision of the sheet
full of all sorts of creatures might signify, the messengers sent
by Cornelius arrived ; and perceiving that God had summoned
him to carry the gospel to the Gentiles, without requiring
them to conform to Jewish customs, he hastened to give this
Roman officer instruction in the way of salvation. How grand
the truths of the gospel which Peter here announced ! Reli-
gion, which hitherto had been as much a matter of race and
nation as the color of one's skin or the country of one's birth,
is declared to be a state of the heart toward the one universal
Lord ; a reverent, devout, trusting, obedient spirit : this, which
is the essence of true faith, is accepted of God, as the frame
of mind which the gospel was intended both to induce and
to meet. To Cornelius and his friends, in this frame, Peter
declared, first, the historical facts upon which the gospel
rests, — the life, the works, the teaching, the death, of Jesus
of Nazareth ; next the crowning truth of the resurrection,
which proclaimed Jesus to be the Son of God ; and then, upon
this basis of fact, the assurance, which the facts make credible,
that to receive Christ as the risen Saviour is to receive remis-
sion of sins, and the necessity for this faith enforced by the
announcement that Christ shall come again to be our Judge.
This is the gospel of fact, the gospel of faith, the gospel of
hope, the gospel of salvation.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 2, 123, 187.
Lord, our heavenly Father! we humbly beseech
thee to accept this our evening sacrifice of praise
and thanksgiving ; mercifully granting unto us,
by the merits and death of thy son Jesus Christ,
and through faith in his blood, the remission of
our sins, and all the blessings of eternal life.
Grant that the words which we have this day
heard with our outward ears may through thy
grace be so grafted inwardly in our hearts, that
they may bring forth in us fruit to the honor and
glory of thy name. May we ever prove what is
that good and acceptable and perfect will of God !
and may thy goodness to us as a family draw us
to thee in the communion of thy saints !
Bless the education of the young, the instruc-
tion of the ignorant, the visitation of the sick, the
distribution of thy Word, and all the means em-
ployed to bring men to Christ.
Father of mercies, and God of all comfort, who
dost comfort thy children in all their tribulation,
we commend to the love and grace of thy Spirit
all who are in . any way afflicted, praying that
thou wouldest succor, sustain, and sanctify them,
and prepare them for the issue of their trials,
whether it be life or death. Pitifully behold the
widow and the orphan, the poor, the destitute,
and the forsaken, the captive, the prisoner, and
him who is doomed to die ; and inspire them with
confidence in thy fatherly love, and help them to
trust in thy mercy. We commend to thy special
favor all who are dear to us by the ties of nature
and affection, that it may please thee to adopt them
into thy redeemed family, enrich them with thy
heavenly blessing, and at last receive them into
the presence of thy glory.
God ! thou knowest our frame, and remem-
berest that we are dust : look upon us in our weak-
ness and necessity, and supply our need according
to the riches of thy glory. Grant that we may
retire to rest pardoned and accepted in thy Beloved.
Watch over us during the night : and may we rise
in the morning full of life and joy ! and, passing
all our days here in thy fear, may we finally come to
thine everlasting joy, through Jesus Christ ! Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
171
MONDAY.
Acts xii. — 1. Now, about that time, Herod the
king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of
the church.
2. And he killed James the brother of John with
the sword.
3. And, because he saw it pleased the Jews, he
proceeded further to take Peter also. Then were
the days of unleavened bread.
4. And, when he bad apprehended him, he put
him in prison, and delivered him to four quater-
nions of soldiers to keep him ; intending after Eas-
ter to bring him forth to the people.
5. Peter, therefore, was kept in prison ; but
prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto
God for him.
6. And, when Herod would have brought him
forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between
two soldiers, bound with two chains ; and the
keepers before the door kept the prison.
7. And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon
him, and a light shined in the prison ; and he
smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying,
Arise up quickly ; and his chains fell off from his
hands.
8. And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself,
and bind on thy sandals ; and so he did. And he
saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and
follow me.
9. And he went out, and followed him, and wist
not that it was true which was done by the angel,
but thought he saw a vision.
How wonderfully true to nature is this whole narrative !
The artlessness with which the story is told verifies the miracle.
The surprise and bewilderment of Peter ; the mechanical way
in which he did just as the angel told him, as one might do
in a fit of somnambulism ; his coming to himself, and realizing
the hand of God, — all this belongs to reality. And " nothing
could be more life-like than the description of the scene which
follows. Rhoda, in the excess of her joy, forgets to open the
door, runs into the house, declares the news ; while Peter is left
in the street, still knocking, and exposed to arrest. The pas-
10. When they were past the first and the
second ward, they came unto the iron gate that
leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his
own accord : and they went out, and passed on
through one street; and forthwith the angel de-
parted from him.
11. And, when Peter was come to himself, he
said, Now I know of a surety that the Lord hath
sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the
hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the
people of the Jews.
12. And, when he had considered the tiling, he
came to the house of Mary the mother of John,
whose surname was Mark ; where many were
gathered together, praying.
13. And, as Peter knocked at the door of the
gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda.
14. And, when she knew Peter's voice, she
opened not the gate for gladness, but ran in and
told how Peter stood before the gate.
15. And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But
she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then
said they, It is his angel.
16. But Peter continued knocking. And when
they had opened the door, and saw him, they were
astonished.
17. But he, beckoning unto them with the hand to
hold their peace, declared unto them how the Lord
had brought him out of the prison. And he said,
Go show these things unto James and to the breth-
ren. And he departed, and went into another place.
sage has all the vividness of the recital of an eye-witness.
When Peter gained entrance, the joy of the disciples was so
tumultuous, that he could make them understand a gesture
better than a word." This miracle was wrought, not for Peter's
sake, but to further the gospel. Even now it should serve to
inspire confidence in the ministry of angels to the heirs of
salvation. In after-years, when Peter was seized, the angel
of death alone came to his deliverance, when, like his Lord,
he hung upon the cross.
Appropriate Hymns.]
Prayer.
[Nos. 131, 147.
Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be
thy name ; thy kingdom come ; thy will be done
in earth as it is in heaven. Oh, may thy kingdom
fully come in our hearts, casting out all sin ! may
thy will take possession of our wills, so that in all
things we shall please and serve thee ! Thy mercy,
Lord ! of which every night and morning bears
witness, binds us to thee in love and gratitude ;
and we dedicate ourselves to thee this day as
obedient children. Help us to fulfil our vows.
Keep us, we pray thee, from the love of this world,
and from the power of evil. OLord! strengthen,
defend, deliver all thy servants, and maintain thy
cause.
God, the protector of all that trust in thee,
without whom nothing is strong, nothing is
holy ! increase and multiply upon us thy mercy ;
that, thou being our ruler and guide, we may so
pass through things temporal, that we finally lose
not the things eternal. Dwell thou in our hearts
by thy Spirit ; yea, make our very bodies temples
of the Holy Ghost : and may all sin be put far
away from us ! O Lord our Saviour ! make this
home thy habitation. [May the children gather
about thee with songs of praise, with hearts and
hands to do thy will !] And finally bring us unto
our Father's house, to dwell forever in love and
purity and joy, for Christ's sake. Amen.
172
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
TUESDAY.
Mark iv. — 1. And he began again to teach by
the sea-side : and there was gathered unto him a
great multitude, so that he entered into a ship, and
sat in the sea ; and the whole multitude was by
the sea, on the land.
2. And he taught them many things by parables,
and said unto them in his doctrine,
3. Hearken : Behold, there went out a sower to
sow.
4. And it came to pass, as he sowed, some fell by
the way-side, and the fowls of the air came and
devoured it up.
5. And some fell on stony ground, where it had
not much earth ; and immediately it sprang up,
because it had no depth of earth :
6. But, when the sun was up, it was scorched ;
and, because it had no root, it withered away.
7. And some fell among thorns ; and the thorns
grew up and choked it, and it yielded no fruit.
8. And other fell on good ground, and did yield
fruit that sprang up, and increased, and brought
forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some a
hundred.
9. And he said unto them, He that hath ears to
hear, let him hear.
14. The sower soweth the word.
15. And these are they by the way-side, where
the word is sown ; but, when they have heard,
Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the
word that was sown in their hearts.
16. And these are they likewise which are sown
on stony ground, who, when they have heard the
word, immediately receive it with gladness ;
17. And have no root in themselves, and so en-
dure but for a time : afterward, when affliction or
persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately
they are offended.
18. And these are they which are sown among
thorns ; such as hear the word.
19. And the cares of this world, and the deceitful-
ness of riches, and the lusts of other things, enter-
ing in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.
20. And these are they which are sown on good
ground ; such as hear the word, and receive it, and
bring forth fruit, some thirty -fold, some sixty, and
some a hundred.
In Palestine there are no farms with fenced fields and farm-
houses at intervals over a district ; but the farmers, for safety,
live together in compact villages, and go forth to cultivate the
open country, often at a distance from their homes, each man's
field being marked by boundary-stones, and the highway run-
ning through the ploughed land. The land, moreover, which in
spots is rich and fertile, is diversified with rocky projections,
and with clumps of thorns. Hence, in sowing the furrows, one
could scarce avoid scattering seed upon the thin, rocky soil, or
among the thorn-bushes, and along the hard-trodden path.
Such was the picture of his own preaching which our Lord
had directly before his eye, as from the boat on the lake he
looked out upon the neighboring fields. His explanation of
the parable brings it home at some point to every heart. " In
the first case, the heart is hardened, trodden down : the seed
cannot penetrate. By fowls of the air — passing thoughts and
desires, which seem insignificant, and even innocent — does
Satan do his work, and rob the heart of the precious seed. In
the second case, the surface of the mind and disposition is
easily stirred, soon excited ; but beneath lies a heart even
harder than the trodden way. Such religion is the creature
of circumstances, changing as they change. In the third case,
all as regards the soil is well : the seed goes deep, the plant
springs up ; but the fruit fails, and this because the seeds or
roots of thorns are in, and are suffered to spring up in the
heart and to overwhelm the plant." Ah ! let us beware how
we suffer the cares or the pleasures of the world, or the eager-
ness for gain, to stifle or efface the impressions of the sabbath,
of the Bible, of God's providence in sickness or sorrow. Let
us keep our hearts open to all good influences, that our lives
may be fruitful in all good works.
Appeopeiate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 117, 132, 165.
Graciously bestow upon us, heavenly Father !
thy Holy Spirit, to quicken within us the word
that we have now read. Take away our ignorance,
our hardness and coldness of heart, and our love
of this present world. Enlighten our understand-
ings ; give unto us the spirit of wisdom and revela-
tion in the knowledge of Christ. May we know
thee as our God and Saviour, and glorify thee by
the holy obedience of our lives ! Grant that, be-
ing set free from sin, and made servants to God,
we may have our fruit unto holiness, and the end
everlasting life.
O Lord ! we beseech thee quicken thy Church
to greater fruitfulness in thy service ; and suffer
not thy word to return to thee void, but bring
multitudes to the acknowledging of the truth as it
is in Jesus.
We thank thee for all thy goodness and thy
care. Thou spreadest our table ; thou givest us
life and breath and all things. Lord ! our souls,
and all that is within us, would bless and praise
thy holy name. As a family, we bless thee for
our home, and for all the comforts and joys of our
daily life. [May the children whom thou hast so
favored in this house remember thee, their heaven-
ly Father, and love and serve thee !] Be with us
this day to guide and keep us.
most merciful Saviour, our compassionate
High Priest! pity all our infirmities ; heal our souls'
sicknesses ; give us the joy of thy salvation, and a
hope full of immortality. Strengthen us to live
and labor for thee ; and at length take us to rest
with thee above, for thine own name and mercy's
sake. And unto thee, with the Father and the
Holy Ghost, be all honor and glory, now and
forevermore. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
173
WEDNESDAY.
Ezekiel xvii. — 22. Thus saith the Lord God:
I will also take of the highest branch of the high
cedar, and will set it; I will crop off from the top
of his young twigs a tender one, and will plant it
upon a high mountain and eminent:
23. In the mountain of the height of Israel will
I plant it; and it shall bring forth boughs, and
bear fruit, and be a goodly cedar: and under it
shall dwell all fowl of every wing ; in the shadow
of the branches thereof shall they dwell.
24. And all the trees of the field shall know
that I the Lord have brought down the high tree,
have exalted the low tree, have dried up the green
tree, and have made the dry tree to flourish : I the
Lord have spoken and have done it.
Mark iv. — 26. And he said, So is the kingdom
of God, as if a man should cast seed into the
ground ;
27. And should sleep, and rise night and day,
and the seed should spring and grow up, he know-
eth not how.
Dr. Hackett, in his " Illustrations of Scripture," thus de-
scribes the mustard-plant: "As I was riding across the Plain
of Akka, on the way to Carmel, I perceived what seemed to be
a little forest or nursery of trees. On coming nearer, they
proved to be an extensive field of the mustard-plant. It was
then in blossom, full grown, in some cases six, seven, and nine
feet high, with a stem or trunk an inch or more in thickness,
throwing out branches on every side. At that very instant,
lo ! one of the fowls of heaven stopped in its flight through
the air, alighted down on one of the branches, which hardly
moved beneath the shock, and then began to warble forth a
strain of the richest music." Thus continually does the Holy
Land illustrate the Holy Book. But, while the incident which
suggested this second parable is thus vividly set before us, the
parable itself finds its interpretation in the history of the
Church.
To these two parables Matthew adds a third, to the
same effect, in these words : " The kingdom of heaven is
28. For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself;
first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn
in the ear.
29. But, when the fruit is brought forth, imme-
diately he putteth in the sickle, because the har-
vest is come.
30. And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the
kingdom of God ? or with what comparison shall
we compare it ?
31. It is like a grain of mustard-seed, which,
when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the
seeds that be in the earth :
32. But, when it is sown, it groweth up, and be-
cometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out
great branches ; so that the fowls of the air may
lodge under the shadow of it.
33. And with many such parables spake he the
word unto them as they were able to hear it.
34. But without a parable spake he not unto
them ; and, when they were alone, he expounded
all things to his disciples.
like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three meas-
ures of meal till the whole was leavened." The three para-
bles teach, under different forms, the gradual, certain, and
vigorous growth of the kingdom of God : first, like the growth
of grain, by silent, mysterious agencies, to which man may
adapt himself, but which he can neither produce nor control ;
secondly, by " the inherent, self-developing power " of truth
and the spiritual life, as the tiniest seed contains in itself the
form of the tree and " the principle of expansion ; " and,
thirdly, by " the power of penetrating and assimilating a
foreign mass," as the leaven ferments the whole body of meal
into which it is cast. By these three principles, the growth
and the perpetuity of Christianity in the world are assured be-
yond a question : but we may aid that growth by cherishing
the divine life within us ; by giving up our hearts to be com-
pletely possessed by the truth and grace of Christ, our lives to
be completely moulded by his will, and consecrated to his
service.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 3, 49, 101.
Our Father which art in heaven, we draw nigh
to thee through Jesus Christ our Saviour. Thou
reignest above in light unapproachable. Heaven
is thy throne, and earth is thy footstool : what
are we that thou shouldst regard us, and adopt us
as thy reconciled children ? Teach thou us to for-
get ourselves, and seek thy glory. Let thy praise
be shown forth in our time ; let thy great name
be known and feared ; let the kingdoms of the
world become thine, till thy holy law is kept by
men as angels keep it above. And as for us,
Father ! preserve us from day to day, and feed us
with food convenient for us. And, inasmuch as our
love cannot reach the measure of thine, teach us
to forgive others as thou hast forgiven us. Suffer
us not to be tempted above that we are able : but,
however thou triest us, keep us from harm within
and without ; from the evil in the world around
us ; from the evil that is in ourselves ; from the
Evil One, who lies in wait for our souls.
Thou, our Father, canst hear and answer our
prayers ; for thou reignest over all from the be-
ginning, and with thee nothing is impossible : for
thy pleasure and thy praise all things are, and were
created. Thou hast created us, preserved us, re-
deemed us ; our lives have been foil of thy mercies ;
thou hast blessed us in our home, in our friends,
in our country, in our times, in the means of
knowledge and of grace. Help us to use to thy
glory, and the good of others, that which we have
so freely received. We come unto thee through
Him who taught us to pray, — even Jesus Christ
our Lord ; to whom, with thee and the Holy Ghost,
be all praise and dominion ; for thine is the
kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever.
Amen.
174
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
THURSDAY.
Ezekiel xviii. — 1. The word of the Lord came
unto me again, saying,
2. What mean ye, that ye use this proverb con-
cerning the land of Israel, saying, The fathers have
eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set
on edge ?
3. As I live, saith the Lord God, ye shall not
have occasion any more to use this proverb in
Israel.
4. Behold, all souls are mine ; as the soul of the
father, so also the soul of the son is mine : the
soul that sinneth, it shall die.
19. Yet say ye, Why ? doth not the son bear
the iniquity of the father ? When the son hath
done that which is lawful and right, and hath kept
all my statutes, and hath done them, he shall sure-
ly live.
20. The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son
shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither
shall the father bear the iniquity of the son : the
righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him,
and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.
21. But if the wicked will turn from all his sins
that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes,
and do that which is lawful and right, he shall
surely live ; he shall not die.
22. All his transgressions that he hath com-
mitted, they shall not be mentioned unto him : in
his righteousness that he hath done he shall live.
23. Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked
should die ? saith the Lord God ; and not that he
should return from his ways, and live ?
Luke xiii. — 1. There were present at that sea-
son some that told him of the Galileans, whose
blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.
2. And Jesus, answering, said unto them, Sup-
pose ye that these Galileans were sinners above
all the Galileans, because they suffered such
things ?
3. I tell you, Nay ; but, except ye repent, ye
shall all likewise perish.
4. Or those eighteen upon whom the tower in
Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were
sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem?
5. I tell you, Nay ; but, except ye repent, ye
shall all likewise perish.
6. He spake also this parable : A certain man
had a fig-tree planted in his vineyard ; and he
came and sought fruit thereon, and found none.
7. Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard,
Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on
this fig-tree, and find none: cut it down; why
cumbereth it the ground?
8. And he, answering, said unto him, Lord, let
it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and
dung it :
9. And if it bear fruit, ivell; and if not, then
after that thou shalt cut it down.
Men are apt to associate great calamities with special sins ;
but our Lord here teaches that such an interpretation of Prov-
idence is neither sound nor just. There had probably been a
riot within the outer court of the temple ; and, in quieting it,
the soldiers of Pilate had slain some Galileans upon the very
spot where sacrifices were offered. The Jews construed this
as a special judgment for some pre-eminent wickedness ; and
so of the unhappy victims of a falling tower. Our Lord did
not deny that there is a general connection between calamity
and sin ; in fact, he assumed that the calamities of life have
more or less the character of judgments : but he would not
allow this doctrine to be pressed to extremes in individual
cases. He warned those who were so ready to pronounce
judgment upon others, that they also should perish by the
sword in the overthrow of their city, unless they would repent-
But, even while the divine judgments were impending over
them, the grace of God was seeking to recover them. Like a
fig-tree planted under most favorable conditions, the Jewish
nation had possessed every facility for religious culture.
Theirs were the covenant of Abraham, the law and sacrifices
of Moses, the promises of the prophets ; yet for three years
had Christ been seeking among them the fruits of all this
tillage, but almost in vain. They stood in the way of that
kingdom of grace which they were set to further. The pa-
tient Redeemer would bear with them a little longer ; try yet
other methods : but even his love must yield at last to judg-
ment for incorrigible sinners. Oh ! let us take heed that the
mercy of God is not abused by us to the greater sin.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 155, 177.
Oh ! grant us grace, Father in heaven, to hear
thy Word, and to obey it. We would make haste,
and delay not, to keep thy commandments. Thou
hast a right, Lord ! to our time, our gifts, our
hearts, our persons ; to all that we are, and all that
we have : for thou hast created us, and hast re-
deemed us with the precious blood of thy Son.
We give thee thanks for the mercies of the night,
and for all the mercies of our past lives, — for home
and its blessings ; for friends, and all the ministries
of love ; for health, knowledge, comfort, and pros-
perity ; but, above all things, for thy grace in the
gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. May we ever be
ready to acknowledge him the Son of God, the
Saviour of the world ! May men in the high places
of power and influence consecrate themselves to
him ! may the poor and lowly trust in him ! may
children sing hosannas to the Son of David ! How
shall we praise thee, God ! for thy love and grace
to us sinners ? For all thy mercies, we bless and
magnify thy glorious name ; humbly beseeching
thee to accept this our morning sacrifice of praise
for His sake who died, and rose again, and who
liveth evermore. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
175
FRIDAY.
Luke xiii. — 23. Then said one unto him, Lord,
are there few that be saved ? And he said unto
them,
24. Strive to enter in at the strait gate; for
many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and
shall not be able.
25. When once the Master of the house is
risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye
begin to stand without, and to knock at the door,
saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us ; and he shall
answer and say unto you, I know you not whence
ye are :
26. Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten
and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in
our streets.
27. But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not
whence ye are : depart from me, all ye workers of
iniquity.
28. There shall be weeping, and gnashing of
teeth, when ye shall see Abraham and Isaac and
Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God,
and you yourselves thrust out.
29. And they shall come from the east, and from
the west, and from the north, and from the south,
and shall sit down in the kingdom of God.
30. And, behold, there are last which shall be
first, and there are first which shall be last.
31. The same day there came certain of the
Pharisees, saying unto him, Get thee out, and de-
part hence ; for Herod will kill thee.
32. And he said unto them, Go ye and tell that
fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures to-day
and to-morrow, and the third day I shall be per-
fected.
33. Nevertheless, I must walk to-day and to-
morrow, and the day following; for it cannot be
that a prophet perish out of Jerusalem.
34. Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the
prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee !
how often would I have gathered thy children to-
gether as a hen doth gather her brood under her
wings, and ye would not !
35. Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.
And verily I say unto you, Ye shall not see me
until the time come when ye shall say, Blessed is
he that cometh in the name of the Lord.
In some of the walled cities of the East, where the main
gates are closed at sundown, there are small gates in retired
corners, by which one who knows the way and has the pass-
word can gain admittance ; but after a certain hour these are
shut and locked, and there is no more opening, no matter how
long and loud the knocking. Here, however, the allusion
seems rather to be to the gate of a palace, or stately mansion,
where a festival awaits all who are entitled to be guests. They
who have not availed themselves of the invitation in its proper
terms and conditions, arriving late, will in vain endeavor to
gain admission upon other grounds. No amount of mercy
shown by the Saviour will avail for our salvation, unless that
mercy is accepted by us for ourselves. We must enter into
his kingdom by the personal act of faith if we would be saved.
Privileges of birth, of race, of education, of church connec-
Appropeiate H.Y51NS,]
tion, will only aggravate the final loss of those who do not here
live according to their opportunity.
Heaven preserves the identity of a personal faith. Abra-
ham, Isaac, and Jacob are there in their individuality, and
with all the sacred associations of their lives : and around
these venerable names, as a nucleus, shall be gathered multi-
tudes from nations which the Jews despised as outcast ; while
Israel, which had been first in point of privilege, shall be last
in point of benefit ; yet this not by an excluding act of sove-
reignty, but as a result of incorrigible sin. The Saviour's
compassion overflowed even for the people that sought his
life. With tenderest love and care he would save them ; but
they would not. Salvation is of God : perdition comes of im-
penitence and unbelief.
Prayer
O God our Creator, who hast made of one blood
all nations of men ! we worship thee, the King of
kings, and Lord of lords. Thou puttest down one,
and settest up another ; and none can deliver out
of thy hand. Thou hast set up thine own king-
dom in this world, — a kingdom which shall never
be moved ; and willingly, Lord ! would we con-
secrate our hearts, our time, our talents, to thy
service. Thou hast left to each the command,
" Occupy till I come." Thou hast given to each of
us, in our several places and relations, opportuni-
ties and means of doing something for thy cause
on earth ; and thou wilt require an account of our
stewardship. Lord, put thy good Spirit within us,
that we may keep thy judgments and do them.
Create in us clean hearts, and renew right spirits
within us. We are not our own ; we are bought
with a price, — even the blood of thy dear Son :
and we would not live to advance our own interests,
[Nos. 117, 147, 175.
or secure our own enjoyment, but to glorify him
in our bodies and spirits, which are his. De-
liver us from selfishness, and cause us to know
the blessedness of submitting our own wills to
thine.
Gracious Father, thou hast watched over us
through another night, and renewed our life and
health and family comforts. Thankful for the past,
we would be trustful for the future. Deliver us this
day from all fretting cares, and from worldliness
of heart and life. May we study to approve our-
selves unto thee, and ever watch for the coming of
the Lord ! Quicken thy Church to vigilance and
activity. Save our land from the doom of impiety
and unbelief. We leave ourselves with thee. We
know not what a day may bring forth ; but do thou
prepare us for all which thou hast in store for us,
and for thy heavenly kingdom, through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen.
176
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
SATURDAY.
Psalm xcviii. — 1. Oh! sing unto the Lord a new
song ; for he hath done marvellous things : his
right hand and his holy arm hath gotten him the
victory.
2. The Lord hath made known his salvation ;
his righteousness hath he openly showed in the
sight of the heathen.
3. He hath remembered his mercy and his truth
toward the house of Israel : all the ends of the
earth have seen the salvation of our God.
4. Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the
earth ; make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing
praise.
5. Sing unto the Lord with the harp ; with the
harp and the voice of a psalm.
6. With trumpets and sound of cornet make a
joyful noise before the Lord, the King.
7. Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof; the
world, and they that dwell therein.
8. Let the floods clap their hands ; let the hills
be joyful together
9. Before the Lord ; for he cometh to judge the
earth : with righteousness shall he judge the world,
and the people with equity.
Psalm cxxxii. — 8. Arise, Lord! into thy
rest ; thou, and the ark of thy strength.
9. Let thy priests be clothed with righteousness ;
and let thy saints shout for joy.
13. For the Lord hath chosen Zion ; he hath
desired it for his habitation.
The latter psalm has the ring of a triumphal march. It
was sung by responsive choirs at a grand national festival.
David, proclaimed by acclamation king at Hebron, had driven
out the Jehusites from the stronghold of Zion ; had taken pos-
session of the fort, and built his capital around it. He was
now about to bring into the city the ark of God, which, as the
symbol of the divine presence, had been the source of his
strength, and had given him the victory. All the earth was
the Lord's ; all its people were under his control. Jehovah
had set him up as king upon this hill, and he would now con-
secrate it to his abode. David, regarding himself as only an
agent and representative of the divine government, would have
14. This is my rest forever : here will I dwell ;
for I have desired it.
15. I will abundantly bless her provision; I
will satisfy her poor with bread.
16. I will also clothe her priests with salvation,
and her saints shall shout aloud for joy.
Psalm xxiv. — 1. The earth is the Lord's, and
the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell
therein.
2. For he hath founded it upon the seas, and es-
tablished it upon the floods.
3. Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord ?
or who shall stand in his holy place?
4. He that hath clean hands and a pure heart ;
who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor
sworn deceitfully.
5. He shall receive the blessing from the Lord,
and righteousness from the God of his salvation.
6. This is the generation of them that seek him,
that seek thy face, Jacob !
7. Lift up your heads, ye gates ! and be ye lift
up, ye everlasting doors ; and the King of glory
shall come in.
8. Who is this King of glory? the Lord strong
and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle.
9. Lift up your heads, ye gates ! even lift
them up, ye everlasting doors ; and the King of
glory shall come in.
10. Who is this King of glory? the Lord of
hosts, he is the King of glory.
the true King, the King of glory, enthroned and honored in
Zion. But the gates of the city are altogether too low and
mean for the entry of such a guest. They must lift up their
heads. The ancient doors, which had sufficed for so many
chiefs and princes, must be made broader and loftier to receive
this mighty King. And his retinue should consist, not of
princes and warriors, dividing, as it were, the honors of victory,
but of true, humble, upright, noble souls, who bring to him
the service of clean hands and pure hearts ; who seek his face
as their chief good, and make his glory their chief joy. So
let our hearts enthrone the Lord over all that is given us,
and over all the world.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 80, 88, 93, 104.
Thine, Lord ! is the greatness, and the power,
and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty;
for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is
thine : thine is the kingdom, Lord ! and thou art
exalted as Head over all. We bless thee that thou
hast given unto thy Son the kingdom in this
world, and hast promised that the gates of hell
shall not prevail against his Church ; and we be-
seech thee hasten the day when Zion shall be a
joy and praise in all the earth. Make thy Word a
comfort and a joy unto all believers, and the power
of God unto salvation to the world that lieth in
wickedness.
Lord Jesus ! rule thou in our hearts : enter
in, thou King of glory ! By thy redeeming grace
take away our sins ; by thy sanctifying presence
fill our souls with thy peace. May we do all
things to thy glory, and show forth thy praise
in our lives ! We humbly thank thee, Lord !
for the blessings of the past night; for thy
daily benefits to us, and to all dear to us. Bless
this household, this day and always, with thy grace.
May we know the joy of a full consecration unto
Hint who hath redeemed us to God with his
precious blood ! and, having served him in his
kingdom here, may we come to be partakers of
his glory in the kingdom of his Father, for Christ's
sake ! Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
177
SUNDAY MORNING.
Isaiah xl. — 18. To whom, then, will ye liken
God ? or what likeness will ye compare unto him ?
19. The workman melteth a graven image, and
the goldsmith spreadeth it over with gold, and
casteth silver chains.
20. He that is so impoverished that he hath no
oblation chooseth a tree that will not rot : he seek-
eth unto him a cunning workman to prepare a
graven image that shall not be moved.
21. Have ye not known ? have ye not heard ?
hath it not been told you from the beginning ? have
ye not understood from the foundations of the earth ?
22. It is he that sitteth upon the circle of the
earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshop-
pers ; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain,
and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in ;
23. That bringeth the princes to nothing; he
maketh the judges of the earth as vanity.
24. Yea, they shall not be planted; yea, they
shall not be sown ; yea, their stock shall not take
root in the earth: and he shall also blow upon
them, and they shall wither ; and the whirlwind
shall take them away as stubble.
25. To whom, then, will ye liken me, or shall I
be equal ? saith the Holy One.
26. Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who
hath created these things, that bringeth out their
host by number : he calleth them all by names, by
the greatness of his might, for that he is strong in
power ; not one faileth.
27. Why sayest thou, Jacob ! and speakest,
Israel ! My way is hid from the Lord, and my judg-
ment is passed over from my God ?
28. Hast thou not known, hast thou not heard,
that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of
the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is
weary ? there is no searching of his understand-
ing.
29. He giveth power to the faint; and to them
that have no might he increaseth strength.
30. Even the youths shall faint and be weary,
and the young men shall utterly fall :
31. But they that wait upon the Lord shall re-
new their strength ; they shall mount up with
wings as eagles ; they shall run, and not be weary;
and they shall walk, and not faint.
The true use of Nature is to teach us to observe God in
his works, and so to help our faith in the higher sphere of
spiritual religion. But men pervert Nature, on the one hand,
to the displacement of God, by substituting its forces for his
power, its laws for his Spirit ; and on the other, to the degrad-
ing and caricaturing of the Divinity through material objects
of worship. The prophet, having exhibited, even to the verge
of ridicule, the folly and worthlessness of idolatry, and the
emptiness and vanity of worldly rank and power, would have
us regard the earth in the firmness of its foundations and the
breadth of its circuit, the heavens in their wide-spread glory,
the stars in their ordered beauty and majesty, as evidences of
the inapproachable unity, power, and dominion of God. But
this everlasting Creator and Lord, whose nature no image
could represent, whose understanding no philosophy could
measure, will reveal himself to the consciousness of those who
humbly wait upon his pleasure, and will communicate to
them of his wisdom and strength. The highest power of man
exhausts itself by its own exertion ; the freshest vigor, after a
little, grows weary and faint, and must be renewed by rest.
But the strength that the Lord imparts to the trusting soul
never exhausts itself, nor tires him who exerts it. It is per-
petually self-renewing. And he who by faith so uses this di-
vine power as to overcome the downward tendency of sense
and sin will gain such freedom and vigor, that, as the eagle
mounts to the sun, he will rise to the Source of all light and
love.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 140, 172, 192.
Most gracious God, who hast in thy good provi-
dence again permitted us to see the light of thy
holy sabbath, do thou draw near to us in thy great
mercy. Thou hast dispersed the darkness of an-
other night. May the Sun of righteousness arise
upon us, with healing in his wings ! May our fel-
lowship this day be with the Father and with his
Son Jesus Christ ! May all sinful and unworthy
thoughts be repressed! May the world be ex-
cluded, that we may be alone with God !
We pray for those who dishonor thy sabbaths
and profane thy holy name ; who reject the offers of
thy grace, and continue in alienation and sin. Do
thou turn them from their wickedness, and bring
them to Jesus, the one and only Saviour.
Thou God of consolation, draw near to the af-
flicted. Sanctify unto all men the dealings of
thy providence ; and by thy Holy Spirit convince
them of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment to
come. Bless all related to us in the bonds of
earthly affection. Thou who leadest Joseph like
a flock, may they be safe under thy guidance, and
repose in thy love ! Bless this day the lambs of
the flock. As in the family, the Sunday school,
the house of prayer, they shall hear of Jesus
and his love, oh, may their hearts be drawn to
him ! Through his atoning sacrifice may our sins
be forgiven, and our hearts prepared for thy ser-
vice !
May thy mercy, Lord ! be upon us according
as we hope in thee ; and, when our sabbaths on
earth are ended, may ours, at last, be an unending
sabbath in thy presence and favor! And all that
we ask is in the name and for the sake of Him
whom thou hearest always ; to whom, with thee,
the Father, and thee, Eternal Spirit ! one God,
be ascribed all blessing and honor and glory and
praise, world without end. Amen.
178
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
SUNDAY EVENING.
Hebrews vi. — 1. Therefore, leaving the prin-
ciples of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto
perfection ; not laying again the foundation of re-
pentance from dead works, and of faith toward
God,
2. Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying-on
of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of
eternal judgment.
3. And this will we do, if God permit.
4. For it is impossible for those who were
once enlightened, and have tasted of the heav-
enly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy
Ghost,
5. And have tasted the good word of God, and
the powers of the world to come,
6. If they shall fall away, to renew them again
unto repentance ; seeing they crucify to themselves
the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open
shame.
7. For the earth which drinketh in the rain that
cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet
for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing
from God :
8. But that which beareth thorns and briers is
rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is
to be burned.
9. But, beloved, we are persuaded better things
of you, and things that accompany salvation,
though we thus speak.
10. For God is not unrighteous to forget your
work and labor of love which ye have showed
toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the
saints, and do minister.
11. And we desire that every one of you do
show the same diligence to the full assurance of
hope unto the end ;
12. That ye be not slothful, but followers of
them who through faith and patience inherit the
promises.
13. For when God made promise to Abraham,
because he could swear by no greater, he sware by
himself,
14. Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and
multiplying I will multiply thee.
15. And so, after he had patiently endured, he
obtained the promise.
16. For men verily swear by the greater ; and
an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all
strife.
17. Wherein God, willing more abundantly to
show unto the heirs of promise the immutability
of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath :
18. That by two immutable things, in which it
was impossible for God to lie, we might have
a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay
hold upon the hope set before us ;
19. Which hope we have as an anchor of the
soul, both sure and steadfast, and which entereth
into that within the veil ;
20. Whither the forerunner is for us entered,
even Jesus, made a high priest forever after the
order of Melchizedek.
In a financial panic, a man hurried to a bank that was ru-
mored to have stopped payment, and demanded his deposits :
but, when the money was promptly set before him on the
counter, he declined to take it, saying that " he did not want
the money if he could get it ; he only wanted confidence." The
bank of faith is one of unlimited confidence. Its securities
are the covenant and the oath of God. Whatever may betide
us, these are our strong consolation ; and the hope that holds
by these is " an anchor sure and steadfast." With such assur-
ance on the part of God, how high should we rise in faith,
how strong should we be in hope, how steadfast in devo-
tion ! To fall away from such promises, such helps, such
grace, is to forfeit salvation ; is to deserve rejection, and to
invite it.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 177, 179.
Holy Father, in this closing hour of thy day, we
bow at thy throne with thankful and loving hearts.
As a family, we would gather up the memorials of
thy faithfulness, and sing of thy mercy. Thou
hast kept our feet from falling, our eyes from tears,
and our souls from death. The shield of thy favor
and power has been over us ; and we meet, a circle
unbroken, to present our evening sacrifice. Oh !
take us all into union with thyself; grant us the
fellowship of thy Spirit ; quicken our souls into a
more divine and glorious life ; and perfect in us all
thy blessed will.
What shall we render unto thee for all thy mer-
cies ? [Oh, may these children know thee, love
thee, praise thee, serve thee !]
We commit ourselves to thee through Jesus Christ
our Lord. We depend on his sacrifice and media-
tion. To his cross we cling. In his finished work
we confide. In his resurrection we rejoice. AVe tri-
umph in his universal reign. We believe in his sec-
ond coming ; and we look for his mercy unto life
eternal.
Thou ever-living God, who dost neither slumber
nor sleep, take charge of our bodies and souls dur-
ing the hours of night. Keep us and the place of
our dwelling from all harm. Let our sleep be un-
disturbed ; let our rest minister to our refreshment
and strength ; let the morrow be to us even better
and brighter and happier than to-day; and may
we drink at the fountain of joy forever!
And unto Him who is able to keep us from fall-
ing, and to present us faultless before the presence
of his glory with exceeding joy, — to the only wise
God, our Saviour, be glory forever. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
179
MONDAY.
Luke IV. — 16. And he came to Nazareth, where
he had been brought up ; and, as his custom was, he
went into the synagogue on the sabbath -day, and
stood up for to read.
17. And there was delivered unto him the book
of the prophet Esaias. And, when he had opened
the book, he found the place where it was written,
18. The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because
he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the
poor ; he hath sent me to heal the broken-hearted,
to preach deliverance to the captives, and recover-
ing of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them
that are bruised,
19. To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.
20. And he closed the book, and he gave it again
to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of
all them that were in the synagogue were fastened
on him.
21. And he began to say unto them, This day is
this scripture fulfilled in your ears.
22. And all bare him witness, and wondered at
the gracious words which proceeded out of his
mouth. And they said, Is not this Joseph's
son?
23. And he said unto them, Ye will surely say
unto me this proverb : Physician, heal thyself :
In the synagogue, it was customary for the director of pub-
lic worship " to call upon persons of any learning or note to
read and explain " the Scripture-lesson for the day. Jesus
had already begun to take part in this service, though now for
the first time at Nazareth. His townsmen listened to him at
first with curiosity ; but as thev heard the meaning he put
upon the text, and felt it coming home with a strange and
gracious power to their own case, curiosity gave place to won-
der and admiration that such precious words should come
from the lips of the carpenter's son. Wondrous words they
seemed to a conquered and degraded people, sighing for deliver-
ance, hoping for their Messiah, — blessings for the- poor, sym-
pathy for the sorrowing, succor for the oppressed, sight to the
blind, relief and healing for the wretched.
But, though such benefits would flow from his ministry,
whatsoever we have heard done in Capernaum, do
also here in thy country.
24. And he said, Verily, I say unto you, No
prophet is accepted in his own country.
25. But I tell you of a truth, many widows were
in Israel in the days of Elias, when the heaven
was shut up three years and six months, when
great famine was throughout all the land ;
26. But unto none of them was Elias sent, save
unto Sarepta, a city of Sidon, unto a woman that
was a widow.
27. And many lepers were in Israel in the time
of Eliseus the prophet ; and none of them was
cleansed, saving Naainan the Syrian.
28. And all they in the synagogue, when they
heard these things, were filled with wrath,
29. And rose up, and thrust him out of the city,
and led him unto the brow of the hill (whereon
their city was built) that they might cast him
down headlong.
30. But he, passing through the midst of them,
went his way,
31. And came down to Capernaum, a city of
Galilee, and taught them on the sabbath-days.
32. And they were astonished at his doctrine ;
for his word was with power.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Jesus did not rest in the outward and the temporal for its
fruits. His miracles of healing were but signs of the spiritual
healing he would impart to humble souls : they served for the
introduction of his gospel, but were not the gospel itself. And
so he refused to gratify the carnal desire of the Jews for the
marvellous, and addressed himself to their consciences with
words of searching condemnation. His fan was in his hand ;
and he would thoroughly sift and winnow them. But they
would not stand the test. So fickle is human nature, that
they who just now admired, almost worshipped, were filled
with rage, and dragged him along the slope of the hill on
which the city stood, toward a steep precipice at a distance,
that they might hurl him down. Ah ! let us take heed lest
we reject the grace of Christ, and prove ourselves his enemies,
so narrow often is the line between salvation and perdition.
[Nos. 156, 175, 190.
O Lord our Lord ! how excellent is thy name in
all the earth ! who hast set tby glory above the
heavens. Day unto day uttereth speech ; night
unto night showeth knowledge of thee. We lift
up our hearts in adoration for thy majest3 r and
glory, in thanksgiving for thy goodness and grace.
When we consider thy heavens, the work of thy
fingers, the moon and the stars which thou hast
ordained, Lord, what is man that thou art mindful
of him? or the son of man, that thou visitest him ?
Yet thou hast had compassion upon us in our low
estate, and hast sent thy Son to redeem us from
our iniquities.
Lord ! for Christ's sake, lift upon us the light of
thy countenance, and grant us thy peace. As thou
hast brought us safely through the night, so may
Prayer.
it please thee to guide and keep us this day ; de-
fending us from evil, and prospering us in that
which is good. Preserve us from all evil passions
that would resist thy grace. May we receive thy
Word into willing and honest minds, and gladly
learn and do thy will ! We pray for a like benedic-
tion upon our kindred, friends, and neighbors ; upon
the Church of Christ, and all who labor for the good
of men. Finally, we commend to thy fatherly
goodness all those who are in any way afflicted or
distressed in mind, body, or estate ; that it may
please thee to comfort and relieve them according
to their several necessities, giving them patience
under their sufferings, and a happy issue out of
all their afflictions. And this we beg for Jesus
Christ's sake. Amen.
180
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
TUESDAY.
Mark i. — 21. And they went into Capernaum ;
and straightway on the sabbath-day he entered
into the synagogue, and taught.
22. And they were astonished at his doctrine ;
for he taught them as one that had authority, and
not as the scribes.
23. And there was in their synagogue a man
with an unclean spirit ; and he cried out,
24. Saying, Let us alone : what have we to do
with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth ? Art thou
come to destroy us ? I know thee who thou art,
the Holy One of God.
25. And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy
peace, and come out of bim.
26. And when the unclean spirit had torn
him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of
him.
27. And they were all amazed, insomuch that
they questioned among themselves, saying, What
thing is this ? what new doctrine is this ? for with
authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits,
and they do obey him.
28. And immediately his fame spread abroad
throughout all the region round about Galilee.
29. And forthwith, when they were come out of
the synagogue, they entered into the house of
Simon and Andrew, with James and John.
30. But Simon's wife's mother lay sick of a
fever ; and anon they tell him of her.
31. And he came and took her by the hand, and
lifted her up ; and immediately the fever left her,
and she ministered unto them.
32. And at even, when the sun did set, they
brought unto him all that were diseased, and them
that were possessed with devils.
33. And all the city was gathered together at
the door.
34. And he healed many that were sick of divers
diseases, and cast out many devils; and suffered
not the devils to speak, because they knew him.
Certain maladies are in the New Testament so uniformly
imputed to evil spirits, that we cannot doubt there was, at the
time of Christ, a remarkable activity of demoniacal influence
upon the bodies of men. Many were " possessed with devils ; "
and this disorder is distinguished from common forms of dis-
ease, as the direct action of evil spirits. Jesus had knowledge
concerning these spirits, and power over them : they feared his
presence, and obeyed his word. The spirits knew him, and
often bore witness to his character ; but " Jesus rejected and
forbade all testimony to his person, except that which he came
on earth to give. The devils knew him, but were silenced."
No doubt, the notion of the influence of evil spirits upon
the minds and bodies of men was greatly exaggerated among
the Jews, who were much given to superstitious beliefs. But,
had this been a mere superstition, our Lord would not have
countenanced it, nor have appealed to his power to cast out
devils as proof of his divinity. The Bible never deals in the
mysterious and the marvellous for their own sake, but only
uses the supernatural for the sake of attesting spiritual truth,
or of conferring some gracious benefit.
It is worth noticing, that Peter had a wife : hence the celibacy
of the clergy finds no warrant in his example. Those who
call themselves his successors would be more apostolic if they
should imitate him in this. Paul, on the other hand, re-
mained single from choice. But though, in view of his jour-
neyings and exposures, it was better for him to be free from
family ties, he maintained his right to marry, and recom-
mended that a bishop should set an example of domestic love
and virtue as a husband and father.
The Gospels give us but a small part of the miracles of our
Lord. We often read of multitudes who were healed by his
power. Yet Capernaum, which beheld so large a proportion
of these mighty works, was condemned for its unbelief. Blessed
are they who have not seen, and yet have believed !
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Ncs. 36, 119.
Almighty God, Father and Redeemer of our
spirits, we bless thee that we may come again to
thy mercy-seat to offer thanksgivings to thy name,
to confess our sins, and to ask those things which
thou seest to be needful for soul and body. Oh !
grant to us the best of blessings, — a heart to love
and serve thee, and diligently to walk after thy
commandments. [May the children of this house-
hold remember thee their Creator in the days of
their youth, and early walk in the peaceful way of
holiness !]
Help us ever to keep before us the example of our
blessed Lord. In our family relations, may we
manifest the spirit that was in him ! May we
take his yoke upon us, and learn of him, who was
meek, and lowly of heart ; and so find rest unto
our souls ! We would remember the sick, the sor-
rowful, and the dying. Though thou dost not now
heal by miracle, yet grant them the supplies of
thy grace according to their need, and make thy
strength perfect in their weakness.
Bless thine own cause throughout the world.
Hasten the happy day when all men 'shall know
thee, from the least unto the greatest. Let the
idols of the heathen be utterly abolished. Take
away the veil from the face of thine ancient people.
Let the power of Satan be destroyed by the breath
of the Lord's mouth, and the brightness of his
coming. Let the rod of the oppressor be broken ;
and may thy providence fulfil what thy gospel hath
anounced, — liberty to the captives, and the open-
ing of the prison to them that are bound ! Es-
pecially do we pray thee to deliver those who are
in bondage to the powers of darkness and evil. O
thou almighty Saviour ! loose all bonds of iniquity,
and set free the captives of the god of this world.
Our Father in heaven, give us our daily bread;
prosper us so far as is agreeable to thy holy will ;
prepare us for this day's trials ; and help us to say,
" Thy will be done." We present these our prayers
in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour.
Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
181
WEDNESDAY.
Jeremiah xxxiii. — 7. I will cause the captivity
of Judah and the captivity of Israel to return,
and will build them, as at the first.
8. And I will cleanse them from all their in-
iquity whereby they have sinned against me ; and
I will pardon all their iniquities whereby they
have sinned, and whereby they have transgressed
against me.
9. And it shall be to me a name of joy, a praise,
and an honor, before all the nations of the earth,
which shall hear all the good that I do unto them ;
and they shall fear and tremble for all the good-
ness and. for all the prosperity that I procure unto
it.
10. Thus saith the Lord : Again there shall be
heard in this place, which ye say shall be desolate
without man and without beast, even in the cities
of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem, that are
desolate, without man, and without inhabitant, and
without beast,
11. The voice of joy, and the voice of gladness ;
the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the
bride ; the voice of them that shall say, Praise the
Lord of hosts : for the Lord is good ; for his mercy
endureth forever.
Mark i. — 35. And in the morning, rising up a
great while before day, he went out, and departed
into a solitary place, and there prayed.
Can any one doubt the complete humanity of Christ who
reads how habitually he resorted to prayer for his own strength
and consolation in his work, and for the delight he had in
communing with the Father ? No more than one can doubt his
complete divinity who reads how he cleansed lepers and cast
out devils. This absolute power over incurable diseases and
malignant spirits — a power put forth by his bare will and
word — was his prerogative as the " Son of God."
The blending of the human and the divine, though it cannot
be explained by our philosophy, appears most natural in Christ ;
is harmonious throughout ; and it causes us to realize the
nearness and the love of God through the interplay of the two
natures in the same person. The mere acting of the Divine
Spirit through a human form, without a personal human
spirit, could not have brought God so nigh to us.
36. And Simon, and they that were with him,
followed after him.
37. And, when they had found him, they said
unto him, All men seek for thee.
38. And he said unto them, Let us go into the
next towns, that I may preach there also ; for there-
fore came I forth.
39. And he preached in their synagogues
throughout all Galilee, and cast out devils.
40. And there came a leper to him, beseeching
him, and kneeling down to him, and saying unto
him, If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.
41. And Jesus, moved with compassion, put
forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto
him, I will : be thou clean.
42. And, as soon as he had spoken, immediately
the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed.
43. And he straitly charged him, and forthwith
sent him away ;
44. And saith unto him, See thou say nothing
to any man ; but go thy way, show thyself to the
priest, and offer for thy cleansing those things which
Moses commanded for a testimony unto them.
45. But he went out, and began to publish it
much, and to blaze abroad the matter, insomuch
that Jesus could no more openly enter into the city,
but was without in desert places; and they came
to him from every quarter.
The mercy of Jesus always responded to the cry of faith.
The most wretched and forsaken creatures kindled in him only
the feeling of compassion. He could touch the leper without
contamination, for his touch was healing ; and, since he was
tempted in all points like as we are, yet without sin, he can
lay his touch upon our sinful hearts, and make them clean and
whole.
Though Jesus knew that his gospel would supersede the
ritual of Moses, he made no violent innovations upon the es-
tablished worship ; but, avoiding the popularity his miracles
might have won for him as a reformer, he required the leper to
conform to the law, in order thus to turn his thoughts to the re-
ligious aspect of his healing, and awaken gratitude toward
God.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 2, 44, 50.
Bless the Lord, our souls ! who forgiveth all
our iniquities, and healeth all our diseases.
Lord, our heavenly Father ! who hast safely
brought us to the beginning of this day, defend
us in the same with thy mighty power, through
our merciful and faithful High Priest, Jesus Christ
our Lord. In his name, who in the days of his
flesh prayed for us, and who hath taught us to
pray, do we draw nigh unto thee, adoring thee for
thine infinite majesty; giving thanks unto thee
for thy great goodness ; acknowledging thy mercy
in the gospel ; confessing our sins, and supplicat-
ing thy favor in all things which thou seest to be
necessary as well for the body as the soul. "We
beseech thee, Lord, make this family thy care ; and
grant us grace to walk before thee as obedient chil-
dren. While in the world, may we not be of the
world, but shine as lights, holding forth the Word of
life. Sanctify our tastes, our affections, our desires,
to the intent that we may bring every thought into
captivity unto the obedience of Christ.
We commend unto thy gracious care all who are
dear to us by ties of kindred and affection. We
pray thee to satisfy the poor with bread, to heal
the sick, to comfort the dying, to deliver the op-
pressed, to establish peace and righteousness, and
fill the earth with thy glory, through Jesus Christ
our Saviour, Amen.
182
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
THURSDAY.
Psalm xxxii. — 1. Blessed is he whose trans-
gression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.
2. Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord im-
puteth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is
lo guile.
3. When I kept silence, my bones waxed old
through my roaring all the day long.
4. For day and night thy hand was heavy upon
me : my moisture is turned into the drought of
summer.
5. I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine
iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my
transgressions unto the Lord; and thou forgavest
the iniquity of my sin.
7. Thou art my hiding-place : thou shalt pre-
serve me from trouble ; thou shalt compass me
about with songs of deliverance.
Mark ii. — 1. And again he entered into Caper-
naum after some days ; and it was noised that he
was in the house.
2. And straightway many were gathered to-
gether, insomuch that there was no room to receive
them ; no, not so much as about the door: and he
preached the word unto them.
3. And they come unto him, bringing one sick
of the palsy, which was borne of four.
4. And, when they could not come nigh unto
him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he
was ; and, when they had broken it up, they let
down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay.
5. When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto
the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.
6. But there were certain of the scribes sitting
there, and reasoning in their hearts,
7. Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies ?
Who can forgive sins but God only ?
8. And immediately, when Jesus perceived in
his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves,
he said unto them, Why reason ye these things in
your hearts ?
9. Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the
palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee ; or to say, Arise,
and take up thy bed, and walk ?
10. But that ye may know that the Son of man
hath power on earth to forgive sins (lie saith to
the sick of the palsy),
11. I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed,
and go thy way into thine house.
12. And immediately he arose, took up the bed,
and went forth before them all ; insomuch that
they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying,
We never saw it on this fashion.
The form of house then common in the villages of Pales-
tine was a low, square building-, one-story high, with a yard
or court in the interior, over which was a flat covering, or roof,
made either of boards or of course matting, that could be
easily removed. This roof was commonly reached by a stair-
way from the court. Jesus probably stood in the court ; and
the throng of people would not allow of access to him on the
ground-floor. The paralytic was stretched on a thick quilt,
which was the common style of bed : a section of the roof was
lifted off, and he was let down directly in front of Jesus ; the
crowd, of course, giving way before such a spectacle. " The
whole affair was the extemporaneous device of plain peasants,
accustomed to open their roofs, and let down grain, straw,
and other articles, as they still do in that country." Such
faith as this Jesus would honor by his miraculous healing.
But first he would make a deeper use of the incident, es-
pecially as he was surrounded by cavillers. Ever placing the
spiritual above the temporal, and making the miracle tribu-
tary to grace, he first pronounced over the sick man the for-
giveness of sins. The bystanders, justly regarding this as the
prerogative of God only, accused him of blasphemy. In face
of this charge, he accepted their interpretation of his words ;
and, to prove that he had this divine right, he restored the para-
lytic by a word. But would God work a miracle to confirm a
blasphemous usurpation of his prerogative ? Assuredly Jesus
was divine ! Then let it be our joy that we can go to him for
what he himself declared his greatest blessing, — the forgiveness
of sin.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 1, 97, 177.
We thank thee, heavenly Father, for the good-
ness and mercy that have followed us all the days
of our life. Thou hast watched over our going-out
and our coming-in. We have been delivered from
many dangers, seen and unseen. Thou bast been
our refuge from evil, and our strength in trouble.
Continue to bless us, O Father ! Let all things
work together for our good. Give us thankful and
submissive hearts, that we may recognize all our
mercies as thy gifts, and may bow to thy holy will
when thou dost see fit to send sorrow upon us.
We bring thee thanks this morning for thy favor
in the past night : thou hast refreshed us with sleep,
hast kept us from harm, hast brought us with new
vigor to the light of this day. We beseech thee,
guide us in all our duties, prosper the work of our
minds and of our hands, and grant us in all things
the joy of thine approval. [May these children be
diligent in their duties, and gentle and loving in
their conduct !] We commend our friends to thy
care.
Father of mercies, and God of all comfort, who
dost comfort thy children in all their tribulation,
we humbly beseech thee of thy goodness to succor
and sustain all those who are in trouble, sorrow,
need, sickness, or any other adversity; granting
them strong consolation and good hope, and the
abiding grace of thy Spirit. We beseech thee to
hear us for the poor, the destitute, and the tempted,
that thou wouldst succor and comfort them.
Our prayers are before thee ; our hope is in thy
mercy. May we as a family, with all whom we
love, dwell forever in the light of thy presence,
through Jesus Christ our only Saviour ! Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
183
FRIDAY.
Mark ii. — 13. And he went forth again by the
sea-side ; and all the multitude resorted unto him,
and he taught them.
14. And, as he passed by, he saw Levi, the son
of Alpheus, sitting at the receipt of custom, and
said unto him, Follow me ; and he arose, and fol-
lowed him.
15. And it came to pass, that, as Jesus sat at
meat in his house, many publicans and sinners sat
also together with Jesus and his disciples ; for
there were many, and they followed him.
16. And, when the scribes and Pharisees saw
him eat with publicans and sinners, they said unto
his disciples, How is it that he eateth and drinketh
with publicans and sinners ?
17. When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them,
They that are whole have no need of the physi-
cian, but they that are sick : I came, not to call the
righteous, but sinners to repentance.
18. And the disciples of John and of the Phari-
sees used to fast; and they come and say unto
him, Why do the disciples of John and of the
Pharisees fast, but thy disciples fast not ?
19. And Jesus said unto them, Can the children
of the bride-chamber fast while the bridegroom is
with them ? As long as they have the bridegroom
with them, they cannot fast.
20. But the days will come when the bride-
groom shall be taken away from them, and then
shall they fast in those days.
21. No man also seweth a piece of new cloth on
an old garment ; else the new piece that filled it
up taketh away from the old, and the rent is
made worse.
22. And no man putteth new wine into old
bottles ; else the new wine doth burst the bottles,
and the wine is spilled, and the bottles will be
marred : but new wine must be put into new bottles.
Unlike most of the disciples who made up the family of
Jesus, and who were plain fishermen, Matthew was a man of
business, and of sufficient means to own a house and pro-
vide a feast. But he forsook every thing for Christ. His of-
fice as tax-gatherer of the Roman government rendered him
odious to the Jews, and the Pharisees carped at Jesus for asso-
ciating with publicans and sinners. The answer of Christ did
not concede that the Pharisees were truly "righteous:" it
showed that their assumption of righteousness would render his
mission to them unavailing ; whereas those whom they classed
as sinners might be ready to accept his grace. That grace is
always ready for the humble, penitent soul.
The Pharisees prided themselves upon a righteousness that
kept fast-days and other outward observances with great strict-
ness ; and the disciples of John followed the ascetic habits of
their master. But the religion of Christ, springing from love,
was of a more free and cheerful tone. He would not patch it
upon the thread-bare formalism of the Pharisees ; he would
not attempt to infuse its active spiritual life into the dull,
worn routine of ceremonies : it would burst such a system
as the fermentation of new wine bursts the leathern sacks
worn thin by use. As the late Dean of Canterbury well
interprets the proverb, " Old things, old types, old ceremonies,
old burdens, sacrifices, priests, sabbaths, and holy-days, all
are passed away : behold, all things are become new." Calmly
forecasting his own departure, our Lord inspired his disciples
with courage and hope. The thought of Christ as our present
Saviour should dispel from our religion all tinge of asceticism
or gloom. The world needs the example of a cheerful piety to
win it to the Church : the joy of the Lord is our strength.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 50, 89, 165.
Most merciful God, by whose command the sun
has arisen, and our eyes have been opened to be-
hold its light, let the Sun of righteousness now
rise upon our souls with healing in his wings.
Thou hast raised us from our beds in bodily health :
oh ! raise us from spiritual slumber to a life of holy
watchfulness and earnest activity. Using thy
daily mercies with thankfulness and moderation,
let our chief desire and concern be, that all the
experiences of life — our sorrows and our joys, our
hopes and our fears — may make us cheerful in thy
service, and meet for thy heavenly kingdom.
We thank thee for the rest of the past
night. Prepare us for the duties and events of
this day ; help us to receive its mercies gratefully ;
sanctify to us all its privileges ; and enable us to
bear its trials with meekness and resignation, that,
when all its hours are numbered, we may feel that
the Lord hath been with us of a truth.
We beseech thee to make us faithful in all the
relations of life. Give us the wisdom that cometh
from above, — that wisdom which is pure and
peaceable, full of mercy and of good fruits. [May
the children of this family grow up before thee in
gentleness, in purity, in loving obedience and de-
votion !] Have compassion on all those who are in
trouble or adversity, and support them with the
consolations of thy Word and Spirit. Have mercy
on the multitudes who know thee not ; reclaim
them from their errors, and gather them into the
fold of the Good Shepherd. Guide into the way
of truth all such as have erred ; establish and con-
firm the doubting ; bring the perplexed and be-
wildered into a plain path ; and be a very present
help to all thy people. Bless the missionary work
in our own and other lands; strengthen the la-
borers amid all their discouragements ; and crown
their labors with abundant success, that the whole
earth may be filled with thy glory.
We commend unto thee our dear friends. May
they all be numbered with thy saints ! Grant to
them all needful temporal good ; but, above all,
give them the abounding joy of thy love in Christ.
Now, Lord, bless our waiting souls, lift up upon us
the light of thy countenance, and give us peace,
for our Redeemer's sake. Amen.
184
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
SATURDAY.
Ephesians i. — 1. Paul, an apostle of Jesus
Christ by the will of God, to the saints which
are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ
Jesus :
2. Grace be to you, and peace, from God our
Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
3. Blessed be the God and Father of our
Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with
all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in
Christ ;
4. According as he hath chosen us in him before
the foundation of the world, that we should be
holy and without blame before him in love ;
5. Having predestinated us unto the adoption of
children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to
the good pleasure of his will,
6. To the praise of the glory of his grace,
wherein he hath made us accepted in the Be-
loved :
7. In whom we have redemption through his
blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the
riches of his grace ;
The history of redemption, as unfolded in the Scriptures, is
the crowning example of the unity of plan under varieties of
form, and the unity of development through progressive
changes. In these respects, the Bible is in wonderful accord
with science. The recovery of man was announced on the
day of his apostasy; though, by the very terms of that an-
nouncement, this recovery would involve a long conflict be-
tween the seed of the woman and the serpent. But the
method of that recovery was a mystery, obscurely hinted at
by prophets who knew not what the Spirit that was in them
did testify ; more and more pronounced through symbols and
the later prophecies ; at length, in the fulness of times, un-
veiled in the incarnation of Christ ; but still a mystery of the
8. Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all
wisdom and prudence ;
9. Having made known unto us the mystery of
his will, according to his good pleasure, which he
hath purposed in himself;
10. That in the dispensation of the fulness of
times he might gather together in one all things
in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are
on earth ; even in him :
11. In whom also we have obtained an inherit-
ance, being predestinated according to the pur-
pose of him who worketh all things after the coun-
sel of his own will ;
12. That we should be to the praise of his glory,
who first trusted in Christ.
13. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard
the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation ;
in whom also, after that ye believed, ye were sealed
with that Holy Spirit of promise,
14. Which is the earnest of our inheritance
until the redemption of the purchased possession,
unto the praise of his glory.
divine love for the ever-unfolding glories of eternity. And all
this wondrous plan is referred back to the purpose of God be-
fore the foundation of the world, — ever the same plan in the
religion which the Bible reveals; ever the same purpose in
Divine Providence, unfolding and fulfilling this plan ; ever the
same development in history, as this great purpose of re-
demption moves onward through the ages towards its con-
summation in the final accord of the physical and the moral
universe, through the triumph of God over evil, of salvation
over sin. Surely we who have part in such a redemption,
and whose inheritance in this glory is sealed by the Holy
Spirit of promise, should be holy and without blame before
Him who hath blessed us with these infinite riches of Ins grace.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 50, 142.
Lord, our heavenly Father ! we have nothing
to bring to thee but our wants, and such poor re-
turn of love and gratitude and praise as these
hearts can render for thy goodness. As thou dost
cause our lives to overflow with thy mercies, so do
thou fill our hearts to overflowing with thy Spirit,
that we may thank thee and praise thee as we
ought. The morning calls us again to praise thee
for thy loving-kindness in the night-season ; and
every day renews the tokens of thy bounty. Every
good gift cometh down from thee, the Father of
lights ; and though we are so changeful in our love,
so inconstant in our service, with thee there is no
variableness, neither shadow of turning. Bind us
to thyself, our Father ! by the mighty attraction
of thy love. May the love of Christ constrain us
to live ever unto thee !
We pray thee keep us this day from temptations,
evil, and sin. Prosper us in our lawful undertak-
ings. May we be upright in our dealings, true and
kind in our speech, gentle and patient in our
spirit, pure and holy in our walk ! May we do
good to all as we shall have opportunity, and so ex-
hibit in our lives the graces of the gospel, that Ave
shall win others to the love of Christ ! And we
pray that multitudes may be won to the Saviour;
that thy Church may increase ; that missions may
prosper ; that thy Word may be given to all peo-
ple, and the knowledge of the Lord may fill the
earth as the waters fill the sea. Have compassion,
C Lord ! upon the poor, the outcast, the oppressed ;
upon the sick, the sorrowing, and the dying. May
thy good providence supply the wants of the needy !
may thy good Spirit comfort the hearts of all who
are in trouble ! We thank thee for our home, and
pray thee to bless us with all things that we need
as a family. Bless the absent who are dear to us ;
and bring them, together with us, we beseech thee,
unto thy heavenly kingdom, through Jesus Christ
our Lord. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
185
SUNDAY MORNING.
Ephesians i. — 15. Wherefore I also, after I
heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love
unto all the saints,
16. Cease not to give thanks for you, making
mention of you in my prayers ;
17. That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the
Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of
wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him :
18. The eyes of your understanding being en-
lightened ; that ye may know what is the hope of
his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his
inheritance in the saints,
19.. And what is the exceeding greatness of his
power to us-ward who believe, according to the
working of his mighty power,
20. Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised
him from the dead, and set him at his own right
hand in the heavenly places,
21. Far above all principality and power and
might and dominion, and every name that is
named, not only in this world, but also in that
which is to come ;
22. And hath put all things under his feet, and
gave him to be the head over all things to the
church,
23. Which is his body, the fulness of him that
filleth all in all.
Ephesians ii. — 1. And you hath he quickened
who were dead in trespasses and sins ;
2. Wherein in time past ye walked according to
the course of this world, according to the prince of
the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh
in the children of disobedience :
3. Among whom also we all had our conversa-
tion in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling
the desires of the flesh and of the mind ; and were
by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
4. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great
love wherewith he loved us,
5. Even when we were dead in sins, hath quick-
ened us together with Christ (by grace ye are saved) ;
6. And hath raised us up together, and made us
sit together in heavenly places, in Christ Jesus ;
7. That in the ages to come he might show the
exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness to-
ward us, through Christ Jesus.
The redemption of man is a fact of such stupendous mo-
ment, that, to comprehend it, one must be taught of God. As
human philosophy failed to conceive the way of salvation, so
human wisdom is inadequate to interpret it. The eyes with-
in must be enlightened, the spirit of wisdom must be imparted
from above, that we may discern the ineffable glory of Christ,
and measure the greatness of his power. We are fain to study
the resurrection of Christ as a fact of our human earthly his-
tory. But this resurrection was the most potential fact in the
history of the moral universe. His resurrection was his en-
thronement over all powers and all worlds through all the ages.
Appropriate Hymns,]
His resurrection was the lifting of his Church, as his body, to
the central position of interest and power in the affairs of this
world, and in the issues of the world to come. His resurrec-
tion was our quickening from sin, and our exaltation to a life
in God. All gracious experiences within our souls, all blessed
hopes for our humanity, all glorious promises for the here-
after, date from the resurrection of Christ. Come, thou Spirit
of all light and truth ! and teach us that knowledge of Christ
which eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither hath it entered
into the heart of man.
Prayer.
God, the Father of glory, who didst raise thy
Son Jesus Christ from the dead, and didst set him
at thine own right hand in the heavens! in his
name we this morning approach thy throne.
Withdraw our thoughts and our hearts from this
lower world. Purify and raise our affections.
Let the light and life and love of heaven flow into
our souls. Take us into the deep calm of thine
[Nos. 79, 107.
own nature. Fill us with the Spirit of truth and
grace, in closest fellowship with thyself.
O God of mercy ! we adore thee for the redeem-
ing life and atoning death of thy Son Jesus Christ
our Saviour ; and, conscious of our own lost and
helpless state, we cast ourselves on thy boundless
compassion and love. We bow at thy footstool,
and with contrition do confess our manifold trans-
gressions. Enter not into judgment with thy ser-
vants. Take the burden of sin from our hearts,
the guilt of sin from our consciences, and the dark-
ness of sin from our minds. Seal us with thy Spirit ;
and finally, after this life, bring us to everlasting
joy and glory, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
God of the sabbath and of the sanctuary, go with
us to thy house of prayer, and there manifest
thyself unto us in the fulness of thy grace.
Clothe thy ministers with salvation, and let thy
chosen people be glad. Bless thy whole Church,
and fill the earth with thy glory. Succeed with
the demonstration of thy Spirit all the efforts which
shall this day be made to enlighten man and to en-
large the kingdom of thy Son.
Graciously be with those whose sabbath shall be
spent in the chamber of solitude and sickness. Let
the consolations of thy Spirit abound to the chil-
dren of sorrow and suffering and bereavement ; and
grant to those appointed unto death a hope full of
glory. Thankful for the mercies of the night, we
cheerfully commit ourselves to thee.
Thou that dwellest between the cherubim !
shine forth. Let thy glory appear unto thy ser-
vants, and grant us the foretaste of eternal joy.
And this we beg through Jesus Christ, our only
Saviour and Mediator; who, with thee and the
Holy Ghost, liveth evermore. Amen.
186
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
SUNDAY EVENING.
Psalm xvi. — 1. Preserve me, God! for in
thee do I put my trust.
2. my soul! thou hast said unto the Lord,
Thou art my Lord: my goodness extendeth not to
thee,
3. But to the saints that are in the earth, and
to the excellent, in whom is all my delight.
4. Their sorrows shall be multiplied that hasten
after another god: their drink-offerings of blood will
I not offer, nor take up their names into my lips.
5. The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance
and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot.
6. The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant
places ; yea, I have a goodly heritage.
7. I will bless the Lord, who hath given me coun-
sel : my reins also instruct me in the night-seasons.
8. I have set the Lord always before me : be-
cause lie is at my right hand, I sball not be moved.
9. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory re-
joiceth : my flesh also shall rest in hope.
10. For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell ;
neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see cor-
ruption.
11. Thou wilt show me the path of life : in thy
presence is fulness of joy ; at thy rigbt hand there
are jdeasures forevermore.
Psalm xvii. — 5. Hold up my goings in thy
paths, that my footsteps slip not.
6. I have called upon thee ; for thou wilt hear
me, God ! Incline thine ear unto me, and hear
my speech.
7. Show thy marvellous loving-kindness, thou
that savest by thy right hand them which put their
trust in thee from those that rise up against them !
8. Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me
under the shadow of thy wings,
9. From the wicked that oppress me, from my
deadly enemies who compass me about ;
14. From men which are tby hand, Lord !
from men of the world, which have their portion
in this life, and whose belly thou fillest with thy
hid treasure : they are full of children, and leave
the rest of their substance to their babes.
15. As for me, I will behold thy face in right-
eousness : I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with
thy likeness.
Satisfaction in God, the feeling that he is all in all for this
life and the life to come, is the theme of these psalms ; and,
through all the variations of life, it finds a response in every
pious heart. God is acknowledged as the source of all present
good, and the only promise of good in the future, — the "por-
tion" of life, the "hope" of the soul. The meaning of ver.
2 of Ps. xvi. is much clearer as the best scholars now read it :
"My good [i.e., my happiness] is nought beyond thee." All
the good that I possess, my intelligence, my home, my com-
forts, my heritage, every thing in my lot, is from the Lord ; and
he himself is my supreme portion and joy. And, because I
thus rejoice in the Lord, I take delight in the saints, the godly
upon earth, and have no sympathy with those who follow
other gods. My confidence and delight in God are such, that
I see nothing to fear in the hereafter. Faith gives me victory
over death. My soul shall not be left in the darkness of slieol:
even my body shall be rescued from the grave. This promise,
which was literally fulfilled in the resurrection of the Lord
Jesus Christ, shall also be fulfilled in all that believe in him.
There is nothing but happiness in religion, — peace, safety, and
joy in life, hope and triumph in death, and then the fulness
of joy in the presence of God. Nothing in this world can
satisfy : riches, honors, pleasures, possessions, fail to fill our
spiritual nature ; but the spirit that is renewed in the likeness
of God, and that seeks after righteousness, shall be forever
satisfied in the presence of God.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 37, 98.
Whom have we in heaven but thee, God ! and
there is none upon earth that we desire besides
thee. Father of mercies, we render humble and
hearty thanks for thy goodness vouchsafed to us
this day. Thou hast watched over us with more
than a father's care, and hast blessed us with more
than a father's love. We have received the cup
of blessing at thy hand. Thou hast supplied our
need, nourished and sustained our bodies, pre-
served the powers of our minds, guarded and
directed our steps, been with us in going to thy
sanctuary, and blessed us with the means of grace.
And now, at the close of the day, we meet to offer
our evening sacrifice of praise. May the fire of
heaven descend upon our hearts, purifying, quick-
ening, transforming our whole nature, and so fit-
ting us all for thy holy will !
Pardon, God ! the sins of the day ; and, by thy
gospel which we have heard, oh ! lift us into higher
light and life and joy.
We bless thee for the silence and quiet of night ;
for hours of rest by which we are strengthened and
refreshed for the duties of each returning day. As
a family, we commend ourselves to thy care and
keeping. Bless thou us, God ! and we shall be
blessed. Ever make thy face to shine upon us.
Lift up the light of thy countenance upon those
whom we love, and upon thy whole Church. Pros-
per thy Word this day preached and taught. Bless
all mankind. Pitifully look upon the poor, the
tried, the tempted, the forsaken, the oppressed,
and all the children of sorrow; and have mercy
upon all prisoners and captives.
And now, our Father ! grant that we, being
made thy children by adoption and grace, may
daily be renewed by thy Holy Spirit, and at last
rise to the life immortal, through Jesus Christ our
only Saviour; to whom, with thee and the Holy
Ghost, be glory and thanksgiving throughout all
ages. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
187
MONDAY.
Matthew xiii. — 24. Another parable put lie
forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven
is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in
his field;
25. But, while men slept, his enemy came and
sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.
26. But when the blade was sprung up, and
brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares
also.
27. So the servants of the householder came and
said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in
thy field ? from whence, then, hath it tares ?
28. He said unto them, An enemy hath done this.
The servants said unto him, "Wilt thou, then, that
we go and gather them up ?
29. But he said, Nay ; lest, while ye gather up
the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.
30. Let both grow together until the harvest :
and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers,
Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them
in bundles to bum them ; but gather the wheat
into my barn.
37. He answered and said unto them, He that
soweth the good seed is the Son of man ;
38. The field is the world ; the good seed are the
children of the kingdom ; but the tares are the
children of the wicked one ;
39. The enemy that sowed them is the devil ;
Dean Alford, in his commentary on this parable, states that
a field belonging to himself, at Gaddesby in Leicestershire,
England, was maliciously sown with charlock over the wheat.
This act of malice is quite common in the East : one who has
a grudge against a neighbor will sow his ploughed land with
darnel, or other weeds so nearly resembling the wheat, that
their presence is not detected until they have accomplished
their work of destruction. By this parable, our Lord ac-
counts, in part at least, for the origin of evil, and defines God's
method of dealing with it in this world. Sin is not a thing of
his providing : he did not plant it in his field ; and he no more
desires it than the farmer wants tares among his wheat. The
whole work of creation was good as God made it. Sin began
in the rebellion and apostasy of Satan and his angels, who
the harvest is the end of the world ; and the reap-
ers are the angels.
40. As, therefore, the tares are gathered, and
burned in the fire ; so shall it be in the end of this
world.
41. The Son of man shall send forth his angels,
and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things
that offend, and them which do iniquity ;
42. And shall cast them into a furnace of fire :
there shall be wailing, and gnashing of teeth.
43. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the
sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath
ears to hear, let him hear.
Revelation xiv, — 13. And I heard a voice from
heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the
dead which die in the Lord from henceforth. Yea,
saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their
labors; and their works do follow them.
14. And I looked, and behold a white cloud ;
and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of
man, having on his head a golden crown, and in
his hand a sharp sickle.
15. And another angel came out of the temple,
crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud,
Thrust in thy sickle, and reap : for the time is come
for thee to reap ; for the harvest of the earth is ripe.
16. And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his
sickle on the earth ; and the earth was reaped.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God
Almighty. Just and true are all thy ways, thou
King of saints. We would praise thee and wor-
ship thee ever, world without end. We commit
ourselves to thy love and faithfulness. In thee
would we trust at all times. Confident in thy
promises, and in the help of thy Spirit, may we
not fear what man can do unto us !
We beseech thee, Lord ! to keep us this day.
May thy blessing be upon our persons, upon our
labors, upon our substance, and upon all that be-
longs to us ! Enable us to resist the temptations
of the world, the flesh, and the Devil ; to follow the
motions of thy good Spirit ; to be serious and holy
in our lives, true and just in our dealings, watch-
abused their moral freedom against their Creator. Sin was
introduced into this world by the temptation of the Enemy,
who sowed in the minds of our first parents the suggestions
of evil, which they permitted to take root, and choke the prin-
ciple of obedience. Even within the Church, the visible king-
dom of God, the Enemy is busy sowing envy, strife, formal-
ism, hypocrisy, unbelief, among the disciples of Christ. But,
inasmuch as sin enters through moral freedom, — which, by
its very nature, is capable of being perverted to evil, — it must
be counteracted by moral means ; and these need time for their
full effect. Violent interference would subvert the order of
the moral system, which, both in its conception and its end, is
altogether good. The future state will clear up all mystery,
and forever separate the good from the evil.
[Kos. 5, 81, 104.
Prayer.
ful over our thoughts, words, and actions, diligent
in our business, and temperate in all things. Give
us grace that we may honestly improve all the tal-
ents thou hast committed to our trust, and that no
worldly business, no worldly pleasures, may ever
divert us from the thoughts of the life to come.
Remember with thy loving-kindness all dear to us,
and satisfy them with thy grace. Bless all men
with thy saving mercy. Stay, we beseech thee, the
iniquities of our times. Purify thy Church from
worldliness, from error, from unbelief. Oh ! give
to thy saints the kingdom under the whole heaven ;
and, when the Son of man shall come, oh ! make us
to be numbered with thy saints in glory everlast-
ing, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
188
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
TUESDAY.
Matthew xiii. — 44. Again, The kingdom of
heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the
which, when a man hath found, he hideth, and
for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath,
and buyeth that field.
45. Again, The kingdom of heaven is like unto
a merchant-man seeking goodly pearls ;
46. Who, when he had found one pearl of great
price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.
47. Again, The kingdom of heaven is like unto
a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of
every kind ;
48. Which, when it was full, they drew to shore,
and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels,
but cast the bad away.
49. So shall it be at the end of the world : the
angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from
among the just,
50. And shall cast them into the furnace of fire :
there shall be wailing, and gnashing of teeth.
51. Jesus saith unto them, Have ye understood
all these things ? They say unto him, Yea, Lord.
The burying of treasure was common in Palestine, where
our modern methods of investment were unknown, and where
the frequency of wars, and the depredations of organized bands
of robbers, rendered all property insecure. A few years ago,
some workmen, digging over a garden in Sidon, found several
copper pots, which contained over eight thousand gold coins,
worth, in all, about fifty thousand dollars. As these coins were
of the time of Alexander and his father Philip, the presump-
tion is that the treasure was hidden by one of Alexander's
officers, with a view to his own advantage after the death of
his master. Such findings are by no means uncommon, and
treasure-hunting is a passion of the people. In the bazaars of
the East one sees the merchant of jewels with his portable
cases, which he has stocked in travelling from market to
52. Then said he unto them, Therefore every
scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of
heaven is like unto a man that is a householder,
which bringeth forth out of his treasure things
new and old.
53. And it came to pass, that, when Jesus had
finished these parables, he departed thence.
54. And, when he was come into his own country,
he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that
they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this
man this wisdom and these mighty works ?
55. Is not this the carpenter's son ? Is not his
mother called Mary ? and his brethren, James and
Joses and Simon and Judas ?
56. And his sisters, are they not all with us ?
Whence, then, hath this man all these things ?
57. And they were offended in him. But Je-
sus said unto them, A prophet is not without
honor, save in his own country and in his own
house.
58. And he did not many mighty works there,
because of their unbelief.
market. A single gem, or a pearl of uncommon size and
purity, may be a fortune in itself. These two parables repre-
sent different individuals finding the grace of the gospel : the
first coming upon it unexpectedly, but discerning its value and
making sure of it ; the other going in quest of truth and peace,
and finding this inestimable treasure. The third parable de-
scribes the promiscuous results of preaching the gospel, and
the mixed elements that are gathered into the Church. But
while some seek the gospel, and prize its blessed truths above
all possessions, others reject the teachings of Christ, cavil at his
doctrine, thrust aside his grace, and, by unbelief, fail utterly of
the great salvation which he hath wrought, and which he
offers freely to whoever will receive him. To every one of us
is offered the heavenly treasure, the priceless pearl.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 1, 97, 202.
Thou only, Lord ! makest us to dwell in safety.
We lie down at night under the shadow of thy
wings ; we awake in the morning to the light of
thy love. We thank thee for another night of rest
and comfort ; for another day of life, health, and
hope. We praise thee that thou didst create us
with powers of knowing and of loving, and hast
made this world so full of wonders and beauties
to feed our minds with knowledge, and to stir our
hearts with love and joy. May the glory of the
heavens, the richness and bounty of the earth, as
adapted to our wants, fill us with admiration of thy
power, thy wisdom, thy goodness ! and may the
voices of gladness with which all Nature celebrates
thy praise move our souls to bless and praise thee
also ! Lord ! may we be found faithful to thee
in the duties of this day ! and, amid its temptations
and its trials, do thou sustain us, comfort us, keep
us, and grant us grace in all we do to seek thy
glory. May this household, which thou hast so
blessed, serve thee, not at this altar only, but in all
the walks of life ! As we engage in the business of
the world, as we go into society, wherever we are,
and whatever we do, may we remember thee, and
do thy will ! Oh ! grant that every member of this
family may be a child of God, a humble, faithful
follower of the Lord Jesus Christ. Bless all dear
to us who are absent from us. Do thou, O Lord !
dwell by thy Spirit in the hearts and the minds
of all our friends. We supplicate thy mercy for the
needy, the afflicted, the bereaved, and sorrowing.
Oh ! grant to all the consolations of thy gospel.
Build up thy Church, O Lord ! Fill our land
with pure religion. Bless the industry of the peo-
ple ; and may its fruit be consecrated to the
good of men ! And we beseech thee to bring all
lands under the power and glory of thy kingdom.
In thy great mercy, Lord ! forgive our sins, and
bring us unto thy heavenly kingdom, through
Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
189
WEDNESDAY.
Isaiah xii. — 1. And in that day thou shalt say,
Lord ! I will praise thee : though thou wast
angry with me, thine anger is turned away, and
thou comfortedst me.
2. Behold, God is my salvation ; I will trust, and
not he afraid : for the Lord JEHOVAH is my
strength and my song ; he also is become my sal-
vation.
3. Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of
the wells of salvation.
4. And in that day shall ye say, Praise the Lord ;
call upon his name ; declare his doings among the
people ; make mention that his name is exalted.
5. Sing unto the Lord ; for he hath done excel-
lent things : this is known in all the earth.
6. Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion ; for
great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee.
John vii. — 37. In the last day, that great day
of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any
man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.
38. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath
said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
39. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which
they that believe on him should receive ; for the
Holy Ghost was not yet given, because that Jesus
was not yet glorified.)
40. Many of the people, therefore, when they
heard this saying, said, Of a truth this is the
Prophet.
" On every day of the Feast of Tabernacles, at the time of
the morning sacrifice, a priest brought into the fore-court, in
a golden vessel, water from the spring of Siloah, which rises
within the mount on which the temple stood, and poured it,
mingled with the sacrificial wine, into two bowls which stood
upon the altar, and in which there was an opening by which
it made its escape. During the performance of this rite, the
priests caused trumpets and cymbals to be sounded, and the
words of Isa. xii. 3 were sung, — ' With joy shall ye draw
water out of the wells of salvation.' With high probabil-
ity, just at the point of time when the priest was carrying
that sacred water through the fore-court, and the people were
abandoning themselves to jubilant mirth at the sight of this
41. Others said, This is the Christ. But some
said, Shall Christ come out of Galilee ?
42. Hath not the scripture said, That Christ
cometh of the seed of David, and out of the
town of Bethlehem, where David was ?
43. So there was a division among the people
because of him.
44. And some of them would have taken him ;
but no man laid hands on him.
45. Then came the officers to the chief priests
and Pharisees ; and they said unto them, Why
have ye not brought him ?
46. The officers answered, Never man spake like
this man.
47. Then answered them the Pharisees, Are ye
also deceived ?
48. Have any of the rulers, or of the Pharisees,
believed on him ?
49. But this people, who knoweth not the law,
are cursed.
50. Nicodemus saith unto them (lie that came
to Jesus by night, being one of them),
51. Doth our law judge any man before it hear
him, and know what he doeth ?
52. They answered and said unto him, Art thou
also of Galilee ? Search, and look ; for out of
Galilee ariseth no prophet.
53. And every man went unto his own house.
symbol, Jesus stood forth in the midst of the multitude, and
cried aloud, that in him was actually imparted what was there
expressed in symbol."
To the woman of Samaria he had spoken of the inex-
haustible life-power of his grace within the heart : he now
speaks of a fulness that overflows with blessing to others.
Both are characteristics of the life imparted by Christ : it
refreshes the heart with an endless joy; it expands it with
an illimitable love. Not only the common people of the Jews,
but even the Roman soldiers, were impressed with something
more than human in such teachings. How base appears the
jealousy of the Pharisees in seeking to silence such words of
mercy !
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 3, 42, 162.
What shall we render unto thee, Lord ! for all
thy benefits ? Every day we live upon thy bounty ;
every night we rest under the shadow of thy wing.
We will take the cup of salvation, and call upon
the name of the Lord. But, above all other mer-
cies, we acknowledge thy grace in that thou didst
send thy Son to be the Saviour of the world.
Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.
Lord ! for Christ's sake have mercy upon us, and
take away our sins ; and grant that we may prove
our gratitude by a loving obedience to thy will. For
the rest and refreshment of the past night, for the
health and comfort with which we greet another
day, for the endearments and delights of home, for
means of occupation and support, of improvement
and usefulness, for all the favors of thy hand, so
multiplied unto us, we render thee most hearty
thanks. Freely as we receive may we also give !
May thy mercy abound toward all classes and con-
ditions of men, and thy salvation fill the whole
earth !
Bless this household in each and every mem-
ber. [Especially do we commend unto thee the
children, praying that in the morning of life they
may learn to trust in Jesus as their Saviour, and to
follow him as ready and loving disciples.] Oh, may
the dove of heavenly peace ever abide in our dwell-
ing ! Bless all dear to us ; and bring us all at
length unto our Father's house, through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen.
190
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
THURSDAY.
Luke X. — 25. And, behold, a certain lawyer
stood up and tempted him, saying, Master, what
shall I do to inherit eternal life ?
28. He said unto him, What is written in the
law ? how readest thou ?
27. And he, answering, said, Thou shalt love the
Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy
soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy
mind ; and thy neighbor as thyself.
28. And he said unto him, Thou hast answered
right : this do, and thou shalt live.
29. But he, willing to justify himself, said unto
Jesus, And who is my neighbor?
30. And Jesus, answering, said, A certain man
went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell
among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment,
and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half
dead.
31. And by chance there came down a certain
priest that way ; and, when he saw him, he passed
by on the other side.
32. And likewise a Levite, when he was at the
place, came and looked on him, and passed by on
the other side.
33. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed,
came where he was ; and, when he saw him, he had
compassion on him,
34. And went to him, and bound up his wounds,
pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own
beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of
him.
35. And on the morrow, when he departed, he
took out two pence, and gave them to the host,
and said unto him, Take care of him ; and whatso-
ever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will
repay thee.
36. Which now of these three, thinkest thou,
was neighbor unto him that fell among the
thieves ?
37. And he said, He that showed mercy on
him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou
likewise.
The way from Jerusalem down to Jericho lay through a
rocky wilderness, which is still infested with robhers, and often
unsafe for travellers without an armed escort. Jerome says,
that, in his time, " a part of the road was so infamous for
murders as to be called the red or bloody way ; and there
was a fort there, garrisoned by Roman soldie/s, to protect
travellers." In the parable, the sympathy is in the reverse
order of the sanctity. The priest, who represented the high-
est form of outward sanctity, paid no heed whatever to this
suffering fellow-creature. The Levite, who, though belonging
to the service of the temple, was less sacred than the priest,
halted long enough to look at the sufferer, but did nothing for
his relief. The Samaritan, who, in the e3'es of the priest and
the Levite, was a Gentile and an outcast, ministered to his
necessities with the most gentle and provident compassion ;
making sure of his safety, his comfort, and his recovery. The
lesson is one for every-day life, — teaching us that God " will
have mercy, and not sacrifice ; " and that the truest confession
of love to him is made by deeds of love done to our fellow-
men in his name.
The promptness, the gentleness, and the thoroughness with
which the Samaritan rendered this service added much to its
value as an act of philanthropy. He did not stop to remind
himself of the harsh and contemptuous treatment that the
Samaritans so often received from the Jews. He did not try to
satisfy his conscience by reporting the ease at the next caravan-
sary, and sending up relief. As soon as he saw a man welter-
ing in his blood, he went to him ; soothed his wounds, and
stanched them ; gave him his time and his means ; carried him
to a place of rest, and watched over him that night ; provided
for his wants, and left him in safe keeping; giving a sum of
money, which, considering the value of money and the cost of
living at that time, was ample. How grateful to his own heart
was this deed of kindness as he took up his own journey, ex-
posed to the same perils of the way ! The roughest path of
life can be made smooth by paving it with deeds of kindness.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 59, 86, 118.
O Thou who never slumberest nor sleepest ! we
have lain down and slept, and have risen again,
because thou, Lord, hast sustained us. Thou hast
kept us from the alarm of sickness and death,
from deeds of darkness and the hand of violence.
Thankful for the mercies of the night, we commit
ourselves unto thee with all our wakeful powers,
humbly beseeching thee to guide us in ways of
truth and righteousness for thy name's sake.
Send unto us, we pray thee, such prosperity as
thou seest to be best for us ; and, above all, grant
that our souls, being freed from sin, may prosper
and be in peace, through the grace of Jesus Christ
our Lord. Oh, may his mind be in us ! and may
we be made like unto him! — holy, harmless, un-
defiled, and separate from sinners. Oh ! help us
to give up all things for Christ ; to know the joy
of losing ourselves in him, the sweetness of bear-
ing the cross for Him who hath borne our sorrows.
May we have the charity of the gospel, and do
good in little things, by the word, the look, the
act of kindness, in the Saviour's name ! Teach us
to see in our fellow-men the children of our Father
in heaven, and to feel their wants and sorrows as
our own. May our philanthropy be pure, free,
broad, patient, self-sacrificing, and generous !
We thank thee, O Lord ! for the friends thou
hast given us, and pray that these may all be
joined with us in fellowship of thy redeemed. We
supplicate thy favor for the poor and needy, the
sick, the afflicted, the dying; for any who are
suffering by pestilence, famine, or war ; for all sorts
and conditions of men ; that thou wouldst be
pleased to make thy ways known unto them, thy
saving health unto all nations, through Jesus
Christ our Lord and Saviour. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
191
FRIDAY.
Psalm !v. — 1. Give ear to my prayer, God !
and hide not thyself from my supplication.
2. Attend unto me, and hear me : I mourn in
my complaint, and make a noise ;
3. Because of the voice of the enemy, because
of the oppression of the wicked: for they cast
iniquity upon me, and in wrath they hate me.
4. My heart is sore pained within me ; and the
terrors of death are fallen upon me.
5. Fearfulness and trembling are come upon
me, and horror hath overwhelmed me.
6. And I said, Oh that I had wings like a
dove ! for then would I fly away, and be at rest.
7. Lo, then would I wander far off, and remain
in the wilderness.
8. I would hasten my escape from the windy
storm and tempest.
16. As for me, I will call upon God ; and the
Lord shall save me.
17. Evening arid morning, and at noon, will I
pray, and cry aloud ; and he shall hear my voice.
22. Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he
shall sustain tbee : he shall never suffer the right-
eous to be moved.
Luke xi. — 5. And he said unto them, Which
of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him
at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me
three loaves ;
6. For a friend of mine in his journey is come
to me, and I have nothing to set before him ?
7. And he from within shall answer and say,
Trouble me not : the door is now shut, and my chil-
dren are with me in bed ; I cannot rise and give thee.
8. I say unto you, Though he will not rise and
give him because he is his friend, yet, because of
his importunity, he will rise and give him as many
as he needeth.
9. And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be
given you ; seek, and ye shall find ; knock, and it
shall be opened unto you.
10. For every one that asketh receiveth ; and
he that seeketh findeth ; and to him that knock-
eth it shall be opened.
11. If a son shall ask bread of any of you that
is a father, will he give him a stone ? or, if he ask
a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent ?
12. Or, if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him
a scorpion ?
13. If ye then, being evil, know how to give
good gifts unto your children, how much more
shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit
to them that ask him !
This was our Lord's application of his own prayer. Hav-
ing taught his disciples how to pray, he exhorted them to
make prayer a real, living matter of experience. By a para-
ble drawn from the necessities of men, and an illustration
drawn from the affections of men, he sought to bring prayer
into a constant and natural connection with the daily life. A
benighted traveller comes, late, tired, and hungry, to the house
of a friend. He open his doors ; but there is nothing to eat in
the house : so he hurries to a neighbor, and begs enough
bread for the emergency. The latter, though he has the bread,
dislikes the trouble of getting up, and refuses ; but the peti-
tioner in turn refuses to go away, and keeps up such a knock-
ing and calling, that, to get rid of him, the churlish neighbor
gives him what he wants. If selfish man can thus be won
by importunity to give, much more will our loving and boun-
tiful Father give to them that ask him.
No earthly father will mock his hungry child by offering
him what is hurtful or useless when the child is crying for
bread. But why does our heavenly Father lay this stress upon
the ashing? Because such giving can come only to the sense
of want. The supreme gift of the Holy Spirit, which includes
all real good, to be appreciated, and so to be of any value, must
come to a longing of the soul itself. The asking expresses
dependence; gives reality to faith; brings us near to God;
renders the blessing more precious, and renders us the more
grateful in the enjoyment of it. Through prayer we have
immediate access to the Fountain of spiritual life ; and, since
the will of God is our sanctification, if we fail to grow in
grace, and to have spiritual power over the world, it is for
lack of earnest, urgent, believing prayer. The importu-
nity that cries evening, morning, and at noon, will be
heard.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
fNos. 12, 15, 194.
Thou who wast tempted in all points like as
we are, yet without sin, and who for our sakes didst
endure such contradiction of sinners against thy-
self! keep us, we pray thee, from all adversities
which may happen to the body, and from all evil
thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul.
Help us, Lord! in our inward conflicts with
doubts and fears and sins ; help us in our conflicts
with the temptations and evils of the world ; and,
oh ! help us in our wrestlings with unseen powers
of evil. Lord ! increase our faith. Our hope is
in thee; our strength is from thee alone: dwell
in us by thy grace ; fill us with thy Spirit. This
very day, may we gain new victories over evil !
May we resist temptations in business to swerve
from the truth, to take advantage of others, to
act dishonorably, to be covetous and unjust ! May
we resist temptations in society to envy and evil-
speaking, to worldliness and frivolity ! May we
in all things do that which is right in the sight
of God ! [May these children grow up, dear Sa-
viour, in thy strength arid love, safe from the
power of evil !]
We thank thee for another night of rest, another
day of mercy and of hope. Bless all dear to us ;
our friends and neighbors. Succor, Lord ! the
poor and needy, the sick, the tempted, the dying.
Lord Jesus ! be with us in our last conflict, and
make us more than conquerors over death; and to
thy name be glory forever. Amen.
192
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
SATURDAY.
Isaiah lii. — 1. Awake, awake, put on thy
strength, Zion ! put on thy beautiful garments,
Jerusalem, the holy city ! for henceforth there
shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised
and the unclean.
2. Shake thyself from the dust ; arise, and sit
down, Jerusalem ! loose thyself from the bands
of thy neck, O captive daughter of Zion !
3. For thus saith the Lord : Ye have sold your-
selves for nought ; and ye shall be redeemed with-
out money.
4. For thus saith the Lord God: My people
went down aforetime into Egypt to sojourn there ;
and the Assyrian oppressed them without cause.
5. Now, therefore, what have I here, saith the
Lord, that my people is taken away for nought ?
They that rule over them make them to howl, saith
the Lord ; and my name continually every day is
blasphemed.
6. Therefore my people shall know my name :
therefore they shall know in that day that I am
he that doth speak ; behold, it is I.
7. How beautiful upon the mountains are the
feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that pub-
lisheth peace ; that bringeth good tidings of good,
that publisheth salvation ; that saith unto Zion,
Thy God reigneth !
8. Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice ; with
The Lord here identifies himself with his Church : they
are his people ; they bear his name ; and, when they are dis-
honored and persecuted, he feels that his name is blasphemed.
For their sins he may suffer his people to be rebuked and
chastened : if they will sell themselves to the world, they
shall learn how empty and worthless is the bargain they have
made ; if they will deliver themselves to sinful pleasures, they
shall learn how hard a yoke they have taken upon their neck.
But, through all their bondage and affliction, the Lord still
looks upon them with a loving eye, and cherishes toward them
his purpose of grace. Jerusalem was desolate, her temple in
ruins, her walls in the dust, her children in captivity. But
the prophet already sees her re-established in strength and
the voice together shall they sing: for they shall
see eye to eye when the Lord shall bring again
Zion.
9. Break forth into joy, sing together, ye waste
places of Jerusalem : for the Lord hath comforted
his people ; he hath redeemed Jerusalem.
10. The Lord hath made bare his holy arm
in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends
of the earth shall see the salvation of our
God.
11. Depart ye, depart ye, go ye out from thence,
touch no unclean thing ; go ye out of the midst of
her; be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the
Lord.
12. For ye shall not go out with haste, nor go
by flight ; for the Lord will go before you, and
the God of Israel will be your rearward.
13. Behold, my servant shall deal prudently;
he shall be exalted and extolled, and be very
high.
14. As many were astonied at thee (his visage
was so marred more than any man, and his form
more than the sons of men) ;
15. So shall he sprinkle many nations : the
kings shall shut their mouths at him ; for that
which had not been told them shall they see,
and that which they had not heard shall they con-
sider.
beauty ; redeemed, purified, exalted ; a wonder and a glory in
the earth. Her watchmen, standing upon her walls, descry
upon the mountains the messenger of peace. With one
voice they take up the good tidings, and echo and re-echo it,
until the regions wasted by war, even to the remotest corners
of the land, resound with joy and salvation. But, in order to
this final triumph of the Church, she must purify herself of
all dishonor and uncleanness. As Christ her Leader came in
lowliness and contumely, his very visage marred and his
person despised ; so must his people walk in the path of lowly,
holy consecration, that he may lead them to the victory of
righteousness over kings and nations.
Appropriate Hymns,}
Prayer.
[Nos. 164, 186, 191.
We adore thee, Lord our God ! that thou hast
not only revealed to us a heaven to come, but
hast assured us that there are yet good things in
store for this earth which we inhabit, and which
has so long groaned under the curse of sin. We
pray that thou wilt shorten these days of igno-
rance, wickedness, and folly, and hasten the reign
of the Lord Jesus. Help us, Lord our God !
that we may not merely pray, but may also labor
to the utmost to spread thy gospel and extend
thy dominion.
Oh ! fill us with the love of Him who went about
doing good. May we glorify thee by bringing forth
much fruit ! Thou hast commanded and encour-
aged us, Lord ! to make prayers and intercessions
for all men. We commend to thee the members
of this family, present or absent. May all be par-
takers of thy grace ! Help us rightly to fulfil the
duties of our several stations, always so exercising
ourselves as to have a conscience void of offence
towards God and towards men.
We commend ourselves to thy merciful protec-
tion and kindness throughout this day. Preserve
us from all evil ; and, in all our thoughts and
words and actions, may we remember that thou,
God, seest us.
And unto Him who hath been with us all our
life long — 'Our Creator, our Preserver, our Bene-
factor, and our Redeemer, Father, Son, and Holy
Spirit — be glory both now and forever. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
193
SUNDAY MORNING.
Psalm cxlvi. — 5. Happy is he that hath the
God of Jacob for his help ; whose hope is in the
Lord his God ;
6. Which made heaven and earth, the sea, and
all that therein is; which keepeth truth forever;
7. Which executeth judgment for the oppressed ;
which giveth food to the hungry. The Lord loos-
eth the prisoners :
8. The Lord openeth the eyes of the Wind: the
Lord raiseth them that are bowed down : the Lord
loveth the righteous :
9. The Lord preserveth the strangers; he re-
lieveth the fatherless and widow : but the way of
the wicked he turneth upside down.
10. The Lord shall reign forever, even thy God,
Zion ! unto all generations. Praise ye the Lord.
John ix. — 1. And, as Jesus passed by, he saw a
man which was blind from his birth.
2. And his disciples asked him, saying, Master,
who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was
born blind?
3. Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned,
nor his parents ; but that the works of God should
be made manifest in him.
4. I must work the works of him that sent me,
while it is day : the night cometh, when no man
can work.
5. As long as I am in the world, I am the light
of the world.
6. When he had thus spoken, he spat on the
The pool of Siloam lies at the foot of the temple-mount,
south-east of the city, just at the mouth of the ancient Tyro-
pceon valley ; and is fed in part from a spring or fountain in
the mountain itself, under the grand mosque. It was formerly
believed to possess medicinal properties ; but the sending of
the blind man to wash in the pool, like the application of sali-
va to his eyes, was intended to awaken faith, which has been
aptly styled " the conductor of the miraculous power." The
Jews referred physical infirmities and calamities to moral
causes ; and, since this man was born blind, the disciples were
ground, and made clay of the spittle ; and he
anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay,
7. And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of
Siloam (which is, by interpretation, Sent). He went
his way, therefore, and washed, and came seeing.
8. The neighbors therefore, and they which be-
fore had seen him that he was blind, said, Is not
this he that sat and begged ?
9. Some said, This is he ; others said, He is like
him ; but he said, I am he.
10. Therefore said they unto him, How were
thine eyes opened ?
11. He answered and said, A man that is called
Jesus made clay, and anointed mine eyes, and said
unto me, Go to the pool of Siloam, and wash ; and
I went and washed, and I received sight.
12. Then said they unto him, Where is he ? He
said, I know not.
13. They brought to the Pharisees him that
aforetime was blind.
14. And it was the sabbath day when Jesus
made the clay and opened his eyes.
15. Then again the Pharisees also asked him how
he had received his sight. He said unto them, He
put clay upon mine eyes, and I washed, and do see.
16. Therefore said some of the Pharisees, This
man is not of God, because he keepeth not the sab-
bath day. Others said, How can a man that is a
sinner do such miracles ? And there was a division
among them.
disposed to charge his blindness to some sin of his parents.
Jesus disowned a theology that would fasten even - specific
sorrow upon a specific sin, and taught the broader faith, that,
in the providence of God, suffering and sorrow may stand re-
lated to some wise and beneficent end, and serve to illustrate
his glory in the final good of his creatures. The method of this
healing affords a beautiful analogy of our spiritual enlighten-
ment. Under the teaching of Him who is the Light of the
world, a believing use of the means of grace will cause us to
come forth seeing:.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 9, 176.
blessed Saviour ! fulfil to us, we beseech thee,
thine own promise, that, where two or three are
gathered together in thy name, there thou wilt be
in the midst of them. As in the beginning of thy
gospel thou didst bless the church in the house, oh !
make this house thy church through our living
communion with thyself. Make our hearts to re-
joice whilst we wait upon thee, and whilst we hear
the welcome messages of thy grace.
Almighty God, assist and prosper the labors of
thy ministers. May they declare all thy counsel !
Touch their lips with a live coal from off thine
altar. Cause them deeply to feel the truths which
they proclaim, and fervently to love that Saviour of
whose grace they testify.
Bless the young who shall be gathered this day
for instruction in our Sunday schools. Let the
seed of thy truth take root in many a grateful
heart; and grant that every teacher may himself
be taught of thee. Through the word of thy lips,
Lord ! grant that many a child may be kept
from the paths of the destroyer.
We bless thee for the mercies of the past week, —
for health and comfort, for food and raiment, for
friends and knowledge, and all that thou givest us
so richly to enjoy. Our hearts go up to thee, the
Father of lights, in grateful adoration.
Lord our God ! be with us throughout the day.
Graciously help us so to keep thy sabbath on earth,
that we may be the more ready and prepared for
an eternal sabbath above. Hear us, we pray thee,
for the sake of Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.
194
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
SUNDAY EVENING.
Psalm XX. — 1. The Lord hear thee in the day of
trouble ; the name of the God of Jacob defend thee ;
2. Send thee help from the sanctuary, and
strengthen thee out of Zion ;
3. Remember all thy offerings, and accept thy
burnt-sacrifice ;
4. Grant thee according to thine own heart, and
fulfil all thy counsel.
5. We will rejoice in thy salvation, and in the
name of our God we will set up oar banners : the
Lord fulfil all thy petitions.
6. Now know I that the Lord saveth his
anointed : he will hear him from his holy heaven
with the saving strength of his right hand.
7. Some trust in chariots, and some in horses ;
but we will remember the name of the Lord our
God.
8. They are brought down and fallen ; but we
are risen, and stand upright.
9. Save, Lord : let the king hear us when we call.
I Peter V. — 1. The elders which are among
you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness
of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of
the glory that shall be revealed :
2. Feed the flock of God which is among you,
taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint,
If Peter was the predecessor and type of modern popes,
this exhortation is in strange contrast to their pretensions.
Instead of commanding the presbyters as their superior, he
exhorts them as one of their own number, who needs the same
grace and counsel with themselves. That he had beheld the
glory of Christ in the transfiguration, and been an eye-wit-
ness of his sufferings, gave a special warrant to his testimony ;
but he did not rest this upon official supremacy. None must
assume to lord it over the heritage of God. On the other
hand, such exhortations to humility came with especial grace
from one whose self-confidence had brought him to so sad a
fall. Humility and hope, dependence and faith, go together.
When we cease to set ourselves foremost, and learn to commit
our interests to God, then a sensitive pride and a carking care
alike vanish. The word " care," in verse 7, as applied to men,
but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready
mind;
3. Neither as being lords over GooVs heritage,
but being ensamples to the flock.
4. And, when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye
shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.
5. Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto
the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to
another, and be clothed with humility ; for God
resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
6. Humble yourselves, therefore, under the migh-
ty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time :
7. Casting all your care upon him ; for he careth
for you.
8. Be sober, be vigilant ; because your adver-
sary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about,
seeking whom he may devour :
9. Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing
that the same afflictions are accomplished in your
brethren that are in the world.
10. But the God of all grace, who hath called
us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after
that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect,
stablish, strengthen, settle you.
11. To him be glory and dominion for ever and
ever. Amen.
denotes that which divides the mind, and hence distracts it with
doubts, fears, anxieties, — a distressed state of feeling, the
sense of being burdened, the apprehension of evil. But, as
applied to God, it is another word, though rendered in our
English Bible by the same : it denotes thinking upon one,
having regard for him, with a view to taking care of him.
We are exhorted to lay aside our anxieties, and to rest in his
loving care. A true faith, a humble trust in God, will remove
the burden of cares by annulling the spirit of anxiety. We
are exhorted to throw off upon God, in filial confidence, all
our care, and to gain stability within ourselves by resting
implicitly upon him ; and this stability of mind will give us
steadfastness against evil. To be humble is to be vigilant,
peaceful, strong, victorious.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 11, 15, 32.
Almighty God, our heavenly Father, who hast
graciously opened for us sinners a way by which we
may approach thee with acceptance, we thank thee
for all thine unnumbered gifts and mercies ; but,
above all, for thine unspeakable love in the redemp-
tion of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ.
Lord ! give us grace to live as thy people ; to walk
before thee in newness of life; and to seek those
things which are above, where Christ sitteth at
thy right hand. Deliver us from over-carefulness
about earthly things. Strengthen our confidence
in thy providence and thy grace ; and dispose
us to seek first thy kingdom and righteousness,
knowing that all things needful for this life shall
be added unto us.
Grant thy Holy Spirit, O Lord! to all thy min-
isters. Fill them with light and wisdom, with
zeal and love; and give thy Word power and
unction from their lips. Remember the Sunday
school. blessed Jesus ! feed thy lambs with
thine own truth and grace. Visit this house,
we beseech thee, with thy salvation. Thankful
for the mercies of the day, we commit ourselves,
Lord ! and all that concerns us, to thy gracious
care. Make all the dealings of thy providence
to work for our good. If thou shouldst appoint
trials and afflictions for us, make us patient and
submissive to thy holy will. If we enjoy comfort
and prosperity, make us humble and thankful.
Lead us safely through this world of sin, and
bring us at last to thy heavenly kingdom, for the
sake of Jesus Christ, our Redeemer. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
195
MONDAY.
John ix. — 24. Then again called they the man
that was blind, and said unto him, Give God the
praise : we know that this man is a sinner.
25. He answered and said, Whether he be a
sinner or no, I know not : one thing I know, that,
whereas I was blind, now I see.
26. Then said they to him again, What did he
to thee ? how opened he thine eyes ?
27. He answered them, I have told you already,
and ye did not hear : wherefore would ye hear it
again ? Will ye also be his disciples ?
28. Then they reviled him, and said, Thou art
his disciple ; but we are Moses' disciples.
29. We know that God spake unto Moses : as
for this fellow, we know not from whence he is.
30. The man answered and said unto them,
Why, herein is a marvellous thing, that ye know
not from whence he is, and yet he hath opened
mine eyes.
31. Now, we know that God heareth not sinners ;
but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth
his will, him he heareth.
32. Since the world began was it not heard that
any man opened the eyes of one that was born
blind.
This miracle was tested at every point. The man was
well known to have been blind from his birth ; the neighbors
identified him ; and his parents, being summoned, testified to
the same fact. The man himself was cross-questioned in
every way, but gave uniformly the same answer, — that Jesus
had opened his eyes. As yet, he had no idea who his bene-
factor was : but he reasoned conclusively from the facts of
the case ; he knew he had been blind ; he knew that he now
saw ; he knew that such a miracle could be wrought only by
one who had the divine spirit of love and power, who was
33. If this man were not of God, he could do
nothing.
34. They answered and said unto him, Thou
wast altogether born in sins ; and dost thou teach
us ? And they cast him out.
35. Jesus heard that they had cast him out ;
and, when he had found him, he said unto him,
Dost thou believe on the Son of God ?
36. He answered and said, Who is he, Lord,
that I might believe on him ?
37. And Jesus said unto him, Thou hast
both seen him, and it is he that talketh with
thee. '
38. And he said, Lord, I believe. And he wor-
shipped him.
39. And Jesus said, For judgment I am come
into this world ; that they which see not might
see, and that they which see might be made
blind.
40. And some of the Pharisees which were with
him heard these words, and said unto him, Are we
blind also ?
41. Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye
should have no sin : but now ye say, We see ;
therefore your sin remaineth.
himself " of God." In this frame of mind he was already a
believer, and was prepared to confess and honor Christ in his
full character and glory as soon as these were made known to
him. What a beautiful symbol of conversion ! Setting
aside all speculative questions, the soul that Jesus has
awakened by his truth, and enlightened by his Spirit, testifies,
" Whereas I was blind, now I see ; " and declares, " Lord,
I believe." Christ, by his light, is thus testing our hearts.
Let us beware, lest, in the pride of our understanding, we
blind ourselves to the true light, and grope on in our sin.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 9, 122, 187.
Thou only, Lord ! makest us to dwell in safety.
We lie down at night under the shadow of thy
wings ; we awake in the morning to the light of
thy love. We thank thee for another night of rest
and comfort ; for another day of life, health, and
hope. We praise thee that thou didst create us
with powers of knowing and of loving, and hast
made this world so full of wonders and beauties
to feed our minds with knowledge, and to stir our
hearts with love and joy. May the glory of the
heavens, the richness and bounty of the earth, as
adapted to our wants, fill us with admiration of thy
power, thy wisdom, thy goodness ! and may the
voices of gladness with which all Nature celebrates
thy praise move our souls to bless and praise thee
also ! Lord ! may we be found faithful to thee
in the duties of this day ! and, amid its temptations
and its trials, do thou sustain us, comfort us, keep
us, and grant us grace in all we do to seek thy
glory. May this household, which thou hast so
blessed, serve thee, not at this altar only, but in all
the walks of life ! As we engage in the business of
the world, as we go into society, wherever we are,
and whatever we do, may we remember thee, and
do thy will ! Oh ! grant that every member of this
family may be a child of God, a humble, faithful
follower of the Lord Jesus Christ. Bless all dear
to us who are absent from us. Do thou, Lord !
dwell by thy Spirit in the hearts and the minds
of all our friends. We supplicate thy mercy for the
needy, the afflicted, the bereaved, and sorrowing.
Oh ! grant to all the consolations of thy gospel.
Build up thy Church, Lord ! Fill our land
with pure religion. Bless the industry of the peo-
ple ; and may its fruit be consecrated to the
good of men ! And we beseech thee to bring all
lands under the power and glory of thy kingdom.
In thy great mercy, Lord ! forgive our sins, and
bring us unto thy heavenly kingdom, through
Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.
196
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
TUESDAY.
Genesis xxvii. — 6. And Rebekah spake unto
Jacob ber son, saying, Bebold, I beard tby father
speak unto Esau thy brother, saying,
7. Bring me venison, and make me savory meat,
that I may eat, and bless thee before the Lord, be-
fore my death.
9. Go now to the flock, and fetch me from thence
two good kids of the goats ; and I will make them
savory meat for thy father, such as he loveth :
10. And thou shalt bring it to thy father, that
he may eat, and that he may bless thee before his
death.
14. And he went, and fetched, and brought
them to his mother ; and his mother made savory
meat, such as his father loved.
15. And Rebekah took goodly raiment of her
eldest son Esau, which were with her in the house,
and put them upon Jacob, her younger son ;
16. And she put the skins of the kids of the goats
upon his bands and upon the smooth of his neck ;
17. And she gave the savory meat and the
bread, which she had prepared, into the hand of
her son Jacob.
18. And he came unto his father, and said, My
father. And he said, Here am I : who art thou,
my son?
19. And Jacob said unto his father, I am Esau,
thy first-born; I have done according as thou badest
me : arise, I pray thee, sit, and eat of my venison,
that thy soul may bless me.
20. And Isaac said unto his son, How is it that
The honesty of the Bible, in narrating, without extenua-
tion, the failings and sins of God's own people, is a token both
of the historic truth and the divine wisdom of the record. The
fact that God turns the wrong-doings of men to the further-
ance of his own plans is never used to justify, or even to pal-
liate, the sin. In this unhappy affair, all the parties were
wrong. It was known to Isaac that Jacob was announced to
be the heir of the promise ; but his partiality for Esau led him
to attempt to forestall Divine Providence by giving his bless-
ing in secret. Esau had rashly sold his birthright for a mess
of pottage ; but he should have regarded his oath to his broth-
er, and have accepted the consequences. Jacob had taken a
mean advantage of his necessity, and showed a disposition to
thou hast found it so quickly, my son ? And he
said, Because the Lord thy God brought it to me.
21. And Isaac said unto Jacob, Come near, I
pray thee, that I may feel thee, my son, whether
thou be my very son Esau, or not.
22. And Jacob went near unto Isaac his father:
and he felt him, and said, The voice is Jacob's
voice ; but the hands are the hands of Esau.
23. And he discerned him not, because his hands
were hairy, as his brother Esau's hands : so he
blessed him.
24. And he said, Art thou my very son Esau ?
And he said, I am.
25. And he said, Bring it near to me, and I will
eat of my son's venison, that my soul may bless
thee. And he brought it near to him, and he did
eat ; and he brought him wine, and he drank.
26. And his father Isaac said unto him, Come
near now, and kiss me, my son.
27. And he came near, and kissed him ; and he
smelled the smell of his raiment, and blessed him,
and said, See, the smell of my son is as the smell
of a field which the Lord hath blessed :
28. Therefore God give thee of the dew of
heaven, and the fatness of the earth, and plenty of
corn and wine :
29. Let people serve thee, and nations bow down
to thee ; be lord over tby brethren, and let thy
mother's sons bow down to thee : cursed be every
one that cursetb thee, and blessed be he that
blesseth thee.
oven-each him. Though he shrank, at first, from the decep-
tion which his mother proposed, — lest his father should dis-
cover the cheat, and give him his curse instead of his bless-
ing, — yet the temptation proved too strong; and, consenting
to the first step, he was led from one fraud to another, until
he even invoked the name of God to a lie : so easy is it to
slide from sin to sin ! But Rebekah was the chief offender.
She plotted the deception -of Jacob, the imposition upon her
aged and blind husband, the wrong to her first-born. She
attempted to make sure a divine promise by a pious fraud ;
but she brought strife and bitterness into the household,
and sorrow upon herself and her favorite son. Selfishness
always brings sorrow, even when it puts on the guise of love.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 115, 124, 136.
thou Spirit of truth and holiness ! we pray
thee to keep us from every sin. May we be mind-
ful of thy presence as a holy guardianship from
wrong ! and may we so delight in God, that we
shall live above the power of temptation and evil,
and, while diligent in business, be fervent in spirit,
serving the Lord ! Help us to be true and faithful,
just and kind, gentle and loving, pure and holy.
May we, as a family, live without partiality and
without hypocrisy ! [May these children delight
in one another's happiness, and be free from envy
and deceit !]
We thank thee for another night of rest, and
pray that this day we may be free from worldly
care. May all things work together for good! and
do thou, 6 Lord ! bring good out of evil.
Bless the Church in this community with thy
reviving grace ; visit our land with thy salvation ;
and fill the whole earth with thy praise.
Finally, we pray thee, bring us to thyself in joy
and glory everlasting ; bring us to the realization
of thy presence, that we may be satisfied with thy
likeness. And to the Father, the Son, and the
Holy Spirit, be glory forever. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
197
WEDNESDAY.
Genesis xxvii. — 30. And it came to pass, as
soon as Isaac had made an end of blessing Jacob,
and Jacob was yet scarce gone out from the pres-
ence of Isaac his father, that Esau his brother
came in from his hunting.
31. And he also had made savory meat, and
brought it unto his father ; and said unto his
father, Let my father arise and eat of his son's
venison, that thy soul may bless me.
32. And Isaac his father said unto him, Who
art thou ? And he said, I am thy son, thy first-
born, Esau.
33. And Isaac trembled very exceedingly, and
said, Who ? where is he that hath taken venison,
and brought it me, and I have eaten of all before
thou earnest, and have blessed him ? yea, and he
shall be blessed.
34. And, when Esau heard the words of his
father, he cried with a great and exceeding bitter
cry, and said unto his father, Bless me, even me
also, my father !
35. And he said, Thy brother came with subtle-
ty, and hath taken away thy blessing.
36. And he said, Is not he rightly named Jacob?
for he hath supplanted me these two times : he
took away my birth-right ; and, behold, now he
hath taken away my blessing. And he said, Hast
thou not reserved a blessing for me ?
37. And Isaac answered, and said unto Esau,
Behold, I have made him thy lord, and all his
brethren have I given to him for servants ; and
In those early times, and especially in the families of the
patriarchs, the parental blessing was believed to have the force
of a prophecy. Esau, to be sure, had parted with his right to
the blessing as the elder son, and his marriage to an idolater
shewed that he was indifferent to the religious ties and hopes
bound up in " the blessing of Abraham." The Scriptures
speak of him as a " profane " or reckless person, deserving con-
demnation. Yet, when he saw what he had lost, he was filled
with anguish, remorse, and rage, and begged and strove to re-
cover a privilege that he had so lightly thrust away. What a
with corn and wine have I sustained him : and
what shall I do now unto thee, my son?
38. And Esau said unto his father, Hast thou
but one blessing, my father? bless me, even me
also, my father! And Esau lifted up his voice,
and wept.
39. And Isaac his father answered, and said unto
him, Behold, thy dwelling shall be the fatness of
the earth, and of the dew of heaven from above ;
40. And by thy sword shalt thou live, and shalt
serve thy brother : and it shall come to pass, when
thou shalt have the dominion, that thou shalt break
his yoke from off thy neck.
41. And Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing
wherewith his father blessed him : and Esau said in
his heart, The days of mourning for my father are
at hand ; then will I slay my brother Jacob.
42. And these words of Esau her elder son were
told to Bebekah ; and she sent and called Jacob
her younger son, and said unto him, Behold, thy
brother Esau, as touching thee, doth comfort him-
self, purposing to kill thee.
43. Now therefore, my son, obey my voice ; and
arise, flee thou to Laban my brother, to Haran,
44. And tarry with him a few days, until thy
brother's fury turn away ;
45. Until thy brother's anger turn away from
thee, and he forget that which thou hast done to
him : then I will send, and fetch thee from thence.
Why should I be deprived also of you both in one
day?
warning to youth not to trifle with mercies, which, once re-
jected, may never return !
Jacob received the promise of temporal abundance, of supe-
riority among the nations, and of lordship over his brethren.
These promises were fulfilled in the history of his descendants.
The prediction concerning Esau, in verse 39, should read,
" Thy dwelling shall be away from the fatness of the earth."
He should lead a roving, warlike life, alternately in subjection
and in revolt ; and such has been the history of his posterity.
The Bedouin of to-day fitly represents this " desert-ranger."
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 95, 103.
O Lord Jesus ! we do hunger for thy Word ; we
do thirst for thy Spirit. Weak, empty, perishing,
in ourselves, we cry unto thee for the bread of
heaven, for the water of life. With longings for
good that this world can never satisfy, we turn to
thy fulness that we also may be filled. Confess-
ing our folly in forsaking thee, mourning our sin
in grieving thee, we come with broken and con-
trite hearts, and entreat thee to grant us forgive-
ness, comfort, and peace. Oh ! strengthen us to re-
sist temptation, to overcome evil, to renounce the
world.
Most merciful God, who in Jesus Christ thy Son
hast revealed thyself as our reconciling Father,
grant us grace, we beseech thee, to be followers of
God as dear children. Have compassion, O Lord !
upon the erring, the outcast, and the sorrowing;
deliver the persecuted and the oppressed ; have
mercy upon all prisoners and captives. Grant us
grace to endure with patience any trials and afflic-
tions that may come upon us, and to conquer the
world by faith. And do thou, Lord ! forgive our
enemies, and forgive us as we forgive them. Lord
our Preserver, who hast kept us through the perils of
the night ! keep us from evil this day and always ;
and finally bring us unto thy heavenly kingdom,
through Jesus Christ, our Mediator and Redeemer.
Amen.
198
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
THURSDAY.
Genesis xxviii. — 10. And Jacob went out from
Beer-sheba, and went towards Haran.
11. And be lighted upon a certain place, and
tarried there all night, because the sun was set ; and
he took of the stones of that place, and put them
for his pillows, and lay down in that place to
sleep.
12. And he dreamed, and behold, a ladder set
up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven ;
and behold, the angels of God ascending and de-
scending on it.
13. And behold, the Lord stood above it, and
said, I am the Lord God of Abraham thy father,
and the God of Isaac : the land whereon thou
liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed.
14. And thy seed shall be as the dust of the
earth ; and thou shalt spread abroad to the west,
and to the east, and to the north, and to the south :
and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families
of the earth be blessed.
15. And behold, I am with thee, and will keep
thee in all places whither thou goest, and will
bring thee again into this land ; for I will not leave
thee until I have done that which I have spoken
to thee of.
16. And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he
said, Surely the Lord is in this place ; and I knew
it not.
17. And he was afraid, and said, How dreadful
is this place ! this is none other but the house of
God, and this is the gate of heaven.
18. And Jacob rose up early in the morning,
and took the stone that he had ~put for his pillows,
and set it up for a pillar, and poured oil upon the
top of it.
19. And he called the name of that place Beth-
el ; but the name of that city was called Luz at
the first.
20. And Jacob vowed avow, saying, If God will
be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go,
and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on,
21. So that I come again to my father's house
in peace, then shall the Lord be my God ;
22. And this stone, which I have set for a pillar,
shall be God's house : and of all that thou shalt
give me, I will surely give the tenth unto thee.
The first penalty upon Jacob for his fraud on his brother
was banishment from his home and his mother. He fled
from the rage of Esau. His course lay in a north-easterly di-
rection to Succoth, near which was the ford of Jordan, just
above the mouth of the River Jabok. The scene of this vision
was near the present village of Beitin, about four hours
north of Jerusalem, among the mountains of Ephraim. The
season favored sleeping in the open air, and Jacob had no tent.
Spiritual communications do not depend upon outward con-
ditions ; and to the solitary wanderer lying on the ground,
with a stone for his pillow, the angels of God drew nigh.
By this vision, he, a fugitive, was put in possession of the land
promised to his fathers, and was declared to be in the line of suc-
cession under the covenant care of God. The spiritual expan-
sion of the promise is prominent. The faults of Jacob were
not extenuated nor allowed : no doubt these had already
wrought in him the bitterness of repentance. God had taken
him in training for good ; and, though grace had in him a
long conflict with evil, it triumphed in the end. Only thi - ough
that grace can we conquer ourselves. The vision aroused in
Jacob the religious sentiment which his covetousness had for
a time repressed. The sense of the nearness of God filled him
with awe, incited him to adoration, pledged him to gratitude.
Marking the spot with a memorial-stone, and consecrating it
with a vow, he went on his way rejoicing. That place is ever
nearest heaven where God's presence is felt ; and God's pres-
ence is felt wherever the soul looks up to him in humble, grate-
ful, admiring love.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 8, 42, 125.
We lift up our eyes unto the hills, whence Com-
eth our help : our help cometh from the Lord, which
made heaven and earth. Thine angels, O Lord !
have encamped round about us in the night-sea-
son, and thou hast given them charge concern-
ing us to defend us from all evil. We open our
eyes to the remembrance of thy mercy, to the con-
sciousness of thy presence, to the sense of our
dependence. Only our sins separate us from thee,
our loving Father ; and we beseech thee to blot
these out for thy name's sake, and to receive us in
Christ as thy redeemed and reconciled children.
Deliver us, we pray thee, from the consequences of
our own folly and transgression, and give unto us
the spirit of true repentance. Help us, Lord!
this day, to walk worthy of thy love, and, as obedi-
ent children, to do thy will.
[May the children of this family remember thee
they all acknowledge and serve thee !] Keep us,
Lord ! we pray thee, from all evil and sin this day.
In our intercourse with others, may we be true and
just, loving and patient, gentle and kind, and so
may we commend unto all the gospel of thy grace !
Preserve us from envy and jealousy; from covet-
ousness and deceit ; from the spirit of selfishness ;
from any and every act that would injure others,
or would grieve and offend the Spirit of all truth.
May thy favor be upon the community in
which we dwell, upon thy Church, upon our land !
Give peace in our time, Lord ! and incline
the hearts of our rulers to that which is just
and lawful in thy sight. Have mercy upon the
poor, the afflicted, the solitary, the bereaved :
and cause that the grace of thy gospel shall go
forth everywhere to heal the sins and sorrows of
all mankind. Finally bring us unto thine ever-
in the days of their youth ! May they love one \ lasting kingdom, through Jesus Christ our Lord
another, and seek one another's good ! and may I Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
199
FRIDAY.
Genesis xxix. — 1. Then Jacob went on his
journey, and came into the land of the people of
the east.
2. And he looked, and behold, a well in the field ;
and lo, there were three flocks of sheep lying by it;
for out of that well they watered the flocks : and a
great stone was upon the well's mouth.
3. And thither were all the flocks gathered ; and
they roiled the stone from the well's mouth and
watered the sheep, and put the stone again upon
the well's mouth in his place.
4. And Jacob said unto them, My brethren,
whence be ye? And they said, Of Haran are
we.
5. And he said unto them, Know ye Laban, the
son of Nahor? And they said, We know him.
6. And he said unto them, Is he well ? And they
said, He is well ; and behold, Rachel his daughter
cometh with the sheep.
7. And he said, Lo, it is yet high day, neither
is it time that the cattle should be gathered to-
gether : water ye the sheep, and go and feed them.
8. And they said, We cannot until all the flocks
be gathered together, and till they roll the stone
from the well's mouth ; then we water the sheep.
9. And, while he yet spake with them, Rachel
came with her father's sheep ; for she kept them.
10. And it came to pass, when Jacob saw Rachel
the daughter of Laban his mother's brother, and
the sheep of Laban his mother's brother, that Ja-
cob went near, and rolled the stone from the well's
mouth, and watered the flock of Laban his mother's
brother.
11. And Jacob kissed Rachel, and lifted up his
voice, and wept.
12. And Jacob told Rachel that he was her
father's brother, and that he was Rebekah's son;
and she ran and told her father.
13. And it came to pass, when Laban heard the
tidings of Jacob his sister's son, that he ran to
meet him, and embraced him, and kissed him, and
brought him to his house. And he told Laban all
these things.
14. And Laban said to him, Surely thou art my
bone and my flesh ; and he abode with him the
space of a month.
15. And Laban said unto Jacob, Because thou
art my brother, shouldest thou, therefore, serve me
for nought? Tell me, what shall thy wages be?
16. And Laban had two daughters : the name of
the elder was Leah, and the name of the younger
was Rachel.
17. Leah was tender-eyed; but Rachel was
beautiful and well-favored.
18. And Jacob loved Rachel; and said, I will serve
thee seven years for Rachel thy younger daughter.
19. And Laban said, It is better that I give her
to thee than that I should give her to another
man : abide with me.
20. And Jacob served seven years for Rachel ;
and they seemed unto him but a few days, for the
love he had to her.
It is an Eastern idiom for a definite journey, that one "car-
ries his feet; " for journeying at random, that "his feet carry
him." Jacob carried his feet upon his long and unknown
way, having a definite end in view. At last, he found himself
in the country from which his grandfather Abraham had
started on his pilgrimage of faith, and near the house from which
his mother had set out upon her more romantic journey. A
well being a valuable and sometimes a disputed property, it was
frequently covered to debar strangers from using it. At this
well the flocks of several owners were watered together for an
equal share. When Jacob heard that Eachel was coming, he
wished the herdsmen well out of the way ; but as soon as she
appeared, not regarding their presence, he gave her a some-
what impetuous greeting as her cousin, and the beautiful shep-
herdess ran home with the news of his arrival. Laban gave
Jacob his confidence and a cordial welcome. As he was pen-
niless, and could not hope to marry without providing a
dowry, he hired himself out for Rachel's sake ; but her love
sweetened his toil, and shortened the years. After all, Laban
requited him with deception, giving him Leah, and making
him serve for Rachel seven years more ; and this was another
penalty for Jacob's fraud upon his brother.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 21, 32, 137.
Blessed be God, the Father of all mercies, for
the mercies of the past night ; for shelter, safety,
comfort, rest, and peace. How precious are thy
thoughts unto us, God ! how great is the sum of
them! When we awake, we are still with thee.
So would our hearts rise to thee, Lord ! with the
morning light, with the incense of prayer and
praise ; yea, we would present our bodies unto thee
a living sacrifice. May this, our reasonable service,
be made holy through the blood of Jesus ! Help
us this day to live unto thee, and in all our
works and ways to do that which is well-pleas-
ing in thy sight. Prosper, we beseech thee, the
labor of our hands, our studies, our various call-
ings ; bless to us the means of knowledge and
improvement ; make us thoughtful of others, con-
siderate of the poor and afflicted, wise and ready
unto every good word and work. We commend
unto thee our kindred and friends, beseeching thee
to grant them the promise of the life that now
is ; and, in the world to come, life everlasting. We
pray for thy holy Church universal, for the coming
of light and peace and salvation in the latter-day
glory to all the earth, through Christ our Lord ;
and to thy name be power and glory and dominion
' world without end. Amen.
200
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
SATURDAY.
Genesis xxxii. — 9. And Jacob said, God of
my father Abraham, and God of my father Isaac,
the Lord which saidst unto me, Return unto thy
country and to thy kindred, and I will deal well
with thee !
10. I am not worthy of the least of all the mer-
cies and of all the truth which thou hast showed
unto thy servant ; for with my staff I passed over
this Jordan, and now I am become two bands.
11. Deliver me, I pray thee, from the hand of
my brother, from the hand of Esau ; for I fear him,
lest he will come and smite me, and the mother
with the children.
12. And thou saidst, I will surely do thee good,
and make thy seed as the sand of the sea, which
cannot be numbered for multitude.
24. And Jacob was left alone ; and there
wrestled a man with him until the breaking of
the day.
25. And, when he saw that he prevailed not
against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh ;
and the hollow of Jacob's thigh was out of joint as
he wrestled with him.
26. And he said ; Let me go ; for the day break-
eth. And he said, I will not let thee go except
thou bless me.
27. And he said unto him, What is thy name ?
And he said, Jacob.
28. And he said, Thy name shall be called no
more Jacob, but Israel ; for as a prince hast thou
power with God and with men, and hast pre-
vailed.
29. And Jacob asked him,, and said, Tell 7ne, I
pray thee, thy name. And he said, Wherefore is
it that thou dost ask after my name? And he
blessed him there.
30. And Jacob called the name of the place
Peniel ; for I have seen God face to face, and my
life is preserved.
31. And, as he passed over Penuel, the sun rose
upon him, and he halted upon his thigh.
32. Therefore the children of Israel ate not of
the sinew which shrank, which is upon the hollow
of the thigh, unto this day ; because he touched
the hollow of Jacob's thigh in the sinew that
shrank.
Jacob had emancipated himself from his long dependence
upon Laban, and, with his numerous household and flocks, was
returning to Canaan. As he approached the Jordan, his sin
against his brother returned to plague him. His route lay
across the northern frontier of the region occupied by the roving
tribes of Esau ; and he had reason to dread his brother's long-
threatened revenge. Jacob's company, though large, was not
in fighting-condition ; and Esau was approaching with a band
of four hundred warriors. Jacob sought to conciliate him with
friendly and even obsequious messages, and with most liberal
gifts ; but, while using the policy which was so marked a
trait in his character, he sought guidance and help from God.
With humility and gratitude he ascribed all his prosperity to
the divine favor; with meekness and faith he cast himself
upon the divine promise ; and then, with an importunity and
a persistence which ever since have been the pattern of believ-
ing prayer, he prevailed with God.
His brother met him with a cordial magnanimity ; and the
feud of twenty years was buried in a covenant of peace, which
was soon after sealed at their father's grave. Whatever our
straits, whatever our faults, whatever our perils, whatever our
deserts, let us cling to God as our one constant friend, and prove
the power of prayer to bring him to us " face to face " for our
salvation. It is the effectual fervent prayer that availeth much.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 48, 56, 188.
Father of mercies, accept our humble thanksgiv-
ing for all the tokens of thy love. We thank thee
for thy watchful care over us during the past night,
and for the light and the comfort of this morning.
For life and health and reason, for the bounties of
thy providence, for our individual and domestic
blessings, for all that mingles in the cup of life to
make life happy, we offer our grateful praise. Thou
hast led us in all our past days, and hast ordered
our way in mercy. Oh ! guide us with the wisdom
that is from above. Give us heart and courage
for the duties of this day. Keep us in our going-
out and our coming-in. Preserve us from all dan-
ger and evil, from accident, and from sudden death.
Plentifully endue us with thy grace, that we may
walk worthy of our high calling, and in all tilings
adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour. Let not
sin have dominion over us. Save us, we beseech
thee, from the consequences of our own misdoings,
and help us to walk uprightly. Oh ! give us the
spirit of believing and prevailing prayer, and the
victory of faith.
Ever keep this household in thy love. [Oh, may
these children be preserved from all harm, from all
evil, from all sin, and made happy in thy love !
May they shun the way of folly, and choose the
fear of the Lord !]
The blessings which we ask for ourselves, let it
please thee, God! to extend to all who are dear
to us by the ties of nature and affection. Lift
upon them the light of thy countenance, and sat-
isfy them with thy goodness. Hear us when we
pray for the good estate of the whole catholic
Church. Clothe thy ministers with salvation, and
let thy chosen people rejoice. Have pity upon
the nations, and fill the world with thy glory.
Strengthen the sons of toil, and comfort the
children of sorrow. Be thou the father of the
fatherless, the judge of the widow, and the rest of
the weary.
Our Father in heaven, take us to the bosom of
thy love, and keep us evermore, through Jesus
Christ our Saviour ; to whom, with thee and the
Holy Ghost, be glory everlasting. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
201
SUNDAY MORNING.
Genesis xxxv. — 1. And God said unto Jacob,
Arise, go up to Beth-el, and dwell there, and make
there an altar unto God, that appeared unto thee
when thou fleddest from the face of Esau thy brother.
2. Then Jacob said unto his household, and to
all that were with him, Put away the strange gods
that are among you, and be clean, and change your
garments :
3. And let us arise, and go up to Beth-el ; and
I will make there an altar unto God, who answered
me in the day of my distress, and was with me in
the way which I went.
4. And they gave unto Jacob all the strange
gods which were in their hand, and all their ear-
rings which were in their ears ; and Jacob hid them
under the oak which was by Shechem.
5. And they journeyed; and the terror of God
was upon the cities that were round about them,
and they did not pursue after the sons of Jacob.
6. So Jacob came to Luz, which is in the land
of Canaan (that is, Beth-el), he and all the people
that icere with him.
7. And he built there an altar, and called the
place El-beth-el, because there God appeared unto
him when he fled from the face of his brother.
8. But Deborah, Rebekah's nurse, died ; and
she was buried beneath Beth-el, under an oak;
and the name of it was called AUon-bachuth [that
is, the oak of weeping].
9. And God appeared unto Jacob again when
he came out of Padan-aram, and blessed him.
10. And God said unto him, Thy name is Jacob :
thy name shall not be called anj^ more Jacob, but
Israel shall be thy name ; and he called his name
Israel.
11. And God said unto him, I am God Almighty :
be fruitful and multiply ; a nation and a company
of nations shall be of thee, and kings shall come
out of thy loins.
12. And the land which I gave Abraham and
Isaac, to thee I will give it ; and to thy seed after
thee will I give the land.
13. And God went up from him in the place
where he talked with him.
14. And Jacob set up a pillar in the place
where he talked with him, even a pillar of stone ;
and he poured a drink-offering thereon, and he
poured oil thereon.
15. And Jacob called the name of the place
where God spake with him Beth-el.
On returning to Canaan, Jacob had established himself in
the beautiful Vale of Shechem, where he bought the well which
to this day bears his name. But a quarrel arose between his
sons and the men of Shechem ; and the patriarch moved south-
ward to Bethel, — the place hallowed by his vision of the
ladder, when he lay there, a solitary fugitive, with a stone for
his pillow. Rachel had brought with her "for good luck"
the amulets and charms that were used in her father's house.
No doubt the servants had many things of the same sort, and
some of the household had been led to adopt such as they
found in use at Shechem. Ear-rings having images of the
gods were used as amulets. Jacob purified and reformed his
household from these practices of idolatry, and restored them
to the true worship of Jehovah. God would have us keep in
remembrance his former mercies by memorials of his grace.
When one who has grown rich in the city returns to his
birthplace in the country, and rebuilds the dilapidated clrarch
or schoolhouse, or founds a library, an academy, an asylum,
he is following the example of Jacob in building an altar to
the Lord, who answered him in the day of his weakness, and
was with him in the way which he went. One may thus make
himself a very patriarch of blessing to after-generations.
Appropriate Hyiixs,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 2, 17, 42.
Almighty God, who hast revealed unto us what schools, all missionary labor, all the efforts of thy
eye had not seen, nor ear heard, and what had
never entered into the heart of man to conceive,
we bless thee for the manifestation of thyself in
Jesus Christ our Lord. Oh ! for his sake hear us,
and take away our sins. Thankful for the mercies
of the night and of the week now closed, we joy-
fully commit ourselves to thee for this holy day.
people to save the lost. Let thy kingdom come,
and thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Holy Father, we pray for all who are in trouble
and sorrow, that it may please thee to comfort
them in their distress, and give them a happy
issue out of their affliction. Have compassion on
the poor; succor the tried and the tempted; loose
Lord of the sabbath, bless us with thy Spirit, the chain of the captive ; hear the sigh of the
that, through the power of his grace, we may enter prisoner; and be with those who are doomed to
into the holiest rest, and partake of the purest joy. die. Praised be thy name for the mercies of this
Go with us to thy house. Help us to worship in life, — for our home-comforts, our means of educa-
the beauty of holiness. May we put away all tion, our manifold enjoyments and privileges. TTe
idols from our hearts, all sins from our thoughts ! commend ourselves as a family, with all our kin-
and may thy truth make us wise unto salvation dred and friends, unto thy heavenly care and bless-
through faith in thy Son ! ing. May this family altar be to us a Beth-el,
We commend to thee, God ! the whole catho- making this the house of God ! Accept our thanks,
lie Church. Pour down upon thy ministry, and pardon our sins, sanctify our souls, and prepare us
all congregations committed to their care, the for glory everlasting, through Jesus Christ, our
healthful spirit of thy grace. Bless all Sunday only Mediator. Amen.
202
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
SUNDAY EVENING.
John iii. — 25. Then there arose a question be-
tween some of John's disciples and the Jews about
purifying.
26. And they came unto John, and said unto
him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan,
to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same
baptizeth, and all men come to him.
27. John answered and said, A man can receive
nothing except it be given him from heaven.
28. Ye yourselves bear me witness that I said
I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him.
29. He that hath the bride is the bridegroom ; but
the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and
heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bride-
groom's voice : this my joy, therefore, is fulfilled.
30. He must increase ; but I must decrease.
31. He that cometh from above is above all: he
that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the
earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all.
32. And what he hath seen and heard, that he
testifieth ; and no man receiveth his testimony.
33. He that hath received his testimony hath
set to his seal that God is true.
34. For he whom God hath sent speaketh the
words of God ; for God giveth not the Spirit by
measure unto him.
The disciples of Jesus began to make proselytes, and to bap-
tize them, — probably into the confession of Jesus himself as
the Christ. The Pharisees, who had questioned the authority
of John's baptism, now stirred up a dispute with his adherents
touching this newer baptism, and endeavored to excite John's
jealousy by reporting that Jesus was gaining more disciples
than he. With a touching humility, John refers their relative
position to the appointment of Heaven ; accepts thankfully the
place of the forerunner and the friend of Christ ; and finds his
own joy in testifying to the more glorious personality and office
of Him, who, having come from heaven, is above all.
How sacred such a friendship ! how exquisite such a de-
votion ! Happy indeed will it be for us, if, when we have
striven to fulfil our sphere and office in life, we can resign it
to some younger or more fortunate, and perhaps more quali-
35. The Father loveth the Son, and hath given
all things into his band.
36. He that believeth on the Son hath everlast-
ing life ; and he that believeth not the Son shall
not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on
him.
I John V. — 9. If we receive the witness of men,
the witness of God is greater ; for this is the wit-
ness of God which he hath testified of his Son.
10. He that believeth on the Son of God hath
the witness in himself: he that believeth not God
hath made him a liar, because he believeth not the
record that God gave of his Son.
11. And this is the record, that God hath given
to us eternal life ; and this life is in his Son.
12. He that hath the Son hath life ; and he
that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
13. These things have I written unto you that
believe on the name of the Son of God ; that ye
may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye
may believe on the name of the Son of God.
20. And we know that the Son of God is come,
and hath given us an understanding, that we may
know him that is true ; and we are in him that is
true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the
true God, and eternal life.
fied person, and, free from envy, rejoice in the prosperity of
the work in his hands. Sooner or later we must learn to
say, "He must increase; but I must decrease." The lesson
will be easier if we early learn it at the feet of Christ, —
first by cultivating the spirit of Him, who, that he might
redeem us, " made himself of no reputation ; " and next by
consecrating our lives, in all their purposes, events, and re-
sults, to his blessed and ever-glorious will. The fulness of
the divine spirit, of divine power and grace, is in Christ.
Uniting ourselves to him by faith, we can give up all things
for his sake ; for, the more we lose of this life, the more
shall we prize the life everlasting. Withholding ourselves
from him, we do but bring upon our own souls a loss for
which there is no compensation here, and no remedy in the
hereafter.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 21, 28, 99.
O Thou who art the light and the life of the
world ! have compassion, we pray thee, upon those
who are sitting in darkness and in the shadow of
death ; and as thou didst at the first, by the preach-
ing of thine apostles, cause the light of thy gospel
to shine throughout the world, be pleased to make
thy ways known upon earth, thy saving health unto
all nations. Bless thy servants who have gone into
distant lands to proclaim the message of salvation.
Endue them with thy Holy Spirit; enrich them
with thy heavenly grace ; prosper them in all their
labors ; and give them souls as their reward. And,
thou Lord of the harvest ! we pray thee to send
fortli more laborers into thy harvest. May they
both sow the seed and reap the fruit of their labors !
We bring to thee, Lord ! the homage of our
hearts ; blessing thee for the mercies of the day,
and desiring to worship thee ever in spirit and
in truth. We praise and adore thee for thy great
mercy in Jesus Christ our Saviour : oh ! do thou
for his sake take away our sins, and sanctify us by
thy truth and thy Spirit. Keep us ever humble,
ever faithful ; doing all for the love of Christ, and
giving unto Christ all honor and glory. Bless to
us the reading and hearing of thy Word, the wor-
ship and order of thine house. Bless the assem-
blies of thy people, the communion of thy saints,
the instruction of children, the visiting and teach-
ing of thy servants among the poor, by the wayside,
and from house to house. Command thy blessing
upon Zion, — even life forevermore. Hear us for
Christ's sake. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
203
MONDAY.
Matthew xii. — 38. Then certain of the scribes
and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we
would see a sign from thee.
39. But he answered and said to thern, An evil
and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and
there shall no sign be given to it but the sign of
the prophet Jonas.
40. For as Jonas was three days and three nights
in the whale's belly, so shall the Son of man be
three days and three nights in the heart of the
earth.
41. The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment
with this generation, and shall condemn it : because
they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, be-
hold, a greater than Jonas is here.
42. The queen of the south shall rise up in the
judgment with this generation, and shall condemn
it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the
earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold,
a greater than Solomon is here.
43. When the unclean spirit is gone out of a
man, he walketk through dry places, seeking rest,
and findeth none.
44. Then he saith, I will return into my house
from whence I came out; and, when he is come, he
findeth it empty, swept, and garnished.
45. Then goeth he and taketh with himself
seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and
they enter in and dwell there ; and the last state
of that man is worse than the first. Even so
shall it be also unto this wicked generation.
46. While he yet talked to the people, behold,
his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring
to speak with him.
47. Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother
and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak
with thee.
48. But he answered and said unto him that
told him, Who is my mother? and who are my
brethren ?
49. And he stretched forth his hand toward his
disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my
brethren !
50. For whosoever shall do the will of my Father
which is in heaven, the same is my brother and
sister and mother.
The multiplication of miracles would not multiply con-
versions. The miracle addresses itself primarily to the exter-
nal senses, excites wonder and awe, awakens inquiry, may
convince the understanding, and, where its effects are benefi-
cent, may touch the heart ; but conversion proceeds from
the heart, and manifests itself through the will in the out-
ward life. These scribes and Pharisees had seen miracles
enough, but had resisted their testimony, and had even at-
tributed them to the power of Satan. They now demanded
some such wonder as Satan himself had suggested in the
temptation, — that Jesus should leap from the pinnacle of the
temple, and. sail down as from heaven. He would not minis-
ter to their captious, cavilling spirit, but, under the figure of
the prophet Jonah, predicted his own death and resurrection.
He then pointed out their guilt in resisting the accumulated
evidence of the divinity within himself and the higher light
of his teachings. The tendency of men who resist truth is
from bad to worse : the course of error and unbelief is ever
downwards. But, while Jesus thus rebuked apostasy, he
turned with loving tenderness toward those who sought the
will of God. Nearer than the closest earthly ties is the affec-
tion of Jesus for his disciples ; and, though we see no wonders
of his hand, we may share his heart through a loving conse-
cration to our Father which is in heaven. When we consider
the tender love of Jesus for his mother, what an ineffable joy
and glory are opened by this promise to those who do his will !
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 144, 145, 151.
We come to thee this morning, heavenly Father,
with hearts full of thankfulness for the mercies of
the night. We have rested in safety and in peace
under the shadow of thy wing. Thou hast kept us
quiet from the fear of evil : nor sickness nor death,
nor tempest nor fire, nor any calamity, hath over-
taken us or our dwelling. How sure are the mercies
of thy covenant, Lord ! All thy promises in Christ
Jesus are Yea and Amen. Fulfil unto us, we be-
seech thee, these thy mercies and promises, and
cause that this day we may rejoice in thy salvation.
Bless to us thy Word which we have now read.
Oh ! sanctify us by thy truth ; and, while we re-
ceive its instruction and comfort in our hearts,
may we carry out its precepts in our lives, and
adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all
things ! May we be just and true, loving and kind,
gentle, forbearing, and forgiving, and so shine as
lights in the world, holding forth the Word of life !
May every day witness some new victory over evil
desires and passions within us, and over the evil
that is in the world ! By feeding upon thy Word,
the bread of heaven, may we grow up into Him
who is our Life and Head, even Christ ! [Oh ! may
these children grow in grace as they grow in years
and in knowledge ! May they shun evil compan-
ions and evil ways, and walk in the way of thy
commandments !] Keep all dear to us even as the
apple of thine eye. Bless our neighbors, and send
thy Spirit upon this whole community. Bless our
rulers, and the schools and churches in our land.
May all who rule, and all who teach, be led and
taught by thee ! Have pity upon the poor and the
sorrowing ; upon homes made desolate by famine,
pestilence, or war. Stay thy judgments, Lord !
and send peace and salvation to all people. Mer-
cifully forgive our sins, and bring us unto the per-
fection of knowledge, of holiness, and of blessed-
ness, in Jesus Christ our Lord ; to whom be glory
forever. Amen.
204
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
TUESDAY.
Jonah ii. — 1. Then Jonah prayed unto the
Lord his God out of the fish's belly,
2. And said, I cried by reason of mine affliction
unto the Lord, and he heard me ; out of the belly
of hell cried I, and thou heardest my voice.
3. For thou hadst cast me into the deep, in the
midst of the seas ; and the floods compassed me
about : all thy billows and thy waves passed over
me.
4. Then I said, I am cast out of thy sight ; yet
I will look again toward thy holy temple.
5. The waters compassed me about, even to the
soul : the depth closed me round about ; the weeds
were wrapped about my head.
6. I went down to the bottoms of the moun-
tains ; the earth with her bars was about me for-
ever : yet hast thou brought up my life from cor-
ruption, Lord my God !
7. When my soul fainted within me, I remem-
bered the Lord ; and my prayer came in unto thee,
into thine holy temple.
Matthew xiv. — 22. And straightway Jesus con-
strained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go
before him unto the other side, while he sent the
multitudes away.
23. And, when he had sent the multitudes
away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray ;
Impetuous, querulous, bold, and timid, by turns, Jonah
was the very prototype of Peter. When God subjected him
to the highest test of obedience, his faith faltered ; and this
brought him into peril of his life ; but, in his extremity, faith
rallied to deliver him. It was so with Peter.
There are occasions in life when to doubt is to fail. Doubt
is the vertigo that disorders our mental vision, and blinds the
judgment ; so that, the higher we try to rise, the more likely
are we to fall. Doubt is the paralysis of the will, that ren-
ders our moral decisions and efforts tremulous and uncertain,
and causes us to stumble and fall in the very effort to walk.
So long as Peter fixed his faith steadily upon Christ, he could
quit the vessel without fear, step forth upon the sea, and walk
upon the raging waves : but the instant he began to question
what he was doing, and the probability of going forward, he
began to sink ; for he lost hold of that spiritual power which
had counteracted gravity, and there was nothing left to keep
Appropriate Hymns,]
and, when the evening was come, he was there
alone.
24. But the ship was now in the midst of the
sea, tossed with waves ; for the wind was contrary.
25. And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus
went unto them, walking on the sea.
26. And, when the disciples saw him walking on
the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit ;
and they cried out for fear.
27. But straightway Jesus spake unto them,
saying, Be of good cbeer; it is I; be not afraid.
28. And Peter answered him, and said, Lord, if
it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.
29. And he said, Come. And, when Peter was
come down out of the ship, he walked on the
water to go to Jesus.
30. But, when he saw the wind boisterous, he
was afraid; and, beginning to sink, he cried, say-
ing, Lord, save me !
31. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his
hand, and caught him, and said unto him, thou
of little faith ! wherefore didst thou doubt ?
32. And, when they were come into the ship,
the wind ceased.
33. Then they that were in the ship came and
worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the
Son of God.
him up. He, the stout fisherman, the brave swimmer, who
for his whole life had been at home upon that sea, cried in ter-
ror, " Lord, save me, or I perish ! " The energy of faith was
palsied for action ; but the earnestness of faith revived for
trusting. Jesus, who mingled tenderness with rebuke, recog-
nized the reality and sincerity of his faith, while he reproved
him for its feebleness ; for " little faith " is a different thing
from faithlessness. The essence of faith is an unfaltering
trust in Christ, and its strength lies in its simplicity as an un-
divided act. In looking to Jesus for salvation, we must look
to him wholly ; in looking for succor, we must cast all our
care on him, and take him at his word ; in serving his cause,
we must obey him implicitly. In every danger, he is nigh.
No night so dark but he can see us ; no storm so loud
but he can hear us : and, though the sorrows of death com-
pass us, we shall still hear his voice, saying, " It is I ; be not
afraid."
Prayer.
Thou only, Lord ! makest us to dwell in safety.
We lie down at night under the shadow of thy
wings ; we awake in the morning to the light of
thy love. We thank thee for another night of rest
and comfort ; for another day of life, health, and
hope. Lord ! may we be found faithful to thee
in the duties of this day ! and, amid its temptations
and its trials, do thou sustain us, comfort us, keep
us, and grant us grace in all we do to seek thy
glory. May this household, which thou hast so
blessed, serve thee, not at this altar only, but in all
the walks of life ! As we engage in the business of
the world, as we go into society, wherever we are,
and whatever we do, may we remember thee, and viour. Amen.
[Nos. 26, 57, 168.
do thy will ! Bless all dear to us who are absent
from us. Do thou, Lord ! dwell by thy Spirit in
the hearts and the minds of all our friends. We
supplicate thy mercy for the needy, the afflicted,
the bereaved, and the sorrowing.
Build up thy Church, Lord ! Fill our land
with pure religion. Bless the industry of the peo-
ple ; and may its fruit be consecrated to the good
of men ! May our rulers be faithful and just, walk-
ing in thy fear ! And we beseech thee to bring all
lands under the power and glory of thy kingdom.
Lord ! forgive our sins, and bring us unto thy
heavenly kingdom, through Jesus Christ our Sa-
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
205
WEDNESDAY.
Isaiah XXXV. — 1. The wilderness and the soli-
tary place shall he glad for them ; and the desert
shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose.
2. It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice, even
with joy and singing: the glory of Lebanon shall
be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and
Sharon ; they shall see the glory of the Lord, and
the excellency of our God.
3. Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm
the feeble knees.
4. Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be
strong ; fear not : behold, your God will come with
vengeance, even God with a recompense ; he will
come and save you.
5. Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened,
and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.
6. Then shall the lame man leap as a hart, and
the tongue of the dumb sing ; for in the wilderness
shall waters break out, and streams in the desert.
Matthew xv. — 21. Then Jesus went thence,
and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon.
22. And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out
of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying,
Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou son of David !
my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil.
23. But he answered her not a word. And his
disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her
away ; for she crieth after us.
24. But he answered and said, I am not sent but
unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
25. Then came she and worshipped him, saying,
Lord, help me.
26. But he answered and said, It is not meet to
take the children's bread and to cast it to dogs.
27. And she said, Truth, Lord ; yet the dogs
eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters'
table.
28. Then Jesus answered and said unto her,
woman ! great is thy faith : be it unto thee even as
thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole
from that very hour.
29. And Jesus departed from thence, and came
nigh unto the Sea of Galilee ; and went up into a
mountain, and sat down there.
30. And great multitudes came unto him, having
with them those that were lame, blind, dumb,
maimed, and many others, and cast them down at
Jesus' feet ; and he healed them :
31. Insomuch that the multitude wondered,
when they saw the dumb to speak, the maimed to
be whole, the lame to walkj and the blind to see ;
and they glorified the God of Israel.
The territory of Phoenicia — a narrow plain which lav along
the Mediterranean, north of the White Promontory — was
never annexed to Palestine, but always remained a pagan
country. The two famous seaports of Tyre and Sidon, about
twenty miles apart, were often brought into connection with the
history of the Jews. This, however, was the only instance in
which our Lord set foot upon pagan soil. His personal mis-
sion was to the Jews, and through them to all mankind. The
woman here spoken of, Mark calls " a Greek, a Syro-Phceni-
cian by nation;" that is, one born in Phoenicia, or Canaan,
but speaking the Greek language : hence she was a type of
the Gentile world, burdened with afflictions, hearing of Christ,
seeking his grace. Her persistence in her petition is a won-
drous example of faith, — a faith all the more earnest and con-
fiding, because of the humility of the suppliant, and her sense
of utter need and helplessness. Jesus tested her by what
seems, at first, a strange severity; but the lesson he would
teach was, that his mercy, to be appreciated, must be yearned
for as the indispensable good. This woman, not having been
trained in the Jewish faith, might have had only a vague no-
tion of Christ as a worker of miracles ; but Jesus drew her out
until her whole soul was concentrated in this one desire, this
one hope. Even so should we pray, if we would have our prayer
take hold upon Christ's power, and our desire become his will.
Appropriate Htiixs,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 1, 99, 102.
O Lord, our heavenly Father ! we have nothing
to bring to thee but our wants, and such poor re-
turn of love and gratitude and praise as these
hearts can render for thy goodness. As thou dost
cause our lives to overflow with thy mercies, so do
thou fill our hearts to overflowing with thy Spirit,
that we may thank thee and praise thee as we
ought. The morning calls us again to praise thee
for thy loving-kindness in the night-season ; and
every day renews the tokens of thy bounty. Every
good gift cometh down from thee, the Father of
lights ; and though we are so changeful in our love,
so inconstant in our service, with thee there is no
variableness, neither shadow of turning. Bind us
to thyself, our Father! by the mighty attraction
of thy love. May the love of Christ, who died for
us that we might live, constrain us to live ever
unto thee !
We pray thee keep us this day from temptation,
evil, and sin. Prosper us in our lawful undertak-
ings : may we be upright in our dealings, true and
kind in our speech, gentle and patient in our
spirit, pure and holy in our walk ! May we do
good to all as we shall have opportunity, and so ex-
hibit in our lives the graces of the gospel, that we
shall win others to the love of Christ ! And we
pray that multitudes may be won to the Saviour;
that thy Church may increase ; that missions may
prosper ; that thj r Word may be given to all peo-
ple, and the knowledge of the Lord may fill the
earth as the waters fill the sea. We thank thee
1 for our home, and pray thee to bless us with all
things that we need as a family. Bless the absent
j who are dear to us ; and bring them, together with
us, we beseech thee, unto thy heavenly kingdom,
I through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
THURSDAY.
I Corinthians ii. — 1. And I, brethren, when I
came to you, came not with excellency of speech
or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of
God.
2. For I determined not to know any thing
among you, save Jesus Christ, and him cruci-
fied.
3. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear,
and in much trembling.
4. And my speech and my preaching was not
with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in dem-
onstration of the Spirit, and of power ;
5. That your faith should not stand in the wis-
dom of men, but in the power of God.
6. Howbeit, we speak wisdom among them
that are perfect ; yet not the wisdom of this
world, nor of the princes of this world, that come
to nought :
7. But we speak the wisdom of God in a mys-
tery, even the hidden wisdom which God ordained
before the world unto our glory ;
8. Which none of the princes of this world knew ;
for, had they known it, they would not have cruci-
fied the Lord of glory.
9. But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor
ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of
man, the things which God hath prepared for them
that love him.
10. But God hath revealed them unto us by his
Spirit : for the Spirit searcheth all things ; yea, the
deep things of God.
11. For what man knoweth the things of a man,
save the spirit of man which is in him? Even so
the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit
of God.
12. Now we have received, not the spirit of the
world, but the Spirit which is of God; that we
might know the things that are freely given to us
of God.
13. Which things also we speak, not in the
words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which
the Holy Ghost teacheth ; comparing spiritual
things with spiritual.
14. But the natural man receiveth not the
things of the Spirit of God ; for they are foolish-
ness unto him : neither can he know them, because
they are spiritually discerned.
15. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things;
yet he himself is judged of no man.
16. For who hath known the mind of the Lord,
that he may instruct him ? But we have the mind
of Christ.
In a capital where philosophy and eloquence were in high
repute, Paul adhered to the simplicity of the gospel, hoth in the
statement of doctrine and in his manner of preaching. Phi-
losophy had failed to fathom " the wisdom of God " in the
plan of man's redemption : poetry had not imagined, nor
could human eloquence describe, " the things which God hath
prepared for them that love him." From the nature of the
case, the knowledge of such truths must come by revelation.
But, though these things in themselves transcend the native
powers of human thought and expression, the Spirit of God
has inspired their utterance in words clear and simple to who-
ever will understand them. Yet, simple as are the teachings
of the Bible, the man whose heart is upon earthly things,
whose life is made up of what the senses and appetites may
yield him, — the "natural" or psychical man, as Paul desig-
nates him, — cannot appreciate them, either in their meaning
or their power. Only when one follows the leadings of his
higher nature, and subjects the world and the flesh to reason,
conscience, and the love of God, — in a word, to the " spiritual "
faculty within him, — will he discern, approve, and enjoy these
blessed; saving truths. The chief hinderance to the understand-
ing of the Bible is moral, not intellectual. Faith must lead
the way ; and, when this centres in Jesus Christ and him cru-
cified, it finds in him the highest expression of the wisdom
and the love of God, — the most wondrous unveiling of spirit-
ual truth, and the most exhilarating promise of future glory.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 4, 60, 158.
God, who hast prepared for those who love
thee such good things as pass man's understand-
ing ! pour into our hearts such love toward thee,
that we, loving thee above all things, may obtain
thy promises, which exceed all that we can desire ;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. May we believe
all that thou hast spoken, and set our affections
upon things above !
We thank thee, Lord ! for the precious com-
fort that remains to us concerning dear friends
who have departed in the faith ; that to them
heaven is even now a reality ; that they have no
more want, nor sorrow, nor care, nor sin. Oh, may
heaven be a reality to our faith ! and may the hope
of it, yea, the assurance of it, as our home, lift us
above all the temptations and trials of this present
world ! Give to us strength for labors, courage
for conflicts, patience under afflictions, fidelity to
duty, and faith that shall endure to the end, and
shall make us more than conquerors over death.
May the true life be now begun in our souls ! and
daily may we live in thee !
We praise thee, Lord ! for the blessings of the
present time ; for another night of rest ; for another
morning of mercy and hope. Oh, may we this day
love thee more, know thee more, and serve thee bet-
ter, than ever before ! In all that is given us to do
may we glorify thy name ; in all that we are called
to bear may we accept thy holy will ! So may we
daily live to thee : and, when the things of earth
shall pass away, make us to be numbered with
thy saints in glory everlasting, through Jesus
Christ our Saviour; to whom be all honor and
glory, world without end. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
207
FRIDAY.
I Corinthians iii. — 5. Who is Paul, and who -is
Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even
as the Lord gave to every man ?
6. I have planted ; Apollos watered : but God
gave the increase.
7. So, then, neither is he that planteth any
thing, neither he that watereth ; but God that
giveth the increase.
8. Now, he that planteth and he that watereth
are one ; and every man shall receive his own re-
ward, according to his own labor.
9. For we are laborers together with God : ye
are God's husbandry ; ye are God's building.
10. According to the grace of God which is given
unto me, as a wise master-builder I have laid the
foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let
every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.
11. For other foundation can no man lay than
that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
12. Now, if any man build upon this foundation
gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
The modesty and humility of Paul in every thing that re-
lated to himself were as remarkable as his boldness and zeal
where the doctrine that he preached, the cause of his Lord, or
his commission as an ambassador for Christ, was concerned.
His was no feigned humility, that would excuse him from
labor and responsibility upon the plea that he had no fitness
or no influence. He knew what he could do as a planter or
builder ; and he spoke of this freely, and, when circumstances
called for it, with decision. But he always ascribed to the
grace of God both his qualifications for his work, and his suc-
cess in it ; and, free from all trace of jealousy or envy, he gave
to others their meed of praise.
13. Every man's work shall be made manifest :
for the day shall declare it, because it shall be re-
vealed by fire ; and the fire shall try every man's
work, of what sort it is.
14. If any man's work abide which he hath
built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
15. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall
suffer loss : but he himself shall be saved ; yet so
as by fire.
Psalm cxxvi. — 5. They that sow in tears shall
reap in joy.
6. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing
precious seed, shall doubtless come again with re-
joicing, bringing his sheaves with him.
Psalm cxxvii. — 1. Except the Lord build the
house, they labor in vain that build it ; except the
Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in
vain.
2. It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up
late, to eat the bread of sorrows ; for so he giveth
his beloved sleep.
But the same thought that made him humble exalted him ;
for, since he worked only by the help of divine grace, he thus
became a " laborer together with God." Such is the dignity
that our Lord puts, not only upon the minister and the mis-
sionary, but upon the Bible-reader, the Sunday-school teacher,
the private Christian in every walk of life who seeks to do his
work in his spirit and to his name. But, to enjoy this divine
aid and approval, we must be careful where we build, and what
we build. There is but one foundation that can stand ; and
all our beliefs and all our works must be built upon Christ,
and in the spirit of Christ, if they would stand the searching
test of the last day.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 16, 99, 159.
Heavenly Father, in whose favor is life, we
render thanks for thy protecting care during the
night, and for the manifold mercies of this morn-
ing. We adore thee for life and health, and the
bounties of thy providence. So fill us with thy
grace, that we may worthily show forth thy praise
in our bodies and our spirits, which are thine.
Keep us this day in thy fear and love. Grant
that we may fall into no sin ; and that, in the hour
of temptation and of evil, we may overcome through
the power of faith and by the grace of thy Spirit.
Let integrity and uprightness preserve us in all
our dealings and in all our doings. Let no pros-
pect of gain, and no fear of loss, ever tempt us to
depart from thy truth. In all the duties, perplex-
ities, and struggles of life, inspire us with child-
like trust in thy faithfulness and love. Let thy
grace be sufficient for us, and thy strength be
perfected in our weakness. Grant us all needful
light and guidance. Order our footsteps in thy
ways. Help us to do justly, and to love mercy.
Let the blood of Christ, who, through the eternal
Spirit, offered himself without spot unto thee, purge
our consciences from dead works, that we may
henceforth serve thee in newness and righteous-
ness of life. May we be built upon Christ, the sure
foundation ! and may we build in truth and right-
eousness !
Gracious God, we commend to thy fatherly
blessing our family, our kindred, and our friends.
May it please thee to sanctify us all, and preserve
us unto thy heavenly joy ! Have compassion upon
the poor and the needy. Lift upon thy suffering
and sorrowing children the light of thy counte-
nance, and pour into their hearts the balm of con-
solation. Break the rod of the oppressor, and let
the captive go free. Bless and prosper thy Church,
and give unto thy Son the kingdom promised in
thy Word.
O God, whose nature and property it is ever to
have mercy ! in the pitifulness of thy love forgive
our sins, hear our prayers, accept our persons, and
do more for us than we ask or think, through Jesus
Christ, our only Mediator and Advocate. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
SATURDAY.
Psalm xi. — 1. In the Lord put I my trust:
how say ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to your
mountain ?
2. For, lo, the wicked bend their bow, they make
ready their arrow upon the string, that they may
privily shoot at the upright in heart.
3. If the foundations be destroyed, what can the
righteous do ?
4. The Lord is in his holy temple ; the Lord's
throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids
try, the children of men.
5. The Lord trieth the righteous ; but the
wicked and him that loveth violence bis soul hateth.
6. Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire
and brimstone, and a horrible tempest: this shall
be the portion of their cup.
7. For the righteous Lord loveth righteousness ;
his countenance doth behold the upright.
Psalm xii. — 1. Help, Lord; for the godly
man ceaseth ; for the faithful fail from among the
children of men.
2. They speak vanity every one with his neigh-
bor; with flattering lips and with a double heart
do they speak.
3. The Lord shall cut off all flattering lips, and
the tongue that speaketh proud things ;
4. Who have said, With our tongue will we pre-
vail ; our lips are our own ; who is lord over us ?
These psalms are all in the same key, — trust in the Lord
in times of danger and trial. Adopting the view of Tho-
luck, and inverting the order of the first two, we have a con-
nection in time as well as in thought. Psalm xii. was written
while David was at the court of Saul, which was daily becom-
ing more and more corrupt. He sees that fraud and flattery-
pave the way to promotion. He knows that he is the object
of envy, and surrounded by hypocrites and maligners. But,
though he is thus hemmed about by the ungodly who arc plot-
ting his destruction, he will not lose heart " so long as the
gate of prayer is open." By that he can always escape to his
Refuge and Helper.
Psalm xi. was written when David, driven out by the jeal-
ousy of Saul, was hunted " as when one doth hunt a partridge
in the mountains." For years he was a fugitive in the
mountains of Judah bordering upon the Dead Sea, flitting
from height to height as a bird pursued by the marksman ; but,
5. For the oppression of the poor, for the sigh-
ing of the needy, now will I arise, saith the Lord ;
I will set him in safety from him that puffeth at
him.
6. The words of the Lord are pure words ; as
silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven
times.
7. Thou shalt keep them, Lord! thou shalt
preserve them from this generation forever.
8. The wicked walk on every side when the
vilest men are exalted.
Psalm cxxi. — 1. I will lift up mine eyes unto
the hills, from whence cometh my help.
2. My help cometh from the Lord, which made
heaven and earth.
3. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved : he
that keepeth thee will not slumber.
4. Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither
slumber nor sleep.
5. The Lord is thy keeper ; the Lord is thy
shade upon thy right hand.
6. The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the
moon by night.
7. The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil ;
he shall preserve thy soul.
8. The Lord shall preserve thy going-out and
thy coming-in from this time forth, and even for-
evermore.
though the wicked seemed to triumph, he never lost his confi-
dence in God. " Though justice, faith, and truth may seem
to have fled from the earth, Jehovah will never suffer the
boundaries which separate right from wrong to be effaced.
He continues holy and unchangeable on his heavenly throne,
and is able in a moment to reverse the most desperate condi-
tion of his servants."
Psalm cxxi. is of later date, and by another hand. The
troubled soul looks for help to the hill of Zion where Jehovah
dwells. " The weak in faith are prone to imagine, at the de-
lay of divine deliverance, that God has forgotten them ; " but
he never ceases his watch, never withdraws his care. It is a
token of the inspiration of the Psalms, that, however they may
have been prompted by the circumstances of the writers, they
come home to our personal experiences, and utter our thoughts
and feelings as if coined out of the conflicts and the desires,
the sorrows and the hopes, of our own hearts.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 17, 35, 37.
Thou only, Lord, makest us to dwell in safety :
therefore will we lie down in peace, and sleep.
We commit ourselves to thy keeping; for the dark-
ness and the light are both alike to thee. Oh ! keep
us this night under the shadow of thy wings ; grant
us the sleep which thou givest to thy beloved.
O Lord Jesus, who hast invited the weary and
heavy-laden to come unto thee that thou mayest
give them rest ! grant us, we pray thee, rest from
all care and trouble, from all sin and sorrow ; and
prepare us by thy grace for that holy and blessed
rest which remaineth for the people of God.
We thank thee for this holy day, — its sacred
memories, its blessed communion of prayer and
praise, its comforting sacraments, its teachings
and promises, and its immortal hopes.
Bless thy Word, Lord ! to all who have heard
it : to the young, for their guidance ; to the aged,
for their comfort; to all, for their instruction in
righteousness. And, Lord ! send, we pray thee,
thy Word to those who have it not. Let thy salva-
tion be known in all the earth ; and hasten the
coming of thy kingdom. And unto thy name be
I honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY JN THE YEAR.
SUNDAY MORNING.
John iii. — 1. There was a man of the Pharisees
named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews :
2. The same came to Jesus by night, and said
unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher
come from God ; for no man can do these miracles
that thou doest, except God be with him.
3. Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily,
verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born
again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
4. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man
be born when he is old ? can he enter the second
time into his mothers womb, and be born ?
5. Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto
thee, Except a man be born of water and of the
Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
6. That which is born of the flesh is flesh ; and
that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
7. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must
be born again.
8. The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou
hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell
whence it cometh, and whither it goeth : so is
every one that is born of the Spirit.
9. Nicodemus answered and said unto him,
How can these things be ?
10. Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou
a master of Israel, and knowest not these things ?
11. Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak
that we do know, and testify that we have seen ;
and ye receive not our witness.
Christ here laid down the uniform condition of admission
into his kingdom. Natural birth, position, advantages, can-
not determine this ; outward reformation, education, intellect-
ual and moral culture, will not suffice for this ; baptism, con-
firmation, church-membership, are not its equivalent. Every
man must be renewed in the spirit of his mind, by re-
nouncing selfishness, the love of this world, and every form
of sin, and consecrating himself, as his supreme purpose and
his highest delight, to the service of God, in a holy and
blameless life. This inward renewal is required of all alike,
because, in the light of God's holy law, all are sinners in heart
and deed. This renewal is made possible to all, because
12. If I have told you earthly things, and ye
believe not, how shall ye believe if I tell you of
heavenly things ?
13. And no man hath ascended up to heaven
but he that came down from heaven, even the Son
of man which is in heaven.
14. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the
wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted
up;
15. That whosoever believeth in him should not
perish, but have eternal life.
16. For God so loved the world, that he gave
his only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth
in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17. Eor God sent not his Son into the world to
condemn the world, but that the world through
him might be saved.
18. He that believeth on him is not condemned ;
but he that believeth not is condemned already,
because he hath not believed in the name of the
only-begotten Son of God.
19. And this is the condemnation, that light - is
come into the world, and men loved darkness
rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
20. For every one that doeth evil hateth the
light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds
should be reproved.
21. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light,
that his deeds may be made manifest that they
are wrought in God.
Christ came to deliver men from sin through his sacrifice
upon the cross ; and to turn to him in faith, to renounce the
the evil of our lives, and trust, love, and serve the Lord Jesus
as our Saviour, is to be thus renewed. This renewal is urged
upon all ; since for this the Holy Spirit seeks us, draws us,
quickens us, and, if we do heartily yield to his grace, will
renew and sanctify us. The love of God meets us in his
truth, reaches forth to us through his Son, follows after us by
his Spirit ; and, with all these influences of mercy to draw us
into his kingdom, nothing can keep us out but our own unbe-
lief. The responsibility of our eternal future rests wholly
with ourselves.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Xos. 10, 17, 93.
Oh ! grant us grace, Father in heaven, to hear
thy Word, and to obey it. We would make haste,
and delay not, to keep thy commandments. Thou
hast a right, Lord ! to our time, our gifts, our
hearts, our persons ; to all that we are, and all that
we have : for thou hast created us, and hast re-
deemed us with the precious blood of thy Son.
We would begin this sabbath in thy fear : help us
in all things to please and honor thee.
We give thee thanks for the mercies of the night,
and for all the mercies of our past lives, — for home
and its blessings ; for friends, and all the ministries
of love ; for health, knowledge, comfort, and pros-
perity ; but, above all things, for thy grace in the
gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. May we ever be
ready to acknowledge him the Son of God, the
Saviour of the world ! May men in the high places
of power and influence consecrate themselves to
him ! may the poor and lowly trust in him ! may
children sing hosannas to the Son of David ! Show
forth this day, Lord ! thy glory in the sanctuary.
For all thy mercies in the gospel, we bless and
magnify thy glorious name ; humbly beseeching
thee to accept this our morning sacrifice of praise
and thanksgiving for His sake who lay down in
the grave, and rose again for us, — thy Son, our
Saviour Jesus Christ ; to whom be glory and do-
minion, world without end. Amen.
210
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
SUNDAY EVENING.
Psalm cxviii. — 22. The stone which the build-
ers refused is become the head stone of the corner.
23. This is the Lord's doing : it is marvellous
in our eyes.
24. This is the day which the Lord hath made :
we will rejoice and be glad in it.
25. Save now, I beseech thee, Lord ! Lord !
I beseech thee, send now prosperity.
26. Blessed be he that cometh in the name of
the Lord : we have blessed you out of the house
of the Lord :
27. God is the Lord, which hath showed us light :
bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns
of the altar.
28. Thou art my God, and I will praise thee ;
thou art my God, I will exalt thee.
29. Oh ! give thanks unto the Lord ; for he is
good : for his mercy endureth forever.
Ephesians ii. — 8. For by grace are ye saved,
through faith; and that of not yourselves: it is
the gift of God :
9. Not of works, lest any man should boast.
10. For we are his workmanship, created in
Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath
before ordained that we should walk in them.
11. Wherefore remember, that ye being in time
past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncir-
cumcision by that which is called the Circumcision
in the flesh made by hands ;
12. That at that time ye were without Christ,
The commonwealth of Israel was the outward type of that
spiritual community of which God is the head, and in which
holiness is the life. * By means of this was figured the govern-
ment of God over a people obedient to his law, and devoted
to his praise. The Gentiles, who followed other gods, were
aliens from that commonwealth, and could have no part in its
promises or blessings, except as they should become proselytes
unto the house of Israel. But when, on the one hand, the
theocracy had served its purpose as a type, and, on the other,
the Jews had begun to boast this as their salvation, the walls
of the material city were broken down, and the true spiritual
being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and
strangers from the covenants of promise, having
no hope, and without God in the world :
13. But now, in Christ Jesus, ye who some-
time were far off are made nigh by the blood of
Christ.
14. For he is our peace, who hath made both
one, and hath broken down the middle wall of
partition between us ;
15. Having abolished in his flesh the enmity,
even the law of commandments contained in ordi-
nances, for to make in himself of twain one new
man, so making peace ;
16. And that he might reconcile both unto God
in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity
thereby ;
17. And came and preached peace to you which
were afar off, and to them that were nigh.
18. For through him we both have access by one
Spirit unto the Father.
19. Now, therefore, ye are no more strangers and
foreigners, but fellow-citizens with the saints, and
of the household of God ;
20. And are built upon the foundation of the
apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being
the chief comer-stone;
21. In whom all the building, fitly framed to-
gether, groweth unto a holy temple in the Lord :
22. In whom ye also are builded together for a
habitation of God through the Spirit.
Jerusalem came forth as the household of God, embracing all
believers. This commonwealth has its temple, — a temple
built of living stones. The prophets, who had taught of the
coming of Christ, and the apostles, who witnessed for his doc-
trine, his death, and his resurrection, joined in laying their
faith upon Christ himself as the chief corner-stone. On that
same foundation all true believers are established ; in that same
faith they are builded together : so that, without distinction of
name, race, or country, all who believe constitute one house-
hold, in which God "himself abides, pervading every heart
with his Spirit.
Appropriate Hymns,]
[Nos. 104, 196, 199.
Thou, Lord, only makest us to dwell in safety :
therefore will we lie down in peace, and sleep.
Keep us this night under the shadow of thy wings ;
grant us the sleep which thou givest to thy be-
loved; or, if wakeful hours shall be allotted us,
may we remember thee upon our bed, and medi-
tate upon thee in the night-watches !
Lord Jesus, who hast invited the weary and
heavy-laden to come unto thee that thou mayest
give them rest ! grant us, we pray thee, rest from
all care and trouble, from all sin and sorrow; and
prepare us by thy grace for that holy and blessed
rest which remaineth for the people of God.
We bless thee for our fellowship with thy
saints ; and we pray for the whole Church of God,
and
Prayer.
that it may be one in spirit and life, in faith
hope.
We thank thee for this holy day, — its sacred
memories, its blessed communion of prayer and
praise, its comforting sacraments, its teachings
and promises, and its immortal hopes. May thy
Word abide with us to teach and sanctify us !
And bless thy Word, also, to all who have heard
it : to the young, for their guidance ; to the aged,
for their comfort ; to all, for their instruction in
righteousness. And, Lord ! send, we pray thee,
thy Word to those who have it not. Let thy salva-
tion be known in all the earth ; and hasten the
coming of thy kingdom. And to thy name be
honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
211
MONDAY.
Genesis xxxvii. — 5. And Joseph dreamed a
dream, and he told it his brethren ; and they hated
him yet the more.
6. And he said unto them, Hear, I pray you,
this dream which I have dreamed:
7. For, behold, we were binding sheaves in the
field; and, lo, my sheaf arose, and also stood up-
right; and, behold, your sheaves stood round about,
and made obeisance to my sheaf.
8. And his brethren said to him, Shalt thou in-
deed reign over us? or shalt thou indeed have do-
minion over us? And they hated him yet the more
for his dreams and for his words.
9. And he dreamed yet another dream, and told
it his brethren, and said, Behold, I have dreamed a
dream more; and, behold, the sun and the moon
and the eleven stars made obeisance to me.
10. And he told it to his father, and to his breth-
ren; and his father rebuked him, and said unto
him, What is this dream that thou hast dreamed?
Shall I and thy mother and thy brethren indeed
come to bow down ourselves to thee to the earth ?
11. And his brethren envied him ; but his father
observed the saying.
12. And his brethren went to feed their father's
flock in Shechem.
13. And Israel said unto Joseph, Do not thy
brethren feed the flock in Shechem ? Come, and I
will send thee unto them. And he said to him,
Here am I.
14. And he said to him, Go, I pray thee, see
whether it be well with thy brethren, and well with
the flocks ; and bring me word again. So he sent
him out of the vale of Hebron, and he came to
Shechem.
18. And when they saw him afar off, even before
he came near unto them, they conspired against
him to slay him.
19. And they said one to another, Behold, this
dreamer cometh !
20. Come now, therefore, and let us slay him,
and cast him into some pit ; and we will say, Some
evil beast hath devoured him ; and we shall see
what will become of his dreams.
21. And Reuben heard it, and he delivered
him out of their hands, and said, Let us not kill
him.
22. And Reuben said unto them, Shed no blood,
but cast him into this pit that is in the wilderness,
and lay no hand upon him ; that he might rid him
out of their hands, to deliver him to his father
again.
Though his mother's partiality for himself over Esau had
brought him so much trouble in his earlier life, Jacob now
fell into the same snare, and made a favorite of Joseph, the
child of his old age. The vanity of the boy was encouraged
by the coat of many colors in which his father decked him ;
and this made him an object of envy to his brethren. This
spirit was kindled even to hatred by the childish exultation
with which he told his dreams. His father, however, suspect-
ing nothing, did not hesitate to put Joseph in the power of
his brethren at a distance from home.
Jacob still retained his tract of land in the well-watered
Vale of Shechem ; and, when the pasturage around Hebron
had dried up, he sent his flocks up to Shechem, about four
days' journey. Joseph found them still farther to the north, —
at a point near the southern edge of the great fertile Plain of
Esdraelon. He went among his brethren in the innocence of
his heart ; but the spirit of malice which they had indulged for
years was now ripe for murder. So fearfully do evil passions
grow, choking natural affection, honor, truth, and, for a time,
even conscience itself. Let us beware of the beginnings of envy.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prajrer.
[Nos. 56, 63, 91.
Our Father in heaven, we come to thee with
wants which thou knowest far better than we, and
for blessings which thou art more ready to give
than we to ask. Thou hast kept us in the watches
of the night from every trouble, sorrow, and alarm ;
thou hast given us refreshing sleep. And now we
bless thee for the day, for life and health, for
food and raiment, for home and friends, for means
of education and of enjoyment, for means of oc-
cupation and of support, for means of improve-
ment in the knowledge of thyself from thy works
and thy Word, and for opportunities of doing
good to others. Oh ! grant us grace that we
may use to thy glory the lives which thou didst
give, and which thy mercy doth continually
spare.
We acknowledge, Lord! our unworthiness
and our sinfulness, and beseech thee to pardon our
transgressions and heal our infirmities. Help its
this day to live aright. In the business of life
may we be diligent, faithful, true ! and do thou,
Lord, prosper the labor of our hands. In our in-
tercourse with others, may we manifest the gentle-
ness, the sincerity, the charity, of the gospel of
Christ ! May we be patient under trials, meek
under injuries, firm against temptation, bold for
the truth, zealous for thy cause ! May we be kind
to the poor, helpful to the suffering, gentle toward
all men ! [Give unto these children, Lord !
grace to serve thee in the morning of life, and in
their thoughts and words, their studies and their
play, always to please their Father in heaven.]
Remember with thy mercy all our friends ; visit
with thy grace the homes of all who are dear to
us. Build up, Lord ! thy Church ; prosper thy
kingdom in our land, and throughout the world.
Ever guide, keep, and bless us. Bring us to the
close of the day in peace, and to the close of life
in a hope full of immortality, through Jesus
Christ, our Lord and Saviour. Amen.
212
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
TUESDAY.
Genesis XXXvii. — 23. And it came to pass,
when Joseph was come unto his brethren, that
they stripped Joseph out of his coat, his coat of
many colors that was on him.
24. And they took him, and cast hiin into a pit :
and the pit was empty ; there was no water in it.
25. And they sat down to eat bread ; and they
lifted up their eyes and looked, and behold a com-
pany of Ishmaelites came from Gilead, with their
camels bearing spicery and balm and rnyrrb, going
to carry it down to Egypt.
26. And Judah said unto his brethren, What
profit is it if we slay our brother, and conceal his
blood?
27. Come, and let us sell him to the Ishmaelites,
and let not our hand be upon him ; for he is our
brother and our flesh : and his brethren were con-
tent.
28. Then there passed by Midianites, merchant-
men ; and they drew and lifted up Joseph out of
the pit, and sold Joseph to the Ishmaelites for
twenty pieces of silver; and they brought Joseph
into Egypt.
29. And Reuben returned unto the pit : and,
behold, Joseph was not in the pit ; and he rent his
clothes.
30. And he returned unto his brethren, and said,
The child is not; and I, whither shall I go?
31. And they took Joseph's coat, and killed a
kid of the goats, and dipped the coat in the blood ;
32. And they sent the coat of many colors, and
they brought it to their father, and said, This
have we found: know now whether it be thy son's
coat or no.
33. And he knew it, and said, It is my son's
coat ; an evil beast hath devoured him : Joseph is
without doubt rent in pieces.
34. And Jacob rent his clothes, and put sack-
cloth upon his loins, and mourned for his son many
days.
35. And all his sons and all his daughters rose
up to comfort him ; but he refused to be comforted ;
and he said, For I will go down into the grave
unto my son mourning. Thus his father wept for
him.
36. And the Midianites sold him into Egypt
unto Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh's, and captain
of the guard.
Though the brethren of Joseph were agreed in wishing
to rid themselves of such a competitor for the family honors,
Reuben and Judah had enough of pity or of compunction
to wish to save his life. Reuben contrived to have him cast
into an empty cistern, intending afterwards to rescue him ;
and now Judah managed to preserve his life by proposing
to sell him into slavery. There was much commerce between
Egypt and Asia. The spices and resins so much used in
Egypt for embalming were brought from the East. Slaves,
too, were always in demand. The route of caravans crossing
the Jordan at Beisan lay near Dothan ; so that these Ishmael-
itish traders naturally passed that way. Thus every incident
of the narrative is verified by the geographical features of the
country, and by the commercial customs of the times. The
natural way in which these incidents are given, and the per-
fect accuracy of all such allusions, mark the story as an
authentic record of fact.
Crime begets crime. Envy brought forth malice, deceit,
lying, the intent of murder, and the kindred crime of man-
stealing. Such a fountain of iniquity is the heart of man !
What a dreadful secret had these ten men to carry all their
lives ! And poor old Jacob ! — his final retribution for the de-
ception practised upon his brother comes in this cruel decep-
tion, that shall carry him mourning down into the grave !
God, indeed, had better thoughts for him; but the guilt of
men remains the same, however God may overrule it for good.
As we cannot charge upon God our own evil-doings, neither can
we credit ourselves with the good which God brings out of evil.
Appropriate Hymns,] PrayGr
O God, our heavenly Father ! we come to thee in
our need ; for thou alone art able to succor us : we
come to thee in our weakness ; for thou alone canst
give us strength : we come to thee in our sins ; for
thou alone canst pardon, heal, and save us. Have
mercy upon us, O Lord ! for the sake of thy Son,
[Nos. 147, 166, 171.
our Saviour Jesus Christ ; and suffer us never to
fall away from thee.
Thou art good, and doest good continually ; and
thy tender mercies are over all thy works. Thou
didst create us to be blessed in each other and in
thyself ; to dwell in love, and so to dwell in God :
oh ! keep us ever in thy love. We praise thee for
thy watchful providence over us in our persons, in
our family, in our home, in all that pertains to our
well-being ; and we beseech thee grant unto us,
this day, health and prosperity, and preserve us
from all harm and danger. Keep us from all
impatience and anger, from envy and jealousy,
from every evil lust. Keep our hearts from the
thought of evil, and our lips from speaking guile ;
keep our feet from falling, our eyes from tears,
our souls from death. Grant us grace to be
faithful in all the offices and relations of life.
May we study to be helpful to each other, be
patient of each other's infirmities, and rejoice in
each other's prosperity ! Let no selfishness dis-
turb our peace. [May parents and children,
brothers and sisters, all be joined together in the
household of faith !] And may the love that
blesses our earthly home interpret to us the love
of our Father in heaven, and draw us toward the
better home ! We make supplication for all men ;
beseeching thee, the Father of all, to dispense unto
all thy mercies according to their several condi-
tions and necessities, and to show forth thy salva-
tion in all the earth, through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
213
WEDNESDAY.
Genesis xl. — 1. And it came to pass after
these things, that the butler of the king of Egypt
and his baker had offended their lord the king of
Egypt.
2. And Pharaoh was wroth against two of his
officers, against the chief of the butlers, and
against the chief of the bakers ;
3. And he put them in ward in the house of the
captain of the guard, into the prison, the place
where Joseph ivas bound.
6. And Joseph came in unto them in the morn-
ing, and looked upon them ; and, behold, they were
sad.
7. And he asked Pharaoh's officers that were
with him in the ward of his lord's house, saying,
Wherefore look ye so sadly to-day ?
8. And they said unto him, We have dreamed a
dream, and there is no interpreter of it. And
Joseph said unto them, Do not interpretations be-
long to God? Tell me them., I pray you.
9. And the chief butler told his dream to Joseph,
and said to him, In my dream, behold a vine was
before me ;
10. And in the vine were three branches : and
it was as though it budded, and her blossoms shot
forth ; and the clusters thereof brought forth ripe
grapes :
11. And Pharaoh's cup wo.s in my hand ; and I
took the grapes, and pressed them into Pharaoh's
cup, and I gave the cup into Pharaoh's hand.
12. And Joseph said unto him, This is the inter-
pretation of it : The three branches are three days :
13. Yet within three days shall Pharaoh lift up
thine head, and restore thee unto thy place ; and
The incidents here mentioned are in striking accordance
with the customs of Egypt. Upon the tombs may be seen
pictures of growing grapes, of wine-presses, and of servants
giving the wine-cup at the feast ; pictures also of bakers and
pastry-cooks at their work, and of servants carrying the
dishes from the oven in willow-baskets on their heads. Joseph,
thou shalt deliver Pharaoh's cup into his hand,
after the former manner when thou wast his butler.
14. But think on me when it shall be well with
thee, and show kindness, I pray thee, unto me,
and make mention of me unto Pharaoh, and bring
me out of this house :
15. For indeed I was stolen away out of the
land of the Hebrews ; and here also have I done
nothing that they should put me into the dungeon.
16. When the chief baker saw that the interpre-
tation was good, he said unto Joseph, I also was in
my dream ; and, behold, / had three white baskets
on my head :
17. And in the uppermost basket there was of
all manner of bake-meats for Pharaoh ; and the
birds did eat them out of the basket upon my head.
18. And Joseph answered, and said, This is the
interpretation thereof: The three baskets are three
days :
19. Yet within three days shall Pharaoh lift up
thy head from off thee, and shall hang thee on a
tree ; and the birds shall eat thj r flesh from off thee.
20. And it came to pass the third day, which
was Pharaoh's birthday, that he made a feast unto
all his servants; and he lifted up the head of the
chief butler and of the chief baker among his
servants.
21. And he restored the chief butler unto his
butlership again; and he gave the cup into Pha-
raoh's hand:
22. But he hanged the chief baker, as Joseph
had interpreted to them.
23. Yet did not the chief butler remember
Joseph, but forgat him.
who had been put into prison without a trial, upon the in-
famous accusation of his master's wife, was doomed to
another sad experience through the ingratitude of the butler
whom he befriended. But God would make all things work
for his good.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 40, 65, 67.
Gracious God, who never failest to help and
govern them that put their trust in thee, be near
to each of us in the greatness of thy power. Help
us ever to act as seeing thee who art invisible,
that, being filled with light and strength from
above, we may practise whatsoever things are
true, and honest, and just, and pure, and lovely,
and of good report ; and that in the doing of these
things we may be filled with that peace which
passeth all understanding. Let us yield to no
temptation, neither fall before the force of any
evil. Inspire us with humility. Let us not be
high-minded, but fill us with holy, loving, child-
like fear. Guide us by thy counsel, and preserve
us unto thine eternal glory.
We render thanks to thee for the comfort of rest
and sleep, and for a home undisturbed by fear or
sorrow. We pray for all men. Pity such as are
in darkness and in error, and lead them into
the way of truth. Bring the wickedness of the
wicked to an end, and let the just be established.
Bless the education of the young, the instruc-
tion of the ignorant, the visitation of the sick.
Comfort all in sorrow, and prepare the dying for
the rest and the joy of heaven.
Holy Father, command thy blessing on each
member of this family, and take us into union with
thyself ; and so let the light of heaven fall upon
our path, that we may finally come into the life
eternal, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
214
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
THURSDAY.
Genesis xli. — 14. Then Pharaoh sent and
called Joseph, and they Drought him hastily out
of the dungeon ; and he shaved himself, and
changed his raiment, and came in unto Pharaoh.
17. And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, In my
dream, behold, I stood upon the bank of the river :
18. And, behold, there came up out of the river
seven kine, fat-fleshed and well-favored ; and they
fed in a meadow :
19. And, behold, seven other kine came up after
them, poor, and very ill-favored and lean-fleshed,
such as I never saw in all the land of Egypt for
badness :
20. And the lean and the ill-favored kine did eat
up the first seven fat kine ;
21. And, when they had eaten them up, it could
not be known that they had eaten them, but they
were still ill-favored, as at the beginning. So I
awoke.
22. And I saw in my dream ; and, behold, seven
ears came up in one stalk, full and good :
23. And, behold, seven ears, withered, thin, and
blasted with the east wind, sprang up after them ;
24. And the thin ears devoured the seven good
ears : and I told this unto the magicians ; but there
was none that could declare it to me.
25. And Joseph said unto Pharaoh, The dream
of Pharaoh is one : God hath showed Pharaoh
what he is about to do.
26. The seven good kine are seven years ; and the
seven good ears are seven years : the dream is one.
27. And the seven thin and ill-favored kine that
came up after them are seven years ; and the seven
empty ears blasted with the east wind shall be
seven years of famine.
28. This is the thing which I have spoken unto
Pharaoh : What God is about to do he showeth
unto Pbaraoh.
29. Behold, there come seven years of great
plenty throughout all the land of Egypt :
30. And there shall arise after them seven years
of famine ; and all the plenty shall be forgotten in
the land of Egypt ; and the famine shall consume
the land :
31. And the plenty shall not be known in the
land by reason of that famine following; for it
shall be very grievous.
32. And for that the dream was doubled unto
Pharaoh twice, it is because the thing is established
by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass.
33. Now, therefore, let Pharaoh look out a man dis-
creet and wise, and set him over the land of Egypt.
34. Let Pharaoh do this, and let him appoint
officers over the land, and take up the fifth part of
the land of Egypt in the seven plenteous years.
35. And let them gather all the food of those good
years that come, and lay up corn under the hand of
Pharaoh ; and let them keep food in the cities.
36. And that food shall be for store to the land
against the seven years of famine which shall be
in the land of Egypt, that the land perish not
through the famine.
Had Joseph been released from prison when the butler
promised it, he might not have been thought of again, — might
even have quit Egypt for his native land ; but now the butler
brought him to the notice of the king. It was according to
the custom of the court that he should shave his beard and
head before being presented to Pharaoh. The dream reflected
the peculiar features of the country. The river was the life
of the land ; the kine were a natural symbol of fruitfulness ;
the east wind, or Kamsin, suddenly wilts vegetation wherever
it strikes it. The practical wisdom of Joseph marked him for
statesmanship of a high order : his years of solitary meditation
and of communion with God had not been in vain.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Praver.
[Nos. 20, 47, 81.
Heavenly Father, we bless thee for the light of
the morning : oh ! lift upon us the light of thy
countenance, that we may see thy glory in the sun,
may feel thy presence in the breath of life, may
discern thy hand in all the good that comes to us,
may meet thy grace in thy holy Word. Oh for a
heart to love thee, to praise thee, to serve thee, as
we ought ! Thou didst create us for thy glory ;
thou hast enriched us with thy bounty ; thou
hast redeemed us with the precious blood of thy
Son ; thou hast sent forth thy Spirit into our
hearts to quicken us to a new life, that we might
receive the adoption of children. Oh, may we feel
that we are thy children, and be separate from the
children of this world in our loves and hopes, our
aims and joys ! Disobedient and unthankful chil-
dren we have been ; and we confess our wayward-
ness and our sin. Forgive us, we beseech thee,
our Father! for Christ's sake; and help us this
day to walk as children of the light, as children of
heaven.
God ! thy watchful providence is over all our
ways. We pray thee this day to deliver us from
temptation, to defend us from evil. [Give to the
children grace to serve thee in the morning of
life ; to be gentle, obedient, loving, and kind. May
they grow up pure and holy !] Eemember all dear
to us; bless them in their hearts and in their
homes. Visit, Lord ! with thy grace, the com-
munity in which we live. Bless thy Church here,
and in our land, and throughout the world. Oh !
send thy salvation to all people. We beseech thee
to comfort the poor, the sick, the sorrowing, the
dying; and Lord! when heart and flesh shall
fail us, be thou the strength of our heart, and our
portion forever, for Christ's sake. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
215
FRIDAY.
Genesis xli. — 39. And Pharaoh said unto Jo-
seph, Forasmuch as God hath showed thee all this,
there is none so discreet and wise as thou art :
40. Thou shalt be over my house, and according
unto thy word shall all my people be ruled : only
in the throne will I be greater than thou.
41. And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have
set thee over all the land of Egypt.
42. And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand,
and put it upon Joseph's hand, and arrayed him in
vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about
his neck;
43. And he made him to ride in the second
chariot which he had : and they cried before him,
Bow the knee ; and he made him ruler over all
the laud of Egypt.
44. And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I am Pha-
raoh, and without thee shall no man lift up his
hand or foot in all the land of Egypt.
45. And Pharaoh called Joseph's name Zaph-
nath-paaneah ; and he gave him to wife Asenath,
the daughter of Poti-pherah, priest of On: and
Joseph went out over all the land of Egypt.
46. And Joseph teas thirty years old when he
stood before Pharaoh, king of Egypt ; and Joseph
went out from the presence of Pharaoh, and went
throughout all the land of Egypt.
The signet-ring was a sign of special favor, and a seal of
royal power. The highest ambition might well have been
satisfied, with such a sudden exaltation. But far more than
the favor of the king was to be prized that favor of Providence
which had raised the slave-boy to be prime-minister of the most
rich and powerful empire, and allied in marriage with the
chief priest of the city of the sun. He did not, however,
assume the sacred functions of the priesthood.
Since the crops in Egypt depend upon the yearly rising- of
the Nile, which is fed by vast lakes under the equator, which
drain half a continent, Egypt is often flourishing when neigh-
boring countries that depend on rain are suffering with famine.
But when, as sometimes happens, the Nile fails to rise so as to
47. And in the seven plenteous years the earth
brought forth by handfuls :
48. And he gathered up all the food of the seven
years which were in the land of Egypt, and laid
up the food in the cities ; the food of the field
which was round about every city laid he up in
the same.
49. And Joseph gathered corn as the sand of
the sea, very much, until he left numbering ; for it
was without number.
53. And the seven years of plenteousness that
was in the land of Egypt were ended.
54. And the seven years of dearth began to
come, according as Joseph had said : and the
dearth was in all lands ; but in all the land of
Egypt there was bread.
55. And, when all the land of Egypt was fam-
ished, the people cried to Pharaoh for bread: and
Pharaoh said unto all the Egyptians, Go unto Jo-
seph ; what he saith to you, do.
56. And the famine was over all the face of the
earth : and Joseph opened all the store-houses, and
sold unto the Egyptians ; and the famine waxed
sore in the land of Egypt.
57. And all countries came into Egypt to Joseph
for to buy corn, because that the famine was so
sore in all lands.
irrigate the country, the famine in Egypt is terrible. Every
thing is cut off at one blow. At the close of the twelfth cen-
tury there was a famine so sore, that parents devoured their
own children. The foresight of Joseph averted such a calami-
ty ; and we may still see on the tombs pictures of huge grana-
ries such as he used for storing the food of the nation.
The title conferred upon Joseph by Pharaoh was analogous
to such titles as the Prince of Wales, the Duke of Edinburgh,
&c. There was a quarter of Memphis, the capital, which took
its name from a temple there dedicated to a goddess who was
styled " the Life of the World." Joseph was apparently made
povemor of that quarter; and hence his title, " Prince of the
World of Life."
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 59, 68, 81.
We will sing unto the Lord as long as we live ;
we will sing praises unto our God while we have
any being. We bless thee for the light of the
day : Lord, lift up the light of thy countenance
upon us. We bless thee for the breath of life :
Lord, grant us life eternal. We bless thee for
the continued use of onr faculties : assist us to use
all our powers for thy glory. We thank thee for
the shelter of our dwelling: be thou our strong
refuge to which we may continually resort. We
praise thee for the bread that perisheth : feed us,
O God ! with the bread of life. We thank thee
for the love of kindred and friends : may we have
the friendship of Him who sticketh closer than a
brother! We bless thee for access to thyself:
prompt us to pray without ceasing, and in every
thinsr to give thanks. We thank thee for the mis-
sion of the Holy Ghost : may we never grieve the
Holy Spirit of God ! We worship thee for thine
unspeakable gift: may Christ be precious to our
souls ! We bless thee for the revelation of heaven :
God ! grant that we may be daily maturing for
the inheritance of the saints in light.
Prepare us for whatever shall befall us ; and
teach us to walk with God, believing that all
things work together for good to them that love
thee. And do thou cause all grace to abound
toward us, that we may abound to every good
work. Exalt thy Church, God ! Make manifest
thy saving power. Pity the children of sorrow.
Heal the wounds of their hearts, and wipe away
their tears. Overthrow the dominion of sin ; and
let thy kingdom come, and thy will be done on
earth as it is in heaven, for Christ's sake. Amen.
216
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
SATURDAY.
Genesis xlii. — 1. Now, when Jacob saw that
there was corn in Egypt, Jacob said unto his sons,
Why do ye look one upon another ?
2. And he said, Behold, I have heard that
there is corn in Egypt : get you down thither,
and buy for us from thence ; that we may live,
and not die.
3. And Joseph's ten brethren went down to buy
corn in Egypt.
4. But Benjamin, Joseph's brother, Jacob sent
not with his brethren ; for he said, Lest peradven-
ture mischief befall him.
5. And the sons of Israel came to buy corn
among those that came ; for the famine was in the
land of Canaan.
6. And Joseph was the governor over the land,
and he it was that sold to all the people of the
land ; and Joseph's brethren came, and bowed
down themselves before him with their faces to
the earth.
7. And Joseph saw his brethren, and he knew
them, but made himself strange unto them, and
spake roughly unto them : and he said unto them,
Whence come ye ? and they said, From the land
of Canaan to buy food.
8. And Joseph knew his brethren ; but they
knew not him.
9. And Joseph remembered the dreams which he
dreamed of them, and said unto them, Ye are spies :
to see the nakedness of the land ye are come.
Joseph might be pardoned a little pride at seeing his dream
of supremacy over his brethren thus strangely fulfilled : yet,
in this first interview, he exhibits great self-control ; and his
assertion of his power is simply a device to secure the bringing
of his father. He avails himself of the custom of hostages ;
and, by accusing his visitors of a hostile purpose, he gains a
point for the possession of Benjamin. Though he used the
device of speaking in the Egyptian tongue, it is a wonder that
the suspicions of his brethren were not aroused by his saying,
"I fear God." Evidently they regarded Joseph as dead.
But why had he left his father so long in ignorance of his
welfare ? At the first, while a servant and a prisoner, he may
10. And they said unto him, Nay, my lord, but
to buy food are thy servants come.
11. We are all one man's sons ; we are true
men • thy servants are no spies.
12. And he said unto them, Nay, but to see the
nakedness of the land ye are come.
13. And they said, Thy servants are twelve
brethren, the sons of one man in the land of
Canaan ; and, behold, the youngest is this day
with our father, and one is not.
14. And Joseph said unto them, That is it that
I spake unto you, saying, Ye are spies.
15. Hereby ye shall be proved : by the life of
Pharaoh ye shall not go forth hence, excej>t your
youngest brother come hither.
16. Send one of you, and let him fetch your
brother, and ye shall be kejtt in prison, that your
words may be proved, whether there be any truth
in you ; or else, by the life of Pharaoh, surely ye
are spies.
17. And he put them all together into ward
three days.
18. And Joseph said unto them the third day,
This do, and live ; for I fear God :
19. If ye be true men, let one of your brethren
be bound in the house of your prison : go ye, carry
corn for the famine of your houses :
20. But bring your youngest brother unto me ;
so shall your words be verified, and ye shall not
die. And they did so.
have had no means of communication ; for there was no gene-
ral postal service in those days : afterwards, his own advance-
ment may have depended upon his keeping his origin in the
background. In the multitude of his cares and responsibili-
ties, he could give little thought to his early home. More-
over, he still had reason to distrust his brethren : they would
envy his promotion, and might seek to do him further mis-
chief. He was only too glad to escape from a home which had
no attractions for him, except the presence of his venerable
father, whom he could in no way benefit. Above all, he had
learned to wait for the unfolding of that mystery of Provi-
dence which was now coming into the perfect light.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 59, 84, 88, 130.
We thank thee, God ! for the blessings of the
past night. Thou hast watched over us when we
could not watch ourselves, and hast brought us in
safety to the beginning of this day.
We thank thee for the measure of health which
we enjoy, for our family comforts, and for our many
spiritual mercies. We bless thee, most of all, for
the gift of a Saviour. Oh that he may be precious
to our souls ! May we know him, and love him,
and serve him ! Enable each one of us now before
thee to be his true and faithful follower.
Lord ! as we enter upon the employments of
another day, be with us in our going-out and
coming-in. Give thine angels charge concerning
us. Keep us not only from outward transgres-
sions, but also from inward and secret sins. May
we be watchful over our hearts, and keep the door
of our lips ! Give us grace to correct our evil tem-
pers. May we be kind and gentle one towards
another ; tender-hearted ; forgiving one another,
even as thou, for Christ's sake, hast forgiven us !
Oh that each day may find us holier and more
heavenly-minded, growing in grace, more con-
formed to the image of Christ, and more meet
for heaven ! And grant, that, when our days on
earth are ended, we may be received into thy pres-
ence, to dwell with thee forever, through the merits
of Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
217
SUNDAY MORNING.
Hebrews xi. — 17. By faith Abraham, when he
was tried, offered up Isaac ; and he that had re-
ceived the promises offered up his only-begotten
son,
19. Accounting that God ivas able to raise him
up, even from the dead; from whence also he re-
ceived him in a figure.
20. By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau con-
cerning things to come.
21. By faith Jacob, when he was a-dying, blessed
both the sons of Joseph ; and worshipped, leaning
upon the top of his staff.
22. By faith Joseph, when he died, made men-
tion of the departing of the children of Israel,
and gave commandment concerning his bones.
24. By faith Moses, when be was come to years,
refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter ;
25. Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the
people of God than to enjoy the pleasures of sin
for a season ;
26. Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater
riches than the treasures in Egypt : for he had re-
spect unto the recompense of the reward.
27. By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the
wrath of the king ; for he endured, as seeing him
who is invisible.
28. Through faith he kept the passover and
the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the
first-born should touch them.
29. By faith they passed through the Bed Sea
as by dry land ; which the Egyptians essaying to
do, were drowned.
30. By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after
they were compassed about seven days.
32. And what shall I more say ? for the time
would fail me to tell of Gideon, and of Barak, and
of Samson, and of Jephthah, of David also, and
Samuel, and of the prophets ;
33. Who through faith subdued kingdoms,
wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped
the mouths of lions,
34. Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the
edge of the sword, out of weakness were made
strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight
the armies of the aliens.
35. Women received their dead raised to life
again : and others were tortured, not accepting
deliverance ; that they might obtain a better resur-
rection :
36. And others had trial of cmel mockings and
scourgings ; yea, moreover, of bonds and imprison-
ment :
37. They, were stoned, they were sawn asunder,
were tempted, were slain with the sword : they
wandered about in sheep-skins and goat-skins ;
being destitute, afflicted, tormented ;
38. (Of whom the world was not worthy :) they
wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens
and caves of the earth.
39. And these all, having obtained a good report
through faith, received not the promise ;
40. God having provided some better thing for
us, that they without us should not be made per-
fect.
What history can show a line of heroes to he compared to
these witnesses for the faith of the Bible ? What cause has
had an attestation so courageous, so persistent, so triumphant ?
A political cause, like that of popular liberty in England ; a
cause combining religious and political ends, like the Refor-
mation of the sixteenth century, — may enlist generation after
generation, and present a long succession of heroes and mar-
tyrs. In such causes, however, something objective and
tangible is aimed at ; and there is likely to be a mixture
of personal and partisan motives with devotion to a prin-
ciple. But, in this case, the sustaining motive was a subjective
faith ; faith in an invisible person ; faith in realities that were
not seen; in promises that were not fulfilled; in a country, a
kingdom, in the far-distant future. Nothing personal promptc 1
this faith ; nothing selfish nurtured this hope. So far as this
world is concerned, there was every thing to lose in embracing
a faith so spiritual. These were our forerunners : they paved
the way for us with tears and blood, awaiting our perfecting for
the fruition of their hope. Let us enter manfully into their la-
bors, that we may come at length to theiwest and their reward.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Praj-ei".
[Xos. 22, 57, 85, 101.
Holy Father, we bless thee for the faith and
example of the godly who have gone before us. So
enlighten, purify, and strengthen our whole nature,
that we shall faithfully follow them. More espe-
cially we bless thee for the perfect example of thy
Son Jesus Christ, and beseech thee so to endue us
with his spirit, that we may evermore walk in his
steps, and be found faithful to him even unto death.
Thou art the strength of all them that put their
trust in thee. Grant us, we beseech thee, the con-
tinual help of thy grace, that, in keeping thy com-
mandments, we may please thee, and that, in the
midst of dangers, we may be upheld and preserved.
Father of mercies, we offer our humble thanks-
giving for thy great and manifold favors bestowed
upon us. Goodness and mercy have followed us
all our days. For continued life and health and
reason, for food and raiment and the comforts of
home, for friends and kindred and social happi-
ness, we praise thy most holy name. May it please
thee still to be merciful to us, and bless us, and
cause thy face to shine upon us ! Make us strong
in faith, and joyful in hope ; and, finally, let lis
stand before thy throne, accepted and glorified,
through the merits of thy Son and our Saviour,
Jesus Christ. Amen.
218
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
SUNDAY EVENING.
Psa!m xlviii. — 1. Great is the Lord, and
greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in
the mountain of his holiness.
2. Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole
earth, is Mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the
city of the great King.
3. God is known in her palaces for a refuge.
4. For, lo, the kings were assembled; they passed
by together.
5. They saw it, and so they marvelled ; they
were troubled, and hasted away.
7. Thou breakest the ships of Tarshish with an
east wind.
8. As we have heard, so have we seen in the
city of the Lord of hosts, in the city of our God :
God will establish it forever.
9. We have thought of thy loving-kindness, O
God ! in the midst of thy temple.
10. According to thy name, God ! so is thy
praise unto the ends of the earth : thy right hand
is full of righteousness.
11. Let Mount Zion rejoice, let the daughters of
Judah be glad, because of thy judgments.
The group of hills upon which Jerusalem was built is de-
scribed as holy or sacred, because there was the temple, the seat
of Jehovah's glory ; and since Zion was the hill first occupied
by David, and the most conspicuous quarter of the city, this
stands for the whole. The glory of this sacred capital is here
celebrated in the prospect of its universal supremacy. " As
the city where the king resides is the eye and crown of a
country, much more is Jerusalem the eye and crown of the
land where the Lord resides in the sanctuary, worshipped by
all Israel." Zion has this pre-eminence over all the dwellings
of the people of God, throughout even the Holy Land. But
not Israel alone shall thus exult in her sacred capital. The
proud and mighty nations of the earth ; the seats of empire,
power, commerce, and wealth; countries whose citizens were
12. Walk about Zion, and go round about her;
tell the towers thereof.
13. Mark ye well her bulwarks, consider her
palaces, that ye may tell it to the generation fol-
lowing.
14. For this God is our God for ever and ever :
he will be our guide even unto death.
Psalm Ixxxvii. — 1. His foundation is in the
holy mountains.
2. The Lord loveth the gates of Zion more than
all the dwellings of Jacob.
3. Glorious things are spoken of thee, city of
God!
4. I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon
to them that know me : behold Philistia and Tyre,
with Ethiopia ; this man was born there.
5. And of Zion it shall be said, This and that
man was born in her; and the Highest himself
shall establish her.
6. The Lord shall count, when he writeth up
the people, that this man was born there.
7. As well the singers as the players on instru-
ments shall be there : all my springs are in thee.
accustomed to boast of their nativity, — should be numbered
by Zion among her admiring dependants. Of one and another
in distant nations it shall be said, " He was born in Zion ; "
and her glorious King, in the census of his vast dominions,
shall enter it as a special distinction of this and that man
that he was born in her. No name, no honor, no posses-
sion upon earth, can be compared with being a child and heir
of God. It is not of the physical Jerusalem, its streets, walls,
gates, palaces, that these glorious things are spoken, but of
Jerusalem as representing the presence, the word, the Spirit,
of the true God. In him are all our springs of life, of hope, of
joy ; and his service is a delight that calls for the richest com-
binations of music to express it. O happy souls that are born
of God, and daily draw their bliss from the fulness of his love !
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 162, 186, 197.
Thou that dwellest in the heavens ! holy and
reverend is thy name. Unto thee would we lift up
our souls. As the eyes of servants look unto the
hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden
unto the hand of her mistress, so our eyes wait
upon the Lord our God. To whom can we go but
unto thee ? Thou hast the words of eternal life.
We praise and bless thy name for all thy mercy
to us this day ; for the bounties of thy providence,
and for the riches of thy grace ; for the supply of
our bodily wants, and for the spiritual food which
nourishes and refreshes our souls. We thank thee
for the Holy Scriptures, for the preaching of the
gospel, for the privilege of prayer, for all the ordi-
nances and means of grace. Follow these with thy
blessing. Lord, pardon what thy pure eyes hath
seen amiss in us, and accept us in the Beloved.
We commend ourselves to thy care and keeping
for the night. Watch over us in the hours of
darkness and helplessness. If it be thy will, may
we have refreshing sleep, and rise renewed for the
duties and employments of another day ! Sleep-
ing or waking, may we be ever with thee ! Be
with all in whom we are specially interested,
and to whom we are bound by the ties of nature
or of grace. Lord, bestow on them the blessings
which we have asked for ourselves. Draw nigh
to all who are in distress. Be a very present help
in trouble. Send the Holy Spirit, the Comforter,
to all the suffering and the dying. Sanctify to
them their affliction, and give them deliverance
in thine own time and way. To live may it be
Christ, and to die may it be gain. Our prayers
are before thee : grant us an answer in peace. Do
to us and for us exceeding abundantly above all
we ask or think ; and unto thee be glory in the
Church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world
without end. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
219
MONDAY.
Acts xiii. — 32. We declare unto you glad tid-
ings, how that the promise which was made unto
the fathers,
33. God hath fulfilled the same unto us their
children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again :
as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art
my Son ; this day hare I begotten thee.
34. And as concerning that he raised him up
from the dead, now no more to return to corrup-
tion, he said on this wise : I will give you the sure
mercies of David.
35. Wherefore he saith also in another psalm,
Thou shalt not suffer thine Holy One to see cor-
ruption.
36. For David, after he had served his own gen-
eration by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was
laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption ;
37. But he whom God raised again saw no cor-
ruption.
38. Be it known unto you therefore, men and
brethren, that through this man is preached unto
you the forgiveness of sins ;
39. And by him all that believe are justified
from all things, from which ye could not be justi-
fied by the law of Moses.
40. Beware, therefore, lest that come upon you
which is spoken of in the prophets :
41. Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and per-
ish ; for I work a work in your days, a work which
ye shall in no wise believe, though a man declare
it unto you.
42. And, when the Jews were gone out of the
synagogue, the Gentiles besought that these words
might be preached to them the nest sabbath.
43. Now, when the congregation was broken up,
many of the Jews and religious proselytes fol-
lowed Paul and Barnabas ; who, speaking to them,
persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.
44. And the next sabbath day came almost the
whole city together to hear the word of God.
45. But, when the Jews saw the multitudes, they
were filled with envy, and spake against those
things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting
and blaspheming.
46. Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and
said, It was necessary that the word of God should
first have been spoken to you ; but seeing ye put
it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of
everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles :
47. For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying,
I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that
thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of
the earth.
48. And, when the Gentiles heard this, they
were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord ; and
as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.
This speech of Paul at Antioch seems like an echo of the
speech which he had heard at Jerusalem from the lips of the
martyr Stephen. The very truth asrainst which he then re-
belled he now proclaims. He sees Jesus foretold in the pro-
phecies of the Old Testament concerning Christ, and the
grand spiritual meaning of the ancient prophets is interpreted
by the coming of the Son of God.
Two great truths were the substance of apostolic preach-
ing, — the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, and the for-
giveness of sins through his name. His death was our re-
demption, his righteousness is our justification ; and both are
made sure by the fact that God raised up Jesus, and so put
the seal of the sublimest act of divine power to his life, his
doctrine, and his death. And, to enjoy all these benefits of
the Saviour's coming, we have only to believe on his name ;
to commit our souls to him for pardon, for justification, for
eternal life.
But it is just this acknowledgment of dependence and
need, this humbling confession of guilt, this self-criminating
supplication for mercy, against which the heart of man rebels.
Surely they who despise this free abounding grace of the
Lord Jesus will deserve his judgment.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[IS T os. TO, 90, 173.
God of the evening and of the morning, to
whom all times and seasons belong, we praise thee
for thy watchful care during the past night. May
the lives which thou hast prolonged be devoted to
thee ! As we are not our own, but bought with a
price, may we glorify God in our bodies and spirits,
which are his ! May we be loving and grateful,
willing and obedient ! Thy service is perfect free-
dom. Thy commandments are not grievous, but
joyous ; and, in keeping them, there is great re-
ward. May we enjoy the happiness which thy
faithful servants alone can feel, and ever possess
the consciousness that we please thee !
We thank thee for good men who have been raised
up in every part of the world, and in every age of
time, to perform thy will. May their spirit rest
upon others, and thus may the name of Christ be
remembered throughout all generations ! and may
thy salvation go forth unto the ends of the earth !
Forgive, Lord ! for the sake of Jesus Christ
our Saviour, all the offences we have committed
against thee.
Hear us while we pray for our land and people.
Bless all who are in authority. May righteousness
exalt this nation, and pervade all the nations of the
earth !
As we now separate to our different employ-
ments, we commend each other unto thee and to
the word of thy grace. Be our guide in perplex-
ity, our guard in danger, and our unfailing com-
fort amidst the sorrows and changes of life. May
the eternal God be our refuge, and underneath us
the everlasting arms ! Fulfil these our petitions,
our Father ! for the sake of Jesus Christ. Amen.
220
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
TUESDAY.
Acts xiv. — 8. And there sat a certain man at
Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from
his mothers womb, who never had walked.
9. The same heard Paul speak ; who steadfastly
beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to
be healed,
10. Said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy
feet. And he leaped and walked.
11. And, when the people saw what Paul had
done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the
speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us
in the likeness of men.
12. And they called Barnabas, Jupiter ; and
Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker.
13. Then the priest of Jupiter, which was be-
fore their city, brought oxen and garlands unto
the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the
people.
14. Which when the apostles, Barnabas and
Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in
among the people, crying out,
15. And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things?
We also are men of like passions with you, and
preach unto you, that ye should turn from these
vanities unto the living God, which made heaven
In ancient times, each city had its patron divinity, whose
statue or temple stood often outside the city walls. At
Lystra, Jupiter was the tutelary pod ; and his worship was
celebrated before the city gate. These pagans had a strong
belief in supernatural beings and powers ; and Paul and Bar-
nabas might easily have perverted this to their own interest,
just as in all ages designing priests have taken advantage of
the credulity of the people. But the apostles, like their Lord,
used the power of miracle for purposes of benevolence, and to
attest the truth, — never for histrionic effects, nor for personal
gains. Disclaiming- all honor for themselves, Paul and Bar-
nabas discoursed of God as he is seen in his works of creation
and of providence, illustrating: his being, his goodness, and his
grace. Only an abstract of their argument is given ; but this
shows that Christianity, so far from being in opposition to
the religion of Nature, adopts, elevates, and enforces this by
its own teachings. The discoveries of modern science which
and earth, and the sea, and all things that are
therein ;
16. Who in times past suffered all nations to
walk in their own ways.
17. Nevertheless he left not himself without wit-
ness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from
heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts
with food and gladness.
18. And with these sayings scarce restrained
they the people, that they had not done sacrifice
unto them.
19. And there came thither certain Jews from
Antiooh and Iconium, who persuaded the people,
and, having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city,
supposing he had been dead.
20. Howbeit, as the disciples stood around about
him, he rose up, and came into the city ; and the
next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.
21. And when they had preached the gospel to
that city, and had taught many, they returned
again to Lystra, and to Iconium and Antioch,
22. Confirming the souls of the disciples, and
exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that
we must through much tribulation enter into the
kingdom of God.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 88, 140, 152.
Blessed be God, the Father of all mercies, for
the daily comforts of his providence and grace.
Thy mercies, Lord ! are new every morning.
Grant us grace daily to live unto thee, to do thy
holy will, and to glorify thee in our bodies and
spirits, which are thine. Suffer not the cares of life
to distract our minds from thee ; but may we seek
first the kingdom of God and his righteousness !
Give us, this day, our daily bread ; and feed our
souls with that living bread which came down from
heaven. May Christ be in us the hope of glory,
and the power of an endless life ! Lord, the
Maker and Buler of all ! we bless thee for all thy
marvellous works and for thy ways unto the chil-
dren of men. Thou givest us rain from heaven,
and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food
and gladness. Bless the earth, we pray thee, with
abundant harvests, that there may be seed for the
sow-er, and bread for the eater. And, most mer-
ciful Father ! do thou visit our land with plenteous
showers of grace, making thy Word fruitful, reviv-
ing thy Church, and causing righteousness to flour-
ish and abound. Bule in the hearts of our rulers,
and turn the people unto the things of thy king-
dom. We commend unto thee all dear to us. We
commit our souls unto thee for this day ; beseech-
ing thee for Christ's sake to forgive our sins, to
keep us unspotted from the world, and pure in thy
sight. And to the Father, the Son, and the Holy
Ghost, be glory forever. Amen.
'V
illustrate, upon so wide a scale, that orderly succession of phe-
nomena in Nature which we intuitively refer to law, are in
perfect accord with the teachings of the Bible, which ascribe
these same phenomena to the providence of God. The
Bible was not written with a scientific purpose ; and therefore it
does not use the terms and definitions of science. It aims to
keep continually before us the great First Cause, and therefore
makes little mention of second causes. But the very laws of
Nature, by their uniformity, their combinations, their adapta-
tions, reflect the wisdom and the omnipotence of God ; and the
Scriptures describe the movements of the heavenly bodies, the
seasons, the winds, the rains, as his ordinances. Yet the very
men who professed to follow Nature, and were ready to wor-
ship those whom they mistook for their divinities, turned
upon them with rage and violence. So fickle is human na-
ture, and so far is the spirit of wonder from the spirit of true
faith!
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
221
WEDNESDAY.
Acts XV. — 5. But there rose up certain of the
sect of the Pharisees, which believed, saying, That
it was needful to circumcise them, and to command
them to keep the law of Moses.
6. And the apostles and elders came together
for to consider of this matter.
7. And, when there had been much disputing,
Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and breth-
ren, ye know how, that, a good while ago, God
made choice among us, that the Gentiles, by my
mouth, should hear the word of the gospel, and
believe.
8. And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare
them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even
as he did unto us ;
9. And put no difference between us and them,
purifying their hearts by faith.
10. Now, therefore, why tempt ye God, to put a
yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither
our fathers nor we were able to bear ?
11. But we believe, that, through the grace of
the Lord Jesus Christ, we shall be saved, even as
they.
12. Then all the multitude kept silence, and
gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring
what miracles and wonders God had wrought
among the Gentiles by them.
13. And, after they had held their peace, James
answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto
me :
14. Simeon hath declared how God at the first
did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people
for his name.
15. And to this agree the words of the proph-
ets : as it is written,
16. After this I will return, and will build again
the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down ; and
I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set
it up;
17. That the residue of men might seek after
the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my
name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these
things.
18. Known unto God are all his works from the
beginning of the world.
19. Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble
not them which from among the Gentiles are
turned to God ;
20. But that we write unto them that they ab-
stain from pollutions of idols, and from fornica-
tion, and from things strangled, and from blood.
2i. For Moses of old time hath in every city
them that preach him, being read in the syna-
gogues every sabbath day.
The spirit of sect broke out in the Church at the very be-
ginning ; and, as is apt to be the case, it magnified secondary
points of belief and practice as essential to the Christian
name. The Church at Antioch was composed almost entirely
of converts from paganism: it had shown its faith by its
missionary zeal, its practical benevolence, and its love for all
disciples of Christ. But Jewish converts, not yet emanci-
pated from their old ideas of the divine obligation and exclu-
siveness of Jewish rites, had gone to Antioch, and insisted,
that, " except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses,
ye cannot be saved." That is always the tone of bigotry, —
" Conform to our way, or you cannot be saved." Paul and
Barnabas carried the question up to Jerusalem, where a coun-
cil of the Church was convened to deliberate upon it. There
were some who insisted on the Jewish view ; but good sense
and Christian liberality happily prevailed. The council took
the evidence of faith, as given in character and works, to be
sufficient, and refused to enjoin or to sanction any test of
mere forms. This decision was the emancipation of Chris-
tianity from legalism, formalism, and traditions ; and he
is no true successor of the apostles who would attempt to
restrain the freedom of the Church in the spirit and faith
of Christ, and to put a yoke of ceremony on the neck of the
disciples.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 76, 89, 96.
Blessed Lord, who hast caused all holy Scriptures
to be written for our learning, grant that we may
in such wise hear them, read, mark, learn, and in-
wardly digest them, that, by patience and comfort
of thy holy Word, we may embrace and ever hold
fast the blessed hope of everlasting life which thou
hast given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ. May
we receive the truth in the love of it ! and, walking
in its light, may we ourselves shine as lights in the
world, holding forth the word of life ! Preserve us,
we pray thee, from pride, prejudice, and unbelief;
from a worldly and covetous spirit ; from self-right-
eousness, and from uncharitableness toward others ;
from all false hopes, and from all unholy desires.
Give unto us that wisdom from above which shall
purify our hearts and minds, and shall make us gen-
tle and considerate in dealing with our fellow-men.
[We entreat thee, Lord ! so to feed the chil-
dren of this household with the words of Jesus
their Saviour, that they shall grow up in the nur-
ture and admonition of the Lord. Cause them to
shun the ways of sin, and to walk in the narrow
way which leadeth unto life.] Be very gracious to
our friends, our kindred, our neighbors ; and bring
them all into thy kingdom. Oh ! let thy gospel
go forth to enlighten and save the whole world.
Heavenly Father, we thank thee for rest in the
night; for the light of the morning; for health,
comfort, and hope. Give unto us that which thou
seest to be good for us. Defend us, O Lord ! from
all evil ; be thou our rock, our refuge, our strong
tower ; and, when heart and flesh shall fail us, be
thou, God ! the strength of our heart, and our
portion forever, through Jesus Christ. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
THURSDAY.
Acts xvi. — 13. And on the sabbath we went
out of the city by a river-side, where prayer was
wont to be made ; and we sat down, and spake
unto the women which resorted thither.
14. And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller
of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which wor-
shipped God, heard us; whose heart the Lord
opened, that she attended unto the things which
were spoken of Paul.
15. And when she was baptized, and her house-
hold, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged
me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house,
and abide there. And she constrained us.
16. And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a
certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divina-
tion met us, which brought her masters much gain
by soothsaying :
17. The same followed Paul and us, and cried,
saying, These men are the servants of the most
high God, which show unto us the way of salva-
tion.
'18. And this did she many days. But Paul,
being grieved, turned, and said to the spirit, I
command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to
come out of her; and he came out the same
hour.
19. And, when her masters saw that the hope of
their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas,
and drew them into the market-place unto the
rulers,
20. And brought them to the magistrates, say-
ing, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trou-
ble our city,
21. And teach customs which are not lawful for
us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans.
22. And the multitude rose up together against
them ; and the magistrates rent off their clothes,
and commanded to beat them,.
23. And, when they had laid many stripes upon
them, they cast them into prison, charging the
jailer to keep them safely;
24. Who, having received such a charge, thrust
them into the inner prison, and made their feet
fast in the stocks.
The conversion of Lydia was the first-fruit of the gospel
in Europe. In answer to a vision, Paul had sailed over
from Asia to Macedonia ; and his first sojourn was at
Philippi, an important city, and the seat of a large Roman
colony. Thyatira was famous for the manufacture of cloths
of a rich purple dye, and Lydia had sought a market for
such goods in a growing commercial city. The Jews do
not appear to have been numerous enough at Philippi to
have had a synagogue ; but there was in the suburbs a little
chapel, to which a few devout women resorted on the Jewish
sabbath for prayer. As Paul spake of Christ and his
salvation, the heart of Lydia opened as gently as a flower
to the sun : she drank in the air and light of a new morn-
ing, and dedicated herself and all her house to the new
faith.
In contrast with this modest householder, there appeared
at Philippi a female slave who was notorious throughout the
city as a sorceress, whose masters represented her crazed ut-
terances as inspired by Apollo, and made much money by
using her as a " medium." She seems to have been possessed
of a demon ; and, as it was important to separate Christiani-
ty from such associations, the apostles cast out the spirit from
her. But the miracle was lost upon hearts that were wrapped
up in the pursuit of gain : a mob was raised, and Lynch law
was inflicted upon the servants of Christ. This, however, was
made to contribute to the furtherance of the gospel.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 48, 84, 93.
Thou only, Lord ! makest us to dwell in
safety. We lie down at night under the shadow
of thy wings ; we awake in the morning to the
light of thy love. We thank thee for another
night of rest and comfort ; for another day of life,
health, and hope. We praise thee that thou didst
create us with powers of knowing and of loving,
and hast made this world so full of wonders and
beauties to feed our minds with knowledge, and
to stir our hearts with love and joy. May the
glory of the heavens, the richness and bounty of
the earth, as adapted to our wants, fill us with
admiration of thy power, thy wisdom, thy good-
ness ! and may the voices of gladness with which
all Nature celebrates thy praise move our souls to
bless and praise thee also ! O Lord ! may we be
found faithful to thee in the duties of this day !
and, amid its temptations and its trials, do thou
sustain us, comfort us, keep us, and grant us grace
in all we do to seek thy glory. May this house-
hold, which thou hast so blessed, serve thee, not at
this altar only, but in all the walks of life ! As
we engage in the business of the world, as we go
into society, wherever we are, and whatever we do,
may we remember thee, and do thy will ! Oh !
grant that every member of this family may be a
child of God ; a humble, faithful follower of the
Lord Jesus Christ. Bless all dear to us who are
absent from us. Do thou, Lord ! dwell by thy
Spirit in the hearts and the minds of all our friends.
We supplicate thy mercy for the needy, the afflict-
ed, the bereaved and sorrowing. Oh ! grant to all
the consolations of thy gospel.
Build up thy Church, Lord ! Fill our land
with pure religion. Bless the industry of the peo-
ple ; and may its fruit be consecrated to the good of
men ! May our rulers be faithful and just, walk-
ing in thy fear ! And we beseech thee to bring all
lands under the power and glory of thy kingdom.
In thy great mercy, Lord ! forgive our sins, and
bring us unto thy heavenly kingdom, through
Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
FRIDAY.
Acts xvi. — 25. And at midnight Paul and Silas
prayed, and sang praises unto God ; and the pris-
oners heard them.
26. And suddenly there was a great earthquake,
so that the foundations of the prison were shaken;
and immediately all the doors were opened, and
every one's bands were loosed.
27. And the keeper of the prison awaking out
of his sleep, and seeing the prison-doors open, he
drew out his sword, and would have killed him-
self, supposing that the prisoners had been fled.
28. But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying,
Do thyself no harm ; for we are all here.
29. Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and
came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas ;
30. And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what
must I do to be saved ?
31. And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus
Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
32. And they spake unto him the word of the
Lord, and to all that were in his house.
33. And he took them the same hour of the
night, and washed their stripes ; and was baptized,
he and all his, straightway.
Paul and Silas had been beaten in an unmerciful manner,
and then locked in the innermost dungeon for safe-keeping.
Their feet were also put into the stocks, which was " an in-
strument for torture as well as confinement : it was a heavy-
piece of wood, with holes, into which the feet were put, so far
apart as to distend the limbs in the most painful manner.
Yet in this situation, with their bodies still bleeding from the
effect of their recent chastisement, and looking forward to the
morrow only in the expectation that it would renew their
pains, they could still rejoice : their prison at midnight
resounds with the voice of prayer and praise." Their souls
took hold upon spiritual powers, and the arm of Omnipo-
tence shook their dungeon-walls. The jailer, knowing that
he must answer for his prisoners with his life, would have
killed himself in his excitement and despair; but the re-assur-
34. And, when he had brought them into his
house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, be-
lieving in God with all his house.
35. And, when it was day, the magistrates sent
the sergeants, saying, Let those men go.
36. And the keeper of the prison told this
saying to Paul : The magistrates have sent to
let you go : now, therefore, depart, and go in
peace.
37. But Paul said unto them, They have beaten
us openly uncondemned, being Romans, and have
cast us into prison ; and now do they thrust us out
privily ? 5^ay verily ; but let them come them-
selves and fetch us out.
38. And the sergeants told these words unto the
magistrates ; and they feared when they heard
that they were Romans.
39. And they came and besought them, and
brought them out, and desired them to depart out
of the city.
40. And they went out of the prison, and en-
tered into the house of Lydia ; and, when they had
seen the brethren, they comforted them, and de-
parted.
ing voice of Paul showed him a greater wonder than the
earthquake, in his prisoners declining to escape. The danger
had roused his fears, and quickened his conscience : the com-
posure of his prisoners, and their solicitude for his safety rather
than their own, opened some hidden springs of feeling under
the hardened crust of his official life. The great question of
every sin-convicted soul, "What must I do to be saved?"
was wrung out from his heart ; and to this rough, affrighted,
trembling man, the answer was the same as to the gentle, lov-
ing Lydia. "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ " is the one act
of becoming a Christian. Like Lydia, the jailer showed his
new love b) r caring for the apostles ; and, in both cases, the
households were included in the consecration of the head of
the family.
Appropriate Htmns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 108, 121, 157.
Oh ! grant us grace, Father in heaven, to hear
thy Word, and to obey it. We would make haste,
and delay not, to keep thy commandments. Thou
hast a right, Lord ! to our time, our gifts,
our hearts, our persons; to all that we are, and
all that we have : for thou hast created us, and
hast redeemed us with the precious blood of thy
Son.
We give thee thanks for the mercies of the night,
and for all the mercies of our past lives, — for home
and its blessings ; for friends, and all the ministries
of love ; for health, knowledge, comfort, and pros-
perity ; but, above all things, for thy grace in the
gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. May we ever be
ready to acknowledge him the Son of God, the
Saviour of the world ! May men in the high places
of power and influence consecrate themselves to
him ! may the poor and lowly trust in him ! may
children sing hosannas to the Son of David ! We
commend unto thee all who are dear to us, and
also those who are at this time afflicted or dis-
tressed in mind, body, or estate. May it please
thee to relieve them according to their several
necessities, giving them patience under their suf-
ferings, and a happy issue out of all their afflic-
tions !
How shall we praise thee, God ! for thy love
and grace to us sinners ? For all thy mercies
we bless and magnify thy glorious name ; hum-
bly beseeching thee to accept this our morning
sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving for His sake
who lay down in the grave, and rose again for
us ; to whom be glory and dominion, world with-
out end. Amen.
224
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
SATURDAY.
I Peter iii. — 8. Finally, be ye all of one mind,
having compassion one of another ; love as breth-
ren, be pitiful, be courteous ;
9. Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for rail-
ing, but, contrariwise, blessing ; knowing that ye
are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a
blessing.
10. For he that will love life, and see good
days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his
lips that they speak no guile ;
11. Let him eschew evil, and do good ; let him
seek peace, and ensue it.
12. For the eyes of the Lord are over the right-
eous, and his ears are open unto their prayers ;
but the face of the Lord is against them that do
evil.
13. And who is he that will harm you if ye be
followers of that which is good ?
14. But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake,
happy are ye ; and be not afraid of their terror,
neither be troubled ;
15. But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts ;
and be ready always to give an answer to every
man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is
in you, with meekness and fear:
16. Having a good conscience; that whereas
they speak evil of you, as of evil-doers, they may
be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conver-
sation in Christ.
17. For it is better, if the will of God be so,
that ye suffer for well-doing than for evil-doing.
18. For Christ also hath once suffered for sins,
the just for the unjust, that he might bring us
to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quick-
ened by the Spirit :
19. By which, also, he went and preached unto
the spirits in prison ;
20. Which sometime were disobedient, when
once the long-suffering of God waited in the
days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing,
wherein few (that is, eight) souls were saved by
water.
21. The like figure whereunto, even baptism,
doth also now save us (not the putting-away of
the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good
conscience toward God), by the resurrection of
Jesus Christ;
22. Who is gone into heaven, and is on the
right hand of God ; angels and authorities and
powers being made subject unto him.
Upon this passage chiefly rests the article in the Apostles'
Creed, " He descended into hell," — a clause not found in the
creed in its earliest form. Like the mention of paradise in
the promise of our Lord to the dying thief, and again by
Paul in describing his being " caught up into the third
heaven," this passage gives intimations and awakens inqui-
ries which it does not attempt to satisfy. In the matter of
the future state, the Bible addresses nothing to curiosity ; de-
mands every thing of faith. The Scriptures seem to teach
that spirits continue conscious after death ; that they exist in
separate states, being divided according to character in this
life ; that, after the final judgment, this separation will not
only be fixed, but will be enhanced by the augmentation of
blessedness and of misery : and the natural and obvious read-
ing of this passage is, " that our Lord, in his disembodied
state, did go to the place of detention of departed spirits, and
did there announce his work of redemption — preach salvation,
in fact — to the disembodied spirits of those who refused to
obey the voice of God when the judgment of the flood was
hanging over them. The inference is not purgatory ; it is not
universal restitution ; but it is one which throws blessed
light on one of the darkest enigmas of the divine justice."
Yet let it not betray any of us into forgetting that now is the
accepted time, and now is the day of salvation.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 82, 103.
We come to thee this morning, heavenly Father,
with hearts full of thankfulness for the mercies of
the night. We have rested in safety and in peace
under the shadow of thy wing. Thou hast kept us
quiet from the fear of evil : nor sickness nor death,
nor tempest nor fire, nor any calamity, hath over-
taken us or our dwelling. How sure are the mercies
of thy covenant, Lord ! All thy promises in Christ
Jesus are Yea and Amen. Fulfil unto us, we be-
seech thee, these thy mercies and promises, and
cause tli at this day we may rejoice in thy salvation.
Bless to us thy Word which we have now read.
Oh ! sanctify us by thy truth; and, while we re-
ceive its instruction and comfort in our hearts,
may we carry out its precepts in our lives, and
adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all
things ! May we be just and true, loving and kind,
gentle, forbearing, and forgiving, and so shine as
lights in the world, holding forth the Word of life!
May every day witness some new victory over evil
desires and passions within us, and over the evil
that is in the world ! By feeding upon thy Word,
the bread of heaven, may we grow up into Him
who is our Life and Head, even Christ! [Oh, may
these children grow in grace as they grow in years
and in knowledge! May they shun evil compan-
ions and evil ways, and walk in the way of thy
commandments!] Keep all dear to us even as the
apple of thine eye. Bless our neighbors, and send
thy Spirit upon this whole community. Bless our
rulers, and the schools and churches in our land.
May all who rule, and all who teach, be led and
taught by thee ! Have pity upon the poor and the
sorrowing; upon homes made desolate by famine,
pestilence, fire, or war. Mercifully forgive our sins,
and bring us unto the perfection of knowledge, of
holiness, and of blessedness, in Jesus Christ our
Lord ; to whom be glory forever. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
SUNDAY MORNING.
Luke X. — 1. After these things, the Lord ap-
pointed other seventy also, and sent them two and
two before his face into every city and place
whither he himself would come.
2. Therefore said he unto them, The harvest
truly is great, but the laborers are few : pray ye,
therefore, the Lord of the harvest, that he would
send forth laborers into his harvest.
3. Go your ways : behold, I send you forth as
lambs among wolves.
4. Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes ; and
salute no man by the way.
5. And into whatsoever house ye enter, first
say, Peace be to this house.
6. And, if the son of peace be there, your peace
shall rest upon it ; if not, it shall turn to you again.
7. And in the same house remain, eating and
drinking such things as they give ; for the labor-
er is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to
house.
8. And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they
receive you, eat such things as are set before you.
9. And heal the sick that are therein, and say
unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto
you.
10. But into whatsoever city ye enter, and they
receive you not, go your ways out into the streets
of the same, and say,
11. Even the very dust of your city which
cleaveth on us we do wipe off against you : not-
withstanding, be ye sure of this, that the kingdom
of God is come nigh unto you.
12. But I say unto you, That it shall be more
tolerable in that day for Sodom than for that city.
13. Woe unto thee, Chorazin ! woe unto thee,
Bethsaida ! for if the mighty works had been done
in Tyre and Sidon which have been done in you,
they had a great while ago repented, sitting in
sackcloth and ashes r
14. But it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and
Sidon at the judgment than for you.
15. And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted to
heaven, shalt be thrust down to hell.
16. He that heareth you heareth me ; and he
that despiseth you despiseth me j and he that de-
spiseth me despiseth him that sent me.
In sending forth these primitive evangelists, our Lord held
up to view the spirituality and urgency of their work : they
were to avoid, as much as possible, whatever would tend to
secularize their minds, or would give to their mission the
semblance of worldliness. " The customary salutations,"
says Dr. W. H. Thomson, "were formal and tedious, and con-
sumed much valuable time. If an Oriental meets an ac-
quaintance, he must stop and make an endless number of
inquiries, and answer as many." The disciples were to avoid
such interviews by the way. " These would waste time, dis-
tract attention, and in many ways hinder the prompt and
faithful discharge of their important mission." The pro-
hibition to go from house to house was likewise founded
upon an Oriental custom. " When a stranger arrives in a
village or an encampment, the neighbors, one after another,
must invite him to eat with them. The evangelists were sent,
not to be honored and feasted, but to call men to repent-
ance, prepare the way of the Lord, and proclaim that the
kingdom of heaven was at hand. They were, therefore,
first to seek a becoming habitation to lodge in, and there
abide until their work in that city was accomplished." In all
this there is nothing to justify incivility, rudeness, or an un-
social habit, on the part of ministers of the gospel ; but they
are taught to keep their spiritual work continually promi-
nent, and to make their intercourse with men a testimony to
the kingdom of God.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 93, 101, 110.
Almighty God, who in times past didst speak
unto the fathers by the prophets, we bless thee
that in these latter days thou hast spoken unto us
by thy Son ; that the glory which the patriarchs
beheld afar off, and the promise which the prophets
waited for, have been revealed in'Christ ; and, above
all, that we have in him the forgiveness of sins
and the life everlasting. Grant us grace, we be-
seech thee, ever to walk in thy light, and to keep
thy testimonies. May thy gospel this day min-
ister to our peace and comfort, our faith and hope,
our instruction in righteousness, our sanctification
through obedience of the truth ! May it quicken
souls that are dead in trespasses and sins, and
comfort and edify thy saints ! May children hear
the voice of Jesus their Saviour, and come unto
him! While in thy house, may we have the
spirit of prayer and praise, and give earnest heed
to the things that we shall hear ! thou God of
peace, who didst bring again the Lord Jesus from
the dead ! grant us peace, we pray thee, through
pardon in his blood and the hope of his resur-
rection. May none of us neglect this great salva-
tion !
O Lord ! bless all societies formed for the spread
of thy gospel. Give wisdom to those who manage
them, and grace and zeal to all whom they em-
ploy. May their labors be crowned with success !
and may they be the means of leading many to
the knowledge of the Saviour ! And hasten the
time, we entreat thee, when all shall know thee,
from the least to the greatest.
We give thee thanks, Lord our preserver ! for
rest and refreshment in the night : grant us, this
day, rest from the toils and cares of life, — rest in
thee. Fulfil unto this household, and to all believ-
ing households, the mercies of thy covenant, through
Jesus Christ our Lord; to whom, with thee,
Father, and the Eternal Spirit ! be glory ever-
lasting. Amen.
226
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
SUNDAY EVENING.
I Timothy iii. — 1. This is a true saying, If a
man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a
good work.
2. A bishop, then, must be blameless, the hus-
band of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behavior,
given to hospitality, apt to teach ;
3. Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of
filthy lucre ; but patient ; not a brawler, not cov-
etous ;
4. One that ruleth well his own house, having
his children in subjection with all gravity ;
5. (For, if a man know not how to rule his own
hoase, how shall he take care of the church of God?)
6. Not a novice, lest, being lifted up with pride,
he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
7. Moreover, he must have a good report of
them which are without, lest he fall into reproach
and the snare of the devil.
8. Likewise must the deacons be grave, not
double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy
of filthy lucre ;
9. Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure
conscience.
10. And let these also first be proved ; then let
them use the office of a deacon, being found blame-
less.
11. Even so must their wives be grave, not
slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.
12. Let the deacons be the husbands of one
wife, ruling their children and their own houses
well ;
13. For they that have used the office of a dea-
con well purchase to themselves a good degree, and
great boldness in the faith which is in Christ
Jesus.
14. These things write I unto thee, hoping to
come unto thee shortly ;
15. But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know
how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house
of God, which is the church of the living God, the
pillar and ground of the truth.
16. And, without controversy, great is the mys-
tery of godliness : God was manifest in the flesh,
justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached
unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, re-
ceived up into glory.
Two classes of officers appear in the permanent constitu-
tion of the primitive churches, — overseers and deacons. The
first are commonly called " bishops " in the English version,
but were the same persons who are sometimes spoken of as
" presbyters," or " elders." There is nothing in the name to
identify it with " the office of a bishop " as this exists in any
communion of the present day. In the Church at Philippi, for
instance, there were several bishops ; in the Church at Ephe-
sus there were several elders, who are also called bishops.
These appear to have been a board of superintendents, hav-
ing the general direction of public worship and the spiritual
oversight of the Church ; while the deacons looked after the
more practical affairs. For both offices there were required a
character above reproach, sound discretion, and personal expe-
rience in the knowledge and the grace of Christ. It is plain
that Paul did not intend that the clergy should practise celi-
bacy : indeed, he elsewhere condemns those who forbid to
marry.
But whatever the form of administration in the Church,
whatever the number and the titles of its officers, the Church
itself is the stay and the witness of the truth, bearing through
all the ages her sublime, unbroken testimony to the incarna-
tion of the Son of God, to the holiness of his person and life,
to his resurrection and ascension, and to his gospel as the
message of grace and salvation to be preached throughout the
whole world.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 98, 104.
Heavenly Father, we desire to close this, thy
holy sabbath, with thee. Thou hast been as a pil-
lar of cloud before us this day ; thou hast again
spread for us a table in the wilderness ; we have
seen again thy glory in thy temple. As the shad-
ows of night are falling around us, do thou still
be near us, dispersing all the darkness of sin, and
giving us the inner light of thy presence and
love.
We entreat thee to forgive the sins that have
mingled in our efforts to serve thee this day. Look
not on us as we are in ourselves : but behold,
God our shield ! look upon the face of thine
Anointed. Through him may our wills be absorbed
in thine, and thy will become our meat day by
day !
We pray for a world lying in wickedness. Oh !
look upon the fields already white, and send forth
laborers into the harvest. Save thy people ; bless
thine inheritance ; feed them also, and lift them up
forever. Bless abundantly the preaching of thy
holy Word. Glorify thyself in the salvation of
sinners.
We entreat thee to take under thy merciful pro-
tection, this night, all our beloved friends. We
commend both present and absent ones to the gra-
cious Shepherd of Israel. Be thou to them all as
the shadow of a rock in a weary land. Draw near
to the sons and daughters of sorrow; give them
everlasting consolation and good hope through
grace.
We thank thee for thy many mercies still vouch-
safed to us. Watch over us during this night.
Grant us the sleep of thy beloved. When we
awake, may we still be with thee ! And all that we
ask is in the name and for the sake of Him whom
thou hearest always ; to whom, with thee, the
Father, and thee, O Eternal Spirit ! one God, be
ascribed all blessing and honor and glory and
praise, world without end. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
227
MONDAY.
Genesis xlii. — 21. And they said one to an-
other, We are verily guilty concerning our broth-
er, in that we saw the anguish of his soul when he
besought us, and we would not hear : therefore is
this distress come upon us.
22. And Reuben answered them, saying, Spake
I not unto you, saying, Do not sin against the
child ; and ye would not hear ? therefore behold
also his blood is required.
23. And they knew not that Joseph under-
stood them ; for he spake unto them by an inter-
preter.
24. And he turned himself about from them,
and wept ; and returned to them again, and com-
muned with them, and took from them Simeon,
and bound him before their eyes.
25. Then Joseph commanded to fill their sacks
with corn, and to restore every man's money into
his sack, and to give them provision for the way ;
and thus did he unto them.
26. And they laded their asses with the corn,
and departed thence.
27. And, as one of them opened his sack to give
his ass provender in the inn, he espied his money ;
for, behold, it was in his sack's mouth.
28. And he said unto his brethren, My money
is restored ; and, lo, it is even in my sack. And
their heart failed them, and they were afraid, say-
ing one to another, What is this that God hath
done unto us ?
29. And they came unto Jacob their father unto
the land of Canaan, and told him all that befell
unto them, saying,
30. The man who is the lord of the land spake
Conscience is a terrible quickener of the memory. At
any time she can enter its hidden and forgotten chambers, and
kindle, as with a magnesium-light, the impressions photo-
graphed on their walls. Joseph's brethren had never inquired
after his fate, and probably for years had not thought of him
at all ; but now that they were in this strait of personal dan-
ger, and saw what anguish any risk to Benjamin must carry
to their father, their cruelty to Joseph seemed as of yesterday ;
roughly to us, and took us for spies of the coun-
try.
31. And we said unto him, We are true men ;
we are no spies :
32. We be twelve brethren, sons of our father :
one is not, and the youngest is this day with our
father in the land of Canaan.
33. And the man, the lord of the country, said
unto us, Hereby shall I know that ye are true
men : leave one of your brethren here with me,
and take food for the famine of your households,
and be gone ;
34. And bring your youngest brother unto me ;
then shall I know that ye are no spies, but that ye
are true men : so will I deliver you your brother,
and ye shall traffic in the land.
35. And it came to pass, as they emptied their
sacks, that, behold, every man's bundle of money
was in his sack ; and, when both they and their
father saw the bundles of money, they were
afraid.
36. And Jacob their father said unto them, Me
have ye bereaved of my ch ildren : Joseph is not,
and Simeon is not ; and ye will take Benjamin
away: all these things are against me.
37. And Reuben spake unto his father, saying,
Slay my two sons if I bring him not to thee : de-
liver him into my hand, and I will bring him to
thee again.
38. And he said, My son shall not go down
with you ; for his brother is dead, and he is left
alone : if mischief befall him' by the way in the
which ye go, then shall ye bring down my gray
hairs with sorrow to the grave.
and they were tortured with remorse and fear. So impossible
is it for men to escape from their sins. Joseph's harshness
with his brethren was necessary to bring them to this frame
of penitence : but it was harshness only in seeming ; for his
soul was yearning to embrace them. The lament of Jacob
was as the tearing out of his heart-strings ; but often the sor-
rows that for the moment render us most desolate are but
making room for the richest experiences of grace and joy.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 124, 160.
Lord! make clean our hearts before thee,
that, being renewed in the spirit of our minds, we
may exhibit in our daily walk all the virtues and
graces of the Christian life.
We render thanks to thee for thy loving care in
the night-season. We thank thee that health and
home and friends and country are preserved to us.
We thank thee for all thy goodness to us as a
family. O Lord ! we beseech thee to visit us this
day with thy loving-kindness. Give us grace to
discharge faithfully our duties to thee and to each
other ! May we be kind and courteous unto all men,
honest in our dealings, truthful in our words, guile-
less in our thoughts ! Strengthen us to bear with
patience whatever trials or sufferings may be in store
for us, preserve us from the sins which do most
easily beset us, and enable us to walk worthy of our
Christian calling, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Lord Jesus ! we long for thy coming in power
and glory among the nations. May thy Church
arise, and make straight the way of the Lord !
Have pitj' upon the poor, the sick, the dying, and
the sorrowing. Incline thine ear to us, and hear
us, we beseech thee ; and order all our ways, this
and every day, according to thy will, through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
TUESDAY.
Genesis xliii. — 26. And, when Joseph came
home, they brought him the present which was in
their hand into the house, and bowed themselves
to him to the earth.
27. And he asked them of their welfare, and
said, Is your father well, the old man of whom ye
spake ? Is he yet alive ?
28. And they answered, Thy servant our father
is in good health ; he is yet alive : and they bowed
down their heads, and made obeisance.
29. And he lifted up his eyes, and saw his broth-
er Benjamin, his mother's son, and said. Is this
your younger brother, of whom ye spake unto me ?
And he said, God be gracious unto thee, my son.
30. And Joseph made haste ; for his bowels did
yearn upon his brother : and he sought where to
weep ; and he entered into his chamber, and wept
there.
31. And he washed his face, and went out, and
refrained himself, and said, Set on bread.
32. And they set on for him by himself, and for
them by themselves, and for the Egyptians which
did eat with him by themselves ; because the
Egyptians might not eat bread with the Hebrews,
for that is an abomination unto the Egyptians.
33. And they sat before him, the first-born ac-
cording to his birthright, and the youngest accord-
ing to his youth ; and the men marvelled one at
another.
34. And he took and sent messes unto them
from before him ; but Benjamin's mess was five
times so much as any of theirs. And they drank,
and were merry with him.
Genesis xliv. — 1. And he commanded the
steward of his house, saying, Fill the men's sacks
with food, as much as they can carry, and put
every man's money in his sack's mouth ;
It was long before Jacob could bring himself to suffer Ben-
* jamin to go with his brethren to Egypt : but, after Joseph's
positive injunction, they could not venture to go again for corn
without their younger brother ; and the pressure of famine at
length compelled their father to give his consent. They went
laden with gifts of money, balm, and spices, and were well re-
ceived by Joseph's steward. At sight of Benjamin, Joseph
2. And put my cup, the silver cup, in the sack's
mouth of the youngest, and his corn-money : and
he did according to the word that Joseph had
spoken.
3. As soon as the morning was light, the men
were sent away, they and their asses.
4. And when they were gone out of the city, and
not yet far off, Joseph said unto his steward, Up ;
follow after the men : and, when thou dost over-
take them, say unto them, Wherefore have ye re-
warded evil for good ?
5. Is not this it in which my lord drinketh, and
whereby indeed he divineth ? Ye have done evil
in so doing.
6. And he overtook them, and he spake unto
them these same words.
7. And they said unto him, Wherefore saith my
lord these words ? God forbid that thy servants
should do according to this thing.
8. Behold, the money which we found in our
sacks' mouths, we brought again unto thee out of
the land of Canaan: how, then, should we steal out
of thy lord's house silver or gold ?
9. With whomsoever of thy servants it be found,
both let him die, and we also will be my lord's
bondmen.
10. And he said, Now also let it be according
unto your words : he with whom it is found shall
be my servant ; and ye shall be blameless.
11. Then they speedily took down every man
his sack to the ground, and opened every man his
sack.
12. And he searched, and began at the eldest,
and left at the youngest ; and the cup was found
in Benjamin's sack.
13. Then they rent their clothes, and laded
every man his ass, and returned to the city.
almost betrayed himself; but it was necessary to delay the
recognition in order to satisfy his brethren of his identity, and
also of his good-will.
The contempt of the Egyptians for other nations, together
with their religious scruples, forbade them to eat with foreign-
ers ; and Joseph was still acting out his character as an
Egyptian prince.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Praj^er.
[Nos. 109, 115.
Almighty and most merciful Father, we be-
seech thee to forgive our sins, and incline us ever
to keep thy commandments. Every good gift
cometh down from thee, the Father of lights ; and
though we are so changeful in our love, so in-
constant in our service, with thee there is no
variableness, neither shadow of turning. Bind
us to thyself, O our Father ! by the mighty at-
traction of thy love. We pray thee keep us this
day from temptation, evil, and sin. May we be
upright in our dealings, true and kind in our
speech, gentle and patient in our spirit, pure and
holy in our walk, and so exhibit in our lives the
graces of the gospel, that we shall win others to the
love of Christ ! And we pray that multitudes may
be won to the Saviour; that thy Church may in-
crease; that missions may prosper ; that thy Word
maybe given to all people. We thank thee for our
home, and pray thee to bless us with all things that
we need as a family. Bless the absent who are
dear to us ; and bring them, together with us, unto
thy heavenly kingdom, for Christ's sake. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
229
WEDNESDAY.
Genesis xliv. — 14. And Judah and his breth-
ren came to Joseph's house (for he was yet there) ;
and they fell before him on the ground.
15. And Joseph said unto them, What deed is
this that ye have done ? wot ye not that such a
man as I can certainly divine ?
16. And Judah said, What shall we say unto
my lord ? what shall we speak ? or how shall we
clear ourselves ? God hath found out the iniquity
of thy servants : behold, we are my lord's servants,
both we, and he also with whom the cup is found.
17. And he said, God forbid that I should do
so : but the man in whose hand the cup is found,
he shall be my servant ; and as for you, get you up
in peace unto your father.
18. Then Judah came near unto him, and said,
my lord ! let thy servant, I pray thee, speak a
word in my lord's ears, and let not thine anger
burn against thy servant ; for thou art even as
Pharaoh.
19. My lord asked his servants, saying, Have
ye a father or a brother ?
20. And we said unto my lord, We have a
father, an old man, and a child of his old age,
a little one ; and his brother is dead, and he alone
is left of his mother, and his father loveth him.
21. And thou saidst unto thy servants, Bring him
down unto me, that I may set mine eyes upon him.
22. And we said unto my lord, The lad cannot
leave his father; for, if he should leave his father,
his father would die.
23. And thou saidst unto thy servants, Except
your youngest brother come down with you, ye
shall see my face no more.
That the art of divining was practised in Egypt is evi-
dent from history and from the monuments ; and to steal
the cup used for this purpose was not only a gross breach
of hospitality, but an act of sacrilege. Yet both these
offences seemed to be fastened upon Benjamin by the find-
ing of the cup in his sack. Judah was more tender-hearted
than his brethren : it was his mediation that saved Joseph's
21. And it came to pass, when we came up unto
thy servant my father, we told him the words of
my lord.
25. And our father said, Go again, and buy us
a little food.
26. And we said, We cannot go down : if our
youngest brother be with us, then will we go
down ; for we may not see the man's face except
our youngest brother be with us.
27. And thy servant my father said unto us, Ye
know that my wife bare me two sons:
28. And the one went out from me, and I said,
Surely he is torn in pieces ; and I saw him not
since ;
29. And if ye take this also from me, and mis-
chief befall him, ye shall bring down my gray
hairs with sorrow to the grave.
30. Now, therefore, when I come to thy servant
my father, and the lad be not with us (seeing
that his life is bound up in the lad's life),
31. It shall come to pass, when he seeth that
the lad is not with us, that he will die ; and thy
servants shall bring down the gray hairs of thy
servant our father with sorrow to the grave :
32. For thy servant became surety for the lad
unto my father, saying, If I bring him not unto
thee, then I shall bear the blame to my father for-
ever.
33. Now, therefore, I pray thee, let thy servant
abide, instead of the lad, a bondman to my lord ;
and let the lad go up with his brethren.
34. For how shall I go up to my father, and the
lad be not with me ? lest peradventure I see the
evil that shall come on rny father.
life when his brethren had cast him into the pit ; and now
he was ready to make himself a slave that he might deliver
Benjamin. How the recital of the family history must have
wrung his soul with the remembrance of the brother whom
he believed to be dead ! but his picture of Jacob's grief
brought ou the crisis that Joseph had so long struggled to
delay.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Xos. 154, 166.
Create in us a clean heart, God! and renew
a right spirit within us. We bless thee for thy
loving care, for rest and safety in the night,
for the comfort and promise of the morning.
heavenly Father ! we beseech thee to look
with favor upon this family. May each of us
in our respective stations truly serve thee ! May
we do unto others as we would that they should
do unto us ! May we be true and just in all
our dealings ! May we bear no hatred nor
malice in our hearts ! May we be honest and
upright in our daily conduct ! May we keep
our tongues from evil, and our lips from speak-
ing guile !
Give us grace, that we may be established in
the truth, and be doers of thy Word, and not
hearers only, deceiving our own selves. May we
bring -forth fruit to the glory of thy name and the
comfort of our souls !
[0 Lord ! grant unto the children of this house-
hold the teaching of thy Spirit, the guidance of
thy providence, that they may walk in the way of
wisdom and of life.]
Defend us with thy heavenly grace, that we may
continue thine forever, and daily increase in thy
Holy Spirit more and more, until we come unto
thine everlasting kingdom, through the merits of
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
THURSDAY.
Genesis xlv. — 1. Then Joseph could not re-
frain himself before all them that stood by him ;
and he cried, Cause every man to go out from me ;
and there stood no man with him while Joseph
made himself known unto his brethren.
2. And he wept aloud ; and the Egyptians and
the house of Pharaoh heard.
3. And Joseph said unto his brethren, I am
Joseph : doth my father yet live ? And his breth-
ren could not answer him ; for they were troubled
at his presence.
4. And Joseph said unto his brethren, Come
near to me, I pray you ; and they came near. And
he said, I am Joseph, your brother, whom ye sold
into Egypt.
5. Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with
yourselves, that ye sold me hither; for God did
send me before you to preserve life.
6. For these two years hath the famine been in
the land ; and yet there are five years in the
which there shall neither be earing nor harvest.
7. And God sent me before you to preserve you
a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by
a great deliverance.
8. So now it was not you that sent me hither,
but God ; and he hath made me a father to Pha-
The attempt has been made to dramatize the story of
Joseph, and to produce it upon the stage with the accessories
of scenery and music ; but to portray it, to expand it, even
to comment upon it, is to take away its charm. We see
magnanimity triumphing over meanness ; generosity requit-
ing envy and malice ; the man who had become so great in
wisdom and in power showing himself greater still in love ;
but, above all, we see the spirit of piety honoring God in all
the events of life, and dictating forgiveness toward men for
injuries which God had turned to blessings. Up to the time
of his sudden exaltation, each particular event of Joseph's
life had seemed to tell against him ; everybody was his
enemy ; and yet all things were working together for his
good ! Who would not trust and magnify the Lord, who
raoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler through-
out all the land of Egypt.
9. Haste ye, and go up to my father, and say
unto him, Thus saith thy son Joseph: God hath
made me lord of all Egypt : come down unto me ;
tarry not.
10. And thou shalt dwell in the land of Goshen,
and thou shalt be near unto me, thou, and thy
children, and thy children's children, and thy flocks,
and thy herds, and all that thou hast ;
11. And there will I nourish thee (for yet there
are five years of famine), lest thou, and thy
household, and all that thou hast, come to pov-
erty.
12. And, behold, your eyes see, and the eyes of
my brother Benjamin, that it is my mouth that
speaketh unto you.
13. And ye shall tell my father of all my glory
in Egypt, and of all that ye have seen ; and ye
shall haste, and bring down my father hither.
14. And he fell upon his brother Benjamin's
neck, and wept; and Benjamin wept upon his
neck.
15. Moreover, he kissed all his brethren, and
wept upon them ; and after that his brethren
talked with him.
holds all the complicated threads of life in the guiding hand
of love ? But, like Joseph, we should retain under all circum-
stances purity of life, simplicity of faith, integrity of character.
The promise of God to Abraham would be best fulfilled by
the removal of Israel into Egypt. Had the family of Jacob
remained in Canaan, they or their descendants might have
become separated in their interests, corrupted in their faith,
and finally absorbed in the native population. Removing to
Egypt, and dwelling compactly, they grew to be a nation.
But to remain in Egypt would be to frustrate the cove-
nant ; and so, when they had become strong enough to
take permanent possession of Canaan, they were dislodged
from Egypt by oppression, and led forth to the land of
promise.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Pra3 r er.
[Nos. 96, 124.
We thank thee, Lord ! for thy watchful care
over us, and for all thy bounty towards us. Grant
that we may show our thankfulness to thee, not
only with our lips, but in our lives, by giving up
ourselves to thy service, and by daily endeavoring
to do such things as are pleasing to thee.
We bless thee that in thy holy Word thou hast
made known to us thy will and thy love. Teach
us to hide its truths and precepts in our hearts,
that we may not sin against thee. Teach us also
to read thy love in all thy works, and in all the
ways of thy providence.
Lord, preserve us this day in body and soul.
Be pleased to grant us health and strength, that
we may rightly fulfil the duties of our different sta-
tions ; and do thou keep our hearts steadfast in thy
fear. Hold up our goings in thy paths, that our
footsteps slip not. In word and deed may we seek
to adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour, and to
prove ourselves thy true disciples ! May our light
so shine before men, that they, seeing our good
works, shall glorify thee, our heavenly Father, and
desire to be numbered with thy children !
[May these children confide in their heavenly
Father, who watches over the sparrows ! and, oh,
may they fear to sin, remembering that wherever
they are, and whatever they do, the eye of God is
upon them !]
We commit ourselves to thy care for the coming
day. May we act as in thy presence, and do all
this day to thy glory ! Hear us, we beseech thee,
for the sake of Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
231
FRIDAY.
Genesis xlvii. — 1. Then Joseph came and told
Pharaoh, and said, My father and my brethren,
and their flocks, and their herds, and all that they
have, are come out of the land of Canaan ; and,
behold, they are in the land of Goshen.
2. And he took some of his brethren, even five
men, and presented them unto Pharaoh.
3. And Pharaoh said unto his brethren, What
is your occupation ? And they said unto Pha-
raoh, Thy servants are shepherds, both we, and
also our fathers.
4. They said, moreover, unto Pharaoh, For to
sojourn in the land are we come ; for thy servants
have no pasture for their flocks, for the famine is
sore in the land of Canaan : now therefore, we
pray thee, let thy servants dwell in the land of
Goshen.
5. And Pharaoh spake unto Joseph, saying,
Thy father and thy brethren are come unto
thee :
6. The land of Egypt is before thee: in the best
of the land make thy father and brethren to dwell ;
in the land of Goshen let them dwell ; and if thou
knowest any men of activity among them, then
make them rulers over my cattle.
7. And Joseph brought in Jacob his father, and
set him before Pharaoh ; and Jacob blessed Pharaoh.
8. And Pharaoh said unto Jacob, How old art
thou?
9. And Jacob said unto Pharaoh, The days of
the years of my pilgrimage are a hundred and
thirty years : few and evil have the days of the
years of my life been, and have not attained unto
the days of the years of the life of my fathers in
the days of their pilgrimage.
10. And Jacob blessed Pharaoh, and went out
from before Pharaoh.
11. And Joseph placed his father and his breth-
ren, and gave them a possession in the land of
Egypt, in the best of the land, in the land of Ba-
rneses, as Pharaoh had commanded.
12. And Joseph nourished his father and his
brethren, and all his father's household, with
bread according to their families.
As a settled agricultural people, the Egyptians had a con-
tempt for the roving tribes of shepherds, and a dread of them,
also, because of their frequent invasions, which kept the east-
ern frontier in a state of alarm. Joseph took advantage of this
prejudice to secure for his father and brethren a separate dis-
trict of country, for the reason that they were shepherds. This
district of Goshen was one of the most fertile in the whole
land. It lay along the easternmost branch of the Nile, — now
dried away, — and covered the region of the Wadi/ Tumilat,
through which the sweet water canal flows from the Nile to
the Suez Canal. The hospitality with which Pharaoh re-
ceived these strangers is proof of the great esteem in which
Joseph was held. In the interview between Jacob and Pharaoh,
the dignity of the patriarch is exalted above the majesty of
the king. In those times, great respect was shown to age
and to the head of a tribe, as is still the case in the East.
Moreover, Jacob, from his intimacy with God, felt moved to
confer a blessing as in the character of a priest. In compari-
son with the lives of his ancestors, his own days seemed few :
indeed, the longest life, when looked back upon, appears
as a dream. But, whatever its trials, no life can be fitly
described as " evil " into which there enters any proper sense
of the divine mercy, or any experience of communion with
God.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 68, 90, 106.
Our Father in heaven, we come to thee with
wants which thou knowest far better than we, and
for blessings which thou art more ready to give
than we to ask. But thou hast bidden to pray;
and we love to come, saying, " Our Father." Oh,
may we have the spirit of little children, and show
our love and gratitude in lives of devotion ! Thou
hast kept us in the watches of the night from every
trouble, sorrow, and alarm ; and now we bless thee
for the day, for life and health, for food and rai-
ment, for home and friends, for means of education
and of enjoyment, for means of occupation and of
support, for means of improvement in the knowl-
edge of thyself from thy works and thy Word, and
for opportunities of doing good to others. Oh !
grant us grace that we may use to thy glory the lives
which thou didst give, and which thy mercy doth
continually spare.
We acknowledge, Lord ! our unworthiness
and our sinfulness, and beseech thee to pardon our
transgressions, and heal our infirmities. Help us
this day to live aright. In the business of life
may we be diligent, faithful, and true ! and do thou,
Lord, prosper the labor of our hands. In our in-
tercourse with others, may we manifest the gentle-
ness, the sincerity, the charity, of the gospel of
Christ ! May we be patient under trials, meek
under injuries, firm against temptation, bold for
the truth, zealous for thy cause ! May we be kind
to the poor, helpful to the suffering, gentle toward
all men ! [Give unto these children, O Lord !
grace to serve thee in the morning of life, and in
their thoughts and words, their studies and their
play, always to please their Father in heaven.]
Remember with thy mercy all our friends ; visit
with thy grace the homes of all who are dear to us.
Build up, O Lord ! thy Church ; prosper thy king-
dom in our land, and throughout the world. Ever
guide, keep, and bless us. May we live as pil-
grims in the world, seeking that better country
which is the home of thy saints ! Bring us to the
close of the day in peace, and to the close of life
in a hope full of immortality, through Jesus
Christ, our Lord and Saviour. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
SATURDAY.
Genesis xlix. — 33. And, when Jacob had made
an end of commanding his sons, he gathered up
his feet into the bed, and yielded up the ghost,
and was gathered unto his people.
Genesis I. — 1. And Joseph fell upon his fa-
ther's face, and wept upon him, and kissed him.
2. And Joseph commanded his servants, the
physicians, to embalm his father ; and the physi-
cians embalmed Israel.
3. And forty days were fulfilled for him; for
so are fulfilled the days of those which are em-
balmed : and the Egyptians mourned for him
threescore and ten days.
7. And Joseph went up to bury his father ; and
with him went up all the servants of Pharaoh, the
elders of his house, and all the elders of the land
of Egypt,
8. And all the house of Joseph, and his breth-
ren, and his father's house: only their little ones,
and their flocks, and their 'herds, they left in the
land of Goshen.
9. And there went up with him both chariots
and horsemen ; and it was a very great company.
10. And they came to the threshing-floor of
Atad, which is beyond Jordan ; and there they
mourned with a great and very sore lamentation ;
and he made a mourning for his father seven days.
12. And his sons did unto him according as he
commanded them ;
13. For his sons carried him into the land of
Canaan, and buried him in the cave of the field of
Machpelah, which Abraham bought with the field,
for a possession of a burying-place, of Ephron the
Hittite, before Mamre.
The custom of embalming the dead was more marked and
uniform among the Egyptians than with any people of whose
funeral-rites we have knowledge. With families of means,
great pains were taken for the preservation of the body after
death. According to Diodorus, embalming was a distinct
profession : the process consumed from thirty to forty days ;
and, for persons of distinction, the mourning was extended to
seventy-two days. Herodotus assigns seventy days to the
15. And, when Joseph's brethren saw that their
father was dead, they said, Joseph will peradven-
ture hate us, and will certainly requite us all the
evil which we did unto him.
16. And they sent a messenger unto Joseph,
saying, Thy father did command before he
died,
17. So shall ye say unto Joseph, Forgive, I pray
thee now, the trespass of thy brethren and their
sin ; for they did unto thee evil : and now, we
pray thee, forgive the trespass of the servants of
the God of thy father. And Joseph wept when
they spake unto him.
18. And his brethren also went and fell down
before his face ; and they said, Behold, we be thy
servants.
19. And Joseph said unto them, Fear not ; for
am I in the place of God ?
20. But as for you, ye thought evil against me ;
but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it
is this day, to save much people alive.
21. Now, therefore, fear ye not : I will nourish
you and your little ones. And he comforted
them, and spake kindly unto them.
24. And Joseph said unto his brethren, I die ;
and God will surely visit you, and bring you out
of this land, unto the land which he sware to
Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.
25. And Joseph took an oath of the children of
Israel, saying, God will surely visit you, and ye
shall carry up my bones from hence.
26. So Joseph died, being a hundred and ten
years old ; and they embalmed him, and he was
put in a coffin in Egypt.
embalming. There can hardly be a doubt that the body of
Jacob lies uncorrupted still in the family-tomb at Hebron, or
that the sarcophagus of Joseph remains where it was buried
in Shechem.
The fears of Joseph's brethren show how much harder it is
for guilt to forgive itself than for love to forgive it ; but the
loving peace of Joseph's age was a beautiful contrast to the
dark and troubled times of his youth.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 32, 46.
God, our heavenly Father ! we come to thee in
our need ; for thou alone art able to succor us : we
come to thee in our weakness ; for thou alone canst
give us strength : we come to thee in our sins ; for
thou alone canst pardon, heal, and save us. Have
mercy upon us, Lord ! for the sake of thy Son,
our Saviour Jesus Christ ; and suffer us never to
fall away from thee. We praise thee for thy
watchful providence over us in our persons, in
our family, in our home, in all that pertains to our
well-being; and we beseech thee grant unto us,
this day, health and prosperity, and preserve us
from all harm and danger. Keep us from all
impatience and anger, from envy and jealousy,
from every evil lust. Grant us grace to be faith-
ful in all the offices and relations of life. May
we study to be helpful to each other, be patient
of each other's infirmities, and rejoice in each
other's prosperity ! and may the love that blesses
our earthly home interpret to us the love of our
Father in heaven, and draw us toward the better
home ! We make supplication for all men ; be-
seeching thee, the Father of all, to dispense unto
all thy mercies according to their several con-
ditions and necessities, through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
233
SUNDAY MORNING.
Acts xvii. — 16. Now, while Paul waited for
thein at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him when
he saw the city wholly given to idolatry.
17. Therefore disputed he in the synagogue with
the Jews, and with the devout persons, and in the
market daily with them that met with him.
18. Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans
and of the Stoics encountered him. And some
said, What will this babbler say ? other some, He
seemeth to be a setter-forth of strange gods; be-
cause he preached unto them Jesus and the resur-
rection.
19. And they took him, and brought him unto
Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new
doctrine, whereof thou speakest, is ?
22. Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' Hill,
and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all
things ye are too superstitious ;
23. For as I passed by, and beheld your devo-
tions, I found an altar with this inscription : TO
THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom, therefore, ye
ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.
24. God that made the world, and all things
therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and
earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands ;
25. Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as
Athens was " the eve of Greece," and, to the Roman world,
was yet the centre of art, of letters, and of philosophy. Art
had so crowded it with temples, altars, and idols, that a satir-
ist said it was easier to find a god at Athens than a man.
Many Greek and Roman writers corroborate Luke's epithet,
" a city full of idols." But the philosophers, though they
would humor the superstitions of the people, inwardly con-
temned their worship : the Epicureans advocated a life of sen-
sual pleasure ; the Stoics, the opposite extreme of indiffer-
ence to the world, and a stern fatalism. In the heart of the
city was the Forum, which was at once a business-exchange, a
place of news, and the arena of public discussions. Back of
this was the hill of the Acropolis, crowned with the Parthe-
non and other wonders of art, especially the colossal statue of
Minerva, whose shining spear was visible far out at sea. A
little west of the Acropolis was another ridge, somewhat lower,
but still sixty feet above the forum, known as Mars' Hill,
where the high court of justice sat. Paul's discussions in the
though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to
all life and breath and all things ;
26. And hath made of one blood all nations of
men for to dwell on all the face of the earth ; and
hath determined the times before appointed, and
the bounds of their habitation ;
27. That they should seek the Lord, if haply
they might feel after him, and find him, though
he be not far from every one of us ;
28. For in him we live and move, and have our
being ; as certain also of your own poets have
said, For we are also his offspring.
29. Forasmuch, then, as we are the offspring of
God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is
like unto gold or silver or stone, graven by art and
man's device.
30. And the times of this ignorance God winked at,
but now commandeth all men everywhere to repent ;
31. Because he hath appointed a day, in the
which he will judge the world in righteousness by
that man whom he hath ordained ; whereof he
hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath
raised him from the dead.
32. And, when they heard of the resurrection of
the dead, some mocked ; and others said, We will
hear thee again of this matter.
Forum had drawn such crowds, that he was placed upon Mars'
Hill to address them. Here he had above him the splendid
temples and statues of the Acropolis ; beyond him, the moun-
tains and the sea ; beneath him, the temples and altars with
which the city was filled. Taking advantage of this promi-
nence given to objects of devotion, he said, " I perceive that ye
are in every way most religiously inclined ; for, passing by, and
closely observing the objects of your religious veneration, I
found an altar ' To the Unknown God.' " Then, arguing from
the glory of the creation visible around him, and from the testi-
mony of their consciousness uttered by one of their own poets,
he proclaimed the majesty of the one spiritual, eternal Creator
and Father of all above these dumb images of gold or silver or
stone. Then, pressing home this truth upon the conscience,
he proclaimed the moral government of God as Judge, and
urged the duty of repentance, and faith in Jesus Christ. It is
not enough to behold and admire God in nature : the heart
must serve him in humble, adoring faith.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 132, HO, 178.
Lord, most gracious Saviour, who on this day
didst rise again from the dead ! raise up our souls
unto newness of life, granting us repentance from
dead works, and planting us in the likeness of thy
resurrection. We beseech thee so to purify our
hearts this day, that we may worship thee accepta-
bly, with reverence and godly fear. Incline us to
receive thy Word into honest and good hearts, and
to bring forth fruit with patience ; that we may at
last inherit everlasting life, through the mediation
of our great High Priest, who has passed into the
heavens, and who liveth evermore.
Thou Lord of the evening and morning, we bless
thee for thy love which 'shines upon us in the
morning light. As thy goodness hath preserved
us in the night, may thy grace attend and keep us
this day ! As we shall study thee in thy works
and Word, fill our minds with thy truth, and our
hearts with thy love. Teach the children thy
grace in the gospel of thy Son, that they may
consecrate to thee the dew of their youth.
Let thy special blessing, Lord ! rest on all our
friends and neighbors, and upon thy whole Church.
Oh ! hasten the final coming of Christ our Saviour ;
to whom, with the Father and the Holy Ghost, be
all praise and thanksgiving forever. Amen.
234
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
SUNDAY EVENING.
Psalm cxiii. — 1. Praise ye the Lord. Praise,
ye servants of the Lord ! praise the name of the
Lord.
2. Blessed be the name of the Lord from this
time forth and forevermore.
3. From the rising of the sun unto the going
down of the same the Lord's name is to be praised.
4. The Lord is high above all nations, and his
glory above the heavens.
5. Who is like unto the Lord our God, who
dwelleth on high,
6. Who humbleth himself to behold the things
that are in heaven and in the earth ?
7. He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and
lifteth the needy out of the dunghill ;
8. That he may set him with princes, even with
the princes of his people.
9. He maketh the barren woman to keep house,
and to be a joyful mother of children. Praise ye
the Lord.
Psalm cxxxviii. — 1. I will praise thee with my
whole heart : before the gods will I sing praise
unto thee.
2. I will worship toward thy holy temple, and
praise thy name for thy loving-kindness and for
thy truth ; for thou hast magnified thy word above
all thy name.
3. In the day when I cried thou answeredst me,
and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul.
4. All the kings of the earth shall praise thee,
Lord ! when they hear the words of thy mouth ;
5. Yea, they shall sing in the ways of the Lord :
for great is the glory of the Lord.
6. Though the Lord be high, yet hath he respect
unto the lowly ; but the proud he knoweth afar off.
7. Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou
wilt revive me : thou shalt stretch forth thine hand
against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right
hand shall save me.
8. The Lord will perfect that which concerneth
me : thy mercy, Lord ! endureth forever : forsake
not the works of thine own hands.
God has a plan concerning every one of us. Our lives do not
move on at hap-hazard, neither are they altogether shaped by
our own choice; but the Lord had a purpose in bringing us
into being, and is directing our lives toward the fulfilment of
that purpose. His purpose toward the work of his hands is
always good. We can, indeed, frustrate the moral end of our
creation by our perversity and sin ; but, if we adapt ourselves in
obedience and submission to the will of God, he will perfect that
which concerneth us. He will not abandon his own plan. It
matters nothing that he is so great and high, and we so insig-
nificant : He who clothes the lilies and feeds the birds of the air,
and watches over the minutest laws and processes of the physi-
cal universe, thinks upon his children with a father's watchful
and forecasting love. When we find ourselves in trouble, we
may not infer that God has forsaken or forgotten us. Our path
may lie through the sea ; but he will make the waters as a wall
upon the right hand and the left. Our way may lead through
the valley of the shadow of death : but he will go with us ; his
rod and staff will comfort us. The very troubles of life — disci-
plining our hearts to a loftier faith, separating us from a worldly
unto a spiritual life — may be a means of perfecting that which
concerneth us in the wise and holy purpose of God. So the
Psalmist had already found it. His troubles had brought him
experiences of the merciful faithfulness of God, so rich and
blessed, that the fulfilment of the divine promise even exceeded
the hopes based upon his glorious name. So let the remem-
brance of past mercies lead us to praise and trust Him whose
ways toward us are perfect, and whose mercy endureth forever.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 43, 139, 141.
Lord our God ! we come before thee this even-
ing, trusting only in the name of Christ our Sa-
viour. Though thou art high and holy, yet dost
thou humble thyself to behold the dwellers upon
earth, and dost hearken to the cry of the needy for
thy dear Son's sake.
We thank thee for health and strength, and
every earthly comfort and blessing. But we praise
thee yet more for the measure of grace which thou
hast given to us ; for thy holy Word, and for the
way of salvation. Teach us to devote all that we
have, and all that we are, to Him who gave him-
self for us. May we walk as children of the light !
and may our light so shine before men, that they
may see our good works, and glorify our Father
which is in heaven ! So fill us with the grandeur
of thy kingdom, with the reality of things not
seen, with the nearness of eternity, that we shall
count all earthly things but loss for thy sake.
May we trust thy providence to take care of us
while we seek first the kingdom of God !
[May the children of this family grow up in
the love of all that is pure and good and holy !]
We implore thy blessing upon all who are in any
way connected with us, especially those who are
in any trouble and sorrow. Comfort those who
mourn. Enlighten and sanctify any who are yet
far from thee, and who are ignorant of the great
salvation.
Bless, Lord ! we beesech thee, all societies
formed for the spread of thy gospel. Give wis-
dom to those who manage them, and grace and
zeal to all whom they employ. May their labors
be crowned with success ! and may they be the
means of leading many to the knowledge of the
Saviour ! And hasten the time, we entreat thee,
when all shall know thee.
And now, most gracious Father, we pray thee
to watch over and protect us through this night.
Let thy love cheer us, and thy Holy Spirit comfort
us, for the sake of Jesus Christ, our Mediator and
Advocate. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
MONDAY.
Ezekiel xxxiii. — 6. But if the watchman see
the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and
the people be not warned ; if the sword come, and
take any person from among them, he is taken
away in his iniquity ; but bis blood will I require
at the watchman's hand.
7. So thou, son of man ! I have set thee a
watchman unto the house of Israel : therefore thou
shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them
from me.
8. When I say unto the wicked, wicked man !
thou shalt surely die ; if thou dost not speak to
warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man
shall die in his iniquity ; but his blood will I re-
quire at thine hand.
9. Nevertheless, if thou warn the wicked of his
way to turn from it ; if he do not turn from his
way. he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast
delivered thy soul.
Acts xviii. — 1. After these things, Paul de-
parted- from Athens, and came to Corinth ;
2. And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born
in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife
Priscilla (because that Claudius had commanded
all Jews to depart from Pome), and came unto
them.
3. And, because he was of the same craft, he
abode with them, and wrought (for by their occu-
pation they were tent-makers).
4. And he reasoned in the synagogue every sab-
bath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks.
5. And, when Silas and Timotheus were come
from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit,
and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ.
6. And when they opposed themselves, and blas-
phemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them,
Your blood be upon your own heads : I am clean ;
from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles.
7. And he departed thence, and entered into a
certain man's house, named Justus, one that wor-
shipped God, whose house joined hard to the syna-
gogue.
8. And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue,
believed on the Lord with all his house ; and many
of the Corinthians, hearing, believed, and were
baptized.
9. Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night
by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not
thy peace ;
10. For I am with thee, and no man shall set
on thee to hurt thee ; for I have much people in
this city.
11. And he continued there a year and six
months, teaching the word of God among them.
Though not fifty miles distant, Corinth was in wide contrast
to artistic and philosophical Athens as a city of commerce
and luxury ; yet it proved to be a more hopeful field for
Paul's labors, and he remained there longer than in any other
place. Indeed, he identified himself with the Church of Cor-
inth with more of personal feeling than with any other ; speak-
ing of them as his children, and giving to them the most ear-
nest and affectionate counsels. Besides being an important
and populous city in itself, Corinth was a central point from
which the gospel could be diffused over a wide region. So
Paul settled down here to his work. And he went very qui-
etly to work : for the gospel was not always to spread by Pen-
tecosts and miracles ; and Paul, though an inspired apostle,
must needs lay foundations in patience and prayer. Accord-
ing to the wise custom of the Jews, that a son should always
learn some trade, Paul had been taught the manufacture of
tent-cloth, which was a common business in his native Cili-
cia ; and so he maintained himself b_v his work through the
week, and every sabbath preached the gospel. At the same
time, Paul insisted strongly upon the duty of the churches to
support the ministry. It is ground of encouragement for
great cities, that, in Corinth, Paul made head against all kinds
of opposition, and gathered much people to the Lord. More
of his faith would now gather more of his fruits.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 36, 99.
We will sing unto the Lord as long as we live ;
we will sing praises unto our God while we have
any being. We bless thee for the light of the
day : Lord, lift up the light of thy countenance
upon us. We bless thee for the breath of life :
Lord, grant us life eternal. We bless thee for
the continued use of our faculties : assist us to use
all our powers for thy glory. We thank thee for
the shelter of our dwelling: be thou our strong
refuge to which we may continually resort. We
praise thee for the bread that perisneth : feed us,
God ! with the bread of life. We thank thee
for the love of kindred and friends : may we have
the friendship of Him who sticketh closer than a
brother! We bless thee for access to thyself:
prompt us to pray without ceasing, and in every
thing to give thanks. We thank thee for the mis-
sion of the Holy Ghost : may we never grieve the
Holy Spirit of God ! We worship thee for thine
unspeakable gift : may Christ be precious to our
souls ! We bless thee for the revelation of heaven :
God ! grant that we may be daily maturing for
the inheritance of the saints in light.
Prepare us for whatever shall befall us; and
teach us to walk with God, believing that all
things work together for good to them that love
thee. And do thou cause all grace to abound
toward us, that we may abound to every good
work. Exalt thy Church, God ! Make manifest
thy saving power. Pity the children of sorrow ;
heal the wounds of their hearts, and wipe away
their tears. Overthrow the dominion of sin ; and
let thy kingdom come, and thy will be done on
earth as it is in heaven, for Christ's sake. Amen.
236
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
TUESDAY.
2 Corinthians vi. — 1. We then, as workers
together with him, beseech you also that ye re-
ceive not the grace of God in vain.
2. (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time
accepted, and in the day of salvation have I suc-
cored thee: behold, now is the accepted time; be-
hold, now is the day of salvation.)
3. Giving no offence in any thing, that the min-
istry be not blamed ;
4. But in all things approving ourselves as the
ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions,
in necessities, in distresses,
5. In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in
labors, in watchings, in fastings ;
6. By pureness, by knowledge, by long-suffer-
ing, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love un-
feigned,
7. By the word of truth, by the power of God,
by the armor of righteousness on the right hand
and on the left,
8. By honor and dishonor, by evil report and
good report ; as deceivers, and yet true ;
9. As unknown, and yet well known ; as dying,
and, behold, we live ; as chastened, and not
killed.
10. As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing ; as poor,
yet making many rich; as having nothing, and
yet possessing all things.
11. ye Corinthians ! our mouth is open unto
you ; our heart is enlarged.
12. Ye are not straitened in us ; but ye are
straitened in your own bowels.
13. Now, for a recompense in the same (I speak
as unto my children), be ye also enlarged.
14. Be ye not unequally yoked together with
unbelievers ; for what fellowship hath righteous-
ness with unrighteousness ? and what communion
hath light with darkness ?
15. And what concord hath Christ with Belial ?
or what part hath he that believeth with an infi-
del ?
16. And what agreement hath the temple of
God with idols ? For ye are the temple of the liv-
ing God ; as God hath said, I will dwell in them,
and walk in them ; and I will be their God, and
they shall be my people.
17. Wherefore come out from among them, and
be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the
unclean thing ; and I will receive you,
18. And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall
be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Al-
mighty.
How wondrous are the surprises, the transformations, the
contradictions even, of faith ! It turns poverty into riches,
sorrow into joy, persecution into honor, death into life. For
every self-denial and sacrifice it returns so rich a compensa-
tion, that he who, in the largeness of his devotion, should strip
himself to nothing, would find himself possessing all things.
Was there ever a life into which entered more of the elements of
outward disturbance than were in the life of the apostle Paul ?
Yet was ever a life happier than his ? Corinth, the scene of
his greatest trials, was the scene also of his richest triumphs.
But these joys and rewards of faith are in proportion to the
absoluteness of our dependence upon Christ, — the entireness
of our separation from the world. We cannot combine a
worldly spirit with a believing spirit : but, when we renounce
all for God, he takes us to his embrace as sons and daugh-
ters ; and that is the possessing all things.
Aside from the special gift of inspiration, the supernatural
illumination of his understanding in the things of God, there
was no possession or attainment of Paul in the Christian life,
no elevation of hope or rapture, which is not equally within
the reach of any believer who will exercise the same faith and
practise the same self-denial.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 39, 50, 57.
Thou only, Lord ! makest us to dwell in safety.
We lie down at night under the shadow of thy
wings ; we awake in the morning to the light of
thy love. We thank thee for another night of rest
and comfort ; for another day of life, health, and
hope. Lord ! may we be found faithful to thee
in the duties of this day ! and, amid its temptations
and ifcs trials, do thou sustain us, comfort us, keep
us, and grant us grace in all we do to seek thy
giory. May this household, which thou hast so
blessed, serve thee, not at this altar only, but in all
the walks of life ! As we engage in the business of
the world, as we go into society, wherever we are,
and whatever we do, may we remember thee, and
do thy will ! Oh ! grant that every member of this
family may be a child of God ; a humble, faithful
follower of the Lord Jesus Christ.
[We commend unto thy fatherly goodness the
children of this family. Lord ! give unto them
grace to serve thee in the morning of life, and
in their thoughts and words, their studies and
their play, always to please their Father in
heaven.]
Bless all dear to us who are absent from us.
Do thou, Lord ! dwell by thy Spirit in the hearts
and the minds of all our friends. We supplicate
thy mercy for the needy, the afflicted, the be-
reaved, and the sorrowing. Oh ! grant to all the
consolations of thy gospel.
Build up thy Church, Lord ! Fill our land
with pure religion. Bless the industry of the peo-
ple ; and may its fruit be consecrated to the good
of men ! May our rulers be faithful and just, walk-
ing in thy fear ! And we beseech thee to bring all
lands under the power and glory of thy kingdom.
In thy great mercy, Lord ! forgive our sins, and
bring us unto thy heavenly kingdom, through Jesus
Christ our Saviour. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
237
WEDNESDAY.
Acts xix. — 1. And it came to pass, that, while
Apollos was at Corinth, Paul, having passed
through the upper coasts, came to Ephesus ; and,
finding certain disciples,
2. He said unto them, Have ye received the
Holy Ghost since ye helieved? And they said
unto him, We have not so much as heard whether
there be any Holy Ghost.
3. And he said unto them, Unto what, then,
were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's
baptism.
4. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with
the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people,
that they should believe on him which should come
after him ; that is, on Christ Jesus.
5. When they heard this, they were baptized in
the name of the Lord Jesus.
6. And, when Paul had laid his hands upon
them, the Holy Ghost came on them ; and they
spake with tongues, and prophesied.
7. And all the men were about twelve.
8. And he went into the synagogue, and spake
boldly for the space of three months, disputing
and persuading the things concerning the king-
dom of God.
9. But when divers were hardened, and believed
not, but spake evil of that way before the multi-
tude, he departed from them, and separated the
disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Ty-
rannus.
10. And this continued by the space of two
years : so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard
One may tie a sincere Christian who yet has a very limited
knowledge of doctrine, and a very imperfect experience. These
disciples at Ephesus were probably Jews, who had been at Jeru-
salem in the days of John the Baptist, had accepted his doctrine
concerning the Christ, and had been baptized into the kingdom
of God. They had known little of subsequent events, and noth-
ing whatever of the miraculous descent of the Spirit at Pente-
cost; but they were in a frame of true faith and devotion, and at
once accepted and acted upon the new light given them by Paul.
The "vagabond Jews" spoken of in verse 13 were wan-
dering jugglers, who professed to have communication with
the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and
Greeks.
11. And God wrought special miracles by the
hands of Paul ;
12. So that from his body were brought unto
the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases
departed from them, and the evil spirits went out
of them.
13. Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exor-
cists, took upon them to call over them which had
evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying,
We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth.
14. And there were seven sons of one Sceva a
Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so.
15. And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus
I know, and Paul I know ; but who are ye ?
16. And the man in whom the evil spirit was
leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed
against them, so that they fled out of that house
naked and wounded.
17. And this was known to all the Jews and
Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus ; and fear fell on
them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was
magnified.
18. And many that believed came, and con-
fessed, and showed their deeds.
19. Many of them, also, which used curious arts,
brought their books together, and burned them
before all men ; and they counted the price of
them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver.
20. So mightily grew the word of God, and pre-
vailed.
Appropriate Hymns,]
We come to thee this morning, heavenly Father,
with hearts full of thankfulness for the mercies of
the night. Thou hast kept us quiet from the fear
of evil : nor sickness nor death, nor tempest nor
fire, nor any calamity, hath overtaken us or our
dwelling. How sure are the mercies of thy cove-
nant, Lord !
Bless to us thy Word which we have now read :
may we carry out its principles in our lives, and
adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all
things ! May we be just and true, loving and
kind, gentle, forbearing, and forgiving, and so
shine as lights in the world, holding; forth the
the spirit-world. "It was important that the divine power
which accompanied the gospel should, in some striking man-
ner, exhibit its superiority to the magic which prevailed so
extensively at Ephesus, and which, by its apparently great
effects, deceived and captivated so many. This miracle would
have a tendency to rescue men from those arts of imposture,
and prepare their minds for the reception of the truth."
No better proof of conversion could be given than to re-
nounce a lucrative trade for conscience' sake, and to destroy
a pernicious stock rather than perpetuate mischief by selling
it out to others in the same business.
[Nos. 89, 117.
Prayer.
Word of life! May every day witness some new
victory over evil desires and passions within us,
and over the evil that is in the world ! Keep all
dear to us even as the apple of thine eye. Bless
our neighbors, and send thy Spirit upon this
whole community. Bless our rulers, and the
schools and churches in our land. Have pity
upon the poor, and upon homes made desolate
by famine, pestilence, fire, or war. Mercifully
forgive our sins, and bring us unto the perfec-
tion of knowledge, of holiness, and of blessedness,
in Jesus Christ our Lord ; to whom be glory for-
ever. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
THURSDAY.
Acts XX. — 17. And from Miletus he sent to
Ephesus, and called the elders of the church.
18. And, when they were come to him, he said
unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I
came into Asia, after what manner I have heen
with you at all seasons,
19. Serving the Lord with all humility of mind,
and with many tears and temptations, which befell
me by the lying-in-wait of the Jews ;
20. And how I kept back nothing that was prof-
itable unto you, but have showed you, and have
taught you publicly, and from house to house,
21. Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the
Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward
our Lord Jesus Christ.
22. And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit
unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall
befall me there ;
23. Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in
every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide
me.
24. But none of these things move me, neither
count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might
finish my course with joy, and the ministry which
I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the
gospel of the grace of God.
25. And now, behold, I know that ye all, among
whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God,
shall see my face no more.
26. Wherefore I take you to record this day,
that I am pure from the blood of all men ;
27. For I have not shunned to declare unto you
all the counsel of God.
The height of heroism is an unselfish devotion to the cause
of truth and the good of mankind. Paul never stopped to
think of his safety, to care even for his life, when duty to
Christ, or the opportunity of saving men, called him to a post
of trial and danger. And so, when age and past sufferings
might have excused him from further exposure, he neverthe-
less went to Jerusalem, knowing that bonds and afflictions
there awaited him. With all his firmness and courage, he
was a man of remarkable tenderness and delicacy of feeling,
and of the nicest sense of honor. For three years he had de-
voted his life, for no personal consideration whatever, to
28. Take heed, therefore, unto yourselves, and to
all the flock over the which the Holy Ghost hath
made you overseers, to feed the church of God,
which he hath purchased with his own blood.
29. For I know this, that after my departing
shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not
sparing the flock.
30. Also of your own selves shall men arise,
speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples
after them.
31. Therefore watch, and remember, that, by the
space of three years, I ceased not to warn every
one, night and day, with tears.
32. And now, brethren, I commend you to God,
and to the word of his grace, which is able to
build you up, and to give you an inheritance
among all them which are sanctified.
33. I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or
apparel.
34. Yea, ye yourselves know that these hands
have ministered unto my necessities, and to them
that were with me.
35. I have showed you all things, how that so
laboring ye ought to support the weak, and to re-
member the words of the Lord Jesus, how he
said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
36. And, when he had thus spoken, he knelt
down, and prayed with them all.
37. And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul's
neck, and kissed him ;
38. Sorrowing most of all for the words which
he spake, that they should see his face no more.
And they accompanied him unto the ship.
preaching the gospel at Ephesus; and now, at parting, his
heart was deeply stirred for the salvation of all to whom he
had testified the gospel. The worth of the soul, the gran-
deur of salvation, the sense of obligation to Christ, the
conviction of the day of judgment, — these things nerve the
heart to the most heroic labors and sacrifices. Paul has
here recovered for us one of the most precious sayings of
our Lord, which every disciple should adopt as the motto
of his life: "It is more blessed to give than to receive."
There is pleasure in receiving ; but true bliss is found in
giving.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 90, 93, 105.
Lord, who by the example of thy blessed
apostle Paul hast taught us to forget those things
which are behind, and to reach forth unto those
things that are before ! give us grace that we may
press toward the mark for the prize of our high
calling. May we lay aside every weight, and the
sins which so easily beset us, and run with patience
the race set before us, looking unto Jesus, the au-
thor and finisher of our faith ! May we ever have
before us our heavenly reward, and never fear what
men can do unto us !
In the constant sense of our membership in
Christ; in the unfailing thought that we are his
soldiers and servants ; in the love for our Father's
house, and the blessed hope of our eternal home, —
Lord, preserve and Iceep us.
For the mercies of the past night ; for the health
and comfort with which we begin the day ; for
means of improvement, of enjoyment, and of use-
fulness, — we humbly thank thee, the Giver of all
good. Bless all dear to us ; multiply the preach-
ers of thy gospel ; turn opposers and persecutors
into witnesses for thee ; and subdue all hearts unto
thyself, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
FRIDAY.
Psalm cvii. — 21. Oh that men would praise
the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful
works to the children of men !
22. And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of
thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing.
23. They that go down to the sea in ships, that
do business in great waters ;
24. These see the works of the Lord, and his
wonders in the deep.
25. For he coinmandeth, and raiseth the stormy
wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof.
26. They mount up to the heaven ; they go down
again to the depths : their soul is melted because
of trouble.
27. They reel to and fro, and stagger like a
drunken man, and are at their wits' end.
28. Then they cry unto the Lord in their trou-
ble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses.
29. He maketh the storm a calm, so that the
waves thereof are still.
30. Then are they glad because they be quiet :
so he bringeth them unto their desired, haven.
Dr. W. M. Thomson describes a sudden tempest which he
witnessed on the Lake of Galilee as lashing the lake " like a
huge boiling caldron. The wind howled down every wady
from the north-east and east, with such fury that no efforts of
rowers could have brought a boat to shore at any point along
that coast. To understand the causes of these sudden and
violent tempests, we must remember that the lake lies low, —
six hundred feet lower than the ocean; that the vast and
naked plateaus of the Jaulan rise to a great height, spreading
backward to the wilds of the Hauran, and upward to snowy
Hermon ; that the water-courses have cutout profound ravines
and wild gorges, converging to the head of this lake ; and that
these act like gigantic funnels, to draw down the cold winds
from the mountains. These winds are not only violent, but
they come down suddenly, and often when the sky is perfectly
Mark IV. — 35. And the same day, when the
even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass
over unto the other side.
36. And, when they had sent away the mul-
titude, they took him even as he was in the
ship. And there were also with him other little
ships.
37. And there arose a great storm of wind ; and
the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now
full.
38. And he was in the hinder part of the ship,
asleep on a pillow; and they awake him, and
say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we
perish ?
39. And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and
said unto the sea, Peace ! be still. And the wind
ceased, and there was a great calm.
40. And he said unto them, Why are ye so fear-
ful? how is it that ye have no faith ?
41. And they feared exceedingly, and said one
to another, What manner of man is this, that
even the wind and the sea obey him ?
clear." Jesus, in full command of himself, and never knowing
fear, was sleeping quietly after a day of public teaching, bo
wild was the storm, that the boat seemed about to founder ;
when, with the impetuosity of terror, the disciples roused their
Master, and almost accused him of indifference to their safety.
With the majesty of creative power, he commanded the wind
and the sea as his creatures, and they were instantly still.
The disciples should have felt that the very presence of Jesus
was their safety ; that he who had cast out demons and raised
the dead could not be overmastered by the forces of Nature.
His spirit, his personal will, could act directly upon matter,
and could control it. The greater seems our danger, the
stronger should be our faith. No trouble can sink us when
Jesus is within call ; no cause can go down in which Jesus
is embarked.
Appropriate Htmxs,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 132, 135.
Holy Father, we, thy children, commit ourselves
to thee in the confidence of faith. At thy com-
mand we lay down the burden of our cares and
sorrows, and look up to thee as our helper and our
comforter. Grant unto us, we beseech thee, the
plenitude of thy grace and strength. Endue us
with divine power and heavenly wisdom. Lift us
out of ourselves, and out of all dependence on our
own resources. Take from us the spirit of pride,
and clothe us with humility. Teach us to lean
upon thy hand, to confide in thy wisdom, to rest
on thy power, to repose in thy love, to live on thy
fulness. Ever bend our wills to thine ; and do
thou, in thy great mercy, overrule all things in
our lot for thy glory and our good. In th e knowl-
edge of thyself and of thy Son Jesus Christ may
we seek eternal life ! and do thou so nourish this
life in our souls by the daily communications of
thy grace and the ever-active power of thy Spirit,
that we may at last attain to the everlasting joy of
thy presence. May faith in the ever-present, the
almighty Saviour, inspire us with courage for every
duty and every trial !
Thou givest us our daily bread : oh ! feed us
with the bread of heaven ; and give unto all dear
to us a like interest in the things of Christ.
We would begin the labors of this day in simple
dependence upon thee, humbly asking thy blessing
on every one before thee. Let peace rule in our
hearts, and reign in this household. May mutual
kindness, and harmony and love, here have their
abode ! On our pursuits in life let thy blessing
descend. Give us bread to eat, and raiment to put
on ; give us thankful and cheerful hearts ; give us
every spiritual gift necessary to prepare us for
heaven ; and, in thy good time, give us an abun-
dant entrance into that happy world, for the sake
of our blessed Lord and Redeemer. Amen.
240
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
SATURDAY.
Mark v. — 1. And they came over unto the
other side of the sea, into the country of the Gada-
renes.
2. And, when he was come out of the ship, im-
mediately there met him out of the tombs a man
with an unclean spirit,
3. Who had his dwelling among the tombs :
and no man could bind him ; no, not with chains ;
4. Because that he had been often bound with
fetters and chains, and the chains had been plucked
asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces :
neither could any man tame him.
5. And always, night and day, he was in the
mountains and in the tombs, crying, and cutting
himself with stones.
6. But, when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and
worshipped him,
7. And cried with a loud voice, and said, What
have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the
most high God ? I adjure thee by God, that thou
torment me not.
8. (For he said unto him, Come out of the man,
thou unclean spirit.)
9. And he asked him, What is thy name ? And
he answered, saying, My name is Legion ; for we
are many.
10. And he besought him much that he would
not send them away out of the country.
11. Now, there was there nigh unto the moun-
tains a great herd of swine feeding.
The scene of this miracle was on the eastern side of the
Lake of Galilee, — probably at Khersa (Gergesa), on the left
bank of Wady Semakh. Along the shore are tombs, some
excavated from the rock, others built above the ground. The
wretched maniac was not simply the victim of a physical
disease. The Gospels make a plain distinction between dis-
ease and demoniacal possession ; and to suppose that Jesus
took advantage of a popular belief in devils to enhance his
power, and thus encouraged superstition, " is wholly at vari-
ance with any Christian idea of the perfection of truthful-
ness in Him who was truth itself." There seems to have
been an unusual activity of the spirits of darkness during the
life of Christ ; and he manifested his supreme power in de-
12. And all the devils besought him, saying,
Send us into the swine, that we may enter into
them.
13. And forthwith Jesus gave them leave. And
the unclean spirits went out, and entered into the
swine ; and the herd ran violently down a steep
place into the sea (they were about two thousand),
and were choked in the sea.
14. And they that fed the swine fled, and told it
in the city and in the country. And they went
out to see what it was that was done.
15. And they come to Jesus, and see him that
was possessed with the devil, and had the legion,
sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind ; and
they were afraid.
16. And they that saw it told them how it befell
to him that was possessed with the devil, and also
concerning the swine.
17. And they began to pray him to depart out
of their coasts.
18. And, when he was come into the ship, he
that had been possessed with the devil prayed him
that he might be with him.
19. Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith
unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them
how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and
hath had compassion on thee.
20. And he departed, and began to publish in
Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for
him. And all men did marvel.
stroying the works of the Devil. He had power over inani-
mate nature, power over the bodies and spirits of men, and
power over the invisible world of spirits. This destruction of
the swine was no more contrary to the benevolence of God
than if they had been swallowed up by an earthquake, or
swept away by a pestilence : it made manifest the extreme
violence of the possession in the man, the fact of the expul-
sion, and the power of Jesus to save or to destroy. It placed
human life and reason above any valuation in property ; and
yet the mercenary people showed more concern for their
wordly goods than for deliverance from Satan, of which this
miracle was a type and a promise. How often do even the
meanest things of earth displace Christ and his grace !
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 129, 133.
Lord, our heavenly Father ! we have nothing
to bring to thee but our wants, and such poor re-
turn of love and gratitude and praise as these
hearts can render for thy goodness. As thou dost
cause our lives to overflow with thy mercies, so do
thou fill our hearts to overflowing with thy Spirit,
that we may thank thee and praise thee as we
ought. The morning calls us again to praise thee
for thy loving-kindness in the night-season. Every
good gift cometh down from thee, the Father of
lights ; and though we are so changeful in our love,
so inconstant in our service, with thee there is no
variableness, neither shadow of turning. Bind us
to thyself, our Father ! by the mighty attraction
of thy love. May the love of Christ, who died
that we might live, constrain us to live unto thee !
We pray, Lord ! that thy kingdom may come ;
that thy Church may increase ; that missions may
prosper ; that thy Word may be given to all people,
and the knowledge of the Lord may fill the earth
as the waters fill the sea. We thank thee for our
home, and pray thee to bless us with all things
that we need as a family. Bless the absent who
are dear to us ; and bring them, together with us,
we beseech thee, unto thy heavenly kingdom ;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
241
SUNDAY MORNING.
Psalm xxii. — 1. My God, my God, why hast
thou forsaken me ? why art thou so far from help-
ing me, and from the words of my roaring ?
2. my God ! I cry in the day-time, but thou
hearest not ; and in the night-season, and am not
silent.
7. All they that see me laugh me to scorn : they
shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying,
8. He trusted on the Lord that he would deliver
him : let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in
him.
11. Be not far from me ; for trouble is near ; for
there is none to help.
12. Many bulls have compassed me ; strong bulls
of Bashan have beset me round.
13. They gaped upon me with, their mouths, as
a ravening and a roaring lion.
14. I am poured out like water, and all my
bones are out of joint : my heart is like wax ; it is
melted in the midst of my bowels.
15. My strength is dried up like a potsherd,
and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws ; and thou
hast brought me into the dust of death.
16. For dogs have compassed me : the assembly
of the wicked have enclosed me : they pierced my
hands and my feet.
17. I may tell all my bones : they look and
stare upon me.
18. They part my garments among them, and
cast lots upon my vesture.
The close of this psalm is sneh a contrast to its beginning
as could come onl) - of the triumphs of divine grace. No
change of outward circumstances alone could cause such a
change of feeling, or would warrant such a tone of exultation.
The psalm opens with the most despairing cry ever wrung
from a troubled soul : " My God, my God, why hast thou for-
saken me ? " It pictures the sufferer oppressed with all man-
ner of physical pains and tortures, and set upon by enemies
who make a mock of his anguish, and taunt and revile him,
saying, " He trusted on the Lord that he would deliver him :
let him deliver him if he delight in him." They even stripped
him of his clothes, parted his garments among them, and cast
19. But be not thou far from me, Lord !
my strength ! haste thee to help me.
22. I will declare thy name unto my brethren :
in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee.
23. Ye that fear the Lord, praise him ; all ye
the seed of Jacob, glorify him ; and fear him, all
ye the seed of Israel.
21. For he hath not despised nor abhorred the af-
fliction of the afflicted ; neither hath he hid his face
from him ; but, when he cried unto him, he heard.
25. My praise shall be of thee in the great con-
gregation : I will pay my vows before them that
fear him.
26. The meek shall eat, and be satisfied : they
shall praise the Lord that seek him : your heart
shall live forever.
27. All the ends of the world shall remember,
and turn unto the Lord ; and all the kindreds of
the nations shall worship before thee.
28. For the kingdom is the Lord's ; and he is
the governor among the nations.
29. All they that be fat upon earth shall eat
and worship ; all they that go down to the dust
shall bow before him : and none can keep alive his
own soul.
30. A seed shall serve him : it shall be ac-
counted to the Lord for a generation.
31. They shall come, and shall declare his right-
eousness unto a people that shall be born, that he
hath done this.
lots for his vesture ; they wantonly pierced his hands and
feet, and, like lions, roared to devour him. But the saddest
grief of all was, that, when he cried unto God, he seemed to
have no answer. All these sorrows meet in Jesus on the
cross. Yet in them all he clung to his Father : "My God, my
God ! " was still his cry. And at last that cry was answered in
the vision of that feast of redeeming love, to which the high
and the low shall be brought together ; of that seed gathered
out of all nations to serve and glorify the Lord. For this
Christ stands as the High Priest of his people, leading their
praises to the God of Israel.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 99, 100, 108.
Blessing and honor and glory and power be unto
Him that sitteth on the throne, and to the Lamb
for ever and ever ! God, our Father ! how shall
we praise thee for thy love in Jesus Christ, our
Saviour ? When we were utterly lost in our sins,
thou didst not spare thine own Son, but didst de-
liver him up for us all. Upon this, the Lord's day,
that crowns the suffering of the cross with the
glory of the resurrection, our hearts would go forth
in grateful and adoring love to Him who hath re-
deemed us to God. Lord ! fill our souls with
thankfulness to thee, that thy love may constrain
us evermore. May we be filled with the spirit of
Christ, and wholly given to the service of Christ !
And, oh, may this day witness in our hearts, in this
community, in the church, in our land, in all the
world, new triumphs of redeeming grace ! May
He who was lifted up upon the cross draw all
men unto him !
We thank thee, as a family, for thy constant
goodness to us ; for all the way in which thou hast
led us ; for the home which thou hast given us ;
for our means of support and of enjoyment; for
the loves and hopes that brighten our way ; and for
all the dealings of thy providence with us.
Lord ! unite us all in the faith and hope of the gos-
pel, and in the family of thy redeemed, through
Jesus Christ. Amen.
242
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
SUNDAY EVENING.
Mark xiv. — 55. And the chief priests, and all
the council, sought for witness against Jesus to
put him to death ; and found none.
56. For many bare false witness against him ;
but their witness agreed not together.
57. And there arose certain, and bare false wit-
ness against him, saying,
58. We heard him say, I will destroy this tem-
ple that is made with hands, and within three days
I will build another made without hands.
59. But neither so did their witness agree to-
gether.
60. And the high priest stood up in the midst,
and asked Jesus, saying, Answerest thou nothing ?
What is it which these witness against thee ?
61. But he held his peace, and answered nothing.
Again the high priest asked him, and said unto him,
Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed ?
62. And Jesus said, I am ; and ye shall see the
Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and
coming in the clouds of heaven.
63. Then the high priest rent his clothes, and
saith, What need we any further witnesses ?
Jesus was first taken before Annas, who, though he had
been deposed from the high-priesthood by a Roman governor,
was treated with official respect by the Jews. The high-
priesthood had become subject to political influence; and the
incumbent was changed as often as the collector of New York,
or the minister at the court of St. James. Annas questioned
him concerning his disciples and his doctrine ; but Jesus re-
ferred him to his open teachings. At this answer, an officer
struck Jesus in the face ; and Annas caused him to be bound,
and taken before Caiaphas, who was the acting high priest.
The high priest summoned the Council of Seventy, or Sanhe-
drim, the high court of the Jews, composed of the chief priests,
the elders or heads of ancient families, and the scribes, the
learned expounders of the law. This was the last court of
64. Ye have heard the blasphemy : what think
ye ? And they all condemned him to be guilty of
death.
65. And some began to spit on him, and to
cover his face, and to buffet him, and to say unto
him, Prophesy ; and the servants did strike him
with the palms of their hands.
Isaiah I. — 6. I gave my back to the smiters,
and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair :
I hid not my face from shame and spitting.
7. For the Lord God will help me : therefore shall
I not be confounded : therefore have I set my face
like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed.
8. He is near that justifieth me : who will con-
tend with me ? Let us stand together : who is
mine adversary ? let him come near to me.
9. Behold, the Lord God will help me : who is
he that shall condemn me ? Lo, they all shall wax
old as a garment ; the moth shall eat them up.
10. Who is among you that feareth the Lord ;
that obeyeth the voice of his servant ; that walketh
in darkness, and hath no light? let him trust in
the name of the Lord, and stay upon his God.
appeal, and, by Jewish law, had the power of capital punish-
ment, though the Roman authorities would not suffer it to
execute the sentence of death. Before this tribunal the at-
tempt was made to convict Jesus upon religious grounds, —
sacrilege and blasphemy. False witnesses were arrayed
against him ; but as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so
opened he not his mouth. At length, rising in the conscious-
ness of his divinity, he proclaimed his power and majesty as
the Christ. To his delicate and sensitive nature, the personal
indignities to which he was now subjected were a source of
keener suffering than the nails of the cross; yet, trusting to
God to vindicate his cause, for our sakes he gave his back to
the smiters, and did not hide his face from shame and spit-
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 159, 176, 199.
Almighty God, from whom all good things do
come, we thank and praise thee for the mercies of
this holy day. Make our hearts so deeply thankful
for its many blessings, that we shall be ready to
devote ourselves afresh — body, soul, and spirit —
to thy service through the coming week.
Give unto us, God ! more of the mind which
was in Christ Jesus. May we esteem others bet-
ter than ourselves ! Teach us to pity and to help
all who are in want and sorrow. May we show
that we are Christians, not in name only, but in
deed and truth ! and, by our holy and blameless
lives, may we adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour
in all things ! May thy truth make us free !
Almighty Father, teach us to imitate thy love,
that we may be sanctified in heart and life, fitted
to serve thee here, and to dwell with thee here-
after. May we be temples of the Holy Ghost, and
be sealed by him unto the day of redemption !
May his gracious teaching enlighten us, and his
holy comfort cheer and refresh our souls ! May no
cherished sin grieve this blessed Spirit, or quench
the flame of love which he would kindle within
us !
Bless, Lord ! thy Church with light and peace.
Bless our government and our country. Make us
a nation fearing thee and working righteousness.
Be gracious to all our dear friends and rela-
tives, and guide their feet into the way of holiness.
Bring nigh any who may be yet far from thee.
Stablish, strengthen, and settle those who know
and love thee. Hear, Lord ! we beseech thee,
these our supplications. Take us this night into
thy holy keeping. Pardon for thy mercy's sake all
our iniquities ; and do for us exceeding abundantly
above all that we ask or think, for the sake of
Jesus Christ, our most blessed Lord and Saviour.
Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
243
MONDAY.
Daniel ix. — 21. While I was speaking in
prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen
in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly
swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening
oblation.
22. And he informed me, and talked with me,
and said, O Daniel ! I am now come forth to give
thee skill and understanding.
25. Know therefore and understand, that from
the going-forth of the commandment to restore
and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the
Prince shall be seven weeks and threescore and
two weeks : the street shall be built again, and the
wall, even in troublous times.
26. And after threescore and two weeks shall
Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the
people of the prince that shall come shall destroy
the city and the sanctuary ; and the end thereof
shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war
desolations are determined.
27. And he shall confirm the covenant with
many for one week ; and in the midst of the week
he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to
cease ; and for the overspreading of abominations
he shall make it desolate, even until the consum-
mation, and that determined shall be poured upon
the desolate.
I Peter i. — 3. Blessed be the God and Father
of our Lord Jesus Christ, which, according to his
abundant mercy, hath begotten us again unto a
lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ
from the dead,
When Thomas believed upon the evidence of his senses
and the signs of miracle, our Lord said, " Blessed are they
that have not seen, and yet have believed." This far-reaching
benediction embraced, upon one hand, the prophets and saints
of the Old Testament, who, with no visible signs of Christ's ap-
pearing, and no definite conception of his life and death, never-
theless kept him ever in view as the object of longing desire ;
and, on the other, it embraced every one who now comes to
Christ with a living faith. This faith makes Christ present,
makes heaven near, makes salvation sure. All the wondrous
truths of the gospel, in the person, the life, the death, and the
4. To an inheritance incorruptible and unde-
filed, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven
for you,
5. Who are kept by the power of God through
faith unto salvation, ready to be revealed in the
last time.
6. Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a
season (if need be) ye are in heaviness through
manifold temptations;
7. That the trial of your faith, being much
more precious than of gold that perisheth, though
it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise
and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus
Christ :
8. Whom, having not seen, ye love ; in whom,
though now ye see him not, yet, believing, ye re-
joice with joy unspeakable, and full of glory ;
9. Receiving the end of your faith, even the sal-
vation of your souls.
10. Of which salvation the prophets have in-
quired and searched diligently, who prophesied of
the grace that should come unto you ;
11. Searching what, or what manner of time,
the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signi-
fy, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of
Christ, and the glory that should follow.
12. Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto
themselves, but unto us, they did minister the
things which are now reported unto you by them
that have preached the gospel unto you, with the
Holy Ghost sent down from heaven ; which things
the angels desire to look into.
resurrection of Jesus, and all its blessed promises of honor
and glory in the future, are made real to our faith. More
precious than gold in its own pureness and brightness, more
enduring than the fires by which it is tried and tempered, this
faith answers to the inheritance to which it leads, incorruptible,
undefilcd, and unfading. Even Daniel, favored as he was in
revelations and by the visitation of angels, could but dimly
foresee the mystery of a sufferi7ig Messiah; but we look back
upon that suffering accomplished, and reap its fruits of tran-
scendent and imperishable glory.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 19, 32, 34.
God, who hast prepared for those who love
thee such good things as pass man's understand-
ing ! pour into our hearts such love toward thee,
that we, loving thee above all things, may obtain
thy promises, which exceed all that we can desire,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
We thank thee, Lord ! for the precious com-
fort that remains to us concerning dear friends
who have departed in the faith ; that to them
heaven is even now a reality ; that they have no
more want, nor sorrow, nor care, nor sin. Oh,
may heaven be a reality to our faith ! and may the
hope of it, yea, the assurance of it, as our home,
lift us above all the temptations and trials of this
present world ! Give to us strength for labors, cour-
age for conflicts, patience under afflictions, fidelity
to duty, and faith that shall endure to the end, and
shall make us more than conquerors over death.
We praise thee, Lord ! for the blessings of the
present time ; for another night of rest ; for another
morning of mercy and hope. Oh, may we this day
love thee more, know thee more, and serve thee
better, than ever before ! So may we daily live to
thee ; and, when the things of earth shall pass
away, make us to be numbered with thy saints in
glory everlasting, through Jesus Christ. Amen.
244
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
TUESDAY.
Exodus i. — 6. And Joseph died, and all his
brethren, and all that generation.
7. And the children of Israel were fruitful, and
increased abundantly, and multiplied, and waxed
exceeding mighty ; and the land was filled with
them.
8. Now there arose up a new king over Egypt,
which knew not Joseph.
9. And he said unto his people, Behold, the
people of the children of Israel are more and
mightier than we.
10. Come on, let us deal wisely with them, lest
they multiply, and it come to pass, that, when
there falleth out any war, they join also unto our
enemies, and fight against us, and so get them up
out of the land.
11. Therefore they did set over them taskmas-
ters to afflict them with their burdens. And they
built for Pharaoh treasure-cities, Pithom and
Eaamses.
12. But the more they afflicted them, the more
they multiplied and grew. And they were grieved
because of the children of Israel.
22. And Pharaoh charged all his people, saying,
Every son that is born ye shall cast into the river,
and every daughter ye shall save alive.
Exodus ii. — 1. And there went a man of the
house of Levi, and took to wife a daughter of Levi.
2. And the woman conceived, and bare a son ;
and, when she saw him that he was a goodly child,
she hid him three months.
3. And, when she could not longer hide him, she
took for him an ark of bulrushes, and daubed it
with slime and with pitch, and put the child there-
in ; and she laid it in the flags by the river's brink.
4. And his sister stood afar off to wit what
would be done to him.
5. And the daughter of Pharaoh came down to
wash herself at the river, and her maidens walked
along by the river's side ; and, when she saw the
ark among the flags, she sent her maid to fetch it.
6. And, when she had opened it, she saw the
child ; and, behold, the babe wept. And she had
compassion on him, and said, This is one of the
Hebrews' children.
7. Then said his sister to Pharaoh's daughter,
Shall I go and call to thee a nurse of the Hebrew
women, that she may nurse the child for thee ?
8. And Pharaoh's daughter said to her, Go.
And the maid went and called the child's mother.
9. And Pharaoh's daughter said unto her, Take
this child away and nurse it for me, and I will give
thee thy wages. And the woman took the child
and nursed it.
10. And the child grew ; and she brought him
unto Pharaoh's daughter, and he became her son.
And she called his name Moses ; and she said,
Because I drew him out of the water.
Joseph's office did not descend in his family, and he left no
successor to perpetuate his influence for his people. They did
not intermarry with the Egyptians, and were always looked
upon as a foreign race. The history of Egypt shows that her
most constant and most dreaded enemies were the nomadic
tribes of the Eastern desert ; and, since the Hebrews were of
Semitic origin, it was feared, that, in case of an invasion from
that quarter, they would make cause with the enemy. Hence
the cruel resolve of Pharaoh to crush their spirit aud prevent
their increase.
The story of Moses reproduces the country and the times.
The branches of the Nile were anciently lined with reeds.
The papyrus was woven into baskets, mats, and even little
boats, which were made water-tight with the resin, or bitumen,
in common use for mummy-wrappings. • The sanitary cus-
toms of the Egyptians united with their religious feeling to
recommend bathing in the sacred river; and the monuments
show, that, in ancient Egypt, women had much greater free-
dom than is now accorded them in Oriental countries. Thus
every thing is here pictured to the life.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 125, 131, 147.
Heavenly Father, we bless thee for the light of
the morning : oh ! lift upon us the light of thy
countenance, that we may see thy glory in the sun,
may feel thy presence in the breath of life, may
discern thy hand in all the good that comes to us,
may meet thy grace in thy holy Word. Oh for a
heart to love thee, to praise thee, to serve thee, as
we ought ! Thou didst create us for thy glory ;
thou hast enriched us with thy bounty ; thou
hast redeemed us with the precious blood of thy
Son; thou hast sent forth thy Spirit into our
hearts to quicken us to a new life, that we might
receive the adoption of children. Disobedient and
unthankful children we have been ; and we con-
fess our waywardness and our sin. Forgive us, we
beseech thee, our Father ! for the sake of thy
dear Son.
God ! thy watchful providence is over all our
ways. We pray thee this day to deliver us from
temptation, to defend us from evil. Make sure to
this family the mercies of thy covenant. [Give to
the children grace to serve thee in the morning of
life ; to be gentle, obedient, loving, and kind. May
they grow up pure and holy !] Remember all dear
to us; bless them in their hearts and in their
homes. Visit, Lord ! with thy grace, the com-
munity in which we live. Bless thy Church here,
and in our land, and throughout the world. Oh !
send thy salvation to all people. We beseech thee
to comfort the poor, the sick, the sorrowing, the
dying; and O Lord! when heart and flesh shall
fail us, be thou the strength of our heart, and our
portion forever, for Christ's sake, our Mediator and
Redeemer. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
245
WEDNESDAY.
Exodus ii. — 11. And it came to pass in those
days, when Moses was grown, that he went out
unto his brethren, and looked on their burdens ;
and he spied an Egyptian smiting an Hebrew, one
of his brethren.
12. And he looked this way and that way; and,
when he saw that there tvas no man, he slew the
Egyptian, and hid him in the sand.
13. And, when he went out the second day, be-
hold, two men of the Hebrews strove together;
and he said to him that did the wrong, Wherefore
smitest thou thy fellow ?
14. And he said, Who made thee a prince and
a judge over us ? intendest thou to kill me, as
thou killedst the Egyptian ? And Moses feared,
and said, Surely this thing is known.
15. Now, when Pharaoh heard this thing, he
sought to slay Moses. But Moses fled from the
face of Pharaoh, and dwelt in the land of Midian ;
and he sat down by a well.
16. Now, the priest of Midian had seven daugh-
ters ; and they came and drew water, and filled the
troughs to water their father's flock.
17. And the shepherds came and drove them
That one trained at court, and having wealth and honor at
his disposal, should identity himself with the despised serfs of
the country because he was of their race, showed true noble-
ness of character. To avenge the first case of wrong that
came under his eyes, and at the risk of his own life, showed a
quick sense of justice and a generous spirit of self-sacrifice.
Still, upon moral grounds, the act itself can hardly be defended ;
and, since Moses had no visible power of effecting a revolution,
as a signal of revolt it was at least premature. As Stephen
said, " He supposed his brethren would have understood how
that God by his hand would deliver them ; but they under-
stood not." Certainly he could not hope to rouse his race
against their oppressors if they were quarrelling among
themselves, and would not rally under a leader, who, for their
away ; but Moses stood up and helped them, and
watered their flock.
18. And, when they came to Eeuel their father,
he said, How is it that ye are come so soon to-day ?
19. And they said, An Egyptian delivered us
out of the hand of the shepherds, and also drew
ivater enough for us, and watered the flock.
20. And he said unto his daughters, And where
is he? why is it that ye have left the man? call
him, that he may eat bread.
2i. And Moses was content to dwell with the
man ; and he gave Moses Zipporah his daughter.
22. And she bare him a son, and he called his
name Gershom ; for he said, I have been a stranger
in a strange land.
23. And it came to pass, in process of time, that
the king of Egypt died : and the children of Israel
sighed by reason of the bondage, and they cried : and
their cry came up unto God by reason of the bondage.
24. And God heard their groaning; and God re-
membered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac,
and with Jacob.
25. And God looked upon the children of Israel,
and God had respect unto them.
sakes, was ready to hazard fortune, honor, life itself. Moses, in
the ardor of his temperament, had anticipated the call of Provi-
dence as to both the time and the method of his work. He
needed the discipline of disappointment and solitude. Still
it was a sublime faith which caused him to refuse to be
called the son of Pharaoh's daughter ; choosing rather to
suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the pleas-
ures of sin for a season ; esteeming the reproach of Christ
greater riches than the treasures in Egypt. In any event, that
was a wise and noble choice, which must lead to some great
and good result.
The scene at the well exhibits the peculiarities of desert
life in contrast with life in Egypt, and shows Moses to advan-
tage as the helper of the weak.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Xos. 22, 110, 120.
Lord Jesus, the author and the finisher of our
faith ! we give thee thanks for all thy servants
departed in the faith, who, having witnessed a good
confession, have entered into rest. Grant us grace,
we beseech thee, to be faithful unto death, that
we also may receive a crown of life. May we
have such a sense of thy presence and glory as
shall lift us above the love or the fear of this
world ! Assist us by thy grace to do this day such
things as are pleasing to thee. Deliver us from
anxiety about earthly things, from a discontented
and unthankful spirit.
Strengthen, Lord ! our faith in the promises of
thy Word. Enable us to stay our minds on thee.
Thou knowest our exceeding weakness, and the
numberless dangers which every day surround us.
Supply all our needs. If it should please thee to
visit us with affliction, oh ! make it work for our
real and eternal good, and give us a patient and
submissive spirit. Be thou our defender through
all the trials of life, our hope in death, and our
portion forever.
We thank thee for thy loving-kindness in the
night-season. Be pleased, Lord! to bless all who
are near and dear to us. Lead all whom we love into
the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Bless our
neighbors. Look graciously upon this part of thy
vineyard, and grant that true godliness may in-
crease and abound among us. Help us to shine
as lights in the world, and to commend the reli-
gion which we profess by the meekness and gen-
tleness of our conduct, and by the holiness of our
lives. Make us happy in our own souls, and useful
to all around us. These mercies we ask for our-
selves and others in the name of Jesus Christ
our Saviour. Amen.
246
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
THURSDAY.
Exodus iii. — 1. Now, Moses kept the flock of
Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian ; and
he led the flock to the back side of the desert, and
came to the mountain of God, even to Horeb.
2. And the Angel of the Lord appeared unto
him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush ;
and he looked, and behold the bush burned with
fire, and the bush was not consumed.
3. And Moses said, I will now turn aside and
see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt.
4. And, when the Lord saw that he turned aside to
see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush,
and said, Moses, Moses ! And he said, Here am I.
5. And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off
thy shoes from off thy feet ; for the place whereon
thou standest is holy ground.
6. Moreover he said, I am the God of thy father,
the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the
God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face ; for he
was afraid to look upon God.
7. And the Lord said, I have surely seen the af-
fliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have
heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters ;
for I know their sorrows :
8. And I am come down to deliver them out of
the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up
out of that land, unto a good land and a large,
unto a land flowing with milk and honey ; unto the
place of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the
The first attempt of Moses to deliver his people had ap-
parently deprived him of all power to help them. He was an
outcast and an exile, living in the seclusion of the rocky
desert of Arabia, earning his scanty livelihood by tending
sheep. As years rolled by, he must have despaired of return-
ing to Egypt, or of acting any great part in his people's his-
tory. But God never forgets his plans, and often is pi'eparing
his agents by means least likely to human view. In the pen-
insula of Sinai are wadies where the herbage lingers long
Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and
the Jebusites.
9. Now therefore, behold, the cry of the children
of Israel is come unto me ; and I have also seen the
oppression wherewith the Egyptians oppress them.
10. Come now, therefore, and I will send thee
unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth my
people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.
11. And Moses said unto God, Who am I, that
I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring
forth the children of Israel out of Egypt ?
12. And he said, Certainly I will be with thee ;
and this shall be a token unto thee that I have sent
thee : When thou hast brought forth the people out
of Egypt, ye shall serve God upon this mountain.
13. And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I
come unto the children of Israel, and shall say
unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me
unto you, and they shall say to me, What is his
name? what shall I say unto them ?
14. And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I
AM ; and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the
children of Israel : I AM hath sent me unto you.
15. And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus
shalt thou say unto the children of Israel : The
Lord God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the
God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me
unto you : this is my name forever, and this is my
memorial unto all generations.
after the winter rains. A natural reason, therefore, led Moses
at this time into the neighborhood of the mountain which was
soon to be the scene of such stupendous wonders. There
Jehovah revealed himself under a name, which, in comprehen-
siveness and majesty, transcends all that poetry or philosophy
has ever conceived. But, while he thus proclaimed his own
absolute and eternal being, he drew nigh to his trembling
servant as the God of his fathers, and linked himself to human
names and hopes.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 56, 157, 170.
Oar voice shalt thou hear in the morning,
Lord ! in the morning will we direct our prayer
unto thee, and will look up. Oh ! lead us this day
in thy righteousness ; make thy way straight before
our face. Grant that we may see and know clear-
ly what things we ought to do ; and, whatever we
do, may we do it heartily, as unto the Lord, and
not unto men.
Keep us from vain self-dependence, from pride,
self-will, and presumption. Plant in all our hearts
thy holy fear ; and may we show such meekness
and gentleness and humility as become the true
followers of Christ !
Whilst we are this day diligent in business, give
us grace at the same time to be fervent in spirit,
serving thee. May the continual recollection of
thy manifold and great mercies incline us to pre-
sent our souls and bodies a living sacrifice unto
thee ! May we not be conformed to this world, but
transformed by the renewing of our minds, that we
may prove what is that good and acceptable and
perfect will of God !
[May the children of this family set thy love be-
fore them as their chief portion in life, and make
thy Word their guide ! May they always speak the
truth, and grow up free from guile ! May they hear
the voice of Jesus, and follow him !] Be gracious,
Lord! to all our kindred. Visit thy Church
with thy salvation. Inspire thy people with a
readiness to testify of thy love, and to invite others
to thy grace. May we behold even greater fruits
of thy coming than were seen by thine own apos-
tles! Open thou the windows of heaven, and
cause thy glory to shine forth, that all the ends of
the earth shall acknowledge thee. And to thy
name be all the glory. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
247
FRIDAY.
Exodus iv. — 1. And Moses answered and
said, But, behold, they will not believe me, nor
hearken unto my voice ; for they will say, The
Lord hath not appeared unto thee.
2. And the Lord said unto him, What is that in
thine hand ? And he said, A rod.
3. And he said, Cast it on the ground. And he
cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent ;
and Moses fled from before it.
4. And the Lord said unto Moses, Put forth
thine hand, and take it by the tail. And he put
forth his hand, and caught it, and it became a rod
in his hand :
5. That they may believe that the Lord God of
their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac,
and the God of Jacob, bath appeared unto thee.
6. And the Lord said furthermore unto him,
Put now thine hand into thy bosom. And he put
his hand into his bosom ; and when he took it
out, behold, his hand was leprous as snow.
7. And he said, Put thine hand into thy bosom
again. And he put his hand into his bosom
again, and plucked it out of his bosom ; and, be-
hold, it was turned again as his other flesh.
8. And it shall come to pass, if they will not be-
lieve thee, neither hearken to the voice of the first
sign, that they will believe the voice of the latter
sign.
9. And it shall come to pass, if they will not be-
lieve also these two signs, neither hearken unto
thy voice, that thou shalt take of the water of the
river, and pour it upon the dry land ; and the
water which thou takest out of the river shall
become blood upon the dry land.
10. And Moses said unto the Lord, my Lord !
I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since
thou hast spoken unto thy servant ; but I am slow
of speech, and of a slow tongue.
11. And the Lord said unto him, Who hath made
man's mouth ? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf,
or the seeing, or the blind ? have not I the Lord?
12. Now therefore go, and I will be with thy
mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say.
13. And he said, my Lord ! send, I pray thee,
by the hand of him whom thou wilt send.
14. And the anger of the Lord was kindled
against Moses ; and he said, Is not Aaron the Le-
vite thy brother ? I know that he can speak well.
And also, behold, he cometh forth to meet thee ;
and, when he seeth thee, he will be glad in his heart.
If Moses was too hasty in taking up the cause of his
brethren when in Egypt, he was too hesitating now. It may
be questioned whether this hesitation was owing to humility
or to timidity. A true humility, while distrusting self, im-
plies submission to the commands of God, a ready spirit of
obedience : it never seeks a pretext for neglecting duty. Still
we cannot doubt that Moses, sobered by his long seclusion
from affairs, was sincere in his disparagement of himself.
The miracles of the rod and of the burning-bush, though
witnessed by Moses alone, were abundantly certified by other
miracles which he afterwards wrought by the rod, upon a
scale so stupendous, and in sight of two nations. Mahomet,
who claimed to have been transported by supernatural power
to Mt. Sinai and Jerusalem, never wrought a miracle to con-
firm his story of his marvellous experiences. Without wit-
nesses, and without either works or doctrines to attest it, his
famous night-journey must be treated as the vision of an en-
thusiast, or the invention of an impostor ; but the wonders
wrought by the rod of Moses publicly attested the miracle of
the burning-bush.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 85, 131, 138.
Our Father in heaven, we come to thee with
wants which thou knowest far better than we, and
for blessings which thou art more ready to give
than we to ask. Thou hast kept us in the watches
of the night from every trouble, sorrow, and alarm ;
thou hast given us refreshing sleep. And now we
bless thee for the day, for life and health, for
food and raiment, for home and friends, for means
of education and of enjoyment, for means of oc-
cupation and of support, for means of improve-
ment in the knowledge of thyself from thy works
and thy Word, and for opportunities of doing
good to others. Oh ! grant us grace that we
may use to thy glory the lives which thou didst
give, and which thy mercy doth continually
spare.
We acknowledge, Lord! our unworthiness
and our sinfulness, and beseech thee to pardon our
transgressions and heal our infirmities. Help us
this day to live aright. In the business of life
may we be diligent, faithful, and true ! and do thou,
Lord, prosper the labor of our hands. In our in-
tercourse with others, may we manifest the gentle-
ness, the sincerity, the charity, of the gospel of
Christ ! May we be patient under trials, meek
under injuries, firm against temptation, bold for
the truth, zealous for tby cause ! May we be kind
to the poor, helpful to the suffering, gentle toward
all men ! [Give unto these children, Lord !
grace to serve thee in the morning of life, and in
their thoughts and words, their studies and their
play, always to please their Father in heaven.]
Pvemember with thy mercy all our friends ; visit
with thy grace the homes of all who are dear to
us. Build up, Lord ! thy Church ; prosper thy
kingdom in our land, and throughout the world.
Ever guide, keep, and bless us. Bring us to the
close of the day in peace, and to the close of life
in a hope full of immortality, through Jesus
! Christ, our Lord and Saviour. Amen.
248
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
SATURDAY.
Exodus V. — 1. And afterward Moses and Aaron
went in and told Pharaoh, Thus saith the Lord
God of Israel : Let my people go, that they may
hold a feast unto me in the wilderness.
2. And Pharaoh said, Who is the Lord, that I
should obey his voice to let Israel go ? I know not
the Lord ; neither will I let Israel go.
3. And they said, The God of the Hebrews
hath met with us : let us go, we pray thee, three
days' journey into the desert, and sacrifice unto
the Lord our God, lest he fall upon us with pesti-
lence or with the sword.
4. And the king of Egypt said unto them,
Wherefore do ye, Moses and Aaron, let the people
from their works ? Get you unto your burdens.
5. And Pharaoh said, Behold, the people of the
land now are many, and ye make them rest from
their burdens.
6. And Pharaoh commanded the same day the
taskmasters of the people, and their officers, saying,
7. Ye shall no more give the people straw to
make brick, as heretofore : let them go and gather
straw for themselves.
8. And the tale of the bricks which they did
make heretofore, ye shall lay upon them ; ye shall
not diminish aught thereof: for they be idle;
therefore they cry, saying, Let us go and sacrifice
to our God.
9. Let there more work be laid upon the men,
that they may labor therein ; and let them not
regard vain words.
10. And the taskmasters of the people went out,
and their officers, and they spake to the people,
saying, Thus saith Pharaoh : I will not give you
straw.
11. Go ye, get you straw where ye can find
it ; yet not aught of your work shall be dimin-
ished.
12. So the people were scattered abroad through-
out all the land of Egypt to gather stubble instead
of straw.
13. And the taskmasters hasted them, saying,
Fulfil your works, your daily tasks, as when there
was straw.
14. And the officers of the children of Israel,
which Pharaoh's taskmasters had set over them,
were beaten, and demanded, Wherefore have ye
not fulfilled your task in making brick, both yes-
terday and to-day, as heretofore ?
15. Then the officers of the children of Israel
came and cried unto Pharaoh, saying, Wherefore
dealest thou thus with thy servants ?
16. There is no straw given unto thy servants ;
and they say to us, Make brick : and, behold, thy
servants are beaten ; but the fault is in thine own
people.
17. But he said, Ye are idle, ye are idle : there-
fore ye say, Let us go and do sacrifice to the
Lord.
18. Go therefore now, and work : for there shall
no straw be given you ; yet shall ye deliver the
tale of bricks.
Egypt had gods for every district, every city, every season,
and for almost every object in Nature and every want of man.
But Jehovah was a new name to Pharaoh ; and, as divinities
were estimated by the state of the people who worshipped them,
this " God of the Hebrews " — a servile and helpless race —
seemed to him of no account. Religious pilgrimages on a
great scale, like the early caravans for Mecca and Jerusalem,
were common in ancient times ; and the Egyptians themselves
had temples in the desert of Arabia Petraja. But Pharaoh
feared that a holiday given to such a multitude would furnish
occasion for conspiracy and revolt.
Bricks made of Nile-mud mixed with chopped straw, and
dried in the sun, were early used in Egypt, and are found
in some of the oldest buildings. A picture in a tomb at
Thebes represents the whole process of brick-making ; and
taskmasters are standing over the workmen, with whips to
urge on their tasks. The violence of Pharaoh led the chil-
dren of Israel to complain of Moses as the cause of their new
troubles ; and even he was almost driven to despair of God's
intervention. But faith and patience must have their perfect
work, that God may show forth the fulness of his power.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 129, 146, 149.
Oh ! grant us grace, Father in heaven, to hear
thy Word, and to obey it. We would make haste,
and delay not, to keep thy commandments. Thou
hast a right, O Lord ! to our time, our gifts, our
hearts, our persons ; to all that we are, and all that
we have : for thou hast created us, and hast re-
deemed us with the precious blood of thy Son.
We would begin this sabbath in thy fear : help us
in all things to please and honor thee.
We give thee thanks for the mercies of the night,
and for all the mercies of our past lives, — for home
and its blessings ; for friends, and all the ministries
of love ; for health, knowledge, comfort, and pros-
perity ; but, above all things, for thy grace in the
gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. May we ever be
ready to acknowledge him the Son of God, the
Saviour of the world ! May men in the high places
of power and influence consecrate themselves to
him ! may the poor and lowly trust in him ! may
children sing hosannas to the Son of David ! Show
forth this day, Lord ! thy glory in the sanctuary.
For all thy mercies in the gospel, we bless and
magnify thy glorious name ; humbly beseeching
thee to accept this our morning sacrifice of praise
and thanksgiving for His sake who lay down in
the grave, and rose 'again for us, — thy Son, our
Saviour Jesus Christ ; to whom be glory and do-
minion, world without end. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
249
SUNDAY MORNING.
Exodus xii. — 21. Then Moses called for all the
elders of Israel, and said unto them, Draw out,
and take you a lamb, according to your families,
and kill the passover.
22. And ye shall take a bunch of hyssop, and dip
it in the blood that is in the basin, and strike the
lintel and the two side-posts with the blood that is
in the basin ; and none of you shall go out at the
door of his house until the morning.
23. For the Lord will pass through to smite the
Egyptians ; and when he seeth the blood upon the
lintel, and on the two side-posts, the Lord will
pass over the door, and will not suffer the de-
stroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you.
24. And ye shall observe this thing for an ordi-
nance to thee and to thy sons forever.
25. And it shall come to pass, when ye be come
to the land which the Lord will give you, accord-
ing as he hath promised, that ye shall keep this
service.
26. And it shall come to pass, when your chil-
dren shall say unto you, What mean ye by this
service ?
27. That ye shall say, It is the sacrifice of the
Lord's passover, who passed over the houses of
the children of Israel in Egypt when he smote the
Egyptians, and delivered our houses. And the
people bowed the head, and worshipped.
28. And the children of Israel went away, and
did as the Lord had commanded Moses and Aaron ;
so did they.
29. And it came to pass, that at midnight the
Lord smote all the first-born in the land of Egypt,
from the first-born of Pharaoh that sat on his
throne unto the first-born of the captive that was
in the dungeon, and all the first-born of cattle.
30. And Pharaoh rose up in the night, he and
all his servants, and all the Egyptians : and there
was a great cry in Egypt ; for there was not a
house where there was not one dead.
31. And he called for Moses and Aaron by
night, and said, Rise up, and get you forth from
among my people, both ye and the children of
Israel ; and go, serve the Lord, as ye have said.
32. Also take your flocks and your herds, as ye
have said, and be gone ; and bless me also.
33. And the Egyptians were urgent upon the
people, that they might send them out of the land
in haste ; for they said, We be all dead men.
34. And the people took their dough before it
was leavened, their kneading-trough s being bound
up in their clothes upon their shoulders.
To this day the Jews observe the feast of unleavened
bread, and it can be traced back with hardly a break through
the more than three thousand years of their history as a dis-
tinct people. Like our Declaration of Independence, the Pass-
over marked their emancipation ; and it is a perpetual witness
to the reality of the great event which it commemorates. To
Christians its original significance is merged in that higher
sacrifice of which it was a type. Christ our Passover is sac-
rificed for us ; and, through the blood of his redemption, our
souls are passed over unscathed of justice, and we are delivered
from the bondage of sin. Let us make haste to obey this
call, to " come out and be separate " from the world ; let us
keep the feast of his grace with hearts purged from sin, and
consecrated to do his commandments. Faith and obedience
saved the children of Israel in that dread night of mingled
justice and mercy ; and faith and obedience must secure to us
the greater blessing of Christ's salvation in the day of his
coming to judge the world.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 2, 86, 116.
The heavens shall praise thy wonders, Lord !
thy faithfulness also in the congregation of the
saints. Thou hast a mighty arm : strong is thy
hand, and high is thy right hand. Justice and
judgment are the habitation of thy throne. Yet
blessed be thy name that mercy and truth go be-
fore thy face. Thy terrors in the world are for the
deliverance of thy people. In thy mercy thou
dost pass over them that fear thee, and dost give
thine angels charge over their dwellings. We praise
thee that Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.
Thou who hast given thine only Son to
die for our sins, and to rise again for our justifi-
cation ! grant, we humbly pray thee, that we may
so truly partake of his death and resurrection as
ourselves to be dead unto sin, and alive unto God
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
May this holy day witness to us the grace of
Christ in our redemption! and may thine Holy
Spirit witness and seal within us the pardon and
peace which that redemption brings ! Grant us
the comforts of thy gospel, the joy of thy salvation,
the spirit of prayer and praise, the communion of
thy saints, and, above all, communion with thyself.
Bless thy Church, her worship and sacraments,
her ministers and members : may the beauty of the
Lord our God be upon her ! Bless the Sunday
school, and guide teachers and scholars in thy Word.
Have compassion upon those who disregard thy day,
and upon all who know thee not ; and incline thy
people to seek and save the lost. Be with the mis-
sionaries of the cross, according to thy promise, O
Lord! and make known thy way among the hea-
then.
We humbly thank thee for the mercies of an-
other week and the blessings of the past night.
We commit to thy loving care this family, and all
dear to us at home or abroad; and pray thee to
bring us all together unto thy heavenly kingdom,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
250
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
SUNDAY EVENING.
Psalm Ivii. — 1. Be merciful unto me, God!
be merciful unto me ; for my soul trusteth in thee :
yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my
refuge until these calamities be overpast.
2. I will cry unto God most high ; unto God
that performeth all things for me.
3. He shall send from heaven, and save me
from the reproach of him that would swallow me
up. God shall send forth his mercy and his truth.
7. My heart is fixed, God ! my heart is fixed:
I will sing and give praise.
8. Awake up, my glory; awake, psaltery and
harp : I myself will awake early.
9. I will praise thee, Lord ! among the peo-
ple ; I will sing unto thee among the nations.
10. For thy mercy is great unto the heavens,
and thy truth unto the clouds.
11. Be thou exalted, God ! above the heavens ;
let thy glory be above all the earth.
2 Corinthians iv. — 6. God, who commanded
the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in
our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of
the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
7. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels,
that the excellency of the power may be of God,
and not of us.
8. We are troubled on every side, yet not dis-
tressed ; we are perplexed, but not in despair ;
9. Persecuted, but not forsaken ; cast down, but
not destroyed ;
10. Always bearing about in the body the dying
of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus
might be made manifest in our body.
11. For we which live are always delivered unto
death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus
might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.
12. So, then, death worketh in us, but life in you.
13. We having the same spirit of faith, accord-
ing as it is written, I believed, and therefore have
I spoken ; we also believe, and therefore speak;
ll. Knowing that he which raised up the Lord
Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall
present us with you.
15. For all things are for your sakes, that the
abundant grace might through the thanksgiving
of many redound to the glory of God.
16. For which cause we faint not ; but though
our outward man perish, yet the inward man is re-
newed day by day.
17. For our light affliction, which is but for a
moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and
eternal weight of glory ;
18. While we look not at the things which are
seen, but at the things which are not seen : for
the things which are seen are temporal ; but the
things which are not seen are eternal.
How completely does faith in Christ invert the relations of
things temporal and spiritual, and change our estimate of the
trials and sorrows of this life in contrast with the joys of the
life to come ! And how noble does the true Christian appear
in his patience and fortitude under trials, especially when
these are endured for the good of others ! Paul suffered al-
most every kind of trial that can befall one in this life, —
abuse, neglect, slander, persecution, hunger, shipwreck, bonds,
stripes, imprisonment, stoning. He was in such constant
peril of a violent death, that he carried death, as it were,
about with him. Yet he spoke of his afflictions as " light,"
and " but for a moment," and faced them all with a wondrous
Appropriate Hymns,]
courage and cheerfulness. The sources of this fortitude were
his loving devotion to the good of others, his conviction of the
certainty and the grandeur of the rewards of heaven, and his
personal union with Christ through faith. He could not heap
up words enough to express the bliss of being with Christ, —
exceeding, and still more exceeding, all earthly experiences or
imaginings. And this eternal weight of glory would be. not
the offset, but the issue, of trials here endured for the Saviour
and his cause. The light of Christ's promise in our hearts,
the life of Christ's spirit in our souls, can make all trials
easy, all burdens light ; can cheer the darkest night with the
glory of heaven and the songs of victory.
[Nos. 115, 127, 179.
God, who hast taught us in thy Word that
there is still laid up a rest for thy people, and
who hast given us a promise of entering into it !
grant to us, we beseech thee, that we fail not of
that promise through unbelief and disobedience.
Teach us to look for a house that hath founda-
tions, of which thou art the maker and builder.
Lift our hearts thither in earnest desire.
Oh sabbath of eternal peace ! Oh haven where
the wicked cease from troubling, and the weary are
at rest ! When shall we see thee, O Lord ! and be-
hold the King in his beauty? When shall we
meet the apostles and prophets, and the great mul-
titude whom no man can number ? When shall
we see again our dear friends who sleep in Jesus ?
God the Father, who hast the times and sea-
Prayer.
sons in thine own power! let not that day come
upon us unawares. God the Son, who art gone
to prepare a place for us ! in thine own time take
us to thyself, that where thou art, there we may be
also. God the Holy Ghost, the pledge of future
glory in our hearts ! seal us until the redemption
of the purchased possession. We bless thee for
the help this day received through thy holy Word
and the prayers and praises of thy Church. We
supplicate thy favor upon all who bave heard thy
Word, and upon those who have it not. We bless
thee for thy mercy to this household, and commit
ourselves to thy fatherly protection for the night.
Keep us under the shadow of thy wings ; and,
Father ! bring us, we pray thee, finally to rest in
thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
251
MONDAY.
Mark xi. — 12. And on the morrow, when they
were come from Bethany, he was hungry.
13. And seeing a fig-tree afar off, having leaves,
he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon :
and, when he came to it, he found nothing hut
leaves ; for the time of figs was not yet.
14. And Jesus answered and said unto it, No
man eat fruit of thee hereafter forever. And his
disciples heard it.
20. And in the morning, as they passed by, they
saw the fig-tree dried up from the roots.
21. And Peter, calling to remembrance, saith
unto him, Master, behold, the fig-tree which thou
curse dst is withered away,
22. And Jesus, answering, saith unto them,
Have faith in God.
23. For verily I say unto you, That whosoever
shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed,
and be thou cast into the sea, and shall not doubt
in his heart, but shall believe that those things
which he saith shall come to pass, he shall have
whatsoever he saith.
2-4. Therefore I say unto you, What things so-
ever ye desire when ye pray, believe that ye receive
them, and ye shall have them.
25. And, when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye
have aught against any ; that your Bather also
which is in heaven may forgive you your tres-
passes.
26. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your
Bather which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.
27. And they come again to Jerusalem ; and, as
he was walking in the temple, there come to him
the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders,
28. And say unto him, By what authority doest
thou these things ? and who gave thee this author-
ity to do these things ?
29. And Jesus answered and said unto them, I will
also ask of you one question, and answer me, and I
will tell you by what authority I do these things.
30. The baptism of John, was it from heaven,
or of men ? Answer me.
31. And they reasoned with themselves, saying,
If we shall say, Brom heaven, he will say, Why,
then, did ye not believe him ?
32. But if we shall say, Of men : they feared
the people ; for all -men counted John, that he was
a prophet indeed.
33. And they answered and said unto Jesus,
We cannot tell. And Jesus, answering, saith unto
them, Neither do I tell you by what authority I do
these things.
The fig often comes with or even before the leaves, es-
pecially on the early kind, which bears a large green-colored
fig, that ripens in April. If there was no fruit on this leafy-
tree, it might justly be condemned as barren ; for " the osten-
tatious show of leaves gave promise of fruit even in advance
of the season." The miracle was in reality a parable, — not
a mere expression of personal disappointment, but a symboli-
cal action designed to teach a moral lesson with its appropriate
warning. " The fig-tree was the Jewish people, full of the
leaves of a useless profession, but without fruit." In this re-
spect, the miracle answers to the parable of the barren fig-tree.
Our Lord used it also to illustrate the power of faith over in-
animate nature, — even to remove a mountain. But faith, to
be thus effective, must be in unison with the will of God, and
be rooted in love. " Though I have all faith, so that I could
remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing : "
an unforgiving spirit would be like a mountain to weigh down
such attempts at faith. Here, as always in the teachings of
Christ, the resemblance to God in the spirit of love is set
above the imitation of God in acts of power.
The head men of the Jewish nation, fearing lest their in-
fluence should be impaired by the growing popularity of Jesus,
demanded his credentials ; yet they did not dare deny his
works, which were the credentials of divinity itself. What
higher credentials of divinity than this could be given ? Here
was no conceivable connection of cause and effect within the
range of material laws. Jesus did not touch the tree, nor bring
any physical agency to bear upon it. He s/ioke to it, and the
tree withered down to its roots. Here was the direct action of
spirit upon matter ; and he who could produce such an effect is
absolute Master of the physical univ
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer,
[Nos. 67, 117, 156.
Lord Jesus ! we do hunger for thy Word ; we
do thirst for thy Spirit. Weak, empty, perishing,
in ourselves, we cry unto thee for the bread of
heaven, for the water of life. With longings for
good that this world can never satisfy, we turn to
thy fulness that we also may be filled. Confess-
ing our folly in forsaking thee, mourning our sin
in grieving thee, we come with broken and con-
trite hearts, and entreat thee to grant us forgive-
ness, comfort, and peace. Oh ! strengthen us to re-
sist temptation, to overcome evil, to renounce the
world. We beseech thee, show us the Bather ;
make us pure in heart, that we may see God.
Most merciful God, who in Jesus Christ thy Son
hast revealed thyself as our reconciling Father,
grant us grace, we beseech thee, to be followers of
God as dear children. [May the children of this
family love and obey the precepts of thy gospel,
and follow the example of their Lord and Saviour !]
And, oh, may the numbers of thy children be
multiplied throughout the world, until the whole
family of man shall be made one in Christ Jesus !
Have compassion, Lord ! upon the poor and
the sorrowing ; deliver the persecuted and the
oppressed. And do thou, Lord ! forgive our
enemies, and forgive us as we forgive them. Lord
our Preserver, who hast kept us through the perils of
the night! keep us from evil this day and always;
and finally bring us unto thy heavenly kingdom,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
252
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
TUESDAY.
Psaim XXX. — 2. Lord my God ! I cried unto
thee, and thou hast healed me.
3. Lord ! thou hast brought up my soul from
the grave ; thou hast kept me alive, that I should
not go down to the pit.
4. Sing unto the Lord, O ye saints of his ! and
give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.
5. For his anger endureth but a moment ; in his
favor is life : weeping may endure for a night ; but
joy cometh in the morning.
7. Lord, by thy favor thou hast made my moun-
tain to stand strong : thou didst hide thy face, and
I was troubled.
8. I cried to thee, Lord ! and unto the Lord
I made supplication.
10. Hear, Lord ! and have mercy upon me :
Lord, be thou my helper.
11. Thou hast turned for me my mourning into
dancing ; thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded
me with gladness ;
12. To the end that my glory may sing praise
to thee, and not be silent. Lord my God ! I will
give thanks unto thee forever.
Mark v. — 25. And a certain woman which had
an issue of blood twelve years,
One knows not whether most to admire the humble faith
of this woman, or the ready compassion of Jesus in acknowl-
edging it. The long continuance of her disease, the hopeless-
ness of human help, the want of natural fitness between the
remedy she now proposed to herself and the infirmity with
which she was burdened, — between the stealthy touch of a
garment and the cure of her plague, — these all evince the en-
ergy, the almost desperation, of her faith. She knew that
this man healed diseases by miraculous power. She would not
presume to present herself to his notice, to ask him to lay his
hand upon her sore : if she could only touch, not his person,
but the border of his garment, she was persuaded that she
26. And had suffered many things of many
physicians, and had spent all that she had, and
was nothing bettered, tut rather grew worse,
27. When she had heard of Jesus, came in the
press behind, and touched his garment.
28. For she said, If I may touch but his clothes,
I shall be whole.
29. And straightway the fountain of her blood
was dried up ; and she felt in her body that she
was healed of that plague.
30. And Jesus, immediately knowing in him-
self that virtue had gone out of him, turned him
about in the press, and said, Who touched my
clothes ?
31. And his disciples said unto him, Thou seest
the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou,
Who touched me ?
32. And he looked round about to see her that
had done this thing.
33. But the woman, fearing and trembling,
knowing what was done in her, came and fell
down before him, and told him all the truth.
34. And he said unto her, Laughter, thy faith
hath made thee whole : go in peace, and be whole
of thy plague.
should be healed. Jesus knew, of course, all that was pass-
ing in her mind : he gave forth the healing virtue to her
touch ; but, wishing to bring such faith to the notice of all, he
summoned her to acknowledge his grace. Her testimony,
given with trembling, in the hearing of many who knew of her
infirmity, at once established the miracle, and rendered the
homage of faith to the divinity that dwelt in Jesus. He him-
self put the healing upon the ground of faith ; and so he ever
holds his grace subject to our call, if with the earnest confi-
dence of this suppliant we will but go to him for his touch
of healing, lus benediction of peace.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 27, 32, 57.
Lord, our heavenly Father ! we have nothing
to bring to thee but our wants, and such poor re-
turn of love and gratitude and praise as these
hearts can render for thy goodness. As thou dost
cause our lives to overflow with thy mercies, so do
thou fill our hearts to overflowing with thy Spirit,
that we may thank thee and praise thee as we
ought. The morning calls us again to praise thee
for thy loving-kindness in the night-season ; and
every day renews the tokens of thy bounty. Every
good gift cometh down from thee, the Father of
lights ; and though we are so changeful in our love,
so inconstant in our service, with thee there is no
variableness, neither shadow of turning. Bind us
to thyself, our Father! by the mighty attraction
of thy love. May the love of Christ, who died for
us that we might live, constrain us to live ever
unto thee !
We pray thee keep us this day from temptation,
evil, and sin. Prosper us in our lawful undertak-
ings. May we be upright in our dealings, true and
kind in our speech, gentle and patient in our
spirit, pure and holy in our walk ! May we do
good to all as we shall have opportunity, and so ex-
hibit in our lives the graces of the gospel, that we
shall win others to the love of Christ ! And we
pray that multitudes may be won to the Saviour;
that thy Church may increase ; that missions may
prosper ; that thy Word may be given to all peo-
ple, and the knowledge of the Lord may fill the
earth as the waters fill the sea. We thank thee
for our home, and pray thee to bless us with all
things that we need as a family. Bless the absent
who are dear to us ; and bring them, together with
us, we beseech thee, unto thy heavenly kingdom,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
253
WEDNESDAY.
John X. — 1. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He
that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold,
but climbeth up some other way, the same is a
thief and a robber.
2. But he that entereth in by the door is the
shepherd of the sheep.
3. To him the porter openeth, and the sheep
hear his voice ; and he calleth his own sheep by
name, and leadeth them out.
4. And, when he putteth forth his own sheep, he
goeth before them, and the sheep follow him ; for
they know his voice.
5. And a stranger will they not follow, but will
flee from him ; for they know not the voice of
strangers.
6. This parable spake Jesus unto them; but
they understood not what things they were which
he spake unto them.
7. Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily,
verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the
sheep.
8. All that ever came before me are thieves and
robbers ; but the sheep did not hear them.
9. I am the door : by me if any man enter in,
he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find
pasture.
In Palestine, where lonely farm-houses would be exposed
to robbers, all the farmers of a district live compactly in a vil-
lage ; and at night the sheep of various owners are driven into
a common fold within the village, or into a walled enclosure
upon the sheltered side of a valley near the sheep-walks. I
have seen a shepherd knock at the door of the fold in the
morning, and utter a peculiar cry; when the door would be
opened, and his own sheep, knowing his voice, would come out,
and follow him to the pasture. But the voice of a stranger
would cause them to run with alarm. In the mountain dis-
tricts, flocks are often assailed by wild beasts and robbers ; but
the true shepherd so identifies himself with his flock, that he
will defend them at the risk of his life. So David defended
his father's sheep from the lion and the bear. Jesus looked
10. The thief cometh not but for to steal, and
to kill, and to destroy : I am come that they might
have life, and that they might have it more abun-
dantly.
11. I am the good shepherd : the good shepherd
giveth his life for the sheep.
12. But he that is an hireling, and not the shep-
herd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf
coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth ; and
the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.
13. The hireling fleeth, because he is an hire-
ling, and careth not for the sheep.
14. I am the good shepherd, and know my
sheep, and am known of mine.
15. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I
the Father ; and I lay down my life for the sheep.
16. And other sheep I have, which are not of
this fold : them also I must bring, and they shall
hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and
one shepherd.
17. Therefore doth my Father love me, because
I lay down my life, that I might take it again.
18. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it
down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and
I have power to take it again. This command-
ment have I received of my Father.
upon the chosen flock of Israel, the prey of false teachers, self-
ish leaders, corrupt priests ; and with self-sacrificing love he
came to call them to the way of life, to lead them to holiness,
to feed them with true knowledge, to watch over and defend
them with love, and to give his life for their salvation. Bait
the shepherd of Israel seeks his true flock also through the
wide world. Many are they among the Gentiles who shall
hear his voice; and there shall be, not onefold, as erroneously
translated in v. 16, but one flock, gathered out of many folds,
and known all as one by their following the one Shepherd.
The grace of Christ, seeking and saving the lost, cannot be
shut up within any one compartment of his visible Church.
The unity of the flock is in himself; and that unity is made
manifest through an essential harmony of faith and spirit.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 24, 56, 70.
thou great and good Shepherd ! thou hast
watched over us in the hours of darkness and of
sleep ; thou hast defended us from evil ; and, with
our awaking consciousness, we find thee still at
our side. As our eyes open to behold the light
of day, our souls would look up and rejoice in the
light of thy countenance. We have heard thy
voice in thy Word, and we would follow thee.
Remembering that Satan goeth about as a roaring
lion, seeking whom he may devour, we beseech
thee to keep us from his wiles, deliver us from
temptation, defend us from evil. [Blessed Sa-
viour, care for the children of this family, as lambs
of thy flock; guide, nourish, and defend them.]
God, who art the only worthy portion of our
souls ! keep us from that love of this world which
would draw us away from thee. May the grace
of Christ preserve us from sin, and the love of
Christ constrain us unto holy living ! May thought,
motive, temper, speech, action, all be regulated by
his blessed teaching and example ! In trials, succor
us ; in dangers, defend us ; in sorrows, heal us ; in
death, grant us thy staff to comfort us.
Our Father in heaven, be thou the father of this
family, supplying all our need, and binding our
hearts unto thyself. Unite with us in the house-
hold of faith all who are dear to us ; and bless
and multiply the family of thy people till it shall
embrace all the kindreds and peoples of the earth.
Gather thy whole Church as one flock under the
one Shepherd, for the sake of Him who died to
save us. Amen.
254
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
THURSDAY.
John X. — 19. There was a division, therefore,
again among the Jews for these sayings.
20. And many of them said, He hath a devil,
and is mad : why hear ye him ?
21. Others said, These are not the words of him
that hath a devil. Can a devil open the eyes of
the blind ?
22. And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the
dedication, and it was winter.
23. And Jesus walked in the temple in Solo-
mon's porch.
24. Then came the Jews round about him,
and said unto him, How long dost thou make
us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us
plainly.
25. Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye be-
lieved not : the works that I do in my Father's
name, they bear witness of me.
26. But ye believe not, because ye are not of my
sheep, as I said unto you.
27. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them,
and they follow me ;
28. And I give unto them eternal life ; and they
shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck
them out of my hand.
29. My Father, which gave them me, is greater
than all ; and no man is able to pluck them out of
my Father's hand.
30. I and my Father are one.
31. Then the Jews took up stones again to stone
him.
32. Jesus answered them, Many good works
have I showed you from my Father: for which of
those works do ye stone me ?
33. The Jews answered him, saying, For a good
work we stone thee not ; but for blasphemy, and be-
cause that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.
34. Jesus answered them, Is it not written in
your law, I said, Ye are gods?
35. If he called them gods, unto whom the word
of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken ;
36. Say ye of him whom the Father hath sanc-
tified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest,
because I said, I am the Son of God ?
37. If I do not the works of my Father, believe
me not.
38. But if I do, though ye believe not me, be-
lieve the works ; that ye may know and believe
that the Father is in me, and I in him.
39. Therefore they sought again to take him ;
but he escaped out of their hand,
40. And went away again beyond Jordan, into
the place where John at first baptized; and there
he abode.
41. And many resorted unto him, and said, John
did no miracle ; but all things that John spake of
this man were true.
42. And many believed on him there.
The true sheep are identified by certain marks, partly in
themselves as the experience of believing souls, and partly in
the feelings and purposes of Christ toward them. Tholuck
has grouped together these marks under the following heads :
" 1. They understand Christ's call; 2. He knows them by
their sympathy ; 3. They direct themselves by his will ; 4. He
gives them eternal life ; 5. They never lose it ; 6. No power
can snatch them away from him." If we hear the Saviour's
voice, and follow him with a loving, trusting obedience whith-
ersoever he leadeth, we may safely leave to him our guidance,
our protection, our final salvation. The one tiling which con-
cerns us is, that we do truly follow him. The assurance of
eternal life is grounded in his love, and in his oneness with
the Father, which is so entire and absolute, that he could say,
without metaphor and without qualification, " I and my Fa-
ther are one." The Jews understood him to make himself
God ; and so far from correcting their understanding of his
words, in order thus to free himself from this odious charge,
Jesus proceeded to justify his words by an appeal to his works.
To us, both words and works, confirmed by the resurrection,
the ascension, and the coming of the Holy Ghost, are a war-
rant for the highest faith in Him who is able to give unto us
eternal life. By knowing Christ in the experience of our
hearts, we shall know the Father.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Blessed be God, the Father of all
Praj^er.
[Kos. 70, 135, 159.
for
x, w j. cmci m an mercies,
the mercies of the past night ; for shelter, safety,
comfort, rest, and peace. How precious are thy
thoughts unto us, God ! how great is the sum of
them! When we awake, we are still with thee.
So would our hearts rise to thee, Lord ! with the
morning light, with the incense of prayer and
praise ; yea, we would present our bodies unto thee
a living sacrifice. May this, our reasonable service,
be made holy through the blood of Jesus, and ac-
ceptable through the Spirit of all grace ! May the
Holy Spirit like a dove descend and rest upon us,
making our home and our hearts the abode of
peace !
Help us this day to live unto thee, and in all
our works and ways to do that which is well-pleas-
ing in thy sight. Prosper, we beseech thee, the
labor of our hands, our studies, our various call-
ings; bless to us the means of knowledge and
improvement ; make us thoughtful of others, con-
siderate of the poor and afflicted, wise and ready
unto every good word and work. We commend
unto thee our kindred and friends, beseeching thee
to grant them the promise of the life that now
is ; and in the world to come, life everlasting. We
pray for thy holy Church universal, for the coming
of light and peace and salvation in the latter-day
glory to all the earth, through Christ our Lord ;
and to thy name be power and glory and dominion,
world without end. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
255
FRIDAY.
Psalm xiv. — 1. The fool hath said in his heart,
There is no God. They are corrupt ; they have
done abominable works ; there is none that doeth
good.
2. The Lord looked down from heaven upon the
children of men to see if there were any that did
understand and seek God.
3. They are all gone aside ; they are all together
become filthy : there is none that doeth good ; no,
not one.
4. Have all the workers of iniquity no knowl-
edge ? who eat up my people as they eat bread,
and call not upon the Lord.
5. There were they in great fear ; for God is in
the generation of the righteous.
6. Ye have shamed the counsel of the poor, be-
cause the Lord is his refuge.
7. Oh that the salvation of Israel were come
out of Zion ! When the Lord bringeth back the
captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, and
Israel shall be glad.
Psalm xxxvii. — 32. The wicked watcheth the
righteous, and seeketh to slay him.
33. The Lord will not leave him in his hand,
nor condemn him when he is judged.
34. Wait on the Lord, and keep his way, and he
shall exalt thee to inherit the land : when the
wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it.
35. I have seen the wicked in great power, and
spreading himself like a green bay-tree.
36. Yet he passed away, and, lo, he was not ;
yea, I sought him, but he could not be found.
37. Mark the perfect man, and behold the up-
right ; for the end of that man is peace.
38. But the transgressors shall be destroyed
together: the end of the wicked shall be cut off.
39. But the salvation of the righteous is of
the Lord : he is their strength in the time of
trouble.
40. And the Lord shall help them, and deliver
them : he shall deliver them from the wicked, and
save them, because they trust in him.
"Inveterate blindness alone," says Tholuek, "can deny
the existence of God, when nature and history utter their
myriad of voices to the contrary." The Bible always ascribes
atheism to blindness of heart, as distinguished from a lack
either of understanding or of knowledge. The religion of the
Bible is based upon the truths that nature and conscience
teach us concerning God and duty. Some of the books
of the Bible, especially Job, the Psalms, Ecclesiastes, Prov-
erbs, and certain letters and discourses of Paul, exhibit a
constant observation of the phenomena of Nature, as these
illustrate the power and wisdom of Jehovah. And the more
careful and minute such observation is rendered by the helps
of modern science, the more this reveals of the complexity of
laws, the interchange of forces, the remoteness and the sub-
tileness of causes, so much the more emphatically does Na-
ture point to a supreme creating and ordering Intelligence.
Certain books of the Bible also — especially the books of
Samuel and the Kings, the prophecies of Isaiah, and the
epistles of Paul — take note of the history of the world as
illustrating a governing and judicial Providence ; and no
just philosophy of history can be written which leaves out of
account moral causes working toward the same moral end.
Both David and Paul assert that the love of sin blinds the
hearts of men to the religious teachings of nature and his-
tory, and so makes them presumptuous in sinning. " The
Psalmist inquires for the reason why the great mass of man-
kind are not deterred from the commission of sin by legal
restraints or humane considerations. He accounts for it by
the fact that they are devoid of faith in the living God, who
manifests himself by his judgments." But, in Ps. xxxvii., he
shows how certain it is that the Lord will punish evil-doers,
and deliver his saints.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 140, 152, 160.
God ! thou art great, and greatly to be feared.
Heaven and earth are full of the majesty of thy
glory. We have sinned against heaven and in
thy sight: we are no more worthy to be called thy
children. But do thou for Jesus' sake, thine own
dear Son, have mercy upon us miserable offenders.
Behold, God our shield ! look upon the face
of thine Anointed. When troubles come, when
billows of sorrow roll over us, when thy judg-
ments are abroad in the earth, may we find refuge
in the ark of his salvation ! May we look forward
to our rest ! May our citizenship be in heaven,
and we of the company of thy saints who declare
plainly that they seek a better country ! May we
be like Christ now, remembering that we are soon
to be with him, and that forever ! May we glorify
him in the midst of an evil and gainsaying world !
and, whatever the sphere in which thy providence
has placed us, may we use our time and talents
and opportunities for thee !
We look to thee, Lord! this day, for daily
bread. All thy creatures wait upon thee. That
thou givest them they gather. Thou openest thine
hand ; they are filled with good. Oh ! fill us this
day with good things. [Bless every member of
this family, parents and children, brothers and sis-
ters, and all our kindred : may each, in the several
relations of life, fulfil all the offices of love, doing
good to one another as thou givest opportunity !]
We beseech thee to bless thy Church. Deliver
any of thy people who are suffering persecution ;
and break. Lord ! the rod of the oppressor.
May thy children ever trust in thee, and be faith-
ful to thy cause! and may thy works of power and
glory in and through thy Church lead all nations
to confess thy name ! Prosper the labors of indus-
try; bless the earth wnth abundant harvests; bless
our land with health, peace, plenty, righteousness;
and save the world which thy mercy has spared,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
256
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
SATURDAY.
Isaiah xxviii. — 14. Hear the word of the Lord,
ye scornful men, that rule this people which is in
Jerusalem.
15. Because ye have said, We have made a
covenant with death, and with hell are we at agree-
ment; when the overflowing scourge shall pass
through, it shall not come unto us ; for we have
made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we
hid ourselves :
16. Therefore thus saith the Lord God : Behold,
I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone,
a precious corner-stone, a sure foundation : he that
believeth shall not make haste.
17. Judgment also will I lay to the line, and
righteousness to the plummet ; and the hail shall
sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters
shall overflow the hiding-place.
18. And your covenant with death shall be dis-
annulled, and your agreement with hell shall not
stand: when the overflowing scourge shall pass
through, then ye shall be trodden down by it.
I Peter ii. — 1. Wherefore, laying aside all
malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies,
and all evil-speakings,
2. As new-born babes, desire the sincere milk
of the word, that ye may grow thereby;
3. If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gra-
cious :
4. To whom coming as unto a living stone, dis-
allowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and
precious,
" I am not come to destroy," said Christ, " but to fulfil ; "
and as in his own sacrifice he fulfilled the ritual of the law,
and in his own mediation now fulfils its priesthood, so in his
Church he realizes the ideal of the temple as the spiritual
habitation of God. How wondrous is this temple! — built
upon the stone that God had chosen and designated as his
offering of love even before the world began ; built of living
stones, conscious of their position, feeling their union with
the foundation, and radiating the glory which they receive
5. Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spirit-
ual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual
sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
6. Wherefore also it is contained in the scrip-
ture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner-stone,
elect, precious ; and he that believeth on him shall
not be confounded.
7. Unto you therefore which believe, he is pre-
cious ; but, unto them which be disodedient, the
stone which the builders disallowed, the same is
made the head of the corner,
8. And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of
offence, even to them which stumble at the word,
being disobedient : whereunto also they were ap-
pointed.
9. But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priest-
hood, an holy nation, a peculiar people ; that ye
should show forth the praises of him who hath
called you out of darkness into his marvellous
light :
10. Which in time past were not a people, but
are now the people of God; which had not ob-
tained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
11. Dearly beloved, I beseech you, as strangers
and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war
against the soul,
12. Having your conversation honest among the
Gentiles ; that, whereas they speak against you as
evil-doers, they may by your good works, which
they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visita-
tion.
from the presence of God, — even as stones hewn from the
quarry, and set on high in ordered beauty, they " show forth
the praises of Him who hath called them out of darkness
into his marvellous light." There is no other foundation
than Christ upon which we can build a hope for eternity. He
whom God has chosen we must make precious. Yet, alas !
how many, through pride, prejudice, or unbelief, stumble, and
fall over the very provision that God has made for salva-
tion !
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 125, 134, 150.
God, who art the fountain of life and light,
the source of all blessing! we give thee thanks for
the light of this morning ; for the gifts of thy kind
providence ; for the continuance of our reason ;
for the throne of the heavenly grace. We praise
thee for the Holy Scriptures, which are able to
make us wise unto salvation through faith in Christ
Jesus. May his word dwell in us richly in all wis-
dom and spiritual understanding ! For him we
bless thee ; for all he taught and did and suffered ;
for his glorious doctrines, and perfect righteous-
ness, and atoning death ; for the example he has
left, the promises he has made to his Church, and
his intercession at thy right hand ; and for the
certainty that all who come unto thee by him shall
be saved with an everlasting salvation.
Give us this day, we beseech thee, such things
as are necessary for us, and keep us in thy love.
Prepare us for the duties and the trials of the day.
Let those who remain at home, and those who
resort to business, study, or recreation, maintain a
conversation according to the gospel. Be gracious
to all our friends. Take this household, we pray
thee, under thy protection : keep us all from sin,
from danger, and from death. [Oh ! teach these
children the blessedness of trusting Jesus as their
Saviour ; of knowing, loving, serving him as their
Friend.] Be continually in our home. Lord !
make our hearts thy temple ; and let us at last
reach the house not made with hands, eternal in the
heavens, for His sake who died, and rose again,
and ever liveth to make intercession for us. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
257
SUNDAY MORNING.
Psalm Ixviii. — 15. The hill of God is as the
hill of Bashan ; a high hill as the hill of Bashan.
16. Why leap ye, ye high hills ? This is the hill
which God desireth to dwell in ; yea, the Lord will
dwell in it forever.
17. The chariots of God are twenty thousand,
even thousands of angels : the Lord is among them,
as in Sinai, in the holy place.
18. Thou hast ascended on high ; thou hast led
captivity captive ; thou hast received gifts for men ;
yea, for the rebellious also, that the Lord God might
dwell among them.
19. Blessed he the Lord, who daily loadeth us
with benefits, even the God of our salvation.
20. He that is our God is the God of salvation ;
and unto God the Lord belong the issues from death.
Ephesians Mi. — 8. Unto me, who am less than
the least of all saints, is this grace given, that
I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearch-
able riches of Christ ;
9. And to make all men see what is the fellow-
ship of the mystery, which from the beginning of
the world hath been hid in God, who created all
things by Jesus Christ ;
10. To the intent that now unto the principali-
ties and powers in heavenly places might be
known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,
11. According to the eternal purpose which he
purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord ;
12. In whom we have boldness and access with
confidence by the faith of him.
13. Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my
tribulations for you, which is your glory.
14. For this cause I bow my knees unto the Fa-
ther of our Lord Jesus Christ,
15. Of whom the whole family in heaven and
earth is named,
16. That he would grant you, according to the
riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might
by his Spirit in the inner man ;
17. That Christ may dwell in your hearts by
faith ; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
18. May be able to comprehend with all saints
what is the breadth and length, and depth and
height ;
19. And to know the love of Christ, which pass-
eth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the
fulness of God.
20. Now unto him that is able to do exceeding
abundantly above all that we ask or think, accord-
ing to the power that worketh in us,
21. Unto him be glory in the church by Christ
Jesus throughout all ages, world without end.
Amen.
This wondrous prayer of the apostle opens to us the infi-
nite possibilities of the life of faith. Beginning by resting the
soul in Christ as the source of its life, faith rises above the
range of human wisdom, and looks into the mysteries of re-
demption, which only the mind of God could unveil ; and
with this unfolding of spiritual knowledge comes an expan-
sion of love, which, grow as it may, is continually filled and
satisfied with the fulness of love that flows from the infinite
Father. By this all-embracing love, the believing soul is
made kindred with all the children of God on earth and in
heaven. The Father of our Lord Jesus Christ is the type and
the source of all fatherhood.
Of him ever;/ family is named ; for such is the more exact
rendering of verse 1 5 : the family of man as first constituted in
Adam ; the family of Noah, the second father of men, and the
fountain-head of nations; the family of Abraham, the father
of the faithful ; the family of Christ, the household of faith, —
every family on earth derives its being and its name from
God the Father ; and the companies of angels, the principal-
ities and powers in heavenly places, the glorious hierarchy of
heaven, — these, too, are named after God, as the Father of
all. Every circle of holy and intelligent creatures in the
universe takes its derivation from him ; and we, by the faith
that lifts us to God, are brought into the family of the re-
deemed and holy, which is one in all worlds and through all
ages.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 8, 42, 79.
God! we are sinners, and of a sinful race.
But Christ hath died to take away the sin of the
world ; and we draw nigh unto thee in the assur-
ance of thy grace to help in every time of need :
yea, the greater our sense of need and helplessness,
the more plenteous is thy grace, the more ready is
thy help. For Christ's sake, hear and save us.
Thou madest us to lie down and rest in safety ;
thou callest us to rise up and rejoice as in newness
of life. Oh ! bless and furnish us abundantly, we
beseech thee, for all that is before us this day.
May we worship thee in the beauty of holiness,
our hearts being filled with love and devotion !
May we be perfect as our Father in heaven is
perfect in doing good unto all !
Bless thy whole Church, and add unto its com-
munion multitudes of penitent and believing souls.
We beseech thee to have compassion upon all
who are yet living in sin. Oh ! spare thy judg-
ments, Lord, and show forth thy salvation ; and
imprint upon our hearts such a dread of thy judg-
ments, and such a grateful sense of thy goodness
to us, as may make us both afraid and ashamed to
offend thee. Above all, inspire us with the joy of
being with Christ in his glory ; and, having this
hope in him, may we purify ourselves as he is
pure ! May we know his love, and be filled with
thy fulness !
Oh! keep this household in thy favor; bless
abundantly our friends, near or far away ; minis-
ter of thy comforts to the sick and needy, succor
the perishing, and save the lost. Guide us ever
with thy counsel, and finally bring us unto thy
rest, for the Redeemer's sake. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
SUNDAY EVENING.
Isaiah XXV. — 1. Lord! thou art my God: I
will exalt thee ; I will praise thy name ; for thou
hast done wonderful things; thy counsels of old
are faithfulness and truth.
4. For thou hast been a strength to the poor, a
strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from
the storm, a shadow from the heat, when the blast
of the terrible ones is as a storm against the wall.
5. Thou shalt bring down the noise of strangers,
as the heat in a dry place ; even the heat with the
shadow of a cloud : the branch of the terrible ones
shall be brought low.
6. And in this mountain shall the Lord of hosts
make unto all people a feast of fat things, a feast
of wines on the lees ; of fat things full of marrow,
of wines on the lees well refined.
7. And he will destroy in this mountain the face
of the covering cast over all people, and the veil
that is spread over all nations.
8. He will swallow up death in victory ; and the
Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces,
and the rebuke of his people shall he take away
from off all the earth : for the Lord hath spoken it.
9. And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is
our God ; we have waited for him, and he will save
us : this is the Lord ; we have waited for him ; we
will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.
John xvi. — 23. And in that day ye shall ask
me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, What-
soever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he
will give it you.
When one must meet a trial, it is comforting to know that
a friend lias borne the same, and come forth victorious. When
one must face a danger, it is encouraging to think upon an-
other who has gone through it unscathed. Though the
stream is high, and the night is dark and boisterous, we can
venture upon the bridge over which others have passed in
safety. As we enter into the trials and conflicts, which, as
Christians, we must endure, we may hear the voice of Jesus
saying, " Be of good cheer : I have overcome the world." But
it is more than example which he offers for our encourage-
ment. He overcame the power of evil, which, till his coming,
24. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my
name: ask, and ye shall receive; that your joy
may be full.
25. These things have I spoken unto you in
proverbs ; but the time cometh when I shall no
more speak unto you in proverbs, but I shall show
you plainly of the Father.
26. At that day ye shall ask in my name: and
I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for
you ;
27. For the Father himself loveth you, because
ye have loved me, and have believed that I came
out from God.
28. I came forth from the Father, and am come
into the world : again I leave the world, and go to
the Father.
29. His disciples said unto him, Lo, now speak -
est thou plainly, and speakest no proverb.
30. Now are we sure that thou knowest all
things, and needest not that any man should ask
thee : by this we believe that thou earnest forth
from God.
31. Jesus answered them, Do ye now believe ?
32. Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come,
that ye shall be scattered every man to his own,
and shall leave me alone ; and yet I am not alone,
because the Father is with me.
33. These things I have spoken unto you, that
in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall
have tribulation : but be of good cheer ; I have over-
come the world.
had ruled in the world ; and now he imparts to us strength
for the victory he has made so easy. Having broken the do-
minion of sin, and redeemed us from its curse, he returned to
the Father that lie might mediate on our behalf, and open to
us unlimited access to God in prayer. This emancipation
from sin to a life of freedom and love with the Father brings to
the soul a joy which no tribulation from without can unsettle.
By the coming of the Spirit, Christ sheds within our hearts
his peace ; and peace within is victory without. This peace
he gives : and he is ready to give it to all ; but it can enter
only where faith has opened the door to receive it.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 181, 184, 187.
Thou, Lord, only makest us to dwell in safety :
therefore will we lie down in peace, and sleep.
We commit ourselves to thy keeping ; for the dark-
ness and the light are both alike to thee. Thou
who never slumberest nor sleepest ! keep us this
night under the shadow of thy wings: grant us
the sleep which thou givest to thy beloved ; or, if
wakeful hours shall be allotted us, may we remem-
ber thee upon our bed, and meditate upon thee in
the night-watches !
Lord Jesus, who hast invited the weary and
heavy-laden to come unto thee that thou mayest
give them rest ! grant us, we pray thee, rest from
,all care and trouble, from all sin and sorrow ; and
prepare us by thy grace for that holy and blessed
rest which remaineth for the people of God.
We thank thee for this holy day, — its sacred
memories, its blessed communion of prayer and
praise, its comforting sacraments, its teachings
and promises, and its immortal hopes.
Bless thy Word, Lord ! to all who have heard
it : to the young, for their guidance ; to the aged,
for their comfort ; to all, for their instruction in
righteousness. And, O Lord ! send, we pray thee,
thy Word to those who have it not. Let thy salva-
tion be known in all the earth ; and hasten the
coming of thy kingdom. And unto thy name be
honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
MONDAY.
Exodus xi. — 1. And the Lord said unto Moses,
Yet will I bring one plague more upon Pharaoh,
and upon Egypt; afterwards he will let you go
hence : when he shall let yon go, he shall surely
thrust you out hence altogether.
2. Speak now in the ears of the people, and let
every man borrow of his neighbor, and every woman
of her neighbor, jewels of silver, and jewels of gold.
3. And the Lord gave the people favor in the
sight of the Egyptians. Moreover, the man Moses
ivas very great in the land of Egypt, in the sight
of Pharaoh's servants, and in the sight of the
people.
4. And Moses said, Thus saith the Lord : About
midnight will I go out into the midst of Egypt ;
5. And all the first-born in the land of Egypt
shall die, from the first-born of Pharaoh that
sitteth upon his throne, even unto the first-born
of the maid-servant that is behind the mill ; and
all the first-born of beasts.
The plagues of Egypt assailed the superstitions of the
Egyptians as well as their fears. Objects which they held
sacred, or whieh were believed to be under the special care of
the gods, were thus brought into contempt ; the powers of
Nature which they worshipped were turned to their destruc-
tion ; their sacred river was made a stench and a poison ; and
phenomena of the seasons, of the water and the wind, which
they were accustomed to observe for useful ends, or to guard
against betimes, were suddenly intensified, and made causes
of mischief and sorrow.
The minute correspondence of several of these plagues
with phenomena peculiar to Egypt — as the reddening of the
river, the swarms of gnats and locusts, the sudden and intense
darkness of the Kamsin — fixes the scene of the story, and
goes to verify its details. That natural phenomena were em-
ployed in these effects does not dispense with a supernatural
power behind them. They were produced upon a stupendous
scale, at unusual times, instantaneously, and by the word or
the rod of Moses, which could have had no physical connec-
6. And there shall be a great cry throughout all
the land of Egypt, such as there was none like it,
nor shall be like it any more.
7. But against any of the children of Israel
shall not a dog move his tongue, against man or
beast; that ye may know how that the Lord
doth put a difference between the Egyptians and
Israel.
8. And all these thy servants shall come down
unto me, and bow down themselves unto me, say-
ing, Get thee out, and all the people that follow
thee ; and after that I will go out. And he went
out from Pharaoh in a great anger.
9. And the Lord said unto Moses, Pharaoh shall
not hearken unto you ; that my wonders may be
multiplied in the land of Egypt.
10. And Moses and Aaron did all these wonders
before Pharaoh ; and the Lord hardened Pharaoh's
heart, so that he would not let the children of Israel
go out of his land.
tion with the result. The magicians soon gave over their
feeble attempt to imitate them.
But Pharaoh hardened himself against them all. Again
and again he broke his promise to let the people go. In the
idiom of the Hebrew language, the Bible ascribes to the Lord
whatever he in any way permits to come to pass, making
no account of second causes or of human agency. But the
Lord did not use means to harden Pharaoh's heart, nor desire
that it should be hardened : it was only by repeating calls and
miracles which Pharaoh resisted and abused that the Lord
was said to " harden " him. Pharaoh acted freely through-
out ; was wilful and guilty in all that he did ; and it is said
of him expressly, after one of the plagues, that " he sinned
yet more, and hardened his heart " (Exod. ix. 34). But the
tenth plague staggered him, and for the moment humbled
him. This touched him as a father, threatened his throne,
threatened his life, — showed liim that there was no escape
from the demand of such a God ; and, in haste and terror, he
let the people go.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 22, 40, 69.
Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God
Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King
of saints. Who shall not fear thee, O Lord ! and
glorify thy name ? for thou only art holy. When
thou with rebukes dost correct man for iniquity,
thou makest his beauty to consume away like a
moth. Thou turnest man to destruction, and
sayest, Return, ye children of men. Thou earnest
them away as with a flood. Yet, Lord, thou wilt
not cast off forever : thou dost not afflict willingly
nor grieve the children of men. Oh, when thy
judgments are in the earth, may the inhabitants of
the world learn righteousness ! We bless thee that
thou hast spared us the punishment that we de-
serve for our sins ; and we beseech thee, for Christ's
sake, to forgive and save us. May we take warning
from thy holy Word, lest at any time we harden our
hearts through unbelief!
We awake this morning to the light of thy love,
to the sense of thy gracious protection, and the joy
of thy presence; and we would bring to thee our
sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. Oh ! keep
us this day from sin ; bless us in our home, in our
labors, in our studies ; bless all our friends with
both temporal and spiritual good; and remember
all men in mercy. May we be followers of them
who through faith and patience inherit the prom-
ises !
Thou who didst lead forth thy people from
the house of bondage, and didst guide, nourish,
and defend them through all their pilgrimage ! we
beseech thee to conduct us by thy hand through
all the changes and perils of this mortal life, and
bring us at length to the inheritance of thy saints
in joy and glory everlasting, through Jesus Christ
our Lord. Amen.
260
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
TUESDAY.
Romans ix. — 14. What shall we say, then ? 7s
there unrighteousness with God ? God forbid !
15. For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on
whom I will have mercy, and I will have compas-
sion on whom I will have compassion.
16. So, then, it is not of him that willeth, nor of
him that runneth, but of God that showeth mercy.
17. For the scripture saith unto Pharach, Even
for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I
might show my power in thee, and that my name
might be declared throughout all the earth.
18. Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will
have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.
19. Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he
yet find fault ? for who hath resisted his will ?
20. Nay, but, man ! who art thou that repliest
against God? Shall the thing formed say to him
that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus ?
21. Hath not the potter power over the clay, of
the same lump to make one vessel unto honor, and
another unto dishonor?
22. What if God, willing to show his wrath, and
to make his power known, endured with much long-
suffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction ;
23. And that he might make known the riches
of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he
had afore prepared unto glory,
24. Even us, whom he hath called, not of the
Jews only, but also of the Gentiles ?
The principle of election, so strongly asserted in this pas-
sage, is recognized as a fact in the common events of life.
Darwin's theory of " natural selection " is, that, in the strug-
gle for life, the stronger or more favored members of a species
prevail over the weaker or the less favored ; and sometimes
make their peculiarities so prominent, that these give rise to a
new species. What is this but election by the operation of
some hidden law of Nature ? We observe the same thing in
the human family, in the marked difference of individuals in
birth, constitution, temperament, talents, circumstances ; and,
on a wider scale, in the differences of races and nations.
Everywhere we meet the fad, that, by the operation of causes
beyond their knowledge or control, men differ in their position,
their abilities, their advantages. It is this same fact which
the apostle here recognizes in the moral kingdom of God; but
Appropriate Hymns,]
25. As he saith also in Osee, I will call them My
people, which were not my people ; and her Beloved,
which was not beloved.
26. And it shall come to pass, that in the place
where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people,
there shall they be called, The children of the
living God.
27. Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though
the number of the children of Israel be as the sand
of the sea, a remnant shall be saved :
28. For he will finish the work, and cut it short
in righteousness ; because a short work will the
Lord make upon the earth.
29. And as Esaias said before, Except the Lord
of sabaoth had left us a seed, we had been as
Sodoma, and been made like unto Gomorrah.
30. What shall we say, then ? That the Gentiles,
which followed not after righteousness, have at-
tained to righteousness, even the righteousness
which is of faith ;
31. But Israel, which followed after the law of
righteousness, hath not attained to the law of right-
eousness.
32. Wherefore ? Because they sought it not by
faith, but, as it were, by the works of the law. For
they stumbled at that stumbling-stone :
33. As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a
stumbling-stone, and rock of offence ; and whoso-
ever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
it is qualified by other truths with which it is in harmony. —
The Bible teaches that man is a free agent, under personal
responsibility ; that salvation is provided for all, and freely
offered to all ; that God desires that all men should repent and
be saved ; that he uses his Word, his Providence, and his
Spirit, to bring them to repentance ; that he continues his calls
to men who resist his grace, though, as in the case of Pha-
raoh, his very long-suffering may but harden the sinner in
impenitence. ' It is no positive act of God that hardens him,
no divine decree that hinders his salvation, but the sinner's
own refusal to submit his will in faith to the righteousness of
God. In this respect, the stubborn impenitence of Pharaoh,
alike unto divine mercies and judgments, is but the type of
the heart of man. Again and again we are told that Pharaoh
hardened his own heart.
Prayer
Oh ! grant us grace, Father in heaven, to hear
thy Word, and to obey it. We would make haste,
and delay not, to keep thy commandments. Thou
hast a right, Lord ! to our time, our gifts,
our hearts, our persons; to all that we are, and
all that we have : for thou hast created us, and
hast redeemed us with the precious blood of thy
Son.
We give thee thanks for the mercies of the night,
and for all the mercies of our past lives, — for home
and its blessings ; for friends, and all the ministries
of love ; for health, knowledge, comfort, and pros-
perity ; but, above all things, for thy grace in the
[Nos. 38, 59, 142.
gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. May we ever be
ready to acknowledge him the Son of God, the
Saviour of the world ! May men in the high places
of power and influence consecrate themselves to
him ! may the poor and lowly trust in him ! may
children sing hosannas to the Son of David ! How
shall we praise thee, O God ! for thy love and grace
to us sinners ? For all thy mercies we bless and
magnify thy glorious name ; humbly beseeching
thee to accept this our morning sacrifice of praise
and thanksgiving for His sake who lay down in
the grave, and rose again for us ; to whom be glory
and dominion, world without end. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
261
WEDNESDAY.
Exodus xiv. — 15. And the Lord said unto Mo-
ses, Wherefore criest thou unto me ? Speak unto
the children of Israel, that they go forward :
16. But lift thou up thy rod, and stretch out
thine hand over the sea, and divide it ; and the
children of Israel shall go on dry ground through
the midst of the sea.
17. And I, behold, I will harden the hearts of
the Egyptians, and they shall follow them ; and I
will get me honor upon Pharaoh, and upon all his
host, upon his chariots, and upon his horsemen.
18. And the Egyptians shall know that I am
the Lord, when I have gotten me honor upon Pha-
raoh, upon his chariots, and upon his horsemen.
19. And the Angel of God which went before
the camp of Israel removed, and went behind
them ; and the pillar of the cloud went from be-
fore their face, and stood behind them :
20. And it came between the camp of the Egyp-
tians and the camp of Israel ; and it was a cloud
and darkness to them, but it gave light by night
to these ; so that the one came not near the other
all the night.
21. And Mioses stretched out his hand over the
sea ; and the Lord caused the sea to go back by a
strong east wind all that night, and made the sea
dry land, and the waters were divided.
22. And the children of Israel went into the
midst of the sea upon the dry ground ; and the
waters loere a wall unto them on their right hand,
and on their left.
23. And the Egyptians pursued, and went in
after them, to the midst of the sea, even all
Pharaoh's horses, his chariots, and his horse-
men.
24. And it came to pass, that in the morning-
watch the Lord looked unto the host of the Egyp-
tians through the pillar of fire and of the cloud,
and troubled the host of the Egyptians,
25. And took off their chariot-wheels, that they
drave them heavily : so that the Egyptians said,
Let us flee from the face of Israel ; for the Lord
fighteth for them against the Egyptians.
26. And the Lord said unto Moses, Stretch cut
thine hand over the sea, that the waters may come
again upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots, and
upon their horsemen.
27. And Moses stretched forth his hand over the
sea, and the sea returned to his strength when the
morning appeared ; and the Egyptians fled against
it ; and the Lord overthrew the Egyptians in the
midst of the sea.
28. And the waters returned, and covered the
chariots, and the horsemen, and all the host of
Pharaoh that came into the sea after them : there
remained not so much as one of them.
29. But the children of Israel walked upon dry
land in the midst of the sea ; and the waters were a
wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left.
30. Thus the Lord saved Israel that day out of
the hand of the Egyptians ; and Israel saw the
Egyptians dead upon the sea-shore.
31. And Israel saw that great work which the
Lord did upon the Egyptians ; and the people
feared the Lord, and believed the Lord, and his
servant Moses.
The point at which the Israelites crossed the Red Sea was j
probably near the neck of the Gulf of Suez, which then ex- j
tended a mile or two farther to the north. Moses had taken 1
the shortest route to the desert, intending to go around the j
head of the gulf; but Pharaoh, having recovered from his
fright, was in hot pursuit, with spearmen, chariots of war, and '
horsemen, — such an array as is always depicted in the Egyp- j
tian drawings and sculptures of battle-scenes. Moses was com-
pletely hemmed in, — mountains to the north, the sea in front,
the enemy coming up behind from the west and north. A
mighty cry went up from that host of terror-stricken fugitives
unto the Lord ; and, in face of seeming impossibilities, the an-
swer came, " Go forward." To doubt then was to perish. He
who holds the winds and waves in his hand used the powers
of Nature as the ministers of his salvation. The majestic pillar
of cloud and fire changed front : it was light — as it ever will
be light — where God would have his people go ; it was dark-
ness and destruction — as it ever must be — when his justice
shall frown or flame upon his enemies.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 80, 155, 191.
Give ear, Shepherd of Israel, thou that leadest
Joseph like a flock ! thou that dwellest between
the cherubims, shine forth. Thou hast brought a
vine out of Egypt ; thou hast cast out the heathen,
and planted it. Thou preparedst room before it,
and didst cause it to take deep root, and it filled the
land. For the goodly inheritance of this land, for
plenty and prosperity, for freedom and order, for
union and peace, for schools and churches, for thy
holy day and thy holy word, we render thee, Lord !
most hearty thanks. Oh ! keep this people ever
faithful to thee, the God of our fathers ; and do
thou, Lord ' remember us in mercy.
Alas! how have we sinned against thee in pro-
faning thy sabbaths, in disregarding thy "Word, in
boasting our own might and trusting our own
riches, in seeking and loving this world ! Oh ! save
our land from corruption and crime, and forgetful-
ness of God.
Incline our hearts, Lord ! to cleave to thy tes-
timonies, and to be faithful witnesses for thy truth.
May we of this household ever be upon the Lord's
side ! May all our friends be the friends of God !
May our whole land be filled Math righteousness !
Finally bring us into thy heavenly kingdom
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
262
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
THURSDAY.
Exodus XV. — 1. Then sang Moses and the
children of Israel this song unto the Lord, and
spake, saying, I will sing unto the Lord ; for he
hath triumphed gloriously : the horse and his rider
hath he thrown into the sea.
2. The Lord is my strength and song, and he is
become my salvation : he is my God, and I will
prepare him an habitation ; my father's God, and
I will exalt him.
3. The Lord is a man of war: the Lord is his name.
4. Pharaoh's chariots and his host hath he cast
into the sea ; his chosen captains also are drowned
in the Red Sea.
5. The depths have covered them : they sank
into the bottom as a stone.
6. Thy right hand, O Lord ! is become glorious
in power ; thy right hand, Lord ! hath dashed in
pieces the enemy.
7. And in the greatness of thine excellency thou
hast overthrown them that rose up against thee :
thou sentest forth thy wrath, which consumed
them as stubble.
8. And with the blast of thy nostrils the waters
were gathered together, the floods stood upright as
an heap, and the depths were congealed in the
heart of the sea.
9. The enemy said, I will pursue, I will overtake,
I will divide the spoil ; my lust shall be satisfied
upon them : I will draw my sword ; my hand
shall destroy them.
10. Thou didst blow with thy wind, the sea
covered them : they sank as lead in the mighty
waters.
11. Who is like unto thee, O Lord ! among the
gods ? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fear-
ful in praises, doing wonders ?
12. Thou stretchedst out thy right hand, the
earth swallowed them.
13. Thou in thy mercy hast led forth the people
which thou hast redeemed ; thou hast guided them
in thy strength unto thy holy habitation.
14. The people shall hear, and be afraid : sor-
row shall take hold on the inhabitants of Pales-
tina.
16. Fear and dread shall fall upon them ;
by the greatness of thine arm they shall be as
still as a stone ; till thy people pass over, O
Lord ! till the people pass over, which thou hast
purchased.
17. Thou shalt bring them in, and plant them
in the mountain of thine inheritance, in the place,
Lord! which thou hast made for thee to dwell
in ; in the sanctuary, Lord ! which thy hands
have established.
18. The Lord shall reign for ever and ever.
19. For the horse of Pharaoh went in with his
chariots and with his horsemen into the sea, and
the Lord brought again the waters of the sea upon
them ; but the children of Israel went on dry land
in the midst of the sea.
It is added, that Miriam, the sister of Moses, and all the
women, led this song with timbrels and dances. The old Egyp-
tian pictures represent women thus participating in public
festivities, with dancing and various instruments of music.
Chariots, also, are always prominent in battle-scenes. This
song, like most of the Hebrew psalms, was made for responsive
singing, — the same idea, for substance, being repeated in two
successive sentences. There are fine examples of this parallel-
ism from ver. 4 to ver. 10. It opens grandly with the ascrip-
tion of all glory to the Lord : his relations to the past are
recognized, — my father's God ; " his strength, renown, and
victory are celebrated under the figure of " a man of war."
Then follows a vivid picture of the conflict, — the fury and
bloody rage of the enemy, the swift and terrible vengeance of
Jehovah. The physical agencies are next introduced, — the
winds and the floods in their double work of protection and
of destruction. In the midst of these awful judgments is
heard the refrain of the mercy of the Lord for his redeemed.
Yet, because he has redeemed and chosen Israel, fear shall tall
upon all the nations who lie in their path; their hearts shall
be still as a stone for very dread : for the purpose of Jehovah
shall be accomplished, and his people shall come at last in
peace to the seat of his majesty and glory. This song of
triumph associates the name of Moses with " the Lamb " in
the final victory of the Church.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 161, 170, 185.
It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord,
and to sing praises unto thy name, Most High !
to show forth thy loving-kindness in the morning,
and thy faithfulness every night. God our Pre-
server ! we thank thee for the refreshment of sleep
and the renewal of strength ; for the light of the
morning, and for the promises and hopes that
shine upon us from thy holy Word. We devote to
thee our powers of reason, of affection, and of ac-
tive service, praying that we may have grace to
glorify thee in our bodies and our spirits which are
thine. We thank thee for our home, our friends,
the pleasant things that surround us, and all the
beautiful and serviceable things of the world which
thou hast made. Teach us, O Lord ! to use this
world as not abusing it, and, in and through all that
we receive, to chiefly desire and love thee, the Giver.
We give thanks to thee, Lord! for the king-
dom of thy Son, and for all its triumphs over the
powers of evil. May each member of this family,
and all who are dear to us, belong to the family
of thy redeemed ! and, oh, may the redemption of
Christ our Lord be applied unto all men by the
saving grace of thy Holy Spirit ! Heal all sor-
rows, supply all needs, restrain all iniquity, and
save the world through Him who died for all ; to
whom, with the Father and the Spirit, be glory
everlasting. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
FRIDAY.
Psalm cxxxvi. — 1. Oh! give thanks unto the
Lord ; for he is good ; for his mercy endureth for-
ever.
4. To him who alone doeth great wonders ; for
his mercy endureth forever.
5. To him that by wisdom made the heavens ;
for his mercy endureth forever.
6. To him that stretched out the earth above
the waters ; for his mercy endureth forever.
7. To him that made great lights ; for his mercy
endureth forever.
8. The sun to rule by day; for his mercy en-
dureth forever.
9. The moon and stars to rule by night ; for his
mercy endureth forever.
10. To him that smote Egypt in their first-
born ; for his mercy endureth forever.
11. And brought out Israel from among them ;
for his mercy endureth forever.
12. With a strong hand, and with a stretched-
out arm ; for his mercy endureth forever.
13. To him which divided the Eed Sea into
parts ; for his mercy endureth forever.
14. And made Israel to pass through the midst
of it ; for his mercy endureth forever :
15. But overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the
Red Sea ; for his mercy endureth forever.
The mighty events of the exodus from Egypt were the
inspiration of Hebrew poetry in all after-ages: "The sea
saw it, and fled ; Jordan was driven back. The mountains
skipped like rams, and the little hills like lambs." Psalms cv.
and cxxxvi. were national anthems, in which these events
were likened to the wonders of God in the creation. In
the Revelation by John, they kindle the song of Moses and
the Lamb. This wonderful scene is the prelude to the final
unveiling of Jehovah for the judgment of the great day;
that will be the judgment of individuals: but the theatre of
the judgments here announced is the present state, in which
all governments, systems, laws, and institutions, that are in
conflict with the kingdom of God, are destined to be over-
thrown, until his righteousness shall be fully vindicated, and
all nations shall come and worship before him. As slavery
went down in the shock of war in the United States, and
Csesarism and the temporal power of the Pope went down in
Revelation XV. — 1. And I saw another sign in
heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having
the seven last plagues ; for in them is filled up the
wrath of God.
2. And I saw, as it were, a sea of glass mingled
with fire ; and them that had gotten the victory
over the beast, and over his image, and over
his mark, and over the number of his name,
stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of
God.
3. And they sing the song of Moses the servant
of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great
and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Al-
mighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King
of saints.
4. Who shall not fear thee, Lord ! and glorify
thy name ? for thou only art holy : for all nations
shall come and worship before thee ; for thy judg-
ments are made manifest.
7. And one of the four beasts gave unto the
seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath
of God, who liveth for ever and ever.
8. And the temple was filled with smoke from
the glory of God, and from his power ; and no
man was able to enter into the temple till the
seven plagues of the seven angels were ful-
filled.
the terrible collision of Germany and France, so every system
that is hostile to a free spiritual Christianity must give way
to its advance, or fall under the judgment of Almighty God.
Such judgments are here represented as drawing to a close
in seven, the complete number. As, in the battle of the
Huns, spiritual combatants were seen triumphing in the air ;
so the martyrs and confessors, who had resisted some great
apostasy, are pictured upon a sea of luminous crystal that
glows as with fire, celebrating their victory.
The name of . Moses is linked with the name of Christ,
because from the beginning of the world, through all dispen-
sations, the kingdom of God has been one, its conflict one,
its triumph one. The four living creatures that represent the
creative power of God appear as ministers of his destructive
judgment : all heaven is astir over the events of this world,
which shall issue, at length, in the glorious manifestation of
the King of saints.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 87, 132, 161.
We praise thee, God! we acknowledge thee
to be the Lord. All the earth doth worship thee,
the Father everlasting. To thee all angels cry
aloud, the heavens, and all the powers therein.
To thee cherubim and seraphim continually do cry,
" Holy, holy, holy Lord God of sabaoth ! " Heaven
and earth are full of the majesty of thy glory. The
glorious company of the apostles praise thee ; the
goodly fellowship of the prophets praise thee ;
the noble army of martyrs praise thee. Bless the
Lord, our souls ! and all that is within us, bless
his holy name : who forgiveth all our iniquities ;
who healeth all our diseases ; who redeemeth our
life from destruction ; who crowneth us with loving-
kindness and tender mercies.
We bless thee this morning for life and health,
for comfort and peace. We bless thee for home
and its joys ; for thy constant favor to us as a
household. And, while we thank thee for the
blessings of thy providence, we pray that thou wilt
ajso fill our hearts with love and gratitude for the
richer gifts of thy Son and thy Spirit. Grant us
grace to glorify our Saviour; grant like grace to
all who are dear to us ; and bring all men to
glorify Christ the Lord. And to thy name be
glory forever. Amen.
264
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
SATURDAY.
Exodus XV. — 22. So Moses brought Israel
from the Red Sea, and they went out into the
wilderness of Shur ; and they went three days in
the wilderness, and found no water.
23. And, when they came to Marah, they could
not drink of the waters of Marah ; for they were,
bitter : therefore the name of it was called Marah.
24. And the people murmured against Moses,
saying, What shall we drink ?
25. And he cried unto the Lord ; and the Lord
showed him a tree, which when he had cast into
the waters, the waters were made sweet : there he
made for them a statute and an ordinance, and
there he proved them,
26. And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to
the voice of the Lord thy God, and wilt do that
which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his
commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put
none of these diseases upon thee which I have
brought upon the Egyptians ; for I am the Lord
that healeth thee.
27. And they came to Elim, where were twelve
wells of water, and threescore and ten palm-trees ;
and they encamped there by the waters.
Exodus xvi. — 2. And the whole congregation
of the children of Israel murmured against Moses
and Aaron in the wilderness :
3. And the children of Israel said unto them,
Thero is evidence from history and from physical signs
and remains that the Desert of Sinai was once much better
watered and more fertile than it now is. Even now there are
spots of good pasturage, and occasional wells and springs,
which are surrounded with a scanty but most welcome ver-
dure. In thirty days, so vast a multitude had made severe in-
roads upon the cattle and other supplies brought from Egypt.
Still their murmurings were exaggerated ; for, as serfs, they
had not had so very abundant fare in Goshen : and their com-
Would to God we had died by the hand of the
Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the
flesh-pots, and when we did eat bread to the full !
for ye have brought us forth into this wilderness
to kill this whole assembly with hunger.
4. Then said the Lord unto Moses, Behold, I
will rain bread from heaven for you ; and the peo-
ple shall go out and gather a certain rate every
day, that I may prove them, whether they will
walk in my law, or no.
5. And it shall come to pass, that on the 4 sixth
day they shall prepare that which they bring in;
and it shall be twice as much as they gather
daily.
6. And Moses and Aaron said unto all the chil-
dren of Israel, At even, then ye shall know that
the Lord hath brought you out from the land of
Egypt ;
7. And in the morning, then ye shall see the
glory of the Lord ; for that he heareth your mur-
murings against the Lord: and what are we, that
ye murmur against us ?
8. And Moses said, This shall be when the
Lord shall give you in the evening flesh to eat,
and in the morning bread to the full; for that the
Lord heareth your murmurings which ye murmur
against him : and what are we? your murmurings
are not against us, but against the Lord.
plaint of Moses was unjust ; for he shared their privations.
Moses rightly accused them of murmuring against the Lord.
Jehovah had given already abundant proofs that he could and
would provide for them. It is human nature to forget past
mercies under present trials. Hunger and thirst, indeed, are
a terrible ordeal, and the spirit of complaint is infectious ;
but, through all threats and trials, Moses maintained a meek
and steadfast faith, — the one link between the rebellious peo-
ple and their Preserver.
Appropriate Hymns, J
Prayer.
[Nos. 88, 114, 117.
Lord Jesus ! we do hunger for thy Word ; we
do thirst for thy Spirit. Weak, empty, perishing,
in ourselves, we cry unto thee for the bread of
heaven, for the water of life. With longings for
good that this world can never satisfy, we turn to
thy fulness that we also may be filled. Confess-
ing our folly in forsaking thee, mourning our sin
in grieving thee, we come with broken and con-
trite hearts, and entreat thee to grant us forgive-
ness, comfort, and peace. Oh ! strengthen us to re-
sist temptation, to overcome evil, to renounce the
world. We beseech thee, show us the Father ;
make us pure in heart, that we may see God.
Most merciful God, who in Jesus Christ thy Son
hast revealed thyself as our reconciling Father,
grant us grace, we beseech thee, to be followers of
God as dear children. [May the children of this
family love and obey the precepts of thy gospel,
and follow the example of their Lord and Saviour !]
And, oh, may the numbers of thy children be
multiplied throughout the world, until the whole
family of man shall be made one in Christ Jesus !
Bless the peace-makers, and let the nations learn
war no more. Have compassion, Lord ! upon
the poor and the sorrowing ; deliver the persecuted
and the oppressed ; have mercy upon all prisoners
and captives. Grant us grace to endure with
patience any trials and afflictions that may come
upon us for thy cause, and to conquer the world
by faith. And do thou, Lord ! forgive our ene-
mies, and forgive us as we forgive them. Lord
our Preserver, who hast kept us through the perils
of the night ! keep us from evil this day and
always ; and finally bring us unto thy heavenly
kingdom, through thy Son, our Saviour, Jesus
Christ. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
265
SUNDAY MORNING.
Exodus xvi. — 9. And Closes spake unto Aaron,
Say unto all the congregation of the children of
Israel, Come near before the Lord; for he hath
heard your murmurings.
10. And it came to pass, as Aaron spake unto the
whole congregation of the children of Israel, that
they looked toward the wilderness ; and, behold,
the glory of the Lord appeared in the cloud.
11. And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,
12. I have heard the murmurings of the children
of Israel : speak unto them, saying, At even ye
shall eat flesh, and in the morning ye shall be
filled with bread ; and ye shall know that I am the
Lord your God.
13. And it came to pass, that at even the quails
came up, and covered the camp ; and in the morn-
ing the dew lay round about the host.
14 And, when the dew that lay was gone up,
behold, upon the face of the wilderness there lay
a small round thing, as small as the hoarfrost on
the ground :
15. And, when the children of Israel saw it,
they said one to another, It is manna; for they
wist not what it teas. And Moses said unto them,
This is the bread which the Lord hath given you
to eat.
16. This is the thing which the Lord hath com-
manded, Gather of it every man according to his
eating : an omer for every man according to the
number of your persons, take ye every man for
them which are in his tents.
There is no reason to suppose that these quails were created
for the occasion. Enormous flocks of them are sometimes
seen along the coasts of Africa and Arabia ; and these were
probably blown over upon the camp by a stormy wind. The
manna, however, can hardly be identified with the gum of
the tamarisk, a natural product of the desert. This gum re-
sembles the manna, in dropping like dew in the night, in
having a sweetish taste, and in melting in the sun : but it is
limited as to season, quantity, and locality ; whereas the food
of the Israelites was supplied continuously, every day, in
abundant measure, and was distributed over the whole "area,
and the whole period of their wanderings. Moreover, this
Appropriate Hymns,]
17. And the children of Israel did so, and gath-
ered, some more, some less.
18. And, when they did mete it with an omer,
he that gathered much had nothing over, and he
that gathered little had no lack : they gathered
every man according to his eating.
19. And Moses said, Let no man leave of it till
the morning.
20. Notwithstanding, they hearkened not unto
Moses ; but some of them left of it until the morn-
ning, and it bred worms, and stank : and Moses
was wroth with them.
21. And they gathered it every morning, every
man according to his eating ; and, when the sun
waxed hot, it melted.
22. And it came to pass, that on the sixth day
they gathered twice as much bread, two orners for
one man ; and all the rulers of the congregation
came and told Moses.
23. And he said unto them, This is that which
the Lord hath said, To-morrow is the rest of the
holy sabbath unto the Lord : bake that which ye
will bake to-day, and seethe that ye wdl seethe;
and that which remaineth over, lay up for you to
be kept until the morning.
24. And they laid it up till the morning, as
Moses bade ; and it did not stink, neither was there
any worm therein.
25. And Moses said, Eat that to-day; for to-day
is a sabbath unto the Lord : to-day ye shall not
find it in the field.
came in double quantity on the sixth day. Clearly this was
a direct supply from the hand of God : " He gave them bread
from heaven to eat ; " and, as Moses said afterwards, it was
designed to teach the people their dependence upon God for
daily bread, and also " that man doth not live by bread only,
but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the
Lord." In this respect the manna was also a type of Christ,
who, in his life, doctrine, and person, was the bread which
came down from heaven. To guard the sanctity of the sab-
bath, the manna was withheld on that day ; but we are priv-
ileged on the Lord's day to cry even the more earnestly,
" Give us this bread."
[Nos. 29, 56,
Prayer.
Lord ! we thank thee that we have the means grace, to succor the needy and comfort the sor-
of satisfying our daily wants. The earth is thine, , rowing !
and the fulness thereof; the beasts of the forest, I [Lord, look upon us as a family. May the chd-
and the cattle upon a thousand hills. It is thou j dren obey their parents in the Lord, and love one
who hast ordained seed-time and harvest, summer another! Teach them this day thy holy Word;
and winter : thou dost crown the year with plenty, may they know thee the only true God, and Jesus
and dost give seed to the sower, and bread to the . Christ whom thou hast sent!]
eater. Fulfil this day, we beseech thee, the prom- j Prosper thy servants who are employed in the
ise that thy Word shall be even as the rain, and as instruction of the young, in the visitation of the
good seed in good ground. Oh! feed our souls poor, the afflicted, the distressed; and pour out
with the bread of life. May thy goodness lead thy Spirit, thou great Head of the Church, and till
us to devote all our energies to thy service ! may . thy Church with thy praise. Oh, may our worship
what God has given be consecrated to him ! and go up before thee as a sacrifice of sweet savor,
to-day may we go forth as stewards of thy | through Jesus Christ our Lord ! Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
SUNDAY EVENING.
Mark xiv. — 22. And, as they did eat, Jesus
took bread, and blessed, and brake it, and gave to
them, and said, Take, eat : this is my body.
23. And he took the cup ; and, when he had
given thanks, he gave it to them : and they all
drank of it.
24. And he said unto them, This is my blood of
the new testament, which is shed for many.
25. Verily I say unto you, I will drink no more
of the fruit of the vine until that day that I drink
it new in the kingdom of God.
26. And, when they had sung a hymn, they
went out into the Mount of Olives.
27. And Jesus saith unto them, All ye shall be
offended because of me this night ; for it is writ-
ten, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall
be scattered.
I Corinthians xi. — 23. For I have received of
the Lord that which also I delivered unto you,
That the Lord Jesus, the same night in which he
was betrayed, took bread;
24. And, when he had given thanks, he brake it,
and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is
broken for you : this do in remembrance of me.
25. After the same manner also he took the cup,
"I am that bread of life," said Jesus; "I am the living
bread which came down from heaven : if any man eat of this
bread, he shall live forever ; and the bread that I will give is
my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world. For my
flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. He that
eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I
in him." By faith in his atoning sacrifice we incorporate
Christ into ourselves as the principle and power of an end-
less life. The symbol of this union is the Lord's Supper.
The apostle Paul, acting under a special revelation, combined
into one formula the several accounts of the institution of
the Supper given by the evangelists. The simplicity of the
sacrament appears in its two leading objects, — as a symbol of
doctrine, and as a memorial of suffering. As we say of a por-
trait, " This is my friend," or of a statue, " This is Washing-
ton or Lincoln," so our Lord constituted the bread and the
cup a perpetual representation of himself. It is the bread as
when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new
testament in my blood : this do ye, as oft as ye
drink it, in remembrance of me.
26. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink
this cup, ye do show the Lord's death till he come.
27. Wherefore, whosoever shall eat this bread,
and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be
guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.
28. But let a man examine himself, and so let
him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.
29. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily,
eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not dis-
cerning the Lord's body.
30. For this cause many are weak and sickly
among you, and many sleep.
31. For, if we would judge ourselves, we should
not be judged.
32. But, when we are judged, we are chastened
of the Lord, that we should not be condemned
with the world.
33. Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come to-
gether to eat, tarry one for another.
34. And, if any man hunger, let him eat at
home ; that ye come not together unto condemna-
tion. And the rest will I set in order when I come.
broken which is his flesh, given for the life of the world ; it is
the wine as poured out which is his blood, shed for many for
the remission of sins. And in its character of a symbol the
sacrament teaches that the sacrifice of Christ is our redemp-
tion from sin, and that our partaking of Christ himself as the
bread from heaven is the life of the soul. In its character of
a memorial, the sacrament brings vividly and tenderly before
us the love of our Lord, and enables us in the most significant
and impressive way to testify our faith and devotion as his dis-
ciples. Hence we should observe the sacrament with becoming
seriousness. Some in the Corinthian Church had made the
Lord's Supper a substitute for their old pagan festivals ; thus
perverting its meaning, and observing it in an unworthy and
unseemly manner. It is such impropriety of observance that
the apostle condemns, and not that sense of personal unwor-
thiness which too often keeps back the humble and devout
from the table of the Lord.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[IS T os. 100, 164, 195.
Thou blessed and glorious Redeemer, who didst
give thy life a ransom for us, grant us grace, we
beseech thee, to follow in thy steps, and be bap-
tized with the same baptism of devotion and sacri-
fice for the glory of the Father and the good of men.
May we be members of Christ's body, of his flesh
and his bones ! Redeemed with his precious blood,
may we devote to him all the powers of our being !
Keep us, Lord! from the absorbing power of
earthly things. May we live under the powers of
the world to come, loving thee now with a sweet
and blessed foretaste of that love with which we
shall love thee forever !
We pray for all who have named the name of
Christ. Give unto thy Church peace and unity.
Bless our own immediate circle : may God be
their Father, and Jesus their Elder Brother, and
heaven their everlasting home ! [May the chil-
dren of this family make thee their portion and
their hope ! May they early learn to do thy will ;
to wish for and to do only that which will please
their Father in heaven!] Bless, O Lord! the
teachings and the worship of this holy day. May
thy kingdom come ! Sanctify affliction to all in
sorrow ; and satisfy the poor with bread. Accept
our thanks for the mercies of thy day and of thine
house. Our cup runneth over. Oh ! bring us at
last to drink with thee the cup of joy which thou
hast provided for us in thy Father's kingdom.
And to thee be glory forever. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
267
MONDAY.
Exodus XX. — 1. And God spake all these
words, saying,
2. I am the Lord thy God, which have brought
thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of
bondage.
3. Thou shalt have no other gods before
me.
4. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven
image, or any likeness of any thing that is in
heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or
that is in the water under the earth :
5. Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them,
nor serve them ; for I the Lord thy God am a
jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers
upon the children unto the third and fourth genera-
tion of them that hate me,
6. And showing mercy unto thousands of
them that love me and keep my command-
ments.
7. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord
thy God in vain ; for the Lord will not hold him
guiltless that taketh his name in vain.
8. Eemember the sabbath day to keep it
holy.
9. Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy
work ;
10. But the seventh day is the sabbath of the
Lord thy God : in it thou shalt not do any work,
thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy man-ser-
vant, nor thy maid-servant, nor thy cattle, nor thy
stranger that is within thy gates :
11. For in six days the Lord made heaven and
earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested
the seventh day : wherefore the Lord blessed the
sabbath day, and hallowed it.
12. Honor thy father and thy mother; that thy
days may be long upon the land which the Lord
thy God giveth thee.
13. Thou shalt not kill.
14. Thou shalt not commit adultery.
15. Thou shalt not steal.
16. Thou shalt not bear false witness against
thy neighbor.
17. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house,
thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife, nor his
man-servant, nor his maid-servant, nor his ox,
nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neigh-
bors.
These Ten Commandments cover the whole duty of man
to God and to his fellow. The civil and criminal codes of a
State fill volumes with endless definitions and specifications ;
but here all is reduced to the single principle of love, and to
a brief but comprehensive statement of the relations to which
that principle must be applied. This law deals with man as
a subject of the government of God, as a member of the
family and of society. Toward God he is required to observe
the reverence and devotion due to the one Jehovah, his Maker,
Preserver, and Redeemer. Idolatry and profaneness are for-
bidden ; and, the better to maintain the spirit of devotion, a
day is set apart for the worship of God, in sacred distinction
from the common employments of life. In all subsequent
history, that day has left its mark upon the moral character
of nations. In the family, filial love and veneration are en-
joined as peculiarly acceptable to God. Society is protected
by this code in all its vital interests, — life, chastity, property,
and character ; and as love is made the essence of obedience
to God, so here we are forbidden to indulge a selfish desire
with regard to any thing that is our neighbor's. Obedience
to this law would make a perfect human societ}', and render
even r individual secure in his own person and possessions,
and happy in his relations to others. The law manifests the
love of God : love is its spirit ; love, its rule ; and only love
will be its reward.
Appropriate Htmxs,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 11, 18, 40.
Almighty and most merciful Father, we be-
seech thee incline us ever to keep thy command-
ments. We have followed too much the devices
and desires of our own hearts. We have left un-
done those things which we ought to have done, and
we have done those things which we ought not to
have done ; but thou, Lord ! have mere}' upon us
miserable offenders, and, for Christ's sake, take away
our sins. The morning calls us again to praise thee
for thy loving-kindness in the night-season ; and
every day renews the tokens of thy bounty. Every
good gift cometh down from thee, the Father of
lights ; and though we are so changeful in our love,
so inconstant in our service, with thee there is no
variableness, neither shadow of turning. Bind us
to thyself. our Father ! by the mighty attraction
of thy love. May the love of Christ, who died for
us that we might live, constrain us to live ever
unto thee !
We pray thee keep us this day from temptation,
evil, and sin. Erosper us in our lawful undertak-
ings. Maj- we be upright in our dealings, true and
kind in our speech, gentle and patient in our
spirit, pure and holy in our walk ! May we do
good to all as we shall have opportunity, and so ex-
hibit in our lives the graces of the gospel, that we
shall win others to the love of Christ ! And we
pray that multitudes may be won to the Saviour ;
that thy Church may increase ; that missions may
prosper ; that thy Word may be given to all peo-
ple, and the knowledge of the Lord may fill the
earth as the waters fill the sea. We thank thee
for our home, and pray thee to bless us with all
things that we need as a family. Bless the absent
who are dear to us ; and bring them, together with
us, we beseech thee, unto thy heavenly kingdom,
through Jesus Christ our Lord ; who, with thee
and the Holy Ghost, liveth evermore. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
TUESDAY.
Hebrews xii. — 14. Follow peace with all men,
and holiness, without which no man shall see the
Lord :
15. Looking diligently, lest any man fail of the
grace of God ; lest any root of bitterness springing
up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled ;
16. Lest there be any fornicator, or profane per-
son, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his
birthright.
17. For ye know how that afterward, when he
would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected;
for he found no place of repentance, though he
sought it carefully with tears.
18. For ye are not come unto the mount tbat
might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor
unto blackness and darkness and tempest,
19. And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice
of words ; which voice they that heard entreated
that the word should not be spoken to them any
more ;
20. (For they could not endure that which was
commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the
mountain it shall be stoned, or thrust through
with a dart ;
21. And so terrible was the sight, that Moses
said, I exceedingly fear and quake :)
22. But ye are come unto Mount Sion, and unto
the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusa-
lem, and to an innumerable company of angels,
23. To the general assembly and church of the
first-born which are written in heaven, and to
God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just
men made perfect,
24. And to Jesus the Mediator of the new
covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that
speaketh better things than that of Abel.
25. See that ye refuse not him that speaketh.
For, if they escaped not who refused him that spake
on earth, much more shall not we escape if we
turn away from him that speaketh from heaven :
26. Whose voice then shook the earth ; but now
he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake
not the earth only, but also heaven.
27. And this word, Yet once more, signifieth
the removing of those things that are shaken, as
of things that are made, that those things which
cannot be shaken may remain.
28. Wherefore, we receiving a kingdom which
cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we
may serve God acceptably, with reverence and
godly fear.
29. For our God is a consuming fire.
The mount of the law, rising sheer from the plain on which
the Israelites were encamped, was fenced about, lest it should be
polluted by their touch. When Jehovah drew near, his pres-
ence was made awful by symbols of terror. But, through
Jesus, our redeemed humanity is invited to draw near the
mount of God as the seat of love, whose very holiness invests
it with peace. Frederic the Great of Prussia, in one of his
journeys, made use of the house of a Lutheran pastor for his
accommodation for the night. On departing, he said to the
pastor, " What shall I do for you ? what preferment would
you like ?" — " Nothing, sire," answered the humble curate :
" I have all I want, and am content." — " You are content ! "
exclaimed the astonished king : " then I will cause to be writ-
ten over your door, 'My kingdom is not of this world.'"
Earthly kingdoms may rise and fall, earthly dynasties come
and go ; but we have a kingdom which cannot he moved. The
time will come when every work of man shall be overturned ;
when the earth itself shall be shaken to its foundations, and
this whole visible order of things shall depart like a scroll :
but then shall appear in the brightness of the new heaven and
the new earth that city of God which has been the longing of
the saints in all ages. Even now we may come by faith to the
blessed community of the heavenly Jerusalem ; and, if that
faith shall incite us to the steadfast and reverent service of
God, our feet shall stand at last upon Mount Zion among
" the spirits of just men made perfect. "
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer,
[Nos. 4, 12, 20.
Thou only, Lord ! makest us to dwell in safety.
We lie down at night under the shadow of thy
wings ; we awake in the morning to the light of
thy love. We thank thee for another night of rest
and comfort ; for another day of life, health, and
hope. We praise thee that thou didst create us
with powers of knowing and of loving, and hast
made this world so full of wonders and beauties to
feed our minds with knowledge, and to stir our
hearts with love and joy.
Lord ! may we be found faithful to thee in
the duties of this day ; and, amid its temptations
and its trials, do thou sustain us, comfort us, keep
us, and grant us grace in all we do to seek thy
glory. May this household, which thou hast so
blessed, serve thee, not at this altar only, but in all
the walks of life ! As we engage in the business of
the world, as we go into society, wherever we are,
and whatever we do, may we remember thee, and
do thy will ! Oh ! grant that every member of this
family may be a child of God ; a humble, faithful
follower of the Lord Jesus Christ. Bless all clear
to us who are absent from us. Do thou, Lord !
dwell by thy Spirit in the hearts and the minds of
all our friends. We supplicate thy mercy for the
needy, the afflicted, the bereaved, and the sorrowing.
Build up thy Church, Lord ! Fill our land
with pure religion. May our rulers be faithful and
just, walking in thy fear! And we beseech thee
to bring all lands under the power and glory of
the gospel of thy Son. In thy great mercy, O
Lord ! forgive our sins, and bring us unto thy
heavenly kingdom, through Jesus Christ our Sa-
viour. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
WEDNESDAY.
Mark xii. — 28. And one of the scribes came,
and having heard them reasoning together, and
perceiving that he had answered them well, asked
him, Which is the first commandment of all ?
29. And Jesus answered him, The first of all
the commandments is, Hear, Israel : The Lord
our God is one Lord ;
30. And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with
all thy heart, and with all thy sold, and with all
thy mind, and with all thy strength : this is the
first commandment.
31. And the second is like ; namely, this : Thou
shalt love thy neighbor as thyself : there is none
other commandment greater than these.
32. And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master,
thou hast said the truth : for there is one God,
and there is none other but he ;
33. And to love him with all the heart, and
with all the understanding, and with all the soul,
and with all the strength, and to love his neigh-
bor as himself, is more than all whole burnt-offer-
ings and sacrifices.
34. And, when Jesus saw that he answered dis-
creetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from
the kiDgdom of God. And no man after that
durst ask him any question.
35. And Jesus answered and said, while he
taught in the temple, How say the scribes that
Christ is the son of David?
36. For David himself said by the Holy Ghost,
The Lord said to my Lord, Sit thou on my
right hand till I make thine enemies thy foot-
stool.
37. David, therefore, himself calleth him Lord;
and whence is he, then, his son ? And the common
people heard him gladly.
41. And Jesus sat over against the treasury,
and beheld how the people cast money into the
treasury ; and many that were rich cast in much.
42. And there came a certain poor widow, and
she threw in two mites, which make a farthing.
43. And he called unto him his disciples, and
saith unto them, Verily, I say unto you, That this
poor widow hath cast more in than all they which
have cast into the treasury.
44. For all they did cast in of their abundance ;
but she of her want did cast in all that she had,
even all her living.
The Ten Commandments were the briefest code ever given
to a nation ; ret they comprehended all duties, personal, social,
and relative. But our Lord compressed these still further, while
he broadened their spirit. The scribes, or lawyers, were jurists,
whose vocation it was to expound and apply the law of
Moses. As is common with the legal profession, their minds
ran much to questions of phraseology and interpretation,
and to the classification of the code. Some made the cere-
monial laws first in authority, others the moral precepts ;
some the law of sacrifices, others that of the sabbath.
This scribe was not a party to the cavils of the Pharisees and
the Herodians, but asked in good faith the opinion of this
great Teacher touching the relative importance of the com-
mandments. Jesus summed up the whole Decalogue in two
comprehensive precepts, both embodying the same spirit of
love. " The first is the Sun of the spiritual life ; the second
is the lesser light, which reflects the shining of that other. It
is like to it, inasmuch as both are laws of love ; both deduced
from the great and highest love ; both dependent on ' I am the
Lord thy God.' " This scribe needed only the inner spirit of
consecration to this law, through repentance and' faith, to intro-
duce him within that kingdom of God to whose door he had
come by his intellectual confession. Jesus now showed that
his divine supremacy was predicted by David, at the same
time declaring the inspiration of the Psalms by the Holy
Ghost. At that moment the spirit of consecration was illus-
trated by the zeal with which a poor widow contributed to
the service of God all her known means of support.
Appropriate Htmxs,]
Prayer.
[Eos. 90, 97, 104.
Create in us a clean heart, God! and renew a
right spirit within us. So purify us by thy grace
that we shall shine as lights in the world, holding
forth the Word of life. We bless thee for thy lov-
ing care, for rest and safety in the night, for the
comfort and promise of the morning. heavenly
Father ! we beseech thee to look with favor upon
this family. May each of us in our respective sta-
tions truly serve thee ! May we do unto others as
we would that they should do unto us ! May we
be true and just in all our dealings ! May we bear
no hatred nor malice in our hearts ! May we be
honest and upright in our daily conduct ! May
we keep our tongues from evil, and our lips from
speaking guil^ !
May thy Word be precious to our souls ! May it
be sweet to our taste ; yea, sweeter than honey
to our mouth ! May we love its precepts, under-
stand its doctrines, and rest upon its promises!
Give us grace, that we may be established in
the truth, and be doers of thy Word, and not
hearers only, deceiving our own selves. When-
ever we read the Holy Scriptures, be thou thy-
self our teacher. Sow the seed of eternal life in
our hearts, and enable us to bring forth fruit,
to the glory of thy name, and the comfort of our
souls.
[0 Lord ! grant unto the children of this house-
hold the teaching of thy Spirit, the guidance of
thy providence, that they may walk in the way of
wisdom and of life.]
Defend us with thy heavenly grace, that we may
continue thine forever, and daily increase in thy
Holy Spirit more and more, until we come unto
thine everlasting kingdom, through the merits of
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
270
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
THURSDAY.
Exodus xxiv. — 3. And Moses came and told
the people all the words of the Lord, and all the
judgments ; and all the people answered with one
voice, and said, All the words which the Lord hath
said will we do.
4. And Moses wrote all the words of the Lord,
and rose up early in the morning, and builded an
altar under the hill, and twelve pillars according
to the twelve tribes of Israel.
5. And he sent young men of the children of
Israel, which offered burnt-offerings, and sacrificed
peace-offerings of oxen unto the Lord.
6. And Moses took half of the blood, and put it
in basins ; and half of the blood he sprinkled on
the altar.
7. And he took the book of the covenant, and
read in the audience of the people; and they said,
All that the Lord hath said will we do, and be
obedient.
8. And Moses took the blood, and sprinkled it
on the people, and said, Behold the blood of the
covenant, which the Lord hath made with you con-
cerning all these words !
9. Then went up Moses and Aaron, Nadab and
Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel :
10. And they saw the God of Israel ; and there
was under his feet as it were a paved work of a
The government first established over Israel was a the-
ocracy. They had neither king nor president, neither court
nor senate : all castes were abolished ; they were declared to
be a community of equals and brethren, and were now to be
governed through the sense of their religious obligation to
God. But their God was invisible, and seemingly afar off ;
whereas in Egypt they had been accustomed to see everywhere
the images of the gods. It was important, therefore, that
their senses should be impressed with the reality of Jehovah's
presence while yet they were awed with the sanctity of his
majesty. Hence all the ceremonies of sacrifice and purifica-
tion in drawing nigh to God, and the barrier set up between
freedom and familiarity.
sapphire-stone, and, as it were, the body of heaven
in his clearness.
11. And upon the nobles of the children of Is-
rael he laid not his hand : also they saw God, and
did eat and drink.
12. And the Lord said unto Moses, Come up to me
into the mount, and be there : and I will give thee
tables of stone, and a law, and commandments which
I have written ; that thou mayest teach them.
13. And Moses rose up, and his minister Josh-
ua ; and Moses went up into the mount of God.
14. And he said unto the elders, Tarry ye here
for us until we come again unto you : and, behold,
Aaron and Hur are with you : if any man have
any matters to do, let him come unto them.
15. And Moses went up into the mount, and a
cloud covered the mount.
16. And the glory of the Lord abode upon Mount
Sinai, and the cloud covered it six days ; and the
seventh day he called unto Moses out of the midst
of the cloud.
17. And the sight of the glory of the Lord was
like devouring fire on the top of the mount in the
eyes of the children of Israel.
18. And Moses went into the midst of the cloud,
and gat him up into the mount ; and Moses was in
the mount forty days and forty nights.
It was important, also, that Moses should be invested with
spiritual authority as the medium of communication between
God and the people. Hence, though the head men of the
tribes, who were to act as judges, were permitted to have a
nearer view of the divine glory by ascending some of the lower
peaks of Sinai, and Joshua was permitted to go still higher
toward the Presence, Moses was taken up alone into the
cloud, and was there shut off from the people in the dread
mystery of communion with Jehovah. But even he could
not look upon the face of the Lord. No man can see
God, and live. Yet he who hath seen Christ hath seen the
Father.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 61, 72, 87.
Our Father in heaven, we would draw nigh unto
thee by that new and living way which hath been
opened for us into the holiest by the blood of Jesus.
We thank thee for the mercies of the night. How
sure are the mercies of thy covenant, Lord ! All
thy promises in Christ Jesus are Yea and Amen.
Fulfil unto us, we beseech thee, these thy mercies
and promises, and cause that this day we may re-
joice in the consciousness of thy presence. Oh !
sanctify us by thy truth ; and, while we receive
its instruction and comfort in our hearts, may we
carry out its precepts in our lives. May we be
just and true, loving and kind, gentle, forbearing,
and forgiving, and so shine as lights in the world,
holding forth the Word of life ! May every day
witness some new victory over evil desires and
passions within us, and over the evil that is in the
world ! [Oh, may these children grow in grace as
they grow in years and in knowledge ! May they
shun evil companions and evil ways, and walk in
the way of thy commandments !] Keep all dear to
us even as the apple of thine eye. Bless our neigh-
bors, and send thy Spirit upon this whole com-
munity. Bless our rulers, and the schools and
churches in our land. May all who rule, and all
who teach, be led and taught by thee ! Have pity
upon the poor and the sorrowing ; upon homes
made desolate by famine, pestilence, or war. Stay
thy judgments, O Lord ! and send peace and sal-
vation to all people. Mercifully forgive our sins ;
and finally bring us to behold thy face in righteous-
ness, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR,
271
FRIDAY.
Exodus xxxii. — 1. And, when the people saw
that Moses delayed to come down out of the mount,
the people gathered themselves together unto
Aaron, and said unto him, Up ; make us gods
which shall go before us : for as for this Moses, the
man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt,
we wot not what is become of him.
2. And Aaron said unto them, Break off the
golden ear-rings which are in the ears of your
wives, of your sons, and of your daughters, and
bring them unto me.
3. And all the people brake off the golden ear-
rings which were in their ears, and brought them
unto Aaron.
4. And he received them at their hand, and
fashioned it with a graving-tool, after he had made
it a molten calf; and they said, These he thy gods,
Israel ! which brought thee up out of the land of
Egypt.
5. And, when Aaron saw it, he built an altar be-
fore it ; and Aaron made proclamation, and said,
To-morrow is a feast to the Lord.
6. And they rose up early on the morrow, and
offered burnt-offerings, and brought peace-offerings ;
and the people sat down to eat and to drink, and
rose up to play.
7. And the Lord said unto Moses, Go, get thee
down ; for thy people, which thou broughtest
out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted them-
selves :
At first view, this gross apostasy, sc soon after the wonders
in Egypt and the terrors of Sinai, and in the very face of the
mountain from which the law forbidding idolatry had been
proclaimed, seems utterly confounding. But, though there is
no excuse for it, this much maybe said byway of accounting
for it : In Egypt, the Israelites had lost much of the life of their
faith, and had become familiar with the worship of idols. A
law of spiritual ideas had now been promulgated ; but, as yet,
no forms of worship were set up. The wonders which had so
powerfully impressed their senses had ceased. Moses, the visi-
ble organ of Jehovah, had disappeared ; and, in his prolonged
absence, time hung heavy in the camp. A chief object of wor-
8. They have turned aside quickly out of the
way which I commanded them ; they have made
them a molten calf, and have worshipped it, and
have sacrificed thereunto, and said, These be thy
gods, Israel ! which have brought thee up out of
the land of Egypt.
9. And the Lord said unto Moses, I have seen
this people; and, behold, it is a stiff-necked peo-
ple.
10. Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath
may wax hot against them, and that I may consume
them ; and I will make of thee a great nation.
11. And Moses besought the Lord his God, and
said, Lord, why doth thy wrath wax hot against
thy people, which thou hast brought forth out of
the land of Egypt with great power and with a
mighty hand ?
12. Wherefore should the Egyptians speak and
say, For mischief did he bring them out, to slay
them in the mountains, and to consume them from
the face of the earth ? Turn from tby fierce wrath,
and repent of this evil against thy people. ,
13. Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, thy
servants, to whom thou swarest by thine own self,
and saidst unto them, I will multiply your seed as
the stars of heaven ; and all this land that I have
spoken of will I give unto your seed, and they shall
inherit it forever.
14. And the Lord repented of the evil which he
thought to do unto his people.
ship in Egypt was Apis, the sacred bull, which was kept in
royal state at Memphis, and honored as a source of national
life and power. Hence, when they craved some visible repre-
sentative of the divinity, the golden calf would naturally sug-
gest itself, and their feast would take the form of such orgies
as they had witnessed in Egypt. With a self-sacrifice that
marks the sublimest heroism, Moses assumed the task of
mediation. The power and glory of Jehovah as committed to
the salvation of Israel, the effect of any failure upon his ene-
mies, and, above all, his own covenant of grace with Abraham,
— these are the arguments by which Moses pleads with the
Lord ; and his earnest, unselfish faith prevails.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 175, 178, 182.
Almighty God, our heavenly Father, we ac-
knowledge thy goodness in our creation and pres-
ervation, and in the manifold provisions of thy
love for the life that now is. Every day we live
upon thy bounty ; every night we rest under the
shadow of thy wing. What shall we render unto
the Lord for all his benefits ? For the rest and
refreshment of the past night, for the health and
comfort with which we greet another day, for the
endearments and delights of home, for means of
occupation and support, of improvement and use-
fulness, for all the favors of thy hand so multi-
plied unto us, we render thee most hearty thanks.
Freely as we receive may we also give.
Lord ! for Christ's sake have mercy upon us, and
take away our sins ; and grant that we may prove
our gratitude by a loving obedience to thy will.
May thy mercy abound toward all classes and condi-
tions of men, and thy salvation fill the whole earth !
Bless this household in each and every mem-
ber. [Especially do we commend unto thee the
children, praying that in the morning of life they
may learn to trust in Jesus as their Saviour, and to
follow him as ready and loving disciples.] Oh, may
the dove of heavenly peace ever abide in our dwell-
ing ! Bless all dear to us ; and bring us all at
length unto our Father's house through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen.
272
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
SATURDAY.
Exodus xxxii. — 15. And Moses turned, and
went down from the mount ; and the two tables of
the testimony were in his hand : the tables were
written on both their sides \ on the one side and
on the other were they written.
16. And the tables were the work of God, and
the writing was the writing of God, graven upon
the tables.
19. And it came to pass, as soon as he came nigh
unto the camp, that he saw the calf, and the dan-
cing : and Moses' anger waxed hot ; and he cast the
tables out of his hands, and brake them beneath
the mount.
20. And he took the calf which they had made,
and burnt it in the fire, and ground it to powder,
and strewed it upon the water, and made the chil-
dren of Israel drink of it.
26. Then Moses stood in the gate of the camp,
and said, Who is on the Lord's side ? let him come
unto me. And all the sons of Levi gathered them-
selves together unto him.
. 27. And he said unto them, Thussaith the Lord
God of Israel : Put every man his. sword by his
side, and go in and out from gate to> gate through-
out the camp, and slay every man his brother, and
every man his companion, and every man his
neighbor.
28. And the children of Levi did according to
the word of Moses ; and there fell of the people
that day about three thousand men.
29. For Moses had said, Consecrate yourselves
to-day to the Lord, even every man upon his son,
and upon his brother ; that he may bestow upon
you a blessing this day.
30. And it came to pass on the morrow, that
Moses said unto the people, Ye have sinned a great
sin : and now I will go up unto the Lord ; perad-
venture I shall make an atonement for your sin.
31. And Moses returned unto the Lord, and
said, Oh ! this people have sinned a great sin, and
have made them gods of gold.
32. Yet now, if thou wilt, forgive their sin ; and,
if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which
thou hast written.
33. And the Lord said unto Moses, Whosoever
hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my
book.
34. Therefore now go ;: lead the people unto the
place of which I have spoken unto thee. Behold,
mine Angel shall go before thee : nevertheless, in
the day when I visit, I will visit their sin upon
them.
35. And the Lord plagued the people because
they made the calf which Aaron made.
If ever anger was righteous, surely the anger of Moses was,
at seeing the people, naked 1 and riotous, dancing around a
golden calf as their god. They could not have fallen lower
from the religion he had taught them ; and, in thus degrading
themselves, they degraded their religion also. His was no
selfish anger ; for he was ready at that moment to sacrifice
himself for them : but his destruction of the tables of stone
seems like an act of despair. How could a people capable of
such grossness ever be lifted to the spiritual ideas of this
law 1 But just this transformation has been the task of the
Bible ever since it came into the world ; and how wondrously
has it been accomplished ! The case called for decided and
extreme measures. The false object of worship was first
degraded and destroyed, and then made to nauseate the wor-
shippers. After this, the people were summoned to a coura-
geous and decisive commitment of themselves to Jehovah.
As he was the alone Ruler of the nation, this calf-worship was
not only idolatry, but treason; and, as such, it must be promptly
and resolutely put down, and the order and discipline of na-
tional life maintained. But Moses, who could be thus stern
for justice, was so full of pity for the souls of these transgress-
ors, that he could even die to save them.
Appropriate Hymns,}
Prayer.
[Nos. 54, 73, 82.
Search us, God I and know our hearts ; try us,
and know our thoughts ; and see if there be any
wicked way in us ; and lead us in the way ever-
lasting. Have mercy upon us, O Lord ! according
to thy loving-kindness ; according to the multitude
of thy tender mercies, blot out our transgressions.
We thank thee that thou hast brought us in
safety to the beginning of this day ; defend us in
the same by thy mighty power : and grant that
this day we fall into no sin, neither run into any
kind of danger, but that all our- doings, being
ordered by thy governance, may be righteous in
thy sight.
Fit us day by day for the duties that lie before
us. We would put ourselves and all that concerns
us into thy hands, and ask thee to be our Guide and
Counsellor. In all our ways we desire to acknowl-
edge time ; and do thou direct our path. Keep us,
we beseech thee, from all evil, that we, being ready
both in body and soul, may cheerfully accomplish
those things that thou wouldst have us to do.
Fit us, Lord ! for all the events of this short
and uncertain life. If prosperity be our portion,
keep us humble and watchful in the midst of it ;
or, if sorrows and trials come upon us, give us
grace cheerfully to submit, saying, " Father, not
my will, but thy will, be done."
[Give unto the children of this family grace to
serve thee in the morning of life. Oh ! keep them
from temptation and evil, and from every false and
hurtful way.] Be very gracious to our friends :
grant to them health and prosperity in this life,
and make them meet for the life everlasting. And,
Lord ! bless and save the whole world.
We ask these blessings in the name of Jesus
Christ, our Lord and Saviour. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
273
SUNDAY MORNING.
Exodus XXxiv. — 1. And the Lord said unto
Moses, Hew thee two tables of stone like unto
the first ; and I will write upon these tables the
words that were in the first tables which thou
brakest.
2. And be ready in the morning, and come up
in the morning unto Mount Sinai, and present thy-
self there to me in the top of the mount.
4. And he hewed two tables of stone, like unto
the first ; and Moses rose up early in the morning,
and went up unto Mount Sinai, as the Lord had
commanded him, and took in his hand the two
tables of stone.
5. And the Lord descended in the cloud, and
stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of
the Lord.
6. And the Lord passed by before him, and pro-
claimed, The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and
gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness
and truth,
7. Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving in-
iquity and transgression and sin, and that will by
no means clear the guilty ; visiting the iniquity
of the fathers upon the children, and upon the
children's children, unto the third and to the fourth
generation.
8. And Moses made haste, and bowed his head
toward the earth, and worshipped.
9. And he said, If now I have found grace in
thy sight, Lord ! let my Lord, I pray thee, go
among us (for it is a stiff-necked people), and par-
don our iniquity and our sin, and take us for thine
inheritance.
28. And he was there with the Lord forty days
and forty nights : he did neither eat bread nor
drink water. And he wrote upon the tables the
words of the covenant, the ten commandments.
29. And it came to pass, when Moses came
down from Mount Sinai (with the two tables of
testimony in Moses' hand, when he came down
from the mount), that Moses wist not that the
skin of his face shone while he talked with him.
30. And, when Aaron and all the children of
Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face
shone ; and they were afraid to come nigh him.
31. And Moses called unto them, and Aaron
and all the rulers of the congregation returned
unto him ; and Moses talked with them.
32. And afterward all the children of Israel
came nigh ; and he gave them in commandment
all that the Lord had spoken with him in Mount
Sinai.
33. And, till Moses had done speaking with
them, he put a veil on his face.
34. But, when Moses went in before the Lord to
speak with him, he took the veil off until he came
out. And he came out and spake unto the chil-
dren of Israel that which he was commanded.
35. And the children of Israel saw the face of
Moses, that the skin of Moses' face shone ; and
Moses put the veil upon his face again until he
went in to speak with him.
If there was something awful in the zeal of Moses for God
in breaking the tables of stone, yet more sublime was the con-
descension of God in renewing them. But while Jehovah
thus manifested his mercy and patience, and declared these to
be as enduring as his eternal self-existence, he at the same
time proclaimed that great law of retribution which we trace
not only in his moral kingdom, but in the kingdom of na-
ture. Whenever and however we sin, we fall under that law ;
and our only hope is, through hearty repentance, in getting
back to God as our merciful and forgiving Father.
The effect of the divine glory was to make the face of
Moses resplendent, — at the first, unconsciously to himself.
Nearness of communion with God will exalt and glorify the
character; and there is nothing to hinder our receiving the
full effulgence of such communion, since for us the veil is
done away in Christ.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 107, 110, 148.
Almighty God, who in times past didst speak
unto the fathers by the prophets, we bless thee
that in these latter days thou hast spoken unto us
by thy Son ; that the glory which the patriarchs
beheld afar off, and the promise which the prophets
waited for, have been revealed in Christ ; and, above
all, that we have in him the forgiveness of sins
and the life everlasting. Grant us grace, we be-
seech thee, ever to walk in thy light, and to keep
thy testimonies. May thy gospel this day min-
ister to our peace and comfort, our faith and hope,
our instruction in righteousness, our sanctification
through obedience of the truth ! May it quicken
souls that are dead in trespasses and sins, and
comfort and edify thy saints ! May children hear
the voice of Jesus their Saviour, and come unto
him ! "While in thy house, may we have the
spirit of prayer and praise, and give earnest heed
to the things that we shall hear ! thou God of
peace, who didst bring again the Lord Jesus from
the dead ! grant us peace, we pray thee, through
pardon in his blood and the hope of his resur-
rection. May none of us neglect this great salva-
tion !
We give thee thanks, Lord our preserver ! for
rest and refreshment in the night : grant us, this
day, rest from the toils and cares of life, — rest in
thee. Fulfil unto this household, and to all believ-
ing households, the mercies of thy covenant, through
Jesus Christ our Lord; to whom, with thee,
Father ! and the Eternal Spirit, be glory ever-
lasting. Amen.
274
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
SUNDAY EVENING.
2 Corinthians iii. — 1. Do we begin again to
commend ourselves? or need we, as some others,
epistles of commendation to you, or letters of com-
mendation from you ?
2. Ye are our epistle written in our hearts,
known and read of all men :
3. Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to
be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written
not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living
God ; not in tables of stone, but in fleshly tables
of the heart.
4. And such trust have we through Christ to
Godward :
5. Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to
think any thing as of ourselves ; but our sufficiency
is of God ;
6. Who also hath made us able ministers of the
new testament ; not of the letter, but of the
spirit : for the letter killeth ; but the spirit giveth
life.
7. But if the ministration of death, written
and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the
children of Israel could not steadfastly behold the
face of Moses for the glory of his countenance
(which glory was to be done away),
8. How shall not the ministration of the Spirit
be rather glorious ?
9. For if the ministration of condemnation be
glory, much more doth the ministration of right-
eousness exceed in glory.
10. For even that which was made glorious had
no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory
that excelleth.
11. For if that which is done away was glori-
ous, much more that which remaineth is glorious.
12. Seeing, then, that we have such hope, we
use great plainness of speech :
13. And not as Moses, which put a veil over his
face, that the children of Israel could not stead-
fastly look to the end of that which is abolished:
14. But their minds were blinded : for until this
day remaineth the same veil untaken away in the
reading of the old testament ; which veil is done
away in Christ.
15. But even unto this day, when Moses is read,
the veil is upon their heart.
16. Nevertheless, when it shall turn to the Lord,
the veil shall be taken away.
17. Now, the Lord is that Spirit ; and where
the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
18. But we all, with open face beholding as in
a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into
the same image from glory to glory, even as by
the Spirit of the Lord.
If the tables upon which the Ten Commandments were
written at Sinai should be found in as perfect condition
as was the Moabite stone, all the governments and church-
es of Christendom would contest the possession of them.
Everybody would be eager to look upon them, and to possess
a "squeeze "or a photograph of the original letters of the
law. Yet a heart upon which the Spirit of God has in-
scribed penitence, faith, hope, love, joy, is a more precious
treasure than would be those tables of stone. They contained
but the rigid letter of God's law ; and, since no human being
has fulfilled that letter, the law has come to be a symbol of
condemnation and death. But the heart that has been
touched by the Spirit of God is made instinct with a new
life.
The whole ministration of the law at Sinai, grand and
glorious as that was in visible tokens of Jehovah's presence,
was, in nature and purpose, transitory, like the glory with
which the face of Moses shone, — too bright at first to be
looked upon, but soon to vanish away. But the Spirit of the
Lord now dwells in his Word ; and the glory which we
there behold as in a mirror, so far from repelling us, has an
attractive, a transforming power. So much more glorious is
the grace wrought upon the soul than the miracle wrought
upon nature, the spiritual life than the material form !
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 83, 179, 181.
God, whose mercy is from everlasting to ever-
lasting ! we bless thee for thy loving-kindness to
us in the abounding gifts of thy providence and
grace ; but, above all, for the gift of thy Son, our
Mediator, who standeth between us and thy judg-
ments as the bow that is in the cloud in the day
of rain. May he be our righteousness and our
peace ! and may we be found in him in the great
day of his appearing ! We bless thee for all the
tokens of promise given us in thy past mercies ;
for the hope of immortality, the joy unspeakable
and full of glory brought to us in thy gospel and in
the worship of thy house this day.
And now, at the end of the Lord's day, we
would thank thee for its hours of rest, and for
its means of grace. Hasten that blessed time
when the knowledge of thy glory shall cover the
earth as the waters cover the sea. And, to that
end, prosper thou the missionary work of thy
Church. Turn towards thyself the hearts of the
heathen and the unbelieving. Pour out more
and more upon thy people the spirit of grace and
supplication, the spirit of zeal and self-devotion,
the spirit of holy fear and Christian love.
To thee, heavenly Father, we commend ourselves
this night. thou Good Shepherd! watch over
us, the sheep of thy pasture. Holy Ghost, the
Comforter ! guide and hallow our thoughts.
Thou in whom all families are blessed, bless thou
our kindred and friends. May all who are united
to us be with us united to thee ; be with us pre-
sented by thee in the presence of thy Father with
exceeding joy ! And to the Father, the Son, and
the Holy Ghost, be glory everlasting. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
275
MONDAY.
Matthew xvi. — 1. The Pharisees also with
the Sadducees came, and, tempting, desired him
that he would show them a sign from heaven.
2. He answered and said unto them, When it is
evening, ye say, It loill be fair weather; for the
sky is red :
3. And in the morning, It will be foul weather
to-day; for the sky is red and lowering. O ye
hypocrites ! ye can discern the face of the sky ; hut
can ye not discern the signs of the times ?
4. A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh
after a sign ; and there shall no sign be given unto
it but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he
left them, and departed.
5. And, when his disciples were come to the
other side, they had forgotten to take bread.
6. Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and
beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the
Sadducees.
7. And they reasoned among themselves, saying,
It is because we have taken no bread.
8. Which when Jesus perceived, he said unto
them, ye of little faith! why reason ye
among yourselves because ye have brought no
bread ?
9. Do ye not yet understand, neither remember
the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many
baskets ye took up ?
10. Neither the seven loaves of the four thou-
sand, and how many baskets ye took up ?
11. How is it that ye do not understand that I
spake it not to you concerning bread, that ye should
beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the
Sadducees ?
12. Then understood they how that he bade
them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of
the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Saddu-
cees.
It required the whole term of our Lord's public ministry
to educate his disciples to a just appreciation of his character
and to a true faith in himself. That no amount of miraculous
evidence could satisfy the Pharisees, filled as they were with
prejudice, pride, and the spirit of unbelief, is not surprising;
but that his own disciples should mentally, if not orally,
demand new tokens of his power in the supply of their physi-
cal wants, is both strange and humiliating. It was easy for
Jesus to create bread for the body ; but how hard, alas ! to
bring their minds to feed upon his truth, their hearts to rest
in his love ! They might make an ado over miracles, and lay
much stress upon the supernatural, and yet be oblivious of
the spiritual signs of his grace, and void of faith in himself.
So the Pharisees were fond of making predictions from the
outward signs of nature, but altogether negligent of the
evidences of God's presence in the spiritual sphere. Their
teaching and spirit turned religion into hypocrisy ; and this is
a form of corruption which spreads rapidly in times of spirit-
ual declension, when the forms of religion may continue to
give respectability and influence, and a repute for piety,
though the spirit of godliness is utterly wanting in the life.
No religion can live in the soul which is not fed by communion
with God.
Religious error commonly wears the semblance of truth ;
often begins in the distortion or perversion of some particular
truth to the neglect of other truths in their systematic and
harmonious relations to the body of doctrine. Error in reli-
gious faith or practice is likened to leaven, because, being
within the system, its tendency is to spread, to infect whatever
it touches, and to cause fermentation. The Church of Christ,
if she would preserve Christianity in its purity, has need con-
tinually to be on the lookout for signs of the two kinds of
leaven indicated by our Lord, — the Pharisaic leaven of
formalism, the Sadducean leaven of rationalism.
Appropriate Htmns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 61, 120.
Thou only, Lord ! makest us to dwell in safety.
We lie down at night under the shadow of thy
wings ; we awake in the morning to the light of
thy love. We thank thee for another night of rest
and comfort ; for another day of life, health, and
hope. We praise thee that thou didst create us
with powers of knowing and of loving, and hast
made this world so full of wonders and beauties to
feed our minds with knowledge, and to stir our
hearts with love and joy. May the glory of the
heavens, the richness and bounty of the earth, as
adapted to our wants, fill us with admiration of thy
power, thy wisdom, thy goodness ! and may the
voices of gladness with which all Nature celebrates
thy praise move our souls to bless and praise thee
also ! Lord ! may we be found faithful to thee
in the duties of this day ! and, amid its temptations
and its trials, do thou sustain us, comfort us, keep
us, and grant us grace in all we do to seek thy
glory. May this household, which thou hast so
blessed, serve thee, not at this altar only, but in all
the walks of life ! As we engage in the business of
the world, as we go into society, wherever we are,
and whatever we do, may we remember thee, and
do thy will ! Oh ! grant that every member of this
family may be a child of God ; a humble, faithful
follower of the Lord Jesus Christ. Bless all dear
to us who are absent from us. Do thou, Lord !
dwell by thy Spirit in the hearts and the minds
of all our friends. We supplicate thy mercy
for the needy, the afflicted, the bereaved, and the
sorrowing. Oh ! grant to all the consolations of
thy gospel.
Build up thy Church, Lord ! Fill our land
with pure religion. Bless the industry of the peo-
ple; and may its fruit be consecrated to the good
of men ! May our rulers be faithful and just, walk-
ing in thy fear ! And we beseech thee to bring all
lands under the power and glory of thy kingdom.
In thy great mercy, Lord ! forgive our sins, and
bring us unto thy heavenly kingdom, through Jesus
Christ our Saviour. Amen.
276
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
TUESDAY.
Matthew xvi. — 13. When Jesus came into
the coasts of Cesarea Philippi, he asked his disci-
ples, saying, Whom do men say that I, the Son of
man, am ?
14. And they said, Some say that thou art
John the Baptist ; some, Elias ; and others, Jere-
mias, or one of the prophets.
15. He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I
am?
16. And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou
art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
17. And Jesus answered and said unto him,
Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona ; for flesh and
blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Fa-
ther which is in heaven.
18. And I say also unto thee, That thou art
Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church ;
and the gates of hell shall not prevail against
it.
19. And I will give unto thee the keys of tht
kingdom of heaven ; and whatsoever tliou shalt
bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and
whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be
loosed in heaven.
20. Then charged he his disciples that they
should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.
This revelation of Jesus as the Son of God took place nei-
ther at Jerusalem, where the King of the Jews was looked for,
nor at Capernaum, where he had done his mightiest works ;
but in a distant and lonely region, the northernmost boundary
of the Holy Land, the northernmost point of our Lord's jour-
neyings, near the sources of the Jordan, under the base of
Mount Hermon. The locality is interesting in connection with
the scene of the transfiguration, which almost directly followed.
The prediction of Malachi, " Behold, I will send you Elijah
the prophet," had awakened the expectation of the return of
one of the great prophetic leaders, or the appearing of a pro-
phet who should recall Moses, Elijah, or Jeremiah. John the
Baptist was taken at first for " that prophet."
Our Lord did not at once proclaim his divinity, even to his
nearest disciples. Since, in the nature of the case, all who in
after-times should confess his name must accept his mission in
faith, and receive his grace by faith, he chose at the outset to
develop the spirit of faith by manifesting his divinity, rather
than declaring it ; by evoking from men the confession of the
divinity in his works, rather than exacting that confession in a
form of words. But the time was now ripe for such a confes-
sion from those who for nearly three years had witnessed his
works of power and love, and listened to his words of truth
and grace ; and it was important that the feeling of his divin-
ity, which had grown up with these experiences, should be
brought out in a concrete form. The title, " Son of God," was
sometimes given to kings, prophets, and other chosen servants
of Jehovah; but the answer of Peter pointed to a personal
vital union with God himself, " the Son of the living God."
Jesus not only accepted this confession of his divinity, but de-
clared that it was an express revelation from his Father. The
name Peter, meaning " a rock," is masculine ; but the term
" rock," in verse 18, is feminine, and refers, not to Peter per-
sonally, but to his confession. Upon this confession, as upon
a rock, the true Church of Christ is built, and shall forever
stand.
Peter, both by force of temperament and by the leadings
of Providence, was the first to proclaim this foundation-doc-
trine of the church to the Jews at the Pentecost, and after-
wards to the Gentiles, through Cornelius, — thus opening to
each the door of the kingdom ; and, on the other hand, in the
case of Ananias and Sapphira, and of Simon Magus, his de-
nunciation of hypocrisy was a shutting of the door against
all but true believers. But this was simply as a minister of
the truth of Christ, and not by any official prerogative or pri-
macy. Precisely the same promise was made to all the disci-
ples : and Peter never claimed to be the rock, nor to have the
keys ; but, when he preached before the Sanhedrim, he dis-
claimed any power or honor in the healing of the lame man,
ascribing all to Jesus Christ : " This is the stone which was
set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of
the corner; neither is there salvation in any other." Who-
ever confesses Christ, by that act enters into the Church,
which is his kingdom.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 99, 137, 143.
Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foun-
dations of the earth ; and the heavens are the
works of thine hands. They shall perish ; but thou
remainest : and they shall wax old as doth a gar-
ment ; and as a vesture shalt thou fold them up,
and they shall be changed ; but thou art the same,
and thy years shall not fail. In thee, Lord ! do
we put our trust : let us never be confounded.
With our affections on things above, may we be
ever looking for that blessed hope, even the glo-
rious appearing of the great God, our Saviour Jesus
Christ, like waiting and expectant servants, seek-
ing to occupy till our Lord comes ! Keep us from
inactivity and sloth. Let our loins be girded, and
our lamps burning. Let us be growing in faith
and love, in charity and meekness, in diligence
and faithfulness, rejoicing in hope of the glory of
God.
Father, glorify thy name. Darkness is still cov-
ering the lands, and gross darkness the people ;
but may the Lord arise, and his glory be seen on
the earth ! May the time to favor Zion, yea, the
set time, speedily come ! Revive thy work in the
midst of the years ; in the midst of wrath do
thou remember mercy.
We bring to thee our personal and family wants,
praying thee to guide, help, and bless us. [Give
unto these children, Lord ! grace to serve thee
in the morning of life, and in their thoughts and
words, their studies and their play, always to please
their Father in heaven.] Remember with thy
mercy all our friends; visit with thy grace the
homes of all who are dear to us. We come with
thanksgiving for the mercies of the night and of
our past lives; and for our future, trusting only
in thy grace, we would commit our souls unto
thee as to our faithful Creator. To whom be
glory and dominion forever. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
277
WEDNESDAY.
Proverbs xvi. — 16. How much better is it to
get wisdom than gold ! and to get understanding
rather to be chosen than silver !
17. The highway of the upright is to depart
from evil : he that keepeth his way preserveth his
soul.
18. Pride goeth before destruction, and a haugh-
ty spirit before a fall.
19. Better it is to be of a humble spirit with
the lowly than to divide the spoil with the proud.
20. He that handleth a matter wisely shall find
good ; and whoso trusteth an the Lord, happy is he.
21. The wise in heart shall be called prudent ;
and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.
22. Understanding is a well-spring of life unto
him that hath it ; but the instruction of fools is folly.
25. There is a way that seemeth right unto a
man ; but the end thereof are the ways of death.
Matthew xvi. — 21. From that time forth be-
gan Jesus to show unto his disciples how that he
must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things
of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be
killed, and be raised again the third day.
22. Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke
him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord : this shall
not be unto thee.
23. But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get
thee behind me, Satan ; thou art an offence unto
me : for thou savorest not the things that be of
God, but those that be of men.
24. Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any
man will come after me, let him deny himself, and
take up his cross, and follow me.
25. For whosoever will save his life shall lose
it; and whosoever will lose his life for my sake
shall find it.
26. For what is a man profited if he shall gain
the whole world, and lose his own soul ? or what
shall a man give in exchange for his soul ?
27. For the Son of man shall come in the glory
of his Father, with his angels; and then he shall
reward every man according to his works.
How little warrant there is in the preceding verses for as-
cribing to Peter a spiritual primacy is evident from the fact,
that he who just before was promised the keys of the kingdom
of heaven is here likened to Satan, and rebuked as himself
lacking the spirit of heavenly things ! Peter, elated with his
own spiritual insight and the blessing pronounced upon him-
self and his confession, with the impetuosity of his nature at-
tempted to take his Lord to account for apparently contradict-
ing that confession by announcing his sufferings and death.
But Jesus thus linked his humanity to his divinity, his work
of redemption upon earth to his glory as the Son of God.
The kingdom of heaven would be opened through his sacrifice
upon the cross, and ever after through the preaching of Christ
crucified. The confession of Christ, the Son of God, must
be coupled with the confession of Jesus, the suffering In-
appropriate Hymns,]
deemer. Hence his disciples must follow him in the spirit
of self-renunciation, — each for himself taking up his cross.
The true life consists in spiritual union with Christ, in
the culture of the soul in holiness, and in the realization
of fellowship with God. This is the only blessedness. Such
wisdom is better than gold ; such understanding is a well-
spring of life. He who seeks his happiness in this world and
its belongings will miss this inner life of the spirit, which
is the life eternal ; and when he quits the world, and the
world itself passes away, all that lie had gained of earth will
avail nothing for the peace and salvation of the soul. The
crucified Son of man shall one day manifest himself as the Son
of God in the glory of his Father. They who would then be
owned as in his kingdom must here confess and serve, with
humility and sacrifice, their crucified Lord.
Prayer.
Our Father in heaven, we come to thee with
wants which thou knowest far better than we, and
for blessings which thou art more ready to give
than we to ask. But thou hast bidden us to pray ;
and we love to come, saying, Our Father. Oh,
may we have the spirit of little children, and show
our love and gratitude in lives of devotion ! Thou
hast kept us in the watches of the night from every
trouble, sorrow, and alarm ; and now we bless
thee for the day, for life and health, for food and
raiment, for home and friends, for means of edu-
cation and of enjoyment, for means of occupation
and of support, for means of improvement in the
knowledge of thyself from thy works and thy
Word, and for opportunities of doing good to
others. Oh ! grant us grace that we may use to
thy glory the lives which thou didst give, and
which thy mercy doth continually spare.
We acknowledge, Lord! our un worthiness
and our sinfulness, and beseech thee to pardon our
transgressions and heal our infirmities. Help us
[Nos. 73, 89, 95.
this day to live aright. In the business of life
may we be diligent, faithful, and true ! and do thou,
Lord, prosper the labor of our hands. In our in-
tercourse with others, may we manifest the gentle-
ness, the sincerity, the charity, of the gospel of
Christ ! May we be patient under trials, meek
under injuries, firm against temptation, bold for
the truth, zealous for thy cause ! May we be kind
to the poor, helpful to the suffering, gentle toward
all men ! [Give unto these children, O Lord !
grace to serve thee in the morning of life, and in
their thoughts and words, their studies and their
play, always to please their Father in heaven.]
Remember with thy mercy all our friends ; visit
with thy grace the homes of all who are dear to
us. Build up, Lord ! thy Church ; prosper thy
kingdom in our land, and throughout the world.
Ever guide, keep, and bless us. Bring us to the
close of the day in peace, and to the close of life
in a hope full of immortality, through Jesus
Christ. Amen.
278
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
THURSDAY.
Ecclesiastes viii. — 2. I counsel thee to keep
the king's commandment, and that in regard of
the oath of God.
3. Be not hasty to go out of his sight : stand
not in an evil thing; for he doeth whatsoever
pleaseth him.
4. Where the word of a king is, there is power;
and who may say unto him, What doest thou ?
5. Whoso keepeth the commandment shall feel
no evil thing ; and a wise man's heart discerneth
both time and judgment.
Romans xiii. — 1. Let every soul be subject
unto the higher powers. For there is no power
but of God : the powers that be are ordained of God.
2. Whosoever, therefore, resisteth the power, re-
sisteth the ordinance of God ; and they that resist
shall receive to themselves damnation.
3. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but
to the evil. Wilt thou, then, not be afraid of the
power ? Do that which is good, and thou shalt have
praise of the same :
4. For he is the minister of God to thee for
good. But, if thou do that which is evil, be afraid ;
for he beareth not the sword in vain : for he is the
minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon
him that doeth evil.
5. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only
for wrath, but also for conscience' sake.
6. For for this cause pay ye tribute also; for
they are God's ministers, attending continually
upon this very tiling.
7. Render therefore, to all, their dues : tribute to
whom tribute is due ; custom to whom custom ;
fear to whom fear ; honor to whom honor.
8. Owe no man any thing, but to love one anoth-
er ; for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
9. For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery;
Thou shalt not kill ; Thou shalt not steal ; Thou
shalt not bear false witness ; Thou shalt not covet :
and, if there be any other commandment, it is
briefly comprehended in this saying ; namely,
Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.
10. Love worketh no ill to his neighbor : there-
fore love is the fulfilling of the law.
11. And that, knowing the time, that now it is
high time to awake out of sleep ; for now is our
salvation nearer than when we believed.
12. The night is-far spent ; the day is at hand :
let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and
let us put on the armor of light.
13. Let us walk honestly, as in the day ; not in
rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and
wantonness, not in strife and envying :
14. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and
make not provision for the flesh to fulfil the lusts
tltereof.
The early Christians were charged with hostility to the
civil government. Even Christ was arraigned before Pilate
for perverting the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to
Csesar ; and Paul was often accused of stirring up sedition.
But Christianity, in its principles and spirit, tends to reform
abuses in government, to abolish privileged classes, and to
further the rights of the people. It does not violently assail
the existing order of things, nor propose revolution as the
standing remedy for civil oppression : on the contrary, it
teaches that government, as t/orernment, without respect to
its form, exists by the appointment of God, for the well-being
of society, the safeguard against anarchy and chaos. Hence,
as a rule, and so far as this can be done without violating
conscience, the Christian is to set an example of obedience to
Appropriate Hymns,]
I law, even though the law seem unjust and oppressive. He is
! to uphold the laws, not through fear of penalties, but as a
matter of conscience. This instruction Paul gave to the
Romans who were then living under the tyrant Nero. Chris-
tianity inculcates respect for office, and for the proprieties of
condition : in the private relations of life it enjoins honesty,
honor, courtesy, good-will, fidelity, and all the social virtues,
to be practised, not through constraint of law, but in the spirit
of love, which is the fulfilling of all law. Better far than
socialistic theories and experiments in communism is the
spread of the gospel for lithe realization of that practical
equality, through the spirit of justice, of order, of mutual
good-will, of peaceful co-operation, which is the true broth-
erhood of humanity.
Prayer
Blessed be God, the Father of all mercies, for
the daily comforts of his providence and grace.
Thy mercies, Lord ! are new every morning.
Grant us grace daily to live unto thee, to do thy
holy will, and to glorify thee in our bodies and
spirits, which are thine. Suffer not the cares of life
to distract our minds from thee ; but may we seek
first the kingdom of God and his righteousness !
Give us, this day, our daily bread ; and feed our
souls with that living bread which came down from
heaven. May Christ be in us the hope of glory,
and the power of an endless life ! Lord, the
Maker and Ruler of all ! we bless thee for all thy
marvellous works and for thy ways unto the chil-
dren of men. Thou givest us rain from heaven,
[Nos. 70, 129, 165.
and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food
and gladness. Bless the earth, we pray thee, with
abundant harvests, that there may be seed for the
sower, and bread for the eater. And, most mer-
ciful Father ! do thou visit our land with plenteous
showers of grace, making thy Word fruitful, reviv-
ing thy Church, and causing righteousness to flour-
ish and abound. Rule in the hearts of our rulers,
and turn the people unto the things of thy king-
dom. We commend unto thee all dear to us. We
commit our souls unto thee for this day ; beseech-
ing thee for Christ's sake to forgive our sins, to
keep us unspotted from the world, and pure in thy
sight. And to the Father, the Son, and the Holy
Ghost, be glory forever. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
279
FRIDAY.
Psalm CXXXvii. — 1. By the rivers of Baby-
lon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we
remembered Zion.
2. We hanged our harps upon the willows in
the midst thereof.
3. For there they that carried us away captive
required of us a song ; and they that wasted us
required of us mirth, saying, Sing us one of the
songs of Zion.
4. How shall we sing the Lord's song in a
strange land ?
5. If I forget thee, Jerusalem ! let my right
hand forget her cunning.
6. If I do not remember thee, let my tongue
cleave to the roof of my mouth ; if I prefer not
Jerusalem above my chief joy.
7. Remember, Lord ! the children of Edom in
the day of Jerusalem ; who said, Raze it, raze it,
even to the foundation thereof.
8. daughter of Babylon, who art to be de-
stroyed! happy shall he be that rewardeth thee
as thou hast served us.
9. Happy shall he be that taketh and dasheth
thy little ones against the stones.
Jeremiah I. — 29. Call together the archers
against Babylon : all ye that bend the bow, camp
against it round about ; let none thereof escape :
recompense her according to her work ; according
to all that she hath done, do unto her : for she
hath been proud against the Lord, against the
Holy One of Israel.
30. Therefore shall her young men fall in the
streets, and all her men of war shall be cut off in
that day, saith the Lord.
31. Behold, I am against thee, thou most
proud ! saith the Lord God of hosts ; for thy day
is come, the time that I will visit thee.
32. And the most proud shall stumble and fall, and
none shall raise him up ; and I will kindle a fire in
his cities, and it shall devour all round about him.
33. Thus saith the Lord of hosts : The children
of Israel and the children of Judah ivere oppressed
together: and all that took them captives held
them fast ; they refused to let them go.
34. Their Redeemer is strong ; the Lord of
hosts is his name : he shall thoroughly plead their
cause, that he may give rest to the land, and dis-
quiet the inhabitants of Babylon.
The Jews were punished for their apostasy by being carried
as captives to Babylon, their city and temple being destroyed
by fire. A captivity of seventy years cured them of their
propensity to idolatry, and caused them to long for the land
and the worship of their fathers. Babylon, in turn, was over-
thrown for her pride, her idolatry, her luxury, and her cruelty.
These last two verses of the psalm shock our Christian sensi-
bilities : yet, when interpreted according to the customs of
ancient warfare, they simply express the desire of victory ; for,
" according to the barbarous usage of those days, the slaughter
of infants belonged to the practice of war, when a fortress
had been carried by storm. At a much later period, we find
that the barbarity of the Greeks was so great, that, during an
insurrection, the mob had the children of the rich trampled to
death by oxen ; and, when the aristocracy had regained their
power, they ordered their enemies, along with their wives and
children, to be cast into the flames." Such imprecations in
the Psalms should not be judged by that more merciful feel-
ing which Christianity has infused into the code of war;
neither should they be taken for the mere cry of personal or
national revenge. The Jews had so far identified their capi-
tal and kingdom with the kingdom of God upon earth, that
an assault upon these was the double crime of sacrilege and
rebellion against Jehovah ; and hence their patriotism was
intensified by their religious faith. This comes out very
beautifully and tenderly in the preceding verses of the psalm.
The Jews were then in a land of great beauty and fertility ;
and, though they were captives, the way to wealth and prefer-
ment was open before them, if they should choose to adopt
the country and its customs. But they clung to the memory
of their beloved Zion. Though Jerusalem had been burned,
and its walls razed to their foundations, it was yet to them
the most precious spot of earth. No beauty of scenery, no
diversion of society, no bribe of pleasure, could cause them to
forget the sorrows of the Lord's house. So should we set
the kingdom of God above all our joys, and account whatever
evil befalls that kingdom a personal sorrow and disaster.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Xos. 12, 28, 32.
Our Father in heaven, we bless thee for the gos- j
pel of peace. Oh ! hasten the time when war and
violence, oppression and cruelty, shall come to an
utter end.
Hear us while we plead with thee for the spread
of thy gospel throughout the world. More especially
do we entreat thee for thine ancient Israel, whom
thou hast for so many ages preserved a separate
people, witnessing among all nations to the truth
of thy Word. We thank thee that in these latter
days they arc so far exempt from the violence and
persecutions of other times ; and pray, that, through
their experience both of the goodness and the
severity of God, they may be brought to a saving
knowledge of thy grace in Christ. Almighty
God, the Governor and Disposer of the world,
grant that, in the history of its kingdoms and
peoples, we may ever see thee preparing the way
of thy Christ, and putting all things under his
feet ; and grant that we, looking for the kingdoms
of this world to become the kingdom of the Lord
and of his Christ, may be found faithful at his
appearing.
Lord our Preserver ! we humbly thank thee
I for thy merciful protection during the past night ;
and we commit ourselves and all dear to us unto
! thy gracious guidance this day, through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
SATURDAY.
Psalm XXXvii. — 1. Fret not thyself because of
evil-doers, neither be thou envious against the
workers of iniquity.
2. For they shall soon be cut down like the
grass, and wither as the green herb.
3. Trust in the Lord, and do good : so shalt
thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.
4. Delight thyself also in the Lord ; and he
shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
5. Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also
in him ; and he shall bring it to pass.
6. And he shall bring forth thy righteousness
as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.
7. Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him :
fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in
his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked
devices to pass.
8. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath : fret
not thyself in any wise to do evil.
9. For evil-doers shall be cut off; but those
that wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the
earth.
10. For yet a little while, and the wicked shall
not be; yea, thou shalt diligently consider his
place, and it shall not be.
11. But the meek shall inherit the earth, and
shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.
23. The steps of a good man are ordered by the
Lord ; and he delighteth in his way.
24. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast
down ; for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand.
Romans xii. — 14. Bless them which persecute
you ; bless, and curse not.
15. Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep
with them that weep.
16. Be of the same mind one toward another.
Mind not high things ; but condescend to men of
low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.
17. Recompense to no man evil for evil. Pro-
vide things honest in the sight of all men.
18. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you,
live peaceably with all men.
19. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but
rather give place unto wrath : for it is written,
Vengeance is mine ; I will repay, saith the Lord.
20. Therefore, if thine enemy hunger, feed him ;
if he thirst, give him drink : for in so doing thou
shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
21. Be not overcome of evil ; but overcome evil
with good.
The " wrath " here spoken of (verse 19) is the divine retri-
bution which in the end awaits all evil-doers ; and we are ex-
horted to that sublime and patient trust in the Lord which
leaves in his hands our interests to be cared for, our rights to
be maintained, our wrongs to be redressed, our character to
be vindicated, our cause to be established, our salvation to be
secured. This is, perhaps, the severest test of Christian love
and faith. It is an impulse of human nature to resent an in-
jury, — to wish that the wrong-doer might be " come up
with," and made to suffer in turn ; but the gospel teaches
us to repress all malice and revenge, to bless our enemies, —
" bless, and curse not," — and to return good for evil. And,
even where a great injustice has been done us, retribution is
too dangerous a weapon to be intrusted to human hands, to
the mistakes of human judgment and the infirmities of hu-
man passion. Therefore, while we tone down our personal
feelings, so that we shall be willing to do a kindness to an
enemy, we should tone up our faith, so as to be willing to
leave to God the vindication of our name and cause. Hush-
ing ail earthly passions, we should stand aside, and make way
for his righteous judgment. Such faith as this will keep us
calm under provocation and injury; such love as this will
make us like Christ.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 45, 48, 82.
Thou holy and blessed Son of God, who for our
sakes didst endure such contradiction of sinners
against thyself, grant us, we pray thee, the spirit of
meekness and patience under injury, and of for-
giveness toward all who do us wrong. How often
have we grieved and offended thee ! Have mercy
upon us, we beseech thee, and teach us to be mer-
ciful unto all men. May we be followers of thee,
doing good as we find opportunity !
Heavenly Father, we bless thee for thy loving-
kindness toward us, so free, so constant, so abound-
ing. We would show forth thy loving-kindness
in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night.
Oh ! grant, that, walking in love, we may be the
children of our Father in heaven.
[May the children of this family set thy love be-
fore them as their chief portion in life, and make
thy Word their guide ! May they always speak the
truth, and grow up free from guile ! May they hear
the voice of Jesus, and follow him !] Be gracious,
Lord ! to all our kindred. Visit thy Church
with thy salvation. Inspire thy people with a
readiness to testify of thy love, and to invite others
to thy grace. May we behold even greater fruits
of thy coming than were seen by thine own apos-
tles ! Open thou the windows of heaven, and
cause thy glory to shine forth, that all the ends
of the earth shall acknowledge thee.
God, whose blessed Son was manifested that
he might destroy the works of the Devil ! grant
us, we beseech thee, that, having this hope, we
may purify ourselves even as he is pure ; that,
when he shall appear again with power and
great glory, we may be made like unto him in
his eternal and glorious kingdom, where, with
thee, Father! and thee, Holy Ghost! he
liveth and reigneth, ever one God, world without
end. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
281
SUNDAY MORNING.
Leviticus viii. — 1. And the Lord spake unto
Moses, saying,
2. Take Aaron and his sons with him, and the
garments, and the anointing oil, and a bullock for
the sin-offering, and two rams, and a basket of un-
leavened bread ;
3. And gather thou all the congregation to-
gether unto the door of the tabernacle of the con-
gregation.
4. And Moses did as the Lord commanded him ;
and the assembly was gathered together unto the
door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
5. And Moses said unto the congregation, This
is the thing which the Lord commanded to be
done.
6. And Moses brought Aaron and his sons, and
washed them with water.
7. And he put upon him the coat, and girded
him with the girdle, and clothed him with the
robe, and put the ephod upon him ; and he girded
him with the curious girdle of the ephod, and
bound it unto him therewith.
8. And he put the breast-plate upon him ; also
he put in the breast-plate the Urim and the
Thummim.
9. And he put the mitre upon his head ; also
upon the mitre, even upon his fore-front, did he
put the golden plate, the holy crown ; as the Lord
commanded Moses.
10. And Moses took the anointing oil, and
anointed the tabernacle and all that was therein,
and sanctified them.
11. And he sprinkled thereof upon the altar
seven times, and anointed the altar and all his
vessels, both the laver and his foot, to sanctify
them.
12. And he poured of the anointing oil upon
Aaron's head, and anointed him, to sanctify him.
13. And Moses brought Aaron's sons, and put
coats upon them, and girded them with girdles,
and put bonnets upon them ; as the Lord com-
manded Moses.
14. And he brought the bullock for the sin-offer-
ing ; and Aaron and his sons laid their hands upon
the head of the bullock for the sin-offering.
15. And he slew it; and Moses took the blood,
and put it upon the horns of the altar round about
with his finger, and purified the altar, and poured
the blood at the bottom of the altar, and sanctified
it, to make reconciliation upon it.
To provide for the worship of God in the wilderness, Moses
had built a tabernacle according to the pattern shown him in
the mount. This consisted first of a court a hundred cubits long
and fifty broad, surrounded with curtains, but not covered. In
the fore part of this court stood the altar for burnt-offerings,
and the laver for the priests. Back of these was the sanctuary,
twenty cubits long and ten feet high, curtained off, and con-
taining the altar of incense, the table for show-bread, and the
sacred candlesticks. Back of this, again, was the holy of
holies, ten cubits square, enclosed upon all sides, and covered.
Within this were the ark of the covenant, the mercy-seat,
and the cherubims, — the symbols of the worship of Jehovah
in heaven, and of his holy guardianship over his people.
Into this most holy place only the high priest could enter, and
he but once a year. For the service of the tabernacle,
Aaron was consecrated with great solemnity. His breast-
plate bore a striking resemblance to one worn by the presid-
ing judge in Egypt as a symbol of justice and truth. The
ritual of the Jews required a special priesthood of reputed
sanctity ; but both the sacrifices and the priesthood were done
away in Christ, who, as our great High Priest, by one offering
hath perfected forever them that are sanctified.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 74, 94, 116.
Lord, the Giver of life ! we bless thee that we
are of the living to praise thee. Thou hast created
us ; thou hast redeemed us ; thou hast preserved
us : of thee, and through thee, and to thee, are all
things ; and to thee, Lord ! be glory and praise
forever.
We bring to thee the homage of our hearts, de-
siring to worship thee this day in spirit and in
truth ; to celebrate thy glory in thy works ; to
show forth thy loving-kindness to the children of
men ; to praise and adore thee for thy great mercy
in Jesus Christ our Saviour. Oh ! do thou for his
sake take away our sins, which with one accord
we now confess before thee ; and sanctify our hearts
by thy truth and thy Spirit, that, being delivered
from all corruption and evil, we may keep the sab-
bath holy in thy rest. May the peace of God, that
passeth all understanding, keep our hearts and
minds in Christ Jesus ! Bless to us the reading
and hearing of thy Word, the worship and order
of thy house ; bless the assemblies of thy people,
the communion of thy saints, the instruction of
children, the visiting and teaching of thy servants
among the poor, by the wayside, and from house
to house. Command thy blessing upon Zion, even
life forevermore.
As a family we consecrate ourselves to thee, our
Father in heaven ; giving thanks to thee for such
a home, for such love and peace and prosperity, as
it is ours to enjoy. We bless thee for the memory
of the good who have gone before us, and have
taught us thy way, and for the hope of immor-
tality brought nigh to us in the gospel. May we
so improve these earthly sabbaths, that by thy grace
we shall come unto the fruition of this blessed hope
with the spirits of just men made perfect in
heaven, through Him who died and rose again,
and ever liveth to make intercession for us ! — to
whom, with thee and the Holy Spirit, be all honor
and glory. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
SUNDAY EVENING.
Hebrews xiii. — 1. Let brotherly love continue.
2. Be not forgetful to entertain strangers ; for
thereby some bave entertained angels unawares.
3. Remember thein that are in bonds, as bound
with them ; and them which suffer adversity, as
being yourselves also in the body.
5. Let your conversation be without covetous-
ness ; and be content with such things as ye have :
for be hath said, I will never leave tbee, nor for-
sake thee.
6. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my
helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto
me.
7. Remember them which have the rule over
you, who have spoken unto you the word of God :
whose faith follow, considering the end of their
conversation ;
8. Jesus Christ the same, yesterday and to-day
and forever.
9. Be not carried about with divers and strange
doctrines : for it is a good thing that the heart be
established with grace ; not with meats, which
have not profited them that have been occupied
therein.
10. We have an altar, whereof they have no
right to eat which serve the tabernacle.
11. For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood
is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest
for sin, are burned without the camp.
To be perfect, and this not in a single or special attainment,
but in every good work; to be pleasing in the sight of God,
and owned of Christ as his, — this is the consummation that
every Christian must desire for himself, must pray for in the
Church at large, and which is the desire of God concerning
every man. The end can be reached only through the in-
working of his own Spirit ; but, that this may be effectual, we
ourselves must practise every good work, must cultivate every
grace. In particular, we must shun covetousness, and cherish
contentment ; we must use freely what we have for the good
12. Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify
the people with his own blood, suffered without the
gate.
13. Let us go forth, therefore, unto him without
the camp, bearing his reproach.
14. For here have we no continuing city ; but we
seek one to come.
15. By him, therefore, let us offer the sacrifice of
praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our
lips, giving thanks to his name.
16. But to do good, and to communicate, forget
not ; for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
17. Obey them that have the rule over you, and
submit yourselves ; for they watch for your souls,
as they that must give account, that they may do
it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofit-
able for you.
18. Pray for us ; for we trust we have a good
conscience, in all things willing to live honestly.
19. But I beseech you the rather to do this, that
I may be restored to you the sooner.
20. Now the God of peace, that brought again
from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd
of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting
covenant,
21. Make you perfect in every good work, to do
his will, working in you that which is well pleasing
in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be
glory for ever and ever. Amen.
of others, and thank-offerings to God ; must be ready to make
sacrifices for the cause of Christ ; must live with our heart
and hope in the heavenly city.
And for what else can we really live? Here nothing is
permanent, nothing sure, nothing satisfying ; but there is a
home, a treasure, a kingdom, complete, perfect, eternal. And
the thought of that future possession can even now enable us
to be strong against temptations, and serene under trials.
Through Christ, God has become to us "the God of peace;"
and that peace, ruling in our hearts, will make us perfect.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 26, 33, 37.
God, who hast taught us in thy Word that
there is still laid up a rest for thy people, and
who hast given us a promise of entering into it !
grant to us, we beseech thee, that we fail not of
that promise through unbelief and disobedience.
Teach us to look for a house that hath founda-
tions, of which thou art the maker and builder.
Lift our hearts thither in earnest desire.
Oh sabbath of eternal peace ! Oh haven where
the wicked cease from troubling, and the weary are
at rest ! When shall we see thee, O Lord ! and be-
hold the King in his beauty? When shall we
meet the apostles and prophets, and the great mul-
titude whom no man can number ? When shall
we see again our dear friends who sleep in Jesus ?
God the Father, who hast the times and sea-
sons in thine own power ! let not that clay come
upon us unawares. God the Son, who art gone
to prepare a place for us ! in thine own time take
us to thyself, that where thou art, there we may be
also. God the Holy Ghost, the pledge of future
glory in our hearts ! seal us until the redemption
of the purchased possession. We bless thee for
the help this day received through thy holy Word
and the prayers and praises of thy Church. We
supplicate thy favor upon all who have heard thy
Word, and upon those who have it not. We bless
thee for thy mercy to this household, and commit
ourselves to thy fatherly protection for the night.
Keep us under the shadow of thy wings ; and, O
Father ! bring us, we pray thee, finally to rest in
thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
MONDAY.
Leviticus xix. — 1. And the Lord spake unto
Moses, saying,
2. Speak unto all the congregation of the chil-
dren of Israel, and say unto them, Ye shall be
holy; for I the Lord your God am holy.
3. Ye shall fear every man his mother and his
father, and keep my sabbaths : I am the Lord your
God.
4. Turn ye not unto idols, nor make to your-
selves molten gods : I am the Lord your God.
5. And, if ye offer a sacrifice of peace-offerings
unto the Lord, ye shall offer it at your own will.
9. And, when ye reap the harvest of your land,
thou shalt not wholly reap the corners of thy field,
neither shalt thou gather the gleanings of thy
harvest.
10. And thou shalt not glean thy vineyard, nei-
ther shalt thou gather every grape of thy vineyard ;
thou shalt leave them for the poor and stranger: I
am the Lord your God.
11. Ye shall not steal, neither deal falsely, nei-
ther lie one to another.
12. And ye shall not swear by my name falsely,
neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God : I
am the Lord.
13. Thou shalt not defraud thy neighbor, neither
rob him : the wages of him that is hired shall not
abide with thee all night until the morning.
14. Thou shalt not curse the deaf, nor put a
stumbling-block before the blind, but shalt fear thy
God : I am the Lord.
15. Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment ;
thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor
honor the person of the mighty : but in righteous-
ness shalt thou judge thy neighbor.
16. Thou shalt not go up and down as a tale-
bearer among thy people ; neither shalt thou
stand against the blood of thy neighbor: I am the
Lord.
17. Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine
heart : thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbor,
and not suffer sin upon him.
18. Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge
against the children of thy people ; but thou shalt
love thy neighbor as thyself: I am the Lord.
32. Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head,
and honor the face of the old man, and fear thy
God : I am the Lord.
33. And, if a stranger sojourn with thee in your
land, ye shall not vex him.
34. But the stranger that dwelleth with you
shall be unto you as one born among you, and thou
shalt love him as thyself; for ye were strangers in
the land of Egypt : I am the Lord your God.
35. Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment,
in mete-yard, in weight, or in measure.
36. Just balances, just weights, a just ephah,
and a just hin, shall ye have : I am the Lord your
God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt.
37. Therefore shall ye observe all my statutes,
and all my judgments, and do them: I am the
Lord.
The laws of Moses, of which only a few specimens are
given here, are remarkable for their equity, their kindliness,
their philanthropy, and for the deep religious motive to which
all moral conduct is referred. Not only is oppression forbid-
den, but love to the stranger is enjoined ; not only are fraud,
theft, cheating, lying, condemned, but kindness to the poor in-
culcated ; not only are open injuries to a neighbor denounced,
but the spirit of malice and ill-will is rebuked. At the same
time, one must be absolutely impartial ; biassed neither by
sympathy for the poor, nor by the favor of the rich. Filial
obedience, respect for the aged, a considerate regard for the
infirmities of others, are classed with religious acts ; and the
services of religion are to be freely and cheerfully rendered.
And all these precepts are enforced by the sense of obligation
to God. Children who should grow up in the spirit of these
laws would make upright, honorable, benevolent men ; a com-
munity that should govern itself by them would be well-nigh
perfect. Were these laws, then, for the Jews alone 1 They
are all summed up for us by Christ in these two command-
ments : " Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy
heart, and thy neighbor as thyself."
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 65,89, 118.
Our waiting eyes are unto thee, Lord ! Each
morning brings us to thee with new obligations of
gratitude for thy loving-kindness in the night-sea-
son, and of dependence for the day upon which we
enter. We are not worthy of the least of all thy mer-
cies ; for we have sinned, Lord ! — we have sinned
against thy law, against thy love, against thy very
grace in Christ our Saviour. Yet do we hope in
thy mercy still, and cast ourselves upon thee alone.
thou Spirit of truth and holiness ! we pray
thee to keep us this day from sin. May we be
mindful of thy presence as a holy guardianship
from wrong ! Help us to be true and faithful, just
and kind, gentle and loving, pure and holy.
Great Shepherd of Israel, take, we beseech thee,
each member of this family, and all that are dear
to us, under thy care. Be thou the guide of the
young, the staff of the aged, the strength of the
burdened, the help of the weak, the joy and deliv-
erer of every one that looketh unto thee.
Bless thy Church in this community with thy
reviving grace ; visit our land with thy salvation ;
and fill the whole earth with thy praise.
Finally, we pray thee, bring us to thyself in joy
and glory everlasting ; bring us to the realization
of thy presence, that we may be satisfied with thy
likeness. And to the Father, the Son, and the
Holy Spirit, be glory forever. Amen.
284
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
TUESDAY.
James iv. — 1. Prom whence come wars and
fightings among you? Come they not hence
even of your lusts that war in your mem-
bers?
2. Ye lust, and have not; ye kill, and desire to
have, and cannot obtain ; ye fight and war, yet ye
have not, because ye ask not.
3. Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss,
that ye may consume it upon your lusts.
4. Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not
that the friendship of the world is enmity with
God? Whosoever, therefore, will be a friend of
the world, is the enemy of God.
5. Do ye think that the scripture saith in
vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to
envy?
6. But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he
saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace
unto the humble.
7. Submit yourselves, therefore, to God. Resist
the devil, and he will flee from you.
8. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to
you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners ; and purify
your hearts, ye double-minded.
9. Be afflicted, and mourn and weep : let your
The feeling of dependence upon God for all that we enjoy
would render us unworldly, humble, temperate, patient, devout.
Worldliness, pride, envy, contention, all evil passions, grow
from the root of selfishness. Self-consciousness, self-seeking,
self-assertion, — this spirit leads us to make alliance with the
world as our portion ; and as we desire more of the world than
we have, or can get, we become envious of others, and restive
and resisting under the dispensations of God's providence.
And yet all self-presumption is as empty and baseless as the
vapor that vanishes almost as soon as it rises. Plans, ven-
tures, successes, life itself, — what are these but the fleeting
cloud ? Ah ! if, in our inmost souls, we felt that the Lord's
will were our only wish and aim, how serene, thankful, joyful,
laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to
heaviness.
10. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord,
and he shall lift you up.
11. Speak not evil one of another, brethren.
He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth
his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth
the law; but, if thou judge the law, thou art not
a doer of the law, but a judge.
12. There is one lawgiver, who is able to save
and to destroy: who art thou that judgest an-
other ?
13. Go to, now, ye that say, To-day or to-morrow
we will go into such a city, and continue there a
year, and buy and sell, and get gain ;
14. Whereas ye know not what shall be on the
morrow. For what is your life? It is even a
vapor, that appeareth for a little time, and then
vanisheth away.
15. For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will,
we shall live, and do this or that.
16. But now ye rejoice in your boastings : all
such rejoicing is evil.
17. Therefore to him that knoweth to do good,
and doeth it not, to him it is sin.
would be the lives now vexed with disappointments, distracted
with contentions, overwhelmed with cares and sorrow ! Then
our one anxiety would be to do good, our one care to avoid
in. With the consciousness of this unity with the divine
will and purpose, we should not only overcome the world, but
should cause Satan to flee from us. The secret of true peace
lies in the habit of submitting ourselves to God. He who
sets out to have his own way in every thing will end in find-
ing happiness in nothing. One must submit to circum-
stances, to the laws of Nature, to invisible agencies and in-
fluences beyond his control. How much better to begin with
the voluntary submission of himself to the infinite wisdom,
the infinite love, the infinite grace of God !
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 30, 41, 72.
We lift up our eyes unto the hills, whence com-
eth our help : our help cometh from the Lord, which
made heaven and earth. Thine angels, Lord!
have encamped round about us in the night-sea-
son, and thou hast given them charge concern-
ing us to defend us from all evil. We open our
eyes to the remembrance of thy mercy, to the con-
sciousness of tby presence, to the sense of our
dependence. Only our sins separate us from thee,
our loving Father ; and we beseech thee to blot
these out for thy name's sake, and to receive us
in Christ as thy redeemed and reconciled chil-
dren.
Help us, Lord ! this day, to walk worthy of
thy love, and, as obedient children, to do thy will.
[May the children of this family remember thee in
the days of their youth ! May every one of us daily
acknowledge and serve thee !] Keep us, Lord !
we pray thee, from all evil and sin this day. In
our intercourse with others may we be true and
just, loving and patient, gentle and kind, and
so may we commend unto all the gospel of thy
grace !
May thy favor be upon the community in
which we dwell, upon thy Church, upon our land !
Give peace in our time, O Lord ! and incline
the hearts of our rulers to that which is just
and lawful in thy sight. Have mercy upon the
poor, the afflicted, the solitary, the bereaved ;
and cause that the grace of thy gospel shall go
forth everywhere to heal the sins and sorrows of
all mankind. Finally bring us unto thine ever-
lasting kingdom, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
285
WEDNESDAY.
Leviticus XXV. — 1. And the Lord spake unto
Moses in Mount Sinai, saying,
2. Speak unto the children of Israel, and say
unto them, When ye come into the land which I
give you, then shall the land keep a sabbath unto
the Lord.
3. Six years thou shalt sow thy field, and six
years thou shalt prune thy vineyard, and gather
in the fruit thereof;
4. But in the seventh year shall be a sabbath
of rest unto the land, a sabbath for the Lord :
thou shalt neither sow thy field, nor prune thy
vineyard.
5. That which groweth of its own accord of thy
harvest thou shalt not reap, neither gather the
grapes of thy vine undressed ; for it is a year of
rest unto the land.
6. And the sabbath of the land shall be meat
for you : for thee, and for thy servant, and for thy
maid, and for thy hired servant, and for thy stran-
ger that sojourneth with thee,
7. And for thy cattle, and for the beast that are
in thy land, shall all the increase thereof be meat.
8. And thou shalt number seven sabbaths of
years unto thee, seven times seven years ; and the
space of the seven sabbaths of years shall be unto
thee forty and nine years.
9. Then shalt thou cause the trumpet of the
jubilee to sound on the tenth day of the seventh
month ; in the day of atonement shall ye make the
trumpet sound throughout all your land.
The best agriculture recognizes the importance of a rota-
tion of crops, and of now and then letting the land lie fallow.
But here is the rule laid down in this old law of Moses.
Labor reformers and social reformers of modern times are
seeking by various projects, sometimes violent, often unwise,
commonly impracticable, to equalize the distribution of
property, to secure to every man an interest in the soil, to
remedy the inequalities of social life, and relieve the burdens
of the poor. But this ancient provision of the jubilee, based
upon an original distribution of the land among all the fami-
lies of the people, brought around every fiftieth year relief
10. And ye shall hallow the fiftieth year, and
proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all
the inhabitants thereof: it shall be a jubilee unto
you; and ye shall return every man unto his
possession, and ye shall return every man unto his
family.
11. A jubilee shall that fiftieth year be unto
you : ye shall not sow, neither reap that which
groweth of itself in it, nor gather the grapes in it
of thy vine undressed.
12. For it is the jubilee ; it shall be holy unto
you : ye shall eat the increase thereof out of the
field.
13. In the year of this jubilee ye shall return
every man unto his possession.
14. And if thou sell aught unto thy neighbor,
or buyest aught of thy neighbor's hand, ye shall
not oppress one another:
15. According to the number of years after the
jubilee thou shalt buy of thy neighbor, and ac-
cording unto the number of years of the fruits he
shall sell unto thee ;
16. According to the multitude of years
thou shalt increase the price thereof, and ac-
cording to the fewness of years thou shalt
diminish the price of it : for according to the
number of the years of the fruits doth he sell
unto thee.
17. Ye shall not, therefore, oppress one another;
but thou shalt fear thy God : for I am the Lord
your God.
from debt, from oppression, from poverty ; prevented monopo-
ly, hoarding, slavery, and the manifold evils of caste and
covetousness. Once in a generation it gave every man a
chance to take a new start, and better his condition. Moses
did not borrow this from Egypt ; for exactly the opposite
system prevailed there : the monopoly of the land by the
government reduced the mass of the people to virtual serfdom.
The poor man has yet to learn that the Bible is his best
friend ; the rich, that it is his best counsellor ; and both ru-
lers and people, that its principles are the best guide of
society.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 3, 7, 29.
Blessed be God, the Father of all mercies, for
the mercies of the past night ; for shelter, safety,
comfort, rest, and peace. How precious are thy
thoughts unto us, God ! how great is the sum of
them! When we awake, we are still with thee.
So would our hearts rise to thee, Lord ! with the
morning light, with the incense of prayer and
praise; yea, we would present our bodies unto
thee a living sacrifice. May this, our reason-
able service, be made holy through the blood of
Jesus, and acceptable through the Spirit of all
grace! May the Holy Spirit descend and rest
upon us, making our home and our hearts the
abode of peace !
Help us this day to live unto thee, and in all
our works and ways to do that which is well pleas-
ing in thy sight. Prosper the labor of our hands,
our studies, our various callings ; bless to us the
means of knowledge and improvement ; make us
thoughtful of others, considerate of the poor and
afflicted, wise and ready unto every good word and
work. We commend unto thee our kindred and
friends, beseeching thee to grant them the promise
of the life that now is ; and in the world to come,
life everlasting. We pray for thy holy Church uni-
versal, for the coming of light, peace, and sal-
vation in all the earth, through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
THURSDAY.
Acts xxii. — 12. And one Ananias, a devout
man according to the law, having a good report of
all the Jews which dwelt there,
13. Came unto me, and stood, and said unto me,
Brother Saul, receive thy sight. And the same
hour I looked up upon him.
14. And he said, The God of our fathers hath
chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and
see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of
his mouth.
16. And, now, why tarriest thou ? Arise, and be
baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the
name of the Lord.
17. And it came to pass, that, when I was come
again to Jerusalem, even while I prayed in the
temple, I was in a trance ;
18. And saw him saying unto me, Make haste,
and get thee quickly out of Jerusalem ; for they
will not receive thy testimony concerning me.
19. And I said, Lord, they know that I im-
prisoned, and beat in every synagogue, them that
believed on thee ;
20. And, when the blood of thy martyr Stephen
was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting
unto his death, and kept the raiment of them that
slew him.
21. And he said unto me, Depart ; for I will
send thee far hence unto the Gentiles.
22. And they gave him audience unto this word,
and then lifted up their voice?, and said, Away
The scene here described took place on the steps of the
governor's castle in Jerusalem. A mob had set upon Paid in
the temple ; and would have taken his life, had not the Roman
captain with a band of soldiers rescued him, and then sum-
moned him to make his defence. That defence consisted of
the simple story of his conversion ; but that memorable scene
near Damascus, which brought home Jesus of Nazareth to
the heart of Saul, was to the apostle the inspiration of a
new life, as fresh and vivid as at the first. But bigotry gives
no heed to facts ; prejudice is not influenced by arguments :
and, when these sticklers for Judaism heard that a Jew had
with such a fellow from the earth ! for it is not fit
that he should live.
23. And as they cried out, and cast off their
clothes, and threw dust into the air,
24. The chief captain commanded him to be
brought into the castle, and bade that he should
be examined by scourging ; that he might know
wherefore they cried so against him.
25. And, as they bound him with thongs, Paul
said unto the centurion that stood by, Is it lawful
for you to scourge a man that is a Roman, and un-
condemn ed ?
26. When the centurion heard that, he went
and told the chief captain, saying, Take heed what
thou doest ; for this man is a Roman.
27. Then the chief captain came, and said unto
him, Tell me, art thou a Roman ? He said, Yea.
28. And the chief captain answered, With a
great sum obtained I this freedom. And Paul
said, But I was free-hoxn.
29. Then straightway they departed from him
which should have examined him ; and the chief
captain also was afraid, after he knew that he was
a Roman, and because he had bound him.
30. On the morrow, because he would have
known the certainty wherefore he was accused of
the Jews, he loosed him from his bands, and com-
manded the chief priests and all their council to
appear, and brought Paul down, and set him be-
fore them.
proffered salvation to the Gentiles, their fury knew no bounds.
In the midst of their rage, Paul was self-possessed and tran-
quil. His father had in some way obtained the privilege of
Roman citizenship, and Paul inherited this as a birthright. He
many times took advantage of this to baffle his persecutors ;
for it is always proper for a Christian, when oppressed, to
invoke the protection of the law. Yet Paul's real strength
lay in his personal faith in Christ. He had already begun to
feel what he afterwards declared, " I can do all things through
Christ, who strengthened! me."
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 48, 68, 81.
We thank thee, heavenly Father, ior the good-
ness and mercy that have followed us all the days
of our life. Thou hast watched over our going-out
and our coming-in. Thou hast been our refuge from
evil, and our strength in trouble. Continue to
bless us, Father ! Let all things work together
for our good. Give us thankful and submissive
hearts, that we may recognize all our mercies as
thy gifts, and may bow to thy holy will when thou
dost see fit to send sorrow upon us. We bring
thee thanks for thy favor in the past night: thou
hast refreshed us with sleep, hast kept us from
harm, hast brought us with new vigor to the light
of this day. We beseech thee, guide us in all our
duties, prosper the work of our minds and of our
hands, and grant us in all things the joy of thine
approval. [May these children be diligent in their
duties, and gentle and loving in their conduct !]
We commend our friends to thy care.
Father of mercies, and God of all comfort, who
dost comfort thy children in all their tribulation,
we humbly beseech thee of thy goodness to succor
and sustain all those who are in trouble, sorrow,
need, sickness, or any other adversity; granting
them strong consolation and good hope, and the
abiding grace of thy Spirit.
Our prayers are before thee ; our hope is in thy
mercy. May we as a family, with all whom we
love, dwell forever in the light of thy presence,
through Jesus Christ, our only Saviour ! Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
287
FRIDAY.
Psalm xxxi. — 1. In thee, Lord! do I put
my trust ; let me never be ashamed : deliver me in
thy righteousness.
2. Bow down thine ear to me ; deliver me
speedily : be thou my strong rock, for a house of
defence to save me.
3. For thou art my rock and my fortress : there-
fore, for thy name's sake, lead me and guide me.
4. Pull me out of the net that they have laid
privily for me ; for thou art my strength.
5. Into thine hand I commit my spirit : thou
hast redeemed me, Lord God of truth !
6. I have hated them that regard lying vanities ;
but I trust in the Lord.
7. I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy ; for
thou hast considered my trouble.
23. Oh ! love the Lord, all ye his saints ; for the
Lord preserveth the faithful, and plentifully re-
wardeth the proud doer.
24. Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen
your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord.
Acts xxiii. — 1. And Paul, earnestly beholding
the council, said, Men and brethren, I have lived
in all good conscience before God until this day.
2. And the high priest Ananias commanded
them that stood by him to smite him on the mouth.
3. Then -SSid Paul unto him, God shall smite
thee, thou whited wall; for sittest thou to judge
me after the law, and commandest me to be smit-
ten contrary to the law?
Paul stood upon his rights. The judge who was hearing
his case had no excuse for treating him with violence. Still
his retort betrayed a feeling of resentment quite unlike the
meekness of his Lord under the same insult. " Paul admits
that he had been thrown off his guard : the insult had touched
him to the quick, and he had spoken rashly. But what can
surpass the grace with which he recovered his self-possession,
the frankness with which he acknowledged his error ! If his
conduct in yielding to the momentary impulse was not that
of Christ himself under a similar provocation, certainly the
manner in which he atoned for his fault was Christ-like."
Paul used another stroke in self-defence, which proved more
4. And they that stood by said, Revilest thou
God's high priest ?
5. Then said Paul, I wist not, brethren, that he
was the high priest ; for it is written, Thou shalt
not speak evil of the ruler of thy people.
6. But when Paul perceived that the one part
were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried
out in the council, Men and brethren, I am a
Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee : of the hope and
resurrection of the dead I am called in question.
7. And, when he had so said, there arose a dis-
sension between the Pharisees and the Sadducees ;
and the multitude was divided.
8. For the Sadducees say that there is no resur-
rection, neither angel nor spirit; but the Phari-
sees confess both.
9. And there arose a great cry : and the scribes
that icere of the Pharisees' part arose, and strove,
saying, We find no evil in this man ; but, if a
spirit or an angel hath spoken to him, let us not
fight against God.
10. And, when there arose a great dissension,
the chief captain, fearing lest Paul should have
been pulled in pieces of them, commanded the
soldiers to go down and to take him by force from
among them, and to bring him into the castle.
11. And, the night following, the Lord stood by
him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul ; for as thou
hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou
bear witness also at Pome.
effective. According to Josephus and other Jewish writers,
the Sadducees held that the souls of men perish with their
bodies ; but the Pharisees believed in a future state of rewards
and punishments, and in the resurrection of the dead. The
resurrection of Christ, as a matter of fact, they denied ; for to
have admitted this would have been to have conceded the
divine mission of Jesus of Nazareth. Had Paul's judges
been all Pharisees, they would have silenced his testimony to
Christ's resurrection ; but, in the presence of the Sadducees,
they felt bound to stand up for their own doctrine; and, by in-
volving his judges in a dispute among themselves, Paul
escaped the sentence of the council.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 5, 9, 39.
O Lord, our heavenly Father ! we have nothing
to bring to thee but our wants, and such poor re-
turn of love and gratitude and praise as these
hearts can render for thy goodness. As thou dost
cause our lives to overflow with thy mercies, so do
thou fill our hearts to overflowing with thy Spirit,
that we may thank thee and praise thee as we
ought. The morning calls us again to praise thee
for thy loving-kindness in the night-season ; and
every day renews the tokens of thy bounty. Every
good gift cometh down from thee, the Father of
lights; and though we are so changeful in our love,
so inconstant in our service, with thee there is no
variableness, neither shadow of turning. Bind us
to thyself, our Father ! by the mighty attraction
of thy love. May the love of Christ, who died
for us that we might live, constrain us to live ever
unto thee !
We pray, Lord ! that thy kingdom may come ;
that thy Church may increase ; that missions may
prosper ; that thy Word may be given to all people,
and the knowledge of the Lord may fill the earth
as the waters fill the sea. We thank thee for our
home, and pray thee to bless us with all things
that we need as a family. Bless the absent who
are dear to us ; and bring them, together with us,
we beseech thee, unto thy heavenly kingdom;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
SATURDAY.
Acts XXV. — 1. Now, when Festus was come into
the province, after three days he ascended from
Cesarea to Jerusalem.
2. Then the high priest and the chief of the
Jews informed him against Paul, and besought
him,
3. And desired favor against him, that he would
send for him to Jerusalem, laying wait in the way
to kill him.
4. But Festus answered, that Paul should be
kept at Cesarea, and that he himself would depart
shortly thither.
5. Let them therefore, said he, which among you
are able, go down with me, and accuse this man,
if there be any wickedness in him.
6. And, when he had tarried among them more
than ten days, he went down unto Cesarea, and
the next day, sitting on the judgment-seat, com-
manded Paul to be brought.
7. And, when he was come, the Jews which came
down from Jerusalem stood round about, and laid
A special interest attaches to this narrative, because it
shows how Paul was taken to Rome as a prisoner. At Jeru-
salem a mob had been raised against him, and the Roman
commandant had taken him into custody. Learning of a
plot against the prisoner's life, he sent him by night to Cesa-
rea, some sixty miles distant, upon the sea-coast, which was
the residence of the governor-general of Syria. The corrupt
and time-serving Felix, finding that he could make no personal
interest or gain out of Paul, on retiring from office left him
a prisoner, though convicted of no offence. Festus, his suc-
cessor, a straight-forward man, was importuned by the Jewish
leaders at Jerusalem to bring Paul once more within their
power ; but he insisted upon looking into the case for himself.
many and grievous complaints against Paul, which
they could not prove ;
8. While he answered for himself, Neither
against the law of the Jews, neither against the
temple, nor yet against Caesar, have I offended any
thing at all.
9. But Festus, willing to do the Jews a pleasure,
answered Paul, and said, Wilt thou go up to Jeru-
salem, and there be judged of these things before
me ?
10. Then said Paul, I stand at Caesar's judgment-
seat, where I ought to be judged : to the Jews have
I done no wrong, as thou very well knowest.
11. For if I be an offender, or have committed
any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die ;
but, if there be none of these things whereof these
accuse me, no man may deliver me unto them. I
appeal unto Caesar.
12. Then Festus, when he had conferred with
the council, answered, Hast thou appealed unto
Caesar? unto Caesar shalt thou go.
Though he desired to ingratiate himself into the favor of the
Jews, he respected the rights of his prisoner, and gave him
the option of a trial at Jerusalem. Paul, suspecting some plot
against his life, used his right as a Roman citizen of appealing
to the emperor in person. The appeal, at the moment, saved
his life from his Jewish enemies ; yet, afterwards, Festus
would have released him but for this very appeal to Caesar.
And so Paul went to Rome, which he had long desired to
see, but went there as a prisoner. Perhaps his preaching
was even more effective because of his bonds ; and the
churches owe to his long confinement at Rome several of
his choicest epistles.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 77, 81, 108.
Lord, who by the example of thy blessed
apostle Paul hast taught us to forget those things
which are behind, and to reach forth unto those
things that are before ! give us grace this day that
we may press toward the mark for the prize of our
high calling of thee in Christ Jesus. May we
lay aside every weight, and the sins which so easi-
ly beset us, and run with patience the race set
before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and
finisher of our faith ! As he for the joy set be-
fore him endured the cross, despising the shame ;
even so may we ever have before us our heavenly
reward, and in like manner not fear what men
can do unto us, if we may only acceptably serve
thee.
From all idleness and carelessness ; from all
self-conceit, and love of praise ; from all confidence
in our own powers, and neglect of seeking thy
grace, — Lord, preserve and keep us.
From all want of love to one another ; from all
lack of charity in thinking and speaking of men ;
from all undue cleaving to our own likings and
opinions, — Lord, preserve and keep us.
From all unsocial and selfish feelings ; from
taking advantage of the weakness or the igno-
rance of others ; from slighting any one, or in-
wardly despising any one, — Lord, preserve and
keep us.
In the constant sense of our membership of
Christ ; in the unfailing thought that we are his
soldiers and servants ; in the love for our Father's
house, and the blessed hope of our eternal home, —
Lord, preserve and keep us.
For the mercies of the past night ; for the health
and comfort with which we begin the day ; for the
provision for our wants ; for means of improve-
ment, of enjoyment, and of usefulness, — we hum-
bly thank thee, the Giver of all good. Bless all
dear to us ; multiply the preachers of thy gospel ;
turn opposers and persecutors into witnesses for
thee ; and subdue all hearts unto thyself, through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
289
SUNDAY MORNING.
Acts xxvi. — 19. Whereupon, King Agrip-
pa ! I was not disobedient unto the heavenly
vision ;
20. But showed first unto them of Damascus,
and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of
Judsea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should
repent and turn to God, and do works meet for re-
pentance.
21. For these causes the Jews caught me in the
temple, and went about to kill me.
22. Having therefore obtained help of God, I
continue unto this day, witnessing both to small
and great, saying none other things than those
which the prophets and Moses did say should
come ;
23. That Christ should suffer, and that he should
be the first that should rise from the dead, and
should show light unto the people and to the
Gentiles.
24. And, as he thus spake for himself, Festus
said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thy-
self: much learning doth make thee mad.
25. But he said, I am not mad, most noble Fes-
tus ; but speak forth the words of truth and sober-
ness.
26. For the king knoweth of these things, be-
fore whom also I speak freely. For I am persuaded
that none of these things are hidden from him ; for
this thing was not done in a corner.
27. King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets ?
I know that thou believest.
28. Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou
persuadest me to be a Christian.
29. And Paul said, I would to God, that not
only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were
both almost and altogether such as I am, except
these bonds.
30. And, when he had thus spoken, the king
rose up, and the governor, and Bernice, and they
that sat with them ;
31. And, when they were gone aside, they talked
between themselves, saying, This man doeth noth-
ing worthy of death or of bonds.
32. Then said Agrippa unto Festus, This man
might have been set at liberty if he had not ap-
pealed unto Caesar.
The speeches of Paul are as remarkable for their adaptation
to the circumstances of his hearers, as for force of logic, and
fervor of eloquence. Agrippa was a Jew by birth, and had
been thoroughly trained in the Jewish faith and customs.
Though a vassal of the Roman empire, he had by inheritance
the title of king, and ruled over Northern and Eastern Pales-
tine. Paul was within the jurisdiction of Festus, to whom
Agrippa was paying a visit of courtesy. The apostle was not
on trial before Agrippa ; but Festus, wishing partly to entertain
his guest, and partly to obtain his advice, summoned this noted
prisoner to explain his views. With great dignity and cour-
tesy, Paul opened his address with a reference to Agrippa's
knowledge of the law : he then gave the narrative of his own
life and conversion, and the biblical argument for the Messiah
as a suffering Saviour. The pagan Festus, like the philosophers
at Athens, did not conceal his contempt for the doctrine of
the resurrection ; but bis ridicule could not disturb the serene
dignity of the apostle. Indeed, it is Paul who here stands
forth as the judge and the king, with wondrous self-command
dismissing the charge of Festus, with ineffable dignity invit-
ing Agrippa and all the gay and noble circle of the court to
share his blessedness without his pains. Such is the moral
grandeur of Christian faith bome out by a worthy character.
Who would not be altogether such a Christian ?
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 88, 101, 121.
L
Thine, Lord ! is the greatness, and the power,
and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty ;
for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is
thine : thine is the kingdom, Lord ! and thou art
exalted as Head over all. We bless thee that thou
hast given unto thy Son the kingdom in this
world, and hast promised that the gates of hell
shall not prevad against his Church ; and we be-
seech thee, upon this thy holy day, so to bless thy
truth and all the appointed means of grace, that a
great multitude of souls shall be born into the
kingdom of Christ through the power of the
Holy Ghost. Make thy Word a comfort and a
joy unto all believers, and the power of God
unto salvation to the world that lieth in wicked-
ness. '
We pray for the whole Church of Christ, that
she may possess all the gifts of thy Holy Spirit ;
for all Sunday schools, — oh! hear the hosannas
of children, and show to them the love of Jesus
their Saviour; for the poor and needy, sick and
afflicted, widows and orphans ; for all whom thou
hast given to be near and dear to us. Give them
thy blessing, Lord ! for the sake of Him who
hath taught us to love one another even as he hath
loved us. Lord Jesus ! rule thou in our hearts ;
by thy redeeming grace take away our sins ; by
thy sanctifying presence fill our souls with thy
peace. May we do all things to thy glory, and
show forth thy praise in our lives !
We humbly thank thee, Lord! for the bless-
ings of the past week ; for thy daily benefits to us,
and to all dear to us. Bless this household, this
day and always, with thy grace. May every one
of us before thee, and all who are united with us
in family-ties, be found within the kingdom of thy
dear Son ! May we know the joy of a full conse-
cration unto Him who hath redeemed us to God
with his precious blood! and, having served him
in his kingdom here, may we come to be partakers
of his glory in the kingdom of his Father, for
Christ's sake ! Amen.
290
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
SUNDAY EVENING.
■ 1. Arise, shine ; for thy light is
glory of the Lord is risen upon
Isaiah Ix
come, and the
thee.
2. For, hehold, the darkness shall cover the
earth, and gross darkness the people ; but the
Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall he
seen upon thee.
3. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and
kings to the brightness of thy rising.
4. Lift up thine eyes round about, and see : all
they gather themselves together ; they come to
thee : thy sons shall come from, far, and thy
daughters shall be nursed at thy side.
5. Then thou shalt see, and flow together ; and
thine heart shall fear, and be enlarged ; because
the abundance of the sea shall be converted unto
thee, the forces of the Gentiles shall come unto
thee.
6. The multitude of camels shall cover thee, the
dromedaries of Midian and Epbah ; all they from
Sheba shall come: they shall bring gold and in-
cense, and they shall show forth the praises of
the Lord.
7. All the flocks of Kedar shall be gathered to-
gether unto thee ; the rams of Nebaioth shall min-
ister unto thee : they shall come up with accept-
ance on mine altar, and I will glorify the house of
my glory.
This magnificent hymn of triumph, following close upon
the lamentation of the prophet over the rejection of Israel,
is like the accelerated movement of a symphony after the
plaintive measure of the andante, when, as in the rapids above
Niagara, all the waves of sound leap and rush together,
crested with spray, flashing with light, glittering with rain-
bows, as they whirl toward the tumultuous, deafening plunge
of the finale. Yet as, through all the modulations of the sym-
phony, the theme is ever the same ; so through the varying
keys of this grand prophetic poem runs the theme of re-
demption by Christ, from the burst of wonder over the child
Irhmanuel, through the humiliation of the Man of sorrows,
the anguish of the crucified Saviour, on to his triumph and
glory in his Church. To that glory the prophet summons
the true Israel, — the spiritual Zion, the Church of living
souls. The presence of Christ is her illumination and joy ;
8. Who are these that fly as a cloud, and as the
doves to their windows ?
9. Surely the isles shall wait for me, and the
ships of Tarshish first, to bring thy sons from far,
their silver and their gold with them, unto the name
of the Lord thy God, and to the Holy One of Israel,
because he hath glorified thee.
10. And the sons of strangers shall build up thy
walls, and their kings shall minister unto thee ;
for in my wrath I smote thee, but in rny favor
have I had mercy on thee.
11. Therefore thy gates shall be open contin-
ually; they shall not be shut day nor night;
that men may bring unto thee the forces of the
Gentiles, and that their kings may be brought.
12. For the nation and kingdom that will not
serve thee shall perish ; yea, those nations shall be
utterly wasted.
13. The glory of Lebanon shall come unto thee,
the fir-tree, the pine-tree, and the box together, to
beautify the place of my sanctuary; and I will
make the place of my feet glorious.
14. The sons also of them that afflicted thee
shall come bending unto thee: and all they that
despised thee shall bow themselves down at the
soles of thy feet ; and they shall call thee, The
city of the Lord, The Zion of the Holy One of
Israel.
Appropriate Hymns,]
God, whose mercy is from everlasting to ever-
lasting ! we bless thee for all the tokens of promise
given us in thy past mercies, for the hope of im-
mortality, the joy unspeakable and full of glory
brought to us in thy gospel and in the worship of
thy house this day. At the end of the Lord's day,
we would thank thee for its hours of rest, and for
its means of grace.
Hasten, Lord ! that blessed time when thy
kingdom shall have come, and all shall know thee,
from the least even to the greatest. Turn unto
thyself the hearts of the heathen and the unbe-
lieving. Pour out more and more upon thy people
and, through the brightness of her shining, the nations are
gathered to her seat, until her heart throbs and swells with
wonder and exultation. I have seen in Egypt dovecots
rising, gallery upon gallery, so that thousands of pigeons
could flock together to their shelter ; and when, at evening,
they came flying to their windows, the air was thick as with
a cloud. Even so, while neighboring countries shall yield
their tributes of flocks and merchandise, the fleets of the ocean,
dense as clouds, swift as doves, shall come freighted with treas-
ures from djstant lands. And so spontaneous and universal
shall be the homage of the nations to Zion, that the abun-
dance shall require no precautions for its safety. Her gates
shall stand wide open the livelong night ; her very enemies
shall serve her ; her old oppressors shall bow at her feet.
Such a consummation may well find utterance in such a
song.
[Nos. 181, 194, 199.
Prayer.
the spirit of grace and supplication, the spirit of
zeal and self-devotion, the spirit of holy fear and
Christian love.
To thee, heavenly Father, we commend our-
selves this night. thou Good Shepherd ! watch
over us, the sheep of thy pasture. Holy Ghost,
the Comforter ! guide and hallow- our thoughts.
Thou in whom all families are blessed, bless
thou our kindred and friends. May all who are
united to us be w r ith us united to thee; be with
us presented by thee in the presence of thy Father
with exceeding joy! And to the Father, the Son,
and the Holy Ghost, be glory everlasting. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
291
MONDAY.
Revelation vi. — 12. And I beheld when he had
opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great
earthquake ; and the sun became black as sack-
cloth of hair, and the moon became as blood;
13. And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth,
even as a fig-tree casteth her untimely figs when
she is shaken of a mighty wind.
14. And the heaven departed as a scroll when it
is rolled together ; and every mountain and island
were moved out of their places.
15. And the kings of the earth, and the great
men, and the rich men, and the chief captains,
and the mighty men, and every bondman, and
every freeman, hid themselves in the dens and in
the rocks of the mountains ;
16. And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall
on us, and hide us from the face of him that sit-
teth on the throne, and from the wrath of the
Lamb :
17. For the great day of his wrath is come ; and
who shall be able to stand ?
2 Corinthians v. — 11. Knowing therefore the
terror of the Lord, we persuade men : but we are
made manifest unto God ; and I trust, also, are
made manifest in your consciences.
12. For we commend not ourselves again unto
you, but give you occasion to glory on our behalf,
that ye may have somewhat to answer them
which glory in appearance, and not in heart.
The " terror of the Lord " is the wholesome fear of Christ
as our Judge. Christianity is a religion of love ; yet it ap-
peals to fear. It offers us heaven ; it warns us of hell. It is
because there is a law, and is to be a judgment, that we have
need of a gospel and a Saviour. Christ did not abolish the
law, but came to deliver us from its curse. He did not set
aside the judgment, but came to save us from its condemna-
tion. A fear of the judgment is salutary, in producing the
conviction of sin, and the longing for a" Saviour. But far
more powerful for reform is the love of Christ. He was
nailed to the cross as the representative of sin, — " made sin
13. For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to
God ; or whether we be sober, it is for your cause.
14. For the love of Christ constraineth us ; be-
cause we thus judge, that if one died for all, then
were all dead :
15. And that he died for all, that they which
live should not henceforth live unto themselves,
but unto him which died for them, and rose
again.
16. Wherefore henceforth know we no man
after the flesh ; yea, though we have known Christ
after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him
no more.
17. Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a
new creature : old things are passed away ; behold,
all things are become new.
18. And all things are of God, who hath recon-
ciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given
to us the ministry of reconciliation;
19. To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling
the world unto himself, not imputing their tres-
passes unto them ; and hath committed unto us
the word of reconciliation.
20. Now, then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as
though God did beseech you by us : we pray you
in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.
21. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who
knew no sin ; that we might be made the righteous-
ness of God in him.
for us," — showing its heinousness and its desert, and, at the
same time, destroj'ing its power. Though clothed with the
prerogative of Judge, Christ came, not to condemn, but to
reconcile ; not to charge our sins against us for punishment,
but to take away sin and punishment through his redemptive
sacrifice. The fact that for this he died for us shows how
utterly dead and lost were we. This love should take hold
upon us with a constraining power; should shut us up to
living in and for Christ with all the fervor of gratitude, with
all the joy of reconciliation, with all the freshness, the
warmth, the enthusiasm, of a new life.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 95, 100, 108.
O God, who hast spared our lives, and brought
us to the beginning of another day! we lift up our
hearts to thee. We thank thee for rest during
the past night ; for life preserved, and strength re-
newed; and for the many tokens of thy loving-
kindness which surround us. May we ever have
true gratitude for thy mercies, and never grieve
thee by a hard and unthankful heart !
And now, Lord! prepare us for the duties and
trials which this day may bring. May thy fear be
before us all the day long ! Whatever we have to
do, may we do it willingly and heartily, as unto
thee, and not as unto men ! Give us grace to take
up, each one of us, our peculiar cross, and in all
things to follow our Master, constrained by his
love to say, "For me to live is Christ." Make us
more like him in lowliness and meekness ; tender-
hearted, forgiving one another; ready to bear each
other's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
And, oh, may his grace abound to all men, and his
salvation fill the earth !
Lord, watch over us, and all who are dear to us,
this day. Defend our souls from the assaults of
the Wicked One, and preserve our bodies in health
and safety. May all thy wise and merciful dealings
bind us to thee in newness of life ! May we walk
in the light of thy countenance as thy children,
reconciled through Christ, and filled with thine
own Spirit ! Finally, prepare us to depart and be
with Christ. Hear us, heavenly Father, and when
thou hearest forgive, for the sake of Him who
died that we might live. Amen.
292
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
TUESDAY.
Psalm cxxxii. — 1. Lord, remember David, and
all his afflictions ;
2. How he sware unto the Lord, and vowed unto
the mighty God of Jacob :
3. Surely I will not come into the tabernacle of
my house, nor go up into my bed,
4. I will not give sleep to mine eyes, or slumber
to mine eyelids,
5. Until I find out a place for the Lord, a habi-
tation for the mighty God of Jacob.
6. Lo, we heard of it at Ephratah ; we found it
in the fields of the wood.
7. We will go into his tabernacles ; we will wor-
ship at his footstool.
8. Arise, Lord ! into thy rest ; thou, and the
ark of thy strength.
13. For the Lord hath chosen Zion : he hath
desired it for his habitation.
14. This is my rest forever : here will I dwell ;
for I have desired it.
15. I will abundantly bless her provision : I will
satisfy her poor with bread.
16. I will also clothe her priests with salvation,
and her saints shall shout aloud for joy.
Romans xii. — 1. I beseech you therefore,
brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present
your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto
God, which is your reasonable service.
2. And be not conformed to this world; but be
ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that
Religion must control the whole man : the very body must
he consecrated to God, as a sacred offering upon his altar.
Such an offering is dictated by reason, by gratitude, and by the
law of consistency and propriety. The body, which has been
the occasion and the organ of sin, should be sanctified to
nobler uses ; and the supremacy of the spirit, as restored by
grace, should be manifested through the active devotion of the
entire man to the service of God. This comes to pass, first,
through the renewing of the mind unto right feelings and
aims ; next through carrying this spirit into all the details of
life, and using every thing as a means of serving God. Busi-
ye may prove what is that good and acceptable
and perfect will of God.
3. For I say, through the grace given unto me,
to every man that is among you, not to think of
himself 'more highly than he ought to think; but
to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to
every man the measure of faith.
4. For as we have many members in one body,
and all members have not the same office ;
5. So we, being many, are one body in Christ,
and every one members one of another.
6. Having then gifts, differing according to the
grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us
prophesy according to the proportion of faith ;
7. Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering;
or he that teacheth, on teaching;
8. Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation ; he that
giveth, let him do it with simplicity ; he that
ruleth, with diligence ; he that showeth mercy,
with cheerfulness.
9. Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor
that which is evil ; cleave to that which is good.
10. Be kindly affectioned one to another with
brotherly love, in honor preferring one another ;
11. Not slothful in business ; fervent in spirit ;
serving the Lord;
12. Rejoicing in hope ; patient in tribulation ;
continuing instant in prayer;
13. Distributing to the necessity of saints ;
given to hospitality.
ness is not to be neglected, even for specific religious services ;
not to be regarded as alien to the religious spirit : but the
same mind, which is so fervent in its devotion as to be ready
at any moment for acts of worship or of charity, should be
diligent in business ; "serving the Lord" in the necessary oc-
cupations of life ; thankful in prosperity ; patient under dis-
appointment ; not conformed to the world's ways in business ;
abhorring every evil way, but cleaving resolutely to that which
is good ; and thus making practical proof of what is good and
acceptable and perfect in the sight of God.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 67, 121, 125.
Lord ! we beseech thee, grant us grace to with-
stand the temptations of the world, the flesh, and
the Devil, and with pure hearts and minds to fol-
low thee. Suffer us never to fall away from
Christ ; never, never to betray him. Oh ! keep
us from all covetous and worldly desires.
Lord Jesus, who art exalted to be a Prince and
a Saviour to give repentance and forgiveness of
sins ! we do repent of our sins before thee, and hum-
bly beseech thee to receive us, according to thy
promise that him that cometh unto thee thou wilt
in no wise cast out. Give unto us, O Lord ! that
sense of thy presence which shall preserve us
from sin; that strength of faith which shall over-
come evil ; that peace which the world cannot give.
We bring thee thanks for the mercies of the
night, and supplicate thy grace for our friends and
neighbors, for the absent dear to us, for thy Church,
for this family, yea, Lord, for the whole family of
mankind, — the world which thou hast died to
save. Oh ! raise up a faithful ministry, and keep
thy servants pure.
We beseech thee, Lord ! to instruct us in our
duty, and help us to perform it ; to give us a
tender conscience and an earnest spirit ; to uphold
us in the slippery ways of the world, and give us
sterling integrity of heart ; and finally to receive
us to thy presence in the world of endless life.
And to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost,
be glory forever. Amen.
^i#»\MMl t &^
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
WEDNESDAY.
Job i. — 1. There was a man in the land of TTz,
whose name was Job ; and that man was perfect
and upright, and one that feared God, and es-
chewed evil.
2. And there were born unto him seven sons
and three daughters.
3. His substance also was seven thousand sheep,
and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke
of oxen, and five hundred she-asses, and a very
great household ; so that this man was the greatest
of all the men of the east.
4. And his sons went and feasted in their
houses, every one his day; and sent and called
for their three sisters to eat and to drink with
them.
5. And it was so, when the days of their feast-
ing were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified
them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered
burnt-offerings according to the number of them
all; for Job said, It maybe that my sons have
sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did
Job continually.
13. And there was a day when his sons and his
daughters were eating and drinking wine in their
eldest brother's house :
14. And there came a messenger unto Job, and
said, The oxen were ploughing, and the asses feed-
ing beside them ;
15. And the Sabeans fell upon them, and took
them away ; yea, they have slain the servants with
The Book of Job is among the oldest books in the world ;
and for this reason alone it would be of great value and inter-
est for its pictures of primitive society in Arabia, and as a
repository of early thought upon nature and the problems of
life. The venerable patriarch, with his vast possessions, his
large family, his numerous retinue, yet living in a grand sim-
plicity, and more honored for his virtue than his wealth ; the
protector of the poor, the friend of the widow and the father-
less, the judge of the city, "unto whom men gave ear, and
waited, and kSpt silence at his counsel," — such a picture is
unsurpassed by Homer for vivid beauty. Upon the charge of
Satan, that Job served God for the sake of temporal rewards,
the patriarch was visited by a succession of disasters that must
have uprooted any mere worldly confidence. But he bore this
sudden and terrible calamity with meek and uncomplaining
the edge of the sword ; and I only am escaped
alone to tell thee.
16. While he urns yet speaking, there came also
another, and said, The fire of God is fallen from
heaven, and hath burned up the sheep and the
servants, and consumed them ; and I only am es-
caped alone to tell thee.
17. While he was yet speaking, there came also
another, and said, The Chaldeans made out three
bands, and fell upon the camels, and have carried
them away, yea, and slain the servants with the
edge of the sword ; and I only am escaped alone to
tell thee.
18. While he ivas yet speaking, there came also
another, and said, Thy sons and thy daughters
were eating and drinking wine in their eldest
brother's house :
19. And, behold, there came a great wind from
the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the
house, and it fell upon the young men, and they
are dead ; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.
20. Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and
shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground,
and worshipped,
21. And said, Naked came I out of my mother's
womb, and naked shall I return thither. The Lord
gave, and the Lord hath taken away : blessed be
the name of the Lord.
22. In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God
foolishly.
submission and devotion. Bereft of property, family, home,
he was now subjected to a painful and loathsome disease which
caused men to shun him. To aggravate his trials, three
friends came, not to condole with him nor to succor him, but
to accuse him of secret impiety, because he was visited with
such judgments. This led to a long discussion of the method
of God's dealings with men, in which Job vindicated the provi-
dence of God, and asserted his own integrity, and his faith in im-
mortality. But though men could not justly accuse him, yet,
when he contemplated the majesty and glory of God in his
works, and the holiness of God's character, he abhorred him-
self, and repented in dust and ashes. Then the Lord remem-
bered him in mercy, and " blessed the latter end of Job more
than his beginning."
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 26, 27, 108.
Lord, make us to know our end, and the meas-
ure of our days, what it is, that we may know how
frail we are. Verily every man, at his best state,
is altogether vanity. Yet, Lord, thou wilt not
cast off forever : thou dost not afflict willingly nor
grieve the children of men. We bless thee that
thou hast spared us the punishment that we de-
serve . for our sins ; and we beseech thee, for
Christ's sake, to forgive and save us.
We awake this morning to the light of thy love,
to the sense of thy gracious protection, and the joy
of thy presence ; and we would bring to thee our
sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. Oh ! keep
us this day from sin ; bless us in our home, in our
labors, in our studies ; bless all our friends with
both temporal and spiritual good ; and remember
all men in mercy. We beseech thee, Lord ! de-
liver us from evil ; but, if calamity and sorrow shall
overtake us, may we call to remembrance the pa-
tience of thy servant Job, and, in humble faith,
await the end of the Lord. Perfect in us all thy
good pleasure ; and bring us at length to the in-
heritance of thy saints in joy and glory everlast-
ing, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
294
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
THURSDAY.
Numbers xiii. — 17. And Moses sent them to
spy out the land of Canaan, and said unto them,
Get you up this way southward, and go up into
the mountain ;
18. And see the land, what it is / and the peo-
ple that dwelleth therein, whether they be strong
or weak, few or many ;
19. And what the land is that they dwell in,
whether it be good or bad ; and what cities they be
that tbey dwell in, whether in tents, or in strong-
holds ;
20. And what the land is, whether it be fat or
lean ; whether there be wood therein, or not. And
be ye of good courage, and bring of the fruit of
the land. Now, the time was the time of the first
ripe grapes.
23. And they came unto the brook of Eshcol,
and cut down from thence a branch with one
cluster of grapes, and they bare it between two
upon a staff: and they brought of the pome-
granates, and of the figs.
24. The place was called the brook Eshcol, be-
cause of the cluster of grapes which the children
of Israel cut down from thence.
25. And they returned from searching of the
land after forty days.
26. And they went and came to Moses, and to
Aaron, and to all the congregation of the children
of Israel, unto the wilderness of Paran, to Ka-
desh ; and brought back word unto them, and unto
all the congregation, and showed them the fruit of
the land.
27. And they told him, and said, We came unto
the land whither thou sentest us ; and surely it flow-
eth with milk and honey ; and this is the fruit of it.
28. Nevertheless, the people be strong that dwell
in the land, and the cities are walled, and very
Eshcol has commonly been located in the vicinity of
Hebron ; and one may now find clusters on the vines of that
lovely valley which would corroborate the statement in verse
23. But Mr. E. H. Palmer, who, in 1870, traversed the desert
of Tih very thoroughly, places Eshcol farther south, near to
great ; and, moreover, we saw the children of Anak
there.
29. The Amalekites dwell in the land of the
south; and the Hittites, and the Jebusites, and
the Amorites, dwell in the mountains ; and the
Canaanites dwell by the sea, and by the coast of
Jordan.
30. And Caleb stilled the people before Moses,
and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it ; for
we are well able to overcome it.
31. But the men that went up with him said,
We be not able to go up against the people ; for
they are stronger than we.
32. And they brought up an evil report of the
land which they had searched unto the children
of Israel, saying, The land through which we have
gone to search it is a land that eateth up the in-
habitants thereof; and all the people that we saw
in it are men of a great stature.
33. And there we saw the giants, the sons of
Anak, which come of the giants ; and we were in
our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in
their sight.
Numbers xiv. — 1. And all the congregation
lifted up their voice, and cried; and the people
wept that night.
2. And all the children of Israel murmured
against Moses and against Aaron ; and the whole
congregation said unto them, Would God that we
had died in the land of Egypt ! or would God we
had died in this wilderness !
3. And wherefore hath the Lord brought us unto
this land, to fall by the sword, that our wives and
our children should be a prey ? Were it not better
for us to return into Egypt ?
4. And they said one to another, Let us make a
captain, and let us return into Egypt.
'Ain el Gadis, in which he finds the ancient Kadesh. No
doubt that region was once quite fertile ; and Mr. Palmer
reports " miles of hillsides and valleys covered with the small
stone heaps, in regular swaths, along which the grapes were
trained, and which still retain the name of grape-mounds."
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 127, 172, 184.
Almighty and everlasting God, in whom we live
and move, and have our being, we, thy needy crea-
tures, render thee our humble praises for thy
preservation of us from the beginning of our lives
to this day, and especially for having delivered us
from the dangers of the past night. We thank
thee that we have been kept from the alarm of
sickness, of fire, of robbers, of sudden death, and
have awaked in peace to behold the day. Lord !
we beseech thee, lift upon us the light of thy
countenance, that we may begin the day in the
conciousness of thy love, and may spend it joyfully
in doing thy will. [May the children of this fam-
ily learn to please thee, their Father in heaven,
in all that they think and say and do! and in
these things may we all have the spirit of little
children !] Keep us from malice and anger, from
envy and pride, from covetousness, worldliness,
and all sin. May we be useful in the world
and in the Church of Christ ! May our kin-
dred and friends he prospered in their lawful
undertakings and desires, and all be partakers of
thy grace ! Mercifully forgive our sins, lead us
safely through the perils of this life unto the
heavenly rest, and save us with an everlasting sal-
vation, through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
295
FRIDAY.
Numbers xiv. — 11. And the Lord said unto
Moses, How long will this people provoke me ?
and how long will it be ere they believe me, for all
the signs which I have showed among them ?
12. I will smite them with the pestilence, and
disinherit them, and will make of thee a greater
nation and mightier than they.
13. And Moses said unto the Lord, Then the
Egyptians shall hear it (for thou broughtest up
this people in thy might from among them) ;
14. And they will tell it to the inhabitants of
this land: for they have heard that thou, Lord, art
among this people ; that thou, Lord, art seen face to
face ; and that thy cloud standeth over them ; and
that thou goest before them, by day-time in a pillar
of a cloud, and in a pillar of fire by night.
15. Now, if thou shalt kill all this people as
one man, then the nations which have heard the
fame of thee will speak, saying,
16. Because the Lord was not able to bring this
people into the land which he sware unto them,
therefore he hath slain them in the wilderness.
17. And now, I beseech thee, let the power of
my Lord be great, according as thou hast spoken,
saying,
18. The Lord is long-suffering, and of great
mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression, and
by no means clearing the guilty ; visiting the in-
iquity of the fathers upon the children unto the
third and fourth generation.
19. Pardon, I beseech thee, the iniquity of this
people according unto the greatness of thy mercy,
and as thou hast forgiven this jieople, from Egypt
even until now.
20. And the Lord said, I have pardoned accord-
ing to thy word ;
21. But, as truly as I live, all the earth shall be
filled with the glory of the Lord.
22. Because all those men which have seen my
glory, and my miracles, which I did in Egypt and
in the wilderness, and have tempted me now these
ten times, and have not hearkened to my voice ;
23. Surely they shall not see the land which I
sware unto their fathers, neither shall any of them
that provoked me see it :
24. But my servant Caleb, because he had an-
other spirit with him, and hath followed me fully,
him will I bring into the land whereinto he went ;
and his seed shall possess it.
25. To-morrow turn you, and get you into the
wilderness by the way of the Bed Sea.
26. And the Lord spake unto Moses and unto
Aaron, saying,
28. Say unto them, As truly as I live, saith the
Lord, as ye have spoken in mine ears, so will I do
to you :
29. Your carcasses shall fall in this wilderness;
and all that were numbered of you, according to
your whole number, from twenty years old and up-
ward, which have murmured against me.
In great and perilous enterprises, fear is oiten equivalent to
failure. Even hesitation may render failure certain, where
pluck would lead to victory. In business-affairs, caution,
pressed to the extreme of timidity, may lose some great op-
portunity of success. The fate of a campaign may turn
upon the decision to strike a blow ; and to doubt is disaster
and defeat. Doubt blinds the judgment, and paralyzes the
will. TTho does not recall with sadness opportunities lost by
want of faith in himself, in events, in God, and want of pluck
to go forward ? So the Israelites failed to enter Canaan for
lack of faith at the critical moment of God's opportunity.
Let us take heed, lest, in our greater salvation, we fall after
the same example of unbelief. To postpone the confession
of Christ may prove our eternal ruin.
Appropriate Htmns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 136, 161, 175.
"We come to thee this morning, heavenly Father,
with hearts full of thankfulness for the mercies of
the night. We have rested in safety and in peace
under the shadow of thy wing. Thou hast kept us
quiet from the fear of evil : nor sickness, nor death,
nor tempest, nor fire, nor any calamity, hath over-
taken us or our dwelling. How sure are the mercies
of thy covenant, Lord ! All thy promises in Christ
Jesus are Yea and Amen. Eulfil unto us, we be-
seech thee, these thy mercies and promises, and
cause that this day we may rejoice in thy salva-
tion.
Bless to us thy "Word which we have now read.
Oh ! sanctify us by thy truth ; and, while we re-
ceive its instruction and comfort in our hearts,
may we carry out its precepts in our lives, and
f.dorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all
things ! May every day witness some new victory
over evil desires and passions within us, and over
the evil that is in the world ! [Oh, may these
children grow in grace as they grow in years and
in knowledge ! May they shun evil companions
and evil ways, and walk in the way of thy com-
mandments !] Keep all dear to us even as the
apple of thine eye. Bless our neighbors, and send
thy Spirit upon this whole community. Bless our
rulers, and the schools and churches in our land.
May all who rule, and all who teach, be led and
taught by thee ! Have pity upon the poor and the
sorrowing; upon homes made desolate by famine,
pestilence, or war. Stay thy judgments, Lord !
and send peace and salvation to all people. Mer-
cifully forgive our sins, and bring us unto the per-
fection of knowledge, of holiness, and of blessed-
ness, in Jesus Christ our Lord ; to whom be glory
forever. Amen.
296
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
SATURDAY.
Psalm xxxiv. — 1. I will bless the Lord at all
times : his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
2. My soul shall make her boast in the Lord :
the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.
3. Oh ! magnify the Lord with me, and let us
exalt his name together.
4. I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and de-
livered me from all my fears.
5. They looked unto him, and were lightened ;
and their faces were not ashamed.
6. This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him,
and saved him out of all his troubles.
7. The angel of the Lord encampeth round
about them that fear him, and delivereth them.
8. Oh ! taste and see that the Lord is good :
blessed is the man that trusteth in him.
9. Oh ! fear the Lord, ye his saints ; for there is
no want to them that fear him.
16. The face of the Lord is against them that
do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from
the earth.
17. The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth,
and delivereth them out of all their troubles.
18. The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a
broken heart, and saveth such as be of a contrite
spirit.
Numbers xxi. — 1. And when King Arad the
Canaanite, which dwelt in the south, heard tell that
Israel came by the way of the spies, then he fought
against Israel, and took some of them prisoners.
2. And Israel vowed a vow unto the Lord, and
That section of Arabia Petrasa through which the Israelites
were at this time passing is infested with poisonous serpents :
some are of a flaming color ; others, from the fiery sensation
of their stings, are known as " serpents of the burning bite."
These deadly creatures, infesting the camp, caused the utter-
most consternation. Their bite was almost certain death,
and a death of torture. The remedy is a striking example
of the connection which the Bible so uniformly exhibits be-
tween miracles of healing and personal faith. There could
be no physical influence from the serpent of brass upon the
bite of the serpent in the human body, nor could any effect
upon the imagination have cured one of a deadly poison
burning in his veins. The cure was the direct act of God,
said, If thou wilt indeed deliver this people into
my hand, then I will utterly destroy their cities.
3. And the Lord hearkened to the voice of
Israel, and delivered up the Canaanites ; and they
utterly destroyed them and their cities : and he
called the name of the place Hormah.
4. And they journeyed from Mount Hor by the
way of the Red Sea to compass the land of Edom ;
and the soul of the people was much discouraged
because of the way.
5. And the people spake against God, and
against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up
out of Egypt to die in the wilderness ? for there is
no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul
loatheth this light bread.
6. And the Lord sent fiery serpents among the
people, and they bit the people ; and much people
of Israel died.
7. Therefore the people came to Moses, and
said, We have sinned ; for we have spoken against
the Lord, and against thee : pray unto the Lord,
that he take away the serpents from us. And
Moses prayed for the people.
8. And the Lord said unto Moses, Make thee a
fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole ; and it shall
come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when
he looketh upon it, shall live.
9. And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put
it upon a pole ; and it came to pass, that if a ser-
pent had bitten any man, when he beheld the ser-
pent of brass, he lived.
and might have been effected without a sign, or even a word.
But, that the sufferer might realize and appreciate God's mer-
ciful intervention, he was summoned to a naked act of faith,
and the cure was associated with a symbol of the curse. The
looking was the healing. To look, in penitence for the sin ; to
look, in the agony of suffering, in the fear of perishing, in
the conviction of a helpless, hopeless need ; to look, with a
yearning for deliverance ; to look, with faith and hope and
commitment, — this was salvation. Even so must we look
to Jesus, who was lifted up upon the cross for our sins, that
" whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have
everlasting life."
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 30, 86, 143.
Thou who didst humble thyself to be born of
a virgin, the everlasting Son of the Father, the
Prince of peace ! we bless and adore thee for thy
grace and compassion for us sinners. We give
thanks unto the Father, who so loved the world,
that he gave his only-begotten Son, that whosoever
believeth in him should not perish, but have ever-
lasting life ; we praise and worship the Son, who
took upon him our nature that he might redeem us
to God. Oh ! grant us, we beseech thee, thy peace,
through the forgiveness of sin, reconciliation with
God, and the indwelling of the Spirit, that we may
glorify and praise thee in our lives for all that we
have heard and seen of thy grace.
[May the children of this family remember that
Jesus came as a little child to bless them ! May
they give their hearts to his love !] And may we all,
in the spirit of little children, love and serve Him
who came into the world to save sinners! And,
oh ! may the world be saved ; may all men come to
Christ ; may peace reign on earth, and good will
bind all hearts together for the glory of God !
And to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, be honor
and praise throughout all ages. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
297
SUNDAY MORNING.
John xii. — 1. Then Jesus, six days before the
passover, came to Bethany, where Lazarus was
which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead.
2. There they made him a supper ; and Martha
served : but Lazarus was one of them that sat at
the table with him.
3. Then took Mary a pound of ointment of
spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of
Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair ; and the
house was filled with the odor of the ointment.
4. Then saith one of his disciples (Judas Is-
cariot, Simon's son, which should betray him),
5. Why was not this ointment sold for three
hundred pence, and given to the poor ?
6. This he said, not tbat he cared for the poor,
but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and
bare what was put therein.
7. Then said Jesus, Let her alone : against the
day of my burying hath she kept this.
8. For the poor always ye have with you ; but
me ye have not always.
9. Much people of the Jews, therefore, knew that
he was there ; and they came, not for Jesus' sake
only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom
he had raised from the dead.
10. But the chief priests consulted that they
might put Lazarus also to death ;
11. Because that, by reason of him, many of the
Jews went away, and believed on Jesus.
12. On the next day, much people that were
come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was
coming to Jerusalem,
13. Took branches of palm-trees, and went forth
to meet him, and cried, Hosanna ! Blessed is the
King of Israel that cometh in the name of the
Lord!
14. And Jesus, when he had found a young ass,
sat thereon ; as it is written,
15. Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy
King cometh, sitting on an ass's colt.
16. These things understood not his disciples
at the first; but when Jesus was glorified, then
remembered they that these things were written
of him, and that they had done these things unto
him.
17. The people, therefore, that was with him
when he called Lazarus out of his grave, and
raised him from the dead, bare record.
18. For this cause the people also met him,
for that they heard that he had done this mira-
cle.
19. The Pharisees, therefore, said among them-
selves, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing ? Be-
hold, the world is gone after him.
The two sisters, Martha and Mary, here exhibit the same
opposite characteristics which our Lord once commented upon
when visiting at their house, — Martha full of energy to serve,
and testifying her regard for Jesus by providing for his com-
fort ; Mary full of loving devotion, waiting upon his every
word and look, and forgetting every thing else in the desire to
honor him as her Teacher and her Lord. The quick instinct
of her affection taught her that this might be the last oppor-
tunity of showing her regard ; and she poured forth the most
costly ointment upon the feet of Jesus. This lavish gift ( the
ointment was worth fifty dollars) our Lord accepted as for
his burial, and, in reply to the carpings of avarice predicted
that " wheresoever this gospel shall be preached, in the whole
world, there shall also this that this woman hath done be
told for a memorial of her." Thus did Jesus honor the af-
fections of our nature, and the tribute of love to sorrow. The
odor of that offering yet fills the wide sphere of human sym-
pathy and of Christian devotion.
The return of Jesus to Bethany quickened again the en-
thusiasm which the raising of Lazarus had excited. The
people, expecting nothing less than the manifestation of their
royal Messiah in one who could do such mighty works, would
have borne him in triumph to Jerusalem as their King :
meantime hypocrisy and avarice were plotting his death.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
Almighty Father, who hast given thine only
Son to die for our sins, and to rise again for our
justification, grant, we humbly pray thee, that we
may so truly partake of his death and resurrection
as ourselves to be dead unto sin, and alive unto
God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
May this holy day witness to us the grace of
Christ in our redemption! and may thine Holy
Spirit witness and seal within us the pardon and
peace which that redemption brings ! Grant us the
comforts of thy gospel, Lord ! the joy of thy salva-
tion, the spirit of prayer and praise, the communion
of thy saints, and, above all, communion with thyself.
Bless thy Church, her worship and sacraments,
her ministers and members : may the beauty of the
Lord our God be upon her ! Bless the Sunday
school, and guide teachers and scholars in thy Word.
[Nos. 121, 157, 173.
Have compassion upon those who disregard thy day,
and upon all who know thee not ; and incline thy
people to seek and save the lost. Be with the mis-
sionaries of the cross, according to thy promise,
Lord ! and make known thy way among the hea-
then. Hasten the coming of thy kingdom in uni-
versal peace and knowledge and righteousness.
[We commend unto thy grace the children of this
family ; praying that, in the morning of life, they
may love the Saviour who died for them, and may
know the joy of serving thee.]
We humbly thank thee for the mercies of an-
other week and the blessings of the past night.
We commit to thy loving care this family, and all
dear to us at home or abroad; and pray thee to
bring us all together unto thy heavenly kingdom,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
SUNDAY EVENING.
20. And there were certain Greeks
that came up to worship at the
John xii.—
among them,
feast.
21. The same came therefore to Philip, which
was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, say-
ing, Sir, we would see Jesus.
22. Philip cometh and telleth Andrew; and,
again, Andrew and Philip tell Jesus.
23. And Jesus answered them, saying, The
hour is come that the Son of man should be
glorified.
24. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a
corn of wheat fall into the ground, and die, it
abideth alone ; but, if it die, it bringeth forth much
fruit.
25. He that loveth his life shall lose it ; and he
that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto
life eternal.
26. If any man serve me, let him follow me ;
and where I am, there shall also my servant
be : if any man serve me, him will my Father
honor.
27. Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I
say ? Father, save me from this hour ; but for this
cause came I unto this hour.
28. Father, glorify thy name
Then came there
a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified
it, and will glorify it again.
29. The people, therefore, that stood by, and
heard it, said that it thundered. Others said, An
angel spake to him.
30. Jesus answered and said, This voice came,
not because of me, but for your sakes.
31. Now is the judgment of this world; now
shall the prince of this world be cast out.
32. And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will
draw all men unto me.
33. (This he said, signifying what death he
should die.)
34. The people answered him, We have heard
out of the law that Christ abideth forever ; and
how sayest thou, The Son of man must be lifted
up ? Who is this Son of man ?
35. Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little
while is the light with you. Walk while ye have
the light, lest darkness come upon you; for he
that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither
he goeth.
36. While ye have light, believe in the light,
that ye may be the children of light. These
things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide
himself from them.
These " Greeks " were Gentiles who had embraced Judaism,
and were known as proselytes of the gate : hence their desire
to see Jesus represents the longing of the Gentile world after
light and salvation, in contrast with the unbelief of the Jewish
leaders. Jesus took occasion from their coming to proclaim
the universality of his redemption, that all men should be
drawn to him through his cross. The fact that the Gentiles
were seeking him, that the world was already longing for the
Deliverer whom the Jews were rejecting, was another indi-
cation that the hour of his triumph was at hand. But this
triumph must be reached by yet further humiliation, this
glory attained through suffering. Death is the unfolding
of the germ for a new life, the expanding of the seed into
the fruitful blade. Yet the soul of Jesus, overshadowed
with the gloom of his last conflict, struggled with mortal
anguish, and anticipated the cry of the garden, " If it be
possible, let this cup pass from me." But, having come
to this hour for the very purpose of making his soul an
offering for sin, he would not shrink from the will of the
Father. His Father answered by an approval audible to
the bystanders ; and Jesus rose to the majesty of victory
over the Prince of this world : sin, Satan, death, should
all be vanquished through the suffering of the Son of man
upon the cross.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 116, 164, 171.
O Thou who art the Way ! we beseech thee to
lead us ; Thou who art the Truth ! we beseech
thee to teach us ; Thou who art the Life ! we
beseech thee to preserve us unto the life everlasting.
We thank thee, God! that in Christ we may know
thee as our Father, reconciling us unto thyself.
Transform us from day to day, and from week
to week, more into the image of thy Son, that we
may at last be presented faultless before the pres-
ence of thy glory with exceeding joy.
We praise thee for this sabbath and all its bless-
ings, at home and in thy house. We pray for all
who have worshipped with us this day. May
grace, mercy, and peace be upon them, and upon
the whole Israel of God! Extend thy cause and
kingdom everywhere. May the glorious gospel of
the blessed God speedily triumph over all the pride
and wisdom and will-worship and delusion of man !
O Thou who didst bring from the dead the Lord
Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through
the blood of the everlasting covenant ! do thou
make us perfect to do thy will, working in us that
which is well pleasing in thy sight.
May our friends who are at a distance from us
be protected and guarded by thy gracious provi-
dence ! Teach us how to walk as pilgrims and
strangers on the earth, — sojourners, as all our
fathers were, — looking for that blessed hope, even
the glorious appearing of the great God our Sa-
viour. Oh ! bring us at last to our Father's
house in everlasting peace.
As the curtains of the night are now drawing
around us, be pleased to grant us thy guardian
care. Lying down in thy fear, may we awake in
thy favor, fitted for all the calls and duties of a new
day ! And all this we ask for Christ's sake. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
MONDAY.
Deuteronomy x. — 1. At that time the Lord
said unto me, Hew thee two tables of stone like
unto the first, and come up unto me into the
mount, and make thee an ark of wood.
2. And I will write on the tables the words that
were in the first tables which thou brakest, and
thou shalt put them in the ark.
3. And I made an ark of shittim-wood, and
hewed two tables of stone like unto the first, and
went up into the mount, having the two tables in
mine hand.
4. And he wrote on the tables, according to the
first writing, the ten commandments, which the
Lord spake unto you in the mount, out of the midst
of the fire, in the day of the assembly ; and the
Lord gave them unto me.
12. And now, Israel, what doth the Lord thy
God require of thee but to fear the Lord thy God,
to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to
serve the Lord thy God with all thine heart and
with all thy soul,
13. To keep the commandments of the Lord,
and his statutes, which I command thee this day
for thy good ?
14. Behold, the heaven and the heaven of heav-
ens is the Lord's thy God ; the earth also, with all
that therein is.
15. Only the Lord had a delight in thy fathers
to love them ; and he chose their seed after them,
even you above all people, as it is this day.
16. Circumcise, therefore, the foreskin of your
heart, and be no more stiff-necked.
17. For the Lord your God is God of gods, and
Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible,
which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward:
18. He doth execute the judgment of the
fatherless and widow, and loveth the stranger, in
giving him food and raiment.
19. Love ye, therefore, the stranger ; for ye were
strangers in the land of Egypt.
20. Thou shalt fear the Lord thy God : him
shalt thou serve, and to him shalt thou cleave, and
swear by his name.
21. He is thy praise, and he is thy God, that
hath done for thee these great and terrible things
which thine eyes have seen.
22. Thy fathers went down into Egypt with
threescore and ten persons ; and now the Lord
thy God hath made thee as the stars of heaven for
multitude.
Deuteronomy xi. — 1. Therefore thou shalt love
the Lord thy God. and keep his charge, and his
statutes, and his judgments, and his command-
ments, alway.
The New Testament is sometimes put in contrast with the
Old, as a spirit of love and of life. But love is no less the
spirit of the law than of the gospel ; and though the law
given by Moses, both as a national code and a ritual of wor-
ship, required many specific and minute observances, yet its
fundamental idea was spiritual consecration to God, as the
spring of all duty, the substance of all devotion. Even cir-
cumcision, so much insisted on as the seal of the covenant,
had no value except as a sign of the separation of the heart
from the world unto God : " He is a Jew which is one in-
wardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and
not in the letter." The law, therefore, instead of being se-
vere and cumbersome, was reasonable in its demand, simple
in its rule, and had in itself the inspiration of a true life.
All its commandments were for good; all its requirements
were summed up in the one word love.
The reasons urged upon Israel for obedience are as telling
for us to-day. These were, first, the loving-kindness of the
Lord toward them as a people ; next, the greatness, the majesty,
and the righteousness of Jehovah ; and, thirdly, his gentleness
and compassion toward the weak, the needy, the helpless, the
i neglected. With the severer aspects of the divine power and
! justice the Scriptures continually blend his tenderness and
I grace.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 154, 155, 172.
thou Preserver of men ! in the multitude of
thy mercies hast thou preserved us during the
hours of sleep, and raised us up to the duties of
another day in the possession of health and rea-
son, and surrounded by the manifold tokens of thy
favor. Accept our humble praise, and graciously
keep us this day from sin and every evil. Bless
us in all the labor of our hands, and in all things
teach us to glorify thy holy name. Show thy pity
upon us as a family ; ever keep us in thy love ;
and may we all be numbered with thy saints in
glory everlasting !
Thou who watchest over the fall of the sparrow,
how gently and graciously thou has cared for us,
in the least things as well as in the greatest ! We
thank thee for this thy daily care, and commit
ourselves to thy loving providence, [^lay these
children learn to see thee in the birds and the
flowers, in all the beautiful things which thou
hast made, and to love and trust thee, their gra-
cious Eather and Saviour !]
Hear us, God ! when we pray that it may
please thee to bless and keep all thy people ; that
it may please thee to give to all nations unity,
peace, and concord; that it may please thee to
defend and provide for the fatherless children and
widows, and for all that are desolate and oppressed ;
that it may please thee to bring into the way of
truth all such as have erred and are deceived ;
that it may please thee to give us true repentance,
to forgive us all our sins, to endue us with the
grace of thy Holy Spirit ; and, after this present
life, to take us to live and reign with thee and
thy Son in glory everlasting. Amen.
300
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
TUESDAY.
Deuteronomy xi. — 8. Therefore shall ye keep
all the commandments which I command you this
day, that ye may be strong, and go in and possess
the land whither ye go to possess it ;
9. And that ye may prolong your days in the
land which the Lord sware unto your fathers to
give unto them, and to their seed, a land that
floweth with milk and honey.
10. For the land whither thou goest in to pos-
sess it is not as the land of Egypt from whence
ye came out, where thou sowedst thy seed, and
wateredst it with thy foot, as a garden of herbs ;
11. But the land whither ye go to possess it is
a land of hills and valleys, and drinketh water of
the rain of heaven ;
12. A land which the Lord thy God careth for :
the eyes of the Lord thy God are always upon it,
from the beginning of the year even unto the end
of the year.
13. And it shall come to pass, if ye shall heark-
en diligently unto my commandments which I
command you this day, to love the Lord your God,
and to serve him with all your heart and with all
your soul,
14. That I will give you the rain of your land in
his due season, the first rain and the latter rain,
that thou mayest gather in thy corn, and thy wine,
and thine oil.
,15. And I will send grass in thy fields for thy
cattle, that thou mayest eat and be full.
16. Take heed to yourselves, that your heart be
not deceived, and ye turn aside, and serve other
gods, and worship them ;
17. And then the Lord's wrath be kindled
against you, and he shut up the heaven, that there
be no rain, and that the land yield not her fruit;
and lest ye perish quickly from off the good land
which the Lord giveth you.
18. Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in
your heart and in your soul, and bind them for a
sign upon your hand, that they may be as frontlets
between your eyes.
19. And ye shall teach them your children,
speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house,
and when thou walkest by the way, when thou
liest down, and when thou risest up.
20. And thou shalt write them upon the door-
posts of thine house, and upon thy gates ;
21. That your days may be multiplied, and the
days of your children, in the land which the Lord
sware unto your fathers to give them, as the days
of heaven upon the earth.
Egypt consists of a long, narrow valley, between two ridges
of naked rock, which divide this valley from the desert, and
of a delta or a fan-like deposit of alluvium, which widens out
from Cairo to the shore of the Mediterranean. The Nile
flows through the middle of the valley, and, below Cairo, di-
vides into branches that spread over the delta. In Lower
Egypt it seldom rains ; in Upper Egypt, almost never. The
yearly inundation from the rising of the Nile, when the tropi-
cal rains have swollen its sources, gives the first start to vege-
tation ; but the water of the overflow is husbanded in canals
and reservoirs, and from these is pumped up for irrigation by
rude machines worked by the hand or the foot. Palestine, on
the contrary, is a hilly country, with springs and streams
that depend upon the stated rains, which fall chiefly from the
beginning of November till towards April. Formerly the
land was much more fertile than it now is : the cutting-away
of the forests and the neglect of tillage have given it a general
aspect of barrenness ; but enough of its natural fertility re-
mains to justify the description of " a land that floweth with
milk and honey."
Moses provided for a system of national education through
the family : every child was to be taught to read and write ;
to be made acquainted with the history of his own country
and of surrounding nations, and with the great national and
religious law-book of the country. Parents were to be so im-
bued with the word of God, that this should give tone to their
daily conversation, and impress itself upon the very house.
Only by such home-training can a nation be kept true to
God.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 14, 29, 197.
Almighty God, we have erred and strayed from
thy ways like lost sheep. We have followed too
much the devices and desires of our own hearts.
We have offended against thy holy laws. We have
left undone those things which we ought to have
done, and we have done those things which we
ought not to have done ; and there is no health in
us. But thou, Lord ! have mercy upon us mis-
erable offenders, and, for Christ's sake, grant us
grace to shun every evil way, and to live in all
things unto the glory of thy holy name.
What shall we render unto thee, thou Preserver
of men ! for thy goodness to this family ; for the
comforts of our home ; for our means of education
and enjoyment ; for health and prosperity, and all
the favors wherewith thou dost enrich our lives ?
Oh, may we ever make to thee the glad return of
grateful and loving hearts, and, as stewards of thy
bounty, distribute freely to others the good we have
freely received ! We beseech thee, O Lord ! have
mercy upon our land : preserve us from faction,
violence, and misrule ; from luxury and impiety ;
from neglect of thy Word and thy day. Give peace,
O Lord ! in our time ; keep our rulers in thy fear,
and save the nation from its sins. We commend
unto thy mercy all who are in poverty or distress,
in sickness or trouble ; we pray for all who are in
ignorance, error, or sin, that thou wouldst graciously
enlighten and save them. Purify and exalt thy
Church, and make all thy people perfect to do thy
will. Perfect thy will in us, O Lord ! and sanctify
and save us for the Redeemer's sake. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
301
WEDNESDAY.
Deuteronomy xxxii. — 48. And the Lord spake
unto Moses that self-same day, saying,
49. Get thee up into this Mountain Abariin, unto
Mount Nebo, which is in the land of Moab, that is
over against Jericho ; and behold the land of Ca-
naan which I give unto the children of Israel for a
possession :
50. And die in the mount whither thou goest up,
and be gathered unto thy people ; as Aaron thy
brother died in Mount Hor, and was gathered unto
his people :
51. Because ye trespassed against me among the
children of Israel at the waters of Meribah-Kadesh,
in the wilderness of Zin ; because ye sanctified me
not in the midst of the children of Israel.
52. Yet thou shalt see the land before thee; but
thou shalt not go thither unto the land which I
give the children of Israel.
Deuteronomy xxxiv. — 1. And Moses went up
from the plains of Moab unto the mountain of
ISTebo, to the top of Pisgah, that is over against
Jericho ; and the Lord showed him all the land of
Gilead unto Dan,
2. And all Naphtali, and the land of Ephraim
and Manasseh, and all the land of Judah, unto the
utmost sea,
3. And the south, and the plain of the valley of
Jericho, the city of palm-trees, unto Zoar.
4. And the Lord said unto him, This is the
land which I sware unto Abraham, unto Isaac,
and unto Jacob, saying, I will give it unto thy
seed : I have caused thee to see it with thine eyes ;
but thou shalt not go over thither.
5. So Moses the servant of the Lord died there
in the land of Moab, according to the word of the
Lord.
6. Ami he buried him in a valley in the land of
Moab, over against Beth-peor; but no man know-
eth of his sepulchre unto this day.
7. And Moses was a hundred and twenty years
old when he died : his eye was not dim, nor his
natural force abated.
10. And there arose not a prophet since in Is-
rael like unto Moses, whom the Lord knew face to
face,
11. In all the signs and the wonders which the
Lord sent him to do in the land of Egypt, to
Pharaoh, and to all his servants, and to all his
land,
12. And in all that mighty hand, and in all the
great terror which Moses showed in the sight of
all Israel.
Moses was the meekest and the most unselfish of men ; yet |
he would have been more than human had he borne all the ■
provocations of the people without once betraying petulance,
and all the honor and power of his station without once yield-
ing to arrogance. When the people clamored for water at
Meribah, Moses so far forgot himself, that, in a sudden burst
of passion, he exclaimed, " Hear now, ye rebels ! must we fetch
you water of this rock ? " thus assuming to himself the power
and glory of the miracle. It was necessary that God should
vindicate his own honor before the people, and should show
the impartiality of his justice ; and so he decreed, that, for this
offence, Moses should not enter the promised land. It was a
great sorrow to the aged leader of the people to quit them just
at the border of the promised possession ; but he acquiesced
with meekness, gave the people his parting counsel, inaugu-
rated Joshua his successor, and then went up Nebo to die.
From a lofty mountain east of the Dead Sea, opposite Jeri-
cho, he had a view, which, in that crystal atmosphere, took in
all the great outlines of Palestine ; and, even as his eyes were
swimming in its glory, his spiritual vision was unveiled to be-
hold the true Canaan of his hope and rest. The secreting of
his body prevented the people from making his tomb a place
of worship. Centuries after, he stood in the midst of Canaan
with the glorified Elijah and the transfigured Christ.
Appropriate Hymns.
Prayer.
[Nos. 19, 34, 46, 161.
God, who hast redeemed us by the precious
blood of thy Son ! help us, we beseech thee, to live
only and in every thing unto Him that loved us
and died for us. We bless thee for the glory
which is promised to his saints at his appearing.
Oh, may we then be found in him !
God, who hast prepared for those who love
thee such good things as pass man's understand-
ing ! pour into our hearts such love toward thee,
that we, loving thee above all things, may obtain
thy promises, which exceed all that we can desire,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
We thank thee, Lord ! for the precious com-
fort that remains to us concerning dear friends
who have departed in the faith; that to them
heaven is even now a reality ; that they have no
more want, nor sorrow, nor care, nor sin. Oh,
may heaven be a reality to our faith ! and may the
hope of it, yea, the assurance of it, as our home,
lift us above all the temptations and trials of this
present world ! Give to us strength for labors,
courage for conflicts, patience under afflictions,
fidelity to duty, and faith that shall endure to the
end, and shall make us more than conquerors over
death.
We praise thee, Lord ! for the blessings of the
present time ; for another night of rest ; for another
morning of mercy and hope. Oh, may we this
day love thee more, know thee more, serve thee
better, than ever before ! In all that is given us
to do, may we glorify thy name ! in all that we are
called to bear, may we accept thy holy will ! So
may we daily live to thee ; and, when the things
of earth shall pass away, make us to be numbered
with thy saints in glory everlasting, through Jesus
Christ our Saviour. Amen.
THURSDAY.
Psalm CXX. — 1. In my distress I cried unto
the Lord, and he heard me.
2. Deliver my soul, Lord ! from lying lips,
and from a deceitful tongue.
3. What shall be given unto thee, or what
shall be done unto thee, thou false tongue ?
4. Sharp arrows of the mighty, with coals of
juniper.
5. Woe is me that I sojourn in Mesech, that
I dwell in the tents of Kedar !
6. My soul hath long dwelt with him that
hateth peace.
7. I am for peace ; but, when I speak, they are
for Avar.
Matthew xviii. — 5. Whoso shall receive one
such little child in my name, receiveth me.
6. But whoso shall offend one of these little
ones which believe in me, it were better for him
that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and
that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
7. Woe unto the world because of offences ! For
it must needs be that offences come ; but woe to
that man by whom the offence cometh !
8. Wherefore, if thy hand or thy foot offend
Offences will come in a world fall of envy, backbiting 1 , and
deceit. Temptations, snares, provocations, will be set for the
righteous. _ The Psalmist found to his cost that " he was un-
able to silence the discord of those about him by the most
conscientious effort on his part not to provoke them. Paul,
in exhorting us to live peaceably with all men, foreseeing that
it does not depend entirely on ourselves, adds, ' If it be possible,
as much as lieth in you.' " We are required to do all in our
power to protect the innocent. In the parable of the sheep,
our Lord gave an emphatic lesson of brotherly love, an em-
phatic warning against jealousy and envious ambition. It
was called forth by the dispute of the disciples among them-
selves " who should be the greatest." Jesus likened his true
disciples to little children ; and, since the maltreatment of a
little child would be peculiarly offensive to Him who makes
the feeble and helpless his special care, men are warned against
those contentions and jealousies which selfishness engenders,
thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee : it is
better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed,
rather than, having two hands or two feet, to be
cast into everlasting fire.
9. And, if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out,
and cast it from thee : it is better for thee to enter
into life with one eye, rather than, having two
ej r es, to be cast into hell-fire.
10. Take heed that ye despise not one of these
little ones ; for I say unto you, That in heaven
their angels do always behold the face of my
Father which is in heaven.
11. For the Son of man is come to save that
which was lost.
12. How think ye ? If a man have a hundred
sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he
not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the
mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray?
13. And, if so be that he find it, verily I say
unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep than of
the ninety and nine which went not astray.
14. Even so it is not the will of your Father
which is in h eaven that one of these little ones
should perish.
and which would cause offence or injury to one whom Jesus
loves. Especially are they warned against provoking such to
do wrong, or causing them to stumble. The very helpless-
ness and hopelessness of their condition led the Son of man
to come into the world to save them, just as the good shep-
herd goes in quest of the missing lamb. All heaven, too, is
concerned for their welfare. The angels, who stand in the
immediate presence of God, deem it a service of honor to
minister to these heirs of salvation ; and the infinite Father,
who, loving them in Christ, has adopted them as children, will
never lose sight of one of them, nor suffer one of them to
perish through the malice of the world. How should we love
and honor the Church which Christ has redeemed with his
precious blood ! How careful should we be, never, in word or
act, to do a slight to even the humblest and feeblest of Christ's
disciples !
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 53, 63, 93.
thou holy Lamb of God ! take away our sins.
Help us to follow thee in meekness under injury,
and in patience under suffering. O thou holy, life-
giving Spirit ! come thou to purify and comfort us.
Lord, our heavenly Father ! we thank thee for
thy preserving care in the night, and pray thee to
bless us during the day now begun. As a family
may we be under thy care, and seek, own, and
serve thee in all the duties of the day. May
we have grace to deny ourselves, and to take
up our cross, and follow our blessed Master!
Suffer us not by any carelessness of conduct
to bring a reproach upon the Christian profession.
Give us grace to bridle our tongues, to fight against
the risings of sinful passion, to keep careful watch
over our thoughts and affections. May we be will-
ing to serve others in thy name! May we have
the spirit of forbearance and charity, and be ready
to forgive any who offend against us ! Oh ! keep
us unspotted from the world. May we go about
doing good, and be useful to all around us ! We
pray thee give unto thy Church the spirit of
peace and brotherly love ; and, oh ! defend thy
little ones from the malice and evil of the world.
We beseech thee, God ! to look favorably
upon our country. Guide those in authority, and
give them true wisdom. Make us to be a happy
people, fearing and loving thee. Give unto thy dear
Son the heathen for his inheritance, and the utter-
most parts of the earth for his possession. Hear us,
most merciful Father, and graciously answer us, for
the sake of our only Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
303
FRIDAY.
— 1. Lord, I cry unto thee : make
; give ear unto my voice when I
Psalm cxii. -
haste unto me
cry unto thee.
2. Let my prayer he set forth before thee as
incense, and the lifting-up of my hands as the
evening sacrifice.
3. Set a watch, Lord ! before my mouth ;
keep the door of my lips.
4. Incline not my heart to any evil thing, to
practise wicked works with men that work iniqui-
ty ; and let me not eat of their dainties.
5. Let the righteous smite me ; it shall be a
kindness : and let him reprove me ; it shall be
an excellent oil, which shall not break my head :
for yet my prayer also shall be in their calamities.
Matthew xviii. — 15. Moreover, if thy brother
shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his
fault between thee and him alone : if he shall
hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.
16. But if he will not hear thee, then take
with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of
To avoid giving offence is not easy ; and so much offence
comes of hasty speaking, that every one has need to set a
watch before his mouth. To accept a deserved reproof with
meekness, and even with thankfulness, is not easy to average
human nature; but he who receives rebuke in the true spirit
will find it an excellent oil, that does not break, but heal.
Hardest of all is it to forgive those who offend us.
No doubt Peter imagined himself very magnanimous in
proposing to forgive seven times. It is said that the rule laid
down by the rabbins was to forgive three times, and no more.
But we read in Proverbs that " a just man falleth seven
times, and riseth up again ; " and " seven times " is a stand-
ard expression in the Bible for that which is large, much, or
complete. But the gospel teaches that the spirit of forgive-
ness in our hearts should be unlimited; for the injunction to
forgive has respect, not to the nature or number of the offences,
nor to the character and disposition of the offender, but to
the effect upon our own minds of an unforgiving temper.
We must forgive in the measure in which we pray to be for-
given. But it is our duty also to seek a reconciliation with
the offender, and endeavor to bring him to a proper frame of
two or three witnesses every word may be estab-
lished.
17. And, if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it
unto the church ; but, if he neglect to hear the
church, let him be unto thee as a heathen man
and a publican.
18. Verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall
bind on earth shall be bound in heaven ; and
whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed
in heaven.
19. Again I say unto you, That, if two of you
shall agree on earth as touching any thing that
they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my
Father which is in heaven.
20. For where two or three are gathered together
in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
21. Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord,
how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I
forgive him ? till seven times ?
22. Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee,
Until seven times ; but, Until seventy times s'even.
mind ; and we owe duties to the community, which, in certain
kinds of offence, we are not at liberty to omit. One may for-
give a personal wrong, and have no spirit of revenge, and yet
be bound to bring the criminal to justice for the protection
of society.
In cases of offence between members of the same church,
our Lord requires that we shall proceed upon the assumption
that the offender is a Christian, and will be sorry for his fault
when it is brought to his notice. Therefore we must not
blazon his fault abroad, nor shun his acquaintance, but go to
him in the candor of love with a view to heal the difficulty.
Not until this has been honestly tried, and has failed, are we
at liberty to speak of the offence to another, and then only to
invoke his good offices for a reconciliation. If both these ef-
forts fail, the matter should be brought before the Church in
the same spirit of love and reconciliation. But the Church is
bound to cast out from its communion one who refuses to con-
fess and renounce an offence against a brother. Christ vested
the supreme power of discipline in the assembled Church, act-
ing solemnly and prayerfully in his name. No pre-eminence
was here given to Peter, nor to the apostles as a body.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 53, 6.3, 95.
God, who hast spared our lives, and brought
us to the beginning of another day! we lift up our
hearts to thee. We thank thee for rest during
the past night; for life preserved, and strength re-
newed ; and for the many tokens of thy loving-
kindness which surround us. May we ever have
true gratitude for thy mercies, and never grieve
thee by a hard and unthankful heart !
And now, Lord ! prepare us for the duties and
trials which this day may bring. Give us grace to
take up, each one of us, our peculiar cross ; to ex-
ercise constant self-denial ; and in all things to
follow the Master. Make us more like him in
lowliness and meekness ; tender-hearted, forgiving
one another ; ready to bear each other's burdens,
and so fulfil the law of Christ.
Let not the world with its cares and vanities fill
our hearts, and so make us forget the worth of our
souls, the love of our Saviour, and the nearness of
eternity. Whilst we are busy in the world, may
our hearts rise above it !
Lord, watch over us, and all who are dear to us,
this day. Defend our souls from the assaults of
the Wicked One, and preserve our bodies in health
and safety. May we walk in the light of thy
countenance, and know the happiness of those
who have the Lord for their God ! Finally, pre-
pare us to depart and be with Christ. Hear us,
heavenly Father, and when thou hearest forgive,
for the sake of Jesus our Saviour ; who, with thee
and the Holy Spirit, liveth and reigneth, one God,
world without end. Amen.
304
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
SATURDAY.
Deuteronomy xxiv. — 10. "When thou dost lend
thy brother any thing, thou shalt not go into his
house to fetch his pledge:
11. Thou shalt stand abroad, and the man to
whom thou dost lend shall bring out the pledge
abroad unto thee ;
12. And, if the man he poor, thou shalt not sleep
with his pledge :
13. In any case thou shalt deliver him the
pledge again when the sun goeth down, that he
may sleep in his own raiment, and bless thee ; and
it shall be righteousness unto thee before the Lord
thy God.
Matthew xviii. — 23. Therefore is the kingdom
of heaven likened unto a certain king which would
take account of his servants.
24. And, when he had begun to reckon, one was
brought unto him which owed him ten thousand
talents.
25. But, forasmuch as he had not to pay, his
lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife and
children, and all that he had, and payment to be
made.
26. The servant, therefore, fell down and wor-
shipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me,
and I will pay thee all.
27. Then the lord of that servant was moved
No one can read this parable and not feel that the unjust
servant was rightly dealt with. He deserved his punishment for
his ingratitude toward his master, for his selfish greed, for his
hard-hearted cruelty toward his fellow-servant. The imagery
or dress of the parable is borrowed from Oriental customs :
slavery, including the sale of the family of the debtor, was a
common punishment for debt ; and sovereigns were sometimes
very decided and severe in the punishment even of favorites
who had defrauded them. Torture was sometimes added to
captivity or imprisonment, both to increase the severity of
the punishment, and to extort a confession of concealed treas-
ures. Modern Egyptians will often submit to the bastinado
rather than disclose their property to the tax-gatherer.
with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him
the debt.
28. But the same servant went out, and found
one of his fellow-servants which owed him a hun-
dred pence ; and he laid hands on him, and took
him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou
owest.
29. And his fellow-servant fell down at his feet,
and besought him, saying, Have patience with me,
and I will pay thee all.
30. And he would not, but went and cast him
into prison till he should pay the debt.
31. So, when his fellow-servants saw what was
done, they were very sorry, and came and told
unto their lord all that was done.
32. Then his lord, after that he had called him,
said unto him, thou wicked servant ! I forgave
thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me :
33. Shouldest not thou also have had compas-
sion on thy fellow-servant, even as I had pity on
thee?
34. And his lord was wroth, and delivered him
to the tormentors till he should pay all that was
due unto him.
35. So likewise shall my heavenly Father do
also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not
every one his brother their trespasses.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Lord ! we beseech thee, grant us grace to with-
stand the temptations of the world, the flesh, and
the Devil, and with pure hearts and minds to fol-
low thee ; and, forasmuch as without thee we are
not able to please thee, mercifully grant that thy
Holy Spirit may in all things direct and rule our
hearts through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Lord Jesus, who art exalted to be a Prince and
a Saviour to give repentance and forgiveness of
sins ! we do repent of our sins before thee, and hum-
bly beseech thee to receive us, according to thy
promise that him that cometh unto thee thou wilt
in no wise cast out. Give unto us Lord! that
rest which thou hast promised to the weary and
heavy-laden ; that peace which the world cannot
give nor take away. As we shall go forth into the
world this day, may thy presence guide and keep us !
In the structure of an Eastern household of rank, and
especially of a court, there would be under-servants dependent
upon the steward, as he, in turn, was subject to his lord.
All this is the costume of the parable : its deep meaning is
that we owe to God every thing ; that we have kept back
every thing for ourselves, and have nothing wherewith to
pay ; that he is ready to forgive us all, but that the effect
of the forgiveness of our infinite debt should be to cherish
in us the spirit of gentleness, forbearance, and forgive-
ness toward our fellow-men. " If ye forgive not men their
trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your tres-
passes."
[Nos. 78, 115.
Prayer.
We bring thee thanks for the mercies of the
night, and supplicate thy grace for our friends and
neighbors, for the absent dear to us, for thy Church,
for this family, yea, Lord, for the whole family of
mankind, — the world which thou hast died to
save.
We beseech thee, Lord ! to instruct us in our
duty, and help us to perform it ; to give us a
tender conscience and an earnest spirit ; to uphold
us in the slippery ways of the world, and give us
sterling integrity of heart; to save us from the
enmity of men, from the malice of Satan, and
from our own faults and follies ; to support us in
the hour of death ; and finally to receive us to thy
presence in the world of endless life. And to the
Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be glory
forever. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
305
SUNDAY MORNING.
Joel iii. — 14. Multitudes, multitudes, in the
valley of decision ; for the day of the Lord is near
in the valley of decision.
15. The sun and the moon shall he darkened,
and the stars shall withdraw their shining.
16. The Lord also shall roar out of Zion, and
utter his voice from Jerusalem ; and the heavens
and the earth shall shake : but the Lord will be
the hope of his people, and the strength of the
children of Israel.
17. So shall ye know that I am the Lord your
God, dwelling in Zion, my holy mountain : then
shall Jerusalem be holy, and there shall no stran-
gers pass through her any more.
18. And it shall come to pass in that day that
the mountains shall drop down new wine, and the
hills shall flow with milk, and all the rivers of Ju-
dah shall flow with waters ; and a fountain shall
come forth of the house of the Lord, and shall
water the valley of Shittim.
19. Egypt shall be a desolation, and Edom shall
be a desolate wilderness, for the violence against
the children of Judah, because they have shed in-
nocent blood in their land.
20. But Judah shall dwell forever, and Jerusa-
lem from generation to generation.
Micah iv. — 1. But in the last days it shall
come to pass that the mountain of the house of
In vain should we search the history of Israel for the fulfil-
ment of this blessed and glowing promise. Centuries of
calamity, civil war, invasion, captivity, subjugation by foreign
powers, terminating at last in the destruction of Jerusalem and
the Temple, and the dispersion of the Jews among all nations,
have blighted whatever hope this prediction may have inspired
in the ancient people of God. Indeed, the prophet had already
foretold that Zion should be ploughed as a field, and Jerusalem
become heaps, and the mountain of the house as the high places
of the forest. Neither has any period of human history fur-
nished the picture of peace, safety, plenty, and righteousness,
that is here described. Alas ! at the very moment that these
lines are written, the two greatest nations of Europe, rivals for
leadership in the civilization of the future, are waging a most
deadly and desolating war !
the Lord shall be established in the top of the
mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills ;
and people shall flow unto it.
2. And many nations shall come, and say, Come,
and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, and
to the house of the God of Jacob ; and he will
teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his
paths : for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the
word of the Lord from Jerusalem.
3. And he shall judge among many people, and
rebuke strong nations afar off; and 'they shall beat
their swords into ploughshares, and their spears
into pruning-hooks : nation shall not lift up a
sword against nation, neither shall they learn war
any more.
4. But they shall sit every man under his vine and
under his fig-tree, and none shall make them afraid ;
for the mouth of the Lord of hosts hath spoken it.
5. For all people will walk every one in the
name of his god, and we will walk in the name of
the Lord our God for ever and ever.
6. In that day, saith the Lord, will I assemble
her that halteth ; and I will gather her that is
driven out, and her that I have afflicted ;
7. And I will make her that halted a remnant,
and her that was cast far off a strong nation : and
the Lord shall reign over them in Mount Zion
from henceforth, even forever.
It was of the final triumph of the Messiah's kingdom that
the prophet spake. The "last days" denote "the point
which lies on the outermost limits of the horizon." History
is filling up the intermediate spaces, and we are moving
toward the glorious consummation. Christianity has already
done much to humanize war, and to mitigate its horrors. It
is yet to abolish it altogether. For it is through the preva-
lence of this spiritual, peaceful, and loving religion, the exalta-
tion of the word and the worship of God, that the nations
shall be subdued to peace. When its principles shall pre-
vail, the very weapons of war shall be turned into imple-
ments of husbandry ; production shall take the place of
destruction ; armies shall be disbanded ; private rights shall
be respected ; and every home shall be the abode of peace,
love, and devotion.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 120, 121, 130.
Lord, most gracious Saviour, who on this day
didst rise again from the dead ! raise up our souls
unto newness of life, granting us repentance from
dead works, and planting us in the likeness of thy
resurrection.
Lord ! we beseech thee so to purify our hearts
this day, that we may worship thee acceptably,
with reverence and godly fear. Incline us to re-
ceive thy Word into honest and good hearts, and to
bring forth fruit with patience ; that we may at
last inherit everlasting life, through the mediation
of our great High Priest, who has passed into the
heavens, and who liveth evermore.
Thou Lord of the evening and morning, we bless
thee for thy love which shines upon us in the
morning light. As thy goodness hath preserved
us in the night, may thy grace attend and keep us
this day ! As we shall study thee in thy works
and Word, fill our minds with thy truth, and our
hearts with thy love. Teach the children thy
grace in the gospel of thy Son, that they may
consecrate to thee the dew of their youth.
Let thy special blessing, Lord ! rest on all our
relations, friends, and neighbors, and upon thy
whole Church. Oh ! hasten the final coming of
Christ our Saviour; to whom, with the Bather and
the Holy Ghost, be all praise and thanksgiving
forever. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
SUNDAY EVENING.
Job iv. — 12. Now, a thing was secretly brought
to me, and mine ear received a little thereof.
13. In thoughts from the visions of the night,
when deep sleep falleth on men,
14. Fear came upon me, and trembling, which
made all my bones to shake.
15. Then a spirit passed before my face ; the
hair of my flesh stood up :
16. It stood still ; but I could not discern the
form thereof :. an image was before mine eyes;
there was silence; and I heard a voice, saying,
17. Shall mortal man be more just than God?
shall a man be more pure than his Maker ?
18. Behold, he put no trust in his servants ; and
his angels he charged with folly:
19. How much less in them that dwell in houses
of clay, whose foundation is in the dust, which are
crushed before the moth !_
20. They are destroyed from morning to even-
ing ; they perish forever without any regarding it.
21. Doth not their excellency which is in them
go away? They die, even without wisdom.
2 Corinthians v. — 1. For we know, that, if
our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved,
we have a building of God, a house not made with
hands, eternal in the heavens.
2. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to
be clothed upon witli our house which is from
heaven ;
3. If so be, that, being clothed, we shall not be
found naked.
4. For we that are in this tabernacle do groan,
being burdened; not for that we would be un-
clothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be
swallowed up of life.
5. Now, he that hath wrought us for the self-
same thing is God, who also hath given unto us
the earnest of the Spirit.
6. Therefore we are always confident, knowing
that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are
absent from the Lord ;
7. (For we walk by faith, not by sight :)
8. We are confident, I say, and willing rather to
be absent from the body, and to be present with
the Lord.
9. Wherefore we labor, that, whether present or
absent, we may be accepted of him.
10. For we must all appear before the judg-
ment - seat of Christ, that every one may
receive the things done in his body, according
to that he hath done, whether it be good or
bad.
The Egyptians called the abodes of the living inns, because
they are occupied only for a limited period ; but the sepul-
chres of the dead they called eternal habitations. The apos-
tle here calls the body itself a tent ; and, by contrast, the abode
prepared for the spirit after death a building immaterial and
everlasting. The apparent dissolution of the body, so far
from being the destruction of the soul, is its liberation for
the higher life. The death of the body is in reality the tri-
umph of the life-principle in the soul over the burdens and
pains of its mortal appendage : the life then swallows up
all that is mortal in its belongings, and enters upon a con-
dition of perpetual freedom, security, and joy. Hence the
New Testament never represents death as a matter of gloom
or apprehension to the believer; hardly speaks, indeed, of
his dying, but of his falling asleep, his going to be with
Christ.
Now, this life which death cannot destroy, cannot so much
as impede, is begun in the soul by faith in the Lord Jesus
Christ ; and is, in its nature and power, the eternal life. He
who walks by faith walks with Christ unseen ; and, when
death draws the veil, he finds himself present with the Lord.
How marked the contrast between the New Testament and
the Old in the clearness and confidence with which the gospel
speaks of departed saints ! The Old Testament so far as-
sumed the immortality of the soul, and intimated the resur-
rection of the body, that these both becr.me articles of the
Jewish faith ; but Christ, by his teaching and his resurrec-
tion, brought life and immortality to light.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 10G, 126, 146.
God, who hast taught us in thy Word that
there is still laid up a rest for thy people, and
who hast given us a promise of entering into it !
grant to us, we beseech thee, that we fail not of
that promise through unbelief and disobedience.
Teach us to look for a house that hath founda-
tions, of which thou art the "maker and builder.
Lift our hearts thither in earnest desire.
Oh sabbath of eternal peace ! Oh haven where
the wicked cease from troubling, and the weary are
at rest ! When shall we see thee, O Lord ! and be-
hold the King in his beauty? When shall we
meet the apostles and prophets, and the great
multitude whom no man can number ? When
shall we see again our dear friends who sleep in
Jesus ?
God the Father, who hast the times and sea-
sons in thine own power ! let not that day come
upon us unawares. God the Son, who art gone
to prepare a place for us ! in thine own time take
us to thyself, that where thou art, there we may be
also. God the Holy Ghost, the pledge of future
glory in our hearts ! seal us until the redemption
of the purchased possession. We bless thee for
the help this day received through thy holy Word
and the prayers and praises of thy Church. We
supplicate thy favor upon all who have heard thy
Word, and upon those who have it not. We bless
thee for thy mercy to this household, and commit
ourselves to thy fatherly protection for the night.
Keep us under the shadow of thy wings ; and,
Father ! bring us, we pray thee, finally to rest in
thee, through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour.
Amen.
MONDAY.
Joshua iii. — 5. And Joshua said unto the peo-
ple, Sanctify yourselves ; for to-morrow the Lord
will do wonders among you.
6. And Joshua spake unto the priests, saying,
Take up the ark of the covenant, and pass over
before the people. And they took up the ark of
the covenant, and went before the people.
7. And the Lord said unto Joshua, This day
will I begin to magnify thee in the sight of all
Israel, that they may know, that as I was with
Moses, so I will be with thee.
8. And thou shalt command the priests that
bear the ark of the covenant, saying, When ye are
come to the brink of the water of Jordan, ye shall
stand still in Jordan.
9. And Joshua said unto the children of Israel,
Come hither, and hear the words of the Lord
your God.
10. And Joshua said, Hereby ye shall know that
the living God is among you, and that he will
without fail drive out from before you the Canaan-
ites, and the Hittites, and the fiivites, and the
Perizzites, and the Girgashites, and the Amorites,
and the Jebusites.
11. Behold, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of
all the earth passeth over before you into Jordan.
12. ISTow, therefore, take you twelve men out of
the tribes of Israel, out of every tribe a man.
The last public act of Moses was a charge to Joshua, in
sight of all Israel, to lead the people over Jordan, and put
them in possession of the promised land. At the expiration
of the thirty days of mourning for Moses, Joshua was sum-
moned to this task by the voice of Jehovah. Having learned
through spies sent to Jericho that the Canaanites were filled
with terror of the threatened invasion, he made prepara-
tions for crossing the river in military order. As the current
of the Jordan is strong, this was no easy matter ; though there
are shallows near Jericho which can be forded when the river
is low. But it was now harvest-time ; and at that season the
melting of the snows on Lebanon causes the Jordan to rise
rapidly, and to overflow its banks. This exigency was met by
13. And it shall come to pass, as soon as the
soles of the feet of the priests that bear the ark
of the Lord, the Lord of all the earth, shall rest
in the waters of Jordan, that the waters of Jor-
dan shall be cut off from the waters that come
down from above ; and they shall stand upon a
heap.
14. And it came to pass, when the people
removed from their tents to pass over Jordan, and
the priests bearing the ark of the covenant before
the people,
15. And as they that bare the ark were come
unto Jordan, and the feet of the priests that bare
the ark were dipped in the brim of the water (for
Jordan overfloweth all his banks all the time of
harvest),
16. That the waters which came down from
above stood and rose up upon a heap very far
from the city Adam, that is beside Zaretan ;
and those that came down toward the sea of
the plain, even the salt sea, failed, and were
cut off: and the people passed over right against
Jericho.
17. And the priests that bare the ark of the
covenant of the Lord stood firm on dry ground in
the midst of Jordan, and all the Israelites passed
over on dry ground, until all the people were passed
clean over Jordan.
the direct intervention of God, who caused the running water
to stop, and to pile back upon the channel above, so that this
vast multitude passed over on dry ground. This miracle was a
pledge, that, though Moses was dead, he who led their fathers
through the Red Sea was still among them, the living God ; and,
in place of Moses and his rod, not Joshua and his sword, but
the ark, should be the token of Jehovah's presence and power.
Jordan has become the hallowed and beautiful symbol of
the river of death, with the heavenly Canaan beyond. At the
end of life's pilgrimage, if our faith holds on, we shall see
the waters divide before us ; or, like Bun3'an's pilgrim, shall
behold the shining ones waiting at the brink to bear us across
the river to the celestial city.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 14, 19, 34.
AVhom have we in heaven but thee, God ! and
there is none upon earth that we desire besides
thee. Thus far, the Lord hath led us on. The ark
of thy covenant hath gone before us, guiding our
wav, defending us from our enemies, and assuring
us of thy presence and thy favor. Through all the
journey of life thou hast watched over us with more
than a father's care, and hast blessed us with more
than a father's love. So do thou go with us still ;
ever guide, defend, and save us ; and. when at last
we shall come to the river of death, do thou,
Lord ! divide the waters before us, and lead us unto
thy rest.
Heavenly Father, we thank thee for another
night of quiet and repose, and that we have been
strengthened and refreshed for the duties of the
returning day. Bless thou us, God ! and we
shall be blessed. Ever make thy face to shine
upon us. Lift up the light of thy countenance
upon those whom we love, and upon thy whole
Church. Bless all mankind. Pitifully look upon
the poor, the tried, the tempted, the forsaken,
the oppressed, and all the children of sorrow.
Be very near to such as are drawing nigh to
death.
And now, our Father ! grant that we, being
made thy children by adoption and grace, may
be kept by the power of thy Holy Spirit, and at
last rise to the life immortal, through Jesus Christ
our Lord. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
TUESDAY.
Joshua vii. — 10. And the Lord said unto
Joshua, Get thee up : wherefore liest thou thus
upon thy face ?
13. Up, sanctify the people, and say, Sanctify
yourselves against to-morrow; for thus saith the
Lord God of Israel : There is an accursed thing in
the midst of thee, Israel ! thou canst not stand
before thine enemies until ye take away the ac-
cursed thing from among you.
14. In the morning, therefore, ye shall be
brought according to your tribes : and it shall
be, that the tribe which the Lord taketh shall
come according to the families thereof; and the
family which the Lord shall take shall come by
households, and the household which the Lord
shall take shall come man by man.
15. And it shall be, that he that is taken with
the accursed thing shall be burnt with fire, he and
all that he hath ; because he hath transgressed the
covenant of the Lord, and because he hath wrought
folly in Israel.
16. So Joshua rose up early in the morning,
and brought Israel by their tribes ; and the tribe
of Judah was taken :
17. And he brought the family of Judah, and
he took the family of the Zarhites ; and he brought
the family of the Zarhites man by man ; and Zab-
di was taken :
18. And he brought his household man by man ;
and Achan the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the
son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, was taken.
19. And Joshua said unto Achan, My son, give,
I pray thee, glory to the Lord God of Israel, and
The miraculous passage of the Jordan was followed by the
capture of Jericho without striking a blow ; the walls of the
city falling as the priests blew their trumpets, and the panic-
stricken inhabitants becoming an easy prey. Prom Jericho,
Joshua marched in a north-westerly direction, up a compara-
tively broad and accessible watly, to Ai, — the very spot from
which Abraham and Lot had looked over upon the Plain of
Jordan before they parted. Here the Israelites met with a
severe check, which so oppressed Joshua that he fell upon his
face before the ark, crying, " O Lord ! what shall I say when
Israel turncth their backs before their enemies 1 and what wilt
thou do unto thy great name? " The cause of the disaster
was a form of insubordination and immorality, which, if suf-
make confession unto him : and tell me now what
thou hast done ; hide it not from me.
20. And Achan answered Joshua, and said, In-
deed I have sinned against the Lord God of Israel,
and thus and thus have I done.
21. When I saw among the spoils a goodly
Babylonish garment, and two hundred shekels of
silver, and a wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight,
then I coveted them, and took them ; and, behold,
they are hid in the earth in the midst of my tent,
and the silver under it.
22.- So Joshua sent messengers, and they ran
unto the tent ; and, behold, it was hid in his tent,
and the silver under it.
23. And they took them out of the midst of the
tent, and brought them unto Joshua, and unto all
the children of Israel, and laid them out before the
Lord.
24. And Joshua, and all Israel with him, took
Achan the son of Zerah, and the silver, and the
garment, and the wedge of gold, and his sons, and
his daughters, and his oxen, and his asses, and his
sheep, and his tent, and all that he had ; and they
brought them unto the valley of Achor.
25. And Joshua said, Why hast thou troubled
us ? the Lord shall trouble thee this day. And all
Israel stoned him with stones, and burned them
with fire, after they had stoned them with stones.
26. And they raised over him a great heap of
stones unto this day. So the Lord turned from
the fierceness of his anger: wherefore the name of
that place was called The valley of Achor, unto
this day.
fered to spread, would have demoralized the whole camp. The
extermination of the Canaanites was an act of divine retribu-
tion for the most monstrous sins. Had the Israelites turned
this judicial mission into a war of conquest and plunder, they
would have become corrupted in turn : hence all captured
treasure was held to be sacred, and no private looting was
allowed. In stealing and secreting plunder, Achan had vio-
lated an express prohibition, and endangered a necessary
policy. The exigencies of military discipline, and the sanctity
and authority of the religious leadership of the people, required
his exemplary though terrible punishment. Alas ! in what
calamities may one involve a family, a community, a nation,
by his sins ! and how sure it is that our sins will find us out !
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 91, 95, 97.
Almighty God, we render thee our humble praises
for thy preservation of us from the beginning of our
lives to this day, and especially for having delivered
us from the dangers of the past night. We thank
thee that we have been kept from the alarm of
sickness, of fire, of robbers, of sudden death, and
have awaked in peace to behold the day. Lord !
lift upon us the light of thy countenance, that
we may begin the day in the concionsness of thy
love, and may spend it joyfully in doing thy will.
Keep us from malice and anger, from envy and
pride, from covetousness, worldliness, and ail sin.
May we be useful in the world and in the Church
of Christ ! May our kindred and friends be pros-
pered in their lawful undertakings and desires,
and all be partakers of thy grace ! Mercifully for-
give our sins, lead us safely through the perils of
this life unto the heavenly rest, and save us with
an everlasting salvation, through our Lord Jesus
Christ. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
309
WEDNESDAY.
Joshua viii. — 1. And the Lord said unto Josh-
ua, Fear not ; neither be thou dismayed. Take all
the people of war with thee, and arise, go up to
Ai : see, I have given into thy hand the king of Ai,
and his people, and his city, and his land.
2. And thou shalt do to Ai and her king as
thou didst unto Jericho and her king : only the
spoil thereof, and the cattle thereof, shall ye take
for a prey unto yourselves : lay thee an ambush
for the city behind it.
3. So Joshua arose, and all the people of war,
to go up against Ai ; and Joshua chose out thirty
thousand mighty men of valor, and sent them
away by night.
4. And he commanded them, saying, Behold,
ye shall lie in wait against the city, even behind
the city.
28. And Joshua burnt Ai, and made it a heap
forever, even a desolation unto this day.
29. And the king of Ai he hanged on a tree
until even-tide ; and, as soon as the sun was down,
Joshua commanded that they should take his car-
cass down from the tree, and cast it at the entering
of the gate of the city, and raise thereon a great
heap of stones, that remaineth unto this day.
30. Then Joshua built an altar unto the Lord
God of Israel in Mount Ebal,
As soon as the morale of the Israelitish camp was restored,
Ai was taken by laying an ambush upon one side of the city,
which rose up and set it on fire, after Joshua, by a feigned
flight, had drawn out all the men of the city in pursuit upon
the other side. From Ai the victorious army marched north-
ward to the Vale of Shechem, in the very heart of Palestine.
Here the people, divided into two sections, were ranged along
the slopes of Ebal and Gerizim, which face one another, at about
a third of a mile apart, the whole length of the valley. Here,
in the clear, resonant air, the whole law of Moses was read,
and its blessings and curses were invoked, by these answering
choirs, according as the people should obey or disobey its pre-
cepts. With the exception of the giving of the law at Sinai
31. As Moses the servant of the Lord com-
manded the children of Israel ; as it is written
in the book of the law of Moses, an altar of
whole stones, over which no man hath lifted
up any iron : and they offered thereon burnt-
offerings unto the Lord, and sacrificed peace-
offerings.
32. And he wrote there upon the stones a copy
of the law of Moses, which he wrote in the pres-
ence of the children of Israel.
33. And all Israel, and their elders, and officers,
and their judges, stood on this side the ark and on
that side before the priests the Levites, -which
bare the ark of the covenant of the Lord, as well
the stranger as he that was born among them ;
half of them over against Mount Gerizim, and half
of them over against Mount Ebal ; as Moses the
servant of the Lord had commanded before, that
they should bless the people of Israel.
34. And afterward he read all the words of the
law, the blessings and cursings, according to all
that is written in the book of the law.
35. There was not a word of all that Moses com-
manded which Joshua read not before all the con-
gregation of Israel, with the women, and the little
ones, and the strangers that were conversant
among them.
forty years before, which only a part of that assembly had
witnessed, this was the most majestic spectacle in the history
of Israel. Before being divided to their several allotments, all
the tribes as one nation here entered into a solemn covenant
of allegiance to the same constitution. In this vale, Abraham
built the first altar to the true God that was erected in Canaan ;
here Jacob purchased a field which contained a valuable well ;
here the bones of Joseph were buried ; and here Jesus, sitting
by Jacob's well, proclaimed the superiority of the truth to the
place and time in which it was uttered, and the spirituality of
worship, above all names and forms, all places and people.
The benediction of his love reaches forth to these latter days,
— higher than the mountains, broader than the sea.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 22, 93, 101.
We lift up our eyes unto the hills, whence Com-
eth our help : our help cometh from the Lord, which
made heaven and earth. Thine angels, Lord !
have encamped round about us in the night-sea-
son, and thou hast given them charge concerning
us to defend us from all evil. We open our eyes
to the remembrance of thy mercy, to the conscious-
ness of thy presence, to the sense of our depend-
ence. Only our sins separate us from thee, our
loving Father ; and we beseech thee to blot these
out for thy name's sake, and to receive us in Christ
as thy redeemed an8 reconciled children.
Help us, O Lord ! this day, to walk worthy of
thy love, and, as obedient children, to do thy will.
[May the children of this family remember thee in
the days of their youth ! May every one of us daily
acknowledge and serve thee!] Keep us, Lord!
we pray thee, from all evil and sin this day. In
our intercourse with others may we be true and
just, loving and patient, gentle and kind, and
so may we commend unto all the gospel of thy
grace !
May thy favor be upon the community in which
we dwell, upon thy Church, upon our land ! Give
peace in our time, Lord ! and incline the hearts
of our rulers to that which is just and lawful in thy
sight. Have mercy upon the poor, the afflicted,
the solitary, the bereaved ; and cause that the
grace of thy gospel shall go forth everywhere to
heal the sins and sorrows of all mankind. Finally
hring us unto thine everlasting kingdom, through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
til
310
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
THURSDAY.
I Corinthians xii. — 12. For as the body is one,
and hath many members, and all the members of
that one body, being many, are one body ; so also
is Christ.
13. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into
one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether
we be bond or free ; and have been all made to
drink into one Spirit.
14. For the body is not one member, but many.
15. If the foot shall say, Because I am not the
hand, I am not of the body ; is it, therefore, not of
the body ?
16. And if the ear shall say, Because I am not
the eye, I am not of the body ; is it, therefore, not
of the body ?
17. If the whole body were an eye, where were
the hearing ? If the whole were hearing, where
were the smelling?
18. But now hath God set the members every
one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.
19. And, if they were all one member, where
were the body ?
20. But now are they many members, yet but
one body.
21. And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I
have no need of thee ; nor again the head to the
feet, I have no need of you.
22. Nay, much more those members of the
body which seem to be more feeble are neces-
sary;
23. And those members of the body which we
think to be less honorable, upon these we bestow
more abundant honor ; and our uncomely parts
have more abundant comeliness.
24. For our comely farts have no need : but
God hath tempered the body together, having
given more abundant honor to that fart which
lacked ;
25. That there should be no schism in the body,
but that the members should have the same care
one for another.
26. And whether one member suffer, all the
members suffer with it ; or one member be hon-
ored, all the members rejoice with it.
27. Now, ye are the body of Christ, and mem-
bers in particular.
28. And God hath set some in the church, first
apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers,
after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps,
governments, diversities of tongues.
29. Are all apostles ? are all prophets ? are all
teachers ? are all workers of miracles ?
30. Have all the gifts of healing ? do all speak
with tongues ? do all interpret ?
31. But covet earnestly the best gifts. And yet
show I unto you a more excellent way.
Under this striking and beautiful symbol of the body is set
forth the unity, the harmony, the proportionate and co-opera-
tive efficiency, of the Church of Christ. That equality of the
brotherhood which our Lord laid down as a fundamental
principle in the constitution of his Church does not imply
equality of function, nor of official place and work. In
primitive times, when miraculous gifts were widely shared by
the Church, there were marked diversities in those gifts, and
in the official position of persons thus endowed. And now
the equality of the brotherhood does not displace the divine
law of arrangement, distribution, adaptation, in the body.
For the Church is not a society; it is a hodij : and the equal-
ity of its members consists first in the fact of membership
in Christ, their common Head ; next in community of privi-
leges ; next in dependence upon one another for sympathy
and support ; next in co-operation toward the same end,
under the authority and direction of the one Head. And
the humblest may now obtain the greatest gifts, which in
the next chapter the apostle defines to be faith, hope,
charity.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 50, 62, 104.
Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be
thy name ; thy kingdom come ; thy will be done
in earth as it is in heaven. Oh, may thy kingdom
fully come in our hearts, casting out all sin ! may
thy will take possession of our wills, so that in all
things we shall please and serve thee ! Thy mercy,
O Lord ! of which every night and morning bears
witness, binds us to thee in love and gratitude ;
and we dedicate ourselves to thee this day as
obedient children. Help us to fulfil our vows.
Keep us from the love of this world, and from the
power of evil. O Lord ! strengthen, defend, de-
liver all thy servants, and maintain thy cause.
"We pray for thy holy Church universal, that it
may be so guided and governed by thy good Spirit,
that all who call themselves Christians may be led
into the way of truth, and hold the faith in unity
of spirit, in the bond of peace, and in righteous-
ness of life. Send thy Word, O Lord ! to those
who have it not : may it have free course and be
glorified ! and may the whole world be saved !
O God, the protector of all that trust in thee,
without whom nothing is strong, nothing is
holy ! increase and multiply upon us thy mercy ;
that, thou being our ruler and guide, we may so
pass through things temporal, that we finally lose
not the things eternal. Dwell thou in our hearts
by thy Spirit ; yea, make our very bodies temples
of the Holy Ghost : and may all sin be put far
away from us ! O Lord our Saviour ! make this
home thy habitation. [May the children gather
about thee with songs of praise, with hearts and
hands to do thy will !] And finally bring us unto
our Father's house, for Christ's sake. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
311
FRIDAY.
Psalm cxxiii. — 1. Unto thee lift I up mine
eyes, O thou that dwellest in the heavens !
2. Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the
hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maid-
en unto the hand of her mistress ; so our eyes wait
upon the Lord our God, until that he have mercy
upon us.
3. Have mercy upon us, Lord ! have mercy
upon us ; for we are exceedingly filled with con-
tempt.
Luke xiv. — 1. And it came to pass, as he went
into the house of one of the chief Pharisees to eat
bread on the sabbath day, that they watched
him.
2. And, behold, there was a certain man before
him which had the dropsy.
3. And Jesus, answering, spake unto the law-
yers and Pharisees, saying, Is it lawful to heal on
the sabbath day ?
4. And they held their peace. And he took
him, and healed him, and let him go ;
5. And answered them, saying, Which of you
shall have an ass or an ox fallen into a pit, and
will not straightway pull him out on the sabbath
day?
6. And they could not answer him again to
these things.
The " rooms " here spoken of were places at the table.
The table itself was spread upon the floor ; a mat or a sheet of
leather being first laid down for cleanliness, and the platter
set upon a stool in the middle. Surrounding the table were
cushions at a higher level, upon which the guests reclined,
leaning upon the left side, with their faces toward the dish.
Each cushion commonly accommodated three ; and the middle
place was regarded as the most eligible and the most honor-
able. The dignity of the places depended also upon their
proximity to the host or " master of the feast." Guests who
were full of vanity, and forward to claim precedence, would
thrust themselves into these favorite places on the cushions;
but the modest would wait to have a place assigned them by
7. And he put forth a parable to those which
were bidden, when he marked how they chose out
the chief rooms ; saying unto them,
8. When thou art bidden of any man to a wed-
ding, sit not down in the highest room, lest a more
honorable man than thou be bidden of him ;
9. And he that bade thee and him come and say
to thee, Give this man place ; and thou begiu with
shame to take the lowest room.
10. But, when thou art bidden, go and sit down
in the lowest room ; that, when he that bade thee
cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up
higher : then shalt thou have worship in the pres-
ence of them that sit at meat with thee.
11. For whosoever exalteth himself shall be
abased, and he that humbleth himself shall be ex-
alted.
12. Then said he also to him that bade him,
When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not
thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen,
nor thy rich neighbors ; lest they also bid thee
again, and a recompense be made thee.
13. But, when thou makest a feast, call the poor,
the maimed, the lame, the blind ;
14. And thou shalt be blessed : for they cannot
recompense thee ; for thou shalt be recompensed at
the resurrection of the just.
the host, according to his preference. Our Lord thus reads
us a lesson of humility in the common intercourse of life.
Those who push themselves forward, though for a while they
seem to get consideration, sooner or later meet with rebuffs,
and come to grief; while modest worth is by and by appreci-
ated and exalted. Having rebuked vanity and envy in the
guests, our Lord likewise rebuked ostentation in the host.
Social festivity should not be an occasion for sumptuous dis-
play ; least of all should a costly entertainment be resorted to
as a bid for social recognition. Better, far better, make our
largest outlays for the relief of the needy, — for the happiness
of such as can give us only gratitude in return. Such a feast
lasts forever.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 10, 17, 30.
Thou only, Lord ! makest us to dwell in safety.
We lie down at night under the shadow of thy
wings ; we awake in the morning to the light of
thy love. We thank thee for another night of rest
and comfort ; for another day of life, health, and
hope. Lord ! may we be found faithful to thee
in the duties of this day ! and, amid its temptations
and its trials, do thou sustain us, comfort us, keep
us, and grant us grace in all we do to seek thy
glory. May this household, which thou hast so
blessed, serve thee, not at this altar only, but in all
the walks of life ! As we engage in the business of
the world, as we go into society, wherever we are,
and whatever we do, may we remember thee, and
do thy will ! Oh ! grant that every member of this
family may be a child of God ; a humble, faithful
follower of the Lord Jesus Christ. Bless all dear
to us who are absent from us. Do thou, Lord !
dwell by thy Spirit in the hearts and the minds
of all our friends. We supplicate thy mercy
for the needy, the afflicted, the bereaved, and the
sorrowing. Oh ! grant to all the consolations of
thy gospel.
Build up thy Church, O Lord ! Pill our land
with pure religion. Bless the industry of the peo-
ple ; and may its fruit be consecrated to the good
of men ! May our rulers be faithful and just, walk-
ing in thy fear ! And we beseech thee to bring all
lands under the power and glory of thy kingdom.
In thy great mercy, Lord ! forgive our sins, and
bring us unto thy heavenly kingdom, through Jesus
Christ our Saviour. Amen.
312
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
SATURDAY.
Proverbs ix. — 1. Wisdom hath builded her
house ; she hath hewn out her seven pillars ;
2. She hath killed her beasts ; she hath mingled
her wine ; she hath also furnished her table ;
3. She hath sent forth her maidens ; she crieth
upon the highest places of the city,
4. Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither : as
for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to
him,
5. Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the
wine which I have mingled.
6. Forsake the foolish, and live ; and go in the
way of understanding.
Luke xiv. — 15. And, when one of them that
sat at meat with him heard these things, he said
unto him, Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the
kingdom of God.
16. Then said he unto him, A certain man made
a great supper, and bade many ;
17. And sent his servant at supper-time to say
to them that were bidden, Come ; for all things are
now ready.
18. And they all with one consent began to
make excuse. The first said unto him, I have
bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go
and see it : I pray thee have me excused.
19. And another said, I have bought five yoke
of oxen, and 1 go to prove them : I pray thee have
me excused.
20. And another said, I have married a wife ;
and therefore I cannot come.
21. So that servant came, and showed his lord
these things. Then the master of the house, being
angry, said to his servant, Go out quickly into the
streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither
the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the
blind.
22. And the servant said, Lord, it is done as
thou hast commanded ; and yet there is room.
23. And the lord said unto the servant, Go out
into the highways and hedges, and compel them
to come in, that my house may be filled ;
24. For I say unto you, that none of those men
which were bidden shall taste of my supper.
That careful observer of Oriental life, Dr. W. H. Thomson,
states, that, in Lebanon, the custom of repeating the invitation
to a feast still exists. " If a sheik, bey, or emir, invites, he
always sends a servant to call you at the proper time. This
servant often repeats the very formula mentioned in Luke
xiv. 17, Tcfuddul a, el'asha hdder, — 'Come; for the supper is
ready.' The fact that this custom is mainly confined to the
wealthy and the nobility is in strict agreement with the para-
ble, where the certain man who made the great supper, and
bade many, is supposed to be of this class. It is true, now
as then, that to refuse is a high insult to the maker of the
feast ; nor would such excuses as those in the parable be more
acceptable to a Druse emir than they were to the lord of this
great supper."
The feast in the parable is the grace of the gospel ; and
Christ is the provider : it is prepared upon the amplest scale :
the invitation is freely given, and is urged by repeated mes-
sengers. All the excuses proceed from worklliness, and are
mere pretexts. The Jews who read the first invitation, especi-
ally those to whom the calls of the prophets were familiar,
rejected their Messiah : the apostles were sent with urgency
to the poor, the despised, the outcast, in Israel itself; and the
first-fruits of the gospel were gathered from these. But no
limits of nation, race, or time, could confine this free salva-
tion : they must go with it into all the world, to every creature.
Millions have already come ; " and yet there is room." None
are debased save by their own refusal ; and all who come and
taste the grace should swell the call, " There yet is room."
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 11, 42, 93.
Our Father in heaven, we come to thee with
wants which thou knowest far better than we, and
for blessings which thou art more ready to give
than we to ask. But thou hast bidden us to pray ;
and we love to come, saying, Our Father. Oh,
may we have the spirit of little children, and show
our love and gratitude in lives of devotion ! Thou
hast kept us in the watches of the night from every
trouble, sorrow, and alarm ; and now we bless thee
for the day, for life and health, for food and rai-
ment, for home and friends, for means of education
and of enjoyment, for means of occupation and of
support, for means of improvement in the knowl-
edge of thyself, and for opportunities of doing good
to others. Oh ! grant us grace that we may use to
thy glory the lives which thou didst give, and
which thy mercy doth continually spare.
We acknowledge, Lord ! our un worthiness
and our sinfulness, and beseech thee to pardon our
transgressions, and heal our infirmities. Help us
this day to live aright. In the business of life
may we be diligent, faithful, and true ! and do thou,
Lord, prosper the labor of our hands. In our in-
tercourse with others, may we manifest the gentle-
ness, the sincerity, the charity, of the gospel ot
Christ ! May we be patient under trials, meek
under injuries, firm against temptation, bold for
the truth, zealous for thy cause ! May we be kind
to the poor, helpful to the suffering, gentle toward
all men ! [Give unto these children, Lord !
grace to serve thee in the morning of life, and in
their thoughts and words, their studies and their
play, always to please their Father in heaven.]
Remember with thy mercy all our friends.
Build up, Lord ! thy Church ; prosper thy king-
dom in our land, and throughout the world. Ever
guide, keep, and bless us. May we live as pil-
grims in the world, seeking that better country
which is the home of thy saints ! Bring us to the
close of the day in peace, and to the close of life
in a hope full of immortality, through Jesus
Christ, our Lord and Saviour. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
313
SUNDAY MORNING.
Psalm xcv. — 1. Oh! come, let us sing unto the
Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the Rock of
our salvation.
2. Let us come before his presence with thanks-
giving, and make a joyful noise unto him with
psalms.
3. For the Lord is a great God, and a great
King above all gods.
4. In his hand are the deep places of the earth :
the strength of the hills is his also.
5. The sea is his, and he made it ; and his hands
formed the dry land.
6. Oh ! come, let us worship, and bow down ; let
us kneel before the Lord our maker.
7. For he is our God ; and we are the people of
his pasture, aud the sheep of his hand.
Isaiah xl. — 9. Zion, that briugest good
tidings ! get thee up into the high mountain :
Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings ! lift up thy
voice with strength ; lift it up ; be not afraid ; say
unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God!
10. Behold, the Lord God will come with strong
hand, and his arm shall rule for him : behold, his
reward is with him, and his work before him.
11. He shall feed his flock like a shepherd; he
shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry
them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those
that are with young.
12. Who hath measured the waters in the hollow
of his hand, and meted out heaven with the span,
and comprehended the dust of the earth in a
measure, and weighed the mountains in scales,
and the hills in a balance ?
13. Who hath directed the Spirit of the Lord,
or, being his counsellor, hath taught him ?
14. With whom took he counsel, and who in-
structed him, and taught him in the path of judg-
ment, and taught him knowledge, and showed to
him the way of understanding?
15. Behold, the nations are as a drop of a
bucket, and are counted as the small dust of the
balance : behold, he taketh up the isles as a very
little thing.
16. And Lebanon is not sufficient to burn, nor
the beasts thereof sufficient for a burnt-offering.
17. All nations before him are as nothing ; and
they are counted to him less than nothing, and
vanity.
Zion is the type of the Church, the seat of spiritual life
and power, which has received the good tidings of salvation
to be carried to all people. Conscious of her Saviour's pres-
ence, of the dignity of her calling, of the strength of her
position, of the glory of her office, of the rewards of her
work, she should go forward courageously to proclaim the
message of the Most High. Does the wisdom of this world
affect to scorn that message 1 Is the preaching of the cross
foolishness ? But what progress has science yet made toward
measuring the heavens, and weighing the earth, and fathom-
ing the deep ? How far short does it come of comprehending
the works of God ! And where is the philosophy that has yet
begun to comprehend God himself? that has fathomed his
understanding, or divined his counsel ? What human spirit
has measured the Spirit of the Lord ? The scheme of redemp-
tion is so vast and glorious, that only the Infinite Mind could
have conceived it, and only Infinite Love could have brought
it to pass.
Do the powers of this world attempt to hinder the Church
of God ? But in his sight all the gathered nations are as a
drop, as the dust that a breath would puff away. No empire
— Rome, France, Spain, Turkey, Austria — can stand against
the march of the divine ideas. Yet this God of infinite power
and majesty, of infinite wisdom and truth, is gentle and loving
to his people as a shepherd to his flock, guarding the weak-
est and most delicate with the tenderest care. Never shall
the taunts or threats of the world separate us from such
love!
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 79, 93, 100.
We adore thee, Lord our God ! that thou hast
not merely revealed to us a heaven to come, but
hast assured us that there are yet good things in
store for this earth which we inhabit, and which
has so long groaned under the curse of sin. We
pray that thou wilt shorten these days of igno-
rance, wickedness, and folly, and hasten the reign
of the Lord Jesus. Help us, Lord our God!
that we may not rnerely pray, but may also labor
to the utmost to spread thy gospel and extend
thy kingdom. Grant, Lord, upon this thy day,
that thy Church may be filled with thy Spirit,
and may shine in the beauty of holiness. Show
forth thy glory among the heathen, and let all the
ends of the earth see the salvation of God.
Oh ! fill us with the love of Him who went about
doing good. May we glorify thee by bringing forth
much fruit ! Thou hast commanded and encour-
aged us, Lord ! to make prayers and intercessions
for all men. We commend to thee the members
of this family, present or absent. May all be par-
takers of th}' grace ! [Bless the children. Cause
them to remember thee, their Creator, in the days
of their youth. Sanctify them by thy grace ;
guide them by thy Spirit; and enable them in
all things to prove themselves thy faithful and
obedient children. Preserve them in health and
strength, if it seem good in thy sight ; but oh !
above all, save them with an everlasting salva-
tion.]
We commend ourselves to thy merciful protec-
tion and kindness for this day. Preserve us from
all evil ; and, in all our thoughts and words and
actions, may we honor our Lord and Saviour !
And unto Him who has been with us all our life
long, — our Creator, our Preserver, our Benefactor,
and our Redeemer, — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
— be glory both now and forever. Amen.
314
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
SUNDAY EVENING.
I Kings xix. — 15. And the Lord said unto
him [Elijah], Go, return on thy way to the wilder-
ness of Damascus ; and, when thou comest, anoint
Hazael to be king over Syria :
16. And Jehu the son of Nimshi shalt thou
anoint to be king over Israel ; and Elisha the son
of Shaphat of Abel-meholah shalt thou anoint to
be prophet in thy room.
17. And it shall come to pass that him that
escapeth the sword of Hazael shall Jehu slay ; and
him that escapeth from the sword of Jehu shall
Elisha slay.
18. Yet I have left vie seven thousand in
Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto
Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed
him.
19. So he departed thence, and found Elisha the
son of Shaphat, who was ploughing with twelve
yoke of oxen before him, and he with the twelfth ;
and Elijah passed by him, and cast his mantle
upon him.
20. And he left the oxen, and ran after Elijah,
and said, Let me, I pray thee, kiss my father and
my mother, and then I will follow thee. And he
said unto him, Go back again ; for what have I
done to thee ?
21. And he returned back from him, and took
a yoke of oxen, and slew them, and boiled their
flesh with the instruments of the oxen, and gave
unto the people, and they did eat. Then he
How beautiful appears the faith of these early disciples in
giving up all their living for the service of Christ ! and this
for no motive of earthly reward. They did not act from an
impulse of enthusiasm. They had been followers of John
the Baptist, had heard his testimony to Jesus, and had
attached themselves to the new teacher. They had witnessed
his knowledge of Nathanael's heart and life, his first miracle
at Cana of Galilee, and other signs of his divine power, and
so had come to look upon him as at least a mighty prophet,
and probably the promised Messiah. At this very time, as
Luke narrates it, Jesus had guided these fishermen by his
word ; so that, after a night of fruitless toil, they now caught
" a great multitude of fishes." They had good evidence of
arose, and went after Elijah, and ministered unto
him.
Matthew iv. — 18. And Jesus, walking by the
Sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called
Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into
the sea ; for they were fishers.
19. And he saith unto them, Eollow me, and I
will make you fishers of men.
20. And they straightway left their nets, and
followed him.
21. And, going on from thence, he saw other
two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John
his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father,
mending their nets ; and he called them.
22. And they immediately left the ship and
their father, and followed him.
23. And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching
in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of
the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness
and all manner of disease among the people.
24. And his fame went throughout all Syria :
and they brought unto him all sick people that
were taken with divers diseases and torments, and
those which were possessed with devils, and those
which were lunatic, and those that had the palsy ;
and he healed them.
25. And there followed him great multitudes of
people from Galilee, and from Decapolis, and
from Jerusalem, and from Judaea, and from
beyond Jordan.
his character to go upon in obeying him ; but their simple-
hearted confidence is none the less beautiful. It is as hard for
a poor man to give up his livelihood as for a rich man to
give up property. But these men gave up all ; and this for
no temporal gain, but that they rcnght bring others to Christ.
So Elisha left his home, his parents, his occupation, and
hastened to enroll himself as a prophet of the Lord. So
the Master now calls upon many a young man to give up all
worldly prospects, and devote himself to the ministry. So he
calls upon every one in heart to renounce all things for his
sake. But whoever does this shall have the sure and eternal
rewards of his kingdom.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 5, 42, 93.
God, whose mercy is from everlasting to ever-
lasting ! we bless thee for all the tokens of promise
given us in thy past mercies, for the hope of im-
mortality, the joy unspeakable and full of glory
brought to us in thy gospel and in the worship of
thy house this day. At the end of the Lord's day,
we would thank thee for its hours of rest, and for
its means of grace.
Hasten, Lord ! that blessed time when thy
kingdom shall have come, and all shall know thee,
from the least even to the greatest. Turn unto
thyself the hearts of the heathen and the unbe-
lieving. Pour out more and more upon thy people
the spirit of grace and supplication, the spirit of
zeal and self-devotion, the spirit of holy fear and
Christian love. We beseech thee to raise up many
who shall preach the gospel of tlvy grace, that the
world may be filled with thy praise.
To thee, heavenly Father, we commend ourselves
this night. thou Good Shepherd ! watch over
us, the sheep of thy pasture. Holy Ghost, the
Comforter ! guide and hallow our thoughts.
Thou in whom all families are blessed, bless
thou our kindred and friends. May all who are
united to us be with us united to thee ; be with
us presented by thee in the presence of thy Father
with exceeding joy! And to the Father, the Son,
and the Holy Ghost, be glory everlasting. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
315
MONDAY.
Acts xxvii. — 21. But, after long abstinence,
Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said,
Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not
have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this
harm and loss.
22. And now I exhort you to be of good cheer ;
for there shall be no loss of any man's life among
you, but of the ship.
23. For there stood by me this night the angel
of God, whose I am, and whom I serve,
24. Saying, Pear not, Paul ; thou must be
brought before Csesar: and, lo, God hath given
thee all them that sail with thee.
25. Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer ; for I be-
lieve God, that it shall be even as it was told me.
26. Howbeit, we must be cast upon a certain
island.
27. But, when the fourteenth night was come,
as we were driven up and down in Adria, about
midnight the shipmen deemed that they drew near
to some country ;
28. And sounded, and found it twenty fathoms ;
and, when they had gone a little farther, they
sounded again, and found it fifteen fathoms.
29. Then, fearing lest we should have fallen
upon rocks, they cast four anchors out of the
stern, and wished for the day.
30. And as the shipmen were about to flee out
of the ship, when they had let down the boat into
the sea, under color as though they would have
cast anchors out of the foreship,
31. Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers,
Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved.
32. Then the soldiers cut off the ropes of the
boat, and let her fall off.
33. And, while the day was coming on, Paul be-
sought them all to take meat, saying, This day is
the fourteenth day that ye have tarried and con-
tinued fasting, having taken nothing.
34. Wherefore I pray you to take some meat ;
for this is for your health : for there shall not a
hair fall from the head of any of you.
35. And, when he had thus spoken, he took
bread, and gave thanks to God in presence of them
all ; and, when he had broken it, he began to eat.
38. And, when they had eaten enough, they
lightened the ship, and cast out the wheat into
the sea.
39. And, when it was day, they knew not the
land ; but they discovered a certain creek with a
shore, into the which thej r were minded, if it were
possible, to thrust in the ship.
41. And, falling into a place where two seas met,
they ran the ship aground ; and the forepart stuck
fast, and remained unmovable ; but the hinder
part was broken with the violence of the waves.
42. And the soldiers' counsel was to kill the
prisoners, lest any of them should swim out and
escape.
43. But the centurion, willing to save Paul,
kept them from their purpose, and commanded
that they which could swim should cast them-
selves first into the sea, and get to land ;
44. And the rest, some on boards, and some
on broken pieces of the ship. And so it came to
pass that they escaped all safe to land.
Paul had advised against the voyage which now came to
such a disastrous end. The soundness of his judgment, to-
gether with the character he had exhibited in danger, inspired
such confidence, that the seamen, worn out by watching,
fasting, and toil, were revived by his assurance of their safety.
His practical good sense was again shown in preventing the
desertion of the sailors, without whose strength and skill the
passengers could not hope to be saved. Here is a striking
illustration of the harmony of God's foreknowledge with
human freedom. An angel had announced to Paul without
qualification, that, though the ship would be wrecked, not a
Appropriate Hymns,]
life should be lost. But Paul was no fatalist : he used his
common sense ; and, when he saw the sailors trying to escape,
he said, " Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved."
Both statements were true ; and a third thing was also true, —
that the sailors would be kept on board, and this by the free
agency of Paul and the centurion. God's foreseeing does not
hinder man's free acting.
The scene of this shipwreck was the Island of Malta; and
the name, " St. Paul's Bay," has been given to a small tongue
of land where " two seas meet ; " and, during a storm, the
waves beat strongly from opposite quarters.
Prayer
Heavenly Pather, we bless thee for the light of
the morning. Oh for a heart to love thee, to
praise thee, to serve thee, as we ought ! Thou
didst create us for thy glory ; thou hast enriched
us with thy bounty ; thou hast redeemed us with
the precious blood of thy Son ; thou hast sent forth
thy Spirit into our hearts to quicken us to a new
life, that we might receive the adoption of chil-
dren. Disobedient and unthankful children we
have been ; and we confess our waywardness and
our sin. Forgive us, we beseech thee, our
Pather ! for the sake of thy dear Son.
[Nos. 69, 168, 178.
We pray thee this day to deliver us from tempta-
tion, to defend us from evil. Make sure to this
family the mercies of thy covenant. Remember
all dear to us. Visit, Lord ! with thy grace, the
community in which we live. Bless thy Church
here, and in our land, and throughout the world.
Oh ! send thy salvation to all people. We beseech
thee to comfort the poor, the sick, the sorrow-
ing, the dying ; and, Lord ! when heart and
flesh shall fail us, be thou the strength of our
heart, and our portion forever, for Christ's sake.
Amen.
»d
316
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
TUESDAY.
Acts xxviii. — 1. And when they were escaped,
then they knew that the island was called Melita.
2. And the barbarous people showed us no little
kindness ; for they kindled a fire, and received us
every one, because of the present rain, and be-
cause of the cold.
3. And when Paul had gathered a bundle of
sticks, and laid 'them on the fire, there came a
viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand.
4. And, when the barbarians saw the venomous
beast hang on his hand, they said among them-
selves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom,
though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suf-
fereth not to live.
5. And he shook off the beast into the fire, and
felt no harm.
6. Howbeit, they looked when he should have
swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly ; but after
they had looked a great while, and saw no harm
come to him, they changed their minds, and said
that he was a god.
7. In the same quarters were possessions of the
chief man of the island, whose name was Publius ;
who received us, and lodged us three days cour-
teously.
8. And it came to pass that the father of Pub-
lius lay sick of a fever and of a bloody-flux ; to
whom Paul entered in, and prayed, and laid his
hands on him, and healed him.
9. So, when this was done, others also which
had diseases in the island came, and were healed ;
10. Who also honored us with many honors ;
and, when we departed, they laded us with such
things as were necessary.
11. And, after three months, we departed in a
ship of Alexandria, which had wintered in the
isle, whose sign was Castor and Pollux.
12. And, landing at Syracuse, we tarried there
three days.
13. And from thence we fetched a compass,
and came to Rhegium : and after one day the
south wind blew, and we came the next day to
Puteoli,
14. Where we found brethren, and were desired
to tarry with them seven days ; and so we went
toward Rome.
15. And from thence, when the brethren heard
of us, they came to meet us as far as Appii-forum
and the Three Taverns ; whom when Paul saw,
he thanked God, and took courage.
The term " barbarians " here means nothing more than
that the natives of Malta used a language foreign to the
Greek and the Roman. The island lay in the great highway
of commerce : it had a Roman governor, and its people were
civilized and friendly. The belief in a retributive Providence
is well-nigh universal in the human mind ; and the tendency
to connect particular calamities with specific sins, though
often misleading, is but one phase of the testimony of con-
science to the deserts of wrong-doers. " The viper was prob-
ably in a torpid state, and was suddenly restored to activity
by the heat." A viper will dart at its enemy, sometimes sev-
eral feet at a bound. Sudden collapse and death ensue often
from the bite of serpents. Shakspeare speaks as a naturalist
when he says of the asp-bitten Cleopatra, —
" Trembling she stood, and on the sudden dropped."
It was human nature to jump from the abhorrence of Paul
as a murderer to the worship of him as a god ; though we
more commonly see the process reversed.
Whoever visits Naples should not fail to drive out to Poz-
zuoli, eight miles distant, and see the remains of the ancient
pier upon which Paul landed when his feet first touched the
coast of Italy. Here he was greeted with a fraternal wel-
come, and refreshed with Christian sympathy. Though the
ancient pride of castles and palaces that once adorned that
coast has long since crumbled into ruin, the great apostle
lives, not as a memory merely, but as a perpetual power.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 27, 32, 44.
Lord, our heavenly Father ! we have nothing
to bring to thee but our wants, and such poor re-
turn of love and gratitude and praise as these
hearts can render for thy goodness. As thou dost
cause our lives to overflow with thy mercies, so do
thou fill our hearts to overflowing with thy Spirit,
that we may thank thee and praise thee as we
ought. The morning calls us again to praise thee
for thy loving-kindness in the night-season ; and
every day renews the tokens of thy bounty. Every
good gift cometh down from thee, the Father of
lights ; and though we are so changeful in our love,
so inconstant in our service, with thee there is no
variableness, neither shadow of turning. Bind us
to thyself, our Father ! by the mighty attraction
of thy love in Christ our Saviour.
We pray thee keep us this day from temptation,
evil, and sin. Prosper us in our lawful undertak-
ings : may we be upright in our dealings, true and
kind in our speech, gentle and patient in our
spirit, pure and holy in our walk ! May we do
good to all as we shall have opportunity, and so ex-
hibit in our lives the graces of the gospel, that we
shall win others to the love of Christ ! And we
pray that multitudes may be won to the Saviour;
that thy Church may increase ; that missions may
prosper ; that thy Word may be given to all people.
Have mercy upon the poor, the outcast, the suffer-
ing, the afflicted and bereaved ; and grant unto all
the consolations of thy grace.
We thank thee for our home, and pray thee to
bless us with all things that we need as a family.
Bless the absent who are dear to us; and bring
them, together with us, we beseech thee, unto thy
heavenly kingdom ; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
317
WEDNESDAY.
Acts xxviii. — 16. And, when we came to Rome,
the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain
of the guard ; hut Paul was suffered to dwell hy
himself, with a soldier that kept him.
17. And it came to pass, that, after three days,
Paul called the chief of the Jews together. And,
when they were come together, he said unto them,
Men and brethren, though I have committed
nothing against the people, or customs of our fa-
thers, yet was I delivered prisoner from Jerusalem
into the hands of the Romans ;
18. Who, when they had examined me, would
have let me go, because there was no cause of
death in me.
19. But, when the Jews spake against it, I was
constrained to appeal unto Caesar ; not that I had
aught to accuse my nation of.
20. For this cause, therefore, have I called for
you, to see you, and to speak with you ; because
that for the hope of Israel I am bound with this
chain.
21. And they said unto him, We neither re-
ceived letters out of Judaea concerning thee, nei-
ther any of the brethren that came showed or
spake any harm of thee.
22. But we desire to hear of thee, what thou
thinkest ; for, as concerning this sect, we know
that everywhere it is spoken against.
23. And, when they had appointed him a day,
there came many to him into his lodging ; to
whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of
So long a time had elapsed since the arrest of Paul at Je-
rusalem, that his accusers had neglected to arrange for the
prosecution of his trial before Caesar ; and the Roman gov-
ernment had not begun to concern itself about Christianity,
which it regarded as merely a form of belief among the Jews.
Moreover, at this time, the wise, upright, and amiable Seneca
still had influence over his wayward pupil Nero, and a friend
of Seneca was in command at Rome. No doubt the centu-
rion had spoken a good word for Paul ; and so he was allowed
liberty, with the single exception of being chained by his
wrists to a soldier.
God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out
of the law of Moses and out of the prophets, from
morning till evening.
24. And some believed the things which were
spoken, and some believed not.
25. And, when they agreed not among them-
selves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken
one word, Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias
the prophet unto our fathers,
26. Saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hear-
ing ye shall hear, and shall not understand ; and
seeing ye shall see, and not perceive.
27. For the heart of this people is waxed gross,
and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes
have they closed; lest they should see with their
eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand
with their heart, and should be converted, and I
should heal them.
28. Be it known, therefore, unto you, that the
salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and
that they will hear it.
29. And, when he had said these words, the
Jews departed, and had great reasoning among
themselves.
30. And Paul dwelt two whole years in his
own hired house, and received all that came in
unto him,
31. Preaching the kingdom of God, and teach-
ing those things which concerned the Lord Jesus
Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding
him.
Had Paul chosen to keep quiet, and to study favor, he
might soon have gained his discharge. But he had yearned
to preach Christ at Rome ; and the Lord had sent him there
to bear witness for the gospel. Therefore, though he knew
that his doctrine would stir up the enmity of the Jews, he
preached with all boldness concerning Christ. For two years
he was unmolested, though still a prisoner held for trial. But,
at the end of that time, Nero, having married an infamous
Jewess, was stirred up by her to persecute the Christians.
Paul was put in close confinement, brought twice to trial,
and finally beheaded.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 5, 84, 88.
Lord, who by the example of thy blessed
apostle Paul hast taught us to forget those things
which are behind, and to reach forth unto those
things that are before ! give us grace this day that
we may press toward the mark for the prize of our
high calling of thee in Christ Jesus. May we
lay aside every weight, and the sins which so easi-
ly beset us, and run with patience the race set
before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and
finisher of our faith ! As he for the joy set be-
fore him endured the cross, despising the shame;
even so may we ever have before us our heavenly
reward, and in like manner not fear what men can
do unto us, if we may only acceptably serve thee.
In the constant sense of our membership of
Christ ; in the unfailing thought that we are his
soldiers and servants ; in the love for our Father's
house, and the blessed hope of our eternal home, —
Lord, preserve and keep us.
For the mercies of the past night ; for the health
and comfort with which we begin the day ; for the
provision for our wants ; for means of improve-
ment, of enjoyment, and of usefulness, — we hum-
bly thank thee, the Giver of all good. Bless all
dear to us ; multiply the preachers of thy gospel ;
turn opposers and persecutors into witnesses for
thee ; and subdue all hearts unto thyself, through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
318
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
THURSDAY.
Judges v. — 1. Then sang Deborah and Barak
the son of Abinoam on that day, saying,
2. Praise ye the Lord for the avenging of Israel,
when the people willingly offered themselves.
4. Lord, when thou wentest out of Seir, when
thou marchedst out of the field of Edom, the earth
trembled, and the heavens dropped, the clouds also
dropped water.
5. The mountains melted from before the Lord,
even that Sinai from before the Lord God of Israel.
6. In the days of Shamgar the son of Anath, in
the days of Jael, the highways were unoccupied,
and the travellers walked through by-ways.
7. The inhabitants of the villages ceased, they
ceased in Israel, until that I Deborah arose, that I
arose a mother in Israel.
19. The kings came and fought, then fought the
kings of Canaan in Taanach by the waters of Me-
giddo : they took no gain of money.
20. They fought from heaven : the stars in their
courses fought against Sisera.
21. The River of Kishon swept them awaj% that
ancient river, the River Kishon. O my soul ! thou
hast trodden down strength.
22. Then were the horse-hoofs broken by the
means of the prancings, the prancings of their
mighty ones.
23. Curse ye Meroz, said the angel of the Lord,
curse ye bitterly the inhabitants thereof ; because
After the death of Joshua, the want of a strong central
government and of a recognized leader soon made itself felt.
The tribes which had moved: together as one camp, and had
fought as one compact army, now assumed a local independ-
ence which tended to draw them apart. Some of them affili-
ated with the native population, and even adopted their gods.
To the north, the Canaanites, yet unsubdued, kept up a border
warfare ; and a famous general, Sisera, made himself such a
terror, that villages were abandoned, and the highways de-
serted. He threatened to overrun the whole country. In
this state of things, a woman of poetic and prophetic gifts ral-
lied her countrymen to make a stand. The two armies met in
the great Plain of Jezreel, or Esdraelon. . This plain stretches
across Central Palestine, from the Mediterranean to the Jor-
dan. On the north it is bounded by the hills of Galilee, on
they came not to the help of the Lord, to the help
of the Lord against the mighty.
24. Blessed above women shall Jael the wife of
Heber the Kenite be ; blessed shall she be above
women in the tent.
25. He asked water, and she gave him milk:
she brought forth butter in a lordly dish.
26. She put her hand to the nail, and her right
baud to the workmen's hammer; and with the ham-
mer she smote Sisera; she smote off his head when
she had pierced and stricken through his temples.
27. At her feet he bowed, he fell, he lay down ;
at her feet he bowed, he fell : where he bowed,
there he fell down dead.
28. The mother of Sisera looked out at a win-
dow, and cried through the lattice, Why is his
chariot so long in coming? why tarry the wheels
of his chariots?
29. Her wise ladies answered her, yea, she re-
turned answer to herself,
30. Have they not sped ? have they not divided
the prey ? to every man a damsel or two ; to Sisera
a prey of divers colors, a prey of divers colors of
needle-work, of divers colors of needle-work on both
sides, meet for the necks of them that take the spoil ?
31. So let all thine enemies perish, Lord ! but
let them that love him be as the sun when he
goeth forth in his might. And the land had rest
forty years.
the south by Carmel ; and toward the east it is divided into
forks by Little Hermon and the mountains of Gilboa. On
the northern fork stands Mount Tabor, where Barak gathered
his troops. As these swept down upon the enemy, a terrific
storm scattered the hosts of Sisera; and multitudes were
drowned in the River Kishon, which, under a sudden rain, rises
rapidly to a great flood. Sisera, fleeing, took refuge in the
tent of Jael, who drove a tent-pin through his head as he lay
asleep. The grandeur of the tempest — the heavens in array
against the enemy — is followed by a touching and most wo-
manly picture of the mother of Sisera awaiting his trium-
phant return. The eurse upon those Israelitish cities that
refused to help their brethren is a perpetual warning to the
sluggish and time-serving in the Church.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 56,85, 101.
Lord God! our fathers trusted in thee, and
were not ashamed ; and in thy love we would con-
fide for ever and ever. In health and in sickness,
in hope and in sorrow, in enjoyment and in suffer-
ing, we would look up to the hills, whence cometh
our help; and we pray that we may have the per-
fect peace of those whose minds are stayed upon
the Lord.
We thank thee for the mercies of another night,
and for the goodness thou hast provided with the
opening day. The sun has spread its light over
the world ; the earth is bringing forth renewed
supplies of good. We bless thee, Lord ! for all
thy gifts, and pray thee be merciful to us in our
renewed wants, and visit us with thy salvation.
Continue to us, we entreat thee, the gifts of thy
providence ; and pour upon us the blessings of thy
grace. Go forth with us, Lord! to the engage-
ments, the trials, the duties, and the pleasures which
await us to-day. Oh ! keep us from evil and sin.
Bless all who are dear to us by any tie ; all who are
in any want, trouble, or sorrow. Deliver thy Clmrch
in her conflicts, and hasten the final triumph of
thy kingdom, for Jesus Christ's sake. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
319
FRIDAY.
Judges vii. — 2. And the Lord said unto Gide-
on, The people that are with thee are too many for
me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest
Israel vaunt themselves against me, saying, Mine
own hand hath saved me.
3. Now therefore go to, proclaim in the ears of the
people, saying, Whosoever is fearful and afraid, let
him return, and depart early from Mount Gilead.
And there returned of the people twenty and two
thousand ; and there remained ten thousand.
4. And the Lord said unto Gideon, The people
are yet too many : bring them down unto the wa-
ter, and I will try them for thee there : and it
shall be that of whom I say unto thee, This shall
go with thee, the same shall go with thee ; and of
■whomsoever I say unto thee, This shall not go
with thee, the same shall not go.
5. So he brought down the people unto the wa-
ter: and the Lord said unto Gideon, Every one
that lappeth of the water with his tongue as a dog
lappeth, him shalt thou set by himself; likewise
every one that boweth down upon his knees to
drink.
6. And the number of them that lapped, put-
ting their hand to their mouth, were three hun-
dred men ; but all the rest of the people bowed
down upon their knees to drink water.
7. And the Lord said unto Gideon, By the three
For forty years after Barak's victory, the Israelites were
unmolested ; but by degrees they relapsed into the idolatry
which had provoked their former chastisements, and, in this
state of moral degeneracy, again became a prey to their neigh-
bors. The roving tribes of the Arabian desert, like locusts for
multitude, first laid waste the southern border of Palestine;
then, passing to the east, swarmed over the Jordan into the
Plain of Jezreel. But the Lord had raised up a new cham-
pion for Israel in a devout and resolute man of the tribe of
Manassah. Gideon had boldly overthrown the altar of Baal,
and had begun a religious reformation. God had given him
a twofold sign of his call, — first in a fleece of wool made moist
with dew while the ground was dry, and next in the same
fleece kept dry while there was a heavy dew all around it.
hundred men that lapped will I save you, and de-
liver the Midianites into thine hand ; and let all
the other people go every man unto his place.
16. And he divided the three hundred men into
three companies ; and he put a trumpet in every
man's hand, with empty pitchers, and lamps with-
in the pitchers.
17. And he said unto them, Look on me, and do
likewise ; and, behold, when I come to the outside
of the camp, it shall be, that as I do, so shall ye do.
18. When I blow with a trumpet, I and all that
are with me, then blow ye the trumpets also on
every side of all the camp, and say, The sword of
the Lord and of Gideon.
19. So Gideon, and the hundred men that tcere
with him, came unto the outside of the camp in
the beginning of the middle watch ; and they had
but newly set the watch : and they blew the trum-
pets, and brake the pitchers that were in their
hands.
20. And the three companies blew the trumpets,
and brake the pitchers, and held the lamps in their
left hands, and the trumpets in their right hands
to blow withal ; and they cried, The sword of the
Lord and of Gideon.
21. And they stood every man in his place
round about the camp ; and all the host ran and
cried and fled.
As Jehovah had punished, so now Jehovah would deliver
in a way to manifest his glory. Gideon's army was reduced
to a number ridiculously small in a military point of view;
but these three hundred picked men were alert and resolute.
A panic in an army is contagious, and soon becomes incon-
trollable. This is notably true of the great, motley, undis-
ciplined hordes of an Eastern army. The stratagem of
Gideon caused such a panic. Startled in the night by the
sound of trumpets and the glare of torches on all sides of
the camp, and by a war-cry echoing along the hills, the
Midianites supposed themselves surrounded, and in the dark-
ness and fright fell upon one another, and fled in a com-
plete rout. So the Lord can make all our enemies to flee
before us.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 133, 149, 193.
God, who makest the outgoings of the morn-
ing and the evening to rejoice ! we bless thee that
ours has not been a night of anguish and sorrow.
We lift up our hearts to thee with thanksgiving for
the joy of another day ; for vigor for its duties, ap-
petite for its pleasures, and readiness for its oppor-
tunities of good. Bless us in our labors, keep us
pure in our enjoyments, incite us to do thy will ;
and oh ! we beseech thee, preserve us from harm,
from temptation, and from sin. Keep us from
that love and that fear of this world which would
estrange us from thee.
Seeing that we know not what a day may bring
forth, we pray, that, if trials and disappointments
shall come, we may have grace to meet them and
to profit by them ; that in all events we may see
the hand of our Father, and may say, "Thy will be
done." Conscious of our weakness, humbly confess-
ing our sins, we cast ourselves upon thine infinite
grace in Christ our Saviour for pardon, strength,
and sanctification. May we as a family honor thee
in our daily walk and conversation ! May old and
young alike know the beauty of holiness, the joy
of consecration to Christ ! Grant thy grace to all
who are dear to us ; and grant us grace to hold all
men dear for Christ's sake, and to win them to the
knowledge of his gospel. And to him, with the
Father and the Spirit, be glory forever. Amen.
320
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
SATURDAY.
Judges xvi. — IS. And, when Delilah saw that
he [Samson] had told her all his heart, she sent
and called for the lords of the Philistines, saying,
Come up this once ; for he hath showed me all his
heart. Then the lords of the Philistines came up
unto her, and brought money in their hand.
19. And she made him sleep upon her knees ;
and she called for a man, and she caused him to
shave off the seven locks of his head ; and she
began to afflict him, and his strength went from
him.
20. And she said, The Philistines be upon thee,
Samson ! And he awoke out of his sleep, and said,
I will go out as at other times before, and shake
myself. And he wist not that the Lord was de-
parted from him.
21. But the Philistines took him, and put out
his eyes, and brought him down to Gaza, and
bound him with fetters of brass ; and he did
grind in the prison-house.
22. Howbeit, the hair of his head began to grow
again after he was shaven.
23. Then the lords of the Philistines gathered
them together for to offer a ^reat sacrifice unto Da-
gon their god, and to rejoice ; for they said, Our god
hath delivered Samson our enemy into our hand.
24. And, when the people saw him, they praised
their god : for they said, Our god hath delivered
into our hands our enemy, and the destroyer of
our country ; which slew many of us.
From Gideon, the type of moral courage, we turn to
Samson, the hero of physical strength. The Philistines
still held the coast of the Mediterranean from Carmel
down to Gaza, and had even subjugated the Israelites
upon their immediate borders. Samson was consecrated
to the Lord under the vow of a Nazarite, which forbade
his head to be shorn. While yet a young man, he tore
asunder a lion that rushed upon him from the woods. A
swarm of wild bees made honey in the lion's carcass ; and
Samson, who married a Philistine, put forth a riddle to
the young men who came to his wedding-feast : " Out of
the eater came forth meat, and out of the strong came
forth sweetness." They got his wife to coax the answer
25. And it came to pass, when their hearts
were merry, that they said, Call for Samson
that he may make us sport. And they called
for Samson out of the prison-house, and he
made them sport ; and they set him between
the pillars.
26. And Samson said unto the lad that held him
by the hand, Suffer me that I may feel the pillars
whereupon the house standeth, that I niay lean
upon them.
27. Now, the house was full of men and women ;
and all the lords of the Philistines were there;
and there were upon the roof about three thousand
men and women, that beheld while Samson made
sport.
28. And Samson called unto the Lord, and said,
Lord God ! remember me, I pray thee, and
strengthen me, I pray thee, only this once, God !
that I may be at once avenged of the Philistines
for my two eyes.
29. And Samson took hold of the two middle
pillars upon which the house stood, and on which
it was borne up, of the one with his right hand,
and of the other with his left.
30. And Samson said, Let me die with the
Philistines. And he bowed himself with all his
might ; and the house fell upon the lords, and
upon all the people that were therein. So the
dead which he slew at his death were more than
they which he slew in his life.
out of him : " What is sweeter than honey 1 and what is
stronger than a lion ? " Incensed at their duplicity, Sam-
son took revenge upon the Philistines, and made his name
a terror throue;hout their country. At last, they pre-
vailed upon his wife to entice from him the secret of his
strength ; and when, at last, he told it, they deprived him of
sight, and mocked him as their prisoner. The terrible ven-
geance which he executed upon his enemies helped to rid his
country of their power. The character of Samson is not a
model, but a warning, showing how extraordinary gifts from
God may be abused by strong sensual passions ; and the
greatest hero, by dallying in the lap of pleasure, may be shorn
of his strength and renown.
Appropriate Htmns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 132, 136, 140.
God, who hast spared our lives, and brought
us to the beginning of another day! we lift up
our hearts to thee. We thank thee for rest
during the past night ; for life preserved, and
strength renewed ; and for the many tokens of
thy loving-kindness which surround us. May
we ever have true gratitude for thy mercies,
and never grieve thee by a hard and unthank-
ful heart !
Lord, watch over us, and all who are dear
to us, this day. Let not the world with its
cares and vanities fill our hearts, and so make
us forget the worth of our souls, the love of our
Saviour, and the nearness of eternity. Whilst
we are busy in the world, may our hearts rise
above it !
Defend our souls from the assaults of the
Wicked One, and preserve our bodies in health
and safety. May we walk in the light of thy
countenance, and know the happiness of those
who have the Lord for their God ! Finally, pre-
pare us to depart and be with Christ. Hear us,
heavenly Father, and when thou hearest forgive,
for the sake of Jesus our Saviour ; who, with thee
and the Holy Spirit, liveth and reigneth, one God,
world without end. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
321
SUNDAY MORNING.
Romans vi. — 1. What shall we say, then?
Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
2. God forbid ! How shall we, that are dead to
sin, live any longer therein ?
3. Know ye not that so many of us as were
baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his
death?
4. Therefore we are buried with him by baptism
into death ; that like as Christ was raised up from
the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we
also should walk in newness of life.
5. For, if we have been planted together in the
likeness of his death, we shall be also in the like-
ness of his resurrection ;
6. Knowing this, that our old man is crucified
with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed,
that henceforth we should not serve sin.
7. For he that is dead is freed from sin.
8. Now, if we be dead with Christ, we believe
that we shall also live with him :
9. Knowing that Christ, being raised from the
dead, dieth no more ; death hath no more dominion
over him.
10. For in that he died, he died unto sin once ;
but in that he liveth, he liveth unto Cod.
11. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be
dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through
Jesus Christ our Lord.
12. Let not sin, therefore, reign in your mortal
body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.
13. Neither yield ye your members as instru-
ments of unrighteousness unto sin; but yield your-
selves unto God as those that are alive from the
dead, and your members as instruments of right-
eousness unto God :
14. For sin shall not have dominion over you ;
for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
15. What then ? shall we sin because we are
not under the law, but under grace ? God forbid !
16. Know ye not that to whom ye yield your-
selves servants to obey, his servants ye are to
whom ye obey, whether of sin unto death, or of
obedience unto righteousness?
17. But God be thanked that ye were the ser-
vants of sin ; but ye have obeyed from the heart
that form of doctrine which was delivered you.
18. Being then made free from sin, ye became
the servants of righteousness.
19. I speak after the manner of men, because
of the infirmity of your flesh ; for as ye have
yielded your members servants to un cleanness, and
to iniquity unto iniquity, even so now yield your
members servants to righteousness unto holiness.
20. For, when ye were the servants of sin, ye
were free from righteousness.
21. What fruit had ye then in those things
whereof ye are now ashamed ? for the end of
those things is death.
22. But now, being made free from sin, and be-
come servants to God, ye have your fruit unto
holiness, and the end everlasting life.
23. For the wages of sin is death ; but the gift
of God is eternal life, through Jesus Christ our
Lord.
The real seat of sin is in the will, alienated from God, and
set upon the gratification of self. The motives to sin, and its
agents also, are the passions and desires of our lower nature,
— the flesh as acted upon by the enticements of the world.
The senses and members of the body become the occasions
and the instruments of unrighteousness But, through yield-
ing to these, the will itself becomes their slave ; and the man
who should rule the body and have dominion over the world
by his spiritual nature, which is the image of God, subjects
that nature to the body, and is ruled by the world, the flesh,
and the Devil.
From this fearful and degrading bondage Christ is our
deliverer. But our emancipation must come through the
voluntary consecration of ourselves, body, soul, and spirit, to
his service. We must look to his cross as if it were our own,
as the crucifixion of our sins, severing us from habits of sin
as completely as death separates one from his connections
with this world. Then, in the power of Christ's resurrection,
and by the energy of his Spirit, the spiritual in us may regain
its dominion over the carnal, and we be made "alive unto
God." But whereas death follows sin as "wages," or desert,
this life is the " gift " of divine grace alone.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 6, 16, 30.
Thine, Lord ! is the greatness, and the power,
and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty ;
for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is
thine : thine is the kingdom, Lord ! and thou art
exalted as Head over all. We bless thee that thou
hast given unto thy Son the kingdom in this
world, and hast promised that the gates of hell
shall not prevail against his Church ; and we be-
seech thee hasten the day when Zion shall be a
joy and praise in all the earth. Make thy Word a
comfort and a joy unto all believers, and the power
of Gol unto salvation to the world that lieth in
wickedness. Lord Jesus ! rule thou in our
hearts ; by thy redeeming grace take away our
sins ; by thy sanctifying presence fill our souls
with thy peace. May we do all things to thy
glory, and show forth thy praise in our lives !
We humbly thank thee, Lord ! for the blessings
of the past night ; for thy daily benefits to its, and
to all dear to us. Bless this household, this day
and always, with thy grace. May we know the
joy of a full consecration unto Him who hath
redeemed us to God with his precious blood ! and,
having served him in his kingdom here, may we
come to be partakers of his glory in the kingdom
of his Father, for Christ's sake! Amen.
322
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
SUNDAY EVENING.
Ezekiel viii. — 1. And it came to pass in the
sixth year, in the sixth month, in the fifth day of
the month, as I sat in mine house, and the elders
of Judah sat before me, that the hand of the Lord
God fell there upon me.
2. Then I beheld, and, lo, a likeness as the ap-
pearance of fire : from the appearance of his loins
even downward, fire ; and from his loins even up-
ward, as the appearance of brightness, as the color
of amber.
3. And he put forth the form of a hand, and
took me by a lock of mine head ; and the spirit
lifted me up between the earth and the heaven,
and brought me in the visions of God to Jerusalem,
to the door of the inner gate that looketh toward
the north ;
4. And, behold, the glory of the God of Israel
was there, according to the vision that I saw in
the plain.
2 Corinthians xii. — 1. It is not expedient for
me, doubtless, to glory. I will come to visions and
revelations of the Lord.
2. I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years
ago (whether in the body, I cannot tell ; or wheth-
er out of the body, I cannot tell : God knoweth) :
such a one caught up to the third heaven.
3. And I knew such a man (whether in the
body, or out of the body, I cannot tell : God
knoweth) :
4. How that he was caught up into paradise,
and heard unspeakable words, which it is not
lawful for a man to utter.
5. Of such a one will I glory ; yet of myself I
will not glory, but in my infirmities.
6. For, though I would desire to glory, I shall
not be a fool ; for I will say the truth : but now I
forbear, lest any man should think of me above that
which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me.
7. And, lest I should be exalted above measure
through the abundance of the revelations, there
was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger
of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted
above measure.
8. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice,
that it might depart from me.
9. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient
for thee ; for my strength is made perfect in weak-
ness. Most gladly, therefore, will I rather glory
in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may
rest upon me.
10. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in
reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in dis-
tresses, for Christ's sake ; for when I am weak,
then am I strong.
Many have a craving to communicate with the world of
spirits ; to gain some definite knowledge of the sphere and
the occupations of the departed. But Paul, who in a vision'
or a trance was caught up into that world, was not suffered
to unveil its realities, nor to bring back to us one word of its
unutterable mysteries. The discipline of faith is our best
preparation for participating in the knowledge and the glory
of that world. This rare exaltation did not exempt Paul
from mortal weaknesses : on the contrary, lest his vision of
good angels should tempt him to spiritual pride, a hostile
spirit was permitted to harass him with a painful and humili-
ating infirmity. And this he could not combat by spiritism,
by seeking to renew his intercourse with disembodied powers.
No " medium " could help him ; no revelation from the spirit-
world could relieve his distemper. No : even after the abun-
dance of the revelations, Paul was reduced to the same trials
that we suffer, and must meet these with the same grace which
is provided for us all. Let us, then, be content with the knowl-
edge and the helps which God has given us in his Word ; let
us walk by faith in the grace of Christ. That grace is suffi-
cient for every need : we can never exhaust it, and it will never
be withheld. The trial may not be taken away ; but the grace
shall be provided, and shall never fail.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Praj^er.
[Nos. 155, 179, 181.
God, who hast taught us in thy Word that
there is still laid up a rest for thy people, and
who hast given us a promise of entering into it !
grant to us, we beseech thee, that we fail not of
that promise through unbelief and disobedience.
Teach us to look for a house that hath founda-
tions, of which thou art the maker and builder.
Lift our hearts thither in earnest desire.
Oh sabbath of eternal peace ! Oh haven where
the wicked cease from troubling, and the weary are
at rest ! When shall we see thee, Lord ! and be-
hold the King in his beauty? When shall we
meet the apostles and prophets, and the great
multitude whom no man can number ? When
shall we see again our dear friends who sleep in
.Jesus ?
God the Father, who hast the times and sea-
sons in thine own power! let not that day come
upon us unawares. God the Son, who art gone
to prepare a place for us ! in thine own time take
us to thyself, that where thou art, there we may be
also. God the Holy Ghost, the pledge of future
glory in our hearts ! seal us until the redemption
of the purchased possession. We bless thee for
the help this day received through thy holy Word
and the prayers and praises of thy Church. We
supplicate thy favor upon all who have heard thy
Word, and upon those who have it not. We
bless thee for thy mercy to this household, and
commit ourselves to thy fatherly protection for
the night. Keep us under the shadow of thy
wings ; and, Father ! bring us, we pray thee,
finally to rest in thee, through Jesus Christ, our
Lord. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
323
MONDAY.
Psalm XXXix. — 4. Lord, make me to know mine
end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that
I may know how frail I am.
5. Behold, thou hast made my days as a hand-
Dread th ; and mine age is as nothing before thee :
verily every man at his best state is altogether
vanity.
6. Surely every man walketh in a vain show ;
surely they are disquieted in vain : he heapeth
up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather
them.
7. And now, Lord, what wait I for ? My hope
is in thee.
9. I was dumb ; I opened not my mouth ; be-
cause thou didst it.
10. Remove tby stroke away from me : I am
consumed by the blow of thine hand.
11. When thou with rebukes dost correct man
for iniquity, thou makest his beauty to consume
away like a moth : surely every man is vanity.
12. Hear my prayer, Lord ! and give ear unto
my cry ; hold not tby peace at my tears : for I am
a stranger with thee, and a sojourner, as all my
fathers were.
13. Oh ! spare me, that I may recover strength
before 1 go hence and be no more.
Acts ix. — 32. And it came to pass, as Peter
passed throughout all quarters, he came down also
to the saints which dwelt at Lydda ;
33. And there he found a certain man named
Eneas, which had kept his bed eight years, and
was sick of the palsy.
Joppa was the nearest seaport to Jerusalem, and was used
by Hiram, king of Tyre, as the landing-place for the timber
sent from Lebanon for Solomon's Temple. It was a very
ancient harbor and town of the Philistines, and is still in
existence under the name of Jaffa. Directly back of Jaffa
is an extensive plain ; and some ten miles distant, in a south-
easterly direction, is the village of Lud, which represents the
ancient Lydda. Peter had left Jerusalem upon a missionary
tour among the churches of Judaea ; and he would naturally
visit Lydda on his way to the coast. As, during the life of
our Lord, women were among his personal followers ; so,
wherever Christianity was diffused, their faith and love were
34. And Peter said unto him, Eneas, Jesus
Christ maketh thee whole : arise, and make thy
bed. And he arose immediately.
35. And all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw
him, and turned to the Lord.
36. Now, there was at Joppa a certain disciple
named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called
Dorcas : this woman was full of good works and
alms-deeds which she did.
37. And it came to pass in those days that she
was sick, and died ; whom when they had washed,
they laid her in an upper chamber.
38. And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to
Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was
there, they sent unto him two men, desiring him
that he would not delay to come to them.
39. Then Peter arose, and went with them.
When he was come, they brought him into the
upper chamber ; and all the widows stood by him
weeping, and showing the coats and garments
which Dorcas made while she was with them.
40. But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled
down, and prayed, and, turning him to the body,
said, Tabitha, arise ! And she opened her eyes ;
and, when she saw Peter, she sat up.
41. And he gave her his hand, and lifted her
up ; and, when he had called the saints and widows,
he presented her alive.
42. And it was known throughout all Joppa ;
and many believed in the Lord.
43. And it came to pass that he tarried many
days in Joppa with one Simon a tanner.
active in its ministries of sympathy and beneficence. Tabi-
tha, which is now regarded as a homely name, except for the
favorite house-cat, means literally a gazelle, and no doubt
was first given as an epithet of beauty and grace. But this
Tabitha had what was far more than personal beauty, — the
spirit of Christian benevolence. What richer tribute could we
ask than this spontaneous gathering of the poor and the
widows, from every quarter, to testify of her loving care for
them ? The name of Dorcas is perpetuated in thousands of
societies for the relief of the poor. Oh that her spirit might
dwell in the hearts of all women to whom God has given
means and the opportunity of usefulness !
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 71, 158, 166.
Blessed be God, the Father of all mercies, for
the mercies of the past night ; for shelter, safety,
comfort, rest, and peace. How precious are thy
thoughts unto us, God ! how great is the sum of
them ! When we awake, we are still with thee.
So would our hearts rise to thee, Lord ! with the
morning light, with the incense of prayer and
praise ; yea, we would present our bodies unto thee
a living sacrifice. May this, our reasonable service,
be made holy through the blood of Jesus ! Help
us this day to live unto thee, and in all our works
and ways to do that which is well pleasing in thy
sight. Prosper, we beseech thee, the labor of our
hands, our studies, our various callings ; bless to
us the means of knowledge and improvement ;
make us thoughtful of others, considerate of the
poor and afflicted, wise and ready unto every good
word and work. We commend unto thee our
kindred and friends, beseeching thee to. grant
them the promise of the life that now is ; and in
the world to come, life everlasting. We pray for
thy holy Church universal, for the coming of light
and peace and salvation in all the earth, through
Christ our Lord. For his sake, forgive our sins ;
and to thy name be power and glory and domin-
ion, world without end. Amen.
324
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
TUESDAY.
Ephesians iv. — 17. This I say therefore, and
testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as
other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,
18. Having the understanding darkened, being
alienated from the life of God through the igno-
rance that is in them, because of the blindness of
their heart ;
19. Who, being past feeling, have given them-
selves over unto lasciviousness, to work all unclean-
ness with greediness.
20. But ye have not so learned Christ,
21. If so be that ye have heard him, and have
been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus :
22. That ye put off concerning the former con-
versation the old man, which is corrupt according
to the deceitful lusts,
23. And be renewed in the spirit of your mind ;
21. And that ye put on the new man, which
after God is created in righteousness and true
holiness.
25. Wherefore, putting away lying, speak every
man truth with his neighbor; for we are mem-
bers one of another.
26. Be ye angry, and sin not : let not the sun go
down upon your wrath ;
27. Neither give place to the devil.
28. Let him that stole steal no more ; but rather
let him labor, working with Ms hands the thing
which is good, that he may have to give to him
that needeth.
29. Let no corrupt communication proceed out
of your mouth, but that which is good to the use
of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the
heai'ers.
30. And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God,
whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
31. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and
clamor, and evil-speaking, be put away from you,
with all malice ;
32. And be ye kind one to another, tender-
hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for
Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
Every one feels, at times, that, if he could live his life over,
he would make it better than it has been. Now, this new and
better life, which every one wishes for, the gospel provides for
and requires. It sets before us the pattern of the new man,
of man as God created him to be, of man as restored in
Christ to a true and holy life. Such we are required to be-
come by putting off that type of selfish, sinning man which
is as old as Adam, by retrieving the spirit of the mind from
its long subjection to the propensities and passions of the
flesh, and putting on the new Adam, the true type of man,
whose characteristics are a childlike obedience to God, an un-
selfish regard for others, a self-sacrificing devotion to truth,
duty, and love. This is a renewal " in the spirit of the mind,"
— a radical change in its objects of thought, in its aims and
desires, in the bent and purpose of living. It is effected
through the gracious influence of the Spirit of God; but it
can be effected only by our doing that to which the Holy
Ghost incites us, and renouncing that which grieves him. In
the early converts from heathenism, this renewal was marked
by striking changes in the outward life ; and the transforma-
tion wrought in such characters was a most weighty confirma-
tion of the gospel. But the gospel requires of every one the
same inward radical change, — a change that affects the
tongue, the temper, the desire, the act, the whole heart and
life. There is not a sin which the gospel does not condemn ;
there is not a virtue which it does not commend : but it goes
deeper than this, — to the root and spring of all character
and conduct in " the spirit of the mind."
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 90, 91, 95.
Lord ! make clean our hearts before thee.
Baptize us with thine own Spirit, that, being re-
newed in the spirit and temper of our minds, we
may exhibit in our daily walk all the virtues and
graces of the Christian life.
We render thanks to thee for thy loving care in
the night-season. We thank thee that health and
home and friends and country are preserved to us.
We thank thee for all thy goodness to us as a
family. We would trust in the Lord at all times ;
and we pray thee, our Saviour ! to abide with us
ever.
[May the children of this family set thy love
before them as their chief portion in life, and make
thy Word their guide ! May they always speak
the truth, and grow up free from guile ! May they
hear the voice of Jesus, and follow him.]
Lord ! we beseech thee to visit us this day
with thy loving-kindness. Give us grace to dis-
charge faithfully our duties to thee and to each
other. May we remember, that, as stewards, we
must give account of our talents, our property, and
the use of all thy gifts ! May we be kind and
courteous unto all men, honest in our dealings,
truthful in our words, guileless in our thoughts !
Strengthen us to bear with patience whatever trials
or sufferings may be in store for us, preserve us
from the sins which do most easily beset us, and
enable us to walk worthy of our Christian calling,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Lord Jesus ! we long for thy coming in power
and glory among the nations. May thy Church
arise, and make straight the way of the Lord !
almighty and most merciful Father ! we com-
mend to thee ourselves and all that belong to us,
all who pray for us, and all who have at any time
asked our prayers for them. Have pity upon the
poor, the sick, the dying, and the sorrowing. In-
cline thine ear to us, and hear us, we beseech
thee, and order all our ways, this and every day,
according to thy will, through Jesus Christ our
Lord. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
325
WEDNESDAY.
Ephesians vi. — 1. Children, obey your parents
in the Lord ; for this is right.
2. Honor thy father and mother (which is the
first commandment with promise),
3. That it may he well with thee, and thou may-
est live long on the earth.
4. And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to
wrath, but bring them up in the nurture and ad-
monition of the Lord.
5. Servants, be obedient to them that are your
masters according to the flesh, with fear and trem-
bling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ ;
6. Not with eye-service, as men-pleasers, but as
the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from
the heart ;
7. With good will doing service as to the Lord,
and not to men ;
8. Knowing that, whatsoever good thing any
man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord,
whether he be bond or free.
9. And, ye masters, do the same things unto
them, forbearing threatening ; knowing that your
Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect
of persons with him.
10. Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord,
and in the power of his might.
11. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye
may be able to stand against the wiles of the
devil.
12. For we Avrestle not against flesh and blood,
but against principalities, against powers, against
the rulers of the darkness of this world, against
spiritual wickedness in high places.
13. Wherefore take unto you the whole armor
of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the
evil day, and, having done all, to stand.
14. Stand, therefore, having your loins girt about
with truth, and having on the breastplate of right-
eousness ;
15. And your feet shod with the preparation of
the gospel of peace ;
16. Above all, taking the shield of faith, where-
with ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts
of the wicked.
17. And take the helmet of salvation, and the
sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God ;
18. Praying always with all prayer and suppli-
cation in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with
all perseverance and supplication for all saints ;
19. And for me, that utterance may be given
unto me, that I may open my mouth boldlj-, to
make known the mystery of the gospel,
20. For which I am an ambassador in bonds ;
that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
The gospel of Christ would regulate every relation of life
in the spirit of love. The fifth commandment, which carries
with it the promise of God's blessing upon obedient children,
is enforced by the teaching and the example of Christ. But,
as an encouragement to filial obedience, it is required of par-
ents that they shall not irritate children by unreasonable
blame or vexatious commands, but by example, as well as by
discipline and precept, shall nurture them in the Lord. So,
too, while honesty, fidelity, and good-will are enjoined upon
servants, all injustice and oppression are forbidden to masters.
Both stand upon the same level before God.
All duties are summed up in doing the will of God ; and
for this we must equip ourselves with the armor which he has
provided, — a panoply for the whole man, — truth girding him
about with its support; righteousness, wrought for him by
Christ, wrought within him by the Spirit, defending his brea? t ;
his feet clothed with the gospel, read}- to run swiftly on the
errand of peace ; in his left hand the shield of faith, broad
enough to cover his whole person, and to catch every dart of
the enemy ; his head crowned with salvation, as a helmet
strong and sure ; in his right hand the all-penetrating, all-
conquering Word of God, which, wielded in the Spirit by
the might of prayer, is sharper than am- two-edged sword.
At the gate of Pompeii was found the skeleton of a sentinel
in armor, who had stood upright at his post, spear in hand,
until he was smothered by the ashes : so must the Christian
stand firmly at his post, though all the powers of darkness
and evil should gather about him, and the world seem buried
in night. At the last, he shall have the reward of him that
overcometh.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Xos. 53, 124.
Thou holy and blessed Son of God, who for our
sakes didst endure such contradiction of sinners
against thyself, grant us, we pray thee, the spirit of
meekness and patience under injury, and of for-
giveness toward all who do us wrong. How often
have we grieved and offended thee ! Have mercy
upon us, we beseech thee, and teach us to be mer-
ciful unto all men.
[May the children of this family set thy love be-
fore them as their chief portion in life, and make
thy Word their guide ! May they always speak the
truth, and grow up free from guile ! May they hear
the voice of Jesus, and follow him !] Pe gracious,
Lord ! to all our kindred. Visit thy Church
with thy salvation. Inspire thy people with a
readiness to testify of thy love, and to invite others
to thy grace ; and do thou cause thy glory to shine
forth, that all the ends of the earth may acknowl-
edge thee.
O God, whose blessed Son was manifested that
he might destroy the works of the Devil ! grant
us, we beseech thee, that, having this hope, we
may purify ourselves even as he is pure ; that,
when he shall appear again with power and great
glory, we may be made like unto him in his eternal
and glorious kingdom ; where, with thee, Father !
and thee, O Holy Ghost ! he liveth and reigneth,
ever one God, world without end. Amen.
326
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
THURSDAY.
Matthew iv. — 1. Then was Jesus led up of
the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the
devil.
2. And, when he had fasted forty days and forty
nights, he was afterward an hungred.
3. And, when the tempter came to him, he said,
If thou be the Son of God, command that these
stones be made bread.
4. But he answered and said, It is written, Man
shall not live by bread alone, but by every word
that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
5. Then the devil taketh him up into the holy
city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple,
6. And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of
God, cast thyself down : for it is written, He shall
give his angels charge concerning thee ; and in
their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any
time thou dash thy foot against a stone.
7. Jesus said unto him, It is written again,
Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.
8. Again, the devil taketh him up into an ex-
The manner of this temptation it is not easy to deter-
mine, — whether there was a literal appearance of the tempter
in a bodily form ; whether, in the company of the tempter,
Jesus actually went up to Jerusalem, and mounted to the
roof of the temple; whether the tempter led him to this point
or that, in imagination, by the proposals that he made to him ;
or whether the whole series of temptations took place within
the mind of Jesus, by suggestions from the tempter. Each
of these views has something in its favor, and there are like-
wise difficulties in each.
If Satan appeared in a human form, then Jesus might well
have questioned the warrant of a mere man for making such
lavish proposals. If he appeared in some strange supernatu-
ral form, this must have startled Jesus, and have put him
upon his guard ; for, throughout the scene, Jesus is repre-
sented simply as a man, though with a dawning conscious-
ness of divine Sonship. How could an utter stranger,
appearing in any form, have persuaded Jesus to accompany
him to Jerusalem, two days distant, upon the preposterous
advice to cast himself down from the top of the temple, many
hundred feet into the valley below % Moreover, could they
have mounted to the roof of the temple, on such an errand,
ceeding high mountain, and showeth him all the
kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them ;
9. And saith unto him, All these things will
I give thee if thou wilt fall down and worship
me.
10. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence,
Satan ; for it is written, Thou shalt worship the
Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
11. Then the devil leaveth him ; and, behold,
angels came and ministered unto him.
Hebrews ii. — 16. For verily he took not on
him the nature of angels ; but he took on him the
seed of Abraham.
17. Wherefore in all things it behooved him to
be made like unto his brethren ; that he might be
a merciful and faithful high priest in things per-
taining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins
of the people.
18. For in that he himself hath suffered, being
tempted, he is able to succor them that are
tempted.
without attracting notice 1 Certainly not, if there had been
any thing peculiar in the appearance of Satan. But, if Satan
did appear in bodily shape, his suggestions could become
temptations only as they might act upon the mind of Jesus.
Hence the better view of the temptation is that which re-
gards it as a mental scene : these three suggestions, artfully
woven into the words of Scripture, were presented to the
mind of Jesus in such a way that he knew them to proceed
from the Devil.
But, whatever view we take as to the form of the tempta-
tion, the lessons from the fact are the same. It teaches us
that Christ had a human nature in all things like our own,
yet without sin. It teaches us that sin does not consist in a
nature susceptible to temptation, but in yielding to tempta-
tion by an act of will. It shows us how to resist temptation
by the word and the grace of God, and gives us reason to be-
lieve that good spirits are helping us when evil spirits are
seeking our hurt. And, above all, it teaches us that Christ
can sympathize with us in our temptations, and, by his expe-
rience of like trials, is qualified to help us with grace in every
time of need. With such a helper, we have no excuse for
being overcome with evil.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 86, 183.
Saviour of sinners ! we look to thee. Thou
who hast died that we might live ! help us to live
to thee alone. Redeemed with the precious blood
of the Son of God, may we walk as children of
heaven ! Help us, Lord ! in our inward conflicts
with doubts and fears and sins ; help us in our
conflicts with the temptations and evils of the
world ; and, oh ! help us in our wrestlings with
unseen powers of evil, with the great Adversary
of our souls. Lord ! increase our faith. Our
hope is in thee ; our strength is from thee alone :
dwell in us by thy grace ; fill us with thy Spirit.
This very day may we gain new victories over evil !
May we resist temptations in business to swerve
from the truth, to take advantage of others, to act
dishonorably, to be covetous and unjust ! May we
resist temptations in society to envy and evil-
speaking, to worldliness and frivolity ! May we in
all things do that which is right in the sight of
God ! [May these children grow up, dear Saviour,
in thy strength and love, safe from the power of
evil !]
We thank thee for another night of rest, another
day of mercy and of hope. Bless all dear to us ;
our friends and neighbors. Succor, Lord ! the
poor and needy, the sick, the tempted, the dying.
Lord Jesus ! be with us in our last conflict, and
make us more than conquerors over death ; and
to thy name be honor and glory for ever and ever.
Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
327
FRIDAY.
Hebrews iv. — 1. Let us therefore fear, lest, a
promise being left us of entering into his rest, any
of you should seem to come short of it.
2. For unto us was the gospel preached, as well
as unto them ; but the word preached did not profit
them, not being mixed with faith in them that
heard it.
3. For we which have believed do enter into
rest ; as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if
they shall enter into my rest : although the works
were finished from the foundation of the world.
4. For he spake in a certain place of the sev-
enth day on this wise, And God did rest the
seventh day from all his works.
5. And in this place again, If they shall enter
into my rest.
6. Seeing, therefore, it remaineth that some
must enter therein, and they to whom it was first
preached entered not in because of unbelief;
7. (Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in
David, To-day, after so long a time ; as it is said,
To-day, if ye will hear his voice, harden not your
hearts.
8. For if Jesus had given them rest, then
would he not afterward have spoken of another
day.
9. There remaineth, therefore, a rest to the peo-
ple of God.
10. For he that is entered into his rest, he also
hath ceased from his own works, as God did from
his;)
11. Let us labor, therefore, to enter into that rest,
lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.
12. For the word of God is quick and power-
ful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, pier-
cing even to the dividing asunder of soul and
spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a dis-
cerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
13. Neither is there any creature that is not
manifest in his sight; but all things are naked
and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we
have to do.
14. Seeing, then, that we have a great high
priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the
Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
15. For we have not a high priest which can-
not be touched with the feeling of our infirmities ;
but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet
without sin.
16. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne
of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find
grace to help in time of need.
This exhortation, which opens with fear, ends with confi-
dence ; and the very fear which is wholesome in view of our
sins and perils should drive us for refuge to that faith which
will lead us boldly to the throne of grace. The warning is
against self-confidence ; against resting in our privileges or
attainments ; against the temptations of the world to unbe-
lief, to spiritual apathy and apostasy. The " Jesus " spoken
of in verse 8 was undoubtedly Joshua-, the deliverer and
leader, who conducted Israel to their promised rest in Ca-
naan after the toils and perils of the desert. That rest was
not satisfying nor permanent : no rest on earth can be.
Temptations and conflicts arose in the promised land, and
Appropriate Htmxs,]
betrayed the people to forsake God. But still there remained
a Canaan, a rest, a keeping of the sabbath that should bring
the soul of man into harmony with the blessed and everlast-
ing rest of the Creator of the world. For that rest in the
hereafter we nrast now labor, watch, pray, quickening our-
selves by that Word of God, which is full of promise and of
warning ; which searches us at once to condemn and to save
us. Forewarned is forearmed. To realize our danger is to
provide an escape; and here, in every temptation, conflict,
trial, the help is at hand in Him who knows our infirmities,
and has borne them ; who has felt our temptations, and van-
quished them.
[Nos. 24, 117, 151.
Lord Jesus, the author and the finisher of our
faith ! we give thee thanks for all thy servants,
who, having witnessed a good confession, have
entered into rest. Grant us grace, we beseech
thee, to be faithful unto death, that we also may
receive a crown of life. May we have such a
sense of thy presence and glory as shall lift us
above the love or the fear of this world !
^Assist us by thy grace to do this day such
things as are pleasing to thee. Strengthen us to
resist and overcome any temptations to which we
may be exposed. Deliver us from anxiety about
earthly things, from a discontented and unthank-
ful spirit.
Strengthen, Lord ! our faith in the promises
of thy Word. Thou knowest our exceeding weak-
ness, and the numberless dangers which every day
surround us. Supply all our need. Let thy Word
Prayer.
be our guide, and thy Holy Spirit our Sanctifier
and Comforter. Be thou our defender through all
the trials of life, our hope in death, and our por-
tion forever.
We thank thee for thy loving-kindness in the
night-season. Be pleased, Lord ! to bless all who
are near and dear to us. Lead all whom we love
into the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Bless
our neighbors ; assist all who are laboring for the
good of souls ; and grant that true godliness may
increase and abound among us. Help us to shine
as lights in the world, and to commend the reli-
gion which we profess by the meekness and gen-
tleness of our conduct, and by the holiness of our
lives. Make us happy in our own souls, and use-
ful to all around us. These mercies we ask for
ourselves and others in the name of Jesus Christ
our Saviour. Amen.
328
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
SATURDAY.
John xi. — 1. Now, a certain man was sick,
named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and
her sister Martha.
2. (It was that Mary which anointed the Lord
with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair,
whose brother Lazarus was sick.)
3. Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying,
Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick.
4. When Jesus heard that, he said, This sick-
ness is not unto death, but for the glory of God,
that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.
5. Now, Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and
Lazarus.
6. When he had heard, therefore, that he was
sick, he abode two days still in the same place
where he was.
7. Then after that saith he to his disciples, Let
us go into Judaea again.
8. His disciples say unto him, Master, the Jews
of late sought to stone thee ; and goest thou thith-
er again ?
9. Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours
in the day ? If any man walk in the day, he stum-
bleth not, because he seeth the light of this world ;
10. But, if a man walk in the night, he stuin-
bleth, because there is no light in him.
11. These things said he : and after that he
saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth ; but
I go that I may awake him out of sleep.
12. Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he
shall do well.
13. Howbeit, Jesus spake of his death ; but they
thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in
sleep. •
14. Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus
is dead.
15. And I am glad for your sakes that I was
not there, to the intent ye may believe : neverthe-
less, let us go unto him.
16. Then said Thomas, which is called Didy-
mus, unto his fellow-disciples, Let us also go, that
we may die with him.
17. Then, when Jesus came, he found that he
had lain in the grave four days already.
The only home which Jesus had, during his public life, was
at the little village of Bethany, upon the eastward slope of the
Mount of Olives, within an hour s walk of Jerusalem, which
was hidden from it by the crown of the hill. Often, after a
day of teaching in the temple, he would walk out to the house
of Lazarus for an evening of homelike repose with Martha, so
full of domestic attentions ; and Mary, so full of loving devo-
tion. What a beautiful blending of reverence and tenderness
in their regard for him ! what an exquisite delicacy in his
love for them ! The Son of man could be solaced by human
affections ; the Son of God could love all that makes lovely an
earthly home.
When Lazarus was sick, his sisters sent eagerly to Jesus,
not doubting that the message would hasten him to save the
life of his friend : but the love of Jesus was deeper than they
could measure by their anxiety for their brother's life ; and
as love itself is a holy mystery, so does it resort to mystery
that it may challenge confidence, that it may test fidelity, that
it may baffle all mistrust by some supri^ing revelation of joy.
Thus Jesus, knowing that with the actual raising of Lazarus
from the dead he could convey to Martha and Mary a spirit-
ual blessing far greater than through a miracle of' healing,
quietly remained away until he knew that the last offices of
affection and grief were over. But, when the hour of love
was fully ripe, how magnanimously he gave himself to its
divine manifestation, at the cost, as it proved, of his own
human life! Not the imminence of danger nor the entrea-
ties of his disciples could restrain him from risking death
to himself that he might bring back Lazarus from the
dead.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 34, 59, 71.
Our Father in heaven, we come to thee with
wants which thou knowest far better than we, and
for blessings which thou art more ready to give
than we to ask. But thou hast bidden to pray ;
and we love to come, saying, " Our Father." Oh,
may we have the spirit of little children, — humble,
teachable, trustful, obedient, — and show our love
and gratitude in lives of devotion ! Thou hast kept
us in the watches of the night from every trouble,
sorrow, and alarm; thou hast given us refreshing
sleep. And now we bless thee for the day, for life
and health, for food and raiment, for home and
friends, for means of education and of enjoyment,
for means of occupation and of support, for means
of improvement in the knowledge of thyself from
thy works and thy Word, and for opportunities of
doing good to others. Oh ! grant us grace that we
may use to thy glory the lives which thou didst
give, and which thy mercy doth continually spare.
We acknowledge, Lord ! our unworthiness
and our sinfulness, and beseech thee to pardon our
transgressions and heal our infirmities. Help us
this day to live aright. In our intercourse with
others, may we manifest the gentleness, the sin-
cerity, the charity, of the gospel of Christ ! May
we be patient under trials, meek under injuries,
firm against temptation, bold for the truth, zealous
for thy cause ! May we be kind to the poor, help-
ful to the suffering, gentle toward all men ! [Give
unto these children, Lord ! grace to serve thee
in the morning of life, and in their thoughts and
words, their studies and their play, always to please
their Father in heaven.] Kemember with thy
mercy all our friends; visit with thy grace the
homes of all who are dear to us. Build up,
Lord ! thy Church ; prosper thy kingdom in our
land, and throughout the world ; bring us to the
close of the day in peace, and to the close of life
in a hope full of immortality, through Jesus
Christ, our Lord and Saviour. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
329
SUNDAY MORNING.
John xi. — 18. (Now Bethany was nigh unto
Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off.)
19. And many of the Jews came to Martha and
Mary to comfort them concerning their brother.
20. Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Je-
sus was coming, went and met him ; but Mary sat
still in the house.
21. Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou
hadst been here, my brother had not died.
22. But I know that even now, whatsoever thou
wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.
23. Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise
again.
24. Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall
rise again in the resurrection at the last day.
25. Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection
and the life : he that believeth in me, though he
were dead, yet shall he live ;
26. And whosoever liveth, and believeth in me,
shall never die. Believest thou this ?
27. She saith unto him, Yea, Lord : I believe
that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which
should come into the world.
28. And, when she had so said, she went her
Surely He hath borne our griefs, and earned our sorrows.
He put himself into closest, tenderest sympathy with our hu-
manity before putting forth the sublimest act of divinity.
That act, in form, our Lord does not repeat for us by restor-
ing the dead to hearts bursting with sorrow : that would be to
annul death, and render the resurrection a tiling of course.
But the resurrection of Lazarus, followed so speedily by his
own, was the promise to faith of the resurrection of all that
should sleep in him ; and the sympathy of Jesus in the pres-
ent sorrow prepares the heart to receive that faith, and wel-
come that hope. How wondrous the power of sympathy that
so stirred the Son of God ! The tears of Mary moved her
friends to a fresh outburst of grief: and, when Jesus saw them
all weeping as with a hopeless sorrow, he groaned inwardly,
taking upon himself, not their sorrow only, but the mighty
way, and called Mary her sister secretly, saying,
The Master is come, and calleth for thee.
29. As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly,
and came unto him.
30. Now, Jesus was not yet come into the town,
but was in that place where Martha met him.
31. The Jews then which were with her in the
house, and comforted her, when they saw Mary
that she rose up hastily, and went out, followed
her, saying, She goeth unto the grave to weep there.
32. Then when Mary was come where Jesus
was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, say-
ing unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my
brother had not died.
33. "When Jesus, therefore, saw her weeping, and
the Jews also weeping which came with her, he
groaned in the spirit, and was troubled,
34. And said, Where have ye laid him ? They
say unto him, Lord, come and see.
35. Jesus wept.
36. Then said the Jews, Beholdhowhelovedhim!
37. And some of them said, Could not this man,
which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused
that even this man should not have died ?
woes of our humanity crushed by the curse of death ; and his
heaving emotion found vent also in tears. This was a revela-
tion of his character to those who were not of his disciples :
such love, such sympathy, called forth their homage to the
power which had opened the eyes of the blind, and could
have kept back Lazarus from the grave. A belief in the res-
urrection was common among the Jews : only the limited
sect of the Sadducees denied it. But Jesus offered to Martha
a personal objective point for this faith to rest upon, — not a
distant vague belief, but a living presence, a personal power ;
saying, not, " He shall rise ; " nor, " I will give him life ; " but,
"I am the resurrection and the life :" the life-power is in me
potentially, eternally ; and he who joins himself to me by faith
shall experience that power in resurrection from the dead
and in life everlasting.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 133, 148, 159.
Thou art the King of glory, Christ ! Thou
art the everlasting Son of the Father. When thou
hadst overcome the sharpness of death, thou didst
open the kingdom of heaven to all believers. Tbou
sittest at the right hand of God, in the glory of the
Father. We believe that thou shalt come to be
our Judge. We therefore pray thee help thy ser-
vants, whom thou hast redeemed with thy precious
blood : make them to be numbered with thy saints
in glory everlasting. Oh, may thy wonders among
the dead cause us to fear thy name, and to hope
in thy mercy ! We believe in thee, Lord Jesus,
the Resurrection and the Life !
Upon this, the Lord's day, that brings into re-
membrance the rising of Jesus from the dead, may
thy Church honor and serve thee with gladness of
heart ! Bless thy Word, in the family, in the Sun-
day school, in the house of God ; and pour out thy
Spirit upon all flesh.
Thou who hast brought us again from sleep
to behold the light of a new day ! help us so to con-
fide in thee, to keep thee ever so near and so pre-
cious to our thought, that we shall live above the
fear of death, and look forward with joy to our
final rest with thee. Grant us grace to bear all
trials, resist all temptations, fulfil all duties, in the
hope of thine appearing. As children of the light,
may we shun all evil, and show forth thy praise !
Comfort all in sorrow. Be the God of the widow
and the fatherless. May this household, and all
dear to us, be joined to the family of the taints
on earth, and finally to the company of the re-
deemed in heaven, through Him who died for
us ! — to whom be glory forever. Amen.
330
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
SUNDAY EVENING.
John xi. — 38. Jesus therefore, again groaning
in himself, cometh to the grave. It was a cave,
and a stone lay upon it.
39. Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha,
the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him,
Lord, by this time he stinketh ; for he hath been
dead four days.
40. Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee,
that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see
the glory of God ?
41. Then they took away the stone from, the
place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted
up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that
thou hast heard me :
42. And I knew that thou hearest me always ;
but because of the people which stand by I said
it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me.
43. And, when he thus had spoken, he cried with
a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth !
44. And he that was dead came forth, bound
hand and foot with grave-clothes ; and his face
was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto
them, Loose him, and let him go.
45. Then many of the Jews which came to
Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did,
believed on him.
46. But some of them went their ways to the Phar-
isees, and told them what things Jesus had done.
47. Then gathered the chief priests and the
Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for
this man doeth many miracles.
48. If we let him thus alone, all men will be-
lieve on him ; and the Eomans shall come and
take away both our place and nation.
49. And one of them, named Caiaphas, being
the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye
know nothing at all,
50. Nor consider that it is expedient for us that
one man should die for the people, and that the
whole nation perish not.
51. And this spake he not of himself: but,
being high priest that year, he prophesied that
Jesus should die for that nation ;
52. And not for that nation only, but that also
he should gather together in one the children of
God that were scattered abroad.
53. Then from that day forth they took counsel
together for to put him to death.
54. Jesus, therefore, walked no more openly
among the Jews, but went thence unto a country
near to the wilderness, into a city called Ephraim,
and there continued with his disciples.
The Jews buried very soon after death. No coffin was
used ; but the body was wrapped tightly iu folds of linen with
spices, and carried to the tomb on a bier. The better classes
preferred as burial-places either natural caves in their own
gardens, or tombs excavated from the rock, or built artifi-
cially, with niches in which the bodies were laid. A fiat
stone, sometimes set like a door in a groove, closed the en-
trance. Jesus, profoundly agitated by the grief that encom-
passed him, and by the yearnings of the divinity within him,
taking upon himself, as it were, the agony of humanity in
its struggle with the last enemy, honoring his Father in this
supreme act of power and majesty, uttered that call of vic-
tory which shall yet resound over every field of death, —
" Lazarus, come forth ! " Death relaxed its hold ; corruption
gave up its victim ; and " he that was dead came forth."
From that moment the doom of Jesus was sealed. His
mightiest benefaction to the race called forth the fiercest rage
of sin. The field where sin had reigned without molestation
from the fall of man was now invaded ; the spell was broken ;
the sting, the dread, the victory, were wrested from the grave.
Yet men hated him the more! — and the high priest of this
malice becomes the unconscious prophet of that death which
shall but complete the triumph of Jesus in the redemption of
humanity through the resurrection and the life.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 6, 42, 199.
O God, who hast prepared for those who love
thee such good things as pass man's understand-
ing ! pour into our hearts such love toward thee,
that we, loving thee above all things, may obtain
thy promises, which exceed all that we can desire,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
We would lie down to rest in the hope of Him
who is the Resurrection and the Life ; praying,
that, if this shall prove our last sleep, we may
awake with Christ in his glory.
We thank thee, Lord ! for the precious com-
fort that remains to us concerning dear friends
who have departed in the faith ; that to them
heaven is even now a reality ; that they have no
more want, nor sorrow, nor care, nor sin. Oh,
may heaven be a reality to our faith ! and may the
hope of it, yea, the assurance of it, as our home,
lift us above all the temptations and trials of this
present world ! Give to us strength for labors,
courage for conflicts, patience under afflictions,
fidelity to duty, and faith that shall endure to the
end, and shall make us more than conquerors over
death. May the true life be now begun in our
souls, and daily may we live to thee !
We praise thee, Lord ! for the blessings of this
holy day. Oh, may we love thee more, know thee
more, and serve thee better, than ever before, by
reason of what we have this day learned of thy
truth and grace ! In all that is given us to do,
may we glorify thy name ! in all that we are called
to bear, may we accept thy holy will ! So may we
daily live to thee ; and, when the things of earth
shall pass away, make us to be numbered with thy
saints in glory everlasting, through Jesus Christ
our Saviour ; to whom be all honor and glory, world
without end. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
831
MONDAY.
Ruth i. — 1. Now, it came to pass, in the days
when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in
the land. And a certain man of Bethlehem-
judah went to sojourn in the country of Moah, he,
and his wife, and his two sons.
3. And Elimelech, Naomi's husband, died; and
she was left, and her two sons.
4. And they took them wives of the women of
Moab : the name of the one was Orpah ; and the
name of the other, Buth : and they dwelt there
about ten year's.
5. And Mahlon and Chilion died also, both of
them ; and the woman was left of her two sons
and her husband.
8. And Naomi said unto her two daughters-in-
law, Go, return each to her mother's house : the
Lord deal kindly with you as ye have dealt with
the dead and with me.
9. The Lord grant you that ye may find rest,
each of you in the house of her husband. Then
she kissed them ; and they lifted up their voice,
and wept.
10. And they said unto her, Surely we will re-
turn with thee unto thy people.
11. And Naomi said, Turn again, my daugh-
ters : why will ye go with me ? . . . Nay, my
daughters ; for it grieveth me much, for your
sakes, that the hand of the Lord is gone out
against me.
14. And they lifted up their voice, and wept
again. And Orpah kissed her motber-in-law ; but
Kuth clave unto her.
15. And she said, Behold, thy sister-in-law is
gone back unto her people, and unto her gods : re-
turn thou after thy sister-in-law.
16. And Buth said, Entreat me not to leave
thee, or to return from following after thee : for
whither thou goest, I will go ; and where thou
lodgest, I will lodge : thy people shall be my peo-
ple, and thy God my God :
17. Where thou diest will I die, and there will
I be buried : the Lord do so to me, and more also,
if, aught but death part thee and me.
18. When she saw that she was steadfastly mind-
ed to go with her, then she left speaking unto her.
19. So they two went until they came to Beth-
lehem. And it came to pass, when they were
come to Bethlehem, that all the city was moved
about them ; and they said, 7s this Naomi ?
20. And she said unto them, Call me not
Naomi ; call me Mara : for the Almighty hath
dealt very bitterly with me.
21. I went out full, and the Lord hath brought
me home again empty : why, then, call ye me
Naomi, seeing the Lord hath testified against me,
and the Almighty hath afflicted me ?
22. So Naomi returned, and Buth the Moabitess
her daughter-in-law with her, which returned out
of the country of Moab; and they came to Beth-
lehem in the beginning of barley-harvest.
In all the literature of antiquity, there is not a more beauti-
ful gem than this idyl of Ruth and Naomi. " As a singular
example of virtue and piety in a rude age, and among an
idolatrous people ; as one of the first-fruits of the Gentile
harvest gathered into the Church ; as the heroine of a story
of exquisite beauty and simplicity ; as illustrating in her his-
tory the workings of Divine Providence, and the truth of the
saying, that the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous ; and
for the many interesting revelations of ancient domestic and
social customs which are associated with her story, — Ruth
has always held a foremost place among Scripture characters."
The country of Moab lay along the rich highlands east of
the Dead Sea, and was the most fertile district upon that side
of the Jordan. It was about three days' journey from Beth-
lehem ; and, though there was a standing J'etid between Moab
and Israel, famine led this Jewish family to seek refuge in a
hostile country. Love, which is stronger than political enmi-
ties, or prejudices of race and religion, soon brought about an
alliance between the sons of the Abrahamie covenant and the
daughters of an alien people ; and the virtues of Naomi so
won upon the filial piety of Ruth, that, when both were
widowed, Ruth joined herself to her, in life and in death, with
a pathos which every heart adopts for its own expression of
constant, complete, undying devotion.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 58, 59, 68.
God, who art everywhere present ! may it be
our joy so to realize thy presence, that we shall
ever abide with thee ! Thou leadest us in ways
that we knew not, and sometimes in ways of dark-
ness and of sorrow ; but thou hast promised never
to leave us nor forsake us. When troubles come,
when billows of sorrow roll over us, may we still
trust in thee, and look forward to our rest ! May
our citizenship be in heaven, and we of the com-
pany of thy saints who declare plainly that they
seek a better country ! May we glorify thy name
in the midst of an evil and gainsaying world !
We look to thee, Lord ! this day, for daily
bread. All thy creatures wait upon thee. That
thou givest them they gather. Thou openest thine
hands ; they are filled with good. Oh ! fill us this
day with good things. [Bless every member of
this family, parents and children, brothers and sis-
ters, and all our kindred : may each, in the several
relations of life, fulfil all the offices of love, doing
good to one another as thou givest opportunity !]
Prosper the labors of industry; bless the earth with
abundant harvests ; bless our land with health,
peace, plenty, righteousness ; and save the world
which thy mercy has spared, for Christ's sake.
Amen.
332
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
TUESDAY.
Ruth ii. — 2. And Ruth the Moabitess said unto
Naomi, Let me now go to the field, and glean ears
of corn after him in whose sight I shall find grace.
And she said unto her, Go, my daughter.
3. And she went, and came, and gleaned in the
field after the reapers ; and her hap was to light
on a part of the field belonging unto Boaz, who
was of the kindred of Elimelech.
5. Then said Boaz unto his servant that was
set over the reapers, Whose damsel is this ?
6. And the servant that was set over the reap-
ers answered and said, It is the Moabitish damsel
that came back with Naomi out of the country of
Moab:
8. Then said Boaz unto Buth, Hearest thou not,
my daughter ? Go not to glean in another field,
neither go from hence, but abide here fast by my
maidens :
9. Let thine eyes be on the field that they do
reap, and go thou after them : have I not charged
the young men that they shall not touch thee ?
And, when thou art athirst, go unto the vessels, and
drink of that which the young men have drawn.
10. Then she fell on her face, and bowed herself
to the ground, and said unto him, Why have I
found grace in thine eyes, that thou shouldest take
knowledge of me, seeing I am a stranger ?
11. And Boaz answered and said unto her, It
We may be sure that Naomi did not conceal the virtues
of her daughter-in-law. Such a treasure she might well be
proud of, and such an example of domestic fidelity and reli-
gious devotion in an alien was worthy to be proclaimed
among her own kinsmen and townspeople. Bethlehem was
so small a place, that everybody could know the affairs of
everybody else ; and the story of Naomi's return, and of the
beautiful, loving, and pious Moabitess she had brought with
her, was talked over at the city-gates, at the fountains where
all the maidens went for water, till " all the city was moved
about them."
hath fully been showed me all that thou hast done
unto thy mother-in-law since the death of thine
husband; and how thou hast left thy father and
thy mother, and the land of thy nativity, and art
come unto a people which thou knewest not here-
tofore.
12. The Lord recompense thy work, and a full
reward be given thee of the Lord God of Israel,
under whose wings thou art come to trust.
13. Then she said, Let me find favor in thy
sight, my lord ; for that thou hast comforted me,
and for that thou hast spoken friendly unto thine
handmaid, though I be not like unto one of thy
handmaidens.
14. And Boaz said unto her, At meal-time come
thou hither, and eat of the bread, and dip thy
morsel in the vinegar. And she sat beside the
reapers ; and he reached her parched corn, and
she did eat, and was sufficed, and left.
15. And, when she was risen up to glean, Boaz
commanded his young men, saying, Let her glean
even among the sheaves, and reproach her not ;
16. And let fall also some of the handfuls of
purpose for her, and leave them, that she may
glean them; and rebuke her not.
17. So she gleaned in the field until even, and
beat out that she had gleaned ; and it was about
an ephah of barley.
By a humane requirement of the law of Moses, the glean-
ings of the harvest were to be left for the poor ; and, as
Naomi had returned penniless, she sent Ruth to gather a few
ears of corn in the field of a rich relative. Her modest beha-
vior, confirming the story of her virtue and piety, won favor in
the eyes of Boaz ; and he gladly took advantage of a provision
of the Mosaic law, and, as nearest of kin to her husband,
made her his wife. And so the poor stranger, who had made
herself an exile that she might care for the widowed mother
of her husband, came to a home of plenty and honor, and
became the ancestor of David and of Christ.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 11, 15, 32.
Thy mercies, O Lord ! are new every morning :
great is thy faithfulness. We bless thee for life
and health and reason ; for the use of our limbs
and powers ; for our food and raiment and habi-
tation ; for labor and reward ; for friends and
kindred ; for freedom from suffering, infirmity,
and pain. By the remembrance of thy goodness,
awaken in our hearts, O God ! a purer love and
devotion to thee. Inspire us with a true and child-
like trust in thy faithfulness and mercy. So stay
our minds on thyself, that we shall be anxious
about nothing. May it ever be home with us
where we can feel that God is nigh ! for we can
fear nothing, lack nothing, when thou art our por-
tion.
God! since thou hast opened our eyes to see
the light of another day, be pleased to prosper us
with thy blessing in all its duties and engage-
ments. Keep us from sin, temptation, and danger.
Help us in all things to show forth thy glory by
a life and conversation becoming thy children.
May it please thee to bless all whom we love,
and grant unto them the healthful spirit of thy
grace ! Have compassion on all the children of
toil and sorrow and suffering ; look in mercy upon
the afflicted and the dying. Bless this household
with such favors as thou seest to be good for us ;
and teach us to desire and seek only that which is
good in thy sight. Help us to walk by faith, that,
hy a patient continuance in well-doing, we may
come to glory and honor, through Jesus Christ, our
blessed Lord and Saviour. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
333
WEDNESDAY.
Mark vi. — 1. And lie went out from thence,
and came into his own country ; and his disciples
follow him.
2. And, when the sabbath day was come, he
began to teach in the synagogue : and many, hear-
ing him, were astonished, saying, From whence
hath this man these things ? and what wisdom is
this which is given unto him, that even such
mighty works are wrought by bis hands ?
3. Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary,
the brother of James and Joses, and of Juda and
Simon ? and are not his sisters here with us ?
And they were offended at him.
4. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not
without honor but in his own country, and among
his own kin, and in his own house.
5. And he could there do no mighty work, save
that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and
healed them.
G. And he marvelled because of their unbelief.
And he went round about the villages teaching.
7. And he called vnto him the twelve, and be-
gan to send them forth by two and two ; and gave
them power over unclean spirits ;
8. And commanded them that they should take
nothing for their journey, save a staff only ; no
scrip, no bread, no money in their purse ;
9. But be shod with sandals, and not put on
two coats.
10. And he said unto them, In what place so-
ever ye enter into a house, there abide till ye
depart from that place.
11. And whosoever shall not receive you, nor
hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the
dust under 3'our feet for a testimony against them.
Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable
for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment
than for that city.
12. And they went out, and preached that men
should repent.
13. And they cast out many devils, and anointed
with oil many that were sick, and healed them.
This was the beginning of evangelism by the disciples of
Christ : from being learners, they were now to be teachers.
Our Lord sent them two by two, for mutual comfort and
support. He delegated to them miraculous powers, in order
that they might attest their words by signs, and also might
gain the attention and the confidence of men through kindness
done to their bodies. At the same time, they were charged to
go in the most unostentatious manner, in the spirit of peace,
and, as Matthew adds, carrying a benediction to every house
that would receive them. According to Matthew, also, they
were sent first "to the lost sheep of the house of Israel."
Both in their scriptures and in their ritual, the Jews had the
promise of the Messiah ; and, now that he had come with
words and works of divine mercy, their faith was first to be
tested through the reception they would give to Jesus and his
messengers. His own townsmen had rejected him, and had
deprived themselves of his mighty works by their unbelief;
for Jesus addressed himself to faith. The whole nation was
now to have the opportunity of declaring itself concerning
Christ and his salvation. The rejection of his disciples would
be the rejection of himself, of his truth and grace in their
message, of his Spirit in their works. It is a great privilege
to hear the gospel : it is a great peril to treat it with indif-
ference.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 171, 177, 186.
We come to thee this morning, heavenly Father,
with hearts full of thankfulness for the mercies of
the night. We have rested in safet}' and in peace
under the shadow of thy wing. Thou has kept us
quiet from the fear of evil : nor sickness, nor death,
nor tempest, nor fire, nor any calamity, hath over-
taken us or our dwelling. How sure are the mer-
cies of thy covenant, Lord ! All thy promises in
Christ Jesus are Yea and Amen. Fulfil unto us,
we beseech thee, these thy mercies and promises,
and cause that this day we may rejoice in thy sal-
vation.
Bless to us thy Word which we have now read.
Oh ! sanctify us by thy truth ; and, while we re-
ceive its instruction and comfort in our hearts,
may we carry out its precepts in our lives, and
adjrn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all
things ! May we be just and true, loving and
kind, gentle, forbearing, and forgiving, and so
shine as lights in the world, holding forth the word
of life ! May every day witness some new victory
over evil desires and passions within us, and over
the evil that is in the world ! By feeding upon
thy Word, the bread of heaven, may we grow up
into Him who is our Life and Head, even Christ.
[Oh ! may these children grow in grace as they
grow in years and in knowledge ! May they slum
evil companions and evil ways, and walk in the
way of thy commandments !] Keep all dear to us
even as the apple of thine eye. Bless our neigh-
bors, and send thy Spirit upon this whole com-
munity. Bless our rulers, and the schools and
churches in our land. May all who rule, and all
who teach, be led and taught by thee ! Raise up,
Lord ! we entreat thee, a multitude of faithful
preachers of thy Word, and missionaries of thy
gospel. Clothe them with thy salvation ; and open
the way before them in every land, and unto every
heart. Have pity upon the poor and the sor-
rowing; upon homes made desolate by famine,
pestilence, or war. Stay thy judgments, Lord !
and send peace and salvation to all people. Mer-
cifully forgive our sins, and bring us unto the per-
fection of knowledge, of holiness, and of blessed-
ness, in Jesus Christ our Lord ; to whom be glory
forever. Amen.
334
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
THURSDAY.
Mark vi. — 14. And King Herod heard of him
(for his name was spread abroad) ; and he said,
That John the Baptist was risen from the dead,
and therefore mighty works do show forth them-
selves in him.
15. Others said, That it is Elias. And others
said, That it is a prophet, or as one of the prophets.
16. But, when Herod heard thereof, he said, It is
John, whom I beheaded : he is risen from the dead.
17. For Herod himself had sent forth and laid
hold upon John, and bound him in prison for He-
rodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife ; for he had
married her.
18. For John had said unto Herod, It is not
lawful for thee to have thy brother's wife.
19. Therefore Herodias had a quarrel against
him, and would have killed him ; but she could not :
20. For Herod feared John, knowing that he
was a just man and a holy, and observed him ;
and, when he heard him, he did many things, and
heard him gladly.
21. And when a convenient day was come, that
Herod on his birthday made a supper to his lords,
high captains, and chief estates of Galilee ;
22. And when the daughter of the said Hero-
dias came in and danced, and pleased Herod and
them that sat with him, the king said unto the
damsel, Ask of me whatsoever thou wilt, and I
will give it thee.
23. And he sware unto her, Whatsoever thou
shalt ask of me, I will give it thee, unto the half
of my kingdom.
24. And she went forth, and said unto her
mother, What shall I ask ? And she said, The
head of John the Baptist.
25. And she came in straightway with haste
unto the king, and asked, saying, I will that thou
give me by and by, in a charger, the head of John
the Baptist.
26. And the king was exceeding sorry ; yet for
his oath's sake, and for their sakes which sat with
him, he would not reject her.
27. And immediately the king sent an execu-
tioner, and commanded his head to be brought :
and he went and beheaded him in the prison ;
28. And brought his head in a charger, and
gave it to the damsel ; and the damsel gave it to
her mother.
29. And, when his disciples heard of it, they
came and took up his corpse, and laid it in a tomb.
But an oath which required the perpetration of a crime
could not be binding ; and the crime was the greater in this
instance because Herod knew John to be a holy man and a
prophet of the Lord, and that the odious request of Salome,
the daughter of Herodias, was prompted by the mother in re-
venge for the prophet's fidelity in denouncing her illicit mar-
riage. This Herod (Antipas) was a son of Herod the Great,
and was Tetrarch of Galilee and Peroea. " During a visit to
his half-brother Herod-Philip, he became enamoured of his
wife Herodias, and prevailed on her to leave her husband, and
live with him." She stipulated that he should repudiate his
wife, the daughter of the Arabian king, Aretas ; which he ac-
cordingly did. Salome was the daughter of Philip and He-
rodias. Like Lady Macbeth, Herodias instigated her husband
to crimes which he would gladly have avoided; but he, like
Macbeth, was haunted by the return of the murdered man to
vex his imagination with terrible fears. " Thus conscience
does make cowards of us all." But how beautiful by contrast
was the courage with which faith inspired the disciples of
John to brave the fate of their Master by rendering the tender
offices of burial to his mutilated body ! It has always been the
effect of persecution to call forth at once the most heroic vir-
tues and the most gentle graces ; and often the passive virtues
of the martyr have conquered where violent resistance would
have been certain defeat.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 2, 97.
Lord Jesus, who for our sakes didst endure
such contradiction of sinners against thyself! grant
us grace, that, like thee, we may be meek and lowly
of heart. When offended and wronged by others,
may we remember Him, who, when he was reviled,
reviled not again, and who from the cross prayed
for the forgiveness of his enemies ! As we pray thee
to forgive our offences, may we ever show the spirit
of forgiveness toward all who do us harm ! Set a
watch, Lord ! at the door of our lips, that we of-
fend not in word ; and, while bold and firm for thy
truth and cause, in all that concerns ourselves may
we study the things that make for peace! Help
us this day to resist temptation, to walk uprightly,
to do good as we have opportunity, to relieve the
suffering and the needy, to be kind toward all, and
to overcome the world.
Father of all mercies, we commend this house-
hold to thy loving care. [Oh ! take these children
into thine arms ; defend them from the power of
evil ; draw them to the cross of Christ, that they
may there be baptized into the love of Him who
died for them.] Grant us, Lord ! such prosperity
as shall please thee ; yet, in all that we possess and
enjoy, help us ever to remember that we are not
our own, but are bought with a price, — even the
precious blood of Christ. We pray for thy Church
which thou hast redeemed: grant her peace and
unity. And, oh! hasten the ingathering of the
nations, that thou mayest see of the travail of
thy soul, and be satisfied. Heavenly Father, we
bless thee for the mercy which has brought us
to the beginning of this day ; we supplicate thy
favor upon all our friends ; and, Lord ! have
mercy upon us, and upon all men, for Christ's
sake. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
335
FRIDAY.
Psalm li. — 1. Have mercy upon me, God!
according to thy loving-kindness : according unto
the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my
transgressions.
2. Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and
cleanse me from my sin.
3. For I acknowledge my transgressions ; and
my sin is ever before, me.
4. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and
done this evil in thy sight ; that thou mightest be
justified when thou speakest, and be clear when
thou judgest.
5. Behold, I was shapen in iniquity ; and in sin
did my mother conceive me.
6. Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward
parts ; and in the hidden part thou shalt make me
to know wisdom.
7. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean ;
wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
8. Make me to hear joy and gladness ; that the
bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.
9. Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all
mine iniquities.
The sin which David lamented with such extreme humili-
ation and anguish is recorded in 2 Sam. xi. Having been
betrayed into sin with Bathsheba, in order to cover his fault,
he caused her husband, the valiant Uriah, to be so exposed in
battle, that he was killed. David invented such excuses for
his twofold crime, that, for a while, his conscience gave him lit-
tle trouble. But, by and by, the Lord sent the prophet Nathan
to the erring king : " and lie came unto him, and said unto
him, There were two men in one city ; the one rich, and the
other poor. The rich man had exceeding many flocks and
herds : but the poor man had nothing save one little ewe-lamb,
which he had bought and nourished up ; and it grew up to-
gether with him and with his children ; it did eat of his own
meat, and drank of his own cup, and lay in his bosom, and
was unto him as a daughter. And there came a traveller unto
the rich man ; and he spared to take of his own flock and of
his own herd to dress for the wayfaring man that was come
unto him, but took the poor man's lamb, and dressed it for
the man that was come to him. And David's anger was
greatly kindled against the man ; and he said to Nathan, As
the Lord liveth, the man that hath done this thing shall surely
die ; and he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did
10. Create in me a clean heart, God ! and re-
new a right spirit within me.
11. Cast me not away from thy presence ; and
take not thy Holy Spirit from me.
12. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation,
and uphold me with thy free Spirit.
13. Then will I teach transgressors thy ways ;
and sinners shall be converted unto thee.
14. Deliver me from blood-guiltiness, God,
thou God of my salvation ! and my tongue shall
sing aloud of thy righteousness.
15. Lord ! open thou my lips, and my mouth
shall show forth thy praise.
16. For thou desirest not sacrifice ; else would
I give it: thou delightest not in burnt-offering.
17. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: abro-
ken and a contrite heart, God! thou wilt not despise.
18. Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion ;
build thou the walls of Jerusalem.
19. Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacri-
fices of righteousness, with burnt -offering and
whole burnt-offering; then shall they offer bul-
locks upon thine altar.
this thing, and because he had no pity. And Nathan said to
David, Thou art the man."
By his judgment on the rich robber, David had already con-
demned himself; and now he is agonized with the sense of his
guilt, especially with its heinousness in the sight of God. Noth-
ing can palliate his sin ; nothing can hide it from his own view.
He is so steeped in transgression, that no resources of atone-
ment and purification within his reach could avail to cleanse
and restore him. He owns the justice of God in his condemna-
tion, and casts himself wholly and solely upon the mercy of
God. " He would give any and every thing were the seasons
to return when he enjoyed communion with God, a cheerful
heart, and a constant spirit ; when the protection of God was
spread out over him, and his Spirit reigned in his heart." He
desires to be not only forgiven, but cleansed, made pure, and
this in order that through his recovery from so grievous a fall
he may set forth the grace of God for the salvation of other
sinners, and that the glory of Zion may not be tarnished by
his sin. Such is the spirit of true penitence : it bewails sin as
committed against God ; it acknowledges the justice of his
condemning sentence ; it longs for pardon as a means to per-
sonal purity, and to the recovery of others from sin and death.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 82, 94, 95.
Create in us a clean heart, God ! and renew a
right spirit within us. So purify us by thy grace
that we shall shine as lights in the world, holding
forth the Word of life. We bless thee for thy lov-
ing care, for rest and safety in the night, for the
comfort and promise of this holy day. May thy
Word and thy worship be precious to our souls !
Give us grace, that we may be established in
the truth, and be doers of thy Word, and not
hearers only, deceiving our own selves. Sow in
our hearts the seed of eternal life, and enable us
to bring forth fruit, to the glory of thy name, and
the comfort of our souls.
Bless this day thy holy Church, in her ministry,
her worship, her sacraments, her works of love.
Bless all missions throughout the world. Visit
all Sunday schools with thy heavenly grace.
[0 Lord ! grant unto the children of this house-
hold the teaching of thy Spirit, the guidance of
thy providence, that they may walk in the way of
wisdom and of life.]
Defend us with thy heavenly grace, that we may
continue thine forever, and daily increase in thy
Holy Spirit more and more, until we come unto
thine everlasting kingdom, through the merits of
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
336
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
SATURDAY.
Galatians ii. — 15. We who are Jews by na-
ture, and not sinners of the Gentiles,
16. Knowing that a man is not justified by the
works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ,
even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we
might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not
by the works of the law ; for by the works of the
law shall no flesh be justified.
17. But if, while we seek to be justified by
Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is,
therefore, Christ the minister of sin ? God forbid !
18. For, if I build again the things which I de-
stroyed, I make myself a transgressor.
19. For I through the law am dead to the law,
that I might live unto God.
20. I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless, I
live ; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me : and the
life which I now live in the flesh, I live by the
faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave
himself for me.
21. I do not frustrate the grace of God ; for if
righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead
in vain.
Galatians iii. — 1. foolish Galatians! who
hath bewitched you that ye should not obey the
truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been
evidently set forth, crucified among you ?
2. This only would I leam of you, Received ye
the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hear-
ing of faith ?
3. Are ye so foolish ? Having begun in the
Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh ?
The moral law was given that it should be obeyed forever :
its standard can never be lowered, its obligation can never be
revoked. The Ten Commandments are as binding upon the
Christian as ever they were upon the Jew. Christ sustained
them by the full weight of his example and his author-
ity. While he thus vindicated the authority of the law by
his own righteousness, he also honored its demands upon us
by offering himself a sacrifice for sin : so that we who were
condemned for not doing may now be saved by believing.
The ceremonial law was given to be observed until that
which it typified should be fulfilled in Christ. To impose
4. Have ye suffered so many things in vain ? if
it be yet in vain.
5. He therefore that ministereth to you the
Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he
it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of
faith ?
6. Even as Abraham believed God, and it was
accounted to him for righteousness.
7. Know ye, therefore, that they which are of
faith, the same are the children of Abraham.
8. And the scripture, foreseeing that God would
justify the heathen through faith, preached before
the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all
nations be blessed.
9. So, then, they which be of faith are blessed
with faithful Abraham.
10. For as many as are of the works of the law
are under the curse ; for it is written, Cursed is
every one that continueth not in all things which
are written in the book of the law to do them.
11. But that no man is justified by the law in
the sight of God, it is evident ; for, The just shall
live by faith.
12. And the law is not of faith ; but, The man
that doeth them shall live in them.
13. Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of
the law, being made a curse for us ; for it is written,
Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree :
14. That the blessing of Abraham might come
on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ ; that we
might receive the promise of the Spirit through
faith.
that law npon Christians, to insist upon any forms and cere-
monies as necessary to salvation, was to dishonor the grace of
Christ, tO' assume a useless burden, to tall away from the
spirit into the flesh. The gathering of all men to Christ by
faith was foreseen in the promise given to Abraham. We
are saved, not by works, but by faith. But true faith is the
highest working power : it binds the soul to Christ for an
implicit obedience to his will, a life-long devotion to his
cause, in a union so close, so absolute, that the believer can
say with Paul, " Christ liveth in me."
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 143, 171.
God, who makest the outgoings of the morn-
ing and the evening to rejoice ! we bless thee that
ours has not been a night of anguish and sorrow.
We lift up our hearts to thee with thanksgiving for
the joy of another day ; for vigor for its duties, ap-
petite for its pleasures, and readiness for its oppor-
tunities of good. Bless us in our labors, keep us pure
in our enjoyments, incite us to do thy will ; and oh !
we beseech thee, preserve us from harm, from temp-
tation, and from sin. Keep us from that love and
that fear of this world which would estrange us
from thee.
Seeing that we know not what a day may bring
forth, we pray, that, if trials and disappointments
shall come, we may have grace to meet them and
to profit by them. Conscious of our weakness,
humbly confessing our sins, we cast ourselves upon
thine infinite grace in Christ our Saviour for par-
don, strength, and sanctification. May we as a
family honor thee in our daily walk and conversa-
tion ! May old and young alike know the beauty
of holiness, the joy of consecration to Christ !
Grant thy grace to all who are dear to us ; and
grant us grace to hold all men dear for Christ's
sake. And to him, with the Father and the
Spirit, be glory forever. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
337
SUNDAY MORNING.
Romans xi. — 22. Behold, therefore, the good-
ness and severity of God : on them which fell,
severity ; hut toward thee goodness, if thou con-
tinue in his goodness; otherwise thou also shalt be
cut off.
23. And they also, if they abide not still in un-
belief, shall be grafted in ; for God is able to graft
them in again.
24. For if thou wert cut out of the olive-tree
which is wild by nature, and wert grafted contrary
to nature into a good olive-tree, how much more
shall these, which be the natural branches, be
grafted into their own olive-tree ?
25. For I would not, brethren, that ye should
be ignorant of this mystery (lest ye should be
wise in your own conceits), that blindness in part
is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gen-
tiles be come in.
26. And so all Israel shall be saved ; as it is
written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliv-
erer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob :
27. For this is my covenant unto them when I
shall take away their sins.
The severity of God is tempered by his goodness ; and his
goodness, like the bow in the cloud, is brightened by the
background of severity. Alike in Nature, in the Bible, and
in Providence, the awful and the gentle, the severe and the
gracious, are blended together. The Jewish people, so fa-
vored in their national constitution and in their religious
privileges, were at length set aside because they rejected the
crown and glory of their whole system proffered them in
Christ. But, since God does not repent of nor retract his
mercy, Israel shall yet be brought to Christ with the converted
Gentile world. Thus the very mysteries of Providence are
fulfilling the wondrous plan of redemption : all things pro-
ceed from God, and return to God. Verse 36 is a formula of
28. As concerning the gospel, they are enemies
for your sakes ; but, as touching the election, they
are beloved for the fathers' sakes.
29. For the gifts and calling of God are with-
out repentance.
30. For as ye in times past have not believed
God, yet have now obtained mercy through their
unbelief;
31. Even so have these also now not believed,
that through your mercy they also may obtain
mercy.
32. For God hath concluded them all in unbe-
lief, that he might have mercy upon all.
33. Oh the depth of the riches both of the wis-
dom and knowledge of God ! how unsearchable
are his judgments, and his ways past finding
out!
34. For who hath known the mind of the Lord ?
or who hath been his counsellor?
35. Or who hath first given to him, and it shall
be recompensed unto him again ?
36. For of him, and through him, and to him,
are all things ; to whom be glory forever. Amen.
philosophy, an utterance of faith, and an ascription of praise.
Against Polytheism, it declares that all things were made and
are upheld by the one God. Against Pantheism, it refers the
origin of all things to God, as himself distinct from the things
he has made. Against the notion of Fate, it recognizes a per-
sonal Providence, through which all things are now sustained.
Against Materialism, it declares that all things exist for
God as their end. The whole universe exists through his
plan and power ; and all events transpire by his purpose
and for his glory. With what adoration, with what thanks-
giving, with what consecration, should we bow before Him,
of whom, and through whom, and unto whom, are all
things !
Appropriate Htjixs,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 172, 175, 176.
Lord God, Father of mercies, the Fountain
of all comfort and blessing, who fillest heaven with
thy glory, and earth with thy goodness ; to whom
the heavens sing praise, and all their powers, with
the earth and sea and all that are therein ! we
praise and bless and glorify and give thanks to !
thee. Thou broughtest us out of nothing ; and
when, by our disobedience, we were fallen, thou
didst raise us up again to an inheritance in thy
kingdom. For these and all thy mercies we give '
thanks to thee, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
henceforth and forevermore.
We bless thee for the sabbath, and pray that we
may rightly improve its holy rest and the worship
of thy holy house. May we have in lively remem- I
brance the resurrection and ascension of our
blessed Lord ; by faith in him, be lifted above the j
power of sin, above the fear of death ; and, being j
risen with Christ, may we set our affections upon
things above, and look with joy for his appearing !
[May these children delight in the Lord's day,
and love to speak and sing of Jesus ! May they
learn from thy holy "Word to love and trust him as
their Saviour ! and may they delight in thy law !]
We pray for the whole Church of Christ, that
she may possess all the gifts of thy Holy Spirit ;
for all Sunday schools, — oh ! hear the hosannas of
children, and show to them the love of Jesus their
Saviour. We pray for the poor and needy, the
sick and afflicted, for widows and orphans ; for all
whom thou hast given to be near and dear to us.
Give them thy blessing, Lord ! for the sake of
Him who hath taught us to love one another even
as he hath loved us.
Accept, we beseech thee, Lord ! these our
praises and supplications, and look graciously upon
tliis family ; and so assist us by thy grace, that we
maybe fitted for that kingdom where all shall be
joy and peace in the Holy Ghost ; to whom, with
thee and thy Son, be all glory forever. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
SUNDAY EVENING.
John xiii. — 18. I speak not of you all; I know
whom I have chosen ; but that the scripture may
be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me hath
lifted up his heel against me.
19. Now I tell you before it come, that, when it
is come to pass, ye may believe that I am he.
20. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that re-
ceiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me ; and he
that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.
21. When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled
in spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, verily, I
say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.
22. Then the disciples looked one on another,
doubting of whom he spake.
23. Now, there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one
of his disciples, whom Jesus loved.
24. Simon Peter, therefore, beckoned to him,
that he should ask who it should be of whom he
spake.
25. He then, lying on Jesus' breast, saith unto
him, Lord, who is it ?
26. Jesus answered, He it is to whom I shall
give a sop when I have dipped it. And, when he
had dipped the sop, he gave it to Judas Iscariot,
the son of Simon.
27. And, after the sop, Satan entered into him.
Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do
quickly.
28. Now, no man at the table knew for what in-
tent he spake this unto him.
29. For some of them thought, because Judas
had the bag, that Jesus had said unto him, Buy
those things that we have need of against the
feast ; or, that he should give something to the
poor.
30. He then, having received the sop, went im-
mediately out ; and it was night.
31. • Therefore, when he was gone out, Jesus said,
Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glori-
fied in him.
32. If God be glorified in him, God shall also
glorify him in himself, and shall straightway glori-
fy him.
33. Little children, yet a little while I am with
you. Ye shall seek me ; and as I said unto the
Jews, Whither I go ye cannot come, so now I say
to you.
34. A new commandment I give unto you, That
ye love one another ; as I have loved you, that ye
also love one another.
35. By this shall all men know that ye are my
disciples, if ye have love one to another.
The Jews ate in a reclining posture, resting the head upon
the left arm, with the face toward the table. They did not
use knives and forks ; but each one dipped his hand or his
bread into the common dish, which was placed before the
couches upon a little table, as in the centre of a hollow square.
As a mark of favor, the host would sometimes dip a piece of
bread into the dish, or even select a delicate morsel with his
fingers, and then offer this to one reclining near him. This
custom was so common, that, when Jesus gave the sop to
Judas, it attracted no special notice, although so closely con-
nected with our Lord's warning of treachery. As John re-
clined next to Jesus upon the right, his head leaned upon
the Lord's bosom ; and so he became the mouth-piece of the
disciples, when they longed to know, but dared not ask, of
whom the Master had spoken.
The departure of the traitor was to Jesus another signal
that his hour was at hand ; but nothing could disturb the
serenity of his soul. In his approaching sufferings he be-
held only the completion of his triumph ; and, as that triumph
would be the inauguration of love as the life-power of the
world, he gave forth, with new and special emphasis, the com-
mandment, "Love one another as I have loved you."
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 83, 100, 176.
Almighty God, from whom all good things do
come, we thank and praise thee for the mercies of
this holy day. Make our hearts so deeply thankful
for its many blessings, that we shall be ready to
devote ourselves afresh — body, soul, and spirit —
to thy service through the coming week.
Give unto us, God ! more of the mind which
was in Christ Jesus. May we esteem others bet-
ter than ourselves ! Teach us to pity and to help
all who are in want and sorrow. May we show
that we are Christians, not in name only, but in
deed and truth ! and, by our holy and blameless
lives, may we adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour
in all things ! May thy truth make us free !
Almighty Father, teach us to imitate thy love,
that we may be sanctified in heart and life, fitted
to serve thee here, and to dwell with thee here-
after. May we be temples of the Holy Ghost, and
be sealed by him unto the day of redemption!
May his gracious teaching enlighten us, and his
holy comfort cheer and refresh our souls ! May no
cherished sin grieve this blessed Spirit, or quench
the flame of love which he would kindle within
us !
Bless, Lord ! thy Church with light and peace.
Bless our government and our country. Make us
a nation fearing thee and working righteousness.
Be gracious to all our dear friends and rela-
tives, and guide their feet into the way of holiness.
Bring nigh unto thee any who may be yet far from
thee. Stablish, strengthen, and settle those who
know and love thee. Hear, Lord ! we beseech
thee, these our supplications ; take us this night
into thy holy keeping ; pardon for thy mercy's
sake all our iniquities; and do for us exceeding
abundantly above all that we ask or think, for the
sake of Jesus Christ, our most blessed Lord and
Saviour. Amen,
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
MONDAY.
Matthew XX. — 1. For the kingdom of heaven
is like unto a man that is a householder, which
went out early in the morning to hire laborers
into his vineyard.
2. And, when lie had agreed with the laborers
for a penny a day, he sent them into his vine-
yard.
3. And he went out about the third hour, and
saw others standing idle in the market-place,
4. And said unto them, Go ye also into the vine-
yard ; and whatsoever is right, I will give you.
And they went their way.
5. Again he went out about the sixth and ninth
hour, and did likewise.
6. And about the eleventh hour he went out,
and found others standing idle, and saith unto
them, Why stand ye here all the day idle ?
7. They say unto him, Because no man hath
hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the
vineyard ; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye
receive.
8. So, when even was come, the lord of the vine-
yard saith unto his steward, Call the laborers, and
give them their hire, beginning from the last unto
the first.
9. And, when they came that were hired about
the eleventh hour, they received every man a
penny.
10. But when the first came, they supposed that
they should have received more ; and they like-
wise received every man a penny.
11. And, when they had received it, they mur-
mured against the good man of the house,
12. Saying, These last have wrought but one
hour ; and thou hast made them equal unto us,
which have borne the burden and heat of the day.
13. But he answered one of them, and said,
Friend, 1 do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree
with me for a penny ?
14. Take that thine is, and go thy way : I will
give unto this last even as unto thee.
15. Is it not lawful for me to do what I will
with mine own ? is thine eye evil because I am
good?
16. So the last shall be first, and the first last;
for many be called, but few chosen.
" The market-place of the world is here contrasted with
the vineyard of the kingdom of God : the greatest man of
business in worldly things is a mere idle gazer if he has not
yet entered on the true work which alone is worth any thing,
or gains any reward." The parable teaches that in this king-
dom all recompense, like the calling into the kingdom itself, is
a matter of grace ; and therefore it is at the pleasure of the
Master-to dispense his awards according to a scale and method
of his own. Those who earliest received the call of the gos-
pel, and were the first to enter upon the service of Christ,
would not, for that reason, be entitled to take precedence of
those to whom the gospel came later, and who might, therefore,
seem to engage in the service of Christ at the last moment.
No principle of justice is set aside in the distribution of mercy,
and no claim of merit is allowed under a dispensation of
grace.
He who would seek to pervert this into a pretext for delay-
ing till the eleventh hour to obey the Saviour's call would
show a spirit so utterly mean and selfish as to render it highly
improbable that he would ever accept a grace he could so de-
liberately abuse and despise. Let every one of us go work
to-day; let us begin in earnest the work we have too long
neglected ; let fidelity to the Master be our one motive ; and
we shall have our compensation in the work itself as we go
along, and shall find in the end that the reward of free grace
is greater far than any thing we could have hoped to deserve.
In the vineyard of the Lord there is something for eveiy
one to do. No disciple Cart claim a dignity of position, or a
length of service, that should exempt him from the duty of
work ; nor are any so feeble or so humble that they can do
nothing for the Master. Our duty is to work where he has
placed us : we can trust his love for the reward
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 29, 39, 50.
Our voice shalt thou hear in the morning,
Lord ! in the morning will we direct our prayer
unto thee, and will look up. Oh ! lead us this day
in thy righteousness ; make thy way straight before
our face. Grant that we may see and know clear-
ly what things we ought to do ; and, whatever we
do, may we do it heartily, as unto the Lord, and
not unto men !
Keep us from vain self-dependence, from pride,
self-will, and presumption. Plant in our hearts
thy holy fear ; and may we show such meekness
and gentleness and humility as become the true
followers of Christ !
Whilst we are this day diligent in business, give
us grace at the same time to be fervent in spirit,
serving the Lord. May the continual recollection
of thy manifold and great mercies incline us to pre-
sent our souls and bodies a living sacrifice unto
thee ! May we not be conformed to this world, but
transformed by the renewing of our minds, that we
may prove what is that good and acceptable and
perfect will of God !
[May the children of this family set thy love be-
fore them as their chief portion in life, and make
thy Word their guide ! May they always speak the
truth, and grow up free from guile ! May they hear
the voice of Jesus, and follow him !] Be gracious,
Lord ! to all our kindred. Visit thy Church
with thy salvation. Inspire thy people with a
readiness to testify of thy love, and to invite others
to thy grace. May we behold even greater fruits
of thy coming than were seen by thine own apos-
tles ! Open thou the windows of heaven, and
cause thy glory to shine forth, that all the ends of
the earth shall acknowledge thee. And to thy
name be all the glory. Amen.
340
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
TUESDAY.
I Samuel iii. — 1. And the child Samuel min-
istered unto the Lord before Eli. And the word
of the Lord was precious in those days : there was
no open vision.
2. And it came to pass at that time, when Eli
ivas laid down in his place, and his eyes began to
wax dial, that he could not see ;
3. And ere the lamp of God went out in the
temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was, and
Samuel was laid down to sleep ;
4. That the Lord called Samuel; and he an-
swered, Here am I.
5. And he ran unto Eli, and said, Here am I ;
for thou calledst me. And he said, I called not :
lie down again. And he went and lay down.
6. And the Lord called yet again, Samuel.
And Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said,
Here am I ; for thou didst call me. And he an-
swered, I called not, my son : lie down again.
7. Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, nei-
ther was the word of the Lord yet revealed unto
him.
8. And the Lord called Samuel again the third
time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said,
Here am I ; for thou didst call me. And Eli per-
ceived that the Lord had called the child.
9. Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down :
and it shall be, if he call thee, that thou shalt say,
Speak, Lord ; for thy servant heareth. So Sam-
uel went and lay down in his place.
10. And the Lord came, and stood and called as
After Moses, Samuel was the first character in ancient
Jewish history who centred in himself the elements of politi-
cal and religious authority. He was the last and the great-
est of the judges whose official power succeeded that of the
lawgiver ; and he was the first of that long line of prophets
whose function and influence came to be superior to that of
the priesthood itself. Moreover, his life marked a transition-
period in the nation ; for, against his own judgment, he
yielded to their clamor for a king, and anointed, first Saul, and
afterwards David, to this office. He was a person of rare dig-
nity, beauty, and integrity of character, and of sincere and
humble piety. Consecrated by his mother to the service of
the Lord, he was trained from childhood in the sanctuary ;
at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel
answered, Speak ; for thy servant heareth.
11. And the Lord said to Samuel, Behold, I will
do a thing in Israel, at which both the ears of
every one that heareth it shall tingle.
12. In that day I will perform against Eli all
things which I have spoken concerning hi's house :
when I begin I will also make an end.
13. For I have told him that I will judge his
house forever, for the iniquity which he knoweth ;
because his sons made themselves vile, and he re-
strained them not.
14. And therefore I have sworn unto the house
of Eli, that the iniquity of Eli's house shall not be
purged with sacrifice nor offering forever.
15. And Samuel lay until the morning, and
opened the doors of the house of the Lord ; and
Samuel feared to show Eli the vision.
16. Then Eli called Samuel, and said, Samuel,
my son ; and he answered, Here am I,
17. And he said, What is the thing that the
Lord hath said unto thee? I pray thee, hide it
not from me : God do so to thee, and more also, if
thou hide any thing from me of all the things that
he said unto thee.
18. And Samuel told him every whit, and hid
nothing from him. And he said, It is the Lord :
let him do what seemeth him good.
19. And Samuel grew, and the Lord was with
him, and did let none of his words fall to the
ground.
and it was while sleeping in the tabernacle that he received
the divine call that ennobled and ever after guided his
life. This scene, pictured with the simplicity of truth, has
an unfading charm alike for childhood and for age, for
poetry and for art. The little child, so quick to hear the
voice in the night, so ready to trust the word of Eli, so
prompt to obey the voice of the Lord ; the venerable priest,
warned by this innocent boy of the doom upon his house,
and receiving the message with such patient meekness, —
all this lives before us as often as we read the story. Oh,
may our ears ever be open to the voices of the Invisible!
and our hearts answer, " Speak, Lord ; for thy servant
heareth ! "
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayei*.
[Nos. 156, 163, 190.
Oh ! grant us grace, Father in heaven, to hear
thy Word, and to obey it. We would make haste,
and delay not, to keep thy commandments. Thou
hast a right, Lord ! to our time, our gifts, our
hearts, our persons ; to all that we are, and all
that we have : for thou hast created us, and hast
redeemed us with the precious blood of thy Son.
We give thee thanks for the mercies of the night,
and for all the mercies of our past lives, — for home
and its blessings ; for friends, and all the ministries
of love ; for health, knowledge, comfort, and pros-
perity ; but, above all things, for thy grace in the
gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. May we ever
be ready to acknowledge him the Son of God, the
Saviour of the world ! May men in the high places
of power and influence consecrate themselves to
him ! may the poor and lowly trust in him ! may
children sing hosannas to the Son of David !
How shall we praise thee, God ! for thy love
and grace to us sinners ? For all thy mercies, we
bless and magnify thy glorious name ; humbly
beseeching thee to accept this our morning sacri-
fice of praise for His sake who died, and rose again,
and who liveth evermore. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
341
WEDNESDAY.
I Samuel xii. — 1. And Samuel said unto all
Israel, Behold, I have hearkened unto your voice
in all that ye said unto me, and have made a king
over you.
2. And now, behold, the king walketh before
j r ou ; and I am old and gray-headed ; and, behold,
my sons are with you ; and I have walked before
you from my childhood unto this day.
3. Behold, here I am : witness against me be-
fore the Lord, and before his anointed : whose ox
have I taken? or whose ass have I taken? or
whom have I defrauded ? whom have I oppressed ?
or of whose hand have I received any bribe to
blind mine eyes therewith ? and I will restore it you.
4. And they said, Thou hast not defrauded us,
nor oppressed us ; neither hast thou taken aught of
any man's hand.
5. And he said unto them, The Lord is witness
against you, and his anointed is witness this day,
that ye have not found aught in my hand. And
they answered, He is witness.
8. When Jacob was come into Egypt, and your
fathers cried unto the Lord, then the Lord sent
Moses and Aaron, which brought forth your fa-
thers out of Egypt, and made them dwell in this
place.
9. And, when they forgat the Lord their God,
he sold them into the hand of Sisera, captain of
the host of Hazor, and into the hand of the Philis-
tines, and into the hand of the king of Moab, and
they fought against them.
10. And they cried unto the Lord, and said, We
have sinned, because we have forsaken the Lord,
and have served Baalim and Ashtaroth ; but now
deliver us out of the hand of our enemies, and we
will serve thee.
11. And the Lord sent Jerubbaal and Bedan,
and Jephthah and Samuel, and delivered you out
of the hand of your enemies on every side, and ye
dwelt safe.
12. And, when ye saw that N abash the king of
the children of Amnion came against you, ye said
unto me, Nay; but a king shall reign over us:
when the Lord your God icas your king.
13. Now, therefore, behold the king whom ye
have chosen, and whom ye have desired ; and, be-
hold, the Lord hath set a king over you.
14. If ye will fear the Lord, and serve him, and
obey his voice, and not rebel against the command-
ment of the Lord, then shall both ye, and also the
king that reigneth over you, continue following
the Lord your God.
15. But if ye will not obey the voice of the
i Lord, but rebel against the commandment of the
j Lord, then shall the hand of the Lord be against
you as it was against your fathers.
The public officer, who, like Samuel, can challenge the most
rigid scrutiny of his lite, and can appeal to all the world for a
verdict of his integrity, has a prouder name than office could
bestow, and a richer inheritance for his children than all the
spoils of office could yield. But alas for the times when it
comes to be the rare and distinctive recommendation of a
judge, that he will not accept a bribe ; or of a financial officer,
that he will not steal !
The experiment of governing a people through their direct
allegiance to Jehovah, by the agency of judges and prophets
who gave proof of inspiration, had proved a failure. The
pure theocracy contemplated in the laws of Moses was above
the faith and the morality of the Israelites. The promise was
that God would protect and prosper them while they should
serve and trust him. But they fell away into impiety and
idolatry ; and when, as a scourge for this, they were overrun by
surrounding nations, they demanded a king, as a military
leader who should put them on a footing to cope with their
enemies. Saul was anointed the first king over Israel : and,
with the upright and dignified administration of Samuel, the
simplicity of the early theocracy passed away ; the divine re-
public was merged in an earthly monarchy ; yet this remained
a type of that inner spiritual kingdom which came to its de-
velopment in the Church of Christ, the Son of David.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 28, 138, 154.
God ! we are sinners, and of a sinful race ;
but great is thy mercy. Accept our thanks and
praise.
For our creation and preservation ; for our sleep
last night, and our safety this morning ; for the
comforts of this world, and the hopes of the world
to come, — we bless thee, good Lord.
For our stations and occupations in life ; for our
dear relations and friends ; for all that reminds us
of thee, and all opportunities of glorifying thee, —
we bless thee, good Lord.
For thy love in our redemption ; for thy free be-
stowal of thine only-begotten Son ; for thine un-
speakable gift of the Holy Spirit, — above all we
bless thee, good Lord.
We give thee thanks for home and country ; for
knowledge and freedom ; for the favor of thy provi-
dence upon our land ; for the tokens of thy mercy
in thy Church. We beseech thee, O Lord ! to con-
tinue the favor which thou hast shown unto us as a
famity. [May these children grow up in the knowl-
edge and love of thy truth ! May they always in-
cline to thy will, and walk in thy way ! May they
be kept from the evil that is in the world, and be
the followers of the Lord Jesus !] Dwell by thy
good Spirit in the homes of all whom we love.
Bless this community, our State, our nation, with
good things, temporal and spiritual. Have mercy,
we beseech thee, upon an evil and ungodly world.
Oh ! bring the wickedness of the wicked to an
end ; and do good, in thy loving-kindness, unto all
men, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
342
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
THURSDAY.
I Samuel xv. — 22. And Samuel said, Hath the
Lord as great delight in burnt-offerings and sacri-
fices as in obeying the voice of the Lord ? Behold,
to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken
than the fat of rams.
23. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft,
and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry.
Because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord,
he hath also rejected thee from being king.
24. And Saul said unto Samuel, I have sinned ;
for I have transgressed the commandment of the
Lord, and thy words ; because I feared the people,
and obeyed their voice.
25. Now therefore, I pray thee, pardon my sin,
and turn again with me, that I may worship the
Lord.
26. And Samuel said unto Saul, I will not re-
turn with thee ; for thou hast rejected the word of
the Lord, and the Lord hath rejected thee from
being king over Israel.
27. And, as Samuel turned about to go away,
he laid hold upon the skirt of his mantle, and it
rent.
28. And Samuel said unto him, The Lord hath
rent the kingdom of Israel from thee this day,
and hath given it to a neighbor of thine that is
better than thou.
29. And also the Strength of Israel will not lie
nor repent ; for he is not a man that he should
repent.
30. Then he said, I have sinned ; yet honor me
now, I pray thee, before the elders of my people,
and before Israel, and turn again with me, that I
may worship the Lord thy God.
I Samuel xvi. — 14. But the Spirit of the Lord
departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the
Lord troubled him.
15. And Saul's servants said unto him, Behold,
now, an evil spirit from God troubleth thee.
16. Let our Lord now command thy servants
which are before thee to seek out a man who is
a cunning player on a harp; and it shall come to
pass, when the evil spirit from God is upon thee,
that he shall play with his hand, and thou shalt
be well.
17. And Saul said unto his servants, Provide
me now a man that can play well, and bring him,
to me.
18. Then answered one of the servants, and
said, Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the
Bethlehemite, that is cunning in playing, and a
mighty valiant man, and a man of war, and pru-
dent in matters, and a comely person ; and the
Lord is with him.
19. Wherefore Saul sent messengers unto Jesse,
and said, Send me David thy son, which is with
the sheep.
21. And David came to Saul, and stood before
him ; and he loved him greatly, and he became
his armor-bearer.
23. And it came to pass, when the evil spirit
from God was upon Saul, that David took a harp,
and played with his hand : so Saul was refreshed,
and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him.
The people soon had cause to repent their choice of a
king. Saul proved to be a moody, capricious, violent, arbi-
trary man, subject to fits of insanity, — in foreign wars, in do-
mestic broils, in personal jealousies and feuds ; a tyrant in
his family, the terror of his friends, the grief and plague of
Samuel's declining days. He stood in awe, however, of the
prophet, and, after his paroxysms of rage and pride, would go
to Samuel to assuage his remorse. At last, his wilfulness led
him too far. He openly disregarded the command of Jeho-
vah, and then was guilty of the further presumption of sacri-
ficing in his own name by way of atonement. But men can-
not thus compromise their misdoings ; and Jehovah took
away from Saul the hope of founding a dynasty. Samuel
was sent secretly to anoint David as the future king of
Israel. .
Music has charms over madness. A celebrated singer
once calmed the most violent lunatics in an asylum by the
tones of her voice. The youthful David, who already had a
reputation for improvising on the harp, was sent for to soothe
the troubled mind of the king. Saul little dreamed that this
ruddy and gifted shepherd would succeed to his throne ; and
David was too modest and too magnanimous to indulge the
feeling of rivalry, and too pious to meditate evil toward one,
who, like himself, had been anointed of the Lord.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 89, 95, 104.
God, the Author of our being, and the Pre-
server of our lives ! we thank thee for the continu-
ance of reason, and pray thee to impart unto us the
spirit of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
Let the mind be in us which was in Christ Jesus.
Suffer no temptation to overcome us; and, oh!
deliver us from envy, pride, self-will, and every
passion that would grieve thy Spirit, disturb our
peace, and bring evil to those around us ! Help
us to use the world as not abusing it, and to derive
a rational and wholesome pleasure from the good
things thou hast provided for us.
May it please thee, Lord ! to prosper us in our
daily occupations ; to preside over this household
with thy good Spirit; to preserve us from harm
[to bless the children, and lead them in the right
way] ; to bless our friends, and number them
all with thy chosen; to bless our land with
plenty, with peace, and with the power of thy
gospel ; to bless and save a world that lieth in
wickedness. These mercies we ask, humbly con-
fessing our sins, through Jesus Christ' our Lord ;
who, with thee and the Holy Spirit, liveth and
reigneth, one God, world without end. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
343
FRIDAY.
I Samuel xvii. — 38. And Saul armed David
with his armor ; and he put a helmet of brass upon
his head; also he armed him with a coat of mail.
39. And David girded his sword upon his ar-
mor, and he essayed to go; for he had not proved
it. And David said unto Saul, I cannot go with
these ; for I have not proved them. And David
put them off him.
40. And he took his staff in his hand, and
chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and
put them in a shepherd's bag which he had, even
in a scrip ; and his sling tvas in his hand: and he
drew near to the Philistine.
41. And the Philistine came on, and drew near
unto David ; and the man that bare the shield
went before him.
42. And when the Philistine looked about, and
saw David, he disdained him ; for he was but a
youth, and ruddy, and of a fair countenance.
43. And the Philistine said unto David, Ami
a dog, that thou comest to me with staves ? and
the Philistine cursed David by his gods.
44. And the Philistine said to David, Come to
me, and I will give thy flesh unto the fowls of the
air, and to the beasts of the field.
45. Then said David to the Philistine, Thou
comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and
with a shield ; but I come to thee in the name of
the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel,
whom thou hast defied.
46. This day will the Lord deliver thee into
mine hand ; and I will smite thee, and take thine i
head from thee ; and I will give the carcasses of
the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of
the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth ; that
all the earth may know that there is a God in
Israel.
47. And all this assembly shall know that the
Lord saveth not with sword and spear; for the
battle is the Lord's, and he will give you into our
hands.
48. And it came to pass, when the Philistine
arose, and came and drew nigh to meet David,
that David hasted, and ran toward the army to
meet the Philistine.
49. And David put his hand in his bag, and
took thence a stone, and slang it, and smote the
Philistine in his forehead, that the stone sank into
his forehead ; and he fell upon his face to the earth.
50. So David prevailed over the Philistine with
a sling and with a stone, and smote the Philistine,
and slew him ; but there was no sword in the
hand of David.
51. Therefore David ran and stood upon the
Philistine, and took his sword, and drew it out of
the sheath thereof, and slew him, and cut off his
head therewith. And, when the Philistines saw
their champion was dead, they fled.
52. And the men of Israel and of Judah arose,
and shouted, and pursued the Philistines until
thou come to the valley and to the gates of Ek-
ron. And the wounded of the Philistines fell
down by the way to Shaaraim, even unto Gath
and unto Ekron.
Notwithstanding the forrays of Samson into their territory,
the Philistines had held their own ; and their line of cities
along the coast remained a barrier between Judah and the
Mediterranean. On being chosen king, Saul gave battle to
the Philistines, and, by a stratagem of his son Jonathan, put
them to rout with great slaughter. Now, after twenty years,
hostilities were renewed, the Philistines invading the territory
of Judah. According to a custom of ancient warfare, of which
there are examples in Homer, it was proposed to decide the
contest by champions from each side, in lieu of a pitched bat-
tle. Goliath, the champion of the Philistines, was a giant of
such strength and renown, that no Israelite would venture to
fight him, even for the large bounties offered by Saul. At
this crisis, David came to the camp on an errand from his
father to his older brothers in the army. David's shepherd-
life had made him familiar with danger, and had called
out feats of strength and courage. He had killed, single-
handed, a lion and a bear. Like the mountain-shepherds
of Palestine to-day, he was expert in the use of the sling.
This stripling, going forth alone and unarmed, trusting only
in God and his good arm, to meet the haughty champion of
Philistia, has become the type of single-hearted faith, con-
fronting the powers of the world, and overcoming the great
Adversary.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 121, 129, 136.
Lord God! our fathers trusted in thee, and
were not ashamed ; and in thy love we would con-
fide for ever and ever. In health and in sickness,
in hope and in sorrow, we would look up to the
hills, whence cometh our help ; and we pray that
we may have the perfect peace of those whose
minds are stayed upon the Lord.
We thank thee for the mercies of another night,
and for the goodness thou hast provided with the
opening day. The sun has spread its light over
the world; the earth is bringing forth renewed
supplies of good. We bless thee, Lord ! for all
thy gifts, and pray thee be merciful to us in our
renewed wants, and visit us with thy salvation.
Continue to us, we entreat thee, the gifts of thy
providence ; and pour upon us the blessings of
thy grace. Go forth with us, Lord ! to the en-
gagements, the trials, the duties, and the pleasures
which await us to-day. Oh ! keep us from evil
and sin. Bless all who are dear to us by any tie ;
all who are in any want, trouble, or sorrow. De-
liver thy Church in her conflicts, and hasten the
final triumph of thy kingdom, for Jesus Christ's
sake. Amen.
344
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
SATURDAY.
I Samuel xxviii. — 7. Then said Saul unto his
servants, Seek me a woman that hath a familiar
spirit, that I may go to her and inquire of her.
And his servants said to him, Behold, there is a
woman that hath a familiar spirit at Endor.
8. And Saul disguised himself, and put on other
raiment, and he went, and two men with him ; and
they came to the woman by night : and he said, I
pray thee, divine unto me by the familiar spirit,
and bring me him up whom I shall name unto
thee.
11. Then said the woman, Whom shall I bring
up unto thee ? And he said, Bring me up Samuel.
12. And, when the woman saw Samuel, she cried
with a loud voice : and the woman spake to Saul,
saying, Why hast thou deceived me ? for thou art
Saul.
13. And the king said unto her, Be not afraid ;
for what sawest thou ? And the woman said unto
Saul, I saw gods ascending out of the earth.
14. And he said unto her, What form is he of?
And she said, An old man cometh up ; and he is
covered with a mantle. And Saul perceived that
it was Samuel; and he stooped with his face to the
ground, and bowed himself.
15. And Samuel said to Saul, Why hast thou
disquieted me to bring me up ? And Saul an-
For the third time Saul was to meet the Philistines, whose
hosts he had twice put to the rout; but his follies and ex-
cesses had so weakened his hold upon the people, that he had
little of the spirit or hope of earlier years. The popularity
of David so stirred the envy of Saul, that he sought to take
his life ; and David, avoiding a conflict, had been for years
a fugitive in the thinly-settled districts of Judasa, or in border-
countries. Samuel was dead ; and Saul tried in vain to ob-
tain from the Lord some token of the issue of the battle. In
his despair, he had recourse to witchcraft. The armies were
drawn up in the Plain of Jezreel ; Saul's camp being at the
south-eastern fork, along the base of Gilboa. Just behind
the hills, on the opposite side of the plain, lay the village of
Endor, where was a famous witch ; and to her Saul went under
cover of the night. The woman intended to humor his fancy
by some conjurer's art, and was as much startled as he when
a supernatural power, to her unknown, caused the form of
Samuel to appear. Thus Saul's superstitious fears were
turned by the Lord into a means of warning. Next day, both
Saul and Jonathan perished. David poured forth this ex-
swered, I am sore distressed; for the Philistines
make war against me, and God is departed from
me, and answereth me no more, neither by pro-
phets, nor by dreams : therefore I have called thee,
that thou mayest make known unto me what I
shall do.
16. Then said Samuel, Wherefore, then, dost
thou ask of me, seeing the Lord is departed from
thee, and is become thine enemy ?
17. And the Lord hath done to him as he spake
by me ; for the Lord hath rent the kingdom out
of thine hand, and given it to thy neighbor, even
to David :
18. Because thou obeyedest not the voice of the
Lord, nor executedst his fierce wrath upon Ama-
lek, therefore hath the Lord done this thing unto
thee this day.
19. Moreover, the Lord will also deliver Israel
with thee into the hand of the Philistines ; and
to-morrow shalt thou and thy sons be with me :
the Lord also shall deliver the host of Israel into
the hand of the Philistines.
20. Then Saul fell straightway all along on the
earth, and was sore afraid, because of the words of
Samuel; and there was no strength in him; for
he had eaten no bread all the day, nor all the
night.
Appropriate Hymns,]
quisite lament over his worst enemy and his dearest friend :
" The beauty of Israel is slain upon thy high places : how
are the mighty fallen ! Tell it not in Gath, publish it not in
the streets of Askelon ; lest the daughters of the Philistines
rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph. Ye
mountains of Gilboa, no dew, neither rain, upon you, nor
fields of offerings ! for there the shield of the mighty is vilely
cast away, the shield of Saul, anointed with oil. Prom the
blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, the bow of
Jonathan turned not back, and the sword of Saul returned
not empty. Saul and Jonathan were lovely and pleasant in
their lives, and in their death they were not divided ; swifter
than eagles, stronger than lions. Ye daughters of Israel, weep
over Saul, who clothed you in scarlet with delights ; who put
ornaments of gold upon your apparel. How are the mighty
fallen in the midst of the battle ! O Jonathan ! slain in thine
high places. I am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan :
very pleasant hast thou been unto me : thy love to me was
wonderful, passing the love of women. How are the mighty
fallen, and the weapons of war perished ! "
[Nos. 117, 163.
Thou only, Lord ! makest us to dwell in safety.
We thank thee for another night of rest and com-
fort ; for another day of life, health, and hope.
Lord ! may we be found faithful to thee in the
duties of this day ! and, amid its temptations and
its trials, do thou sustain us, comfort us, keep us,
and grant us grace in all we do to seek thy glory.
May this household, which thou hast so blessed,
serve thee, not at this altar only, but in all the
walks of life ! As we engage in the business of
the world, as we go into society, wherever we are,
Prayer.
and whatever we do, may we remember thee, and
do thy will ! Bless all dear to us who are absent
from us. We supplicate thy mercy for the needy,
the afflicted, the bereaved, and the sorrowing.
Build up thy Church, Lord ! Fill our land
with pure religion. May our rulers be faithful and
just, walking in thy fear ! And Ave beseech thee
to bring all lands under the power and glory of
thy kingdom. Lord ! forgive our sins, and bring
us unto thy heavenly kingdom, through Jesus
Christ our Saviour. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
345
SUNDAY MORNING.
Proverbs xxxi. — 10. Who can find a virtuous
woman ? for her price is far above rubies.
^ 11. The heart of her husband doth safely trust
in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
12. She will do him good, and not evil, all the
days of her life.
13. She seeketh wool and flax, and worketh will-
ingly with her hands.
14. She is like the merchants' ships : she bring-
eth her food from afar.
15. She riseth also while it is yet night, and
giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her
maidens.
16. She considereth a field, and buyeth it : with
the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
17. She girdeth her loins with strength, and
strengtheneth her arms.
18. She perceiveth that her merchandise is
good: her candle goeth not out by night.
19. She layeth her hands to the spindle, and
her hands hold the distaff.
20. She stretcheth out her hand to the poor ;
yea, she reach eth forth her hands to the needy.
21. She is not afraid of the snow for her house-
hold ; for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
22. She maketh herself coverings of tapestry:
her clothing is silk and purple.
23. Her husband is known in the gates, when
he sitteth among the elders of the land.
24. She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and
delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
Christianity recovered woman from the social degradation
to which, in almost every nation except the Hebrew, she had
been reduced by custom, by law, and even by religion. Chris-
tianity ennobled her to her original position as the "daughter
of the Almighty." But, in order that woman may hold her
just position in society and in the church, the gospel would
have her guard with sacred jealousy the proprieties of her
sex ; and by the modesty and quietness of her manners, the
discreetness of her behavior in public assemblies, and the
abundance of her good works, wield a redeeming and refin-
ing influence over men and affairs. The influence which
proved so destructive in the beginning of the race, may,
through the gospel, be exerted for the noblest purposes of
25. Strength and honor are her clothing ; and
she shall rejoice in time to come.
26. She openeth her mouth with wisdom ; and
in her tongue is the law of kindness.
27. She looketh well to the ways of her house-
hold, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
28. Her children arise up, and call her blessed ;
her husband also, and he praiseth her.
29. Many daughters have done virtuously ; but
thou excellest them all.
30. Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain ; but
a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be
praised.
31. Give her of the fruit of her hands ; and let
her own 'works praise her in the gates.
I Timothy ii. — 8. I will, therefore, that men
pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without
wrath and doubting.
9. In like manner, also, that women adorn them-
selves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and
sobriety; not with broidered hair, or gold, or
pearls, or costly, array,
10. But (which becometh women professing
godliness) with good works.
11. Let the woman learn in silence with all sub-
jection.
12. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to
usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.
13. For Adam was first formed ; then Eve.
14. And Adam was not deceived ; but the
woman, being deceived, was in the transgression.
good. That these counsels were not intended merely for a
local and temporary condition of society is plain from the
fact that they are based upon the order of creation and the
unchanging qualities of sex.
The gospel, which carries grace, modesty, and purity into
the family, would also maintain order and integrity in gov-
erment, and peace, good-will, and godliness in society at large.
For this blessed consummation we should devoutly pray ;
realizing that there is one God and Saviour for all ; that his
grace can reach alike the highest and the lowest ; that his
gospel is the best agent of reform ; and that the best wish we
can have for the improvement of society is that it should
become thoroughly Christian.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 13, 79.
O Lord, the Giver of life ! we bless thee that we
are of the living to praise thee. We bring to thee
the homage of our hearts, desiring to worship
thee this day in spirit and in truth ; to cele-
brate thy glory in thy works ; to show forth thy
loving-kindness to the children of men ; to praise
and adore thee for thy great mercy in Jesus Christ
our Saviour. Oh ! do thou for his sake take
away our sins, and sanctify our hearts by thy
truth and thy Spirit ! Bless to us the reading
and hearing of thy Word, the worship and order
of thy house ; bless the assemblies of thy people,
the communion of thy saints, the instruction of
children, the visiting and teaching of thy servants
among the poor, by the wayside, and from house to
house.
As a family we consecrate ourselves to thee, our
Father in heaven. We bless thee for the memory
of the good who have gone before us, and have
taught us thy way, and for the hope of immor-
tality brought nigh to us in the gospel. May we
so improve these earthly sabbaths, that by thy grace
we shall come unto the fruition of this blessed hope
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
346
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
SUNDAY EVENING.
Psalm cxlvii. — 1. Praise ye the Lord: for it is
good, to sing praises unto our God ; for it is pleas-
ant, and praise is comely.
2. The Lord doth build up Jerusalem : he gath-
ereth together the outcasts of Israel.
3. He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth
up their wounds.
4. He telleth the number of the stars ; he calleth
them all by their names.
5. Great is our Lord, and of great power : his
understanding is infinite.
6. The Lord lifteth up the meek : he casteth the
wicked down to the ground.
11. The Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear
him, in those that hope in his mercy.
12. Praise the Lord, Jerusalem ! praise thy
God, Zion !
2 Thessalonians i. — 1. Paul and Silvanus and
Timotheus unto the church of the Thessalonians
in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ :
2. Grace unto you, and peace, from God our
Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3. We are bound to thank God always for you,
brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith
groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one
of you all toward each other aboundeth ;
4. So that we ourselves glory in you in the
churches of God, for your patience and faith in all
your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure :
5. Which is a manifest token of the righteous
judgment of God, that ye may be counted ; orthy
of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer :
6. Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to
recompense tribulation to them that trouble you ;
7. And to you who are troubled, rest with us,
when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven
with his mighty angels,
8. In flaming fire taking vengeance on them
that know not God, and that obey not the gespel
of our Lord Jesus Christ ;
9. Who shall be punished with everlasting de-
struction from the presence of the Lord, and from
the glory of his power,
10. When he shall come to be glorified in his
saints, and to be admired in all them that believe
(because our testimony among you was believed)
in that day.
11. Wherefore, also, we pray always for you,
that our God would count you worthy of this
calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his
goodness, and the work of faith with power ;
12. That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may
be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the
grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
There is a day to come which shall be so grand and decisive
in its manifestation of the being and the glory of God, that for-
ever after it shall be known as that day. This epithet could be
given only to a definite, public, positive occasion or event, sig-
nally impressed upon the whole moral universe. Such will be
the day of judgment. Its features will be the appearing of the
Lord Jesus Christ in glory and power with a retinue of angels ;
the visitation of his displeasure upon those who have disregard-
ed the truth, whether as taught in nature concerning God, or
as revealed in the gospel concerning the way of salvation by
Christ, — upon the atheistic and the unbelieving alike: these
shall be banished forever from Him whose presence makes the
glory and the bliss of heaven. But, in contrast, they who have
believed upon Christ and followed him shall then go up with
praise and adoration to share in that glory. For such that day
shall have no terror : for persecution they shall then have peace ;
for trouble, rest ; for affliction, glory in the kingdom of God.
Patience, faith, hope, love, shall then all issue in eternal joy.
That day we must meet : its decisions shall fix our eternal state.
Oh, may we be found in Him whose grace alone can save !
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 179, 196, 199.
Lord ! we draw nigh unto thy throne of grace,
adoring thee as God over all, blessed forevermore.
May we this night enter the inner chamber of
thy presence ! Draw near to us as we draw near
to thee. We bless thee that thou hast spared us
during this day, and hast given us the privileges
of the sabbath and the sanctuary. We thank
thee for the Bible, the Sunday school, the Church,
and all the means of grace ; and pray that by these
helps, this day enjoyed, we may be made more meet
for heaven. We thank thee, Lord ! for that home
made ready for us, and endeared to us by the
thought of many who have gone before us. May
we follow their faith, and enter their rest !
While we pray for ourselves, we would remem-
ber before thee all whom we ought to bear on our
hearts at the throne of grace. Prosper thy cause
and kingdom in the world. Bring the wickedness
of the wicked to an end. Bless the young : may
they spring up as willows by the water-courses, —
trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord !
Bless the aged : may they be gathered to the
garner of the Great Husbandman as the shock
of corn in its season, full of years, and ripe for
glory !
Bless us as a family [parent and child]. Let
us all own one common Master, one Father in
heaven. Whether we wake or sleep, may we live
together with thee ! There is no darkness to us if
thou art with us. Defend us during the uncon-
scious hours of slumber, that we may rise to a
new day fitted for duty, happy in the assured con-
tinuance of thy favor and love. And all we ask is
for Jesus Christ's sake, our only Mediator and Re-
deemer ; in whose blessed name we ask and offer
all. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
347
MONDAY.
Ezekiel XXXl'v. — 1. And the word of the Lord
came unto me, saying,
2. Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds
of Israel ; prophesy, and say unto them, Thus saith
the Lord God unto the shepherds : Woe be to the
shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves !
Should not the shepherds feed the flocks ?
3. Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe } r ou with the wool ;
ye kill them that are fed : but ye feed not the flock.
4. The diseased have ye not strengthened, nei-
ther have ye healed that which was sick, neither
have ye bound up that which was broken, nei-
ther have ye brought again that which was driven
away, neither have ye sought that which was lost ;
but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them.
8. As I live, saith the L.jrd God, surely because
my flock became a prey, and my flock became meat
to every beast of the field, because there was no
shepherd, neither did my shepherds search for my
flock, but the shepherds fed themselves, and fed
not my flock ;
9. Therefore, ye shepherds ! hear the word of
the Lord :
10. Thus saith the Lord God: Behold, I am
against the shepherds ; and I will require my flock
at their hand, and cause them to cease from feed-
ing the flock : neither shall the shepherds feed them-
selves any more ; for I will deliver my flock from
their mouth, that they may not be meat for them.
Matthew xxiii. — 1. Then spake Jesus to the
multitude, and to his disciples,
2. Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in
Moses' seat.
3. All, therefore, whatsoever they bid you ob-
serve, that observe and do : but do not ye after
their works ; for they say, and do not.
4. For they bind heavy burdens, and grievous
to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders ;
but they themselves will not move them with one
of their fingers.
5. But all their works they do for to be seen of
men : they make broad their phylacteries, and en-
large the borders of their garments,
6. And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and
the chief seats in the synagogues,
7. And greetings in the markets, and to be
called of men, Babbi, Babbi.
8. But be not ye called Babbi : for one is your
Master, even Christ ; and all ye are brethren.
9. And call no man your father upon the earth ;
for one is your Father which is in heaven.
10. Neither be ye called masters ; for one is your
Master, even Christ.
11. But he that is greatest among you shall be
your servant.
12. And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be
abased ; and he that shall humble himself shall be
exalted.
Though, under the law of Moses, the priests were the ap-
pointed ministers of religion, and the prophets the authorized
teachers, it had come to pass that the scribes and Pharisees
were the recognized expounders of the law, and that their
word had itself become law to the people. So far as they
rightly expounded the Scriptures, Jesus enjoined it upon the
people to follow their teachings ; but he warned them against
copying the self-righteousness and egotism of the Pharisees.
The phylacteries were strips of parchments with texts from
the law, which the Jews bound on the forehead and on the left
arm, or the left side near the heart, to remind them that the
law should be in the heart and in the head. The Pharisees
made these broad for ostentation. So of the fringe of their
garments, which, under various colors, was symbolical of the
covenant. They made themselves conspicuous in the syna-
gogues, at the festivals, and in all public places, claiming pre-
eminence on account of their learning and their sanctity. At
the same time they exacted from the common people a strict-
ness in carrying out the law which they were far from observ-
ing themselves.
In the Church of Christ, all ranks, castes, orders, are abol-
ished ; no one is nearer to God than another by virtue of
his office ; none stands between God and his brother as an
intercessor. Hence worldly distinctions are out of place
in the Church, and the spirit of ambition and pride is un-
christian.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Praj^er.
[Nos. 89, 90.
Saviour of sinners, we look to thee. Thou
who hast died that we might live ! help us to live
to thee alone. Help us, Lord ! in our inward
conflicts with doubts and fears and sins ; help us in
our conflicts with the temptations and evils of the
world; and, oh! help us in our wrestlings with
unseen powers of evil, with the great Adversary
of our souls. Lord ! increase our faith. Our
hope is in thee ; our strength is from thee alone :
dwell in us by thy grace ; fill us with thy Spirit.
This very day may we gain new victories over evil !
May we resist temptations in business to swerve
from the truth, to take advantage of others, to act
dishonorably, to be covetous and unjust ! May we
resist temptations in society to envy and evil-
speaking, to worldliness and frivolity ! May we in
all things do that which is right in the sight of
God ! [May these children grow up, dear Saviour,
in thy strength and love, safe from the power of
evil !]
"We thank thee for another night of rest, another
day of mercy and of hope. Bless all dear to us ;
our friends and neighbors. Succor, Lord ! the
poor and needy, the sick, the tempted, the dying.
Lord Jesus ! be with us in our last conflict, and
make us more than conquerors over death ; and
to thy name be honor and glory for ever and ever.
Amen.
ama
348
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
TUESDAY.
Matthew xxiii. — 13. But woe unto you, scribes
and Pharisees, hypocrites ! for ye shut up the king-
dom of heaven against men : for ye neither go in
yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering
to go in.
14. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypo-
crites ! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a
pretence make long prayer : therefore ye shall re-
ceive the greater damnation.
15. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypo-
crites ! for ye compass sea and land to make
one proselyte ; and, when he is made, ye make
him twofold more the child of hell than your-
selves.
16. Woe unto you, ye blind guides ! which say,
Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is noth-
ing ; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the
temple, he is a debtor.
17. Ye fools, and blind ! for whether is greater,
the gold, or the temple that sanctifleth the gold?
13. And whosoever shall swear by the altar, it
is nothing ; but whosoever sweareth by the gift
that is upon it, he is guilty.
19. Ye fools, and blind ! for whether is greater,
the gift, or the altar that sanctifleth the gift ?
20. Whoso, therefore, shall swear by the altar,
sweareth by it, and by all things thereon.
21. And whoso shall swear by the temple, swear-
eth by it, and by him that dwelleth therein.
22. And he that shall swear by heaven, swear-
eth by the throne of God, and by him that sitteth
thereon.
23. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypo-
crites ! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cum-
in, and have omitted the weightier matters of the
law, judgment, mercy, and faith : these ought ye
to have done, and not to leave the other undone.
24. Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and
swallow a camel.
25. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypo-
crites ! for ye make clean the outside of the cup
and of the platter ; but within they are full of ex-
tortion and excess.
26. Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which
is within the cup and platter, that the outside of
them may be clean also.
27. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypo-
crites ! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres,
which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are
within full of dead men's bones and of all unclean-
ness.
28. Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous
unto men ; but within ye are full of hypocrisy and
iniquity.
These terrible denunciations of our Lord were not uttered
against gross and scandalous sins, but against hypocrisy,
which in his view was the most grievous of all sins. In the
whole course of his ministry, in his attempts to enlighten and
save the people, he had been opposed, hindered, denounced,
threatened, by the men who professed to be their religious
guides. Under the veil of piety they were covetous, exacting,
tyrannical, extortionate. They had perverted religion by
their speculations and traditions : on the one hand, making
much of outside appearances, and of little matters in tithes
and ceremonies ; but, on the other, relaxing morality in their
own practice, indulging in profaneness, under various subter-
fuges, and in sensual excesses, the means of which were pro-
cured by extortion and fraud.
Inasmuch as an occupied tomb was regarded as unclean, it
was the custom to whiten the sepulchres, both for appearance'
sake, and as a ready warning against the defilement that would
come by touching them. So these characters of fair and pol-
ished outward sanctity should rather be shunned than admired ;
for they harbored nothing but death and corruption within.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 28, 40.
Search us, God ! and know our hearts ; try us,
and know our thoughts ; and see if there be any
wicked way in us ; and lead us in the way ever-
lasting. Wash us thoroughly from our iniquities ;
for we acknowledge our transgressions, and our sin
is ever before us.
We thank thee that thou hast brought us safely
to the beginning of this day ; defend us in the
same by thy mighty power ; and grant that this
day we fall into no sin, neither run into any
kind of danger, but that all our doings, being
ordered by thy governance, may be righteous in
thy sight.
Fit us day by day for the duties that lie before
us. In all our ways we would acknowledge thee ;
and do thou direct our path. Keep us, we beseech
thee, from all evil, that we, being ready both in
body and soul, may cheerfully accomplish those
things that thou wouldst have us to do.
Fit us, O Lord ! for all the events of this short
and uncertain life. If prosperity be our portion,
keep us humble and watchful in the midst of it;
or, if sorrows and trials come upon us, give us
grace to accept with cheerfulness thy holy will.
[Give unto the children of this family grace to
serve thee in the morning of life. Oh ! keep them
from temptation and evil, and from every false and
hurtful way.] Be very gracious to our friends :
grant to them health and prosperity in this life,
and make them meet for the life everlasting. And,
Lord ! bless and save the whole world.
Accept, we beseech thee, for Christ's sake, our
poor imperfect services, and give us grace to serve
thee better. May all we undertake be begun, con-
tinued, and ended in thee, that so we may glorify
thy holy name, and finally by thy mercy obtain
everlasting life, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
349
WEDNESDAY.
Luke XV. — 1. Then drew near unto him all
the publicans and sinners for to hear him.
2. And the Pharisees and scribes murmured,
saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth
with them.
3. And he spake this parable unto them, say-
ing,
4. What man of you having a hundred sheep,
if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety
and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which
is lost until he find it ?
5. And, when he hath found it, he layeth it on
his shoulders, rejoicing.
6. And, when he cometh home, he calleth to-
gether his friends and neighbors, saying unto
them. Rejoice with me ; for I have found my sheep
which was lost.
7. I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in
heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than
over ninety and nine just persons which need no
repentance.
8. Either what woman having ten pieces of sil-
ver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle,
and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she
find it ?
9. And, when she hath found it, she calleth her
friends and her neighbors together, saying, Re-
joice with me ; for I have found the piece which I
had lost.
10. Likewise I say unto you, There is joy in
In the East, -women string pieces of silver and gold into
necklaces, to be worn around the forehead or the neck, or
weave them into head-dresses, bracelets, or anklets. Coin
thus appropriated cannot be seized for debt. Sometimes, too,
such pieces are souvenirs of friendship. Hence the eagerness
of this woman to recover a lost coin was more than belonged
to its mere value as money. In Palestine, sheep are pastured
at large, in the rough open country or on the bushy hills ; and
hence they need the constant watch of the shepherd. A
stray sheep would soon be a prey to robbers or -wild beasts.
When one is missing, the shepherd leaves the flock in the care
of the dogs, and goes through the bush and the ravines hunt-
ing and calling until he finds it : then, forgetting the trouble
it has given him, and his own fatigue, he carries the truant
the presence of the angels of God over one sinner
that repenteth.
Job xxviii. — 12. But where shall wisdom be
found ? and where is the place of understanding ?
13. Man knoweth not the price thereof : neither
is it found in the land of the living.
14. The depth saith, It is not in me ; and the
sea saith, It is not with me.
15. It cannot be gotten for gold; neither shall
silver be weighed for the price thereof.
16. It cannot be valued with the gold of Ophir,
with the precious onyx, or the sapphire.
17. The gold and the crystal cannot equal it ;
and the exchange of it shall not be for jewels of fine
gold.
18. No mention shall be made of coral, or of
pearls ; for the price of wisdom is above rubies.
19. The topaz of Ethiojria shall not equal it;
neither shall it be valued with pure gold.
20. Whence, then, cometh wisdom ? and where
is the place of understanding?
21. Seeing it is hid from the eyes of all living,
and kept close from the fowls of the air.
22. Destruction and death say, We have heard
the fame thereof with our ears.
23. God understandeth the way thereof, and he
knoweth the place thereof:
28. And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of
the Lord, that is wisdom ; and to depart from evil
is understanding
home with the most tender care and with a heart full of joy.
In a country where there are no newspapers to awaken inter-
est in outside affairs, such domestic incidents attract the no-
tice and sympathy of the whole neighborhood. By these
familiar examples of friendly sympathy our Lord rebuked the
sanctimonious pride of the "Pharisees, which would repel the
outcast and degraded from the kingdom of God. The angels
rejoiced over the recovery of those whom the Pharisees spumed
as vile and lost. This very class, who had most need of the
gospel, was more accessible to Christ than any other. Their
conversion was a strong testimony to the power of the gos-
pel ; and they proved an effective agency for the reformation
of society. The condescension and grace of Christ were ever
conspicuous in his treatment of those whom men despised.
Appropriate Htjins,]
Prayer.
[Xos. 115, 122, 145.
Almighty God, our heavenly Rather, we ac-
knowledge thy goodness in our creation and pres-
ervation, and in the manifold provisions of thy
love for the life that now is. Every day we live
upon thy bounty; every night we rest under the
shadow of thy wing. What shall we render unto
the Lord for all his benefits ? Ror the rest and
refreshment of the past night, for the health and
comfort with which we greet another day, for the
endearments and delights of home, for means of
occupation and support, of improvement and use-
fulness, for all the favors of thy hand so multi-
plied unto us, we render thee most hearty thanks.
Rreely as we receive may we also give !
Lord ! for Christ's sake have mercy upon us, and
take away our sins ; and grant that we may prove
our gratitude by a loving obedience to thy will.
May thy mercy abound toward all classes and condi-
tions of men, and thy salvation fill the whole earth !
Bless this household in each and every mem-
ber. Oh, may the dove of heavenly peace ever
abide in our dwellng ! Bless all dear to us ; and
bring us all at length unto our Bather's house,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
350
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
THURSDAY.
Lu'<e xv. — 11. And lie said, A certain man
had two sons ;
12. And the younger of them said to his father,
Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth
to me. And he divided unto them his living.
13. And, not many days after, the younger son
gathered all together, and took his journey into a
far country, and there wasted his substance with
riotous living.
14. And, when he had spent all, there arose a
mighty famine in that land ; and he began to be
in want.
15. And he went and joined himself to a citizen
of that country ; and he sent him into his fields to
feed swine.
16. And he would fain have filled his belly with
the husks that the swine did eat ; and no man
gave unto him.
17. And, when he came to himself, he said, How
many hired servants of my father's have bread
enough, and to spare, and 1 perish with hunger !
18. I will arise and go to my father, and will
say unto him, Father, I have sinned against
heaven, and before thee,
19. And am no more worthy to be called thy
son : make me as one of thy hired servants.
20. And he arose, and came to his father. But,
when he was yet a great way off, his father saw
him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his
neck, and kissed him.
21. And the son said unto him, Father, I have
sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am
no more worthy to be called thy son.
The simple pathos of this parable speaks to the heart with-
out an interpreter. To represent upon canvas the meeting of
the prodigal with his father would be as difficult as to picture
the sacrifice of Isaac or the agony of Gethsemane. Yet the
picture moves before us ; rather, it lives within us. We see
the human heart, in its self-will and self-sufficiency, turning
away from God, and, in the flush of worldly pleasure, aban-
doning itself to the enjoyment of the present. We see this
heart disappointed, emptied, beggared, wrung with the feeling
of want ; we see it for a while fighting the sense of want
with the sense of shame, and, rather than confess its sin, ac-
cepting a lower humiliation : then, at last, conscience and
reason awake, and with the remembrance of God's goodness
comes the first feeling of penitence, and the determination to
22. But the father said to his servants, Bring
forth the best robe, and put it on him ; and put
a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet ;
23. And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it;
and let us eat, and be merry :
24. For this my son was dead, and is alive
again ; he was lost, and is found. And they began
to be merry.
25. Now, his elder son was in the field ; and, as
he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard
music and dancing.
26.' And he called one of the servants, and asked
what these things meant.
27. And he said unto him, Thy brother is come ;
and thy father hath killed the fatted calf because
he hath received him safe and sound.
28. And he was angry, and would not go
in : therefore came his father out, and entreated
him.
29. And he, answering, said to his father, Lo,
these many years do I serve thee, neither trans-
gressed I at any time thy commandment ; and yet
thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make
merry with my friends :
30. But, as soon as this thy son was come which
hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast
killed for him the fatted calf.
31. And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever
with me; and all that I have is thine.
32. It was meet that we should make mer-
ry, and be
dead, and i
found.
glad : for this thy brother was
alive again ; and was lost, and is
go to the Father with an unreserved acknowledgment of
folly and sin. That decision turns the scale. The penitent,
seeking nothing but forgiveness, finds in God nothing but
love : hardly waiting for his confession, that love meets him
in advance, and overwhelms him with favor. So touching-
ly does man's deepest extremity illustrate the mercy of God
in seeking and recovering the lost ! Who could resist the love
of such a Father %
The " husks " were the pods of the kharub-trcc, the com-
mon food of swine, and sometimes used for human food, hav-
ing a dull, sweet taste. They represent the lowest forms of
want and misery, to which men often sink when they have
spent themselves in serving the world and the flesh. The law
of sinful indulgence is from bad to worse
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 117, 147, 160.
Lord Jesus ! we do hunger for thy Word ; we
do thirst for thy Spirit. Weak, empty, perishing,
in ourselves, we cry unto thee for the bread of
heaven, for the water of life. With longings for
good that this world can never satisfy, we turn to
thy fulness that we also may be filled. Confess-
ing our folly in forsaking thee, mourning our sin
in grieving thee, we come with broken and con-
trite hearts, and entreat thee to grant us forgive-
ness, comfort, and peace. Oh ! strengthen us to re-
sist temptation, to overcome evil, to renounce the
world. May we be followers of God as dear chil-
dren ! Have compassion, Lord ! upon the err-
ing, the outcast, and the sorrowing. Grant us
grace to endure with patience any trials and afflic-
tions that may come upon us, and to conquer the
world by faith. Lord our Preserver, who hast kept
us through the perils of the night ! keep us from evil
this day and always ; and finally bring its unto thy
heavenly kingdom, through Jesus Christ. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
351
FRIDAY.
Luke xvi. — 1. And he said also unto his disci-
ples, There was a certain rich man which had a
steward ; and the same was accused unto him that
he had wasted his goods.
2. And he called him, and said unto him, How is
it that I hear this of thee ? Give an account of thy
stewardship ; for thou may est be no longer steward.
3. Then the steward said within himself, What
shall I do ? for my lord taketh away from me the
stewardship : I cannot dig ; to beg I am ashamed.
4. I am resolved what to do, that, when I am put
out of the stewardship, they may receive me into
their houses.
5. So he called every one of his lord's debtors
tinto him, and said unto the first, How much
owest thou unto my lord ?
6. And he said, An hundred measures of oil.
And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and sit down
quickly, and write fifty.
7. Then said he to another, And how much
owest thou ? And he said, An hundred measures
of wheat. And he said unto him, Take thy bill,
and write fourscore.
8. And the lord commended the unjust steward,
because he had done wisely ; for the children of this
world are in their generation wiser than the chil-
dren of light.
9. And I say unto you, Make to yourselves
friends of the mammon of unrighteousness ; that,
when ye fail, they may receive you into everlast-
ing habitations.
10. He that is faithful in that which is least is
faithful also in much ; and he that is unjust in the
least is unjust also in much.
11. If, therefore, ye have not been faithful in the
unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your
trust the true inches ?
12. And, if ye have not been faithful in that
which is another man's, who shall give you that
which is your own ?
13. ]S"o servant can serve two masters ; for either
he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he
will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye
cannot serve God and mammon.
14. And the Pharisees also, who were covetous,
heard all these things ; and they derided him.
15. And he said unto them, Ye are they which
justify yourselves before men ; but God knoweth
your hearts : for that which is highly esteemed
among men is abomination in the sight of God.
The difficulties of this parahle, which grow out of the ap-
parent commendation of a shrewd yet dishonest worldly
policy, and the apparent intimation that heaven can be pur-
chased by deeds of charity, are well met by the commentary
of Dean Alford, in substance as follows : All that is dis-
honest and furtive in the character of the steward belonged
entirely to him as a child of this world. Even in this char-
acter there was a point to praise and imitate ; but, in bringing
up the example into the purer air which the children of light
breathe, its grosser parts drop off, and the finer only remain.
The children of this world act cleverly for their own interests.
Although you are children of the light and the day, and can do
| no such furtive acts, yet I say to you, " So use this mammon
of unrighteousness, by bestowing it on the poor and needy,
that ye shall make to yourselves friends, who, when this world
departs, shall welcome you to one which shall not fail." " God
repays in their name. They receive us there with joy, if they
are gone before us : they receive us there by making us par-
takers of their prayers, which, even during this life, move the
hand that moves the world."
While, therefore, the parable does not warrant either pur-
chasing indulgences, or praying to saints, it does teach that
deeds of kindness performed to saints on earth shall be re-
quited with a fellowship of love and joy in heaven.
Appropriate Htmss,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 10, 39,44.
Thou who never slumberest nor sleepest ! we
have lain down and slept, and have risen again,
because thou, Lord, hast sustained us. Thou hast
kept us from the alarm of sickness and death,
from deeds of darkness and the hand of violence.
Thankful for the mercies of the night, we commit
ourselves unto thee with all our wakeful powers,
humbly beseeching thee to guide us in ways of
truth and righteousness for thy name's sake.
Send unto us, we pray thee, such prosperity as
thou seest to be best for us : and. above all, grant
that our souls, being freed from sin. may prosper
and be in peace, through the grace of Jesus Christ
our Lord. Oh. may his mind be in us! and may
we be made like unto him!— ~ holy, harmless, em-
defiled, and separate from sinners. Oh ! help us
to give up all things for Christ ; to know the joy
of losing ourselves in him, the sweetness of bear-
ing the cross for Him who hath borne our sorrows.
May we have the charity of the gospel, and do
good in little things, by the word, the look, the
act of kindness, in the Saviour's name ! Teach us
to see in our fellow-men the children of our Father
in heaven, and to feel their wants and sorrows as
our own. May our philanthropy be pure, free,
broad, patient, self-sacrificing, and generous !
We thank thee, Lord ! for the friends thou
hast given us, and pray that these may all be
joined with us in the fellowship of thy redeemed.
We supplicate thy favor for the poor and needy,
the sick, the afflicted, the dying; for any who are
suffering by pestilence, famine, or war ; for all sorts
and conditions of men ; that thou wouldst be
pleased to make thy ways known unto them, thy
saving health unto all nations, through Jesus
Christ our Lord and Saviour. Amen.
352
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
SATURDAY.
Psalm Ixxiii. — 12. Behold, these are the un-
godly, who prosper in the world : they increase in
riches.
13. Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain,
and washed my hands in innocency.
14. For all the day long have I been plagued,
and chastened every morning.
16. When I thought to know this, it was too
painful for me ;
17. Until I went into the sanctuary of God :
then understood I their end.
18. Surely thou didst set them in slippery places ;
thou castedst them down into destruction.
19. How are they brought into desolation as in
a moment ! they are utterly consumed with terrors.
20. As a dream when one awaketh, so, Lord !
when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their im-
age.
Whom have I in heaven but thee? and
upon earth that I desire besides
is none
25.
there
thee.
26. My flesh and my heart faileth ; but God is
the strength of my heart, and my portion forever.
Luke xvi. — 19. There was a certain rich man,
which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and
fared sumptuously every day ;
20. And there was a certain beggar named Laz-
arus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,
21. And desiring to be fed with the crumbs
which fell from the rich man's table : moreover,
the dogs came and licked his sores.
This impressive parable, one of the most awful sayings
of our Lord, was intended to condemn the spirit of caste
and of covetousness. It was but a momentary unveiling of
the spirit-world and the state of the departed ; yet it has left
for all after-ages the impress of these momentous truths.
Directly consequent upon death is a state of consciousness,
in which the soul remembers the past, and knows its own
condition and its prospects. There are two opposite states, —
the one of happiness, the other of misery, — to which men are
allotted according to their character and conduct in this life.
These two conditions are immensely and irrevocably sep-
arated. The blessed can do nothing for the alleviation of the
Appropriate Hymns,]
22. And it came to pass that the beggar died,
and was carried by the angels into Abraham's
bosom. The rich man also died, and was buried ;
23. And in hell he lifted up his eyes, being in
torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus
in his bosom.
24. And he cried, and said, Father Abraham,
have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may
dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my
tongue ; for I am tormented in this flame.
25. But Abraham said, Son, remember that
thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things,
and likewise Lazarus evil things ; but now he is
comforted, and thou art tormented.
26. And, beside all this, between us and you
there is a great gulf fixed : so that they which
would pass from hence to you cannot ; neither
can they pass to us that would come from thence.
27. Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father,
that thou wouldest send him to my father's house :
28. For I have five brethren ; that he may testify
unto them, lest they also come into this place of
torment.
29. Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses
and the prophets : let them hear them.
30. And he said, Nay, father Abraham ; but, if
one went unto them from the dead, they will re-
pent.
31. And he said unto him, If they hear not
Moses and the prophets, neither will they be per-
suaded though one rose from the dead.
miserable ; nor can the lost ever hope to reach the abode of
the saved. Those who are in perdition may have some
knowledge of what is transpiring in this world, but can no
longer interfere in its affairs. The contrast in the parable is
not between Dives and Lazarus simply as rich and poor, but
between the covetous, uncharitable rich man, and the pious,
patient poor man. The parable does not propose to remedy
in the hereafter any inequalities of condition in the present
state, but to compensate for losses here in the body by the
superlative gain to the soul that lives unto God. How
mean, how wretched, the lot of one who revels in sensual
abundance, but has nothing for the soul !
Prayer.
Holy Father, at thy command we lay down the
burden of our cares and sorrows, and look up to
thee as our helper and our comforter. Grant unto
us such faith in thy providence, that we shall be
content with such things as we have, and never
envious of the place or the possessions of others.
Take from us the spirit of pride, and clothe us with
humility. Teach us to lean upon thy hand, to con-
fide in thy wisdom, to rest on thy power, to repose
in thy love, to live on thy fulness. In the knowl-
edge of thyself and of thy Son Jesus Christ may
we seek eternal life ! and do thou so nourish this
life in our souls, that we may at last attain to the
[Nos. 97, 131, 135.
everlasting joy of thy presence. Freely as we
have received, freely may we give. Oh ! bless and
comfort the poor, the sick, the outcast. Raise up
friends for them ; and dispose those who are rich
in this world to act as stewards of thy bounty.
Thou givest us our daily bread : oh ! feed us with
the bread of heaven ; and give unto all dear to us
a like interest in the things of Christ. Give unto
us food and raiment ; oh ! give us thankful and
cheerful hearts ; give us all spiritual gifts in Christ
Jesus ; and, in thy good time, grant us an abun-
dant entrance into thy heavenly kingdom, for the
sake of our blessed Lord and Redeemer. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
353
SUNDAY MORNING.
2 Peter i. — 1. Simon Peter, a servant and an
apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have ob-
tained like precious faith with us through the
righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus
Christ :
2. Grace and peace be multiplied unto you
through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our
Lord,
3. According as his divine power hath given
unto us all things that pertain unto life and godli-
ness, through the knowledge of him that hath
called us to glory and virtue :
4. Whereby are given unto us exceeding great
and precious promises ; that by these ye might be
partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the
corruption that is in the world through lust.
5. And beside this, giving all diligence, add to
your faith, virtue ; and to virtue, knowledge ;
6. And to knowledge, temperance ; and to tem-
perance, patience ; and to patience, godliness ;
7. And to godliness, brotherly-kindness ; and to
brotherly-kindness, charity.
8. For if these things be in you, and abound,
they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor
unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus
Christ.
9. But he that lacketh these things is blind,
and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he
was purged from his old sins.
10. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give dili-
gence to make your calling and election sure: for
if ye do these things, ye shall never fall ;
11. For so an entrance shall be ministered unto
Peter was one of the three who stood with Jesus upon the
Mount of Transfiguration, and worshipped the Lord with
rapture, and longed there to stay. Was it not amazing, that,
after such a testimony to the divinity of Jesus, he should
have doubted and denied ? Let this teach us that signs and
wonders, privileges and glories, could not keep us in the
Christian life, if faith should once lose its hold upon Christ
himself. But the fact that Peter was restored, that the cross
regained him whom the celestial glory had failed to keep, and
that he was ready himself to go to the cross for his testimonv,
gives to that testimony the strongest possible attestation. It
Appropriate Hymns,]
you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of
our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
12. Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you
always in remembrance of these things, though ye
know them, and be established in the present truth.
13. Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in
this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in
remembrance ;
14. Knowing that shortly I must put off this
my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath
showed me.
15. Moreover, I will endeavor that ye may be
able, after my decease, to have these things always
in remembrance.
16. For we have not followed cunningly-devised
fables when we made known unto you the power
and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were
eye-witnesses of his majesty.
17. For he received from God the Father honor
and glory, when there came such a A'oice to him
from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son,
in whom I am well pleased.
18. And this voice which came from heaven we
heard when we were with him in the holy mount.
19. We have also a more sure word of proph-
ecy ; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed,
as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until
the day dawn, and the day-star arise in your hearts :
20. Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the
scripture is of any private interpretation.
21. For the prophecy came not in old time by
the will of man ; but holy men of God spake as
they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
is not vision, but faith, that saves ; and ours it is to have the
" like precious faith " with him who stood with Jesus on the
mount. Such faith can lift us even nearer to Christ, — to a
participation in his divine nature. But we must build upon
that faith a manly vigor ; and upon such virtue, a dis-
criminating wisdom ; and, upon this, self-government in all
appetites and desires ; and upon this, endurance under trials ;
and upon this, an earnest piety; and to this filial reverence
toward God must add brotherly love, and the broadest, richest
kindness toward all. May all these graces be in us, and
abound !
[Nos. 93, 107.
Prayer.
Almighty God, who in times past didst speak ' in trespasses and sins, and comfort and edify thy
unto the fathers by the prophets, we bless thee saints. May children hear the voice of Jesus their
that the glory which the patriarchs beheld afar off, Saviour, and come unto him ! While in thy house,
and the promise which the prophets waited for, ' may we have the spirit of prayer and praise, and
have been revealed in Christ, and, above all, that give earnest heed to the things that we shall hear !
we have in him the forgiveness of sins and the life thou God of peace, who didst bring again the
everlasting. Oh, may we behold his glory, and
receive of his fulness !
May thy gospel this day minister to our peace
and comfort, our faith and hope, our instruction in
righteousness, our sanctification through obedience
Lord Jesus from the dead ! grant us peace through
pardon in his blood and the hope of his resurrection.
We give thee thanks for rest in the night : grant
us, this day, rest from the toils and cares of life, —
rest in thee. Fulfil unto this household the mercies
of the truth ! May it quicken souls that are dead | of thy covenant, through Jesus Christ. Amen.
354
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
SUNDAY EVENING.
Psalm Ixxi. — 17. God! thou hast taught me
from my youth ; and hitherto have I declared thy
wondrous works.
18. Now also, when I am old and gray-headed,
God ! forsake me not ; until I have showed thy
strength unto this generation, and thy power to
every one that is to come.
19. Thy righteousness also, O God ! is very high,
who hast done great things : God ! who is like
unto thee ?
20. Thou, which hast showed me great and sore
troubles, shalt quicken me again, and shalt bring
me up again from the depths of the earth.
21. Thou shalt increase my greatness, and com-
fort me on every side.
22. I will also praise thee with the psaltery, even
thy truth, O my God ! unto thee will I sing with
the harp, thou Holy One of Israel !
23. My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing unto
thee ; and my soul, which thou hast redeemed.
24. My tongue also shall talk of thy righteous-
ness all the day long ; for they are confounded, for
they are brought unto shame, that seek my hurt.
2 Timothy i. — 1. Paul, an apostle of Jesus
Christ by the will of God, according to the promise
of life which is in Christ Jesus,
2. To Timothy, my dearly beloved son : Grace,
mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and Christ
Jesus our Lord.
3. I thank God, whom I serve from my fore-
fathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing
1 have remembrance of thee in my prayers night
and day ;
The true ground of confidence in our good estate is not in
ourselves, but in Christ ; or rather in the purpose of divine
grace toward us as manifested in the gift of Christ, and in
the calling of the Holy Ghost. The apostle, though he
speaks with assurance of his own salvation, does not rest in
what he has done or experienced. It is not that " I know
myself so well as to have no doubt nor fear," but, " I know
whom I have trusted ; " and so he rested securely in the power
and the love of God. Such trust displaces cowardice, and
brings into the mind this divine power and love to give it self-
4. Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful
of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy ;
5. When I call to remembrance the unfeigned
faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grand-
mother Lois, and thy mother Eunice ; and I am
persuaded that in thee also.
6. Wherefore I put thee in remembrance, that
thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by
the putting-on of my hands.
7. For God hath not given us the spirit of fear,
but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
8. Be not thou, therefore, ashamed of the testi-
mony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner : but be
thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel ac-
cording to the power of God ;
9. Who hath saved us, and called us with a
holy calling, not according to our works, but ac-
cording to his own purpose and grace, which was
given us in Christ Jesus before the world began;
10. But is now made manifest by the appearing
of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished
death, and hath brought life and immortality to
light through the gospel :
11. Wlrereunto I am appointed a preacher, and
an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.
12. For the which cause I also suffer these
things : nevertheless, I am not ashamed ; for I
know whom I have believed, and am persuaded
that he is able to keep that which I have com-
mitted unto him against that day.
13. Hold fast the form of sound words, which
thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is
in Christ Jesus.
control under all the responsibilities, conflicts, and trials of
the Christian life. For what has the Christian to fear? He is
saved from sin ; his afflictions bring him into a closer sympa-
thy with his Lord ; and since Christ died, and rose again, death
has ceased to be of any moment to the believer : the darkness
and terror are driven from the grave ; and, where once all was
uncertainty and gloom, he beholds the light of an immortal life.
Happy they, who, like Timothy, are brought up in the knowl-
edge of the gospel from a mother's lips, and then go forth to
proclaim it in the faith and love which are in Christ!
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 194, 199, 202.
Thou blessed and glorious Redeemer, who didst
give thy life a ransom for us, grant us grace, we
beseech thee, to follow in thy steps, and be bap-
tized with the same baptism of devotion and sacri-
fice for the glory of the Father and the good of
men. May we be members of Christ's body, of his
flesh and his bones ! Redeemed with his precious
blood, may we devote to him all the powers of our ; peace and unity. Accept our thanks for the mer
heing ! cies of thy day and of thine house. Our cup run-
Bless all dear to us : may God be their Father, j neth over. Oh ! bring us at last to drink with
and Jesus their Elder Brother, and heaven their thee the cup of joy which thou hast provided for
everlasting home ! [May the children of this us in thy Father's kingdom. And all we ask or
family make thee their portion and their hope ! , hope for is for the Redeemer's sake. Amen.
May they early learn to do thy will ; to wish for
and to do only that which will please their Father
in heaven !]
Bless, Lord ! the teachings and the worship
of this holy day. We pray for all who have named
the name of Christ. Sanctify them by the indwell-
ing of thy Holy Spirit. Give unto thy Church
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
355
MONDAY.
I Peter i. — 13. Wherefore, gird up the loins
of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for
the grace that is to be brought unto you at the
revelation of Jesus Christ ;
14. As obedient children, not fashioning your-
selves according to the former lusts in your igno-
rance :
15. But as he which hath called you is holy, so
be ye holy in all manner of conversation :
16. Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am
holy.
17. And if ye call on the Father, who without
respect of persons judgeth according to every
man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here
in fear :
18. Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not re-
deemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold,
from your vain conversation received by tradition
from your fathers,
19. But with the precious blood of Christ, as of
a lamb without blemish and without spot ;
Kegeneration is here set forth in its ground, its means, its
nature, and its fruits, or evidences, in the life. The ground-
work of that change of heart which introduces one to a new
life in God is the atoning sacrifice of Christ. Our restora-
tion from sin is made possible through our redemption with
the precious blood of Christ. But that redemption can avail
only through our voluntary, personal seeking of his grace in
repentance and faith ; and, to bring us to this frame, God has
appointed the ministration of his Word and of his Spirit.
The Holy Spirit, as bringing home the truth to our hearts,
and awakening us to feel, acknowledge, and receive the truth,
is the author of regeneration. But nothing is accomplished
without our concurrent action. We ourselves must obey the
truth, and so shall purify our souls : for the very nature or
20. Who verily was fore-ordained before the
foundation of the world, but was manifest in these
last times for you,
21. Who by him do believe in God, that
raised him up from the dead, and gave him
glory ; that your faith and hope might be in
God.
22. Seeing ye have purified your souls in obey-
ing the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned
love of the brethren, see that ye love one another
with a pure heart fervently ;
23. Being born again, not of corruptible seed,
but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which
liveth and abideth forever.
24. For all flesh is as grass, and all the
glory of man as the flower of grass. The
grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth
away ;
25. But the word of the Lord endureth forever.
And this is the word which by the gospel is
preached unto you.
essence of this new birth is the turning of our minds from the
pursuit of worldly good unto righteousness as the law of life,
and to faith and hope in God as our portion ; and the fruit or
the proof of this turning is the habit of childlike obedience to
God, and of love to our fellow-men. Where such a change is
real, it is rendered permanent by cherishing in the heart the
Word of God, which is an incorruptible and imperishable
power of life. Love has a purifying power. In the degree
that the love of God gains possession of the soul will it cast
out whatever is contrary to the pure and holy mind of God ;
and in the degree that the love of our fellow-men is strength-
ened in our hearts by the grace of Christ will it overcome every
selfish passion, every unholy desire. Hence there is no higher
evidence of renewal than fervent love out of a pure heart.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer
[Nos. 169, 170, 185.
We come to thee this morning, heavenly Father,
with hearts full of thankfulness for the mercies of
the night. We have rested in safety and in peace
under the shadow of thy wing. Thou hast kept us
quiet from the fear of evil : nor sickness, nor death,
nor tempest, nor fire, nor any calamity, hath over-
taken us or our dwelling. How sure are the mer-
cies of thy covenant, Lord! All thy promises in
Christ Jesus are Yea and Amen. Fulfil unto us, we
beseech thee, these thy mercies and promises, and
cause that this day we may rejoice in thy salva-
tion.
Bless to us thy Word which we have now read.
Oh ! sanctify us by thy truth ; and, while we re-
ceive its instruction and comfort in our hearts,
may we carry out its precepts in our lives, and
adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all
things ! May we be just and true, loving and kind,
gentle, forbearing, and forgiving, and so shine as
lights in the world, holding forth the Word of life.
May every day witness some new victory over evil
desires and passions within lis, and over the evil
that is in the world ! By feeding upon thy Word,
the bread of heaven, may we grow up into Him
who is our Life and Head, even Christ ! [Oh, may
these children grow in grace as they grow in years
and in knowledge ! May they shun evil compan-
ions and evil ways, and walk in the way of thy
commandments !] Keep all dear to us even as the
apple of thine eye. Bless our neighbors, and send
thy Spirit upon this whole community. Bless our
rulers, and the schools and churches in our land.
May all who rule, and all who teach, be led and
taught by thee ! Have pity upon the poor and the
sorrowing ; upon homes made desolate by famine,
pestilence, or war. Stay thy judgments, Lord !
and send peace and salvation to all people. Mer-
cifully forgive our sins, and bring us unto the per-
fection of knowledge, of holiness, and of blessed-
ness, in Jesus Christ our Lord ; to whom, with
thee and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory,
world without end. Amen
856
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
TUESDAY.
Mark vii. — 1. Then came together unto him
the Pharisees, and certain of the scribes, which
came from Jerusalem.
2. And, when they saw some of his disciples eat
bread with denied (that is to say, with unwashen)
hands, they found fault.
3. For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except
they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the
tradition of the elders.
4. And when they come from the market, except
they wash, they eat not. And many other things
there be which they have received to hold, as the
washing of cups and pots, and brazen vessels, and
tables.
5. Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him,
Why walk not thy disciples according to the tra-
dition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen
hands ?
6. He answered and said unto them, Well hath
Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is writ-
ten, This people honoreth me with their lips ; but
their heart is far from me.
7. Hovvbeit, in vain do they worship me, teach-
ing for doctrines the commandments of men.
8. For, laying aside the commandment of God,
ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of
The Jew,, like Orientals now-a-days, usually ate with their
fingers from a common dish ; and hence washing, both before
and. after eating, was important for cleanliness. But they at-
tached to this, also, the idea of ceremonial purification ; and,
for the same reason, washed after being exposed to the mixed
articles of the market.. All this was matter of tradition, to
which they attached greater authority and significance than
to the requirements of the law. But, while they were thus
punctilious in observances of their own devising, they evaded
the requirements of the law of God, even in matters of filial
duty. Thus property consecrated to God under the name
Corhan, or an offering, was exempt from secular and private
claims, whether really sacrificed or not ; and by this pretext
pots and cups ; and many other such-like things
ye do.
9. And he said unto them, Full well ye reject
the commandment of God, that ye may keep your
own tradition.
10. For Moses said, Honor thy father and thy
mother ; and, Whoso curseth father or mother, let
him die the death :
11. But ye say, If a man shall say to his father
or mother, It is Corban, that is to say, a gift, by
whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me, he
shall be free.
12. And ye suffer him no more to do aught for
his father or his mother;
13. Making the word of God of none effect
through your tradition, which ye have delivered ;
and many such-like things do ye.
14. And, when he had called all the people unto
him, he said unto them, Hearken unto me, every
one of you, and understand.
15. There is nothing from without a man, that,
entering into him, can defile him ; but the things
which come out of him, those are they that defile
the man.
16. If any man have ears to hear, let him
hear.
an unnatural son would rid himself of obligation for the sup-
port of aged or feeble parents, saying to his father or mother,
" That from which thou mightest have been benefited by me
is an offering, and is, therefore, free from family claims." And
the scribes and Pharisees, the custodians and interpreters of
the law of Moses, allowed this evasion, and released him from
the duty of caring for his father or his mother. The attempt
to cover such filial impiety by the Word of God robbed that
Word of its effect upon the conscience and the life. Words,
forms, ceremonies, are nothing as compared with the motive
and the spirit. That which is within determines character ;
and no external cleansing can wash away the impurity of a
selfish, evil heart.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 21, 58.
Create in us a clean heart, O God ! and renew a
right spirit within us. So purify us by thy grace,
that we shall shine as lights in the world, holding
forth the Word of life. We bless thee for thy lov-
ing care, for rest and safety in the night, for the
comfort and promise of the morning. heavenly
Father ! we beseech thee to look with favor upon
this family. May each of us in our respective sta-
tions truly serve thee ! May we do unto others as
we would that they should do unto us ! May we
be true and just in all our dealings ! May we bear
no hatred nor malice in our hearts ! May we be
honest and upright in our daily conduct ! May
we keep our tongues from evil, and our lips from
speaking guile !
May thy Word be precious to our souls ! May it
be sweet to our taste ; yea, sweeter than honey
to our mouth ! May we love its precepts, under-
stand its doctrines, and rest upon its promises!
Give us grace, that we may be established in
the truth, and be doers of thy Word, and not
hearers only, deceiving our own selves. Sow the
seed of eternal life in our hearts, and enable us to
bring forth fruit to the glory of thy name and the
comfort of our souls.
[0 Lord ! grant unto the children of this house-
hold the teaching of thy Spirit, the guidance of
thy providence, that they may walk in the way of
wisdom and of life.]
Defend us with thy heavenly grace, that we may
continue thine forever, and daily increase in thy
Holy Spirit more and more, until we come unto
thine everlasting kingdom, through the merits of
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
357
WEDNESDAY.
Ecclesiastes v. — 10. He that loveth silver
shall not be satisfied with silver ; nor he that lov-
eth abundance, with increase : this is also vanity.
11. When goods increase, they are increased
that eat them ; and what good is there to the
owners thereof, saving the beholding of them with
their eyes ?
12. The sleep of a laboring man is sweet,
whether he eat little or much ; but the abundance
of the rich will not suffer him to sleep.
13. There is a sore evil which I have seen under
the sun ; namely, riches kept for the owners there-
of to their hurt.
14. But those riches perish by evil travail ; and
he begetteth a son, and there is nothing in his hand.
15. As he came forth of his motber's womb,
naked shall he return to go as he came, and shall
take nothing of his labor which he may carry
away in his hand.
16. And this also is a sore evil, that in all points
as he came, so shall he go ; and what profit hath
he that hath labored for the wind?
Mark viii. — 31. And he began to teach them
that the Son of man must suffer many things, and
be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests
and scribes, and be killed, and after three days
rise again.
32. And he spake that saying openly. And
Peter took him, and began to rebuke him.
33. But when he had turned about, and looked
on his disciples, he rebuked Peter, saying, Get thee
behind me, Satan ; for thou savorest not the
things that be of God, but the things that be of
men.
34. And, when he had called the people unto him
with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whoso-
ever will come after me, let him deny himself, and
take up his cross, and follow me.
35. For whosoever will save his life shall lose
it ; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake
and the gospel's, the same shall save it.
36. For what shall it profit a man if he shall
gain the whole world, and lose his own soul ?
37. Or what shall a man give in ."change for
his soul ?
38. Whosoever, therefore, shall be ashamed of
me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful
generation, of him also shall the Son of man be
ashamed when he cometh in the glory of his Fa-
ther with the holy angels.
Jesus now f >r the first time began to unveil to his disciples
the mystery of his suffering, and this with a precision, as to
the manner and time of it, which must have deeply affected
their hearts. Indeed, so surprising and painful was the an-
nouncement of his crucifixion, that the promise of his rising
again seem< hardly to have been noticed. Now that the dis-
ciples had begun to proclaim him as the Christ, the Son of
God, and the people were stirred to enthusiasm by his miracles,
it was important to dispel their dreams of a temporal king-
dom, and fix their thought upon the spiritual import of his
mission. Instead of honors and rewards in his service, the
disciples must make up their minds to self-denial and peril,
and take up the cross. But what Jesus requires of us he him-
self has done for us ; and, as he freely gave himself for our good,
every sacrifice which he demands of us is also for our good.
The life of a man is in his personality, in the mental and
moral conditions of his own soul. It could be no gain to
throw these away even for the whole world in exchange. He
who commits his soul to Christ in well-doing is absolutely
safe. Earthly trials and losses will but render the Saviour
more near and precious, and death will take him to be with
his Lord. There is a warning, in the case of Peter, which
must not be overlooked. " The same Peter, who but just
now had made so noble and spiritual r a confession, and re-
ceived so high a blessing, now shows the weak and carnal side
of his character, becomes a stumbling-block in the way of his
Lord, and earns the very rebuff with which the Tempter be-
fore him had been dismissed."
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer,
[Nos. 97, 100, 103.
God, from whom all blessings flow ! we give
thee thanks for thy care over us during the night,
and for the light and comfort of this morning.
We take the cup of salvation, and call upon thy
name. We adore thee for health and reason, and
the manifold bounties of thy providence. Give us
that due sense of all thy mercies, that our hearts
may be unfeignedly thankful ; and that we may
show forth thy praise, not only with our lips, but
in our lives. We bring to thee this household and
all who are allied to us by kindred or affection,
and pray for thy good gifts from above according
to thy wisdom and our necessities.
Holy Father, we commit ourselves to thy love
and blessing for the day. We go forth to its du-
ties in childlike dependence on thy strength and
wisdom and grace. Preserve us from temptation
and sin, from danger and from death. Help us to
walk as becometh saints, keeping our garments un-
spotted from the world. Teach us to govern our
tempers, to subdue our passions, to do whatsoever
things are true, whatsoever things are honest,
whatsoever things are good, and whatsoever things
are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, and what-
soever things are of good report. Pitifully behold
us in our weakness and insufficiency, and grant
unto us strength and fortitude and all heavenly
influence. Suffer not our affections to be fixed on
the things of earth and time : purify and lift
them up to things unseen and eternal.
All this we ask in the name of Him who hath
redeemed us with his most precious blood, — our
only Mediator, Jesus Christ ; to whom be glory in
the Church throughout all ages. Amen.
358
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
THURSDAY.
2 Sanrjel V. — 1. Then came all the tribes of
Israel to David unto Hebron, and spake, saying,
Behold, we are thy bone and thy flesh.
2. Also in time past, when Saul was king over
us, thou wast he that leddest out and broughtest
in Israel; and the Lord said to thee, Thou shalt
feed my people Israel, and thou shalt be a captain
over Israel.
3. So all the elders of Israel came to the king
to Hebron, and King David made a league with
them in Hebron before the Lord ; and they anoint-
ed David king over Israel.
4. David was thirty years old when he began to
reign, and he reigned forty years.
5. In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven
years and six months, and in Jerusalem he reigned
thirty and three years over all Israel and Ju-
dah.
6. And the king and his men went to Jerusa-
lem unto the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land;
which spake unto David, saying, Except thou take
away the blind and the lame, thou shalt not come
in hither ; thinking David cannot come in hither.
7. Nevertheless, David took the stronghold of
Zion : the same is the city of David.
8. And David said on that day, Whosoever get-
teth up to the gutter, and smiteth the Jebusites,
and the lame and the blind, that are hated of Da-
vid's soul, he shall be chief and captain. Where-
fore they said, The blind and the lame shall not
come into the house.
9. So David dwelt in the fort, and called it
the city of David. And David built round about
from Millo and inward.
10. And David went on, and grew great ; and
the Lord God of hosts teas with him.
11. And Hiram, king of Tyre, sent messengers
to David, and cedar-trees and carpenters and ma-
sons ; and they built David a house.
12. And David perceived that the Lord had es-
tablished him king over Israel, and that he had
exalted his kingdom for his people Israel's sake.
After the death of Saul, the hopes of the nation centred in
David. When hunted by Saul as an outlaw, he had con-
ducted himself with discretion and magnanimity. Though
he had many retainers, he never attempted a rebellion ; and
two or three times, when Saul fell into his power, he suffered
him to escape unharmed. The tribe of Judah at once pro-
claimed him king, and anointed him at Hebron, the most
southern city ot their territory, where were the tombs of
Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. At first, Ishbosheth, a son of
Saul, set up a claim to the kingdom ; and a civil war dragged
on at intervals for more than seven years. But the death of
Ishbosheth, and of Abner, his general, caused the leaders of
the other tribes to make terms with David, and to acknowl-
edge his sovereignty over all Israel. In the first conquest
of Canaan, the steep fortified hill of Jerusalem had been left
in the hands of the Jebusites. David captured this, and
made it his capital ; and now began that brilliant reign of
more than thirty years, which, by its successful military
enterprises, and its development of the national resources,
made Israel united at home, and respected abroad. This he
himself has celebrated in that magnificent triumphal march,
the eighteenth Psalm : " Thou hast delivered me from the
strivings of the people ; and thou hast made me the head of
the heathen : a people whom I have not known shall serve
me. As soon as they hear of me, they shall obey me : the
strangers shall submit themselves unto me. The strangers
shall fade away, and be afraid out of their close places. The
Lord liveth ; and blessed be my Rock, and let the God of
my salvation be exalted. It is God that avengeth me, and
snbdueth the people under me. He delivereth me from mine
enemies : yea, thou liftest me up above those that rise up
against me; thou hast delivered me from the violent man.
Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O Lord! among the
heathen, and sing praises unto thy name. Great deliverance
giveth he to his king ; and showeth mercy to his anointed, to
David, and to his seed fbrevermore."
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 55, 99, 144.
Thou only, Lord! makest us to dwell in
safety. We thank t'.ee for another night of
rest and comfort ; for another day of life, health,
and hope. We praise thee that thou didst create
us with powers of knowing and of loving, and
hast made this world so full of wonders and beau-
ties to feed our minds with knowledge, and to
stir our hearts with love and joy. May the glory
of the heavens, the richness and beauty of the
earth, as adapted to our wants, fill us with admi-
ration of thy power, thy wisdom, thy goodness !
and may the voice of gladness with which all Na-
ture celebrates thy praise move our souls to bless
and praise thee also ! Lord ! may we be found
faithful to thee in the duties of this day ! and,
amid its temptations and its trials, do thou sustain
us, comfort us, and keep us. May this household,
which thou hast so blessed, serve thee, not at this
altar only, but in all the walks of life ! As we en-
gage in the business of the world, as we go into
society, wherever we are, and whatever we do, may
we remember thee, and do thy will ! Oh ! grant
that every member of this family may be a child
of God ; a humble, faithful follower of the Lord
Jesus Christ. Bless all dear to us who are absent
from us. We supplicate thy mercy for the needy,
the afflicted, the bereaved, and the sorrowing.
Build up thy Church, Lord ! Fill our land
with pure religion. Bless the industry of the peo-
ple ; and may its fruit be consecrated to the good
of men ! May our rulers be faithful and just,
walking in thy fear ! And we beseech thee to
bring all lands under the power and glory of thy
kingdom. In thy great mercy, Lord ! forgive
our sins, and bring us unto thy heavenly kingdom,
through Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.
lilt
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
359
FRIDAY.
2 Samuel xviii. — 9. And Absalom met the
servants of David. And Absalom rode upon a
mule ; and the mule went under the thick boughs
of a great oak, and his head caught hold of the
oak, and he was taken up between the heaven and
the earth ; and the mule that was under him went
away.
10. And a certain man saw it, and told Joab,
and said, Behold, I saw Absalom hanged in an
oak.
11. And Joab said unto the man that told him,
And, behold, thou sawest him ; and why didst thou
not smite him there to the ground ? and I would
have given thee ten shekels of silver, and a girdle.
12. And the man said unto Joab, Though I
should receive a thousand shekels of silver in
mine hand, yet would I not put forth mine hand
against the king's son ; for in our hearing the
king charged thee and Abishai and Ittai, saying,
Beware that none touch the young man Absalom.
14. Then said Joab, I may not tarry thus with
thee. And he took three darts in his hand, and
thrust them through the heart of Absalom while
he ivas yet alive in the midst of the oak.
15. And ten young men that bare Joab's armor
compassed about and smote Absalom, and slew
him.
16. And Joab blew the trumpet, and the people
returned from pursuing after Israel ; for Joab held
back the people.
17. And they took Absalom, and cast him into
a great pit in the wood, and laid a very great heap
of stones upon him ; and all Israel fled every one
to his tent.
24. And David sat between the two gates ; and
the watchman went up to the roof over the gate
unto the wall, and lifted up his eyes, and looked,
and behold a man running alone.
25. And the watchman cried, and told the
king. And the king said, If he be alone, there is
tidings in his mouth. And he came apace, and
drew near.
26. And the watchman saw another man run-
ning ; and the watchman called unto the porter,
and said, Behold, another' man running alone.
And the king said, He also bringeth tidings.
29. And the king said, Is the young man Absa-
lom safe ? And Ahimaaz answered, AYhen Joab
sent the king's servant, and vie thy servant, I
saw a great tumult ; but I knew not what it was.
31. And, behold, Cushi came : and Cushi said.
Tidings, my lord the king : for the Lord hath
avenged thee this day of all them that rose up
against thee.
32. And the king said unto Cushi, Is the young
man Absalom safe ? And Cushi answered, The
enemies of my lord the king, and all that rise
against thee to do thee hurt, be as that young man
is.
33. And the king was much moved, and went
up to the chamber over the gate, and wept ; and,
as he went, thus he said : my son Absalom ! my
son, my son Absalom ! would God I had died for
thee, Absalom, my son, my son !
It has been objected to some of the psalms of David, that I
their imprecations upon his enemies exhibit a spirit of hatred |
and revenge, quite at variance with the spirit of Christ. But
these expressions are to be taken in a prophetic sense concern-
ing the enemies of Jehovah, and not in the spirit of private '.
revenge. There are no traces of such a spirit in David's per- !
sonal life. Saul hated and persecuted David without cause ; I
yet David spared his life, mourned over his death, and caused I
the man who slew Saul, and brought the tidings, to be exe- ;
euted as a murderer. He did the same with the assassins of
his rival Ishbosheth, the son of Saul ; and he made provision
for the survivors of Saul's family. He condemned the violence
and treachery of Joab, his own captain. When his son Ab-
salom got up a rebellion against him, David, to avoid blood-
shed, fled from Jerusalem. As he went down toward the
Jordan, forsaken and disconsolate, Shimei cursed him, and
pelted him with dirt and stones ; yet, when David returned
in triumph to his capital, he would not surfer Shimei to be put
to death, but included him in the amnesty" which he pro-
claimed to the rebels. And how tender he was of his un-
grateful and impious son ! In giving battle to his army, he
charged the captains to spare Absalom ; as he waited for tid-
ings, his one thought was for the safety of Absalom : the
news of victory did not cheer him, so long as Absalom's fate
was unknown. And where, in human language, can be
found a lament so pathetic, so heart-rending, as David
poured forth over his lost son ? No degree of filial ingrati-
tude and impiety can quench a parent's love ; but oh the
anguish that a wayward child may bring upon his father's
soul !
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 131, 1!
Thou holy and blessed Son of God, who for our
sakes didst endure such contradiction of sinners
against thyself, grant us, we pray thee, the spirit
of meekness and patience under injury, and of for-
giveness toward all who do us wrong. How often
have we grieved and offended thee ! Have mercy
upon us, we beseech thee, and teach us to be merci-
ful unto all men ! Heavenly Father, we bless thee
for thy loving-kindness toward us, so free, so con-
stant, so abounding. We would show forth thy
loving-kindness in the morning, and thy faithful-
ness every night.
God, whose blessed Son was manifested that
he might destroy the works of the Devil! grant
us, we beseech thee, that, having this hope, we may
purify ourselves even as he is pure ; that, when he
shall appear again with power and great glory, we
may be made like unto him in his eternal kingdom ;
where with thee, Father ! and thee, O Holy
Ghost ! he liveth and reigneth evermore. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
SATURDAY.
I Kings iii. — 1. And Solomon made affinity
with Pharaoh, king of Egypt, and took Pharaoh's
daughter, and brought her into the city of David,
until he had made an end of building his own house,
and the house of the Lord, and the wall of Jeru-
salem round about.
2. Only the people sacrificed in high places, be-
cause there was no house built unto the name of
the Lord until those days.
3. And Solomon loved the Lord, walking in the
statutes of David his father : only he sacrificed
and burnt incense in high places.
4. And the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice
there ; for that was the great high place : a thou-
sand burnt-offerings did Solomon offer upon that
altar.
5. In Gribeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in
a dream by night ; and God said, Ask what I shall
give thee.
6. And Solomon said, Thou hast showed unto
thy servant David my father great mercy, accord-
ing as he walked before thee in truth, and in
righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with
thee ; and thou hast kept for him this great kind-
ness, that thou hast given him a son to sit on his
throne, as it is this day.
7. And now, Lord my God ! thou hast made
thy servant king instead of David my father; and
I am but a little child : I know not how to go out
or come in.
8. And thy servant is in the midst of thy peo-
Upon his death-bed, David caused Solomon to be proclaimed
king in his stead. Now that all the enemies of Israel had
been subdued, David anticipated for his son a peaceful and
prosperous reign ; and he prefigured this in these beautiful
words : " He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the
fear of God. And he shall be as the light of the morning
when the sun riseth, even a morning without clouds ; as the
tender grass springing out of the earth by clear shining after
rain." Solomon gave promise of realizing this description
in his own character. His prayer for an understanding
heart marked him as a man of thoughtful piety; and the
fame of his wisdom caused him to be revered by his own peo-
ple, and brought the Queen of Sheba and many foreign
pie which thou hast chosen, a great people that
cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude.
9. Give, therefore, thy servant an understanding
heart to judge thy people, that I may discern be-
tween good and bad ; ior who is able to judge this
thy so great a people ?
10. And the speech pleased the Lord that Solo-
mon had asked this thing.
11. And God said unto him, Because thou hast
asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself
long life ; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor
hast asked the life of thine enemies, but hast
asked for thyself understanding to discern judg-
ment ;
12. Behold, I have done according to thy word:
lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding
heart ; so that there was none like thee before
thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto
thee.
13. And I have also given thee that which thou
hast not asked, both riches and honor; so that
there shall not be any among the kings like unto
thee all thy days.
14. And if thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep
my statutes and my commandments, as thy father
David did walk, then I will lengthen thy days.
15. And Solomon awoke ; and behold, it was a
dream. And he came to Jerusalem, and stood
before the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and
offered up burnt-offerings, and offered peace-offer-
ings, and made a feast to all his servants.
princes to his court to hear his proverbs, and profit by his
knowledge. In his reign the arts flourished, peace was es-
tablished, the temple was built, Jerusalem was enlarged and
beautified, alliances were formed with foreign powers, and
commerce was extended, so that the royal treasury was filled
with the gold of Ophir, and " silver was in Jerusalem as
stones for abundance." But the king himself was overcome
by the fascinations of luxury, became loose in his habits, and
even fell for a time into idolatry. His inner life he has un-
veiled to us in the Book of Ecclesiastes as one of disappoint-
ment and dissatisfaction, bordering upon despair, until at the
last he came back to his starting-point, that " to fear God and
keep his commandments is the whole duty of man."
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 10, 21, 97.
Almighty and most merciful Father, we be-
seech thee to forgive our sins, and incline us ever
to keep thy commandments. The morning calls us
to praise thee for thy loving-kindness in the night-
season; and every day renews the tokens of thy
bounty. Every good gift cometh down from thee,
the Father of lights ; and though we are so change-
ful in our love, so inconstant in our service, with
thee there is no variableness, neither shadow of
turning. Bind us to thyself, our Father ! by the
mighty attraction of thy love. We pray thee keep
us this day from temptation, evil, and sin. May we
be upright in our dealings, true and kind in our
speech, gentle and patient in our spirit, pure and
holy in our walk, and so exhibit in our lives the
graces of the gospel, that we shall win others to the
love of Christ ! And we pray that multitudes may
be won to the Saviour; that thy Church may in-
crease ; that missions may prosper ; that thy Word
may be given to all people. We thank thee for our
home, and pray thee to bless us with all things that
we need as a family. Bless the absent who are
dear to us ; and bring them, together with us, unto
thy heavenly kingdom, for Christ's sake. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
361
SUNDAY MORNING.
I Kings viii. — 22. And Solomon stood before
the altar of the Lord in the presence of all the
congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands
toward heaven ;
23. And he said, Lord God of Israel, there is no
God like thee, in heaven above, or on earth beneath ;
who keepest covenant and mercy with thy servants
that walk before thee with all their heart ;
24. Who hast kept with thy servant David my
father that thou promisedst him : thou spakest also
with thy mouth, and hast fulfilled it with thine
hand, as it is this day.
27. But will God indeed dwell on the earth?
Behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot
contain thee ; how much less this house that I
have builded !
28. Yet have thou respect unto the prayer of
thy servant, and to his supplication, Lord my
God ! to hearken unto the cry and to the prayer
which thy servant prayeth before thee to-day ;
29. That thine eyes may be open toward this
house night and day, even toward the place of
which thou hast said, My name shall be there;
that thou mayest hearken unto the prayer which
thy servant shall make toward this place.
30. And hearken thou to the supplication of thy
servant, and of thy people Israel, when they shall
pray toward this place ; and hear thou in heaven thy
dwelling-place ; and, when thou hearest, forgive.
54. And it was so, that, when Solomon had
made an end of praying all this prayer and sup-
plication unto the Lord, he arose from before the
altar of the Lord, from kneeling on his knees with
his hands spread up to heaven.
55. And he stood and blessed all the congrega-
tion of Israel with a loud voice, saying,
56. Blessed be the Lord, that hath given rest
unto his people Israel according to all that he
promised : there hath not failed one word of all
his good promise which he promised by the hand
of Moses his servant.
57. The Lord our God be with us as he was
with our fathers: let him not leave us, nor for-
sake us :
58. That he may incline our hearts unto him, to
walk in all his ways, and to keep his command-
ments, and his statutes, and his judgments, which
he commanded our fathers.
59. And let these my words wherewith I have
made supplication before the Lord be nigh unto
the Lord our God day and night, that he maintain
the cause of his servant, and the cause of his peo-
ple Israel at all times, as the matter shall require ;
60. That all the people of the earth may know
that the Lord is God, and that there is none else.
61. Let your heart, therefore, be perfect with the
Lord our God, to walk in his statutes, and to keep
his commandments, as at this day.
The great longing of David's heart had been to build a
temple worthy of the name and worship of Jehovah. For
this purpose he had selected a site upon Mount Moriah,
opposite Zion, upon which his own palace stood, and had
accumulated a vast amount of money and material. The ark,
which long rested at Shiloh, had been brought up to Zion ;
but its only cover was the consecrated tent made after the
pattern given at Sinai. David could not brook the thought
of living in a better house than was provided for the worship
of God. " See now," he said : " I dwell in a house of cedar ;
but the ark of God dwelleth within curtains." But his pious
purpose was frustrated by a dream, in which he was admon-
ished that he was too rmich a man of war for such a work ;
but it should be accomplished in the reign of his son. Solo-
mon made it a work of filial piety as well as of religious de-
votion. The house was built on a magnificent scale. Skilled
workmen from Phoenicia were employed in preparing the
stone; and Lebanon furnished the choicest woods for its lin-
ing. Recent explorations have unearthed at a great depth
the original foundations, and upon some of the stones have
been found what are supposed to be quarry-marks of the
Phoenician workmen. Standing upon a bold, sharp prom-
ontory, walled up from the valleys on either side, adorned
with porticoes, and sheeted with gold, this temple shone
resplendent from all sides of the city. At its dedication
Solomon made a great feast, and offered in person a most
comprehensive prayer, of which the opening and close are
given above.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 7, 10, 42.
This is the day which the Lord hath made : we
will rejoice and be glad in it. Draw thou near to
us, God our Saviour ! as we draw near to thee.
Whom have we in heaven but thee ? and there is
none upon earth that we desire besides thee. May
we this day see thy glory as we have seen thee
within thy holy temple !
We bless thee for all the mercies of the week
that is now past. Day by day thou hast supplied
our wants ; night by night thou hast watched over
us and defended us. Oh ! give us hearts of thank-
fulness, as the children of thy love.
We pray for the poor, the afflicted, the be-
reaved, and the dying. thou Comforter of all
that are cast down ! do thou heal their sorrows,
bind up their wounds. In the multitude of their
thoughts within them, may thy comforts delight
their souls !
We commend our friends, and all belonging to
us, implicitly to thy sovereign care. May the pil-
lar of thy presence go continually before them !
Guide them by thy counsel. Fit them for living
and for dying. May our souls be consecrated with
undivided energies to the glory of Him who gave
himself for us ! — to whom, with the Father and the
Spirit, be glory everlasting. Amen.
362
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
SUNDAY EVENING.
Psalm xciv. — 12. Blessed is the man whom
thou chastenest, Lord ! and teachest him out of
thy law,
13. That thou mayest give him rest from the days
of adversity, until the pit be digged for the wicked.
14. For the Lord will not cast off his people,
neither will he forsake his inheritance.
15. But judgment shall return unto righteous-
ness, and all the upright in heart shall follow it.
16. Who will rise up for me against the evil-
doers ? or who will stand up for me against the
workers of iniquity ?
17. Unless the Lord had been my help, my soul
had almost dwelt in silence.
18. When I said, My foot slippeth, thy mercy,
Lord ! held me up.
19. In the multitude of my thoughts within me
thy comforts delight my soul.
Hebrews xii. — 1. Wherefore, seeing we also
are compassed about with so great a cloud of wit-
nesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin
which doth so easily beset ns, and let us run with
patience the race that is set before us,
2. Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher
of our faith, who, for the joy that was set before
him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and
is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
3. For consider him that endured such contra-
diction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wea-
ried, and faint in your minds.
Departed saints do live ; they are conscious of what befalls
us here; they are near us, to watch with sympathetic regard
our endurance of trials and conflicts through which they have
successfully passed. Like a vast amphitheatre of spectators
intent upon the issue of a race, these foregoing heroes and
martyrs of the faith surround us with their sympathy, and
encourage us by their success. As the athlete in the games
reduced his body to light weight, and stripped himself for the
race, so must we throw off every encumbrance of habit, every
entanglement of sin, and hold on the course which we have
begun. Above all should we keep before us Him without
whom neither faith nor example would avail us ; who, though
4. Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving
against sin.
5. And ye have forgotten the exhortation which
speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, de-
spise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor
faint when thou art rebuked of him ;
6. For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and
scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
7. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with
you as with sons ; for what son is he whom the
father chasteneth not ?
8. But if ye be without chastisement, whereof
all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not
sons.
9. Furthermore, we have had fathers of our flesh
which corrected us, and we gave them reverence :
shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the
Father of spirits, and live ?
10. For they verily for a few days chastened us
after their own pleasure ; but he for our profit, that
we might be partakers of his holiness.
11. Now, no chastening for the present seemeth
to be joyous, but grievous : nevertheless, afterward
it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness
unto them which are exercised thereby.
12. Wherefore lift up the hands which hang
down, and the feeble knees ;
13. And make straight paths for your feet, lest
that which is lame be turned out of the way ; but
let it rather be healed.
in his last conflict he did sweat great drops of blood, and sink
under the weight of the cross, was never weary nor faint of
heart under the burden of our sins and sorrows, — Jesus, the
Leader and Perfecter of our faith. " His going before us in
faith has made faith possible for us ; his perfecting faith in
his own person and example has made faith effectual for us."
Nor is it selfish in us to be animated as he was by the joy and
the crown that wait upon the endurance of the cross. All
trial is made light when it brings us into closer sympathy
with Christ ; all discipline is easy when we recognize in it the
loving hand of God, perfecting us for his own presence and
glory.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 181, 189, 200.
Thou only, Lord, makest us to dwell in safety :
therefore will we lie down in peace, and sleep.
Grant us the sleep which thou givest to thy be-
loved ; or, if wakeful hours shall be allotted us,
may we remember thee upon our bed, and medi-
tate upon thee in the night-watches !
Lord Jesus, who hast invited the weary and
heavy-laden to come unto thee that thou mayest
give them rest ! grant us, we pray thee, rest from
all care and trouble, from all sin and sorrow ; and
prepare us by thy grace for that holy and blessed
rest which remaineth for the people of God.
We bless thee for our fellowship with thy saints ;
and we pray for the whole Church of God, that it
may be one in spirit and life, in faith and hope.
We thank thee for this holy day, — its sacred
memories, its blessed communion of prayer and
praise, its comforting sacraments, its teachings
and promises, and its immortal hopes. May thy
Word abide with us to teach and sanctify us !
And bless thy Word, also, to all who have heard
it : to the young, for their guidance ; to the aged,
for their comfort ; to all, for their instruction in
righteousness. And, Lord ! send, we pray thee,
thy Word to those who have it not. Let thy salva-
tion be known in all the earth ; and hasten the
coming of thy kingdom. And to thy name be
honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
363
MONDAY.
I Peter iv. — 1. Forasmuch, then, as Christ hath
suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise
with the same mind : for he that hath suffered in
the flesh hath ceased from sin ;
2. That he no longer should live the rest of his
time in the flesh to the lusts of meu, hut to the
will of God.
3. For the time past of our life may suffice us
to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we
walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, rev-
ellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries :
4. Wherein they think it strange that ye run
not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking
evil of you;
5. Who shall give account to him that is ready
to judge the quick and the dead.
6. For for this cause was the gospel preached
also to them that are dead, that they might be
judged according to men in the flesh, but live ac-
cording to God in the spirit.
7. But the end of all things is at hand: be ye
therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.
8. And, above all things, have fervent charity
among yourselves ; for charity shall cover the mul-
titude of sins.
9. Use hospitality one to another without grudg-
ing.
10. As every man hath received the gift, even
so minister the same one to another, as good stew-
ards of the manifold grace of God.
In saying that "he that hath suffered in the flesh hath
ceased from sin," the apostle does not intend that there is a
sanctifying merit in penances and mortifications ; but, inas-
much as Christ suffered to take away sin, if we would share
the benefit of his redemption, we must renounce sin, at what-
ever cost of pain or sacrifice to the flesh. To cherish sinful
desires is to frustrate the grace of Christ. If we are truly
the followers of Christ, are joined to him by a living faith,
Appropriate Hymns,]
11. If any man speak, let him speak as the ora-
cles of God ; if any man minister, let him do it as
of the ability which God giveth, that God in all
things may be glorified through Jesus Christ ; to
whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever.
12. Beloved, think it not strange, concerning
the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some
strange thing happened unto you ;
13. But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of
Christ's sufferings ; that, when his glory shall be
revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
14. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ,
happy are ye ; for the Spirit of glory and of God
resteth upon you. On their part he is evil spoken
of; but on your part he is glorified.
15. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or
as a thief, or as an evil-doer, or as a busybody in
other men's matters.
16. Yet, if any man suffer as a Christian, let
him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God on
this behalf.
17. For the time is come that judgment must
begin at the house of God ; and, if it first begin at
us, what shall the end be of them that obey not
the gospel of God ?
18. And, if the righteous scarcely be saved,
where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear ?
19. Wherefore let them that suffer according to
the will of God commit the keeping of their souls
to him in well-doing, as unto a faithful Creator.
we shall show this by the earnestness of our endeavors to be
freed from sin : so are we made partakers of Christ's sufferings.
While all afflictions, even such as we bring upon ourselves,
may contribute to our spiritual purification and advancement,
afflictions which we are called to endure for Christ's sake are
a testimony of his grace toward us ; and, trusting ourselves to
our ever-faithful Creator, we can summon to our aid in such
a conflict the Spirit of glory and of God.
Prayer
Our Father in heaven, thou hast kept us in the
watches of the night from every trouble, sorrow,
and alarm ; thou hast given us refreshing sleep.
And now we bless thee for the day, for life and
health, for food and raiment, for home and friends,
for means of education and of enjoyment, for
means of occupation and of support, for means
of improvement in the knowledge of thyself from
thy works and thy Word, and for opportunities
of doing good to others. Oh ! grant us grace
that we may use to thy glory the lives which thou
didst give, and which thy mercy doth continually
spare.
We acknowledge, Lord! our unworthiness
and our sinfulness, and beseech thee to pardon our
transgressions and heal our infirmities. Help us
this day to live aright. In the business of life
[Nos. 170, 195, 197
may we be diligent, faithful, true ! In our in-
tercourse with others, may we manifest the gentle-
ness, the sincerity, the charity, of the gospel of
Christ ! May we be patient under trials, meek
under injuries, firm against temptation, bold for
the truth, zealous for thy cause ! May we be kind
to the poor, helpful to the suffering, gentle toward
all men ! [Give unto these children, Lord !
grace to serve thee in the morning of life, and in
their thoughts and words, their studies and their
play, always to please their Father in heaven.]
Remember with thy mercy all our friends. Build
up, Lord ! thy Church ; prosper thy kingdom in
our land, and throughout the world. Ever guide,
keep, and bless us. Bring us to the close of the
day in peace, and to the close of life in a hope full
of immortality, for Christ's sake. Amen.
364
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
TUESDAY.
Psalm xlii. — 1. As the hart panteth after the
water-brooks, so panteth my soul after thee,
God!
2. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living
God : when shall I come and appear before
God?
3. My tears have been my meat day and night,
while they continually say unto me, Where is thy
God?
4. When I remember these things, I pour out
my soul in me : for I had gone with the multitude ;
I went with them to the house of God, with the
voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept
holy-day.
5. Why art thou cast down, my soul? and
why art thou disquieted in me ? Hope thou in
God ; for I shall yet praise him for the help of bis
countenance.
6. my God ! my soul is cast down within me :
therefore will I remember thee from the land of
Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from the hill
Mizar.
7. Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy
water-spouts : all thy waves and thy billows are
gone over me.
8. Yet the Lord will command his loving-kind-
ness in the daytime ; and in the night his song
shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of
my life.
11. Why art thou cast down, my soul?
and why art tbou disquieted within me? Hope
thou in God ; for I shall yet praise him ivho
One morning, as my party was crossing a broad plain
in Palestine, a gazelle that had ventured from its mountain-
haunts in quest of water was descried drinking at a brook.
So intent was the little creature upon slaking its thirst, that
it was well-nigh captured by our Arab horsemen before
taking the alarm. Sometimes, in the dry season, whole herds
of these gentle creatures will quit the deserts, and venture
nigh the abodes of men to quench their thirst. So the
Psalmist, perhaps in exile and captivity, remote from the
living springs of the sanctuary, envied even the hart that
could find some drops of water, while he longed in vain for
the house of God and the communion of the saints to satisfy
his thirsty spirit.
At another time, the picture of the sanctuary came to him
so vividly in his exile, that lie saw the nests of the sparrows
is the health of my countenance, and my
God.
Psalm Ixxxiv. — 1. How amiable are thy taber-
nacles, Lord of hosts !
2. My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth, for the
courts of the Lord ; my heart and my flesh crieth
out for the living God.
3. Yea, the sparrow hath found a house, and
the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay
her young ; even thine altars, O Lord of hosts ! my
King and my God.
4. Blessed are they that dwell in thy house :
they will be still praising thee.
5. Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee ;
in whose heart are the ways of them,
6. Who, passing through the valley of Baca,
make it a well ; the rain also filleth the pools.
7. They go from strength to strength ; every one
of them in Zion appeareth before God.
8. Lord God of hosts ! hear my prayer ; give
ear, God of Jacob !
9. Behold, God our shield ! and look upon the
face of thine anointed.
10. For a day in thy courts is better than a
thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the
house of my God than to dwell in the tents of
wickedness.
11. For the Lord God is a sun and shield : the
Lord will give grace and glory : no good thing
will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.
12. Lord of hosts ! blessed is the man that
trusteth in thee.
Appropriate Hymns,]
God, who makest the outgoings of the morn-
ing and the evening to rejoice ! we lift up our
hearts to thee with thanksgiving for the joy of an-
other day ; for vigor for its duties, appetite for its
pleasures, and readiness for its opportunities of
good. Bless us in our labors, keep us pure in our
enjoyments, incite us to do thy will ; and oh ! we
beseech thee, preserve us from harm, from temp-
tation, and from sin. Keep us from that love and
that fear of this world which would estrange us
in the roof of the temple and in the capitals of its pillars,
and envied the birds their sacred asylum. He saw in imagina-
tion the holy pilgrims going up from afar to Jerusalem to
the sacred feasts. Though the way was long, and sometimes
rough, dreary, and full of perils, yet every station yielded
new strength, because it brought them nearer to Zion. The
very tears shed on the way became fountains of rejoicing,
and their sorrows were turned into songs. So should we
prize the house of God as the symbol of communion with
himself; and while we remember that it is he, and not the
house, that gives the communion, yet should we through the
busy week, on the distant journey, or on the bed of weakness
and pain, long for the courts of the Lord, and show our
grateful sense of communion with himself by honoring the
place and the day set apart for his worship
[Nos. 101, 104, 125.
Prayer.
from thee. Conscious of our weakness, humbly
confessing our sins, we cast ourselves upon thine
infinite grace in Christ our Saviour for pardon,
strength, and sanctification. May we as a family
honor thee in our daily walk and conversation !
May we know the joy of consecration to Christ !
Grant thy grace to all dear to us ; and grant us
grace to hold all men dear for Christ's sake.
And to him, with the Father and the Spirit, be
glory forever. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
365
WEDNESDAY.
Revelation iii. — 1. And unto the angel of the
church in Sardis write : These things saith he
that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven
stars : I know thy works, that thou hast a name
that thou livest, and art dead.
2. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which
remain that are ready to die ; for I have not found
thy works perfect before God.
3. Remember, therefore, how thou hast received
and heard ; and hold fast, and repent. If, there-
fore, thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as
a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will
come upon thee.
4. Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which
have not defiled their garments: and they shall
walk with me in white ; for they are worthy.
5. He that overcometh, the same shall be
clothed in white raiment ; and I will not blot out
his name out of the book of life, but I will con-
fess his name before my Father and before his
angels.
6. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the
Spirit saitli unto the churches.
7. And to the angel of the church in Philadel-
phia write: These things saith he that is holy, he
that is true, he that hath the key of David ; he
that openeth, and no man shutteth ; and shutteth,
and no man openeth :
8. I know thy works : behold, I have set before
thee an open door, and no man can shut it ; for
thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word,
and hast not denied my name.
9. Behold, I will make them of the synagogue
of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not,
but do lie ; behold, I will make them to come and
worship before thy feet, and to know that I have
loved thee.
10. Because thou hast kept the word of my
patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of
temptation which shall come upon all the world
to try them that dwell upon the earth.
11. Behold, I come quickly : hold that fast
which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.
12. Him that overcometh will I make a pillar
in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more
out : and I will write upon him the name of my
God, and the name of the city of my God, which
is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of
heaven from my God ; and / ivlll write upon Mm
my new name.
13. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the
Spirit saith unto the churches.
The wondrous vision of John in Patmos was to him like
the second coming of Christ. It was the Son of man he saw ;
it was the same Jesus who had been pierced, but glowing now
with a splendor of countenance and of apparel which caused
the disciple who had leaned upon his bosom at the Supper to
fall at his feet as dead. Clothed with the insignia of life, of
dominion, of eternity, he stood in the midst of the seven
candlesticks of gold, which represented the churches, as ap-
pointed to show forth the light of his truth and grace. The
seven churches of Asia, in their various characteristics and
conditions, were types of all churches that have since arisen ;
and the discriminating judgment of the Lord upon them at
once searches the hearts of his people now, and foreshadows
the decisions of the last great day. The churches of Ephe-
sus, Pergamos, and Thyatira, are all commended for their
works, their patience, their fidelity, and devotion ; yet in the
case of each there was a drawback, — some allowance of error,
of worldliness, of sin, — which called for rebuke. On the
other hand, Sardis and Laodicea are rebuked as churches,
the one for having but a name to live, the other for being
lukewarm. Only Smyrna and Philadelphia are praised with-
out qualification. But to each of the seven is given the prom-
ise of most blessed and glorious rewards to whoever shall
continue faithful. These promises combine almighty power
and infinite grace to make the victorious believer a partaker
of the glory of his Lord. When marshalled in order, they
are like the strains of the heroic symphony, lifting us upon
wave after wave of triumph up to the highest heaven. To him
that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life which
is in the midst of the paradise of God : he shall have a crown
of life, and shall not be hurt of the second death ; he shall
eat of the hidden manna ; he shall receive a white stone, with a
new name written in it ; he shall have power over the nations ;
he shall be clothed in white raiment, and his name shall be
confessed before the Father and his angels ; he shall be made
a pillar in the temple of God, and shall wear the new name
of Christ himself. And the marvellous series of honors cul-
minates in this : " To him that overcometh will I grant to
sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame and am
set down with my Father in his throne."
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 134, 139, 163.
Holy Father, who hast brought us to the begin-
ing of another day, as we go forth to the active
duties of life, grant us strength equal to our en-
gag 'ments ; and in all things may thy glory be
our first and final end ! We pray, not that thou
wouldest take us out of the world, but that thou
wouldest keep us from the evil. In the midst of
its defilement, help us to preserve our garments
unspotted ; amidst its manifold temptations, succor
us by thy mighty grace ; in all its dangers, let thy
shield be over us ; in its strifes and conflicts, grant
us the peace of God that passeth all understanding,
and victory over all evil. Oh, may this family be
one in heart and life in the service of God, helping
one another in the way to heaven ! May we live
the rest of our life in the flesh by the faith of the
Son of God, who loved us, and gave himself for us !
Keep us to-day from all evil. May we acknowl-
edge thee in all things, and fear to wander from
thy paths ! Bless all who are in affliction. Have
mercy on our country, and continue unto it thy
favor. Oh! pour out thy Spirit on all men, and
fill the earth with thy glory. We ask these bless-
ings in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
^B
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
THURSDAY.
Isaiah V. — 1. Now will I sing to my well-be-
loved a song of my beloved touching his vineyard.
My well-beloved hath a vineyard in a very fruit-
fur hill :
2. And he fenced it, and gathered out the stones
thereof, and planted it with the choicest vine, and
built a tower in the midst of it, and also made a wine-
press therein ; and he looked that it should bring
forth grapes, and it brought forth wild grapes.
3. And now, inhabitants of Jerusalem, and
men of Judah ! judge, I pray you, betwixt me and
my vineyard.
4. What could have been done more to my vine-
yard that I have not done in it ? Wherefore, when
I looked that it should bring forth grapes, brought
it forth wild grapes ?
5. And now go to ; I will tell you what I will do
to my vineyard: I will take away the hedge there-
of, and it shall be eaten up ; and break down the
wall thereof, and it shall be trodden down :
6. And I will lay it waste : it shall not be
pruned, nor digged ; but there shall come up bri-
ers and thorns : I will also command the clouds
that they rain no rain upon it.
7. For the vineyard of the Lord of hosts is the
house of Israel, and the men of Judah his pleasant
plant : and he looked for judgment, but behold op-
pression ; for righteousness, but behold a cry.
John xv. — 1. I am the true vine, and my Fa-
ther is the husbandman.
2. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit,
he taketh away; and every branch that beareth
fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more
fruit.
3. Now ye are clean through the word which I
have spoken unto you.
4. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch
cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the
vine ; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
5. I am the vine : ye are the branches. He
that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bring-
eth forth much fruit ; for without me ye can do
nothing.
6. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as
a branch, and is withered ; and men gather them,
and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
7. If ye abide in me, and my words abide in
you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done
unto you.
8. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear
much fruit : so shall ye be my disciples.
9. As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved
you : continue ye in my love.
10. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall
abide in my love ; even as I have kept my Father's
commandments, and abide in his love.
This beautiful allegory of the vine has gathered about it, like
clusters of grapes, the best thoughts of the best men. The
theme is the inner unity of Christ and his disciples. " The vine
and branches," says Afford, " stand in a much nearer connec-
tion than the shepherd and the sheep, or the lord of the vineyard
and the vines : they are linked together by a common organiza-
tion, and informed' by one and the same life." Yet, as saith
Augustine, " the branches are in the vine, not so as to impart
any thing to it, but so as to derive their life from it ; the vine
is in the branches in such a way as to minister to them the vital
aliment, not in such a way as to receive it from them."
The evidence of being in Christ, and the condition of re-
maining upon the vine, is fruit-bearing. No dead-wood of
formalism, no leafy but fruitless branches of ceremony, can be
suffered to hinder the true spiritual growth and vitality of the
Church. The unfruitful are cut off as worthless ; and, being
dissevered from Christ, they betray their worthlessness, and are
despised and destroyed. The fruit-bearing of the true branches
is improved with care : hence, as Luther says, " the pruning-
away of the suckers, — the bastard or false shoots, which bring
no fruit, and do nothing but waste the sap which the good fruit-
ful brandies should have." And these branches are represented
as having a conscious union one with another by virtue of their
common derivation and common life. As Jesus has poured
into his Church his own blood as its life, its members should
love one another with the martyr-spirit of devotion.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 62, 76, 91.
We come to thee this morning, heavenly Father,
with hearts full of thankfulness for the mercies of
the night. We have rested in safety and in peace
under the shadow of thy wing. Thou hast kept
us quiet from the fear of evil : nor sickness, nor
death, nor tempest, nor fire, nor any calamity, hath
overtaken us or our dwelling. How sure are the
mercies of thy covenant, O Lord ! All thy prom-
ises in Christ Jesus are Yea and Amen. Fulfil
unto us, we beseech thee, these thy mercies and
promises, and cause that this day we may rejoice
in thy salvation. May we be joined to Christ the
living Vine, and grow by the power of his life
within us ! [Oh, may these children grow in
grace as they grow in years and in knowledge !
May they shun evil companions and evil ways,
and walk in the way of thy commandments !]
Keep all dear to us even as the apple of thine,
eye. Bless our neighbors, and send thy Spirit
upon this whole community. Bless our rulers,
and the schools and churches in our land. May
all who rule, and all who teach, be led and taught
by thee ! Have pity upon the poor and the sor-
rowing; upon homes made desolate by famine,
pestilence, or war. Stay thy judgments, Lord !
and send peace and salvation to all people. Mer-
cifully forgive our sins, and bring us unto the
perfection of knowledge, of holiness, and of bless-
edness, in Jesus Christ our Lord ; to whom be
glory forever. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
367
FRIDAY.
John XV. — 11. These things have I spoken
unto you that my joy might remain in you, and
that your joy might be full.
12. This is my commandment, That ye love one
another as I have loved you.
13. Greater love hath no man than this, that a
man lay down his life for his friends.
14. Ye are my friends if ye do whatsoever I
command you.
15. Henceforth I call you not servants ; for the
servant knoweth not what his lord doeth : but I
have called you friends ; for all things that I have
heard of vay Father I have made known unto you.
16. Ye have not chosen me ; but I have chosen
you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring
forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain ;
that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my
name, he may give it you.
17. These things I command you, that ye love
one another.
18. If the world hate you, ye know that it hated
me before it hated you.
19. If ye were of the world, the world would
love his own ; but because ye are not of the world,
but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore
the world hateth you.
Christ was a teacher, and gathered disciples; he was a
master, and his disciples were his servants ; he was a king, and
these were also his subjects. But he chose a more close and
endearing name to express the relation in which he would
stand to his followers : " I have called you friends," — a title
of affection and of confidence. But this relation of friendship
would not cancel the obligation to reverence and obedience.
The very proof of friendship would be found in obedience to
the commands of Christ, and in fruitfulness in his service.
Love is the devotement of self to the will and the honor of Him
who has so loved and honored us. But the more nearly we
identify ourselves with Christ, the more keenly shall we suffer
from those that hate him. What men hate in Christ is the
20. Remember the word that I said unto you,
The servant is not greater than his lord. If they
have persecuted me, they will also persecute you ;
if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours
also.
21. But all these things will they do unto you
for my name's sake, because they know not him
that sent me.
22. If I had not come and spoken unto them,
they had not had sin ; but now they have no cloak
for their sin.
23. He that hateth me hateth my Father
also.
24. If I had not done among them the works
which none other man did, they had not had sin ;
but now have they both seen, and hated both me
and my Father.
25. But this cometh to pass, that the word
might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They
hated me without a cause.
26. But when the Comforter is come, whom I
will send unto you from the Father, even the
Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father,
he shall testify of me.
27. And ye also shall bear witness, because ye
have been with me from the beginning.
light that exposes their sin, the truth that convicts and hum-
bles them, the holiness that rebukes and condemns them ; and
the closer we come to him in character, the more shall we pro-
voke the opposition of evil. The purity of the Church in its
testimony for truth and righteousness, which is its power
against the world, is what stirs up the powers of darkness
against the Church. A chief function of the apostles was that
of personal testimony to the life and works of Christ. As eye-
witnesses, of course, they could have no successors ; but the
Holy Spirit, bringing the truth home to the heart, can make
each believer a living epistle of Christ, known and read of all
men.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 89, 104, 118.
Graciously bestow upon us, heavenly Father !
thy Holy Spirit, to quicken within us the Word
that we have now read. Take away our ignorance,
our hardness and coldness of heart, and our love
of this present world. Enlighten our understand-
ings ; give unto us the spirit of wisdom and revela-
tion in the knowledge of Christ. May we know
thee as our God and Saviour, and glorify thee by the
holy obedience of our lives ! Grant that, being set
free from sin, and made servants to God, we may have
our fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.
Lord ! we beseech thee quicken thy Church
to greater fruitfulness in thy service ; and suffer
not thy word to return to thee void, but bring
multitudes to the acknowledging of the truth as it
is in Jesus.
We thank thee for all thy goodness and thy
care. Thou spreadest our table ; thou givest us
life and breath and all things. Lord! our souls,
and all that is within us, would bless and praise
thy holy name. As a family, we bless thee for
our home, and for all the comforts and joys of our
daily life. [May the children whom thou hast so
favored in this house remember thee, their heaven-
ly Father, and love and serve thee !] Be with us
this day to guide and keep us.
most merciful Saviour, our compassionate
High Priest ! pity all our infirmities ; heal our souls'
sicknesses ; give us the joy of thy salvation, and a
hope full of immortality. Strengthen us to live
and labor for thee ; and at length take us to rest
with thee above, for thine own name and mercy's
sake. And unto thee, with the Father and the
Holy Ghost, be all honor and glory. Amen.
3G8
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
SATURDAY.
John xvi. — 1. These things have I spoken
unto you, that ye should not be offended.
2. They shall put you out of the synagogues ;
yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you
will think that he doeth God service.
3. And these things will they do unto you be-
cause they have not known the Father nor me.
4. But these things have I told you, that, when
the time shall come, ye may remember that I told
you of them. And these things I said not unto
you at the beginning because I was with you.
5. But now I go my way to him that sent me;
and none of you asketh me, Whither goest thou ?
6. But, because I have said these things unto
you, sorrow hath filled your heart.
7. Nevertheless, I tell you the truth : It is ex-
pedient for you that I go away; for, if I go not
away, the Comforter will not come unto you ; but,
if I depart, I will send him unto you.
8. And, when he is come, he will reprove the
world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judg-
ment :
9. Of sin, because they believe not on me ;
10. Of righteousness, because I go to my Father,
and ye see me no more ;
11. Of judgment, because the prince of this
world is judged.
12. I have yet many things to say unto you ; but
ye cannot bear them now.
No follower of our Lord could have been misled as to the
nature and the responsibilities of Christian discipleship. So
far from holding out worldly inducements to his disciples,
Jesus corrected their notions of a temporal kingdom, and
warned them of the trials and persecutions which the confes-
sion of his name would bring upon them. Yet on the eve of
his departure, when a natural sorrow oppressed them, he
uttered words of hope, confidence, and joy. An element of
joy and strength, such as they could hardly imagine, should
be infused into them by his return from the dead. But, as
this would be followed by another and final departure, he
encouraged them for the long future by the promise of the
Comforter. After the ascension of our Lord, the Holy Spirit
entered as a perpetual life-power into the Church, — the body
of Christ upon earth. This power is evidenced in two ways :
13. Howbeit, when he, the Spirit of truth, is
come, he will guide you into all truth : for he shall
not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall
hear, that shall he speak ; and he will show you
things to come.
14. He shall glorify me ; for he shall receive of
mine, and shall show it unto you.
15. All things that the Father hath are mine :
therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and
shall show it unto you.
16. A little while, and ye shall not see me ; and
again a little while, and ye shall see me, because
I go to the Father.
17. Then said some of his disciples among them-
selves, What is this that he saith unto us, A little
while, and ye shall not see me; and again a little
while, and ye shall see me ; and, Because I go to
the Father?
18. They said therefore, What is this that he
saith, A little while ? we cannot tell what he saith.
19. Now, Jesus knew that they were desirous to
ask him, and said unto them, Do ye inquire among
3'ourselves of that I said, A little while, and ye
shall not see me ; and again a little while, and ye
shall see me ?
20. Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall
weep and lament; but the world shall rejoice: and
ye shall be sorrowful ; but your sorrow shall be
turned into joy.
first upon the world, in convincing men of the guilt of re-
jecting Christ, in vindicating the righteousness of Christ both
in his personal character and for his work of atonement;
and in demonstrating the overthrow of Satan's kingdom, and
the certainty of judgment upon all evil-doers. This work of
the Holy Spirit was begun with marvellous effect upon the
day of Pentecost. A second sphere of his power lies within
the hearts of disciples. By quickening their perception of
truth, by vivifying their knowledge of Christ, by unveiling
the future to their hope, he manifests himself to the con-
sciousness of believers as he does not manifest himself to the
world.
Through this power of the Spirit within and around them,
the disciples of Christ can conquer all tribulations with an
overmastering joy.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 78, 147, 151.
God ! we pray thee, make thy strength perfect
in our weakness. In the trials and conflicts of life,
in its perils and temptations, be thou ever nigh to
counsel, uphold, direct, and comfort us. May we
set our hearts supremely upon our duties to thee,
and never fear what man can do unto us !
We beseech thee to regard us as a family, and
constrain us by thy Spirit to walk in the narrow
way. Help us to rely on thy promises, and obey
thy commands. May the Holy Comforter guide
us into all truth, sanctify us for every duty, sustain
us under every trial ! May Christ be in our hearts
the hope of glory !
May all who are weary and heavy-laden come to
Jesus, and find rest ! May thy heralds be multi-
plied until the world shall hear and obey thy truth !
and, according to thy promise, pour out thy Spirit
upon all flesh, that all may be saved.
Lord ! we commend ourselves and all our
concerns to thy gracious care. Keep us to-day
from every snare of sin and of the Wicked One.
Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from
evil; and whether we eat or drink, or whatever
we do, may we do all to the glory of God ! And
we will ascribe all praise to the Father, the Son,
and the Holy Spirit, for ever and ever. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
SUNDAY MORNING.
Psalm cxi. — 1. Praise ye the Lord. I will
praise the Lord with my whole heart, in the assem-
bly of the upright, and in the congregation.
2. The works of the Lord are great, sought out
of all them that have pleasure therein.
3. His work is honorable and glorious ; and his
righteousness endureth forever.
4. He hath made his wonderful works to be
remembered: the Lord is gracious, and full of
compassion.
5. He hath given meat unto them that fear
him : he will ever be mindful of his covenant.
John xvii. — 1. These words spake Jesus, and
lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the
hour is come : glorify thy Son, that thy Son also
may glorify thee ;
2. As thou hast given him power over all flesh,
that he should give eternal life to as many as thou
hast given him.
3. And this is life eternal, that they might know
thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom
thou hast sent.
4. I have glorified thee on the earth ; I have
finished the work which thou gavest me to do.
5. And now, Father ! glorify thou me with
thine own self with the glory which I had with
thee before the world was.
A pious preacher of Germany, when near the close of life,
had this prayer read to him three times, saying, that, of all
the Bible, it was to him most dear ; yet he never had ventured
to preach upon it, feeling it transcended alike the powers of
his comprehension and the measure of his faith. And Luther
said of it, "Plain and simple as it sounds.it is so deep, rich,
and broad, that no man can fathom it." Only one conscious
of an essential union with God could have uttered such words.
Before the creation, Christ had shared the glory of the Fa-
ther. The power of life was in his hands, the divine prerog-
ative of giving life ; and the knowledge of himself was an ele-
ment of that life, as vital as was the knowledge of the Father.
No sane man could have uttered such words without blas-
6. I have manifested thy name unto the men
which thou gavest me out of the world : thine they
were, and thou gavest them me ; and they have
kept thy word.
7. Now, they have known that all things what-
soever thou hast given me are of thee ;
8. For I have given unto them the words which
thou gavest me ; and they have received them,
and have known surely that I came out from thee,
and they have believed that thou didst send me.
9. I pray for them : I pray not for the world,
but for them which thou hast given me ; for they
are thine.
10. And all mine are thine, and thine are mine ;
and I am glorified in them.
11. And now I am no more in the world ; but
these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy
Father, keep through thine own name those whom
thou hast given me, that they may be one as we
are.
12. While I was with them in the world, I kept
them in thy name : those that thou gavest me I
have kept, and none of them is lost but the son of
perdition ; that the scripture might be fulfilled.
13. And now come I to thee ; and these things I
speak in the world, that they might have my joy
fulfilled in themselves.
phemy. The Jesus of human history affirmed the unity of his
consciousness with the Word which was in the beginning with
God. But, even when filled with the assurance of resuming his
earthly glory, he remembers the ties of earthly friendship and
of spiritual communion that bind him to his disciples ; and,
while his eyes are lifted up to heaven, his heart is twined
about these who are to be left alone. Nothing short of his
own glory will suffice him as a benediction upon them. As
his oneness with the Father is to be manifested by his return
to God, he would have that manifestation re-act upon the con-
sciousness of his disciples, causing them to realize through
their oneness with each other that they also are one with
Christ in God.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 28, 99, 167.
Blessed be God, that, in Christ Jesus our Lord,
heaven is brought nigh to us as our home ; that He
who descended and took our nature, and lived and
suffered and died in human flesh, hath ascended
to heaven, the same Jesus, glorifying our nature
in his own ! Oh, may we feel the grace of his re-
demption, the power of his resurrection, the glory of
his ascension, the promise of his coming, as mo-
tives to draw us from earthly things ! and may the
exaltation of our Redeemer, as Head over all things
to his Church, inspire us with faith in the triumph
of his Church in the world ! Build up thy Church
this day ; bless her worship, her schools, her teach-
ing; hear her prayers, and manifest thy saving
power. Go with us to thine house. Grant, we
beseech thee, Almighty God, that like as we do
believe thy only-begotten Son to have ascended
into the heavens, so we may also in heart and mind
thither ascend, and with him continually dwell ;
who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy
Ghost, one God, world without end.
Thy mercy, Lord ! hath visited us with the re-
freshing slumbers of the night. As a family we
would dedicate ourselves to thee, and supplicate
thy grace upon every one of us here present before
thee, and upon all the dear ones who are absent
from us. And, while we so rejoice in thine abound-
ing goodness, we make supplication for the poor,
the needy, the outcast, the oppressed ; beseeching
thee that the consolations of the gospel may be
multiplied to them all, through the grace of our
ascended Lord ; to whom be glory forever. Amen.
370
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
SUNDAY EVENING.
Psalm Ixiii. — 1. God! thou art my God;
early will I seek thee : my soul thirsteth for thee,
my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land,
where no water is ;
2. To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have
seen thee in the sanctuary.
3. Because thy loving-kindness is better than
life, my lips shall praise thee.
4. Thus will I bless thee while I live : I will
lift up my hands in thy name.
5. My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and
fatness ; and my mouth shall praise thee with joy-
ful lips ;
6. When I remember thee upon my bed, and
meditate on thee in the night-watches.
7 Because thou hast been my help, therefore in
the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice.
8. My soul followeth hard after thee : thy right
hand upholdeth me.
John xvii. — 14. I have given them thy word;
and the world hath hated them, because they
are not of the world, even as I am not of the
world.
15. I pray not that thou shouldest take them
out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep
them from the evil.
16. They are not of the world, even as I am not
of the world.
What a longing to depart with their Lord must have been
awakened in the minds of the disciples by the opening words
of his address to the Father ! The life, the joy, the glory, to
which he was about to go, and with which he seemed to fill
the chamber as he poured forth his ecstatic prayer, would have
been to them the golden consummation of their hopes, the
crowning expression of his love. Yet Jesus did not pray that
they should be taken out of the world. Though he knew that
here they would be hated, that his own name would be to them
a legacy of persecution, yet he would have them continue in the
world as his representatives. This was necessary to the comple-
tion of his own work in the world, — the recovery of men from
17. Sanctify them through thy truth : thy word
is truth.
18. As thou hast sent me into the world, even
so have I also sent them into the world.
19. And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that
they also might be sanctified through the truth.
20. Neither pray I for these alone, but for them
also which shall believe on me through their word ;
21. That they all may be one, as thou, Father, art
in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us ;
that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
22.' And the glory which thou gavest me I have
given them ; that they may be one, even as we are
one;
23. I in them, and thou in me, that they may
be made perfect in one ; and that the world may
know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them
as thou hast loved me.
24. Father, I will that they also whom thou hast
given me be with me where I am, that they may be-
hold my glory which thou hast given me ; for thou
lovedst me before the foundation of the world.
25. righteous Father ! the world hath not
known thee ; but I have known thee, and these
have known that thou hast sent me.
26. And I have declared unto them thy name,
and will declare it; that the love wherewith thou
hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.
sin to holiness and God. The men whom he had taught now
required to be tested. Their own moral development had need
of the very conflict with evil from which they shrank. Jesus
would have them meet it ; and, that they might be empowered
to meet it, would have them sanctified, strengthened, ennobled
by the truth. And by the affinities of truth and love he would
seek to develop in his disciples through the oncoming ages that
oneness of heart and life, which, amid the jealousies, discords,
and strifes of the world, should be the token of the Redeemer's
presence. Thus may we, whom also he included in this prayer,
reflect upon earth the very glory of Christ in heaven, until he
shall take us to be forever with him in that glory.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 12, 20, 157.
God, who hast taught us in thy Word that
there is still laid up a rest for thy people, and who
hast given us a promise of entering into it ! grant
to us, we beseech thee, that we fail not of that
promise through unbelief and disobedience. Teach
us to look for a house that hath foundations, of
which thou art the maker and builder. Lift our
hearts thither in earnest desire.
Oh sabbath of eternal peace ! Oh haven where
the wicked cease from troubling, and the weary are
at rest ! When shall we see thee, Lord ! and be-
hold the King in his beauty ? When shall we meet
the apostles and prophets, and the great multitude
whom no man can number ? When shall we see
again our dear friends who sleep in Jesus ?
God the Father, who hast the times and sea-
sons in thine own power! let not that day come
upon us unawares. God the Son, who art gone
to prepare a place for us ! in thine own time take
us to thyself, that where thou art, there we may be
also. God the Holy Ghost, the pledge of future
glory in our hearts ! seal us until the redemption
of the purchased possession. We bless thee for
the help this day received through thv holy Word
and the prayers and praises of thy Cfiurch. We
supplicate thy favor upon all who have heard thy
Word, and upon those who have it not. We bless
thee for thy mercy to this household, and commit
ourselves to thy fatherly protection for the night.
Keep us under the shadow of thy wings ; and,
Father ! bring us, we pray thee, finally to rest in
thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
371
MONDAY.
Psalm Ixii. — 1. Truly my soul waiteth upon
God: from him cometh nry salvation.
2. He only is my rock and my salvation ; he is
my defence : I shall not be greatly moved.
3. How long will ye imagine mischief against a
man ? Ye shall be slain, all of you ; as a bowing
wall shall ye be, and as a tottering fence.
4. They only consult to cast him down from his
excellency; they delight in lies; they bless with
their mouth, but they curse inwardly.
5. My soul, wait thou only upon God ; for my
expectation is from him.
6. He only is my rock and my salvation ; he is
my defence : I shall not be moved.
7. In God is my salvation and my glory: the
rock of my strength and my refuge is in God.
8. Trust in him at all times ; ye people, pour
out your heart before him : God is a refuge for
us.
9. Surely men of low degree are vanity, and
men of high degree are a lie : to be laid in the
balance, they are altogether lighter than vanity.
10. Trust not in oppression, and become not
vain in robbery: if riches increase, set not your
heart upon them.
11. God hath spoken once; twice have I heard
this ; that power belongeth unto God.
12. Also unto thee, Lord! belongeth mercy;
for thou renderest to every man according to his
1 work.
Psalm Ixiii. — 1. God! thou art my God;
early will I seek thee : my soul thirsteth for thee,
! my flesh longeth for thee, in a dry and thirsty
i land where no water is ;
2. To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have
seen thee in the sanctuary.
3. Because thy loving-kindness is better than
life, my lips shall praise thee.
4. Thus will I bless thee while I live : I will
lift up my hands in thy name.
o. My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow
and fatness ; and my mouth shall praise thee with
joyful lips,
6. When I remember thee upon my bed, and
meditate on thee in the ?HV///f-watches.
7. Because thou hast been my help, therefore
in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice.
8. My soul followeth hard after thee : thy right
hand upholdeth me.
9. But those that seek my soul to destroy it
shall go into the lower parts of the earth.
10. They shall fall by the sword; they shall be
a portion for foxes.
11. But the king shall rejoice in God; every
one that sweareth by him shall glory : but the
mouth of them that speak lies shall be stopped.
The first of these psalms was composed when David re-
sided at the court of Saul, and had become aware of a con-
spiracy to cast him down from his position of confidence and
honor. His enemies had sought to undermine his reputa-
tion by calumny ; and now they were preparing to rush upon
him, and overturn him like a tottering wall. But he descends
into the depths of his soul, and finds there the calmness and
security of an abiding trust in God. So deep and holy is
this confidence, that he describes his soul as silent unto God,
— for such is the beautiful expression of the original, — wait-
ing without anxiety and without complaining. Xo combina-
tion of numbers, of rank, of riches, can avail against him ;
for " power belongeth unto God." Psalm lxiii. was composed
when David, driven from his capital by the rebellion of Ab-
salom, was a fugitive in the wilderness of Judah, — " the
crown torn from off his brow, his own son a rebel, a gloomy
, present and an uncertain future before him, round about
him the desert ; yet his heart is so satisfied, that his mouth
must break forth in songs of praise. As a bird, sheltered in
j the rich foliage from the heat of the sun, sings its merry
I notes ; so he celebrates his songs of praise from the shadow of
i the wings of God. Even at night, when his lips are silent,
! his heart continues the praise. If he wakes during the night-
watches, the thought of God is so full of comfort and peace,
that he yields himself to these blissful meditations in prefer-
' ence to sleep." He has but one longing, — to realize more
fully the glory of God, as once in the sanctuary ; but if not
on earth, then in heaven : and death can bring no fear nor
loss to him who knows that the loving-kindness of God is
! better even than life.
Appropkiate Htmxs,]
Prayer.
[Xos. 101, 104, 109.
We lift up our eyes unto the hills, whence com-
eth our help : our help cometh from the Lord, which
made heaven and earth. We open our eyes to
the remembrance of thy mercy, to the conscious-
ness of thy presence, to the sense of our depend-
ence. Only our sins separate us from thee, our
loving Father ; and we beseech thee to blot these
out for thy name's sake, and to receive us in Christ
as thy redeemed and reconciled children. Help
us, O Lord ! as obedient children, to do thy will.
[May the children of this family remember thee
in the days of their youth ! May every one of
us daily acknowledge and serve thee !] Keep
us, we pray thee, from all evil and sin this day.
In our intercourse with others may we be true
and just, loving and patient, gentle and kind,
and so may we commend unto all the gospel of
thy grace !
May thy favor be upon the community in which
we dwell, upon thy Church, upon our land ! Give
peace in our time, O Lord ! and incline the hearts
' of our rulers to that which is just and lawful in thy
i sight. Have mercy upon the poor and the afflicted ;
and cause that the grace of thy gospel shall go
forth everywhere to heal the sins and sorrows of
all mankind. Finally bring us unto thine ever-
lasting kingdom, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
372
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
TUESDAY.
Jeremiah xii. — 22. I spake not unto your
fathers, nor commanded them in the day that I
brought them out of the land of Egypt, concern-
ing burnt-offerings or sacrifices :
23. But this thing commanded I them, saying,
Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye
shall be my people ; and walk ye in all the ways
that I have commanded you, that it may be well
unto you.
24. But they hearkened not, nor inclined their
ear, but walked in the counsels and in the imagi-
nation of their evil heart, and went backward, and
not forward.
25. Since the day that your fathers came forth
out of the land of Egypt, unto this day, I have
even sent unto you all my servants the prophets,
daity rising up early and sending them :
26. Yet they hearkened not unto me, nor in-
clined their ear, but hardened their neck ; they
did worse than their fathers.
27. Therefore thou shaft speak all these words
unto them ; but they will not hearken to thee :
thou shalt also call unto them ; but they will not
answer thee.
28. But thou shalt say unto them, This is a na-
tion that obeyeth not the voice of the Lord their
God, nor receiveth correction : truth is perished,
and is cut off from their mouth.
Mark xii. — 1. And he began to speak unto
them by parables. A certain man planted a vine-
yard, and set a hedge about it, and digged a place
for the wine-fat, and built a tower, and let it out
to husbandmen, and went into a far country.
As our Lord approached the close of this life, he grew
more explicit in asserting his divine Sonship, and in denoun-
cing the guilt of the Jews in rejecting him. This vineyard
represented the Jewish people who had been chosen of God,
nurtured and watched over with the most jealous care. A
well-appointed vineyard was protected from wild beasts and
robbers by a substantial hedge ; it was planted with the
choicest vines ; a wine-fat was prepared under ground as a
safe and cool receptacle for the juice as it flowed from the
press ; and a tower was erected from which the owner could
survey his growing crop, and watch against thieves. So the
nation, hedged about with the law and the covenant, had been
2. And at the season he sent to the husband-
men a servant, that he might receive from the
husbandmen of the fruit of the vineyard.
3. And they caught him, and beat him, and sent
him away empty.
4. And again he sent unto them another ser-
vant ; and at him they cast stones, and wounded
him in the head, and sent him away shamefully
handled.
5. And again he sent another ; and him they
killed, and many others ; beating some, and killing
some.'
6. Having yet therefore one son, his well-be-
loved, he sent him also last unto them, saying,
They will reverence my son.
7. But those husbandmen said among them-
selves, This is the heir : come, let us kill him, and
the inheritance shall be ours.
8. And they took him, and killed him, and cast
him out of the vineyard.
9. What shall, therefore, the lord of the
vineyard do? He will come and destroy the
husbandmen, and will give the vineyard unto
others.
10. And have ye not read this scripture : The
stone which the builders rejected is become the
head of the corner :
11. This was the Lord's doing, and it is marvel-
lous in our eyes ?
12. And they sought to lay hold on him, but
feared the people ; for they knew- that he had
spoken the parable against them : and they left
him, and went their way.
trained by a succession of prophets, and watched over con-
tinually by the Lord. But they had. rejected prophet after
prophet, ofttimes with violence, stoning some, beating some,
killing some ; and now they were about to fill up the measure
of their iniquity by taking the life of the Son. Jesus here
describes himself as the Son of God in a sense in which none
other could be ; his only Son, his well-beloved Son, deserving
of reverence. But this very claim the more enraged hearts
that were filled with enmity toward the faithful witnesses for
the truth. A people so privileged and so perverse must be
set aside, and the place which they had abused be given to
the Gentiles.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 99, 159.
Heavenly Father, we bless thee for the light of the
morning. Oh for a heart to love thee, to praise thee,
to serve thee, as we ought ! Thou didst create us for
thy glory ; thou hast enriched us with thy bounty ;
thou hast redeemed us with the precious blood of
thy Son ; thou hast sent forth thy Spirit into our
hearts to quicken us to a new life, that we might re-
ceive the adoption of children. Disobedient and un-
thankful children we have been ; and we confess our
waywardness and our sin. Eorgive us, we beseech
thee, our Father ! for the sake of thy dear Son.
We pray thee this day to deliver us from tempta-
tion, to defend us from evil. Make sure to this
family the mercies of thy covenant. Remember
all dear to us. Bless thy Church here, and in our
land, and throughout the world. Oh ! send thy
salvation to all people. We beseech thee to com-
fort the poor, the sick, the sorrowing, the dying ;
and Lord ! when heart and flesh shall fail us,
be thou the strength of our heart, and our portion
forever, for His sake who ever liveth to make in-
tercession for us. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
373
WEDNESDAY.
Mark xii. — 13. And they send unto him cer-
tain of the Pharisees, and of the Herodians, to
catch him in his words.
14. And, when they were come, they say unto
him, Master, we know that thou art true, and
carest for no man ; for thou regardest not the per-
son of men, but teachest the way of God in truth.
Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not ?
15. Shall we give, or shall we not give ? But
he, knowing their hypocrisy, said unto them, Why
tempt ye me ? Bring me a penny, that I may see
it.
16. And they brought it. And he saith unto
them, Whose is this image and superscription ?
And they said unto him, Caesar's.
17. And Jesus, answering, said unto them, Ben-
der to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to
Go'l the things that are God's. And they mar-
velled at him.
18. Then come unto him the Sadducees, which
say there is no resurrection ; and they asked him,
saying,
19. Master, Moses wrote unto us, If a man's
brother die, and leave his wife behind him, and
leave no children, that his brother should take his
wife, and raise up seed unto his brother.
20. Now, there were seven brethren; and the
first took a wife, and, dying, left no seed.
21. And the second took her, and died ; neither
left he any seed ; and the third likewise.
22. And the seven had her, and left no seed :
last of all, the woman died also.
23. In the resurrection, therefore, when they
shall rise, whose wife shall she be of them ? for the
seven had her to wife.
24. And Jesus, answering, said unto them, Do
ye not therefore err, because ye know not the
scriptures, neither the power of God ?
25. For, when they shall rise from the dead, they
neither many, nor are given in marriage, but are
as the angels which are in heaven.
26. And as touching the dead, that they rise :
have ye not read in the book of Moses, how in the
bush God spake unto him, saying, I am the God
of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of
Jacob ?
27. He is not the God of the dead, but the God
of the living : ye, therefore, do greatly err.
The Herodians were politicians who favored the imperial |
f overnment at Rome as represented by the dynasty of Herod. ]
The Pharisees adhered with Jewish pride to the traditions of
the nation, and denounced the Roman rule as a usurpation of
the kingdom of God. Though hating one another, these
classes laid together a trap to catch Jesus in his words. If he
should advocate paying tribute to Cassar, the Pharisees would
denounce him to the populace as an enemy to Jewish inde-
pendence, and therefore not the promised deliverer of the na-
tion ; if be should declare the Roman tax illegal, the Herodians
would denounce him to the governor as a seditious person :
yet, by using coin stamped by the Roman government, both
classes admitted its authority !
Appropriate Hymns,]
Our Lord's answer to the Sadducees is full of instruction.
He teaches that departed saints are living in their personal
identity. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, are all living now in the
presence of God. This individuality will favor the recogni-
tion of friends in the hereafter. The embarrassment sup-
posed by the Sadducees could not arise if there should be no
such recognition. But our Lord does not dispose of the diffi-
culty by denying that the friendships of this world shall be re-
rived in the next : he teaches that those who have lived
together here shall know one another there ; but they them-
selves shall be so lifted above the envyings and jealousies of
this life, and even so above its most favored relations, that, lov-
ing with an angel's purity, they shall know the joy of angels.
[Nos. 8, 20, 42, 105.
Prayer.
Blessing and honor and glory and power be unto j We thank thee, Lord ! for the precious com-
Him that sitteth on the throne, and to the Lamb fort that remains to us concerning dear friends
for ever and ever ! God, our Father ! how shall who have departed in the faith ; that to them
we praise thee for thy love in Jesus Christ, our
Saviour ? When we were utterly lost in our sins,
thou didst not spare thine own Son, but didst de-
heaven is even now a reality ; that they have no
more want, nor sorrow, nor care, nor sin. Oh,
may heaven be a reality to our faith ! and may the
liver him up for us all. Blessed be thy name that ihope of it, yea. the assurance of it, as our home,
thou didst crown the suffering of the cross with ! lift its above all the temptations and trials of this
the glory of the resurrection, and hast given us | present world !
herein the assurance of the re-union of thy saints ; We praise thee, as a family, for thy constant
in the kingdom of heaven ! Lord ! fill our ' goodness to us ; for all the way in which thou hast
souls with thankfulness to thee, that thy love led us ; for the home which thou hast given us ;
may constrain us evermore. May we be filled for our means of support and of enjoyment ; for
with the spirit of Christ, and wholly given to ' the loves and hopes that brighten our way ; and for
the service of Christ ! And, oh, may each day all the dealings of thy providence with us.
witness in our hearts, in this community, in the Lord ! unite us all in the faith and hope of the gos-
church, in our land, in all the world, new tri- pel, and in the family of thy redeemed, through
umphs of redeeming grace ! May He who was Jesus Christ ; who, with thee and the Holy Spirit,
lifted up upon the cross draw all men unto him ! liveth evermore. Amen.
374
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
THURSDAY.
I Kings xvii. — 1. And Elijah the Tishbite, who
was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab,
As the Lord God of Israel liveth, before whom I
stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years
but according to my word.
2. And the word of the Lord came unto him,
saying,
3. Get thee hence, and turn thee eastward, and
hide thyself by the brook Cherith, that is before
Jordan.
4. And it shall be, that thou shalt drink of the
brook ; and I have commanded the ravens to feed
thee there.
5. So he went and did according unto the word
of the Lord ; for he went and dwelt by the brook
Cherith, that is before Jordan.
6. And the ravens brought him bread and flesh
in the morning, and bread and flesh in the evening ;
and he drank of the brook.
7. And it came to pass after a while that the
brook dried up, because there had been no rain in
the land.
8. And the word of the Lord, came unto him,
saying, _
9. Arise, get thee to Zarephath, which belongeth
to Zidon, and dwell there : behold, I have com-
manded a widow woman there to sustain thee.
10. So he arose, and went to Zarephath. And
when he came to the gate of the city, behold, the
| widow woman was there gathering of sticks ; and
j he called to her, and said, Fetch me, I pray thee,
a little water in a vessel, that I may drink.
11. And, as she was going to fetch it, he called
to her, and said, Bring me, I pray thee, a morsel
of bread in thine hand.
12. And she said, As the Lord thy God liveth,
I have not a cake, but a handful of meal in a bar-
rel, and a little oil in a cruse; and, behold, I am
gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress
it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die.
13. And Elijah said unto her, Fear not; go and
do as thou hast said: but make me thereof a little
cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make
for thee and for thy son.
14. For thus saith the Lord God of Israel, The
barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the
cruse of oil fail, until the day that the Lord send-
eth rain upon the earth.
15. And she went and did according to the say-
ing of Elijah ; and she and he and her house did
eat many days.
16. And the barrel of meal wasted not, neither
did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of
the Lord which he spake by Elijah.
Dean Stanley has pronounced Elijah the Tishbite " the
grandest and the most romantic character that Israel ever pro-
duced." And certainly his is the name most worthy to be
associated with Moses, — the representative of the prophets,
as Moses of the law ; and these two together brought all the
grandeur and glory of the Old Testament to render homage
to Christ on the Mount of Transfiguration. Elijah had a
rugged and stormy life. After the death of Solomon, ten
tribes revolted from his son, and established in the north the
kingdom of Israel, with Samaria as its capital ; while, in the
south, Judah retained Jerusalem and the temple. The north-
ern kingdom soon fell into idolatry. It had a succession of
evil kings, of whom Ahab was the most conspicuous : his wife
Jezebel was a monster of crime. It was in his reign chiefly
that Elijah flourished ; and the contests of the prophet of Je-
Appropriate Hymns,]
Thou, Lord, hast made our cup to overflow with
blessings. From the first moment of our being,
thou hast been our Guardian ; thou hast visited our
home with daily benefits ; thou hast given us the
comforts of thy providence and grace ; thou hast
shielded us from unknown dangers ; thou hast
warded off unseen calamities : no earthly friend
could have loved us and cared for us like thee.
blessed Saviour, who hast sanctified the home
of love with thy presence and benediction ! may thy
presence ever abide with us, thy benediction ever rest
upon us ! Thou who art the Lord of all ! help us
to discern thy hand in the supply of our daily wants,
and to remember that the power which created all
things at the first, the power which hath wrought
hovah with this impious champion of Baal are sublime ex-
amples of moral courage facing down wickedness in high
places. Not Luther or John Knox was bolder than he. As
a punishment for the sins of Ahab, Elijah threatened a famine
of three years. The king sought to take the life of the pro-
phet ; but Elijah found refuge in the wild recesses of the Jor-
dan valley, near the bed of a mountain-torrent, where ravens
brought him food. The water failing, bis next refuge was in
Phoenicia, which lay to the north-west of Israel, along the Med-
iterranean. Here the humble hospitality of a widow was re-
quited by the miraculous support of the widow and her fam-
ily. The manner of the miracle was such as to teach daily
dependence upon the unfailing source of supply, — a lesson no
less pertinent to us, who receive our daily bread from Him who
giveth rain from heaven and fruitful seasons.
[Nos. 55, 68, 1(12.
Prayer.
mighty wonders in times past, is the same which
provides for us through the regular and silent course
of nature, and by the ministry of human love.
Bless our family and friends. May this be a
household where the God of salvation dwells !
We pray for all the families of the earth, that they
may be blessed in thee. We pray for the homeless
and the desolate ; and beseech thee to be the God
of the widow, and the Father of the fatherless.
We ask all these manifold blessings in the name
and for the sake of our adorable Lord and Saviour,
who is now within the veil ; where with thee, eter-
nal Father ! and thee, O ever-blessed Comforter !
three in one, he ever liveth and reigneth, world
without end. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
375
FRIDAY.
I Kings xviii. — 25. And Elijah said unto the
prophets of Baal, Choose you one bullock for your-
selves, and dress it first ; for ye are many ; and
call on the name of your gods, but put no fire under.
26. And they took the bullock which was given
them, and they dressed it, and called on the name
of Baal from morning even until noon ; saying,
Baal ! hear us. But there was no voice, nor any
that answered. And they leaped upon the altar
which was made.
27. And it came to pass at noon, that Elijah
mocked them, and said, Cry aloud ; for he is a
god : either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he
is in a journey ; or peradventure he sleepeth, and
must be awaked.
28. And they cried aloud, and cut themselves
after their manner with knives and lancets till
the blood gushed out upon them.
29. And it came to pass, when mid-day was
past, and they prophesied until the time of the
offering of the evening sacrifice, that there was
neither voice, nor any to answer, nor any that re-
garded.
30. And Elijah said unto all the people, Come
near unto me ; and all the people came near unto
him. And he repaired the altar of the Lord that
was broken down.
31. And Elijah took twelve stones, according to
the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob,
unto whom the word of the Lord came, saying,
Israel shall be thy name ;
32. And with the stones he built an altar in the
Under the name of Baal, the Phoenicians worshipped the
productive power in nature. Baal was the chief male divin-
ity of the Canaanites : his worship was very ancient, and
was attended with cruel and impure rites. Ahab had married
a Phoenician ; and he built in Samaria a temple to Baal, the
god of her country. The whole nation was corrupted by his
example ; and Jezebel sought to exterminate the worship of
Jehovah by causing his prophets to be put to death. But the
famine sent as a judgment upon the land was causing mutiny
among the people ; and in this crisis Elijah once more ap-
peared to Ahab, and challenged him to an open contest of
divinities. At the base of Carmel — a ridge, which, running
back from the Mediterranean for twelve miles, forms the
southern boundary of the plain of Esdraelon — the people
were gathered from all the country to witness this bold appeal
name of the Lord; and he made a trench about
the altar, as great as would contain two measures
of seed.
33. And he put the wood in order, and cut the
bullock in pieces, and laid him on the wood, and
said, Fill four barrels with water, and pour it on
the burnt-sacrifice and on the wood.
34. And he said, Do it the second time ; and
they did it the second time. And he said, Do it
the third time ; and they did it the third time.
35. And the water ran round about the altar ;
and he filled the trench also with water.
36. And it came to pass at the time of the offer-
ing of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the pro-
phet came near and said, Lord God of Abraham,
Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that
thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant,
and that I have done all these things at thy word.
37. Hear me, Lord ! hear me, that this people
may know that thou art the Lord God, and that
thou hast turned their heart back again.
38. Then the fire of the Lord fell, and consumed
the burnt-sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones,
and the dust, and licked up the water that ivas in
the trench.
39. And, when all the people saw it, they fell on
their faces : and they said, The Lord, he is the
God; the Lord, he is the God.
40. And Elijah said unto them, Take the pro-
phets of Baal : let not one of them escape. And
they took them ; and Elijah brought them down
to the brook Kishon, and slew them there.
of the prophet. " How long halt ye," said he, " between two
opinions 1 If the Lord be God, follow him ; but if Baal,
then follow him." The test was, " The God that answereth
by fire, let him be God." How sublimely did the prophet
stand forth at the last in his solitary faith, knowing that
his failure would be his death, yet deluging his altar with
water in order that the answer of Jehovah, which he was
sure would come, might be the more signal and impressive !
The Lord came down in fire as at Sinai ; and like the destruc-
tion of the worshippers of the golden calf was the swift
and terrible penalty upon the priests of Baal. Then fol-
lowed the long-wished-for rain, — a cloud rising out of the
sea, at the first no bigger than a man's hand, but presently
spreading over the whole heaven, and pouring life and plenty
into the withered earth.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 7, 22, 28.
Lord God of Elijah and of the prophets, thou art
not the God of the dead, but of the living ; for all
live to thee. Baptize us with the Holy Ghost and
with fire. Kindle in our hearts the flame of
sacred love and of pure devotion, that we may love
thee supremely, and worship thee in spirit and
in truth. Too often have we forsaken thee, and
served other gods. Lord ! make clean our hearts
before thee, and lead us in the way everlasting.
May this home be consecrated by thy presence,
and our hearts be the temples of the Holy Spirit !
Purify thy Church, Lord ! May thy ministers
be faithful to thy Word, and thy people be all
righteous. Bless our land with plenty and with
peace, with uprightness and pure religion. May
Baal and the priests of Baal, and all the worship-
pers of idols, cease from the earth ! and may the
hour soon come when all shall say, "The Lord, he
is God ! " We beseech thee to hear us, and pardon
us, for the sake of Christ our Lord. Amen.
376
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
SATURDAY.
I Kings xix. — 4. But he himself [Elijah]
went a day's journey into the wilderness, and
came and sat down under a juniper-tree : and he
requested for himself that he might die ; and said,
It is enough : now, Lord ! take away my life ;
for I am not better than my fathers.
5. And as he lay and slept under a juniper-tree,
behold, then an angel touched him, and said unto
him, Arise and eat.
6. And he looked, and, behold, there was a cake
baken on the coals, and a cruse of water at his
head ; and he did eat and drink, and laid him
down again.
7. And the angel of the Lord came again the
second time, and touched him, and said, Arise and
eat, because the journey is too great for thee.
8. And he arose, and did eat and drink, and
went in the strength of that meat forty days and
forty nights unto Horeb, the mount of God.
9. And he came thither unto a cave, and lodged
there; and, behold, the word of the Lord came
to him, and he said unto him, What doest thou
here, Elijah ?
10. And he said, I have been very jealous for
the Lord God of hosts ; for the children of Israel
have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine
altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword : and
I, even I only, am left ; and they seek my life, to
take it away.
11. And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the
mount before the Lord. And, behold, the Lord
passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the
mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before
the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind : and
after the wind an earthquake ; but the Lord was
not in the earthquake :
12. And after the earthquake a fire ; but the
Lord was not in the fire : and after the fire a still
small voice.
13. And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he
wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and
stood in the entering-in of the cave. And, behold,
there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest
thou here, Elijah ?
14. And he said, I have been very jealous for
the Lord God of hosts ; because the children of
Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down
thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the
sword : and I, even I only, am left ; and they seek
my life, to take it away.
There are gorges near Sinai where at times the wind
rushes with such fury, that neither man nor beast can stand
before the blast : rocks are loosened, and hurled across the
path, and the mountains bellow with tempest. There are signs
that the earthquake has shaken those stupendous masses of
rock from base to summit, opening new chasms, and dislodg-
ing ancient cliffs. Sometimes the violence of the wind is ag-
gravated by the roar of thunder, and lightnings seem to belch
forth from the mountain-tops as from a glaring furnace. In
all these grand and terrible phenomena of Nature, Jehovah had
spoken from Sinai at the giving of the law ; and Elijah
naturally looked for him in like manifestations. But the
Lord came to him in the still small voice, rebuking the timid-
ity that distrusted the Lord after the miracles of fire and
tempest at Mount Carmel had ceased. Not miracles alone
testify to the presence of God, but equally the silent opera-
tion of moral causes, the gradual development of truth, light,
and love. Our faith in Providence is distorted when we are
always straining after marvels, watching for signs of tempest
and earthquake, hearing no voices of the night, seeing no
wonders in the dawn. An earthquake may startle California
once a year : the flowers bloom all the year round. And, in
the moral world, seedtime and harvest are constant, the storm
and fire the exceptions. The most potent forces in physical
nature, light and heat, are silent in their coming and their
working ; and, in the moral world, that Coming which has
wrought the greatest marvels was in the silence of the night
and the lowliness of the manger ; that Character which has
caused the greatest revolutions in human life and society was
His who said, " I am meek and lowly of heart." Oh ! let us
humbly, gently, learn of him.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 56, 57, 72.
Lord Jesus, the author and the finisher of our
faith ! we give thee thanks for all thy servants
departed in the faith, who, having witnessed a good
confession, have entered into rest. Grant us grace,
we beseech thee, to be faithful unto death, that
we also may receive a crown of life. May we
have such a sense of thy presence and glory as
shall lift us above the love or the fear of this
world ! Assist us by thy grace to do this day such
things as are pleasing to thee. Deliver us from
anxiety about earthly things, from a discontented
and unthankful spirit.
Strengthen, Lord ! our faith in the promises of
thy Word. Enable us to stay our minds on thee.
Thou knowest our exceeding weakness, and the
numberless dangers which every day surround us.
Supply all our need. Be thou our defender through
all the trials of life, our hope in death, and our
portion forever.
We thank thee for thy loving-kindness in the
night-season. Be pleased, Lord ! to bless all who
are near and dear to us. Lead all whom we love into
the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Bless our
neighbors. Look graciously upon this part of thy
vineyard, and grant that true godliness may in-
crease and abound among us. Help us to shine
as lights in the world, and to commend the reli-
gion which we profess by the meekness and gen-
tleness of our conduct, and by the holiness of our
lives. Make us happy in our own souls, and useful
to all around us. These mercies we ask in the
name of Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
377
SUNDAY MORNING.
2 Kings ii. — 8. And Elijah took his mantle,
and wrapped it together, and smote the waters ;
and they were divided hither and thither, so that
they two went over on dry ground.
9. And it came to pass, when they were gone
over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I
shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee.
And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion
of thy spirit be upon me.
10. And he said, Thou hast asked a hard thing :
nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken
from thee, it shall be so unto thee ; but if not, it
shall not be so.
11. And it came to pass, as they still went on,
and talked, that behold there appeared a chariot
of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both
asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into
heaven.
12. And Elisha saw it ; and he cried, My father,
my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen
thereof! And he saw him no more ; and he took
hold of his own clothes, and rent them in two pieces.
Luke ix. — 28. And it came to pass, about an
eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and
John and James, and went up into a mountain to
pray.
This scene stands forth like a picture, in the clear, bold out-
line of the mountain, in the brightness of the cloud upon its
summit, and in the expression and attitudes of the six figures
there grouped together, in relations never repeated within the
experience of man. So near and real does it seem, that we
could almost touch it ; yet so sublime withal, that we gaze
upon it with a distant awe. Not even Raphael, in the mas-
ter-painting of the world, has worthily conceived it, — so im-
measurable, so unattainable, is the height of glory to which the
spiritual meaning of the transfiguration lifts it above the
range of human art. Following directly upon the announce-
ment, that the Son of man " must suffer and be killed," came
this manifestation of Jesus as the Son of God. Midway be-
tween the incarnation and the ascension, the transfiguration
blended the humiliation and the glory, the humanity and the
divinity, of our Lord. As of his person, so of his kingdom :
this was the unifying symbol, which conjoined all agencies
and dispensations in Jesus as the centre of glory and of power.
29. And, as he prayed, the fashion of his coun-
tenance was altered, and his raiment was white
and glistering.
30. And, behold, there talked with him two
men, which were Moses and Elias;
31. Who appeared in glory, and spake of his
decease which he should accomplish at Jerusa-
lem.
32. But Peter and they that were with him
were heavy with sleep ; and, when they were
awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that
stood with him.
33. And it came to pass, as they departed from
him, Peter said unto Jesus, Master, it is good for
us to be here : and let us make three tabernacles ;
one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias ;
not knowing what he said.
34. While he thus spake, there came a cloud,
and overshadowed them ; and they feared as they
entered into the cloud.
35. And there came a voice out of the cloud,
saying, This is my beloved Son : hear him.
36. And, when the voice was past, Jesus was
found alone. And they kept it close, and told no
man in those days any of those things which they
had seen.
The great lawgiver of the Old Testament and the grandest
of the prophets came in their heavenly forms and splendor to
do homage to the Son of man on earth, to testify of his cruci-
fixion as the crowning of their work, and to greet the apostles
of his future Church. The unity of doctrine, the unity of pur-
pose, the unity of ministration, the unity of fellowship, the
unity of redemption, were thus manifested in Him who " gath-
ered in one all things which are in heaven and which are on
earth." Supreme in authority as the Son of God, Jesus must
be heard and obeyed by every soul that would be saved. Yet
from the glory of that presence which would fill us with dread
he comes to us with the tender voice of friendship, saying,
"Arise; be not afraid." Equally at home with God in
heaven and with man on earth, passing and repassing from
one world to the other, he has effaced the shadows of the
spiritual world, has peopled that world with loved and fa-
miliar names, and transfigured death into his own glorified
' presence.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 6, 17, 80.
Thou art the King of glory, Christ ! Thou
art the everlasting Son of the Father. When thou
hadst overcome the sharpness of death, thou didst
open the kingdom of heaven to all believers. Thou
sittest at the right hand of God, in the glory of the
Father. We believe that thou shalt come to be
our Judge. We therefore pray fliee help thy ser-
vants, whom thou hast redeemed with thy precious
blood : make them to be numbered with thy saints in
glory everlasting. May thy Church this day honor
and serve thee with gladness of heart ! Bless thy
Word, in the family, in the Sunday school, in the
house of God ; and pour out thy Spirit upon all flesh.
Thou who hast brought us again from sleep
to behold the light of a new day ! help us so to con-
fide in thee, to keep thee ever so near and so pre-
cious to our thought, that we shall live above the
fear of death, and look forward with joy to our
final rest with thee. As children of the light,
may we shun all evil, and show forth thy praise !
Comfort all in sorrow. Be the God of the widow
and the fatherless. May this household, and all
dear to us, be joined to the family of the saints
on earth, and finally to the company of the re-
deemed in heaven, through Him who died for us !
to whom be glory forever. Amen.
378
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
SUNDAY EVENING.
Mark ix. — 14. And, when he came to his dis-
ciples, he saw a great multitude about them, and
the scribes questioning with them.
15. And straightway all the people, when they
beheld him, were greatly amazed, and, running to
him, saluted him.
16. And he asked the scribes, What question ye
with them?
17. And one of the multitude answered and
said, Master, I have brought unto thee my son,
which hath a dumb spirit ;
18. And, wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth
him ; and he foameth and gnasheth with his teeth,
and pineth away : and I spake to thy disciples
that they should cast him out, and they could not.
19. He answereth him, and saith, faithless
generation ! how long shall I be with you ? how
long shall I suffer you ? Bring him unto me.
20. And they brought him unto him : and, when
he saw him, straightway the spirit tare him; and
he fell on the ground, and wallowed, foaming.
21. And he asked his father, How long is it ago
since this came unto him ? And he said, Of a
child.
22. And oft-times it hath cast him into the fire,
and into the waters, to destroy him ; but, if thou
canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and
help us.
23. Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe,
all things are possible to him that believeth.
24. And straightway the father of the child cried
out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe : help
thou mine unbelief.
25. When Jesus saw that the people came run-
ning together, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying
unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge
thee, come out of him, and enter no more into
him.
26. And the spirit cried, and rent him sore, and
came out of him: and he was as one dead; inso-
much that many said, He is dead.
27. But Jesus took him by the hand, and lifted
him up ; and he arose.
28. And, when he was come into the house, his
disciples asked him privately, Why could not we
cast him out ?
29. And he said unto them, This kind can come
forth by nothing but by prayer and fasting.
From the divine exaltation of his transfiguration our Lord
descended to mingle again with the sorrows of humanity, —
more glorious even in his deeds of mercy than in the personal
splendors of the mount. The more elevated our joy in com-
munion with God, the more tender and practical should be
our beneficence toward men. The genuineness of our spirit-
ual frames is attested by the constancy and fervency of our
spiritual works. " There is hardly such another contrast to
be found in the gospel as this, between the open heaven and
the sons of glory on the mount, and the valley of tears, with
its terrible forms of misery and pain and unbelief." Raphael
has grouped the two together with thrilling effect in his
picture of the Transfiguration ; though this feature of it does
violence to the history, which places the two incidents upon
separate days. The disciples, though empowered to cast out
devils, had failed in this instance because of the weakness of
their faith. Jesus honored the tearful, trembling faith of the
agonized father, in whom the very kindling of hope was a
revelation of his almost utter despair. The hand of Jesus
reaches forth to draw near to himself the soul that begins to
turn to him with one inquiring look of faith.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 9, 56, 98.
O Lord ! how great is thy mercy toward us, in l the hearts of our rulers unto thyself. Sanctify all
the circumstances of our lives, in the comforts of] trade, industry, knowledge, all wealth and influ-
our home, in the means of grace, and the hope of
the gospel ! We bless thee for the sacred rest of the
sabbath, for the peace and quietness in which we
dwell, for the plenty that spreads our table and
fills our cup. Oh ! feed us with the bread of life.
Bring home to our hearts thy truth which has
this day been preached. May it prove to be the
power of God unto the salvation of our souls !
Grant that the words which we have heard with
our outward ears may through thy grace be so
grafted inwardly in our hearts, that they may bring
forth in us the fruit of good living, to the honor
and praise of thy name.
May it please thee to bring into the way of
truth all such as have erred and are deceived ; to
strengthen such as do stand; to comfort and help
the weak-hearted; to raise up those who fall; and
finally to beat down Satan under our feet!
We beseech thee to bless our country. Turn
ence, unto thy service. May we be truly a Chris-
tian people ! Prosper all missionary labors, and
open in all lands the way of thy salvation. Oh !
bring in the latter-day glory upon all nations, and
fill the earth with thy praise.
We commend unto thee, God ! all who are dear
to us, and also those who are at this time afflicted
or distressed in mind, body, or estate. May it
please thee to relieve them according to their sev-
eral necessities, giving them patience under their
sufferings, and a happy issue out of all their afflic-
tions !
And now, Father ! we desire to put ourselves
under thy protection and care for the coming
night. Defend us from all harm. Let thine an-
gels encamp round about us, and keep us in
all our ways ; and so do thou bring us at length
unto our Father's house, through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
379
MONDAY.
Habakkuk iii. — 17. Although the fig-tree shall
not hlossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines ;
the labor of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall
yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the
fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls :
18. Yet I will rejoice in the Lord ; I will joy in
the God of my salvation.
19. The Lord God is my strength ; and he will
make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make
me to walk upon mine high places.
Philippians iii.— 1. Finally, my brethren, re-
joice in the Lord. To write the same things to
you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is
safe.
2. Beware of dogs, beware of evil-workers, be-
ware of the concision.
3. For we are the circumcision, which worship
God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and
have no confidence in the flesh.
4. Though I might also have confidence in
the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he
hath wherefore he might trust in the flesh, I
more :
5. Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of
Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the
Hebrews ; as touching the law, a Pharisee ;
6. Concerning zeal, persecuting the church;
touching the righteousness which is in the law,
blameless.
7. But what things were gain to me, those I
counted loss for Christ.
The gospel incites within us the noblest ambition, and
kindles us to enthusiastic endeavor for the highest attain-
ment. Its prize is not merely the enjoyment of future
blessedness : it is the possession of a Christlike character.
That knowledge of Christ which sums up in itself the excel-
lency of wisdom and the glory of moral perfection ; that
knowledge which appropriates the death of Christ for the
soul's redemption, and the righteousness of Christ for its
sanctification ; that knowledge which through the power of
bis resurrection quickens the soul to life in Christ, which assim-
ilates it to him in the spirit of self-sacrifice, which leads it not
8. Yea, doubtless, and I count all things but loss
for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ
Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss
of all things, and do count them but dung, that I
may win Christ,
9. And be found in him, not having mine own
righteousness, which is of the law, but that which
is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness
which is of God by faith ;
10. That I may know him, and the power of
his resurrection, and the fellowship of his suffer-
ings, being made conformable unto his death ;
11. If by any means I might attain unto the
resurrection of the dead.
12. Not as though I had already attained, either
were already perfect ; but I follow after, if that I
may apprehend that for which also I am appre-
hended of Christ Jesus.
13. Brethren, I count not myself to have appre-
hended ; but this one thing I do, forgetting those
things which are behind, and reaching forth unto
those things which are before,
14. I press toward the mark for the prize of the
high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
20. For our conversation is in heaven : from
whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord
Jesus Christ;
21. Who shall change our vile body, that it may
be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according
to the working whereby he is able even to subdue
all things unto himself.
only to accept his death on its behalf, but to conform its life
to the purpose of that death by the destruction of sin, — this
knowledge of Christ is the prize set before us, — a knowledge
which shall be consummated when the believer shall rise from
the dead to see Christ as he is, and to be like him in his
glory. In comparison with this, all other attainments are
cheap, all other possessions worthless. Apart from this, all
progress and development must end in failure. But he who
keeps this mark in view shall grow to the stature of the
divine, and win all things in winning Christ.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 160, 168.
Lord, who by the example of thy blessed
apostle Paul hast taught us to forget those things
which are behind, and to reach forth unto those
things that are before ! give us grace this day that
we may press toward the mark for the prize of our
high calling of thee in Christ Jesus. May we lay
aside every weight, and the sins which so easily
beset us, and run with patience the race set be-
fore us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher
of our faith ! As he for the joy set before him
endured the cross, despising the shame ; even so
may we ever have before us our heavenly reward,
and in like manner not fear what men can do unto
us, if only we may acceptably serve thee !
In the constant sense of our membership of
Christ ; in the unfailing thought that we are his
soldiers and servants ; in the love of our Father's
house, and the blessed hope of our eternal home, —
Lord, preserve and keep us.
For the mercies of the past night ; for the health
and comfort with which we begin the day ; for the
provision of our wants ; for means of improve-
ment, of enjoyment, and of usefulness, — we hum-
bly thank thee, the Giver of all good. Bless all
dear to us ; multiply the preachers of thy gospel ;
turn opposers and persecutors into witnesses for
thee ; aud subdue all hearts unto thyself, through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
380
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
TUESDAY.
Psalm cxvi. — 1. I love the Lord, because he
hath heard my voice and my supplications.
2. Because he hath inclined his ear unto me,
therefore will I call upon him as long as I live.
3. The sorrows of death compassed'me, and the
pains of hell gat hold upon me : I found trouble
and sorrow.
4. Then called I upon the name of the Lord:
Lord ! I beseech thee, deliver my soul.
5. Gracious is the Lord, and righteous ; yea, our
God is merciful.
6. The Lord preserveth the simple : I was
brought low, and he helped me.
7. Return unto thy rest, my soul ! for the
Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee.
8. For thou hast delivered my soul from death,
mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling.
9. I will walk before the Lord in the land of the
living.
12. What shall I render unto the Lord for all
his benefits toward me ?
13. I will take the cup of salvation, and call
upon the name of the Lord.
14. I will pay my vows unto the Lord now in
the presence of all his people.
15. Precious in the sight of the Lord is the
death of his saints.
16. Lord ! truly I am thy servant ; I am thy
servant, and the son of thine handmaid : thou hast
loosed my bonds.
The leprosy, though not properly contagious, was shunned
as a loathsome disease, and was generally looked upon as in-
curable. As it was hereditary, those who were afflicted with
it were obliged to keep themselves apart from the common
society of men. At the present day, the lepers of Jerusalem
occupy a distinct quarter of the city. In the rare event of
the healing of a leper, he was required to report himself to
the priest, in order, that, after a ceremonial purification, he
might receive an official certificate of cure. Jesus had
cleansed many lepers ; and these poor wretches had faith
17. I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanks-
giving, and will call upon the name of the Lord.
18. I will pay my vows unto the Lord now in
the presence of all his people,
19. In the courts of the Lord's house, in the
midst of thee, Jerusalem ! Praise ye the
Lord.
Luke xvii. — 11. And it came to pass, as he
went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the
midst of Samaria and Galilee.
12. And, as he entered into a certain village,
there met him ten men that were lepers, which
stood afar off;
13. And they lifted up their voices, and said,
Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.
14. And, when he saw them, he said unto them,
Go show yourselves unto the priests. And it
came to pass, that, as they went, they were
cleansed.
15. And one of them, when he saw that he was
healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glori-
fied God,
16. And fell down on his face at his feet, giving
him thanks ; and he was a Samaritan.
17. And Jesus, answering, said, Were there not
ten cleansed ? but where are the nine ?
18. There are not found that returned to give
glory to God, save this stranger.
19. And he said unto him, Arise ; go thy way :
thy faith hath made thee whole.
not only to call upon him for mercy, but to obey his com-
mand, and go to the priest without as yet one sign of
healing. " Faith they had, enough to go, and enough to be
cleansed; but love (with the one exception), gratitude, they
had not."
Is not this too often a picture of our hearts ? Are not
we forward to call upon the Lord in trouble ? slow to acknowl-
edge him when the trouble is over 1 — more ready to pray
when we want than to praise when we have received ? Great
as is our lack of faith, our lack of love is even greater.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 2, 27.
We come to thee this morning, heavenly Father,
with hearts full of thankfulness for the mercies of
the night. We have rested in safety and in peace
under the shadow of thy wing. Thou hast kept us
quiet from the fear of evil : nor sickness nor death,
nor tempest nor fire, nor any calamity, hath over-
taken us or our dwelling. How sure are the mercies
of thy covenant, O Lord ! All thy promises in Christ
Jesus are Yea and Amen. Fulfil 'unto us, we be-
seech thee, these thy mercies and promises, and
cause that this day we may rejoice in thy salvation.
May we be ever grateful toward thee, and be just
and true, loving and kind, gentle, forbearing, and
forgiving, toward our fellow-men ! May every day
witness some new victory over evil desires and
passions within us, and over the evil that is in the
world ! May we grow up into Him who is our Life
and Head, even Christ! [Oh, may these children
grow in grace as they grow in years and in knowl-
edge! May they shun evil companions and evil
ways, and walk in the way of thy commandments!]
Keep all dear to us even as the apple of thine eye.
Bless our neighbors, and send thy Spft-it upon
this whole community. Bless our rulers, and the
schools and churches in our land. May all who
rule, and all who teach, be led and taught by
thee! Have pity upon the poor and the sorrow-
ing; upon homes made desolate by famine, pes-
tilence, fire, or war. Mercifully forgive our sins,
and bring Us unto the perfection of knowledge, of
holiness, and of blessedness, through Jesus Christ
our Lord. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
381
WEDNESDAY.
I Corinthians X. — 16. The cup of blessing
which we bless, is it not the communion of the
blood of Christ ? The bread which we break, is
it not the communion of the body of Christ ?
17. For we, being many, are one bread and
one body; for we are all partakers of that one
bread.
18. Behold Israel after the flesh : are not they
which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar ?
19. What say I, then ? that the idol is any
thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols
is any thing ?
20. But I say that the things which the Gen-
tiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to
God ; and I would not that ye should have fellow-
ship with devils.
21. Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord and
the cup of devils ; ye cannot be partakers of the
Lord's table and of the table of devils.
22. Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy ? are
we stronger than he ?
23. All things are lawful for me, but all things
are not expedient ; all things are lawful for me,
but all things edify not.
24. Let no man seek his own, but every man
another's wealth.
25. Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that
eat, asking no question for conscience' sake ;
26. For the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness
thereof.
27. If any of them that believe not bid you to a
feast, and ye be disposed to go, whatsoever is set
before you eat, asking no question for conscience'
sake.
28. But if any man say unto you, This is
offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his
sake that showed it, and for conscience' sake ;
for the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness
thereof :
29. Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the
other ; for why is my liberty judged of another
ma?i , s conscience?
30. For if I by grace be a partaker, why
am I evil spoken of for that for which I give
thanks ?
31. Whether, therefore, ye eat or drink, or what-
soever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
32. Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor
to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God ;
33. Even as I please all men in all things, not
seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many,
that they may be saved.
The principles which the apostle laid down npon the ques-
tion of eating meat offered to idols will solve many difficulties
which Christians have to encounter in their intercourse with the
world. " This was one of those cases where the true decision
of duty lay in great obscurity. If they ate the meat, they
seemed to sanctify idolatry ; if they abstained, they seemed to
say that an idol was a real being, and so they gave a sanction
to superstition." To meet this difficulty, the apostle gave two
principles. First, a feast in honor of an idol was an act of wor-
ship ; and therefore a Christian could not attend it without
giving his fellowship to devils, and degrading the Lord's table
to the same level. But, on the other hand, if meat offered in
sacrifice was afterwards sold in the market, a Christian could
buy and eat it without compromising himself: or, if a pagan
friend should ask him to dinner, he might eat such meat with-
out comment ; but should the friend represent it as sacred,
then the Christian should refrain, in order not to minister to
the superstition of his friend. On the one hand, " we are not
to torment ourselves with unnecessary scruples ; but, on the
other, we should study appearances so far as these are likely to
be injurious to others." The glory of God and the good of
man are the motives that should regulate our daily conduct.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 145, 156, 157.
Our Father in heaven, thou hast kept us in the
watches of the night from every trouble, sorrow,
and alarm; thou hast given us refreshing sleep.
And now we bless thee for the day, for life and
health, for food and raiment, for home and friends,
for means of education and of enjoyment, for
means of occupation and of support, for means
of improvement in the knowledge of thyself from
thy works and thy Word, and for opportunities of
doing good to others. Oh ! grant us grace that
we may use to thy glory the lives which thou didst
give, and which thy mercy doth continually spare.
We acknowledge, Lord ! our unworthiness
and our sinfulness, and beseech thee to pardon our
transgressions and heal our infirmities. Help us
this day to live aright. In the business of life
may we be diligent, faithful, true ! In our in-
tercourse with others, may we manifest the gentle-
ness, the sincerity, the charity, of the gospel of
Christ ! May we be patient under trials, meek
under injuries, firm against temptation, bold for
the truth, zealous for thy cause ! May we be kind
to the poor, helpful to the suffering, gentle toward
all men ! [Give unto these children, Lord !
grace to serve thee in the morning of life, and in
their thoughts and words, their studies and their
play, always to please their Father in heaven.]
Remember with thy mercy all our friends : grant
unto them that which is needful for the present
life, and a good hope, through grace, of the life
everlasting. Keep all dear to us even as the apple
of thine eye. Bless the community in which we
dwell. Build up, Lord ! thy Church ; prosper
thy kingdom in our land, and throughout the
world. Ever guide, keep, and bless us. Bring us
to the close of the day in peace, and to the close
of life in a hope full of immortality, for Christ's
sake. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
THURSDAY.
Galatians V. — 1. Stand fast, therefore, in the
liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and
he not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
2. Behold, I Paul say unto you, that, if ye be
circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing.
3. For I testify again to every man that is cir-
cumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.
4. Christ is become of no effect unto you, who-
soever of you are justified by the law : ye are fallen
from grace.
5. For we through the Spirit wait for the hope
of righteousness by faith.
6. For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision
availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but faith
which worketh by love.
13. For, brethren, ye have been called unto lib-
erty : only use not liberty for an occasion to the
flesh, but by love serve one another.
14. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even
in this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.
15. But, if ye bite and devour one another, take
heed that ye be not consumed one of another.
16. This I say, then, Walk in the Spirit, and
ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
17. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and
It is the ceremonial law of which the apostle here speaks ;
since the moral law is equally and forever binding upon all,
whether Jew or Christian, circumcised or uncircumcised.
Men do not assume the obligations of the moral law : these
exist in their own nature. The ceremonial law was never
binding upon any but Jews, and such as voluntarily assumed
it by embracing Judaism. Now, Jewish Christians insisted
that Gentile Christians should be circumcised ; but by this
act they would have abandoned the doctrine of salvation by
grace, and have looked to their works to justify them before
God. " Circumcision is the seal of the law. He who willingly
and deliberately undergoes circumcision enters upon a com-
pact to fulfil the law. To fulfil it, therefore, he is bound,
the Spirit against the flesh ; and these are contra-
ry the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the
things that ye would.
18. But, if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not
under the law.
19. Now, the works of the flesh are manifest,
which are these, Adultery, fornication, unclean-
ness, lasciviousness,
20. Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emula-
tions, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21. Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings,
and such like ; of the which I tell you before, as I
have also told you in time past, that they which
do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of
God.
22. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy,
peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23. Meekness, temperance : against such there
is no law.
24. And they that are Christ's have crucified
the flesh with the affections and lusts.
25. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in
the Spirit.
26. Let us not be desirous of vain-glory, pro-
voking one another, envying one another.
and he cannot plead the grace of Christ ; for he has entered
on another mode of justification."
But the faith which gives our only hope of justification is
not a quiescent frame of belief and expectation : it is an ac-
tive principle, a working power ; only it works, not by the
constraining force of law, but by the energizing force of love.
This is the fulfilling of the law : love sums it up in one sen-
tence, simple, comprehensive, complete. The fruit of this
spiritual obedience is seen in all that makes society endurable,
makes home blessed, makes life beautiful, — in all that gives
hope to the world through the coming-in of the kingdom of
God.
Appropriate Hymns.J
Prayer.
[Nos. 4, 50, 53.
Graciously bestow upon us, heavenly Father !
thy Holy Spirit, to quicken within us the Word
that we have now read. Take away our ignorance,
our hardness and coldness of heart, and our love
of this present world. Enlighten our understand-
ings ; give unto us the spirit of wisdom and revela-
tion in the knowledge of Christ. May we know
thee as our God and Saviour, and glorify thee by the
holy obedience of our lives ! Grant that, being set
free from sin, and made servants to God, we may have
our fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.
Lord! we beseech thee, quicken thy Church
to greater fruitfulness in thy service ; and suffer
not thy word to return to thee void, but bring
multitudes to the acknowledging of the truth as it
is in Jesus. May thy people be wise to discern
the true spirit of the gospel, and to show forth its
virtues and graces in their daily lives !
We thank thee for all thy goodness and thy
care. Thou spreadest our table ; thou givest us
life and breath and all things. Lord! our souls,
and all that is within us, would bless and praise
thy holy name. As a family, we bless thee for
our home, and for all the comforts and joys of our
daily life. [May the children whom thou hast so
favored in this house remember thee, their heaven-
ly Father, and love and serve thee !] Be with us
this day to guide and keep us.
O most merciful Saviour, our compassionate
High Priest ! pity all our infirmities ; heal our souls'
sicknesses ; give us the joy of thy salvation, and a
hope full of immortality. Strengthen us to live
and labor for thee ; and at length take us to rest
with thee above, for thine own name and mercy's
sake. And unto thee, with the Father and the
Holy Ghost, be all honor and glory. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
383
FRIDAY.
Job xxxi. — 13. If I did despise the cause of
my man-servant or of my maid-servant when they
contended with me,
14. What, then, shall I do when God riseth up ?
and, when he visiteth, what shall I answer him ?
16. If I have withheld the poor from their de-
sire, or have caused the eyes of the widow to fail ;
17. Or have eaten my morsel myself alone, and
the fatherless hath not eaten thereof;
19. If I have seen any perish for want of cloth-
ing, or any poor without covering ;
20. If his loins have not blessed me, and if he
were not warmed with the fleece of my sheep ;
21. If I have lifted up my hand against the
fatherless when I saw my help in the gate :
22. Then let mine arm fall from my shoulder-
blade, and mine arm be broken from the bone.
24. If I have made gold my hope, or have said
to the fine gold, Thou art my confidence ;
25. If I rejoiced because my wealth was great,
and because mine hand had gotten much ;
26. If I beheld the sun when it shined, or the
moon walking in brightness ;
27. And my heart hath been secretly enticed, or
my mouth hath kissed my hand :
28. This also were an iniquity to be punished by
the judge ; for I should have denied the God that
is above.
The sycamore of Palestine sends out large leafy branches
at no great height from the ground, and hence is planted for
its shade along the highways, and at the points where several
roads meet. Such a tree, easy to climb, and overhanging the
way, just suited the purpose of Zaccheus. This man, though
a Jew, held the unpopular office of a tax-gatherer under the
Roman government : and, as a farmer of the revenues, he
had evidently used his place to his own profit ; for the if in
verse 8 does not imply uncertainty, but is equivalent to what-
ever, — " whatever I have exacted from any man by false
representation." Something more than curiosity impelled
this rich official to resort to such a conspicuous mode of get-
Luke XIX. — 1. And Jesus entered and passed
through Jericho.
2. And, behold, there was a man named Zac-
cheus, which was the chief among the publicans ;
and he was rich.
3. And he sought to see Jesus who he was ; and
could not for the press, because he was little of
stature.
4. And he ran before, and climbed up into a syca-
more-tree to see him ; for he was to pass that way.
5. And, when Jesus came to the place, he looked
up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zaccheus,
make haste, and come down ; for to-day I must
abide at thy house.
6. And he made haste, and came down, and re-
ceived him joyfully.
7. And, when they saw it, they all murmured,
saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man
that is a sinner.
8. And Zaccheus stood, and said unto the Lord,
Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the
poor; and, if I have taken any thing from any
man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.
9. And Jesus said unto him, This clay is salva-
tion come to this house, forasmuch as he also is a
son of Abraham.
10. For the Son of man is come to seek and to
save that which was lost.
ting a sight of Jesus. The joyful readiness with which he
responded to the proposal of Jesus to be his guest ; the for-
wardness with which he accused himself, confessed his wrongs,
and promised a most liberal restitution, — showed that the
religious excitement which Jesus had awakened had stirred
his conscience, and kindled in him a susceptibility to faith.
Jesus knew his heart, and reached him, not by accusation and
reproof, but by an act of gracious confidence. Zaccheus was
in bad odor with his townsmen : the Pharisees had branded
him as a sinner; but just such the Lord Jesus came to save.
Rich and poor alike are lost without him, and can be saved
only by him.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 103, 113, 124.
Search us, God ! and know our hearts ; try us,
and know our thoughts ; and see if there be any
wicked way in us ; and lead us in the way ever-
lasting. Have mercy upon us, Lord ! according
to thy loving-kindness ; according to the multi-
tude of thy tender mercies, blot out our transgres-
sions.
We thank thee that thou hast brought us in
safety to the beginning of this day ; defend us in
the same by thy mighty power : and grant that
this day we fall into no sin, neither run into any
kind of danger, but that all our doings, being
ordered by thy governance, may be righteous in
thy sight. Fit us day by day for the duties that
lie before lis. We would put ourselves and all that
concerns us into thy hands, and ask thee to be our
Guide and Counsellor. In all our ways we desire
to acknowledge thee ; and do thou direct our path.
Keep us, we beseech thee, from all evil, that we,
being ready both in body and soul, may cheerfully
accomplish those things that thou wouldst have us
to do. Fit us, Lord ! for all the events of this
short and uncertain life.
[Give unto the children of this family grace to
serve thee in the morning of life. Oh ! keep them
from temptation and evil, and from every false and
hurtful way.] P>e very gracious to our friends :
grant to them health and prosperity in this life,
and make them meet for the life everlasting. And,
Lord ! bless and save the whole world.
We ask these blessings in the name of Jesus
Christ, our Lord and Saviour. Amen.
384
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
SATURDAY.
Luke xix. — 11. And, as they heard these things,
he added and spake a parable, because he was nigh
to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the
kingdom of God should immediately appear.
12. He said therefore, A certain nobleman went
into a far country to receive for himself a king-
dom, and to return.
13. And he called his ten servants, and deliv-
ered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy
till I come.
14. But his citizens hated him, and sent a mes-
sage after him, saying, We will not have this man
to reign over us.
15. And it came to pass, that when he was re-
turned, having received the kingdom, then he
commanded these servants to be called unto him
to whom he had given the money, that he might
know how much every man had gained by trading.
16. Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy
pound hath gained ten pounds.
17. And he said unto him, Well, thou good
servant : because thou hast been faithful in a very
little, have thou authority over ten cities.
18. And the second came, saying, Lord, thy
pound hath gained five pounds.
19. And he said likewise to him, Be thou also
over five cities.
20. And another came, saying, Lord, behold
here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a
napkin :
21. For I feared thee, because thou art an
austere man ; thou takest up that thou lay-
edst not down, and reapest that thou didst not
sow.
22. And he saith unto him, Out of thine own
mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant.
Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking
up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did
not sow:
23. Wherefore, then, gavest not thou my money
into the bank, that at my coming I might have re-
quired mine own with usury ?
24. And he said unto them that stood by, Take
from him the pound, and give it to him that hath
ten pounds.
25. (And they said unto him, Lord, he hath ten
pounds.)
26. For I say unto you, That unto every one
which hath shall be given ; and from him that
hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away
from him.
27. But those mine enemies, which would not
that I should reign over them, bring hither, and
slay the, i before me.
In the time of our Lord, the land of Palestine was parcelled
out among the family of Herod ; but the kings of this line
went to Rome to be formally invested with rc^al authority
by the emperor. Archelaus was so unpopular, that, when he
went to receive the kingdom from Augustus, the Jews sent
after him a deputation bearing a protest : " We will not have
this man to reign over us." Our Lord was now about to depart
to his Father, to be fully invested with that kingly authority
which had been veiled during his earthly humiliation. In
his absence, his disciples are charged with responsibilities
according to their several gifts and opportunities ; and, at his
coming, every one shall be judged by the measure of his
fidelity. It is not the largeness of the return, but the fidel-
ity of the service, that receives the reward. But while
the reward shall be thus rich, bountiful, and free, indif-
ference, neglect, perversion, opposition, abuse of privilege,
shall be punished by " destruction from the presence of the
Lord and from the glory of his power, when he shall come to
be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that
believe." Let us ever keep in mind that He who now sitteth
at the right hand of God, in the glory of the Father, will
come again, to be our Judge.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Our Father which art in heaven, we draw nigh
to thee through Jesus Christ our Saviour. Thou
reignest above in light unapproachable. Heaven
is thy throne, and earth is thy footstool : what
are we that thou shouldst regard us, and adopt us
as thy reconciled children ? Teach thou us to for-
get ourselves, and seek thy glory. Let thy praise
be shown forth in our time ; let thy great name
be known and feared ; let the kingdoms of the
world become thine, till thy holy law is kept by
men as angels keep it above. And as for us,
Father ! preserve us from day to day, and feed us
with food convenient for us. And, inasmuch as our
love cannot reach the measure of thine, teach us
to forgive others as thou hast forgiven us. Suffer
us not to be tempted above that we are able : but,
however thou triest us, keep us from harm within
and without ; from the evil in the world around
Prayer. [Nos. 121, 128, us.
us ; from the evil that is in ourselves ; from the
Evil One, who lies in wait for our souls.
Thou, our Father, canst hear and answer our
prayers ; for thou reignest over all from the be-
ginning, and with thee nothing is impossible : for
thy pleasure and thy praise all things are, and were
created. Thou hast created us, preserved us, re-
deemed us ; our lives have been full of thy mercies ;
thou hast blessed us in our home, in our friends,
in our country, in our times, in the means of
knowledge and of grace. Help us to use to thy
glory, and the good of others, that which we have
so freely received. We come unto thee through
Him who taught us to pray, — even Jesus Christ
our Lord ; to whom, with thee and the Holy Ghost,
be all praise and dominion ; for thine is the
kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever.
Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
385
SUNDAY MORNING.
Luke xix. — 28. And, when he had thus spoken,
he went before, ascending up to Jerusalem.
29. And it came to pass, when he was come nigh
to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount called
the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples,
30. Saying, Go ye into the village over against
you; in the which at your entering ye shall find
a colt tied, whereon yet never man sat : loose him,
and bring him hither.
31. And if any man ask you, Why do ye loose
him? thus shall ye say unto him: Because the
Lord hath need of him.
32. And they that were sent went their way,
and found even as he had said unto them.
33. And, as they were loosing the colt, the own-
ers thereof said unto them, Why loose ye the colt ?
34. And they said, The Lord hath need of him.
35. And they brought him to Jesus ; and they
cast their garments upon the colt, and they set
Jesus thereon.
36. And, as he went, they spread their clothes
in the way.
37. And when he was come nigh, even now at
the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole
multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and
The villages of Bethphage and Bethany lay upon the
eastern slope of the Mount of Olives, some distance below
the summit, upon a rocky plateau facing the descent to the
Valley of the Jordan. In rounding the southern shoulder of
the mountain, on the road to the capital, the traveller comes
suddenly upon the most imposing view of Jerusalem to be
obtained from any point, — the city in its entire circuit spread
out before him, every object distinct in its details, and the
whole grouped together with an impressive magnificence.
Pausing here as he looked upon the shining walls and glitter-
ing pinnacles of the temple, and the massive towers of the
city gates, relieved against a background of groves, gardens,
and villas, our Lord poured forth his touching lament over
its coming doom. The series of miracles which culminated
praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty
works that they had seen ;
38. Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in
the name of the Lord : Peace in heaven, and glory
in the highest.
39. And some of the Pharisees from among
the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy
disciples.
40. And he answered and said unto them, I tell
you, that, if these should hold their peace, the
stones would immediately cry out.
41. And, when he was come near, he beheld the
city, and wept over it,
42. Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at
least in this thy day, the things which belong
unto thy peace ! but now they are hid from thine
eyes.
43. For the days shall come upon thee that
thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and
compass thee round, and keep thee in on every
side,
44. And shall lay thee even with the ground,
and thy children within thee ; and they shall not
leave in thee one stone upon another ; because
thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.
in the raising of Lazarus had so kindled the enthusiasm of
the disciples, that they were ready to proclaim him King ; and
the vast multitudes gathered for the feast were catching the
excitement of the hour. But, at this supreme moment of
earthly popularity, Jesus abandoned himself to compassion
for his enemies. It was then a time of peace, and apparent
security ; but, forty years later, every word of his prophecy
was fulfilled. Titus " cast a trench," or more properly a
mound, against the city ; then built a wall to hem it in on
every side, and reduce it by famine ; and, when at last he
gained possession, the temple, already ruined by fire, and all
the walls and towers of the city, were razed even with the
ground.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 177, 182, 187.
Lamb of God, that takest away the sin of the
world, have mercy upon us. Saviour ! full of
pity and of grace, look down upon us with thy
benediction of peace. Conscious of our own lost
and helpless state, we cast ourselves on thy bound-
less compassion and love. We bow at the foot-
stool of divine mercy, and penitently confess our
manifold transgressions. Enter not into judgment
with thy servants. Take the burden of sin from
our hearts, and the guilt of sin from our consciences,
and the darkness of sin from our minds; that,
beholding thy glory, we may say, " Blessed be the
King that cometh in the name of the Lord ! "
God of the sabbath and of the sanctuary, go with
us to thy house of prayer, and there manifest
thyself unto us in the fulness of thy grace.
Clothe thy ministers with salvation, and let thy
chosen people be glad. Hear the hosannas of
children, and bless thy Word to the young. Bless
thy whole Church, and fill the earth with thy
glory. Gather in thine ancient Israel to the Jeru-
salem that is above.
Graciously be with those whose sabbath shall be
spent in the chamber of solitude and sickness. Let
the consolations of thy Spirit abound in the chil-
dren of sorrow and suffering and bereavement; and
grant to those appointed unto death a hope full of
glory. Thankful for the mercies of the night, we
cheerfully commit ourselves to thee.
O Thou that dwellest between the cherubim !
shine forth. Let thy glory appear unto thy ser-
vants, and grant us the foretaste of eternal joy.
And this we beg through Jesus Christ, our only
Saviour and Mediator. Amen.
SUNDAY EVENING.
• Hosea vi. — 1. Come, and let us return unto
the Lord : for he hath torn, and he will heal us ;
he hath smitten, and he will bind us up.
2. After two days will he revive us : in the third
day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight.
3. Then shall we know, if we follow on to know
the Lord : his going-forth is prepared as the morn-
ing ; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the
latter and former rain unto the earth.
4. Ephraim ! what shall I do unto thee?
Judah ! what shall I do unto thee ? for your good-
ness is as a morning cloud, and as the early dew it
goeth away.
5. Therefore have I hewed them by the proph-
ets ; I have slain them by the words of my
mouth ; and thy judgments are as the light that
goeth forth.
6. For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice ; and
the knowledge of God more than burnt-offerings.
7. But they, like men, have transgressed the
covenant : there have they dealt treacherously
against me.
Revelation iii. — 14. And unto the angel of
the church of the Laodiceans write : These things
saith the Amen, the faithful and true Witness,
the beginning of the creation of God :
•"Laodicea was a city of extensive money transactions.
To thb merchants and factors of this wealthy mercantile city,
Christ atidresses himself in their own dialect. He has gold
so fine that none will reject it. The wools of Laodicea, of a
raven blacknes.% were famous throughout the world ; but he
has raiment of purest white for those who will put it on.
There were ointments for which many of the Asiatic cities
were famous ; but he has eye-salve more precious than them
all." Gold, raiment, ointment, are symbols of faith, virtue,
knowledge, in the spiritual life. A faith unclouded with
doubt, undimmed by fear, that will bear the test of time and
trial, and be unaffected by the fluctuations of outward things,
— this is the true standard gold. A fair and beauteous char-
acter is the raiment of the gospel. " He hath clothed me
with the garments of salvation, as a bride adorneth herself
15. I know thy works, that thou art neither
cold nor hot : I would thou wert cold or hot.
16. So then, because thou art lukewarm, and
neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of my
mouth ;
17. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and in-
creased with goods, and have need of nothing;
and knowest not that thou art wretched, and mis-
erable, and poor, and blind, and naked.
18. I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in
the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white
raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that
the shame of thy nakedness do not appear ; and
anoint thine eyes with eye-salve, that thou mayest
see.
19. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten :
be zealous, therefore, and repent.
20. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock. If
any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will
come in to him, and will sup with him, and he
with me.
21. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit
with me in my throne, even as I also overcame
and am set down with my Father in his throne.
22. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the
Spirit saith unto the churches.
with her jewels." There is a " garment of praise," a " cloth-
ing of humility," a " mantle of charity ; " but fairest and
richest in this heavenly wardrobe is the " robe of righteous-
ness," — fine linen, white and clean. The illuminating grace
of the Holy Spirit, enlightening the understanding to discern
the truth and to see God, is the anointing of the eyes.
All these precious gifts are to be found in Christ without
money and without price : yea, he even urges them upon us,
coming to the door of our hearts laden with every blessing,
and knocking, that he may acquaint us with his presence ; and
calling, that he may obtain a welcome for his mercy. But if,
in our pride and self-sufficiency, we neglect his grace, though
we fancy ourselves secure and satisfied, we shall awake at last
to realize that we are bankrupt in character, in hope, and in
happiness, and shall go into eternity naked and desolate.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 117, 147, 156.
God, whose mercy is from everlasting to ever-
lasting ! we bless thee for thy loving-kindness to
us in the abounding gifts of thy providence and
grace ; but, above all, for the gift of thy Son, our
Mediator, who standeth between us and our just
condemnation as the bow that is in the cloud in
the day of rain. May he be our righteousness
and our peace ! Deliver us from self-righteous-
ness, from formalism, from worldliness, from having
a name to live when we are dead.
We thank thee for this holy day ; for its hours
of rest, and for its means of grace. Quicken thy
Church, Lord ! to a higher life in thyself. Has-
ten that blessed time when thy kingdom shall have
come, and all shall know thee, from the least even
to the greatest ; when the knowledge of thy glory
shall cover the earth as the waters cover the sea.
And, to that end, prosper the missionary work of
thy Church. Pour out more and more upon thy
people the spirit of grace and supplication, the
spirit of zeal and devotion, the spirit of holy fear
and Christian love.
To thee, heavenly Father, we commend ourselves
this night. thou Good Shepherd ! watch over
us, the sheep of thy pasture. Holy Ghost, the
Comforter ! hallow our thoughts, and comfort our
hearts. Thou in whom all families are blessed, bless
thou our kindred and friends. May all who are
united to us be with us united to thee ; be with us
presented by thee in the presence of thy Father
with exceeding joy ! And to the Father, the Son,
and the Holy Ghost, be glory everlasting. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
387
MONDAY.
2 Kings V. — 1. Now Naaman, captain of the
host of the king of Syria, was a great man with
his master, and honorable, because by him the
Lord had given deliverance unto Syria : he was
also a mighty man in valor ; but he was a leper.
2. And the Syrians had gone out by companies,
and had brought away captive out of the land of Is-
rael a little maid ; and she waited on Naaman's wife.
3. And she said unto her mistress, Would God
my lord were with the prophet that is in Samaria !
for he would recover him of his leprosy.
4. And one went in, and told his lord, saying,
Thus and thus said the maid that is of the land of
Israel.
5. And the king of Syria said, Go to, go, and I
will send a letter unto the king of Israel. And
he departed, and took with him ten talents of sil-
ver, and six thousand pieces of gold, and ten
changes of raiment.
6. And he brought the letter to the king of Is-
rael, saying, Now, when this letter is come unto
thee, behold, I have therewith sent Naaman my
servant to thee, that tbou mayest recover him of
his leprosy.
7. And it came to pass, when the king of Israel
had read the letter, that he rent his clothes, and
said, Am I God, to kill and to make alive, that
this man doth send unto me to recover a man of his
leprosy ? Wherefore consider, I pray you, and see
how he seeketh a quarrel against me.
No one who has looked upon the rivers of Damascus can
wonder that Naaman despised the turbid Jordan in compari-
son with their sparkling clearness. It is these that have re-
deemed from the desert that " vast island of verdure, — walnuts
and apricots waving above, corn and grass below," — which
makes the first view of Damascus the most fairy scene in all
the East. The kingdom of Syria, lying to the north and east
of Israel, was a troublesome neighbor. There were frequent
forrays over the border, in which captives were seized for slave-
ry ; and so it came to pass that a little maid of Israel, who
knew the fame of her country's prophet, became the messenger
of mercy to the great Syrian captain. She pitied those who
had done her wrong, and wished to return good for evil. The
pride of Naaman's heart needed to be cured quite as much as
the leprosy of his body ; and it was to this that the prophet
8. And it was so, when Elisha the man of God
had heard that the king of Israel had rent his
clothes, that he sent to the king, saying, Where-
fore hast thou rent thy clothes ? let him come now
to me, and he shall know that there is a prophet
in Israel.
9. So Naaman came with his horses and with his
chariot, and stood at the door of the house of Elisha.
10. And Elisha sent a messenger unto him, say-
ing, Go and wash in Jordan seven times, and thy
flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be
clean.
11. But Naaman was wroth, and went away,
and said, Behold, I thought, He will surely come
out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the
Lord his God, and strike his hand over the place,
and recover the leper.
12. Are not Abana and Pharpar, rivers of Da-
mascus, better than all the waters of Israel ? may
I not wash in them, and be clean ? So he turned,
and went away in a rage.
13. And his servants came near, and spake unto
him, and said, My father, if the prophet had bid
thee do some great thing, wouldest thou not have
done it? how much rather, then, when he saith to
thee, Wash, and be clean ?
14. Then went he down, and dipped himself
seven times in Jordan, according to the saying of
the man of God ; and his flesh came again like
unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.
directed his prescription. The healing was not to be had for
money, rank, power ; it must come by faith : and for this
there must first be a humble mind. At every step of the pro-
cess, the means were adapted to humble the haughty dicta-
torial captain of the host. A captive maid-servant told him
of Elisha. When he stood with his chariot at the prophet's
door, Elisha did not even come out to see him, but sent a ser-
vant ; and his own servants brought him to reason. Seven
times, too, he must wash in Jordan ; but, when he was will-
ing to do that, he was made clean. How many fail of the
healing, cleansing virtue of the gospel, solely through their
own pride ! They would gladly do some great thing in the
way of gift or sacrifice to purchase salvation ; but this can
be had only by those who come to Christ in the spirit of a
little child.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 171, 195.
Our voice shalt thou hear in the morning,
Lord ! in the morning will we direct our prayer
unto thee, and will look up. Oh ! lead us this day
in thy righteousness ; make thy way straight before
our face. Keep us from self-dependence, from
pride, self-will, and presumption. Plant in our
hearts thy holy fear ; and may we show such meek-
ness and gentleness and humility as become the
true followers of Christ !
While diligent in business, may we have grace
to be fervent in spirit, serving the Lord ! May we
not be conformed to this world, but transformed by
the renewing of our minds, that we may prove
what is that good and acceptable and perfect will
of God ! In the spirit of little children may we
love and serve Him who came into the world to
save sinners ! And, oh ! may the world be saved ;
may all men come to Christ ; may peace reign on
earth, and goodwill bind all hearts together for
the glory of God ! And to the Father, Son, and
Holy Spirit, be honor and praise throughout all
ages. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
TUESDAY.
Romans xiv. — 1. Him that is weak in the
faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.
2. For one believeth that he may eat all things;
another, who is weak, eateth herbs.
3. Let not him that eateth despise him that
eateth not; and let not him which eateth not
judge him that eateth ; for God hath received
him.
4. Who art thou that judgest another man's ser-
vant? To his own master he standeth or falleth:
yea, he shall be holden up ; for God is able to make
him stand.
5. One man esteemeth one day above another ;
another esteemeth every day alike. Let every
man be fully persuaded in his own mind.
6. He that regardeth the day regardeth it unto
the Lord ; and he that regardeth not the day, to
the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth,
eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks ; and
he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and
giveth God thanks.
7. For none of us liveth to himself, and no man
dieth to' himself.
8. For whether we live, we live unto the Lord ;
and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: wheth-
er we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's.
9. For to this end Christ both died and rose
and revived, that he might be Lord both of the
dead and living.
10. But why dost thou judge thy brother ? or
why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we
shall all stand before the judgment-seat of Christ.
11. For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord,
every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue
shall confess to God.
12. So, then, every one of us shall give account
of himself to God.
13. Let us not, therefore, judge one another any
more ; but judge this rather, that no man put a
stumbling-block or an occasion to fall in his
brother's way.
14. I know, and am persuaded by the Lord
Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself; but
to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to
him it is unclean.
15. But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat,
now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not
him with thy meat for whom Christ died.
16. Let not, then, your good be evil spoken of;
17. For the kingdom of God is not meat and
drink, but righteousness and peace, and joy in the
Holy Ghost.
Had the principles of this lesson been always observed, the
spirit of sect could never have arisen in the Church. The
first broad principle here laid down is, that, in all details of the
Christian faith and life, every man must be allowed to act ac-
cording to what he himself regards as the will of God. The
second principle is, that, since Christ is the Judge to whom
every one must give account of himself, there should be no
tribunal in the Church for enforcing uniformity in matters of
belief, worship, and life. The third principle is, that inasmuch
as to each individual his own conscience must be the rule, and
to violate that would bring him under condemnation, his con-
scientious scruples should be respected even by those who dif-
fer from him in views of duty or of expediency. The fourth
principle is, that Christian fellowship is to be accorded upon
the basis of devotion to Christ, and not of conformity in de-
tails of Christian conduct. And a fifth principle is, that even
those whose faith is weak through ignorance or prejudice
should be received to fellowship, not with a view to proselyting
them to a certain set of opinions, or course of action, but in
order to strengthen their faith and zeal in the service of
Christ.
In the primitive churches, disputes arose touching the law-
fulness of eating meats offered to idols : the Jew thought this
an abomination ; the weaker Gentile might be betrayed by it
into idolatry ; the more enlightened and liberal could do this
with impunity. Paul advises mutual forbearance in such
matters. The same principle applied to the observance of the
Jewish sacred days. Liberty of conscience, mutual respect
and good-will, maintained in the love of Christ, will give a
peaceable solution of all such questions.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 53, 63.
God ! we pray thee, make thy strength perfect
in our weakness. In the trials and conflicts of life,
in its perils and temptations, be thou ever nigh to
counsel, uphold, direct, and comfort us. May we
set our hearts supremely upon our duties to thee,
and never fear what man can do unto us !
We beseech thee to regard us as a family, and
constrain us by thy Spirit to walk in the narrow
way. Help us to rely on thy promises, and obey
thy commands. May the Holy Comforter guide
us into all truth, sanctify us for every duty, sustain
us under every trial ! May Christ be in our hearts
the hope of glory !
We commend unto thy fatherly mercy all classes
and conditions of men: more especially do we
pray for the poor, the sick, the widow, the orphan,
and all in any trouble or sorrow.
May all who are weary and heavy-laden come to
Jesus, and find rest! May thy heralds be multi-
plied until the world shall hear and obey thy truth !
and, according to thy promise, pour out thy Spirit
upon all flesh, that all may be saved.
Lord ! we commend ourselves and all our
concerns to thy gracious care. Keep us to-day
from every snare of sin and of the Wicked One.
Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from
evil ; and whether we eat or drink, or whatever
we do, may we do all to the glory of God ! And
we will ascribe all praise to the Father, the Son
and the Holy Spirit, for ever and ever. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
WEDNESDAY.
Daniel V. — 17. Then Daniel answered and said
before the king, Let thy gifts be to thyself, and
give thy rewards to another ; yet I will read the
writing unto the king, and make known to him the
interpretation.
18. O thou king ! the most high God gave
Nebuchadnezzar thy father a kingdom, and ma-
jesty and glory and honor ;
19. And, for the majesty that he gave him, all
people, nations, and languages trembled and
feared before him : whom he would he slew, and
whom he would he kept alive ; and whom he would
he set up, and whom he would he put down.
20. But when his heart was lifted up, and his
mind hardened in pride, he was deposed from his
kingly throne, and they took his glory from him ;
21. And he was driven from the sons of men ;
and his heart was made like the beasts, and his
dwelling was with the wild asses ; they fed him
with grass like oxen, and his body was wet with
the dew of heaven ; till he knew that the most
high God ruled in the kingdom of men, and that
he appointeth over it whomsoever he will,
22.
And thou his son, Belshazzar! hast not
humbled thine heart, though thou knewest all this,
23. But hast lifted up thyself against the Lord
of heaven ; and they have brought the vessels of
The ten tribes of the kingdom of Israel were carried into
captivity by the king of Assyria about 730 B.C., and were
settled in a fertile district of Media. They never returned to
Palestine, and all definite trace of them has been lost. A
century and a half later, the kingdom of Judah was con-
quered by Nebuchadnezzar, and Jerusalem taken and burnt.
The bulk of the Jews had already been carried as captives to
Babylon. Among these was Daniel, a youth of personal
beauty, of promising gifts, and of rare purity of character.
He early developed the faculty of prophetic insight; and, hav-
ing interpreted a dream of Nebuchadnezzar, — in which four
kingdoms were represented in a great image of gold, silver,
brass, iron, and clay, — he was honored with gifts, and made
ruler over the whole province of Babylon. The death of
Nebuchadnezzar threw Daniel into the background, until the
incident described in the text again brought him forward.
Belshazzar, who was probably a grandson of Nebuchadnez-
his house before thee, and thou and thy lords, thy
wives and thy concubines, have drunk wine in
them ; and thou hast praised the gods of silver
and gold, of brass, iron, wood, and stone, which
see not, nor hear, nor know ; and the God in whose
hand thy breath is, and whose are all thy ways,
hast thou not glorified.
24. Then was the part of the hand sent from
him ; and this writing was written.
25. And this is the writing that was written :
MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN.
26. This is the interpretation of the thing:
MENE, God hath numbered thy kingdom, and
finished it.
27. TEKEL, Thou art weighed in the bal-
ances, and art found wanting.
28. PERES, Thy kingdom is divided, and
given to the Medes and Persians.
29. Then commanded Belshazzar, and they
clothed Daniel with scarlet, and put a chain of
gold about Lis neck, and made a proclamation con-
cerning him, that he should be the third ruler in
the kingdom.
30. In that night was Belshazzar the king of
the Chaldeans slain.
31. And Darius the Median took the kingdom,
being about threescore and two years old.
zar, was given to sensuality. In one of his impious revels, he
caused the vessels which had been brought from the temple at
Jerusalem to be used as wine-cups. At that moment there
appeared upon the wall the shadow of a man's hand tracing
mysterious characters. In terror the king summoned his
soothsayers ; but they could not interpret the writing. The
queen sent for Daniel, and he read Belshazzar's doom. Ac-
cording to history, Babylon was taken by stratagem in the
night, when the king and court, suspecting no danger, were in
the midst of a boisterous festival : the army of Cyrus marched
in by draining the channel of the river which ran through the
heart of Babylon. Thus was fulfilled the prophecy of Jere-
miah : " One post shall run to meet another, and one mes-
senger to meet another, to show the king of Babylon that
his city is taken at one end. Behold, the spoiler is come
upon her, even upon Babylon ; and her mighty men are
taken."
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 7, 22, 70.
Just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints.
Who shall not fear thee, Lord ! and glorify thy
name ? We confess our sins of thought, word, and
action ; our sins against light and privilege, and
providence and grace. We cast ourselves upon
Him who came to seek and to save the lost. Thanks
be unto God for his unspeakable gift. Remember-
ing at what price our redemption hath been pur-
chased, we would consecrate our lives to Him who
loved us, and gave himself for us.
Bless the members of this household. May they
walk before thee with a perfect heart ! May the
young adorn the doctrine of God their Saviour in all
things ! Have mercy, Lord ! upon a world that
lieth in wickedness and in the shadow of death.
We pray for all in authority, that they may be
filled with the spirit of wisdom and integrity.
May our rulers in this land discharge their duties
in thy fear, and to the best good of the people !
Thankful for the mercies of the night, we com-
mend ourselves to thee for this day. Guide us ;
provide for us ; go before us with thy presence ;
defend us by thy grace. And now, Lord, what
wait we for ? Our hope is in thee. Prepare us
for living ; prepare us for dying. And all we ask
is for Christ's sake. Amen.
390
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
THURSDAY.
Psalm Ixxx. — 1. Give ear, Shepherd of Is-
rael ! thou that leadest Joseph like a flock ; thou
that dwellest between the eherubims, shine forth.
2. Before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manas-
seh stir up thy strength, and come and save us.
3. Turn us again, God ! and cause thy face to
shine ; and we shall he saved.
4. Lord God of hosts ! how long wilt thou be
angry against the prayer of thy people ?
5. Thou feedest them with the bread of tears,
and givest them tears to drink in great measure.
6. Thou makest us a strife unto our neighbors ;
and our enemies laugh among themselves.
7. Turn us again, God of hosts ! and cause thy
face to shine; and we shall be saved.
I Peter ii. — 13. Submit yourselves to every
ordinance of man for the Lord's
be to the king, as supreme ;
14. Or unto governors, as unto them that are
sent by him for the punishment of evil-doers, and
for the praise of them that do well.
15. For so is the will of God, that with well-
doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of fool-
ish men ;
16. As free, and not using your liberty for a
cloak of maliciousness, but as the servants of
God.
sake ; whether it
Fear
17. Honor all men. Love the brotherhood.
God. Honor the king.
18. Servants, be subject to your masters with all
fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to
the froward.
19. For this is thank-worthy, if a man for con-
science toward God endure grief, suffering wrong-
fully.
20. For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted
for your faults, ye shall take it patiently ? but if,
when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it pa-
tiently, this is acceptable with God.
21. For even hereunto were ye called ; because
Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example,
that ye should follow his steps ;
22. Who did no sin, neither was guile found in
his mouth ;
23. Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again - r
when he suffered he threatened not, but commit-
ted himself to him that judgeth righteously;
24. Who his own self bare our sins in his own
body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should
live unto righteousness ; by whose stripes ye were
healed.
25. For ye were as sheep going astray, but are
now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of
your souls.
The example of Christ, the doctrine of Christ, are some-
times magnified to the exclusion of the thought of his vicari-
ous suffering ; but here both example and doctrine are made
to hinge upon the fact, the manner, the purpose, of his suf-
fering. That Christ suffered, that he suffered for us, that he
suffered for our sins, — this is made the lesson of his gospel,
this the example that we should follow in his steps. That he
suffered to destroy sin should make sin hateful to us ; should
move us by this great argument to become dead to sin, as
being ourselves crucified to it. That he, in giving himself for
Appropriate Hymns,]
us, meekly bore the revilings of men, should move us to gen-
tleness and forbearance under provocation. That he patiently
drank the cup which his Father gave him to drink should
move us to bear patiently all that God appoints for us. Even
the redemption that Christ has purchased for us should not
betray us into a too free and forward manner of life ; but, in
every position, we should show the largeness of Christian
liberty by the largeness of self-sacrifice to the glory of God
and the good of man.
[Nos. 116, 117, 147.
Thou holy and blessed Son of God, who for our
sakes didst endure such contradiction of sinners
against thyself, grant us, we pray thee, the spirit
of meekness and patience under injury, and of for-
giveness toward all who do us wrong. How often
have we grieved and offended thee ! Have mercy
upon us, we beseech thee, and teach us to be merci-
ful unto all men ! May we be followers of thee,
doing good as we find opportunity.
Heavenly Father, we bless thee for thy loving-
kindness toward us, so free, so constant, so abound-
ing. We would show forth thy loving-kindness
in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night.
Oh ! grant, that, walking in love, we may be the
children of our Father in heaven.
[May the children of this family set thy love
before them as their chief portion in life, and
make thy Word their guide ! May they always
speak the truth, and grow up free from guile !
Prayer.
May they hear the voice of Jesus, and follow
him !] Be gracious, O Lord ! to all our kindred.
Visit thy Church with thy salvation. Inspire thy
people with a readiness to testify of thy love, and
to invite others to thy grace. May we behold
even greater fruits of thy coming than were seen
by thine own apostles! Open thou the, windows
of heaven, and cause thy glory to shine forth,
that all the ends of the earth shall acknowledge
thee.
God, whose blessed Son was manifested that
he might destroy the works of the Devil ! grant
us, we beseech thee, that, having this hope, we may
purify ourselves even as he is pure ; that, when he
shall appear again with power and great glory, we
may be made like unto him in his eternal and glo-
rious kingdom ; where with thee, Father ! and
thee, Holy Ghost ! he liveth and reigneth, ever
one God, world without end. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
391
FRIDAY.
Luke XI. — 37. And, as he spake, a certain
Pharisee besought him to dine with him ; and he
went in, and sat down to meat.
38. And, when the Pharisee saw it, he mar-
velled that he had not first washed before dinner.
39. And the Lord said unto him, Now do ye
Pharisees make clean the outside of the cup and
the platter ; but your inward part is full of rav-
ening and wickedness.
40. Ye fools ! did not he that made that which is
without make that which is within also ?
41. But rather give alms of such things as ye
have ; and, behold, all things are clean unto you.
42. But woe unto you, Pharisees ! for ye tithe
mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass
over judgment and the love of God: these ought
ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.
43. Woe unto you, Pharisees ! for ye love the
uppermost seats in the synagogues, and greetings
in the markets.
44. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypo-
crites ! for ye are as graves which appear not, and
the men that walk over them are not aware of them.
45. Then answered one of the lawyers, and said
unto him, Master, thus saying, thou reproachest
us also.
46. And he said, Woe unto you also, ye lawyers !
for ye lade men with burdens grievous to be borne,
and ye yourselves touch not the burdens with one
of your fingers.
Matthew xxiii. — 29. Woe unto you, scribes and
Pharisees, hypocrites ! because ye build the tombs
of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the
righteous,
30. And say, If we had been in the days of our
fathers, we would not have been partakers with
them in the blood of the prophets.
31. Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves
that ye are the children of them which killed the
prophets.
32. Fill ye up, then, the measure of your fathers.
33. Ye serpents ! ye generation of vipers ! how
can ye escape the damnation of hell ?
37. Jerusalem, Jerusalem, • thou that killest
the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto
thee ! how often would I have gathered thy chil-
dren together even as a hen gathereth her chickens
under her wings, and ye would not !
38. Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.
39. For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me
henceforth till ye shall say, Blessed is he that
cometh in the name of the Lord.
It may seem that this style of address was discourteous from
a guest toward the host and his company. But a prophet
was always a privileged character ; and there was no doubt a
gravity and a pathos in the tones of our Lord that relieved
the seeming harshness of his speech. Moreover, as Alford has
well observed, " the intentions of the Pharisees towards him
were not so friendly as these invitations seem to imply. They
were given mostly from deference to popular opinion, and
from no love to him, — sometimes even with a directly hostile
object ; and his solemn work of reproof and teaching was
never suspended out of mere compliment." Jesus never de-
parted from the law of true kindness ; and here, in reproving
hypocrisy, he sought to redeem religion from reproach, to
save his hearers from delusion, and to set all men upon search-
ing their hearts and lives for that which is truly acceptable to
God. No forms of righteousness, no outward charities, no
cherishing of sacred names, places, and traditions, can com-
pensate for the want of a sincere, humble, loving devotion to
God. He who opened his ministry with benedictions upon the
poor, the humble, the penitent, closed it with denunciations
upon the rapacious, the proud, the hypocritical. That the
meek and gentle Jesus was thus searching and severe in his
tests of character should warn us against vague expectations
of mercy at the last, if our " inward part " is not cleansed by
his grace for the daily life.
To crown their hypocrisy, the Pharisees boasted their su-
periority in virtue to their fathers, while they reproduced their
crimes. They were ready to build monuments to prophets
whom their fathers had put to death for their fidelity, yet were
at that moment thirsting for the blood of Christ !
Yet, in the midst of so deserved indignation, pity rules in
the heart of the Son of man. He yearns over Jerusalem,
which shall soon take upon herself the guilt of his death.
Fain would he still deliver her from the calamity which her
sins have brought upon her. No feeling of personal resent-
ment blends with his condemnation of her sins ; no hope of
personal escape blends with his desire for her rescue. Nay,
he is ready to lay down his life that even his enemies might
be saved.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 171, 182, 187.
Just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints.
Who shall not fear thee, O Lord ! and glorify thy
name ? We confess our sins of thought, word, and
action ; our sins against light and privilege, and
providence and grace. We cast ourselves upon
Him who came to seek and to save the lost. Thanks
be unto God for his unspeakable gift. Bemember-
ing at what price our redemption hath been pur-
chased, we would consecrate our lives to Him who
loved us, and gave himself for us.
Bless the members of this household. May they
walk before thee with a perfect heart ! May the
young adorn the doctrine of God their Saviour in all
things ! Have mercy, Lord ! upon a world that
lieth in wickedness and in the shadow of death.
Thankful for the mercies of the night, we com-
mend ourselves to thee for this day. Guide us ;
provide for us ; go before us with thy presence ;
defend us by thy grace. And now, Lord, what
wait we for? Our hope is in thee. Prepare us
for living ; prepare us for dying. And all we ask
is for Christ's sake. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
SATURDAY.
Psalm ciii. — 1. Bless the Lord, my soul!
and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
2. Bless the Lord, my soul ! and forget not all
his benefits ;
3. Who forgiveth all thine iniquities ; who heal-
eth all thy diseases;
4. Who redeemeth thy life from destruction ;
who crowneth thee with loving-kindness and ten-
der mercies ;
5. Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things,
so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.
6. The Lord executeth righteousness and judg-
ment for all that are oppressed.
7. He made known his ways unto Moses, his
acts unto the children of Israel.
8. The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to
anger, and plenteous in mercy.
9. He will not always chide ; neither will he
keep his anger forever.
10. He hath not dealt with us after our sins,
nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
11. For as the heaven is high above the earth,
so great is his mercy toward them that fear
him.
12. As far as the east is from the west, so far
hath he removed our transgressions from us.
13. Like as a father pitieth his children, so the
Lord pitieth them that fear him :
14. For he knoweth our frame ; he remembereth
that we are dust.
15. As for man, his days are as grass ; as a
flower of the field, so he flourisheth :
16. For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone ;
and the place thereof shall know it no more.
17. But the mercy of the Lord is from ever-
lasting to everlasting upon them that fear him,
and his righteousness unto children's children ;
18. To such as keep his covenant, and to those
that remember his commandments to do them.
19. The Lord hath prepared his throne in the
heavens ; and his kingdom ruleth over all.
20. Bless the Lord, ye his angels, that excel in
strength, that do his commandments, hearkening
unto the voice of his word.
21. Bless ye the Lord, all ye his hosts ; ye min-
isters of his, that do his pleasure.
22. Bless the Lord, all his works in all places of
his dominion ; bless the Lord, my soul !
One who has looked upon a Western prairie in June can
appreciate the allusions of the Bible to the grass and the
flower of the field. Yet the brightest gardens of California
hardly rival the grassy plains of Syria in the abundance,
variety, and brilliancy of flowers. There plain and hillside
seem carpeted for a king's palace. The bright red of the
rose ; the orange of the crocus ; the lilac thistles ; the blue
larkspur; the white, almost translucent, everlasting; the star
of Bethlehem : the yellow and scarlet poppies that everywhere
predominate ; the daisies, hyacinths, and lilies mingling with
these in richest contrasts of color ; the blood-red anemone,
seeming to run over the fields like balls of fire, — no skill
of tapestry, no artist's pencil, can picture to the eye what
Jesus looked upon when he said, " Solomon in all his glory
was not arrayed like one of these." Yet it may happen that
this gorgeous beauty will vanish like a dream ; that the gay
carpet of flowers spread before you in the morning will be
found at evening a naked, arid field, so dry and withered, that
a spark would consume it away. For, when there sweeps
over the plains of Syria the " east wind " of the Arabian
desert, this sirocco scorches as it goes : it blisters the face,
parches the skin, burns up the moisture of the eyes, makes
clothing hot to the touch, and the atmosphere like an oven ;
it fades the grass, withers the flowers, and turns the fresh
field into hay and stubble. So does man fade away in
the midst of his pride and luxuries, of his plans and
hopes.
In contrast with man's weak and perishable frame appears
the mercy of the Lord, — a mercy that has provided comfort for
man's feebleness, solace for his troubles, pardon for his sins ;
and for all who will commit themselves in humble, holy fear,
everlasting peace and joy. Oh that our souls might rise to
more worthy praise of this constant, this tender, this unfailing
love!
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 22, 38, 142.
Blessed be God, the Father of all mercies, for
the mercies of the past night ; for shelter, safety,
comfort, rest, and peace. How precious are thy
thoughts unto us, God ! how great is the sum of
them! When we awake, we are still with thee.
So would our hearts rise to thee, Lord ! with the
morning light, with the incense of prayer and
praise ; yea, we would present our bodies unto
thee a living sacrifice. May this, our reason-
able service, be made holy through the blood of
Jesus, and acceptable through the Spirit of all
grace ! May the Holy Spirit descend and rest
upon us, making our home and our hearts the
abode of peace !
[Grant, Father! we beseech thee, that the
children of this family may share the mercies of thy
covenant, and taste the sweetness of thy grace. In
the morning of life may they seek thee, and find their
chief pleasure in keeping thy commandments !]
Help us this day to live unto thee, and in all
our works and ways to do that which is well pleas-
ing in thy sight. Prosper the labor of our hands,
our studies, our various callings ; bless to us the
means of knowledge and improvement ; make us
thoughtful of others, considerate of the poor and
afflicted, wise and ready unto every good word
and work. We commend unto thee our kindred and
friends, beseeching thee to grant them the promise
of the life that now is ; and in the world to come,
life everlasting. We pray for thy holy Church uni-
versal, for the coming of light, peace, and salvation
in all the earth, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
SUNDAY MORNING.
Job xxix. — 1. Moreover, Job continued his
parable, and said,
2. Oli that I were as in months past, as in the
days token God preserved me ;
3. When his candle shined upon my head, and
when by his light I walked through darkness ;
4. As I was in the days of my youth, when the
secret of God was upon my tabernacle ;
5. When the Almighty was yet with me, when
my children were about me !
11. When the ear heard me, then it blessed me ;
and, when the eye saw me, it gave witness to me ;
12. Because I delivered the poor that cried, and
the fatherless, and him that had none to help
him.
13. The blessing of him that was ready to
perish came upon me ; and I caused the widow's
heart to sing for joy.
14. I put on righteousness, and it clothed me :
my judgment was as a robe and a diadem.
15. I was eyes to the blind, and feet was I to
the lame.
16. I was a father to the poor ; and the cause
which I knew not I searched out.
2 Corinthians viii. — 1. Moreover, brethren, we
do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on
the churches of Macedonia ;
2. How that, in a great trial of affliction, the
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ in giving himself for
our redemption is here made the argument for our liberality
to the poor among his disciples, and to all who are in want.
But when was he "rich"'? Born in a manger, of a lowly
virgin, brought up in the humble home of a village carpenter,
in mature life the companion of the poor, not having where
to lay his head, Jesus, in his earthly life, had none of those
things that make men rich. If we look upon him simply
under the conditions of his humanity, there was no contrast
in his circumstances at different periods of his life, no relin-
quishment of earthly riches for earthly poverty, that could
justify this appeal to his example. The Lord Jesus was rich
in the glory which he had with the Father before the world
was ; rich in his equality with God, the manifestation of
abundance of their joy, and their deep poverty,
abounded unto the riches of their liberality.
3. For to their power I bear record, yea, and
beyond their power, they were willing of them-
selves ;
4. Praying us with much entreaty, that we
would receive the gift, and take upon us the fel-
lowship of the ministering to the saints.
7. Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in
faith and utterance and knowledge, and in all dili-
gence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound
in this grace also.
8. I speak not by commandment, but by occa-
sion of the forwardness of others, and to prove' the
sincerity of your love.
9. For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus
Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes
he became poor, that ye through his poverty might
be rich.
10. And herein I give my advice ; for this is
expedient for you, who have begun before, not only
to do, but also to be forward a year ago.
11. Now, therefore, perform the doing of it;
that as there was a readiness to will, so there may
be a performance also out of that which ye have.
12. For, if there be first a willing mind, it is
accepted according to that a man hath, and not ac-
cording to that he hath not.
which he laid aside when he came into our world. In leaving
the bosom of the Father to become like one of us, he aban-
doned the highest riches for the deepest poverty. This he did
of his own will. He became poor by freely assuming our
nature ; and he did it for our sakes, that, through his humil-
iation, we might be exalted to share his glory. This won-
drous grace of Christ is the appeal to our hearts to be forward
to relieve the necessities of others by denying ourselves. The
churches of Macedonia, though poor, were thus forward to
minister to the saints at Jerusalem who were suffering from
famine ; and in this they found the joy of Hiin who had said,
" It is more blessed to give than to receive." To be liberal
and self-sacrificing is to be like Christ.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 173, 177, 183.
Lord, the Giver of life ! thou hast created us ;
thou hast redeemed us ; thou hast preserved us ;
of thee, and through thee, and to thee, are all
things ; and to thee be glory and praise forever.
Above all do we praise and adore thee for thy
mercy in Jesus Christ our Saviour. Oh ! do thou
for his sake take away our sins, which with one
accord we now confess before thee ; and sanctify
our hearts by thy truth and thy Spirit. Bless to
us the reading and hearing of thy Word, the wor-
ship and order of thy house; bless the assemblies
of thy people, the communion of thy saints, the
instruction of children, the visiting and teaching
of thy servants among the poor, by the wayside,
and from house to house. Command thy blessing
upon Zion, even life forevermore.
As a family we consecrate ourselves to thee, our
Father in heaven ; giving thanks to thee for such
a home, for such love and peace and prosperity, as
it is ours to enjoy. We bless thee for the memory
of the good who have gone before us, and for the
hope of immortality brought nigh to us in the
gospel. May we so improve these earthly sab-
baths, that by thy grace we shall come unto the
fruition of this blessed hope with the spirits of just
men made perfect in heaven, through Him who
died and rose again! — to whom, with thee and
the Holy Spirit, be all honor and glory. Amen.
394
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
SUNDAY EVENING.
Psalm cxii. — 1. Praise ye the Lord. Blessed
is the man that feareth the Lord, that delighteth
greatly in his commandments.
2. His seed shall be mighty upon earth : the
generation of the upright shall be blessed.
3. Wealth and riches shall be in his house ; and
his righteousness endureth forever.
4. Unto the upright there ariseth light in the
darkness : he is gracious, and full of compassion,
and righteous.
5. A good man showeth favor, and lendeth : he
will guide his affairs with discretion.
6. Surely he shall not be moved forever: the
righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance.
7. He shall not be afraid of evil tidings : his
heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord.
8. His heart is established, be shall not be
afraid, until he see his desire upon his enemies.
9. He hath dispersed, he hath given to the
poor ; his righteousness endureth forever ; his horn
shall be exalted with honor.
Romans xv. — 1. We then that are strong ought
to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to
please ourselves.
2. Let every one of us please his neighbor for
his good to edification.
3. For even Christ pleased not himself; but as
it is written, The reproaches of them that re-
proached thee fell on me.
4. For whatsoever things were written aforetime
were written for our learning, that we through
patience, and comfort of the scriptures, might
have hope.
5. Now the God of patience and consolation
grant you to be like-minded one toward another
according to Christ Jesus ;
6. That ye may with one mind and one mouth
glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ,
7. Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ
also received us to the glory of God.
8. Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister
of the circumcision for the truth of God, to con-
firm the promises made unto the fathers ;
9. And that the Gentiles might glorify God for
his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will
confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto
thy name.
10. And again he saith, Rejoice, ye Gentiles,
with his people.
11. And again, Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles ;
and laud him, all ye people.
12. And again Esaias saith, There shall be a
root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over
the Gentiles : in him shall the Gentiles trust.
13. Now the God of hope fill you with all joy
and peace in believing, that ye may abound in
hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
The God of patience, the God of consolation, the God of
hope, — what precious names are these in the ear of a sinning,
sorrowing world ! The Christians of Rome, to whom this epis-
tle was addressed, were familiar with divinities of every form
and name, to each of which, in turn, the worshipper must
resort for the particular benefit which each was supposed to
impart. This necessity of going to one god for one thing,
and to another for another, made the pagan worship burden-
some, costly, and unsatisfying. But, without resorting to any
temple, the Christian can look up in prayer to the one God,
the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and obtain from him
peace, patience, consolation, hope, joy, — all that the heart
needs, — in the one comprehensive gift of the Holy Ghost. The
secret of obtaining these many and various blessings is not in
finding the right place of prayer, the true shrine of the Divin-
ity, but in having in our own hearts the spirit of Christ.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 37, 50, 56.
Almighty God, from whom all good things do
come, we thank and praise thee for the mercies of
this holy day. Make our hearts so deeply thankful
for its many blessings, that we shall be ready to
devote ourselves afresh — body, soul, and spirit —
to thy service through the coming week.
Give unto us, God ! more of the mind which
was in Christ Jesus. May we esteem others bet-
ter than ourselves ! Teach us to pity and to help
all who are in want and sorrow. May we show
that we are Christians, not in name only, but in
deed and truth ! and, by our holy and blameless
lives, may we adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour
in all things ! May thy truth make us free !
Almighty Father, teach us to imitate thy love,
that we may be sanctified in heart and life, fitted
to serve thee here, and to dwell with thee here-
after. May we be temples of the Holy Ghost, and
be sealed by him unto the day of redemption !
May his gracious teaching enlighten us, and his
holy comfort cheer and refresh our souls ! May no
cherished sin grieve this blessed Spirit, or quench
the flame of love which he would kindle within us !
Bless, Lord ! thy Church with light and peace.
Bless our government and our country. Make us
a nation fearing thee and working righteousness.
Be gracious to all our dear friends and relatives,
and guide their feet into the way of holiness.
Bring nigh any who may be yet far from thee.
Stablish, strengthen, and settle those who know
and love thee.
Hear, Lord ! we beseech thee, these our sup-
plications. Pardon for thy mercy's sake all our
iniquities, and do for us exceeding abundantly above
all that we ask or think, for the sake of Jesus Christ,
our most blessed Lord and Saviour. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
395
MONDAY.
Psalm xcvi. — 1. Oh ! sing unto the Lord a new
song ; sing unto the Lord, all the earth.
2. Sing unto the Lord; bless his name; show
forth his salvation from day to day.
3. Declare his glory among the heathen, his
wonders among all people.
4. For the Lord is great, and greatly to be
praised : he is to be feared above all gods.
5. For all the gods of the nations are idols ; but
the Lord made the heavens.
6. Honor and majesty are before him ; strength
and beauty are in his sanctuary.
7. Give unto the Lord, ye kindreds of the
people ! give unto the Lord glory and strength.
8. Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his
name ; bring an offering, and come into his courts.
9. Oh ! worship the Lord in the beauty of holi-
ness ; fear before him, all the earth.
10. Say among the heathen that the Lord
reigneth : the world also shall be established that
it shall not be moved : he shall judge the people
righteously.
11. Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth
be glad ; let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof.
12. Let the field be joyful, and all that is there-
in: then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice
13. Before the Lord; for he cometh, for he
cometh, to judge the earth : he shall judge the
world with righteousness, and the people with his
truth.
Psalm xcvii. — 1. The Lord reigneth: let the
earth rejoice ; let the multitude of isles be glad
thereof.
2. Clouds and darkness are round about him;
righteousness and judgment are the habitation of
his throne.
3. A fire goeth before him, and burneth up his
enemies round about.
4. His lightnings enlightened the world: the
earth saw, and trembled.
5. The hills melted like wax at the presence of
the Lord, at the presence of the Lord of the whole
earth.
6. The heavens declare his righteousness, and
all the people see his glory.
7. Confounded be all they that serve graven im-
ages, that boast themselves of idols : worship him,
all ye gods.
8. Zion heard, and was glad ; and the daughters
of Judah rejoiced because of thy judgments,
Lord!
9. For thou, Lord, art high above all the earth ;
thou art exalted far above all gods.
10. Ye that love the Lord, hate evil : he pre-
serveth the souls of his saints ; he delivereth them
out of the hand of the wicked.
11. Light is sown for the righteous, and glad-
ness for the upright in heart.
12. Rejoice in the Lord, ye righteous ; and give
thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.
To appreciate the force and beauty of these psalms, we
should bear in mind, that, at the date of their composition, the
Jews were surrounded with idolatrous nations, some of which
— as Phoenicia, Egypt, and Assyria — were foremost in the arts
and industries of a material civilization. These nations wor-
shipped under various names and forms the powers of Na-
ture, both the beneficent and the terrible : every district of the
country, every season of the year, every interest of life, was
under the direction of some particular god ; and each circle
of gods had its superior divinity. Yet the poet of the small
and isolated Hebrew nation pours contempt upon all these
gods and their worshippers. He sets up Jehovah as alone
worthy to be praised, and represents Nature and all her phe-
nomena as but the expression of the power and the will of the
Lord. The great naturalist, Humboldt, remarked this strik-
Appropriate Hymns,]
Lord God! our fathers trusted in thee, and
were not ashamed ; and in thy love we would con-
fide for ever and ever. In health and in sickness,
in hope and in sorrow, in enjoyment and in suffer-
ing, we would look up to the hills, whence cometh
our help ; and we pray that we may have the per-
fect peace of those whose minds are stayed upon
the Lord.
We thank thee for the mercies of another night,
and for the goodness thou hast provided with the
opening day. The sun has spread its light over
the world; the earth is bringing forth renewed
ing characteristic of the poetry of the Hebrews, — that, " as
a reflex of Monotheism, it always embraces the universe in
its unity, comprising both terrestrial life and the luminous
realms of space." The Hebrew poet does not depict Nature
as a self-dependent object, but always as in relation and sub-
jection to a higher spiritual Power. Nature is to him a work
of creation and order, — the living expression of the omnipres-
ence of the Divinity in the visible world. The psalms just
read present Jehovah in his unity, his sovereignty, his spirit-
uality, his holiness. Though all the contemporary religions
have perished, the representation of God here given has
stood the test of all the ages since ; and it addresses our moral
sense to-day with the authority of Him who is our Creator
and our Lord, and who is to be our Judge.
[Nos. 70, 88, 132.
Prayer.
supplies of good. "We bless thee, Lord ! for all
thy gifts, and pray thee to be merciful to us in our
renewed wants, and visit us with thy salvation.
Continue to us, we entreat thee, the gifts of thy
providence ; and pour upon us the blessings of thy
grace. Go forth with us, Lord ! to the engage-
ments, the trials, the duties, and the pleasures which
await us to-day. Oh ! keep us from evil and sin.
Bless all who are dear to us by any tie ; all who are
in any want, trouble, or sorrow. Deliver thy Church
in her conflicts, and hasten the final triumph of
thy kingdom, for Jesus Christ's sake. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
TUESDAY.
Matthew xxiv. — 1. And Jesus went out, and
departed from the temple ; and his disciples came
to him for to show him the buildings of the tem-
ple.
2. And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all
these things ? Verily I say unto you, There shall
not be left here one stone upon another that shall
not be thrown down.
3. And, as he sat upon the Mount of Olives, the
disciples came unto him privately, saj'ing, Tell us,
when shall these things be? and what shall be the
sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world ?
4. And Jesus answered and said unto them,
Take heed that no man deceive you.
5. For many shall come in my name, saying, I
am Christ; and shall deceive many.
6. And ye shall hear of wars, and rumors of
wars : see that ye be not troubled ; for all these
things must come to pass ; but the end is not yet.
7. For nation shall rise against nation, and
kingdom against kingdom ; and there shall be
famines and pestilences and earthquakes in divers
places.
8. All these are the beginning of sorrows.
9. Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted,
and shall kill you ; and ye shall be hated of all
nations for my name's sake.
10. And then shall many be offended, and shall
betray one another, and shall hate one another.
Paris in 1870-71 has reproduced the terrors of the siege of
Jerusalem eighteen hundred years before. A foreign foe en-
circling the city and reducing it by famine, internal factions
contending with one another more fiercely than they had
fought against the common enemy, destroying public build-
ings and monuments, defiling sacred places, massacring
the innocent, subverting public faith and confidence be-
tween man and man, and establishing a reign of terror, —
all this is a picture of woe such as our Lord beheld when
he foresaw the destruction of the Holy City. The story
of the Jewish war by Josephus, and fragments of Roman his-
tory of the same period, furnish a striking commentary
upon these words of Christ. National tumults, — one at Se-
leucia, in which more than fifty thousand Jews were killed ;
famines and pestilences, — one at Rome (A. D. 65), of which
thirty thousand died ; earthquakes, — at least six severe ones
are on record in Syria and adjacent countries between A.D.
11. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall
deceive many.
12. And, because iniquity shall abound, the love
of many shall wax cold.
13. But he that shall endure unto the end, the
same shall be saved.
14. And this gospel of the kingdom shall be
preached in all the world for a witness unto all
nations ; and then shall the end come.
15. When ye, therefore, shall see the abomina-
tion of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the pro-
phet, stand in the holy place (whoso readeth, let
him understand),
16. Then let them which be in Judaea flee into
the mountains :
17. Let him which is on the house-top not come
down to take any thing out of his house;
18. Neither let him which is in the field return
back to take his clothes.
19. And woe unto them that are with child, and
to them that give suck, in those days !
20. But pray ye that your flight be not in the
winter, neither on the sabbath day :
21. For then shall be great tribulation, such as
was not since the beginning of the world to this
time ; no, nor ever shall be.
22. And, except those days should be shortened,
there should no flesh be saved ; but, for the elect's
sake, those days shall be shortened.
46 and A.D. 67 ; persecutions both of Jews and of Christians ;
frequent rumors of war against the Jews, which terminated
in the destructive invasion of Jud*a by Titus, — these fill up
the immediate foreground of this prophetic vision. According
to Josephus, the zealots polluted the temple with their orgies.
As the dreadful siege of the city drew on, the Christians fled
to Pella beyond Jordan, and escaped the fate which overtook
their countrymen. Contrary to the commands of Titus, the
Roman soldiers, infuriated by the stubborn resistance of the
Jews, when at last they gained the temple, set fire to it, and so
defaced it, that Titus ordered it to be levelled to the ground.
Amid such catastrophes, each day must have brought to the
disciples some new conviction of the divine foreknowledge of
their Lord. But lie demanded of them, as he now demands of
us, a faith in his word that needed not such tangible evi-
dences, and a love for himself that would outlast all the com-
motions and perils of the world.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 26, 29, 34.
O Thou who didst humble thyself to be born of
a virgin, the everlasting Son of the Father, the
Prince of peace ! we bless and adore thee for thy
grace, and compassion for us sinners. Oh ! grant
us, we beseech thee, thy peace, through the forgive-
ness of sin, reconciliation with God, and the in-
dwelling of the Spirit, that we may glorify and
praise thee in our lives.
Save us, Lord ! from unbelief. Forbid that,
by indifference to the gospel of thy Son, we should,
at the last, fall under the condemnation of the
Saviour as our Judge. And grant, we pray thee,
that thy very judgments in the earth, overturning
the powers of wickedness, may open the way for
his grace to all nations. We give thee thanks for
peaceful rest. Lord, keep this household from evil.
May we love and serve Him who came into the
world to save sinners ! And, oh, may the world
be saved ! may all men come to Christ ! may peace
reign on the earth, and good-will bind all hearts to-
gether for the glory of God ! And to Father, Son,
and Holy Spirit, be all the praise. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
397
WEDNESDAY.
Matthew xxiv. — 23. Then if any man shall say
unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there, believe it
not.
24. For there shall arise false Christs and false
prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders ;
insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall de-
ceive the very elect.
25. Behold, I have told you before.
26. Wherefore, if they shall say unto you,
Behold, he is in the desert, go not forth ; be-
hold, he is in the secret chambers, believe it
not.
27. For as the lightning cometh out of the east,
and shineth even unto the west, so shall also the
coming of the Son of man be.
28. For wheresoever the carcass is, there will
the eagles be gathered together.
29. Immediately after the tribulation of those
days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon
shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from
heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be
shaken :
30. And then shall appear the sign of the Son
of man in heaven ; and then shall all the tribes of
the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man
coming in the clouds of heaven with power and
great glory.
31. And he shall send his angels with a great
sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together
his elect from the four winds, from one end of
heaven to the other.
32. Now learn a parable of the fig-tree : When
his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves,
ye know that summer is nigh :
33. So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these
things, know that it is near, even at the doors.
34. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall
not pass till all these things be fulfilled.
35. Heaven and earth shall pass away; but my
words shall not pass away.
The highly figurative language of these verses has led some
to question whether the word " generation," in verse 34, should
be limited to the men of that age. The same word is sometimes
used in the New Testament for an indefinite period ; but here
the line of thought seems to restrict it to its customary mean-
ing. Our Lord's discourse began with a reference to the de-
struction of Jerusalem. In asking when that should be, the
disciples had confounded with it Christ's final coming and the
end of the world ; and hence his answer covers this latter topic
also. But there is a marked transition from one to the other.
The first event he describes minutely, even to the open defiling
of the temple; and the counsel, that, on the appearing of that
sign, his disciples in Judaea should flee to the mountains, fixes
the time and place of the event itself.
In contrast with this precision of statement, he opens his
description of " the end of the world " by disclaiming any
knowledge of "that day and hour" (p. .398). So the previous
description holds good of the destruction of Jerusalem. Now,
this would involve the final overthrow of the temple and its
service, of the Jewish nation and its polity, of that visible king-
dom of God which Moses had constituted at Sinai. To the
mind of a Jew, no catastrophe could be more terrible, nor
could any political event have a wider influence upon the future
of mankind ; since it should be preceded by the apostolic mis-
sion to the nations at large, and followed by stupendous judg-
ments upon the persecuting powers of the pagan world. Gov-
ernments civil and ecclesiastical, orders, hierarchies, should be
shaken; the sublimity of the judgment, like that upon Paris'
in our time, should strike terror to the nations : Christ's elect
alone, under the safe conduct of his ministering angels, would
feel secure. The prophecy repeats itself. The catastrophes
of nations are judgments from the hand of Christ, — his com-
ing. Often he appears with the swiftness of the lightning,
and illumines the wide horizon with his glory ; but if we love,
trust, and serve him, we shall never fear for ourselves nor for
his cause.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 47, 56, 69.
Thou only, O Lord! makest us to dwell in
safety. We thank thee for another night of
rest and comfort ; for another day of life, health,
and hope. We praise thee that thou didst create
us with powers of knowing and of loving, and
hast made this world so full of wonders and beau-
ties to feed our minds with knowledge, and to
stir our hearts with love and joy. May the glory
of the heavens, the richness and bounty of the
earth, as adapted to our wants, fill us with admi-
ration of thy power, thy wisdom, thy goodness !
and may the voices of gladness with which all Na-
ture celebrates thy praise move our souls to bless
and praise thee also ! Lord ! may we be found
faithful to thee in the duties of this day ! and,
amid its temptations and its trials, do thou sustain
us, comfort us, keep us, and grant us grace in all
we do to seek thy glory. May this household,
which thou hast so blessed, serve thee, not at this
altar only, but in all the walks of life ! As we en-
gage in the business of the world, as we go into
society, wherever we are, and whatever we do, may
we remember thee, and do thy will ! Oh ! grant
that every member of this family may be a child
of God. Bless all dear to us who are absent from
us. Do thou, Lord ! dwell by thy Spirit in the
hearts and the minds of all our friends. We sup-
plicate thy mercy for the needy, the afflicted, the
bereaved and sorrowing.
Build up thy Church, Lord ! Fill our land
with pure religion. Bless the industry of the peo-
ple ; and may its fruit be consecrated to the good
of men ! May our rulers be faithful and just,
walking in thy fear ! And we beseech thee to
bring all lands under the power and glory of thy
kingdom. In thy great mercy, Lord ! forgive
our sins, and bring us unto thy heavenly kingdom,
through Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
THURSDAY.
Matthew xxiv. — 36. But of that day and hour
knoweth no man; no, not the angels of heaven,
but my Father only.
37. But as the days of Noe were, so shall also
the coming of the Son of man be.
38. For as, in the days that were before the
flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and
giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered
into the ark,
39. And knew not until the flood came, and
took them all away ; so shall also the coming of
the Son of man be.
40. Then shall two be in the field: the one
shall be taken, and the other left.
41. Two women shall be grinding at the mill :
the one shall be taken, and the other left.
42. Watch, therefore ; for ye know not what
hour your Lord doth come.
43. But know this, that, if the goodman
of the house had known in what watch the
thief would come, he would have watched, and
The thirty-sixth verse marks the transition from the
destruction of Jerusalem, which was the starting-point of our
Lord's discourse, to " the end of the world," which was included
by the disciples in their first question. It has been aptly said
that there is in the New Testament " a distinction between the
religious measure of time and the chronological measure of
time." The prophet might foresee events as facts, and in an
order of succession, yet not measure them off upon a scale of
years ; and, though the humiliation of the Son of man was so
nearly ended, his human consciousness might have been
veiled as to that great and notable day of which he here spoke.
Two facts only he announces, — the certainty of its coming,
and its suddenness. The element of uncertainty in death, in
the second advent of Christ, in the day of judgment, is in-
tended, not to excite the imagination to curiosity, but to
arouse the conscience to vigilance, and the heart to fidelity.
" It is the fundamental law of watchfulness to be a/.ww/s
watching." Yet the watching is not to be that of anxious
waiting, but of faithful doing. Men steeped in worldliness are
heedless of death and the judgment to come. They lose the
would not have suffered his house to be broken
up.
44. Therefore be ye also ready ; for, in such an
hour as ye think not, the Son of man cometh.
45. Who, then, is a faithful and wise servant,
whom his lord hath made ruler over his household,
to give them meat in due season ?
46. Blessed is that servant, whom his lord, when
he cometh, shall find so doing.
47. Verily I say unto you, That he shall make
him ruler over all his goods.
48. But and if that evil servant shall say in his
heart, My lord delayeth his coming ;
49. And shall begin to smite his fellow-servants,
and to eat and drink with the drunken ;
50. The lord of that servant shall come in a
day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour
that he is not aware of,
51. And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him
his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be
weeping, and gnashing of teeth.
thought of consequences, and grow reckless and unscrupu-
lous as to the methods by which they gratify their desires.
But the servant of Christ holds every thing in trust for his
Lord, and uses time, talents, means, life itself, for his glory.
Such fidelity to trust shall be rewarded with confidence and
honor from his Lord. But sad and hopeless shall be the
doom of such as waste life's opportunities, and live only for
self and sin. Here, as in the parable of the talents, not posi-
tion, nor quantity, but fidelity, is the test. Yet, the more we
have received, the more must we account for. But the law of
responsibility runs through every gradation of life. Christ
sets forth very clearly a punishment reserved for the disobe-
dient and unfaithful. It will be just and discriminating, but
certain and decisive. But, on the other hand, the reward to
fidelity is such as should incite every servant to the highest
diligence, in the spirit of love and thankfulness. Let us be
moved by love rather than by fear, looking for that tran-
scendent glory that shall be revealed when Christ shall raise
his faithful servant to sit with him in his throne.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 39, 54, 82.
God, who hast spared our lives, and brought
us to the beginning of another day ! we lift up
our hearts to thee. We thank thee for rest
during the past night ; for life preserved, and
strength renewed; and for the many tokens of
thy loving -kindness which surround us. May
we ever have true gratitude for thy mercies,
and never grieve thee by a hard and unthankful
heart !
And now, Lord! prepare us for the duties
and trials which this day may bring. What-
ever we have to do, may we do it willingly and
heartily, as unto thee, and not as unto men !
Whatever may be our besetting sins, grant that
we may know them, and watch and fight against
them.
Let not the world with its cares and vanities fill
our hearts, and so make us forget the worth of our
souls, the love of our Saviour, and the nearness of
eternity.
Lord, watch over us, and all who are dear to us,
this day. Defend our souls from the assaults of
the Wicked One, and preserve our bodies in health
and safety. May all thy wise and merciful dealings
bind us to thee, and fit us better for thy service !
May we walk in the light of thy countenance, and
know the happiness of those who have the Lord
for their God ! Finally, prepare us to depart and be
with Christ. Hear us, heavenly Father, and when
thou hearest forgive, for the sake of our Saviour ;
who, with thee and the Holy Ghost, reigneth ever-
more. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
399
FRIDAY.
Galatians vi. — 1. Brethren, if a man be over-
taken in a fault, ye which are spiritual restore
such a one in the spirit of meekness ; considering
thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
2. Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil
the law of Christ.
3. For if a man think himself to be something,
when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.
4. But let every man prove his own work, and
then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and
not in another.
5. For every man shall bear his own burden.
6. Let him that is taught in the word com-
municate unto him that teacheth in all good
things.
7. Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for
whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
8. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the
flesh reap corruption ; but he that soweth to the
Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
9. And let us not be weary in well-doing ; for
in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
10. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do
good unto all men, especially unto them who are
of the household of faith.
11. Ye see how large a letter I have written
unto you with mine own hand.
12. As many as desire to make a fair show in the
flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised ; only lest
they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ.
13. For neither they themselves who are circum-
cised keep the law, but desire to have you cir-
cumcised, that they may glory in your flesh.
14. But God forbid that I should glory, save in
the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the
world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.
15. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision
availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new
creature.
16. And as many as walk according to this rule,
peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel
of God.
17. From henceforth let no man trouble me ; for
I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.
18. Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ
be with your spirit. Amen.
The second and fifth verses here seem to contradict each
other in words ; but it is only in words. Every man has his
own burden of duties and responsibilities which he cannot
throw off; but every one is required to help others bear their
burdens of trial and sorrow. Even when the trial or sorrow
has been brought on by some act of sin, instead of aggravat-
ing it by reproaches, one should seek to lighten it by helps
toward recovery, in the spirit of meekness and forbearance.
In like manner, Paul exhorts that all should share the burden
of maintaining the Christian ministry and the institutions of
the gospel. Niggardliness here is an attempt to mock God ;
but they who are sparing in providing for spiritual things, in
order that they may have more plentifully the things of the
flesh, shall reap the bitter fruit in the corruption of body and
soul. This sympathy with the brotherhood, this compassion
for the erring and the sorrowing, this sacrificing of the tem-
poral and earthly to the spiritual and divine, all spring from
and are sustained by the love of Christ. The cross upon
which he gave himself for us becomes so precious, so inspir-
ing an example of self-sacrifice, that we are ready to crucify
the world upon it, that it may be to us as dead ; or to be our-
selves crucified, that we may no longer feel the power of sin.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Pra3 T er.
[Nos. 91, 108, 160.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the
Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now,
and ever shall be, world without end. We praise
thee, God ! we acknowledge thee to be the Lord.
All the earth doth worship thee, the Father ever-
lasting. Heaven and earth are full of the majesty
of thy glory.
For our creation and preservation ; for our sleep
last night, and our safety this morning; for the
comforts of this world, and the hopes of the world
to come, — we bless thee, good Lord.
For our stations and occupations in life ; for our
dear relations and friends ; for all that reminds us
of thee, and all opportunities of glorifying thee, —
we bless thee, good Lord.
For thy love in our redemption ; for thy free be-
stowal of thine only-begotten Son; for thine un-
speakable gift of the Holy Spirit, — above all we
bless thee, good Lord.
We give thee thanks this day for home and
country; for knowledge and freedom; for the favor
of thy providence upon our land; for the tokens of
thy mercy in thy Church. Help us, Lord!
worthily to show forth thy praise. In all thy
works, enable us to see thy hand; and, in tracing
the laws of thy creation, may we never lose sight
of thee, the Lawgiver! And as by obedience to
thee the heavens declare thy glory, and the earth
showeth forth thy praise ; even so may we obey thy
holy Word in all things, and finally be glorified
with Him who redeemed us, thy Son Jesus Christ
our Lord !
We beseech thee, Lord! to continue the favor
which thou hast shown unto us as a family. [May
these children grow up in the knowledge and love
of thy truth! May they always incline to thy
will, and walk in thy way ! May they be kept
from the evil that is in the world, and be the fol-
lowers of the Lord Jesus!] Dwell by thy good
Spirit in the homes of all whom we love. Bless
this community, our State, our nation, with good
things, temporal and spiritual; and do good, in
thy loving-kindness, unto all men, through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen.
400
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
SATURDAY.
Matthew XXV. — 14. For the kingdom of heaven
is as a man travelling into a far country, who
called his own servants, and delivered unto them
his goods.
15. And unto one he gave five talents, to an-
other two, and to another one ; to every man ac-
cording to his several ability; and straightway
took his journey.
16. Then he that had received the five talents
went and traded with the same, and made them
other five talents.
17. And likewise he that had received two, he
also gained other two.
18. But he that had received one went and
digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money.
19. After a long time the lord of those servants
cometh, and reckoneth with them.
20. And so he that had received five talents
came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord,
thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I
have gained beside them five talents more.
21. His lord said unto him, Well done, thou
good and faithful servant : thou hast been faith-
ful over a few things ; I will make thee ruler
over many things : enter thou into the joy of thy
lord.
22. He also that had received two talents came
and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two tal-
This parable, like that of the virgins, was designed to en-
courage vigilance and activity in the disciples of Christ, and
to rebuke sloth and neglect. That of the virgins referred to
the preparation of the heart ; this, to faithfulness of service.
Whatever we are in capacity, in ability, in position, in
means, is the gift of God. Our talents are " his goods." The
variety of distribution is also from his hand ; and there is the
same wisdom in such variety in the kingdom of grace as in
nature and in society. A period of probation, until Christ's
second advent, is appointed for testing character. Every po-
sition has its responsibility, and every lot its compensations.
Divine grace does not merge all individuality of character in
one type. In every case there exists a personal trust, and re-
ents : behold, I have gained two other talents be-
side them.
23. His lord said unto him, Well done, good and
faithful servant : thou hast been faithful over a few
things ; I will make thee ruler over many things :
enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
24. Then he which had received the one talent
came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art
a hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown,
and gathering where thou hast not strewed ;
25. And I was afraid, and went and hid thy tal-
ent in the earth : lo, there thou hast that is thine.
26. His lord answered and said unto him, Thou
wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I
reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have
not strewed :
27. Thou oughtest, therefore, to have put my
money to the exchangers, and then at my coming
I should have received mine own with usury.
28. Take, therefore, the talent from him, and
give it unto him which hath ten talents.
29. For unto every one that hath shall be given,
and he shall have abundance ; but from him that
hath not shall be taken away even that which he
hath.
30. And cast ye the unprofitable servant into
outer darkness : there shall be weeping, and gnash-
ing of teeth.
sponsibility is measured by the " several ability." The award
is made, not to absolute or relative success, but to fidelity,
which does not depend upon the amount committed to one's
care. The trust and the ability to use it create the obligation.
Negligence is punished upon its own showing. The plea of
inability is false, and the plea of severity contradicts itself.
The time and the labor of the slothful servant belonged to his
Lord ; and his punishment was jiist, because he did not use
for God the gifts that he had received from God. But, while a
selfish disregard of the sacred trust of life receives this merited
punishment, the reward of fidelity transcends all human esti-
mate, — the public commendation and welcome of Christ, ex-
altation with Christ in his joy, and dominion in his kingdom.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 21, 30, 89.
O Lord, our heavenly Father ! we have nothing
to bring to thee but our wants, and such poor re-
turn of love and gratitude and praise as these
hearts can render for thy goodness. As thou dost
cause our lives to overflow with thy mercies, so do
thou fill our hearts to overflowing with thy Spirit,
that we may thank thee and praise thee as we
ought. Every good gift cometh down from thee,
the Father of lights ; and though we are so
changeful in our love, so inconstant in our service,
with thee there is no variableness, neither shadow
of turning. Bind us to thyself by the mighty
attraction of thy love in Christ our Saviour.
We pray thee keep us this day from temptation,
evil, and sin. Prosper us in our lawful under-
takings : may we be upright in our dealings, true
and kind in our speech, gentle and patient in our
spirit, pure and holy in our walk ! May we do
good to all as we shall have opportunity, and so
exhibit in our lives the graces of the gospel, that
we shall win others to the love of Christ ! And
we pray that multitudes may be won to the Sa-
viour ; that thy Church may increase ; that mis-
sions may prosper ; that thy Word may be given
to all people. We thank thee for our home, and
pray thee to bless us with all things that we need
as a family. Bless the absent who are dear to us ;
and bring them, together with us, we beseech thee
unto thy heavenly kingdom ; through Jesus Christ
our Lord. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
401
SUNDAY MORNING.
Matthew XXV. — 31. When the Son of man
shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with
him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory ;
32. And before him shall be gathered all na-
tions ; and he shall separate them one from another,
as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats ;
33. And he shall set the sheep on his right
hand, but the goats on the left.
34. Then shall the King say unto them on his
right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, in-
herit the kingdom prepared for you from the
foundation of the world :
35. For I was an hungred, and ye gave me
meat ; I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink ; I was
a stranger, and ye took me in ;
36. Naked, and ye clothed me ; T was sick, and
ye visited me ; I was in prison, and ye came unto
me.
37. Then shall the righteous answer him, say-
ing, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed
thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
38. When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee
in ? or naked, and clothed thee ?
This solemn utterance of Christ defines beyond appeal the
final separation between the righteous and the wicked. The
same term is used to denote the duration of the state of each :
the punishment and the life run parallel to everlasting ages.
Our Lord declares that the judgment shall be universal, and
that its decisions shall hinge upon the spirit which men have
exhibited toward himself in their dealings with their fellow-
men. Christ is in the world in the person of the poor, the
oppressed, the neglected, the persecuted, the suffering ; and to
minister to these in the spirit of his love is to love and honor
him. To be indifferent to the sufferings and sorrows of hu-
manity is to be indifferent to Him who himself " bare our
griefs and carried our sorrows, and was bruised for our in-
iquities ; " and such selfishness can have no congeniality with
the home of his love.
39. Or when saw we thee sick or in prison, and
came unto thee ?
40. And the King shall answer and say unto
them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have
done it unto one of the least of these my brethren,
ye have done it unto me.
41. Then shall he say also unto them on the left
hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting
fire, prepared for the devil and his angels :
42. For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no
meat ; I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink ;
43. I was a stranger, and ye took me not in ;
naked, and ye clothed me not ; sick and in prison,
and ye visited me not.
44. Then shall they also answer him, saying,
Lord, when saw we thee an hungred or athirst,
or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and
did not minister unto thee ?
45. Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily
I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one
of the least of these, ye did it not to me.
46. And these shall go away into everlasting
punishment, but the righteous into life eternal.
Yet, even in rejecting from his presence the selfish and the
unpitying, the Saviour shows his pity to the end. The king-
dom, the salvation, the blessing, were prepared for all who
should give themselves to Christ : the curse, the woe, were pre-
pared for the Devil ; and it is only of their own perversity in
sin that any of the human race fall under that condemnation.
The sublimity of this description surpasses all imagination,
— Christ, as the Son of man, the Shepherd, the King, the
Judge, as the centre and end of all human love, bringing out
and rewarding his latent grace in those who have lived in
love ; everlastingly punishing those who have quenched it in
an unloving and selfish life ; and, in the accomplishment of his
mediatorial office, causing even from out of the iniquities of a
rebellious world his sovereign mercy to rejoice against judg-
ment.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 7, SO, 82.
Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the
foundations of the earth ; and the heavens are the
works of thine hands. They shall perish; but
thou remainest : and they shall wax old as doth a
garment ; and as a vesture shalt thou fold them up,
and they shall be changed : but thou art the same,
and thy years shall not fail. In thee, Lord ! do
we put our trust : let us never be confounded.
With our affections on things above, may we be
ever looking for that blessed hope, even the glori-
ous appearing of the great God. our Saviour Jesus
Christ ! May our loins be girded, and our lamps
burning ! and may we grow in faith and love, in
charity and meekness, in diligence and faithful-
ness, rejoicing in hope of the glory of God !
Teach us to use thy gifts to thy glory ; and, oh !
keep us, Lord, from all covetous desires, from all
self-seeking, from all love of sinful pleasures.
We bless thee for this holy day, and pray that
we, with thy whole Church, may be blessed in thy
worship, and may show forth thy praise.
Almighty God, the Father and Saviour of all
men, help us, we beseech thee, to behave with
Christian charity to all that are in distress, poverty,
or suffering. As thou hast had mercy upon us,
let none of us come under thy condemnation on
the great day of judgment for want of mercy or
charity to our brethren, who, in this world of trial,
were hungry or thirsty, or naked or sick, or in
prison, and to whom, when we had the power, we
did not administer. Help us to deny ourselves,
that we may each, in our measure, have to give to
them that need, and that we may ever work with
thee, and for thee, in diminishing the sorrows, the
miseries, and the sin of this evil world, for the sake
of Him who suffered and died for all. Amen.
I^^^H
HH
402
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
SUNDAY EVENING.
Isaiah Ixiii. — 1. Who is this that cometh from
Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah ? this
that is glorious in his apparel, travelling in the
greatness of his strength ? I that speak in right-
eousness, mighty to save.
2. Wherefore art thou red in thine apparel, and
thy garments like him that treadeth in the wine-
fat?
3. I have trodden the wine-press alone ; and of
the people there was none with me: for I will
tread them in mine anger, and trample them in my
fury ; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my
garments, and I will stain all my raiment.
4. For the day of vengeance is in mine heart,
and the year of my redeemed is come.
5. And I looked, and there was none to help;
and I wondered that there was none to uphold :
therefore mine own arm brought salvation unto
me ; and my fury, it upheld me.
6. And I will tread down the people in mine
anger, and make them drunk in my fury, and I will
bring down their strength to the earth.
7. I will mention the loving-kindnesses of the
Lord, and the praises of the Lord, according to all
that the Lord hath bestowed on us, and the great
goodness toward the house of Israel which he
hath bestowed on them according to his mercies,
and according to the multitude of his loving-kind-
nesses.
8. For he said, Surely they are my people, chil-
dren that will not lie : so he was their Saviour.
9. In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the
Angel of his presence saved them ; in his love and
in his pity he redeemed them ; and he bare them,
and carried them all the days of old.
10. But they rebelled, and vexed his Holy
Spirit : therefore he was turned to be their enemy,
and he' fought against them.
11. Then he remembered the days of old, Moses
and his people, saying, Where is he that brought
them up out of the sea with the shepherd of his
flock ? where is he that put his Holy Spirit within
him?
12. That led them by the right hand of Moses
with his glorious arm, dividing the water before
them, to make himself an everlasting name?
13. That led them through the deep as a horse
in the wilderness, that they should not stumble ?
14. As a beast goeth down into the valley, the
Spirit of the Lord caused him to rest : so didst
thou lead thy people, to make thyself a glorious
name.
The expression, " I have trodden the wine-press alone," is
commonly applied to Christ in the loneliness of his agony in
Gethsemane, and in his desertion through the scenes of his
trial and crucifixion. And there could not be a more vivid
picture of the solitariness of the Saviour in his sufferings, —
when " of the people there was none with him ; " when, as he
lay upon the ground in his bloody sweat, his disciples were
sleeping within sound of his groaning; when, as the traitor
seized him, " all the disciples forsook him, and fled ; " and
Peter mustered courage to follow him afar off, only to deny
him at the last. Yet the connection shows that it is not the
Redeemer in his sorrows, but in his triumphs, who is here
depicted. He is coming from Edom, the typical enemy of
Israel, where by his unaided strength he has visited judgment
and destruction upon the foes of his Church. It is the same
picture which is repeated, in Rev. xix. 13, of the "Word of
God clothed with a vesture dipped in blood, who treadeth
the wine-press of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God."
Yet love and mercy ever predominate over judgments. His
judgments upon the obdurate illustrate his grace to the peni-
tent ; and often, as with Israel of old, judgments recall his
people to their dependence upon his grace. The Saviour
identifies himself with his flock. He makes their affliction
his own, and will make them partakers in his triumph and joy.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 116, 181, 187.
O Lord Jesus ! increase our faith, that we may
know thee in the fellowship of thy sufferings, and
in the power of thy resurrection.
We thank thee, heavenly Father ! that of thy
tender mercy thou hast given thine only Son Jesus
Christ to suffer death upon the cross for our re-
demption. Through faith in his blood, may we ob-
tain remission of our sins ! May we know him
and love him, and serve him with all our hearts !
and may we daily endeavor to follow the steps of
his most holy life ! Lord ! let thy mercy be
upon us as we do put our trust in thee.
Teach us, O God ! both how to live and how to
die. May our loins be always girt and our lamps
burning, and we ourselves like servants who wait
for the coming of their lord ! May we live a life
of faith ! and may we die the death of the right-
eous !
Look in mercy upon all our brethren, our friends,
neighbors, and acquaintance. Be with all who are
dear to us, especially with any who may at this
time be in affliction or distress. Cheer their
hearts, and lift up the light of thy countenance
upon them. Send down upon all who minister in
thy Church, and all congregations committed to
their charge, the healthful spirit of thy grace;
and, that they may truly please thee, pour upon
them the continual dew of thy blessing.
And be with us who are now gathered together
in thy name. Defend us from all the perils and
dangers of this night. Let thy fatherly hand
ever be over us. Let thy Holy Spirit ever be
with us. And so lead us in the knowledge and
obedience of thy Word, that in the end we may
obtain everlasting life, through Jesus Christ our
Lord. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
403
MONDAY.
Job ix. — 1. Then .Job answered, and said,
2. How should man be just with God ?
3. If he will contend with him, he cannot answer
him one of a thousand.
4. He is wise in heart, and mighty in strength :
who hath hardened himself against him, and hath
prospered ?
5. Which removeth the mountains, and they
know not ; which overturneth them in his anger ;
6. Which shaketh the earth out of her place,
and the pillars thereof tremble ;
7. Which commandeth the sun, and it riseth
not ; and sealeth up the stars ;
8. Which alone spreadeth out the heavens, and
treadeth upon the waves of the sea;
9. Which maketh Arcturus, Orion, and Pleiades,
and the chambers of the south ;
10. Which doeth great things past finding out ;
yea, and wonders without number.
11. Lo, he goeth by me, and I see him not ; he
passeth on also, but I perceive him not.
12. Behold, he taketh away : who can hinder
him ? Who will say unto him, What doest thou ?
13. If God will not withdraw his anger, the
proud helpers do stoop under him.
14. How much less shall I answer him, and
choose out my words to reason with him ?
15. Whom, though I were righteous, yet would
I not answer ; but I would make supplication to my
judge.
John xii. — 37. But though he had done so
many miracles before them, yet they believed not
on him;
38. That the saying of Esaias the prophet
might be fulfilled which he spake : Lord, who haih
believed our report ? and to whom hath the arm of
the Lord been revealed ?
39. Therefore they could not believe, because
that Esaias said again,
40. He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened
their heart ; that they should not see with their
eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be con-
verted, and I should heal them.
41. These things said Esaias, when he saw his
glory, and spake of him.
42. Nevertheless, among the chief rulers also
many believed on him ; but because of, the Phari-
sees they did not confess him, lest they should be
put out of the synagogue :
43. For they loved the praise of men more than
the praise of God.
44. Jesus cried, and said, He that believeth on
me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent
me.
45. And he that seeth me seeth him that sent
me.
46. I am come a light into the world, that who-
soever believeth on me should not abide in dark-
ness.
47. And if any man hear my words, and believe
not, I judge him not ; for I came not to judge the
world, but to save the world.
48. He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my
words, hath one that judgeth him : the word that
I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the
last day.
With these solemn words, Jesus summed up and closed his
earthly ministry. By the great body of the Jews, both rulers
and people, his doctrine had been rejected, his authority de-
nied, his Messiahship despised. So inveterate were their pre-
judices, that not all his mighty works could command their
assent to his teachings. This result of his mission had been
predicted by Isaiah, who, in the strong metaphor of the He-
brew prophets, ascribed to the Lord this hardening, which
came of the fact that he brought into the world a stronger,
clearer light of conviction, against which men closed their
eyes. But terrible is the responsibility of resisting truth.
Truth never dies ; it lives in itself, it lives in the memory, it
lives in the conscience : and the day will come when the truth,
no longer hidden by prejudice, nor baffled b}' passion, shall
put forth its judicial, its condemning power against the soul
that has rejected it. And so the gospel of the Son of God
shall be enthroned above the law of Sinai, to judge and con-
demn the world because of unbelief.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 40, 172, 195.
Almighty and most merciful Father, who of thy
tender love toward us didst send thy Son, our Sa-
viour Jesus Christ, to be our Advocate and Inter-
cessor, hear us for his sake, and grant us the mer-
cies which we need for another day.
We thank thee for all thy goodness and thy care.
Thou spreadest our table ; thou give st us life and
breath and all things. Lord ! our souls, and all
that is within us, would bless and praise thee. As
a family, we bless thee for our home, and for all the
comforts of our daily life. [May the children whom
thou hast so favored in this house remember thee,
their heavenly Father, and love and serve thee !]
most merciful Saviour, our compassionate
High Priest ! pity our infirmities ; heal our souls'
sicknesses ; give us the joy of thy salvation, and a
hope full of immortality. Strengthen us to live
and labor for thee. Build up thy Church, Lord!
Hasten that blessed day when war and violence,
injustice and deceit, shall vex the earth no more,
and the Prince of peace shall reign in righteous-
ness. And at length take us to rest with thee
above, for thine own name and mercy's sake ;
and unto thee, with the Father and the Holy
Ghost, be all honor and glory, now and evermore.
Amen.
404
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
TUESDAY.
Daniel vi. — 4. Then the presidents and princes
sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning
the kingdom : but they could find none occasion
nor fault ; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither
was there any error or fault found in him.
5. Then said these men,. We shall not find any
occasion against this Daniel, except we find it
against him concerning the law of his God.
6. Then these presidents and princes assembled
together to the king, and said thus unto him : King
Darius, live forever.
7. All the presidents of the kingdom, the gov-
ernors and the princes, the counsellors and the
captains, have consulted together to establish a
royal statute, and to make a firm decree, that who-
soever shall ask a petition of any god or man for
thirty days, save of thee, king ! he shall be cast
into the den of lions.
8. Now, king! establish the decree, and sign
the writing, that it be not changed, according to the
law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not.
10. Now, when Daniel knew that the writing
was signed, he went into his house; and, his win-
dows being open in his chamber toward Jerusa-
lem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a clay,
and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he
did aforetime.
11. Then these men assembled, and found Dan-
iel praying and making supplication before his God.
15. Then these men assembled unto the king,
and said unto the king, Know, king ! that the
law of the Medes and Persians is, That no decree
nor statute which the king establisheth may be
changed.
After the capture of Babylon (see page 389), Darius the
Mede came into power ; and his first act was to divide his
kingdom into a hundred and twenty districts for revenue :
over each of these was appointed a prince ; and over this body
of officers were three presidents, to whom they must submit
their accounts. The character of Daniel for wisdom and in-
tegrity led to his promotion as chief of this board ; and this
excited the envy of his associates. Yet they were obliged to
admit that Daniel walked so uprightly, that they could bring-
no charge against him : so they flattered the pride of the king,
and procured a decree which was intended to insnare Daniel.
16. Then the king commanded, and they brought
Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. Nou<,
the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God
whom thou servest continually, he will deliver
thee.
17. And a stone was brought, and laid upon the
mouth of the den ; and the king sealed it with his
own signet, and with the signet of his lords ; that
the purpose might not be changed concerning
Daniel.
18. Then the king went to his palace, and passed
the night fasting; neither were instruments of
music brought before him ; and his sleep went
from him.
19. Then the king arose very early' in the morn-
ing, and went in haste unto the den of lions.
20. And, when he came to the den, he cried
with a lamentable voice unto Daniel ; and the
king spake and said to Daniel, Daniel, ser-
vant of the living God ! is thy God, whom thou
servest continually, able to deliver thee from the
lions ?
21. Then said Daniel unto the king, king !
live forever.
22. My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut
the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me ;
forasmuch as before him innocency was found in
me ; and also before thee, king! have I done no
hurt.
23. / Then was the king exceeding glad for him,
and commanded that they should take Daniel up
out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of
the den, and no manner of hurt was found upon
him, because he believed in his God.
Bitterly did the king lament his act when he saw its bearing
upon his most trusted servant ; but he feared to violate his
word, and to shake public confidence in the stability of the
laws. Daniel alone felt no concern. He neither suspended
his devotions, nor sought to conceal them, but went on as
usual openly serving and honoring the Lord. And the Lord
put honor upon him in the sight of the king and over all his
enemies. Daniel's accusers were cast into the den of lions :
and Darius made a decree, " That in every dominion of my
kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel ; for
he is the living God, and steadfast forever."
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 157, 166, 192.
Lord God ! our fathers trusted in thee, and
were not ashamed; and in thy love we would con-
fide for ever and ever. In health and in sickness,
in hope and in sorrow, we would look up to the
hills, whence cometh our help ; and we pray that we
may have the perfect peace of those whose minds
are stayed upon the Lord. We thank thee for the
mercies of another night, and for the goodness thou
hast provided with the opening day. The sun has
spread its light over the world ; the earth is bring-
ing forth renewed supplies of good. We bless thee,
Lord ! for all thy gifts, and pray thee be merci-
ful to us in our renewed wants, and visit us with
thy salvation. Continue to us, we entreat thee,
the gifts of thy providence ; and pour upon us the
blessings of thy grace. Go forth with us, Lord !
to the engagements, the trials, the duties, and the
pleasures which await us to-day. Oh ! keep us
from evil and sin. Bless all who are dear to us by
any tie; all who are in any want, trouble, or sor-
row. Deliver thy Church, and hasten the triumph
of thy kingdom, for Christ's sake. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
405
WEDNESDAY.
Luke xxii. — 24. And there was also a strife
among them, which of them should be accounted
the greatest.
25. And he said unto them, The kings of the Gen-
tiles exercise lordship over them ; and they that
exercise authority upon them are called benefactors.
26. But ye shall not be so : but he that is great-
est among you, let him be as the younger; and he
that is chief, as he that doth serve.
27. For whether is greater, he that sitteth at
meat, or he that serveth ? is not he that sitteth at
meat ? But I a:n among you as he that serveth.
28. Ye are they which have continued with me
in my temptations.
29. And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my
Father hath appointed unto me ;
30. That ye may eat and drink at my table in
my kingdom, and sit on thrones, judging the
twelve tribes of Israel.
31. And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold,
Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift
you as wheat ;
How unseemly was the contention among the disciples for
pre-eminence, at the very hour when for their sakes the Lord
was about to humble himself unto death ! And yet how true
to human nature ! How often do we see children turning
from the death-bed of their father to quarrel over his will !
This strife may have arisen out of the charge of treason
which our Lord had brought against one of their number, —
each seeking to vindicate himself, and to magnify his own
fidelity. Besides, as Jesus had just spoken of the mystery of
his passion to be fulfilled in the kingdom of God, their world-
ly idea of the Messiah's kingdom was revived, and with this
their ambition for its honors. Jesus, in the exercise of his
divine prerogative, promises to them a position of dignity and
honor like that of the ancient patriarchs ; but their path to
this kingdom of spiritual pre-eminence must lie, like his,
32. But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith
fail not ; and, when thou art converted, strengthen
thy brethren.
33. And he said unto him, Lord, I am
ready to go with thee, both into prison and to
death.
34. And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock
shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt
thrice deny that thou knowest me.
35. And he said unto them, When I sent you
without purse and scrip and shoes, lacked ye any
thing ? and they said, Nothing.
36. Then said he unto them, But now, he that
hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his
scrip ; and he that hath no sword, let him sell his
garment, and buy one.
37. For I say unto you, that this that is written
must yet be accomplished in me, And he was
reckoned among the transgressors ; for the things
concerning me have an end.
38. And they said, Lord, behold, here are two
swords ; and he said unto them, It is enough.
through humiliation and suffering. They must abide with
him in his trials. Peter was quick to take his Lord's mean-
ing, and, with the confidence of his enthusiastic nature, de-
clared his readiness to go to prison and to death. But Jesus
knew, that, at that very moment, Satan, who had just made
sure of Judas, was preparing a deadly assault upon Simon.
Ah ! how little do we know when our greatest dangers threat-
en ! and how close should we cling to the intercession of Christ !
Our Lord warned his disciples that persecution was about to
burst upon them ; that his death would be the prelude to the
conflicts of his Church ; and, using a strong martial figure, he
bade them prepare for this, not in the literal sense of fight-
ing, but arming themselves with zeal, courage, faith, and
devotion. He forbade the use of the sword in his own de-
fence ; saying, " My kingdom is not of this world."
Appropriate Hymxs,]
Prayer.
[Xos. 144, 147, 156.
Almighty God, from whom all good things do
come, we thank and praise thee for the mercies of
this morning. Make our hearts so deeply thankful
for our many blessings, that we shall be ready to
devote ourselves afresh — body, soul, and spirit —
to thy service.
Give unto us, God ! more of the mind which
was in Christ Jesus. May we esteem others bet-
ter than ourselves ! Teach us to pity and to help
all who are in want and sorrow. May we show
that we are Christians, not in name only, but in
deed and truth ! and, by our holy and blameless
lives, may we adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour
in all things ! May thy truth make us free !
Almighty Father, teach us to imitate thy love,
that we may be sanctified in heart and life, fitted
to serve thee here, and to dwell with thee here-
after. May we be temples of the Holy Ghost, and
be sealed by him unto the day of redemption !
May his gracious teaching enlighten us, and his
holy comfort cheer and refresh our souls ! May
no cherished sin grieve this blessed Spirit, or
quench the flame of love which he would kindle
within us !
Bless, Lord ! thy Church with light and peace.
J Bless our government and our country. Make
us a nation fearing thee and working righteous-
ness.
Be gracious to all our dear friends and relatives,
and guide their feet into the way of holiness.
Bring nigh any who may be yet far from thee.
Stablish, strengthen, and settle those who know
and love thee.
Hear, Lord ! we beseech thee, these our sup-
plications, pardon for thy mercy's sake all our in-
iquities, and do for us exceeding abundantly above
all that we ask or think, for the sake of Jesus Christ,
our most blessed Lord and Saviour. Amen.
406
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
THURSDAY.
Matthew xxvi. — 47. And, while he yet spake,
lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a
great multitude with swords and staves, from the
chief priests and elders of the people.
48. Now, he that betrayed him gave them a
sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same
is he : hold him fast.
49. And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said,
Hail, master ! and kissed him.
50. And Jesus said unto him, Friend, where-
fore art thou come ? Then came they, and laid
hands on Jesus, and took him.
51. And, behold, one of them which were with
Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword,
and struck a servant of the high priest's, and smote
off his ear.
52. Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again
thy sword into his place ; for all they that take
the sword shall perish with the sword.
53. Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to
my Father, and he shall presently give me more
than twelve legions of angels ?
54. But how, then, shall the scriptures be ful-
filled, that thus it must be ?
55. In that same hour said Jesus to the multi-
tudes, Are ye come out as against a thief with
swords and staves for to take me ? I sat daily
with you teaching in the temple, and ye laid no
hold on me.
The death of Christ was a voluntary surrendering- of himself
for the redemption of the world. Knowing the designs of the
Pharisees against him, he could have eluded them by remain-
ing beyond Jordan. Knowing the purpose of Judas to betray
him, he could have withdrawn to some place of safety. But
now that his mission of healing, of teaching, of guiding, was
accomplished, the hour of sacrifice had come ; and he was pre-
pared to meet it. At the last, he could have summoned le-
gions of angels to his help ; but he gave himself for us. Every
possible aggravation was added to his sorrows, — the igno-
minious manner of his arrest, the rabble hunting him as
though he were a thief, the treachery of Judas, the desertion of
56. But all this was done that the scriptures of
the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the dis-
ciples forsook him, and fled.
57. And they that had laid hold on Jesus led
him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the
scribes and the elders were assembled.
58. But Peter followed him afar off, unto the
high priest's palace, and went in, and sat with the
servants to see the end.
69. Now, Peter sat without in the palace ; and
a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast
with Jesus of Galilee.
70. But he denied before them all, saying, I
know not what thou say est.
71. And, when he was gone out into the porch, an-
other maid saw him, and said unto them that were
there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth.
72. And again he denied with an oath, I do not
know the man.
73. And after a while came unto him they that
stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art
one of them ; for thy speech bewrayeth thee.
74. Then began he to curse and to swear, say-
ing, I know not the man. And immediately the
cock crew.
75. And Peter remembered the word of Jesus,
which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou
shalt deny me thrice ; and he went out, and wept
bitterly.
all the disciples, the denial of Peter. In reviewing the scene, we
are ready enough to condemn the faithlessness of those upon
whom Jesus had lavished his love, and whom he had sought
to fortify with his counsels ; but do not we ourselves some-
times betray our trust, forsake our duty, deny our Lord %
The treachery of Judas was the deliberate apostasy of a de-
ceived and selfish heart ; the flight of the disciples was the
impulse of sudden fear ; the denial of Peter was the re-action
of an ardent temperament under a stunning, overwhelming
disappointment. The conscience of Judas awoke to remorse :
the heart of Peter, smitten by the sorrowful and reproving
glance of his Lord, burst forth in bitter tears of penitence.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 30, 86.
O Lord ! we beseech thee, grant us grace to with-
stand the temptations of the world, the flesh, and
the Devil, and with pure hearts and minds to fol-
low thee. Suffer us never to fall away from
Christ ; never, never to betray him. Oh ! keep
us from all covetous and worldly desires.
O Lord Jesus, who art exalted to be a Prince and
a Saviour to give repentance and forgiveness of
sins ! we do repent of our sins before thee, and hum-
bly beseech thee to receive us, according to thy
promise that him that cometh unto thee thou wilt
in no wise cast out. Give unto us, Lord ! that
sense of thy presence which shall preserve us
from sin ; that strength of faith which shall over-
come evil ; that peace which the world cannot give.
We bring thee thanks for the mercies of the
night, and supplicate thy grace for our friends and
neighbors, for the absent dear to us, for thy Church,
for this family, yea, Lord, for the whole family of
mankind, — the world which thou hast died to
save. Oh ! raise up a faithful ministry, and keep
thy servants pure.
We beseech thee, Lord ! to instruct us in our
duty, and help us to perform it ; to give us a
tender conscience and an earnest spirit ; to uphold
us in the slippery ways of the world, and give us
sterling integrity of heart ; and finally to receive
us to thy presence in the world of endless life.
And to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost,
be glory forever. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
407
FRIDAY.
Psalm cii. — 1. Hear my prayer, Lord! and
let my cry come unto thee. Hide not thy face
from me in the day when I am in trouble.
6. I am like a pelican of the wilderness ; I am
like an owl of the desert.
7. I watch, and am as a sparrow alone upon the
house-top.
8. Mine enemies reproach me all the day ; and
they that are mad against me are sworn against me.
John xviii. — 28. Then led they Jesus from
Caiaphas unto the hall of judgment : and it was
early; and they themselves went not into the
judgment-hall, lest they should be defiled ; but
that they might eat the passover.
29. Pilate then went out unto them, and said,
What accusation bring ye against this man ?
30. They answered and said unto him, If he
were not a malefactor, we would not have delivered
him up unto thee.
31. Then said Pilate unto them, Take ye him,
and judge him according to your law. The Jews
therefore said unto him, It is not lawful for us to
put any man to death ;
32. That the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled,
which he spake, signifying what death he should
die.
33. Then Pilate entered into the judgment-hall
again, and called Jesus, and said unto him, Art
thou the King of the Jews ?
34. Jesus answered him, Sayest thou this thing
of thyself? or did others tell it thee of me?
35. Pilate answered, Am I a Jew ? Thine own
nation, and the chief priests, have delivered thee
unto me. What hast thou done ?
36. Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this
world : if my kingdom were of this world, then
would my servants fight, that I should not be de-
livered to the Jews ; but now is my kingdom not
from hence.
37. Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a
king, then ? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I
am a king. To this end was I born, and for this
cause came I into the world, that I should bear
witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the
truth heareth my voice.
38. Pilate saith unto him, What is truth ? And,
when he had said this, he went out again unto the
Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault
at all.
39. But ye have a custom that I should release
unto you one at the passover : will ye, therefore,
that I release unto you the King of the Jews ?
40. Then cried they all again, saying, Not this
man, but Barabbas. Now, Barabbas was a robber.
To compass the death of Jesus, it was necessary to obtain
the sanction of the Roman governor; and so the officers of
the Sanhedrim led him to the Roman judgment-hall. But,
though they were ready to steep their hands in the blood of
an innocent man, so sanctimonious were they, that they would
not enter a Gentile court for fear of defilement ! Not caring
to mix himself up with religious controversies, Pilate sought
to dismiss the case from his jurisdiction by conceding to the
Jews the privilege of executing their own laws. But, much
as they hated the Roman authority, they wished now to employ
it to gratify their malice. Had Jesus been punished by Jew-
ish law, he would have been stoned to death ; but a con-
demnation for sedition by Roman law would be crucifixion.
With what meek majesty did Jesus confront the representative
of the greatest empire of the world, declaring himself a king
in that higher realm of spiritual powers where truth rules
over all ! Even the temporizing, truckling governor was
awed by this strange assertion of a kingdom which his power
could not touch, and to which every soul must bow. Yet the
Roman empire long ago crumbled away, while Christ's king-
dom lives and grows.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 16, 86.
O Lord Jesus, who for our sakes didst endure
such contradiction of sinners against thyself ! grant
us grace, that, like thee, we may be meek and lowly
of heart. When offended and wronged by others,
may we remember Him, who, when he was reviled,
reviled not again, and who from the cross prayed
for the forgiveness of his enemies !
Our Father in heaven, as we pray thee to forgive
our manifold offences, may we ever show the spirit
of forgiveness toward all who do us harm ! Set a
watch, Lord ! at the door of our lips, that we of-
fend not in word ; and, while bold and firm for thy
truth and cause, in all that concerns ourselves may
we study the things that make for peace ! Help
us this day to resist temptation, to walk uprightly,
to do good as we have opportunity, to relieve the
suffering and the needy, to be kind toward all, and
to overcome the world.
Father of all mercies, we commend this house-
hold to thy loving care. [Oh ! take these children
into thine arms ; defend them from the power of
evil; draw them to the cross of Christ, that they
may there be baptized into the love of Him who
died for them.] Grant us, Lord ! such prosperity
as shall please thee ; yet, in all that we possess and
enjoy, help us ever to remember that we are not
our own, but are bought with a price, — even the
precious blood of Christ. We pray for thy Church
which thou hast redeemed : grant her peace and
unity. And, oh ! hasten the ingathering of the
nations, that thou mayest see of the travail of thy
soul, and be satisfied. Heavenly Father, we bless
thee for the mercy which has brought us to the be-
ginning of this day ; we supplicate thy favor upon
all our friends ; and, Lord ! have mercy upon us,
and upon all men, for Christ's sake. Amen.
408
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
SATURDAY.
John xix. — 1. Then Pilate, therefore, took
Jesus, and scourged him.
2. And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns,
and put it on his head, and they put on him a pur-
ple robe,
3. And said, Hail, King of the Jews ! and they
snote him with their hands.
4. Pilate, therefore, went forth again, and saith
unto them, Behold, I bring him forth to you, that
ye may know that I find no fault in him.
5. Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown
of thorns and the purple robe ; and Pilate saith
unto them, Behold the man !
6. When the chief priests, therefore, and officers,
saw him, they cried out, saying, Crucify him, cru-
cify him ! Pilate saith unto them, Take ye him,
and crucify him; for I find no fault in him.
7. The Jews answered him, We have a law, and
by our law he ought to die, because he made him-
self the Son of God.
8. When Pilate, therefore, heard that saying, he
was the more afraid ;
9. And went again into the judgment-hall, and
saith unto Jesus, Whence art thou ? But Jesus
gave him no answer.
10. Then saith Pilate unto him, Speakest thou
not unto me ? Knowest thou not that I have pow-
er to crucify thee, and have power to release thee ?
Was there ever such a mockery of law, such a perversion
of justice, as this 1 For a time, it seemed that the blunt hones-
ty of a pagan governor must get the better of the unscrupu-
lous hatred of these religious rulers. But the Jews knew the
weak points in Pilate's character. He was ambitious, and
fond of popularity. As he could not take cognizance of a
purely religious question, the priests trumped up against Jesus
a charge of sedition, in that he set himself against Cassar by
claiming to be a king. Now, they sincerely hated Cassar's
government ; and nothing would have pleased them better
than to have their Messiah appear, and wrest the kingdom of
David from the hands of foreigners. But they hated still
11. Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no
power at all against me except it were given thee
from above : therefore he that delivered me unto
thee hath the greater sin.
12. And from thenceforth Pilate sought to re-
lease him ; but the Jews cried out, saying, If thou
let this man go, thou art not Caesar's friend. Who-
soever maketh himself a king speaketh against
Caesar.
13. When Pilate, therefore, heard that saying, he
brought Jesus forth, and sat down in the judg-
ment-seat, in a place that is called the Pavement,
but, in the Hebrew, Gabbatha.
14. And it was the preparation of the passover,
and about the sixth hour; and he saith unto the
Jews, Behold your King !
15. But they cried out, Away with him! away
with him! crucify him ! Pilate saith unto them,
Shall I crucify your King ? The chief priests an-
swered, We have no king but Caesar.
16. Then delivered he him, therefore, unto them
to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led him
away.
17. And he, bearing his cross, went forth into a
place called the place of a skull, which is called, in
the Hebrew, Golgotha;
18. Where they crucified him, and two other with
him, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst.
more the searching, spiritual doctrine of Christ, and his tests
of membership in the kingdom of God ; and so they threat-
ened to accuse Pilate of want of fidelity to the emperor if he
should let Jesus go. Knowing their turbulent and reckless
spirit, Pilate sought to conciliate them by sacrificing a man
whom he had declared to be without fault. With gross cru-
elty he scourged him, suffered him to be mocked and abused
at the very judgment-seat, then delivered him to the mercies
of the mob. With sublime majesty Jesus lifted himself above
the power of governor and emperor, pronounced judgment
upon his judge, and, accepting the will of his Father, meekly
bore his cross, and suffered between two thieves.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 74, 86, 108.
Lord Jesus ! how shall we ever love thee and
praise thee for the greatness of thy love for us ?
Forgive us our sloth and self-indulgence, our wa-
vering and timidity ; and by thine agony and
bloody sweat help us to bear our cross, and suffer
us never to fall away from thee. May the love of
Christ constrain us ! May we learn the joy of
sacrifice, and be willing to labor and to suffer for
those who do us wrong! Father in heaven, teach
us like thyself to do good to the evil and the un-
thankful.
God, who makest the outgoings of the morn-
ing and the evening to rejoice ! we bless thee that
ours has not been a night of anguish and sorrow.
We lift up our hearts to thee with gladness and
thanksgiving for the joy of another day ; for re-
newed vigor for its duties, appetite for its pleasures,
and readiness for its opportunities of good. Bless
us in our labors, keep us pure in our enjoyments,
incite us to do thy will ; and oh ! we beseech thee,
preserve us from harm, from temptation, and from
sin. Keep us from that love and that fear of this
world which would estrange us from thee.
May we as a family honor thee in our daily walk
and conversation ! May old and young alike know
the beauty of holiness, the joy of consecration to
Christ ! Grant thy grace to all who are dear to
us ; and grant us grace to hold all men dear for
Christ's sake, and to win them to the knowledge
of his gospel. And may the peace of God, that
passeth all understanding, keep our hearts and
minds through Jesus Christ our Lord ! Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
409
SUNDAY MORNING.
John xxi. — 1. After these things, Jesus showed
himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tibe-
rias ; and on this wise showed he himself.
2. There were together Simon Peter, and
Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana
in Galilee, and the sous of Zebedee, and two other
of his disciples.
3. Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a-fishing.
They say unto him, We also go with thee. They
weat forth, and entered into a ship immediately;
and that night they caught nothing.
4. But, when the morning was now come, Jesus
stood on the shore; but the disciples knew not
that it was Jesus.
5. Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have
ye any meat ? They answered him, ]STo.
6. And he said unto them, Cast the net on the
right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They
cast, therefore ; and now they were not able to draw
it for the multitude of fishes.
7. Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved
saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now, when Simon
Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fish-
er's coat unto him (for he was naked), and did cast
himself into the sea.
8. And the other disciples came in a little ship
(for they were not far from land, but, as it were, two
hundred cubits), dragging the net with fishes.
9. As soon, then, as they were come to land, they
saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and
bread.
10. Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish
which ye have now caught.
13. Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to
land full of great fishes, a hundred and fifty and
three ; and for all there were so many, yet was not
the net broken.
12. Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine.
And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art
thou ? knowing that it was the Lord.
13. Jesus then cometh, and taketh bread, and
giveth them, and fish likewise.
Though our Lord had commissioned his apostles to go
into all the world and preach the gospel, he had instructed
them not to enter upon the work of evangelization till they
should have received the power of the Holy Ghost. It was to
their honor, therefore, that, instead of setting themselves up as
a privileged class, they returned to their former occupation as
a mjans of livelihood. All useful occupations are honorable
and Christian ; and, while waiting for their divine call, these
" fishers of mjn " were doing their duty in catching fish.
They had bien out all night, bit had had no luck; when in
the morning a stranger, walking on the shore, encouraged
them to try on the right side of the ship. Acting, as men
ofteu will, upon any suggestion, and perhaps supposing that
he knew the locality, they tried, and were rewarded with ex-
traordinary success. With the magnetism of a deep spiritual
nature, John instantly felt, as in the very air, the presence of
the Lord ; and Peter, whose native impetuosity was now at-
tempered by love, plunged into the water to be the first to
greet him. Yet as the disciples drew near and saw the fire,
with fish and bread made ready by the same hand that had
fed the five thousand, they were so filled with reverence, that
they could not speak. Indeed, they always seemed to have
an awe of the risen Saviour. This last miracle of Jesus hal-
lowed once more that lovely lake which had been the scene of
so many of his mighty works.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 6, 13, 100.
Almighty God, who hast set apart one day in
seven for the special good of our souls, enable us
to keep this day holy. Thou hast bidden us to
rest from our worldly labors and employments : do
thou also shut the world out of our hearts, and
take full possession of them thyself.
Lord, most gracious Saviour, who on this day
didst rise again from the dead! raise up our souls
unto newness of life, granting us repentance from
dead works, and planting us in the likeness of thy
resurrection.
Prepare for us this day a gracious feast of love.
Oh ! feed us with the bread of heaven. May thy
Word, thy sacraments, thy life, nourish, comfort,
and sustain us ! Help us in all and through all the
means of grace to discern thee, the risen Lord.
Bless, gracious God, thy Church : make it the
instrument in thy hands of leading many to heav-
en. Raise up faithful and earnest men for the
work of the minstry. Do thou thyself teach them,
that they may teach others. Especially be with
the minister of this parish, who is set over us in
the Lord. Holy Spirit ! let thy grace descend
upon us in large measure. Let thy power be felt
among us, awakening those who sleep, leading us
all to greater earnestness, and making us more holy
in our lives. And wherever thy gospel is preached
this day, whether at home or abroad, oh ! grant that
its influence may be felt, and that thousands may
be turned from darkness to light, and from the
power of Satan unto God.
Grant, Lord, that a special blessing may rest
upon our Sunday schools, and all who are called to
teach in them. Be with each one of our fellow-
worshippers. Help them and us, and all who are
dear to us, this day, on our way to heaven.
We thank thee for all the mercies of the week ;
we acknowledge thy goodness to this family ; and
humbly commit ourselves to thy care, praying that
our names may be written in heaven.
Hear these our prayers, we beseech thee, and
grant our requests, through the intercession
of thy beloved Son Jesus Christ our Saviour.
Amen.
410
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
SUNDAY EVENING.
John xxi. — 15. So, when they had dined, Jesus
saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, West
thou me more than these ? He saith unto him,
Yea, Lord : thou knowest that I love thee. He
saith unto him, Feed my lambs.
16. He saith to him again the second time,
Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith
unto him, Yea, Lord: thou knowest that I love
thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
17. He saith unto him the third time, Simon,
son of Jonas, lovest thou me ? Peter was grieved
because he said unto him the third time, Lovest
thou me ? And he said unto him, Lord, thou
knowest all things : thou knowest that I love thee.
Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
18. Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou
wast young thou girdest thyself, and walkedst
whither thou wouldest; but, when thou ehalt be
old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another
shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou would-
est not.
19. This spake he, signifying by what death he
What so searching as love, so intense in its requirements,
so severe in its tests, because so pure, so rich, so free in its
outgoing ? Jesus, who had loved Peter so strongly, that,
by the energy of prayer, he had rescued liim from the fate of
Judas ; who had loved him so tenderly, that neither from the
cross nor from the open sepulchre had he upbraided him with
his fall, — now put to Peter the simple question, " Lovest thou
me ? " Our Lord had the right to ask this question in the
comparative ; for Peter had ever been forward to speak and act,
and had just now plunged into the water to get to Jesus a
little in advance of his brethren : " Lovest thou me more than,
thy fellow-disciples ? " The reproving look which the Re-
deemer had cast on Peter after his denial was still burning in
his soul ; and now, like a triple hammer-stroke, the question
falls upon his heart, " Lovest thou me 1 " The question,
so severe and searching from its association, was the more so
should glorify God. And, when he had spoken
this, he saith unto him, Follow me.
20. Then Peter, turning about, seeth the dis-
ciple whom Jesus loved following; (which also
leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord,
which is he that betrayeth thee ?)
21. Peter, seeing him, saith to Jesus, Lord, and
what shall this man do ?
22. Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry
till I come, what is that to thee ? Follow thou me.
23. Then went this saying abroad among the
brethren, that that disciple should not die : yet
Jesus said not unto him, He shall not die ; but, If I
will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee ?
24. This is the disciple which testifieth of these
things, and wrote these things ; and we know that
his testimony is true.
25. And there are also many other things
which Jesus did, the which, if they should be writ-
ten every one, I suppose that even the world itself
could not contain the books that should be written.
Amen.
from the words in which it was phrased. The English ver-
sion does not show the difference ; but, the first time our
Lord used a word that expresses only a reverential love, — put-
ting Peter, as it were, in the place of a servant or disciple, —
Peter responded with a word that expresses the warmest per-
sonal devotion. The same distinction is repeated in the
second asking. But the third time, as if to take Peter back
to his heart, our Lord adopts his own warmth of utterance,
and makes such love the qualification for feeding the flock.
Not to precede in rank, but to excel in love, should be the am-
bition of the Christian preacher. With such love in his
heart, it was nothing to Peter to be warned that in his old
age he should be bound and crucified for his Lord. The
love which had conquered self had already conquered death.
The one test of the believer's preparation for duty or for
death is, " Lovest thou me 1 "
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 162, 168, 174.
Lord ! we are not worthy to lift up our hearts
and our voices unto thee ; but He is worthy in
whose name we approach thee. Though thou art
high and holy, yet dost thou humble thyself to be-
hold the dwellers upon earth, and dost hearken to
the cry of the needy for thy dear Son's sake.
We thank thee for health and strength, and
every earthly comfort and blessing. But we praise
thee yet more for the measure of grace which thou
hast given to us ; for thy holy Word, and for the
way of salvation which it reveals. Teach us to
devote all that we have, and all that we are, to
Him who gave himself for us. Oh, may the love
of Christ constrain us ! May we walk as children
of the light ! and may our light so shine before
men, that they may see our good works, and glorify
our Father which is in heaven !
Give unto us the spirit of self-denial, — the
same mind that was in Christ Jesus. So fill us
with the grandeur of thy kingdom, with the real-
ity of things not seen, with the nearness of eter-
nity, that we shall count all earthly things but
loss for thy sake. May we trust thy providence
to take care of us while we seek first the kingdom
of God !
[May the children of this family grow up in
the love of all that is pure and good and holy !]
We implore thy blessing upon all who are in any
way connected with us, especially those who are
in any trouble and sorrow. Comfort all that
mourn. Enlighten and sanctify any who are yet
far from thee.
And now, most gracious Father, we pray thee
to watch over and protect us through this night.
Let thy love cheer us, and thy Holy Spirit comfort
us, for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
411
MONDAY.
Esther vii. — 1. So the king and Haman came
to banquet with Esther the queen.
2. And the king said again unto Esther on the
second day at the banquet of wine, "What is thy
petition, Queen Esther ? and it shall be granted
thee; and what is thy request? and it shall be
performed, even to the half of the kingdom.
3. Then Esther the queen answered and said, If
I have found favor in thy sight, king ! and if it
please the king, let my life be given me at my
petition, and my people at my request ;
4. For we are sold, I and my people, to be de-
stroyed, to be slain, and to perish. But, if we had
been sold for bondmen and bondwomen, I had
held my tongue, although the enemy could not
counterveil the king's damage.
5. Then the King Ahasuerus answered and said
unto Esther the queen, "Who is he, and where is
he, that durst presume in his heart to do so ?
6. And Esther said, The adversary and enemy
is this wicked Haman. Then Haman was afraid
before the king and the queen.
7. And the king, arising from the banquet of
wine in his wrath, went into the palace-garden :
and Haman stood up to make request for his life
to Esther the queen ; for he saw that there was
evil determined against him by the king.
8. Then the king returned out of the palace-
Many years had passed since Daniel's promotion had made
the Jews and their religion conspicuous throughout the
Persian empire ; and Ahasuerus was now upon the throne of
Babylon. He is described as a king of great power and re-
nown, who reigned even from Judasa unto Ethiopia. If, as
some suppose, he is to be identified with Xerxes, then the
body of the Jews, by the favor of Cyrus, had returned to their
native land. But many preferred to remain in the rich
regions of Mesopotamia, where, indeed, two generations had
grown up during the captivity. But, wherever they were, the
Jews kept up their distinctions of race and religion. The
king, having set aside Vashti for slighting his commands, was
so pleased with Esther, a fair and beautiful Jewish maiden,
that he made her queen. His prime-minister Haman, igno-
rant of Esther's family and race, had plotted the extermina-
garden into the place of the banquet of wine ; and
Haman was fallen upon the bed whereon Esther
was. Then said the king, Will he force the queen
also before me in the house ? As the word went
out of the king's mouth, they covered Haman's
face.
9. And Harbonah, one of the chamberlains,
said before the king. Behold also, the gallows, fifty
cubits high, which Hainan had made for Mordecai,
who had spoken good for the king, standeth in the
house of Haman. Then the king said, Hang him
thereon.
10. So they hanged Haman on the gallows that
he had prepared for Mordecai. Then was the
king's wrath pacified.
Esther viii. — 15. And Mordecai went out from
the presence of the king in royal apparel of blue
and white, and with a great crown of gold, and
with a garment of fine linen and purple ; and the
city of Shushan rejoiced, and was glad :
16. The Jews had light and gladness and joy
and honor.
17. And in every province, and in every city,
whithersoever the king's commandment and his
decree came, the Jews had joy and gladness, a
feast and a good day. And many of the people
of the land became Jews ; for the fear of the Jews
fell upon them.
tion of the Jews to avenge himself upon Mordecai, the uncle
of Esther, who had refused to do him reverence. Guided by
her uncle, and sustained by prayer, Esther had interposed to
save her people ; and as Haman sat at table with her and the
king, exulting in his own advancement, she exposed his
wicked plot ; and, with the swiftness of Oriental justice, he was
hurried to the gallows which he had built for Mordecai. The
Jews celebrate every spring, in the festival of Purim, this
great deliverance. The piety and faith of Esther, and her
loving devotion to her guardian-uncle, impart a religious dig-
nity to the romance of her life ; and the sequel of Jewish his-
tory interprets the far-reaching and ever-merciful Providence
that "brought her to the kingdom for such a time as this."
God has ever his own methods, and can never fail of an instru-
ment for accomplishing his plans.
Appropriate Hyjixs,]
Prayer*.
[Xos. 114, 163.
Our Father in heaven, we would draw nigh unto
thee by that new and living way which hath been
opened for us into the holiest by the blood of Jesus.
"We thank thee for the mercies of the night. How
sure are the mercies of thy covenant, Lord! All
thy promises in Christ Jesus are Yea and Amen.
Fulfil unto us, we beseech thee, these thy mercies
and promises, and cause that this day we may re-
joice in the consciousness of thy presence. Oh !
sanctify us by thy truth ; and, while we receive
its instruction and comfort in our hearts, may we
carry out its precepts in our lives. May every day
witness some new victory over evil desires and
passions within us, and over the evil that is in the
world ! [Oh, may these children grow in grace as
they grow in years and in knowledge ! May they
shun evil companions and evil ways, and walk in
the way of thy commandments !] Keep all dear to
us even as the apple of thine eye. Bless our neigh-
bors, and send thy Spirit upon this whole com-
munity. Bless our rulers, and the schools and
churches in our land. May all who rule, and all
who teach, be led and taught by thee ! Have pity
upon the poor and the sorrowing; upon homes
made desolate by famine, pestilence, or war.
Lord! send peace and salvation to all people.
Mercifully forgive our sins, and finally bring us to
behold thy face, for Christ's sake. Amen.
412
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
TUESDAY.
to pass in the
year of Arta-
Nehemiah ii. — 1. And it came
month Nisan, in the twentieth
xerxes the king, that wine was before him ; and
I took up the wine, and gave it unto the king.
Now, I had not been beforetime sad in his presence.
2. Wherefore the king said unto me, Why is
thy countenance sad, seeing thou art not sick ?
this is nothing else but sorrow of heart. Then I
was very sore afraid,
3. And said unto the king, Let the king live for-
ever : why should not my countenance be sad, when
the city, the place of my fathers' sepulchres, lieth
waste, and the gates thereof are consumed with fire ?
4. Then the king said unto me, For what dost
thou make request '? So I prayed to the God of
heaven.
5. And I said unto the king, If it please the king,
and if thy servant have found favor in thy sight,
that thou wouldest send me unto Judah, unto the
city of my fathers' sepulchres, that I may build it.
6. And the king said unto me (the queen also
sitting by him), For how long shall thy journey
be ? and when wilt thou return ? So it pleased
the king to send me ; and I set him a time.
9. Then I came to the governors beyond the
river, and gave them the king's letters. Now, the
king had sent captains of the army and horsemen
with me.
11. So I came to Jerusalem, and was there three
days.
During their captivity in Bab3 r lon, many of the Jews rose
to places of honor and power ; and the influence which they
acquired they used for the advantage of their people. The
captivity weaned them from idolatry, and strengthened the
feeling of nationality ; and when at last the way was open
for their return to Palestine, though many remained in Baby-
lonia from preference, or because of official or family ties,
they all contributed toward the restoration of Jerusalem and
the temple. Nehemiah held a post of favor near the person
of the king ; but, like Moses in the court of Pharaoh, he car-
ried upon his heart the burden of his people, and did not
suffer the temptations of the court to swerve him from liis
12. And I arose in the night, I and some few
men with me ; neither told I any man what my
God had put in my heart to do at Jerusalem ;
neither was there any beast with me, save the beast
that I rode upon.
13. And I went out by night by the gate of the
valley, even before the dragon-well, and to the
dung-port, and viewed the walls of Jerusalem,
which were broken down, and the gates thereof
were consumed with fire.
14. Then I went on to the gate of the fountain,
and to the king's pool; but there was no place for
the beast that was under me to pass.
15. Then went I up in the night by the brook,
and viewed the wall, and turned back, and entered
by the gate of the valley, and so returned.
16. And the rulers knew not whither I went,
or what I did ; neither had I as yet told it to the
Jews, nor to the priests, nor to the nobles, nor to
the rulers, nor to the rest that did the work.
17. Then said I unto them, Ye see the distress
that we are in, how Jerusalem lieth waste, and the
gates thereof are burned with fire : come, and let
us build up the wall of Jerusalem, that we be no
more a reproach.
18. Then I told them of the hand of my God
which w T as good upon me ; as also the king's words
that he had spoken unto me. And they said, Let
us rise up and build. So they strengthened their
hands for this good work.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Our Father in heaven, thou hast kept us in the
watches of the night from every trouble, sorrow,
and alarm ; thou hast given us refreshing sleep.
And now we bless thee for the day ; for life and
health, for food and raiment, for home and friends,
for means of education and of enjoyment, for
means of occupation and of support, for means
of improvement in the knowledge of thyself from
thy works and thy Word, and for opportunities
of doing good to others.
We acknowledge, Lord ! our unworthiness
and our sinfulness, and beseech thee to pardon our
transgressions and heal our infirmities. Help us
this day to live aright. In the business of life
piety. Fortified by prayer, he resolved to use his position for
the relief of his suffering brethren. He gained the royal per-
mission to rebuild the city and temple ; and in face of oppo-
sition, apathy, and treachery, by dint of vigilance, persever-
ance, and efficient organization, he succeeded in building the
walls of Jerusalem, and in erecting a temple, which, though
the old men grieved in comparing it with the glory of Solo-
mon's, served to revive the worship of the fathers, and be-
came once more the symbol of national unity and hope. To
that temple came a greater than Solomon, — even the King
in his glory.
[Nos. 104, 121, 157.
may we be diligent, faithful, true ! In our inter-
course with others, may we manifest the gentle-
ness, the sincerity, the charity, of the gospel of
Christ ! May we be patient under trials, meek
under injuries, firm against temptation, bold for
the truth, zealous for thy cause ! May we be kind
to the poor, helpful to the suffering, gentle toward
all men ! Visit with thy grace the homes of all
who are dear to us. Build up, Lord! thy
Church; prosper thy kingdom in our land, and
throughout the world. Ever guide, keep, and
bless us. Bring us to the close of the day in
peace, and to the close of life in a hope full of
immortality, through Jesus Christ. Amen.
WEDNESDAY.
Numbers xxiv. — 15. And he took up his par-
able, and said, Balaam the son of Beor hath said,
and the man whose eyes are open hath said ;
16. He hath said, which heard the words of
God, and knew the knowledge of the Most High,
which saw the vision of the Almighty, falling into
a trance, but having his eyes open :
17. I shall see him, but not now; I shall behold
him, but not nigh : there shall come a Star out of
Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and
shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all
the children of Sheth.
18. And Edom shall be a possession ; Seir also
shall be a possession for his enemies ; and Israel
shall do valiantly.
19. Out of Jacob shall come he that shall have
dominion, and shall destroy him that remaineth of
the city.
Matthew ii. — 1. Now, when Jesus was born
in Bethlehem of Judaea, in the days of Herod the
king, behold, there came wise men from the east to
Jerusalem,
2. Saying, "Where is he that is born King of
the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east,
and are come to worship him.
3. When Herod the king had heard these
things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with
him.
4. And, when he had gathered all the chief
priests and scribes of the people together, he de-
manded of them where Christ should be born.
5. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of
Juda?a ; for thus it is written by the prophet,
6. And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda,
art not the least among the princes of Juda ; for
out of thee shall come a Governor that shall rule
my people Israel.
7. Then Herod, when he had privily called the
wise men, inquired of them diligently what time
the star appeared.
8. And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said,
Go and search diligently for the young child ; and,
when ye have found him, bring me word again,
that I may come and worship him also.
9. W T hen they had heard the king, they de-
parted; and, lo, the star which they saw in the
east went before them till it came and stood over
where the young child was.
10. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with
exceeding great joy.
11. And, when they were come into the house,
they saw the young child with Mary his mother,
and fell down and worshipped him ; and, when
they had opened their treasures, they presented
unto him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.
12. And, being warned of God in a dream that
they should not return to Herod, they departed
into their own country another way.
The " east " was the region about the Euphrates ; and
the "wise men," or Magi, probably belonged to the priestly
and learned caste in Persia. Many of the Jews remained
permanently in Babylonia when the bulk of the people re-
turned from their captivity in that land, and by these the
prediction of their Messiah would be kept alive among their
neighbors. The prophecies of Daniel may have found a
place in the writing's of the Magi ; for he was set above all the
wise men of the Chaldeans. Astronomers have recorded the
appearance of transient stars of great brilliancy ; and such a
star, appearing at a time when there was a general expec-
tation of some remarkable prince, would attract the gaze of
the Magi, who were accustomed to find in the heavens tokens
of important persons or events upon earth. Great was their
disappointment at finding no trace of the child in the royal
family at the capital; great their surprise at being led to the
humble lodging of Mary at Bethlehem ; but greater still was
the faith which led them to worship the babe in her arms, and
lay their offerings at his feet. Their worship was a sign of
the kingly, the divine glory hidden in the child ; their gifts
were a prophecy of the coming of the Gentiles to his king-
dom. While we admire their devotion, let us imitate it also,
bringing our hearts and treasures to the Saviour-King.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 119, 201.
O Thou who didst humble thyself to be oorn of
a virgin, the everlasting Son of the Bather, the
Prince of peace ! we bless and adore thee for thy
grace and compassion for us sinners. We give
thanks unto the Father, who so loved the world,
that he gave his only-begotten Son, that whosoever
believeth in him should not perish, but have ever-
lasting life ; we praise and worship the Son, who
took upon him our nature that he might redeem us
to God. Oh ! grant us, we beseech thee, thy peace,
through the forgiveness of sin, reconciliation with
God, and the indwelling of the Spirit, that we may
glorify and praise thee in our lives for all that we
have heard and seen of thy grace. We thank
thee, Father ! for the quiet and rest of the
past night, — that thine angels have watched
over our beds with thy peace : we. would awake
to show forth thy glory, and to spread good will
among men.
[May the children of this family remember that
Jesus came as a little child to bless them ! May
they give their hearts to his love !] And may
we all, in the spirit of little children, love and
serve Him who came into the world to save
sinners ! And, oh ! may the world be saved ;
may all men come to Christ ; may peace reign
on earth, and good will bind all hearts together
for the glory of God ! And to the Father, Son,
and Holy Spirit, be honor and praise throughout
all ages. Amen.
414
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
THURSDAY.
Job xiv. — 1. Man, that is born of a woman, is
of few days, and full of trouble.
2. He cometb fortli like a flower, and is cut down ;
he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not.
5. Seeing his days are determined, the number
of his months are with thee ; thou hast appointed
his bounds that he cannot pass :
6. Turn from him, that he may rest, till he shall
accomplish, as a hireling, his day.
7. For there is hope of a tree, if it be cut down,
that it will sprout again, and that the tender
branch thereof will not cease.
8. Though the root thereof wax old in the earth,
and the stock thereof die in the ground ;
9. Yet through the scent of water it will bud,
and bring forth boughs like a plant.
10. But man dieth, and wasteth away ; yea,
man giveth up the ghost, and where is he ?
11. As the waters fail from the sea, and the
flood decayeth and drieth up ;
12. So man lieth down, and riseth not : till the
heavens be no more they shall not awake, nor be
raised out of their sleep.
14. If a man die, shall he live again? All the
days of my appointed time will I wait till my
change come.
18. And surely the mountain, falling, cometh to
nought, and the rock is removed out of his place.
The great conquerors of the East caused military roads to
be built across the desolate regions of Arabia lying between
Palestine and Babylonia ; as, in later times, Rome had high-
ways built through every country traversed by her armies.
The march of a royal commander was heralded by pioneers
to clear the way, and trumpeters to proclaim his coming. So
the prophet conceives of Jehovah as about to lead his people
from their captivity in Babylon to restore the Holy City ; and
the heralds are sent forth into the wilderness to summon the
engineers and workmen to prepare for his coming. His must
be a high way, a straight way, a smooth way : every obstacle
must be overcome, every annoyance removed ; nothing left
to delay or to disfigure the march of this mighty, this glori-
19. The waters wear the stones : thou wash-
est away the things which grow out of the dust
of the earth ; and thou destroyest the hope of
man.
Isaiah xl. — 1. Comfort ye, comfort ye my
people, saith your God.
2. Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry
unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that
her iniquity is pardoned ; for she hath received of
the Lord's hand double for all her sins.
3. The voice of him that crieth in the wilder-
ness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord; make
straight in the desert a highway for our God.
4. Every valley shall be exalted, and every
mountain and hill shall be made low; and the
crooked shall be made straight, and the rough
places plain ;
5. And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed,
and all flesh shall see it together; for the mouth of
the Lord hath spoken it.
6. The voice said, Cry. And he said, What
shall I cry? All flesh is grass, and all the good-
liness thereof is as the flower of the field :
7. The grass withereth, the flower fadeth ; be-
cause the spirit of the Lord bloweth upon it :
surely the people is grass.
8. The grass withereth, the flower fadeth ; but
the word of our God shall stand forever.
ous King. But the prophet looked beyond the redemption of
Israel from captivity, — to the redemption of the nations from
the God of this world, from the powers of darkness, through
the coming of Christ. What might seem impossible to short-
lived men, and to human agencies, that wither like the grass,
was made sure by the enduring word of the Lord : and cen-
turies later, when Jerusalem had forever lost her independent
nationality, and was held as a vassal of Borne, the voice of
John the Baptist was heard in the wilderness of Jndsea, cry-
ing, " Prepare ye the way of the Lord ; " and her King came,
whose triumph, begun in suffering, is going on to possess the
earth till " all flesh shall see it together."
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 146, 147, 159.
Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the
foundations of the earth ; and the heavens are
the works of thine hands. They shall perish ;
but thou remainest : and they shall wax old as
doth a garment ; and as a vesture shalt thou
fold them up, and they shall be changed ; but
thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail.
In thee, Lord ! do we put our trust : let us
never be confounded. With our affections on
things above, may we be ever looking for that
blessed hope, even the glorious appearing of the
great God, our Saviour Jesus Christ ! May we
grow in faith and love, in charity and meekness,
in diligence and faithfulness, rejoicing in hope
of the glory of God. Father, glorify thy name.
May the time to favor Zion, yea, the set time,
speedily come !
We bring to thee our personal and family wants,
praying thee to guide, help, and bless us. [Give
unto these children, Lord ! grace to serve thee
in the morning of life, and in their thoughts and
words, their studies and their play, always to please
their Father in heaven.] Remember with thy
mercy all our friends ; visit with thy grace the
homes of all who are dear to us. We come with
thanksgiving for the mercies of the night and of
our past lives ; and for our future, trusting only
in thy grace, we would commit our souls unto
thee as to our faithful Creator ; to whom be glory
and dominion forever. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
415
FRIDAY.
Jsremiah xxxi. — 15. Thus saith the Lord: A
voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation and bitter
weeping : Rahel, weeping for her children, re-
fused to be comforted for her children, because
they loere not.
16. Thus saith the Lord : Refrain thy voice
from weeping, and thine eyes from tears : for thy
work shall be rewarded, saith the Lord ; and they
shall come again from the land of the enemy.
17. And there is hope in thine end, saith the
Lord, that thy children shall come again to their
own border.
Matthew ii. — 13. Aid, when they were de-
parted, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to
Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the
young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt,
and be thou there until I bring thee word; for
Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.
14. When he arose, he took the young child and
his mother by night, and departed into Egypt ;
15. And was there until the death of Herod :
that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the
Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I
called my son.
16. Then Herod, when he saw that he was
mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and
sent forth, and slew all the children that were in
Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two
years old and under, according to the time which
he had diligently inquired of the wise men.
17. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by
Jeremy the prophet, saying,
18. In Rama was there a voice heard, lamenta-
tion and weeping and great mourning ; Rachel
weeping for her children, and would not be com-
forted, because they are not.
19. But, when Herod was dead, behold, an angel
of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in
Egypt,
20. Saying, Arise, and take the young child and
his mother, and go into the land of Israel ; for they
are dead which sought the young child's life.
21. And he arose, and took the young child and
his mother, and came into the land of Israel.
22. But, when he heard that Archelaus did reign
in Judaea in the room of his father Herod, he was
afraid to go thither : notwithstanding, being
warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into
the parts of Galilee ;
23. And he came and dwelt in a city called Naza-
reth; that it might be fulfilled which was spoken
by the prophets, He shall be called a iSTazarene.
After more than fifteen hundred years, Egypt, which had so
sorely oppressed the people of God, became the refuge of their
great Deliverer, of whom Moses was the type and forerunner.
And the same cruelty of a tyrant, which had well-nigh caused
the destruction of Moses at his birth, now led Joseph and Mary
to seek safety in Egypt for the infant Jesus. So wonderfully
does the providence of God frustrate the wrath of man, and even
cause it to praise him ! The line of Pharaohs was long ago
extinct, and Egypt was now a province of the Roman empire.
The Jews were very numerous m that country, where they en-
joyed protection and prosperity. An easy journey of three or
four days — performed, probably, with the aid of a single ass —
would place Joseph and the child beyond the reach of Herod.
After the death of Herod the Great, his kingdom was di-
vided by his will among several children ; and Archelaus had
the province of Judaea. Joseph naturally feared that Arche-
laus would inherit his father's jealousy of a king to be born
unto the Jews ; but in Galilee, under "the milder rule of Anti-
pas, he would be comparatively safe. Thus the narrative cor-
responds minutely with the political history of the times. The
loving care which Jehovah exercised over Jesus, as before he
had done over Moses, is no doubt exercised over many a child,
though its steps are not recorded. Some little incident in the
life of a little child may have to do with the mighty purposes
of God's kingdom.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 85, 201.
God, the Father of all the families of men !
we thank thee for thy great love in the gift of
children ; for all the joy they bring with them ;
for all the good thou dost prepare for them and by
them. We bless thee that thine only Son, our
Saviour, came into the world as a little child, and
so joined himself to our human life. [^Lry the
children of this family be thine in the covenant
of thy love, and grow up in the household of
faith !] • .
Lord ! we adore thee as God over all, blessed
forevermore. Thou art the Former of our bodies,
and the Father of our spirits. All we are and all
we have is derived from thee. There is nothing
which we have that we have not received. Oh !
give us the blessing of grateful hearts. Let thy
Spirit be our teacher ; let thy Word be our guide ;
let thy will be our sovereign motive ; let thy glory
be our final end.
Heavenly Father, we bring thee thanks for the
rest and refreshment of sleep, and for the comforts
of the morning. Bless us at our table, in our
domestic occupations, and in all the business of
life. Oh ! gladden this home with thy presence.
Guide, keep, and prosper us this day. Bless all
connected with us by whatever tie. May our ever-
present God be with them, guiding them by his
grace, defending them from temptation, and fitting
them for the varied duties of the present life !
Bless the lambs of thy flock. We commend
them to the Great Shepherd of the sheep, beseech-
ing him to make them perfect, and to fold them
in the arms of his mercy. And to thy name be
ascribed all the praise. Amen.
416
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
SATURDAY.
Psalm cxiv. — 1. When Israel went out of
Egypt, the house of Jacob from a people of
strange language ;
2. Judah was his sanctuary, and Israel his do-
minion.
3. The sea saw it, and fled : Jordan was driven
hack.
4. The mountains skipped like rams, and the
little hills like lambs.
5. What ailed thee, thou sea ! that thou fled-
dest ? thou Jordan, that thou wast driven back ?
6. Ye mountains, that ye skipped like rams ;
and ye little hills, like lambs ?
7. Tremble, thou earth, at the presence of the
Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob ;
8. Which turned the rock into a standing water,
the flint into a fountain of waters.
Isaiah lix. — 1. Behold, the Lord's hand is not
shortened that it cannot save, neither his ear
heavy that it cannot hear ;
2. But your iniquities have separated between
you and your God, and your sins have hid Ms face
from you, that he will not hear.
14. Judgment is turned away backward, and
justice standeth afar off; for truth is fallen in the
street, and equity cannot enter.
15. Yea, truth faileth ; and he that departeth
from evil maketh himself a prey : and the Lord
The prophet looks upon Israel in a state of utter apostasy,
of seemingly hopeless corruption. No human reformer, no
change of circumstances, no earthly intervention, can reach
the deep necessities of their case. Indeed, they have fallen so
low, that no one seems disposed to attempt a reformation, or
to think of recovery as possible. The worst feature of their
condition is, that they do not appear to know to what a depth
they are sunk in degradation. Jehovah himself, by a strong
figure of speech, is represented as wondering that no one
attempts relief or intercession. Yet, because of this, his
compassion is the more deeply stirred ; and, though their
sins would justify him in leaving them to destruction, he
will provide a Redeemer, and renew his covenant of salva-
saw it, and it displeased him that there was no
judgment.
16. And he saw that there was no man, and
wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore
his arm brought salvation unto him ; and his right-
eousness, it sustained him :
17. For he put on righteousness as a breastplate,
and a helmet of salvation upon his head; and he
put on the garments of vengeance for clothing,
and was clad with zeal as a cloak.
18. According to their deeds, accordingly he
will repay, fury to his adversaries, recompense to
his enemies ; to the islands he will repay recom-
pense.
19. So shall they fear the name of the Lord
from the west, and his glory from the rising of the
sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood,
the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard
against him.
20. And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and
unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob,
saith the Lord.
21. As for me, this is my covenant with them,
saith the Lord : My spirit that is upon thee, and my
words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not
depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of
thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed's seed,
saith the Lord, from henceforth and forever.
tion. It may be needful first to show his displeasure at
sin by the judgments of his hand ; and these, like an over-
whelming flood, or a river swept along by a mighty wind,
shall cause the nations from east to west to fear the name
of the Lord. Thus was it before the coming of Christ. The
wants and woes, the struggles and strifes, of humanity had
created a yearning for a Deliverer, had prepared the way for
the Redeemer promised to Zion. The grace of God tri-
umphs over the sins of men, and turns deserved judgments
into agencies of moral reformation. The very helplessness
to which mankind had reduced themselves by sin was the
plea for the humiliation and sacrifice of the Son of God for
their recovery.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 22, 56, 142.
Blessed be God, the Father of all mercies, for
the daily comforts of his providence and grace.
Thy mercies, Lord ! are new every morning.
Grant us grace dady to live unto thee, to do thy
holy will, and to glorify thee in our bodies and
spirits, which are thine. Suffer not the cares of life
to distract our minds from thee ; but may we seek
first the kingdom of God and his righteousness !
Give us, this day, our daily bread ; and feed our
souls with that living bread which came down from
heaven. May Christ be in us the hope of glory,
and the power of an endless life ! Lord, the
Maker and Ruler of all ! we bless thee for all thy
marvellous works and for thy ways unto the chil-
dren of men. Thou givest us rain from heaven,
and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food
and gladness. Bless the earth, we pray tine, with
abundant harvests, that there may be seed for the
sower, and bread for the eater. And, most mer-
ciful Father ! do thou visit our land with plenteous
showers of grace, making thy Word fruitful, reviv-
ing thy Church, and causing righteousness to flour-
ish and abound. Rule in the hearts of our rulers,
and turn the people unto the things of thy king-
dom. We commend unto thee all dear to us. We
commit our souls unto thee for this day ; beseech-
ing thee for Christ's sake to forgive our sins, to
keep us unspotted from the world, and pure in thy
sight. And to the Father, the Son, and the Holy
Ghost, be glory forever. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
417
SUNDAY MORNING.
Psa!m XXXvi. — 1. The transgression of the
wicked saith within my heart, that there is no fear
of God before his eyes.
2. For he flattereth himself in his own eyes,
until his iniquity be found to be hateful.
3. The words of his mouth are iniquity and de-
ceit : he hath left off to be wise and to do good.
4. He deviseth mischief upon his bed ; he set-
teth himself in a way that is not good; he ab-
horreth not evil.
5. Thy mercy, Lord ! is in the heavens ; and
thy faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds.
6. Thy righteousness is like the great moun-
tains; thy judgments are a great deep: Lord!
thou preservest man and beast.
7. How excellent is thy loving-kindness, God !
therefore the children of men put their trust under
the shadow of thy wings.
8. They shall be abundantly satisfied with the
fatness of thy house ; and thou shalt make them
drink of the river of thy pleasures.
9. For with thee is the fountain of life : in thy
light shall we see light.
10. Oh ! continue thy loving-kindness unto them
that know thee, and thy righteousness to the up-
right in heart.
11. Let not the foot of pride come against me,
and let not the hand of the wicked remove me.
2 Timothy ii. — 1. Thou therefore, my son, be
strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
2. And the things that thou hast heard of me
among many witnesses, the same commit thou to
faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
The Christian ministry was never intended to be a posi-
tion of selfish enjoyment, of worldly emolument and ease. It
is the duty of the Church to see that the ministry is put above
the distractions of earthly wants and cares ; but it is equally
the duly of the ministry not to secularize its calling. That
calling is here likened to the hard service of the soldier, whose
special and seclusive duties forbid his absorption in the com-
mon affairs of life, and bind him to his leader or his cause ;
it is likened to the training of the athlete for the prize in the
3. Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good
soldier of Jesus Christ.
4. No man that warreth entangleth himself
with the affairs of this life, that he may please
him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.
5. And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is
he not crowned except he strive lawfully.
6. The husbandman that laboreth must be first
partaker of the fruits.
7. Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee
understanding in all things.
8. Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of
David, was raised from the dead, according to my
gospel ;
9. Wherein I suffer trouble as an evil-doer,
even unto bonds ; but the word of God is not
bound.
10. Therefore I endure all things for the elect's
sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which
is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
11. It is a faithful saying, For if we be dead
with him, we shall also live with him;
12. If we suffer, we shall also reign with him;
if we deny him, he also will denj r us ;
13. If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful ;
he cannot deny himself.
14. Of these things put them in remembrance,
charging them before the Lord that they strive not
about words to no profit, but to the subverting of
the hearers.
15. Study to show thyself approved unto God,
a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, right-
ly dividing the word of truth.
race or other contests in the public games ; it is likened to the
patient labor of the husbandman, by which alone the fruits of
the earth can be secured. But though it is a work of self-
denial, of toil, and of sacrifice, it is a most blessed and reward-
ing work. He who enters upon it in the right spirit identifies
himself with Christ in the object for which he came into the
world, — the salvation of men, — is called of Christ, is sus-
tained by Christ, lives in Christ, and, if faithful unto death,
shall reign with Christ in glory everlasting.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 42, 80, 143.
Lord, who by the example of thy blessed
apostle Paul hast taught us to forget those things
which are behind, and to reach forth unto those
things that are before ! give us grace this day that
we may press toward the mark for the prize of our
high calling of thee in Christ Jesus. May we lay
aside every weight, and the sins which so easily
beset us, and run with patience the race set be-
fore us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher
of our faith ! As he for the joy set before him
endured the cross, despising the shame ; even so
may we ever have before us our heavenly reward,
and in like manner not fear what men can do unto
us, if only we may acceptably serve thee !
In the constant sense of our membership in
Christ ; in the unfailing thought that we are his
soldiers and servants ; in the love of our Father's
house, and the blessed hope of our eternal home, —
Lord, preserve and keep us.
For the mercies of the past night ; for the health
and comfort with which we begin the day ; for the
provision of our wants ; for means of improve-
ment, of enjoyment, and of usefulness, — we hum-
bly thank thee, the Giver of all good. Bless all
dear to us ; multiply the preachers of thy gospel ;
turn opposers and persecutors into witnesses for
thee ; and subdue all hearts unto thyself, through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
418
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
SUNDAY EVENING.
Psalm xxvii.— 4. One thing have I desired of
the Lord, that will I seek after ; that I may dwell
in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to
behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in
his temple.
5. For in the time of trouble he shall hide me
in his pavilion ; in the secret of his tabernacle
shall he hide me ; he shall set me up upon a rock.
6. Ami now shall mine head be lifted up above
mine enemies round about me : therefore will I
offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy ; I will sing,
yea, I will sing praises unto the Lord.
7. Hear, Lord! when I cry with my voice;
have mercy also upon me, and answer me.
8. When thou saidst, Seek ye my face, my
heart said unto thee, Thy face, Lord, will I seek.
9. Hide not thy face far from me ; put not thy
servant away in anger : thou hast been my help ;
leave me not, neither forsake me, God of my
salvation !
10. When my father and -my mother forsake
me, then the Lord will take me up.
11. Teach me thy way, Lord ! and lead me in
a plain path, because of mine enemies.
12. Deliver me not over unto the will of mine
enemies ; for false witnesses are risen up against
me, and such as breathe out cruelty.
13. I had fainted, unless I had believed to see
the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.
14. Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and
he shall strengthen thine heart ; wait, I say, on
the Lord.
Obedience to these precepts would make life perfect both in
its relations to the outer world and in its innermost relations
with God. How peaceful would be the life of one who should
never render evil for evil ! how beneficent the life that should
ever follow toward all men that which is good ! how consist-
ent and symmetrical the life, that, before committing itself to
any opinion or action, should test its character, and then
adopt and hold fast that which is good ! how gracious and
gentle would be the life that should minister comfort and sup-
port to the weak and the needy, and, while decided against
every wrong, should be patient under all injury or provoca-
I Thessalonians v. — 12. And we beseech you,
brethren, to know them which labor among you,
and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you ;
13. And to esteem them very bighly in love for
their work's sake. And be at peace among your-
selves.
14. Now, we exhort you, brethren, warn them
that are unruly, comfort the feeble-minded, sup-
port the weak, be patient toward all men.
15. See that none render evil for evil unto any
man; but ever follow that which is good, both
among yourselves and to all men.
16. Rejoice evermore.
17. Pray without ceasing.
18. In every thing give thanks ; for this is the
will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
19. Quench not the Spirit.
20. Despise not prophesyings.
21. Prove all things : hold fast that which is good.
22. Abstain from all appearance of evil.
23. And the very God of peace sanctify you
wholly ; and / pray God your whole spirit and
soul and body be preserved blameless unto the
coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
24. Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will
do it.
25. Brethren, pray for us.
26. Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss.
27. I charge you by the Lord that this epistle
be read unto all the holy brethren.
28. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ he with
you. Amen.
Appropriate Hymns,]
God, who hast taught us in thy Word that
there is still laid up a rest for thy people, and who
hast given us a promise of entering into it ! grant
to us, we beseech thee, that we fail not of that
promise through unbelief and disobedience. Teach
us to look for a house that hath foundations, of
which thou art the maker and builder. Lift our
hearts thither in earnest desire.
God the Father, who hast the times and sea-
sons in thine own power! let not that day come
upon us unawares. O God the Son, who art gone
to prepare a place for us ! in thine own time take
us to thyself, that wdiere thou art, there we may be
tion ! and how pure and beautiful the life that should abstain
from all appearance of evil ! But such outward peace, benig-
nity, consistency, grace, beauty, purity, cannot be wrought by
rule : these must spring from that communion with God in
which praj-er is unbroken, and thanksgiving is perpetual ; in
which no light of the Spirit is ever quenched by earthly pas-
sions, no voice of the Spirit drowned by earthly cares ; but
the whole nature — body, soul, and spirit — is brought into
harmony through the pervading, sanctifying presence of the
God of peace. For this let us pray without ceasing. Unto
this, also, let us daily live.
[Nos. 41, 151.
Prayer.
also. God the Holy Ghost, the pledge of future
glory in our hearts ! seal us until the redemption
of the purchased possession. We bless thee for
the help this day received through thy holy Word
and the prayers and praises of thy Church. We
supplicate thy favor upon all who have heard thy
Word, and upon those who have it not. We
bless thee for thy mercy to this household, and
commit ourselves to thy fatherly protection for
the night. Keep us under the shadow of thy
wings; and, Father! bring us, we pray thee,
finally to rest in thee, through Jesus Christ our
Lord. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
419
END OF THE YEAR.
Isaiah Ixii. — 1. For Zion's sake will I not
hold my peace, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not
rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as
brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp
that burnetii.
2. And the Gentiles shall see thy righteous-
ness, and all kings thy glory ; and thou shalt be
called by a new name, which the mouth of the
Lord shall name.
3. Thou shalt also be a crown of glory in the
hand of the Lord, and a rcyal diadem in the hand
of thy God.
4. Thou shalt no more be termed Forsaken;
neither shall thy land any more be termed Deso-
late : but thou shalt be called Hephzi-bah, and thy
land Beulah ; for the Lord delighteth in thee, and
thy land shall be married.
5. For as a young man marrieth a virgin, so
shall thy sons marry thee ; and as the bridegroom
rejoiceth over the bride, so shall thy God rejoice
over thee.
6. I have set watchmen upon thy walls, Jeru-
salem ! which shall never hold their peace day nor
night : ye that make mention of the Lord, keep
not silence,
7. And give him no rest, till he establish, and
till he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth.
Matthew xxv. — 1. Then shall the kingdom of
heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their
lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
In the East, marriages are almost invariably celebrated at
night. The bridegroom, with a party of his friends, goes to
the house of the bride to bring her to his own house. A
party of her friends attend her, and others join them on the
way, illuminating the night with torches, and enlivening it
with music. The women join the procession as it is return-
ing to the house of the bridegroom : these may be his rela-
tives and friends as well as those of the bride. Such were the
virgins in the text, — friends of the bridegroom, who desired
to honor him with their greeting, and to share in the festivi-
ties of the marriage. Five, however, thought only of appear-
ances : they put on their robes, they took up their lamps, they
secured their places, but made no provision against delays.
2. And five of them were wise, and five were
foolish.
3. They that were foolish took their lamps, and
took no oil with them ;
4. But the wise took oil in their vessels with
their lamps.
5. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slum-
bered and slept.
6. And at midnight there was a cry made, Be-
hold, the bridegroom cometh : go ye out to meet
him.
7. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed
their lamps.
8. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us
of your oil ; for our lamps are gone out.
9. But the wise answered, saying, Not so;
lest there be not enough for us and you : but
go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for your-
selves.
10. And, while they went to buy, the bride-
groom came; and. they that were ready went
in with him to the marriage ; and the door was
shut.
11. Afterward came also the other virgins, say-
ing, Lord, Lord, open to us.
12. But he answered and said, Yerily I say
unto you, I know you not.
13. Watch, therefore ; for ye know neither the
day nor the hour wherein the Son of man com-
eth.
The other five provided themselves for every emergency. The
first represent those who have openly confessed Christ, have
conformed to Christian ordinances, have begun the Christian
life with somewhat of sincerity and zeal, but have failed to
nourish in their hearts the needful supply of divine grace.
The second have given greater heed to the inward power of
illumination than to outward appearances. Hence their
lamps may also burn dim, while the)' yield to momentary
slumber ; but they keep in their hearts the grace that shall
kindle them anew. Hence no discouragement can exhaust
their patience, and no surprise can find them unprepared.
The true preparation for death and heaven is the life which
is hid with Christ in God.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[> T os. 4, 20, 39.
God, who makest the outgoings of the morn-
ing and the evening to rejoice ! thou crownest the
year with thy goodness. Thy mercy gave us life
at the first: that mercy hath followed us all the
days of our lives, and hath brought us in safety to
the close of another year. For all the past we
bless thee, humbly confessing our unworthiness,
and beseeching thee to forgive our sins. So teach
us to number our days that we may apply our
hearts unto wisdom.
We bless thee, Lord ! for all the progress of
thy kingdom in the year now gone. Grant that,
in years to come, it may grow to fill the whole
earth. Conscious of our own weakness, humbly
confessing our sins, we cast ourselves upon thine
infinite grace in Christ our Saviour for pardon,
strength, and sanctification. May we as a family
honor thee in our daily walk and conversation !
May old and young alike know the beauty of holi-
ness, the joy of consecration to Christ ! Grant thy
grace to all who are dear to us ; and grant us grace
to hold all men dear for Christ's sake, and to win
them to the knowledge of his gospel. And may the
peace of God, which passeth all understanding, keep
our hearts and minds in the knowledge and love
of God, through Jesus Christ our Lord! Amen.
SERVICES FOR SPECIAL OCCASIONS.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
423
NEW-YEAR'S DAY.
Psalm xc. — 1. Lord, thou liast been our dwell-
ing-place in all generations.
2. Before the mountains were brought forth, or
ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world,
even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.
3. Thou turnest man to destruction ; and sa} r -
est, Return, ye children of men.
4. For a thousand years in thy sight are but as
yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the
night.
5. Thou carriest them away as with a flood ; they
are as a sleep : in the morning they are like grass
which groweth up.
6. In the morning it flourisheth, and groweth
up ; in the evening it is cut down, and withereth.
7. For we are consumed by thine anger, and by
thy wrath are we troubled.
8. Thou hast set our iniquities before thee, our
secret sins in the light of thy countenance.
9. For all our days are passed away in thy
wrath : we spend our years as a tale that is told.
The most ancient Jewish tradition ascribes this psalm to
" Moses, the man of God ; " and the style and tone of the
psalm accord with this tradition. We may assume, then, that
we have here one of the most ancient sacred poems in the
world : but it is true to the conditions of human life in all
ages ; and its simple pathos thrills the heart to-day as ten-
derly as when it was first uttered, more than three thousand
years ago.
Moses had seen the whole generation that came with him
out of Egypt perish in the wilderness. In looking back over
the forty years of the wandering, they seemed as a dream.
A nation had vanished like the grass that springs up along
the scanty water-courses of the desert, and withers beneath
the scorching sun. It was as if a swift torrent from the gorges
of the mountains had flooded their encampment and carried
them away. Such is the littleness, the brevity, of human
life, when measured by itself; and such has been the cease-
less onsjoins; of the tide of destruction since first death entered
10. The days of our years are threescore years
and ten : and if by reason of strength they be four-
score years, yet is their strength labor and sorrow ;
for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.
11. Who knoweth the power of thine anger?
Even according to thy fear, so is thy wrath.
12. So teach us to number our days, that we
may apply our hearts unto wisdom.
13. Return, O Lord ! how long ? and let it re-
pent thee concerning thy servants.
14. Oh ! satisfy us early with thy mercy, that
we may rejoice and be glad all our days.
15. Make us glad according to the days wherein
thou hast afflicted us, and the years wherein we
have seen evil.
16. Let thy work appear unto thy servants, and
thy glory unto their children.
17. And let the beauty of the Lord our God be
upon us : and establish thou the work of our hands
upon us ; yea, the work of our hands establish
thou it.
the world by sin. Through all the bustle and enterprise, the
gayety and ambition, of the world, is still heard the sad refrain,
" Return to dust, ye children of men."
But Moses was surrounded by the unchanging mountains ;
and before him was the land of promise, to which he was
leading the people ; and so there came to him the thought of
the everlasting God, whose covenant of mercy is as unchange-
able as the mountains. The personal and absolute existence
of Jehovah, his perpetual providence over the world, and his
eternal power and glory in the creation, are here asserted as
strong]} 7 as in the first chapter of Genesis.
This thought of God's eternity, while it inspires awe and
humility, is the true ground of confidence and hope. We
can trust in the word and the grace of the unchanging
Jehovah. He can give permanence to our feeble aims, and
hopes of good ; and, if we apply our hearts to his ways, we
shall find in him the life everlasting.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 69, 150, 185.
Blessed be God for the goodness and mercy that
have followed us all the days of our life ; for all the
years that we have numbered, and for all the expe-
riences of thy providence and grace that these years
have brought us. Day by day thy hand hath
preserved, sustained, defended us : thy Word has
been our guide, thy Spirit our Comforter. To thee
we owe our health, our home, and every joy and
hope. Bless the Lord, O our souls ! and forget
not all his benefits.
Yet we acknowledge before thee, Lord ! that
we have abused thy gifts, and slighted thy grace.
Thou hast borne with our follies, our infirmities,
and our sins ; and we beseech thee, for Christ's
sake, take away from us whatever in thought,
word, or deed, is evil in thy sight, and incline us
ever to that which is good.
With this new year help us to consecrate our-
selves unto thee in newness of life, and to walk
before thee as loving and faithful children. May
it please thee to preserve us in health; to send us
prosperity ; to bless us in our persons, in our fam-
ily, in our friendships, and in all the labors of our
hands; and, above all,' to keep us from the evil that
is in the world, and to sanctify us for thine own
will concerning us. Thou who art the same
yesterday, to-day, and for ever ! in thee do we put
our trust ; to thee do we commit our souls.
We pray for the coming of thy kingdom, for
the peace and prosperity of thy church, for the
good of all men, for the salvation of the whole
world. Grant us, we beseech thee, such a union
with Christ, that, whether we live or die, we may
be the Lord's, and finally may attain unto the life
everlasting, through our Lord and Saviour Jesus
Christ. Amen.
424
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
NEW-YEAR'S DAY.
Psalm xci. — 1. He that dwellefch in the secret
place of the Most High shall abide under the
shadow of the Almighty.
2. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and
my fortress : my God ; in him will I trust.
3. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare
of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.
4. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and
under his wings shalt thou trust : his truth shall
be thy shield and buckler.
5. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by
night, nor for the arrow that rlieth by day,
6. Nor for the pestilence that walketh in dark-
ness, nor for the destruction that wasteth at noon-
day.
7. A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten
thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come
nigh thee.
8. Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and
see the reward of the wicked.
9. Because thou hast made the Lord, which
is my refuge, even the Most High, thy habita-
tion ;
10. There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall
any plague come nigh thy dwelling.
11. For he shall give his angels charge over
thee, to keep thee in all thy waj^s.
12. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest
thou dash thy foot against a stone.
13. Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder :
the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample
under feet.
14. Because he hath set his love upon me,
therefore will I deliver him : I will set him on
high, because he hath known my name.
15. He shall call upon me, and I will answer
him: I will be with him in trouble; I will de-
liver him, and honor him.
16. With long life will I satisfy him, and show
him my salvation.
What nearness to God, what assurance of his protection,
what confidence in his love, are expressed in the thought of
dwelling in " the secret place of the Most High " ! To be
permitted to think of God as our friend, though far off and
invisible; to look forward to dwelling with God in heaven,
and meanwhile to feel that he hears our prayer and helps our
need, — this surely would be privilege and blessing enough :
but here we read, not only of calling upon God as our
Father, of going to him in prayer, of anticipating his presence
in heaven, but of being admitted into his inner habitation, as
to the very Holy of Holies in the temple, and there abiding.
And he who is thus favored, so far from finding God a terror,
— as men often conceive of him, and as he appeared to the
people at Sinai, — finds himself covered and protected by the
Almighty as tenderly and lovingly as the bird covers her
brood. The place of God's presence is the place of refuge,
of peace, of safety, of rest, to the soul that knows how to
find him and has learned to trust in him. And every one
can find him who seeks him by faith in Christ, and cultivates
communion with him in the spirit of a little child. To such
a one, nothing can come in reality as an evil. The storms of
adversity and persecution, the calamities that agitate others
with fear, and sweep away their possessions and their hopes,
only drive this trusting soul the closer into its refuge, the
nearer to its portion. And, to confirm the reality of this
fellowship, God himself proclaims, " Because he hath set his
love upon me, therefore will I deliver him : I will satisfy him,
and show him my salvation."
Appropriate Hymns,] Prayer.
O Lord ! open thou our lips, and our mouth shall i ment of thy kingdom !
show forth thy praise. We praise thee for the
majesty and glory of thy being, for the excellency | and hope ! and, by all the lessons of thy providence
[Nos. 22, 56, 59.
If thou shalt send adver-
sity, may we glorify thee by patience, humility,
of thy power and goodness, for thy faithfulness
and loving-kindness unto the children of men.
Surely goodness and mercy have followed us all
the days of our lives : the lines have fallen unto us
in pleasant places, and we have a goodly heritage.
Thou, Lord, who delightest in mercy, hast shown
thyself merciful even in the troubles and sorrows
of life ; causing us thereby to know the pity of
our Father, the grace of Christ our Saviour, the
consolations of the Holy Ghost. With humility
and gratitude would we trust in thee at all times,
and commit our souls unto thee in well-doing.
We bless thee that thou hast brought us to the
beginning of a new year. Oh, may thy love sur-
round us, sustain us ; thy grace sanctify and
save us! We know not what a day may bring
forth ; but we leave all that concerns us to thy
wisdom and thy love. If it shall please thee to
give us health and prosperity, may we use our
strength in thy service, our means for the advanee-
and tlty word, may we daily grow in grace !
Forgive us, O Lord ! that we have ever wandered
from thee; that we have so often grieved and offend-
ed thee. For the sake of Jesus Christ, the Son of
thy love, blot out our transgressions, heal our
backslidings, help our infirmities, and suffer us
never more to fall into temptation.
Bless us this day, we pray thee, and every day,
in all the concerns of life: do thou minister to our
necessities, multiply our comforts, prosper our un-
dertakings, increase our joys, enlarge our useful-
ness, and in all, and through all, enrich us witli
thy mercy. Deal gently, Lord, with the sick and
the dying; show favor to the needy and the out-
cast; comfort the aged; guide the .young ; and lead
all conditions of men to put their trust in thee, and
to know thy salvation. May this family be thine in
the covenant of thy grace, and all our kindred and
friends be gathered with us at last in our Father's
house, through Jesus our Lord! Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
425
WASHINGTON'S BIRTHDAY.
Joshua xxiii. — 1. And it came to pass, along
time after that the Lord had given rest unto Israel
from all their enemies round about, that Joshua
waxed old and stricken in age.
2. And Joshua called for all Israel, and for
their elders, and for their heads, and for their
judges, and for their officers, and said unto them,
I am old and stricken in age :
3. And ye have seen all that the Lord your God
hath done unto all these nations because of you ; for
the Lord your God is he that hath fought for you.
4. Behold, I have divided unto you by lot these
nations that remain, to be an inheritance for your
tribes, from Jordan, with all the nations that I
have cut off, even unto the great sea westward.
5. And the Lord your God he shall expel them
from before you, and drive them from out of your
sight ; and ye shall possess their land, as the Lord
your God hath promised unto you.
6. Be ye therefore very courageous to keep and
to do all that is written in the book of the law of
Moses ; that ye turn not aside therefrom to the
right hand or to the left ;
7. That ye come not among these nations, these
that remain among you ; neither make mention of
1 the name of their gods, nor cause to swear by them,
l neither serve them, nor bow yourselves unto them :
8. But cleave unto the Lord your God, as ye
have done unto this day.
9. For the Lord hath driven out from before
you great nations and strong ; but as for you, no
man hath been able to stand before you unto this
day.
Joshua xxiv. — 22. And Joshua said unto the
people, Ye are witnesses against yourselves that ye
have chosen you the Lord, to serve him. And
they said, We are witnesses.
23. iNow, therefore, put away (said lie) the
strange gods which are among you, and incline
your heart unto the Lord God of Israel.
24. And the people said unto Joshua, The
Lord our God will we serve, and his voice will we
obey.
25. So Joshua made a covenant with the people
that day, and set them a statute and an ordinance
in Shechem.
Joshua combined, in a remarkable degree, strategy for
the conduct of war, and sagacity for the administration of
civil affairs. He had also the moral courage to avow his
dependence upon God, and to inculcate virtue and religion by
precept and example. Having secured tor his people a coun-
try by his arms, he did not seek to make himself king ; but,
laying aside his command, he established a covenant or eon-
stitiuion by which they should be governed. These great
qualities and noble actions were reproduced in the leader and
founder of our own nation ; and though neither our religion
nor our republicanism would favor the canonizing of heroes
and sages, yet all Americans will this day unite in thanks-
giving to God for the gift of Washington.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Xos. 7, 129, 193.
Thou, Lord, art God in heaven, and rulest over
all the kingdoms of the earth ; and in thy hand is
power and might, so that none is able to withstand
thee. Thine eyes behold the nations : by thee
princes rule, even all the judges of the earth ; and
thine, Lord ! is the kingdom and the power and
the glory forever.
God, who by thy servant Moses didst lead
forth thine Israel with a mighty hand and with an
outstretched arm, who by thy servant Joshua didst
bring them into the promised land, and by thy ser-
vant David didst give them victory over their ene- j
mies and establish them in peace! we bless thee;
that when the men of this land were few and feeble,
and sore oppressed, thou didst remember thy cove-j
nant with our fathers, even the sure mercies of
David, and didst raise up thy servant Washington'
for a witness to the people, a ieader and commander
to the people. We bless thee for the wisdom, the!
courage, the faith, the fortitude, the patience, where-
with thou didst endow him for the trials of war;
and for the prudence, the integrity, the unselfish
love of country and of mankind, wherewith thouj
didst fit him for the establishing of government
and the administration of affairs. We bless thee
for the independence, the freedom, the order of this
nation, secured by his valor, his wisdom, his up-
rightness ; and we pray thee, most righteous and
most merciful God ! that the example of his virtues
may incite our rulers to the like patriotism and
piety, and the memory of his counsels may preserve
among the people the spirit of unity and peace.
O Lord ! forgive us our sins, the sins of our
rulers, the sins of the people. Bless thy servant
the President of the United States, and all his
counsellors ; bless the assembled Congress of the
nation ; bless all governors and legislatures, all
judges and magistrates ; bless the army and the
navy, and all who are in any places of authoritj-
and power throughout the land ; and grant that all
their doings may be guided by thy Spirit, and or-
dered by thy holy will. Bless, Lord ! we pray
thee, the whole land, and all the inhabitants thereof;
and grant that thy kingdom may rule over us
from sea to sea. We give thee thanks for our
home in this land of freedom and plenty ; for the
daily benefits which load our lives ; and pray for
grace to serve thee in the family, in the State, and
in the Church, through Jesus Christ thy Son our
Saviour. Amen.
426
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
FAST DAY.
Leviticus xxvi. — 1. Ye shall make you no idols
nor graven image, neither rear you up a standing
image, neither shall ye set up any image of stone
in your land, to bow down unto it ; for I am the
Lord your God.
2. Ye shall keep my sabbaths, and reverence
my sanctuary : I am the Lord.
3. If ye walk in my statutes, and keep my com-
mandments, and do them,
4. Then I will give you rain in due season, and
the land shall yield her increase, and the trees of
the field shall yield their fruit ;
5. And your threshing shall reach unto the vint-
age, and the vintage shall reach unto the sowing-
time ; and ye shall eat your bread to the full, and
dwell in your land safely.
6. And I will give peace in the land, and ye
shall lie down, and none shall make you afraid;
and I will rid evil beasts out of the land, neither
shall the sword go through your land.
7. And ye shall chase your enemies, and they
shall fall before you by the sword.
8. And five of you shall chase a hundred, and
a hundred of you shall put ten thousand to flight ;
and your enemies shall fall before you by the
sword.
9. For I will have respect unto you, and make
you fruitful, and multiply you, and establish my
covenant with you.
10. And ye shall eat old store, and bring forth
the old because of the new.
11. And I will set my tabernacle among you ;
and my soul shall not abhor you.
12. And I will walk among you, and will be
your God, and ye shall be my people.
13. I am the Lord your God, which brought you
forth out of the land of Egypt, that ye should not
be their bond-men ; and I have broken the bands
of your yoke, and made you go upright.
14. But if ye will not hearken unto me, and
will not do all these commandments ;
15. And if ye shall despise my statutes, or if your
soul abhor my judgments, so that ye will not do all
my commandments, but that ye break my cove-
nant;
16. I also will do this unto you : I will even ap-
point over you terror, consumption, and the burn-
ing ague, that shall consume the eyes, and cause
sorrow of heart : and ye shall sow your seed in
vain ; for your enemies shall eat it.
17. And I will set my face against you, and ye
shall be slain before your enemies : they that hate
you shall reign over you, and ye shall flee when
none pursueth you.
That there is a retribution upon nations for sins committed
in their organic character all history testifies. The old Greek
and Latin poets and sages recognized this truth, and some
of them gave utterance to it with a terrible intensity. Any
true philosophy of history must trace a connection between
moral causes and material results in the career of nations ;
and even those sciences of society and of nature which dis-
own a providential government over the world, still acknowl-
edge that retribution awaits the disobedience of laws. But
how can we disown a Providence, when even physical laws
carry with them a moral sanction in their effects upon com-
munities and nations 1 The Bible fully recognizes the effect
of natural causes, the operation of physical, social, and moral
laws ; but it never loses sight of the fact that God is the
author and administrator of these laws. Neither should
we lose sight of it. Accepting all that science teaches us
concerning the working of natural laws, yet we find in this
very reign of law only another proof of the wisdom, the
power, the justice, and the love of God; and through all,
and above all, it is true for nations as for individuals, that
he has set before them blessing and cursing, and life and
death.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 54, 67, 68, 95, 234.
Bow down thine ear unto us, O Lord ! we beseech
thee, and hear the confessions, the supplications,
and the praises which we bring unto thee, through
Jesus Christ our Lord. We have erred, and strayed
from thy ways like lost sheep. We have followed
too much the devices and desires of our own hearts.
We have offended against thy holy laws. We have
left undone those things which we ought to have
done, and we have done those things which we
ought not to have done ; and there is no health in
us. But thou, O Lord ! have mercy upon us mis-
erable offenders, and, for Christ's sake, grant us
grace ' to shun every evil way, and to live in all
things unto the glory of thy holy name.
What shall we render unto thee, thou Preserver
of men ! for thy goodness to this family ; for the
comforts of our home ; for our means of education
and enjoyment ; for health and prosperity, and all
the favors wherewith thou dost enrich our lives ?
Oh, may we ever make to thee the glad return of
grateful and loving hearts, and, as stewards of thy
bounty, distribute freely to others the good we have
freely received ! We beseech thee, Lord ! have
mercy upon our land : preserve us from faction,
violence, and misrule ; from luxury and impiety ;
from neglect of thy Word and thy day. Give peace,
Lord ! in our time ; keep our rulers in thy fear,
j and save the nation from its sins. We commend
unto thy mercy all who are in poverty or distress,
in sickness or trouble ; we pray for all who are in
ignorance, error, or sin, that thou wouldst gra-
ciously enlighten and save them. Purify and exalt
thy Church, and make all thy people perfect to do
thy will. Perfect thy will in us, Lord ! and
sanctify and save us for the Eedeemer's sake.
Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
427
FAST DAY.
Deuteronomy xxx. — 1. And it shall come to
pass, when all these things are come upon thee, the
blessing and the curse, which I have set before
thee, and thou shalt call them to mind among all
the nations whither the Lord thy God hath driven
thee,
2. And shalt return unto the Lord thy God, and
shalt obey his voice according to all that I com-
mand thee this day, thou and thy children, with
all thine heart, and with all thy soul;
3. That then the Lord thy God will turn thy
captivity, and have compassion upon thee, and will
return and gather thee from all the nations whither
the Lord thy God hath scattered thee.
4. If any of thine be driven out unto the out-
most parts of heaven, from thence will the Lord thy
God gather thee, and from thence will he fetch thee :
5. And the Lord thy God will bring thee into the
land which thy fathers possessed, and thou shalt
possess it; and he will do thee good, and multiply
thee above thy fathers.
6. And the Lord thy God will circumcise thine
heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the Lord
thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy
soul, that thou mayest live.
7. And the Lord thy God will put all these
curses upon thine enemies, and on them that hate
thee, which persecuted thee.
8. And thou shalt return and obey the voice of
The Bible always respects the freedom of the human will,
and fastens upon man the responsibility of his actions and of
their consequences. God's method of dealing is the same
with nations as with individuals. Both are under law, and
liable to retribution for sin ; but to both is opened the way of
righteousness and peace. God sets before men the most power-
ful motives to do right, — the promise of his favor, the help
of his grace, the assurance of life. He is ever ready to for-
give sin and to save the penitent. He comes nigh to men
through his providence, blessing and guiding them ; he
comes nigh by his word, speaking to the heart; he comes
the Lord, and do all his commandments which I
command thee tins day.
9. And the Lord thy God will make thee plen-
teous in every work of thine hand, in the fruit of thy
body, and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit
of thy land, for good; for the Lord will again rejoice
over thee for good, as he rejoiced over tby fathers ;
10. If thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the
Lord thy God, to keep his commandments and his
statutes which are written in this book of the law,
and if thou turn unto the Lord thy God with all
thine heart and with all thy soul.
17. But if thine heart turn away, so that thou
wilt not hear, but shalt be drawn away, and wor-
ship other gods, and serve them ;
18. I denounce unto you this day, that ye shall
surely perish, and that ye shall not prolong your
days upon the land, whither thou passest over Jor-
dan to go to possess it.
19. I call heaven and earth to record this day
against you, that I have set before you life and
death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life,
that both thou and thy seed may live ;
20. That thou mayest love the Lord thy God,
and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou
mayest cleave unto him (for he is thy life, and the
length of thy days) ; that thou mayest dwell in the
land which the Lord sware unto thy fathers, to
Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.
nigh by mercies and by judgments, through both seeking
us in love, and calling us to life : but the choice lies with
ourselves ; and the result will be life or death, as we shall
choose.
The covenants of God with man always have conditions.
Life was promised to Adam upon the condition that he should
not eat the forbidden fruit. The covenant with Abraham was
on the condition of faith. The promises to Israel were on
the condition of obedience. Salvation is promised through
Christ upon the condition of believing. Everywhere the
choice of good or evil rests with man.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 67, 73, 175.
O God, who didst create us in thine own image
that we might know thee and enjoy thee forever !
we confess with shame that we have turned away
from the blessedness that is found in thee to seek
our good in the beggarly elements of this world.
We have worshipped and served the creature more
than the Creator; have abused our powers, mis-
spent our time, wasted our opportunities, and have
chosen death rather than life. We mourn before
thee the sins of our land and of our times ; that
intemperance, profaneness, dishonesty, corruption,
impiety, and all forms of vice and iniquity, do so
multiply and abound. We humbly beseech thee,
Father ! mercifully to look upon our infirmities,
and, for the glory of thy name, turn from us all
those evils that we most justly have deserved; and
grant that in all our troubles we may put our
whole trust and confidence in thy mercy, and ever-
more serve thee in holiness and pureness of living,
to thy honor and glory, through our only Media-
tor and Advocate, Jesus Christ, our Lord and Sa-
viour.
We bless thee for thy great goodness to us as a
family. Incline us ever, we pray thee, to the choice
of that which is good in thy sight. Be very gra-
cious to all our friends. Bless our land ; our rulers ;
our schools and churches ; the poor and needy ; the
sick, the unfortunate, the sorrowing; yea, bless all
the people with thy salvation, and turn the nation
unto thy ways. And unto the Father, the Son,
and the Holy Ghost, be glory and dominion world
without end. Amen.
428
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
GOOD FRIDAY.
Luke xxiii. — 44. And it was about the sixth
hour ; and there was a darkness over all the earth
until the ninth hour.
45. And the sun was darkened, and the veil of
the temple was rent in the midst.
46. And, when Jesus had cried with a loud
voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend
my spirit ; and, having said thus, he gave up the
ghost.
47. Now, when the centurion saw what was
done, he glorified God, saying, Certainly this was
a righteous man.
48. And all the people that came together to
that sight, beholding the things which were done,
smote their breasts, and returned.
49. And all his acquaintance, and the women
that followed him from Galilee, stood afar off, be-
holding these things.
50. And heboid there was a man named Joseph,
a councillor; and he was a good man, and a
just :
51. (The same had not consented to the counsel
and deed of them:) he was of Arimathea, a city
of the Jews ; who also himself waited for the king-
dom of God.
52. This man went unto Pilate, and begged the
body of Jesus.
53. And he took it down, and wrapped it in
linen, and laid it in a sepulchre that was hewn
in stone, wherein never man before was laid.
54. And that day was the preparation, and the
sabbath drew on.
55. And the women also, which came with him
from Galilee, followed after, and beheld the sep-
ulchre, and how his body was laid.
56. And they returned, and jsrepared spices and
ointments ; and rested the sabbath-day, according
to the commandment.
It was high noon when Jesus was suspended upon the
cross. Between the hours of twelve and three a strange
darkness overspread the sky, and a shuddering of the earth
rent the veil that covered the most holy place. According to
the other evangelists, many graves were opened, and departed
saints re-appeared in bodily form. Jesus himself suffered a
great horror of darkness, as though God had forsaken him ;
yet not for a moment did he lose his faith or his submission.
Forgiving his murderers, commending his mother to the care
of John, he exclaimed, " It is finished ! " and yielded his
spirit into the hands of his Father. To make sure that he
was dead, a soldier thrust his spear into his side ; yet " not a
bone of him was broken." Immediately the moral fruits of
his passion upon the cross began to appear. Awed by his
majestic innocence, touched by his marvellous pity, the thief
bowed his soul in homage to Jesus as his Lord. The Roman
captain confessed his faith in " this righteous man " as the Son
of God.
Great crimes call forth great virtues that lie dormant or
hidden in many hearts ; and Joseph of Arimathea, and,
according to John, Nicodemus also, both members of the
Jewish council which had condemned Jesus against their
protest, now came out openly, and braved the malice of their
colleagues and the fury of the populace by avowing the
faith in Jesus they had secretly cherished, and by tenderly car-
ing for his burial. Women also, who had ministered to the
necessities of Jesus while living, prepared with loving hands
spices and ointments wherewith to embalm his body. And
so the day of gloom and dread settled down at evening into
the holy calm of the sabbath rest.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 86, 99, 116, 182.
O Lord Jesus, who for our sakes didst endure
such contradiction of sinners against thyself! grant
us grace, that, like thee, we may be meek and lowly
of heart. When offended and wronged by others,
when persecuted by an evil and gainsaying world,
may we remember Him, who, when he was reviled,
reviled not again, and who from the cross prayed
for the forgiveness of his enemies !
Our Father in heaven, we beseech thee forgive
us our trespasses as we forgive them that trespass
against us. As thou dost forgive our manifold
offences, may we ever show the spirit of forgive-
ness toward all who do us harm ! Set a watch,
Lord ! at the door of our lips, that we offend not in
word : may we be holy, harmless, undefiled, and
separate from sinners ! and, while we are bold and
firm for thy truth and cause, in all that concerns
ourselves may we study the things that make for
peace ! Help us this day to resist temptation, to
walk uprightly, to do good as we have opportunity,
to relieve the suffering and the needy, to be kind
toward all, and to overcome the world.
Father of all mercies, we commend this house-
hold to thy loving care. [Oh ! take these children
into thine arms ; defend them from the power of
evil ; draw them to the cross of Christ, that they
may there be baptized into the love of Him who
died for them.] Grant us, Lord ! such prosperity
as shall please thee ; yet, in all that we possess and
enjoy, help us ever to remember that we are not
our own, but are bought with a price, — even the
precious blood of Christ. We pray for thy Church
which thou hast redeemed. Lord Jesus ! bring
forth to the knowledge of all men the true oneness
of thy flock in love and obedience to the one Shep-
herd; and hasten the ingathering of the nations,
that thou mayest see of the travail of thy soul, and
be satisfied. Heavenly Father, we bless thee for
the mercy that has brought us to the beginning of
this day; we supplicate thy favor upon all our
friends ; we pray thee to forgive our enemies ; and,
O Lord ! prepare us for the great day of thine ap-
pearing, and have mercy upon us, and upon all
men, for Christ's sake. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
429
EASTER SUNDAY.
John XX. — 1. The first day of the week cometh
Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto
the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from
the sepulchre.
2. Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Pe-
ter, and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved,
and saith unto them, They have taken away the
Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where
they have laid him.
3. Peter therefore went forth, and that other
disciple, and came to the sepulchre.
4. So they ran both together ; and the other dis-
ciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sep-
ulchre.
5. And he, stooping down and looking in, saw
the linen clothes lying ; yet went he not in.
6. Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and
went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen
clothes lie,
7. And the napkin that was about his head, not
lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together
in a place by itself.
8. Then went in also that other disciple which
came first to the sepulchre ; and he saw, and be-
lieved.
The first wave of a great sorrow sweeping over the soul
obliterates for a moment all grounds of hope, all promise of
deliverance. Hence, though Jesus had distinctly foretold his
resurrection, the disciples do not appear to have remembered
this in the overwhelming thought that their Lord was dead.
They had seen him expire on the cross ; they had seen the
spear pierce his heart ; they had seen him taken down from
the cross, and laid in the tomb, — a new tomb, hewn in the
rock, in which no one had yet been buried ; they had seen a
great stone fitted to the mouth of this tomb as its door, and
had turned away to mourn for the dead, and provide for
embalming the body. It was to finish the embalming, and
to give vent to their grief, that the disciples hastened to the
sepulchre in the dawn of the first day. Mary Magdalene
was first at the spot, and was startled at finding the sepulchre
open and empty. She ran for Peter and John ; and, while she
11. But Mary stood without at the sepulchre,
weeping ; and, as she wept, she stooped down and
looked into the sepulchre,
12. And seeth two angels in white, sitting, the
one at the head, and the other at the feet, where
the body of Jesus had lain.
13. And they say unto her, "Woman, why weep-
est thou ? She saith unto them, Because they have
taken away my Lord, and I know not where they
have laid him.
14. And, when she had thus said, she turned
herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not
that it was Jesus.
15. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest
thou ? whom seekest thou ? She, supposing him to
be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have
borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him,
and I will take him away.
16. Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned
herself, and saith unto him, Kabboni ; which is to
say, Master.
17. Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not ; for I am
not yet ascended to my Father : but go to my breth-
ren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father
and your Father, and to my God and your God.
was gone, the other women who had started with her came to
the tomb, saw the angels and heard their words, then hast-
ened away to tell the news. That the body could not have
been taken was evident ; for the door of the tomb had been
sealed, and a Roman guard set over it, and the linen-clothes
were disposed with the utmost care. But, in the intensity of
her love and grief, Mary could not appreciate these tokens, and
she was more bewildered than assured by the testimony of the
angels. As she turned sorrowfully away, Jesus stood by her
side. Pre-occupied with her grief, her eyes downcast and suf-
fused with tears, she did not recognize him in the dim dawn.
But the familiar voice of love brought her to his feet as
when first she bathed them with her tears. Yes, this was
he, the risen Lord! — the same gentle, loving Jesus, but
clothed with an ineffable sanctity of person that mortals must
not touch.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 6, 8, 78, 174.
Thou art the King of glory, Christ ! Thou
art the everlasting Son of the Father. W T hen thou
hadst overcome the sharpness of death, thou didst
open the kingdom of heaven to all believers. Thou
sittest at the right hand of God, in the glory of the
Father. We believe that thou shalt come to be
our Judge. We therefore pray thee help thy ser-
vants, whom thou hast redeemed with thy precious
blood : make them to be numbered with thy
saints in glory everlasting. W r e bless thee,
Lord ! for the comforts of thy Word concerning
those dear to us whom thou hast taken unto thy-
self: may we, by thy grace, walk in their steps in
all things wherein they followed thee, and so live
unto thee, day by day, that we shall be ready at
all times for thy coming !
O Thou who hast brought us again from sleep
to behold the light of a new day ! help us so to con-
fide in thee, to keep thee ever so near and so pre-
cious to our thought, that we shall live above the
fear of death, and look forward with joy to our
final rest with thee. Grant us grace to bear all
trials, resist all temptations, fulfil all duties, in the
hope of thine appearing. As children of the light,
may we shun all evil, and show forth thy praise !
Fill us this day with the peace of Christ and the
hope of immortality. Bless thy Church in keeping
the festival of the resurrection. May this house-
hold, and all dear to us, be joined to the family
of the saints on earth, and finally to the company
of the redeemed in heaven, through Him who died
for us ! — to whom be glory forever. Amen.
430
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
THE FOURTH OF JULY.
Joshua i. — 1. Now, after the death of Moses,
the servant of the Lord, it came to pass that the
Lord spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses'
minister, saying,
2. Moses my servant is dead : now therefore
arise, go over this Jordan, thou and all this peo-
ple, unto the land which I do give to them, even
to the children of Israel.
3. Every place that the sole of your foot shall
tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said
unto Moses.
4. From the wilderness and this Lebanon even
unto the great river, the River Euphrates, all the
land of the Hittites, and unto the great sea toward
the going-down of the sun, shall be your coast.
5. There shall not any man be able to stand be-
fore thee all the days of thy life : as I was with
Moses, .so I will be with thee : I will not fail thee,
nor forsake thee.
6. Be strong and of a good courage ; for unto
this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance
the land which I sware unto their fathers to give
them.
Joshua xxi. — -43. And the Lord gave unto
Israel all the land which he sware to give unto
their fathers ; and they possessed it, and dwelt
therein.
How long it was from the call of Abraham to the settle-
ment of the Israelites in Canaan ! — how long, again, from
the first partial occupation of the promised land to the union
of the tribes in a stable government, with a fixed capital !
Yet, through all this period of wandering, weakness, depend-
ence, captivity, isolation, conquest, confederation, the Lord
was mindful of his promise ; and this whole course of disci-
pline was gradually working- out problems of national life
which it takes centuries to solve. Hardly less marked were
the leadings of Providence which issued in the constitution
of the people of the United States into an independent nation.
The early attempts at Spanish and French colonization,
44. And the Lord gave them rest round about,
according to all that he sware unto their fathers :
and there stood not a man of all their enemies be-
fore them ; the Lord delivered all their enemies
into their hand.
45. There failed not aught of any good thing
which the Lord had spoken unto the house of
Israel : all came to pass.
Psalm exxii. — 1. I was glad when they said
unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord.
2. Our feet shall stand within thy gates, O
Jerusalem !
3. Jerusalem is builded as a city that is compact
together ;
4. Whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the
Lord, unto the testimony of Israel, to give thanks
unto the name of the Lord.
5. For there are set thrones of judgment, the
thrones of the house of David.
6. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem : they shall
prosper that love thee.
7. Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity
within thy palaces.
8. For my brethren and companions' sakes, I
will now say, Peace be within thee.
9. Because of the house of the Lord our God, I
will seek thy good.
which would have given this North-American continent to
absolutism and Eomanism, were doomed to failure. The
Pilgrim stock, embodying family, freedom, faith, was enabled
to thrive : the English people, with their language, their laws,
their liberty, became masters of the soil ; and, by the natural
development of their principles and institutions, they came
at length to the consciousness of nationality and the achieve-
ment of independence. Upon this anniversary of our inde-
pendence, remembering how God has guided and blessed us,
all the tribes of this now great and compacted nation, in all
their families, should unite to " give thanks unto the name of
the Lord."
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 69, 84, 193.
God, the Lord of heaven and earth, who hast
made of one blood all nations of men to dwell on
all the face of the earth, and hast determined the
times before appointed, and the bounds of their
habitation ! we bless thee that in the fulness of time
thou didst plant in this land a Christian people,
and didst give them dominion over the wilderness
unto the great river, and beyond even unto the
great sea, toward the going-down of the sun. And
we do thank thee, Lord God of our fathers, that
thou didst look upon them in their affliction and
oppression, and didst deliver them with a mighty
hand and with an outstretched arm, and hast made
of them a nation great, mighty, and populous, as at
this day. We bless thee, Lord ! for our freedom
and union ; for our arts and industries ; for our
fields and mines ; for our trade and commerce ; for
our homes, our schools, our churches ; and for all
thy benefits unto this nation. Let the people
praise thee, O God ! let all the people praise thee.
Lord ! preserve us from war and discord, from
famine, pestilence, and every evil ; and purify us
from every sin. Bless thy servant the President of
the United States, and all who are in authority;
fill this thy Zion with judgment and righteous-
ness. May the fear of the Lord be our treasure, and
wisdom and knowledge the stability of our times !
So may we, as a people whom thou hast redeemed,
help on the blessed day when the kingdoms of this
world shall become the kingdoms of our Lord and
of his Christ; to whom be glory and dominion
forever. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
431
THANKSGIVING DAY.
Psalm cxlviii. — 1. Praise ye the Lord. Praise
ye the Lord from the heavens ; praise him in the
heights.
2. Praise ye him, all his angels; praise' ye him,
all his hosts.
3. Praise ye him, sun and moon ; praise him, all
ye stars of light.
4. Praise him, ye heavens of heavens, and ye
waters that be above the heavens.
5. Let them praise the name of the Lord ; for
he commanded, and they were created.
6. He hath also established them for ever and
ever; he hath made a decree which shall not pass.
7. Praise the Lord from the earth, ye dragons
and all deeps ;
8. Fire and hail; snow and vapor; stormy wind
fulfilling his word;
9. Mountains, and all hills ; fruitful trees, and
all cedars ;
10. Beasts, and all cattle ; creeping things, and
flying fowl ;
11. Kings of the earth, and all people ; princes,
and all judges of the earth ;
12. Both young men and maidens, old men and
children :
13. Let them praise the name of the Lord ; for
his name alone is excellent ; his glory is above the
earth and heaven.
14. He also exalteth the horn of his people, the
praise of all his saints; even of the children of
Israel, a people near unto him. Praise ye the
Lord.
Psalm cl. — 1. Praise ye the Lord. Praise God
in his sanctuary ; praise him in the firmament of
his power.
2. Praise him for his mighty acts ; praise him
according to his excellent greatness.
3. Praise him with the sound of the trumpet ;
praise him with the psaltery and harp.
4. Praise him with the timbrel and dance ;
praise him with stringed instruments and or-
gans.
5. Praise him upon the loud cymbals ; praise
him upon the high-sounding cymbals.
6. Let every thing that hath breath praise the
Lord. Praise ye the Lord.
" Every creature is full of the praise of God. The phenom- 1
ena of Nature — clouds, snow, rain, wind — are his messen- \
gers : the unchangeable laws, according to which the countless \
worlds above pursue their course, proclaim the glory of his j
omnipotent word. In our own world, the animal and vegetable I
kingdoms, down to their lowest stages, bear the impress of!
the goodness and omnipotence of God, and are a song of praise ;
upon his glorious attributes. But it belongs to man, above
every creature, as the priest of Nature, to give an audible ex- [
pression to her universal praise ; a service in which every rank,
every age, and every generation, have abundant cause for en-
gaging." The theme of praise in these psalms, the glory and
the goodness of God in creation and providence, is of univer-
sal and perpetual obligation. But especially should it inspire
us on this day of national thanksgiving, in view of the exceeding
riches of God's greatness and goodness and grace with which
we of this land are favored. He hath not dealt so with any
nation.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 43, 152.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to tho
Holy Ghost ; as it was in the beginning, is now,
and ever shall be, world without end. We praise
thee, God ! we acknowledge thee to be the Lord.
All the earth dotli worship thee, the Father ever-
lasting. Heaven and earth are full of the majesty
of thy glory.
God ! great is thy loving-kindness : accept our
offering of thanks and praise.
For our creation and preservation ; for our sleep
last night, and our safety this morning ; for the
comforts of this world, and the hopes of the world
to come, — we bless thee, good Lord.
For our stations and occupations in life ; for our
dear relations and friends ; for all that reminds us
of thee, and all opportunities of glorifying thee, —
we bless thee, good Lord.
For thy love in our redemption ; for thy free be-
stowal of thine only-begotten Son ; for thine un-
speakable gift of the Holy Spirit, — above all xve
bless thee, good Lord..
AVe give thee thanks this day for home and
country ; for knowledge and freedom ; for the favor
of thy providence upon our land ; for the tokens of
thy mercy in thy Church. Help us, Lord !
worthily to show forth thy praise. In all thy
works, enable us to see thy hand; and, in tracing
the laws of thy creation, may we never lose sight
of thee, the Lawgiver ! And as by obedience to
thee the heavens declare thy glory, and the earth
showeth forth thy praise ; even so may we obey thy
holy word in all things, and finally be glorified
with Him who redeemed us, thy Son Jesus Christ
our Lord.
We beseech thee, Lord ! to continue the favor
which thou hast shown unto us as a family. [May
these children grow up in the knowledge and love
of thy truth ! May they always incline to thy
will, and walk in thy way ! May they be kept
from the evil that is in the world, and be the fol-
lowers of the Lord Jesus!] Dwell by thy good
Spirit in the homes of all whom we love. Bless
this community, our State, our nation, with good
things, temporal and spiritual ; and do good, in
thy loving-kindness, unto all men, through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen.
432
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
THANKSGIVING DAY.
Deuteronomy xxviii. — 1. And it shall come to
pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the
voice of the Lord thy God, to observe and to do
all his commandments which I command thee this
day, that the Lord thy God will set thee on high
above all nations of the earth ;
2. And all these blessings shall come on thee,
and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the
voice of the Lord thy God.
3. Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and bless-
ed shalt thou be in the field.
4. Blessed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the
fruit of thy ground, and the fruit of thy cattle, the
increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep.
5. Blessed shall be thy basket and thy store.
6. Blessed shalt thou be when thou comest in,
and blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out.
7. The Lord shall cause thine enemies that rise
up against thee to be smitten before thy face : they
shall come out against thee one way, and flee be-
fore thee seven ways.
8. The Lord shall command the blessing upon
thee in thy store-houses, and in all that thou set-
test thy hand unto ; and he shall bless thee in the
land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.
9. The Lord shall establish thee an holy people
unto himself, as he hath sworn unto thee, if thou
shalt keep the commandments of the Lord thy God,
and walk in his ways.
10. And all people of the earth shall see that
thou art called by the name of the Lord; and they
shall be afraid of thee.
11. And the Lord shall make thee plenteous in
goods, in the fruit of thy body, and in the fruit of
thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy ground, in the
land which the Lord sware unto thy fathers to
give thee.
12. The Lord shall open unto thee his good
treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land
in his season, and to bless all the work of thine
hand ; and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and
thou shalt not borrow.
13. And the Lord shall make thee the head, and
not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and
thou shalt not be beneath ; if that thou hearken
unto the commandments of the Lord thy God,
which I command thee this day, to observe and to
do them.
14. And thou shalt not go aside from any of
the words which I command thee this day, to the
right hand or to the left, to go after other gods to
serve them.
Every growing nation aspires to be " the head ; " yet few I
reach or long retain such a pre-eminence. Rome once boasted
herself the mistress of the world ; but she was trodden under
toot by the very barbarians for whom she had built roads to
her capital. England is losing her title of " mistress of the
seas." France can no longer claim to be the head of Euro-
pean civilization ; and Germany, Russia, and the United
States, which are now disputing the palm of leadership in the
civilization of the future, may each repeat the experience of
other nations in alternate supremacy and decline. In the long-
run, moral causes determine the position of a people in the
scale of nations ; the moral virtues of industry, temperance,
justice, frugality, give success to material enterprises ; and
honor, integrity, equity, and philanthropy secure an envi-
able reputation abroad. Righteousness exalteth a nation.
It is not the union of Church and State that secures this re-
sult; on the contrary, the establishment of religion by the
State has always proved detrimental to both : but a nation
must have a conscience, a sense of right, of obligation, a
moral standard of duty, which is higher than party or policy ;
and only in keeping the commandments of God can there be
a true and lasting peace.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 2, 32, 193.
O Lord, our Maker and Preserver ! we give thee
thanks for our being, our reason, and all other en-
dowments and faculties of soul and body ; for thy
continual care and watchful providence over us
through the whole course of our lives ; for our health,
friends, food, and raiment, and all the many com-
forts and conveniences of life. Above all, we adore
thy mercy in sending thine only Son into the world
to redeem us from sin and eternal death, and in
giving us the knowledge and sense of our duty to-
wards thee. We bless thee for thy patience with
us, notwithstanding our many and great provoca-
tions ; and for all the directions, assistances, and
comforts of thy Holy Spirit.
God, our Father, from whom cometh every
good and perfect gift! we render thanks to thee for
thy favor to our land ; for freedom, knowledge,
religion, which here abound ; for peace, prosper-
ity, and plenty. Bless, Lord ! our schools and
churches, our teachers and rulers ; and fill the land
with righteousness.
Thy mercies, Lord ! lead us to repentance.
With one accord we present ourselves unto thee, a
living sacrifice, for thy service and praise. Oh ! keep
us ever in thy fear. May thy good providence,
which hath preserved us through the night, attend
us in all the duties of the day ! Lord ! we beseech
thee, save us from sin, and send us prosperity : pros-
per us in the household, in our business, in our
studies, and in whatever we do. Bless us in
our friendships, and bless our friends with thy love
and grace. Make us useful to others, and service-
able unto Christ our Lord. Bring us to the close
of the day in peace ; and, finally, at the close of
life receive us into thy rest, for Christ's sake.
Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
433
THANKSGIVING.
Psalm Ixv. — 1. Praise waiteth for thee, God !
in Zion ; and unto thee shall the vow he performed.
2. Thou that hearest prayer ! unto thee shall
all flesh come.
3. Iniquities prevail against me : as for our
transgressions, thou shalt purge them away.
4. Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and
causest to approach unto thee, that he may dwell
in thy courts : we shall be satisfied with the good-
ness of thy house, even of thy holy temple.
5. By terrible things in righteousness wilt thou
answer us, God of our salvation ! who art the
confidence of all the ends of the earth, and of them
that are afar off upon the sea ;
6. Which by his strength setteth fast the moun-
tains, being girded with power;
7. Which stilleth the noise of the seas, the noise
of their waves, and the tumult of the people.
8. They also that dwell in the uttermost parts
are afraid of thy tokens : thou makest the outgo-
ings of the morning and evening to rejoice.
9. Thou visitest the earth, and waterest it ; thou
greatly enrichest it with the river of God, which is
full of water ; thou preparest them corn, when thou
hast so provided for it.
10. Thou waterest the ridges thereof abundantly ;
Now that the observation of the weather is taking the form
of a science, there are some who think it an idle superstition
to pray for rain, or to acknowledge God in the seasons. But
what is the true significance of the daily weather-reports
from Washington ? Simply this : That the extension of the
telegraph makes it possible to gather from a wide region unto
one focus reports of the state of the barometer, of the clouds,
winds, and rains ; that these daily reports show a recurrence
of facts which can be classified ; and the uniformity of facts
points to certain laws. But nothing new has come to pass in
Nature, and nothing has been displaced in the constitution
or the government of the world. Science may have discov-
ered some of the causes of changes of weather, but the Cause
of causes remains in the invisible sphere of Power. Heterol-
ogy will no more displace a Providence from the world than
geology has displaced a Creator. The facts and laws of Na-
ture furnish no proof against spiritual powers, which, from a
thou settlest the furrows thereof; thou makest it
soft with showers ; thou blessest the springing
thereof.
11. Thou crownest the year with thy goodness ;
and thy paths drop fatness :
12. They drop upon the pastures of the wilder-
ness ; and the little hills rejoice on every side.
13. The pastures are clothed with flocks ; the
valleys also are covered over with corn ; they shout
for joy; they also sing.
Psalm Ixvii. — 1. God be merciful unto us,
and bless us, and cause his face to shine upon
us ;
2. That thy way may be known upon earth, thy
saving health among all nations.
3. Let the people praise thee, God! let all
the people praise thee.
4. Oh ! let the nations be glad, and sing for joy ;
for thou shalt judge the people righteously, and
govern the nations upon earth.
5. Let the people praise thee, God ! let all the
people praise thee.
6. Then shall the earth yield her increase ; and
God, even our own God, shall bless us.
7. God shall bless us, and all the ends of the
earth shall fear him.
higher sphere, may act through these laws or upon them.
Our barometers and rain-guages no more supersede the care
of our heavenly Father than our watches supersede the sun.
Shall the discoverer of a law be applauded, and the almighty
Framer of all laws be forgotten 1 Or shall laws themselves
have the praise of that Intelligence which ordained them, and
is still their Master 1 Nay: we will say with Tholuck, that
" God reveals himself as omnipotent at the return of every
spring, and uses his might for the bestowal of blessings. The
goodness of God crowns the year as a diadem does the brow.
Men find out his goings by the blessings of his paths. The
jocund flocks clothe the pastures ; the very hills are girded
with joy and gladness. Shall these rejoicings of Nature find
no echo in the human heart ? Let men vie with Nature in
thanksgivings ; let their rejoicings swell into praise and happy
harvest-songs."
Appropriate Hymns,] Prayer.
It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord,
and to sing praises unto thy name, Most High !
to show forth thy loving-kindness in the morning,
and thy faithfulness every night. God our Pre-
server ! we thank thee for the refreshment of sleep
and the renewal of strength ; for the light of the
morning, and for the promises and hopes that
shine upon us from thy holy Word. We devote to
thee our powers of reason, of affection, and of ac-
tive service, praying that we may have grace to
glorify thee in our bodies and our spirits which
are thine. We thank thee for our home, our
friends, the pleasant things that surround us, and
[Nos. 32, 54, 163.
world which thou hast made. Teach us, Lord !
to use this world as not abusing it ; and, in and
through all that we receive, to chiefly desire and
love thee, the Giver. We bring to thee our
special thanksgivings for all the mercies, tempo-
ral and spiritual, of another year.
May each member of this family, and all who are
dear to us, belong to the family of thy redeemed !
and, oh, may the redemption of Christ our Lord
be applied unto all men by the saving grace of thy
Holy Spirit ! Heal all sorrows, supply all needs,
restrain all iniquity, and save the world through
Him who died for all ; to whom, with the Father
all the beautiful and serviceable things of the , and the Spirit, be glory everlasting. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
FOREFATHERS' DAY.
Psalm Ixxviii. — 1. Give ear, my people! to
my law; incline your ears to the words of my
mouth.
2. I will open my mouth in a parable ; I will
utter dark sayings of old ;
3. Which we have heard and known, and our
fathers have told us.
4. We will not hide them from their children,
showing to the generation to come the praises of
the Lord, and his strength, and his wonderful
works that he hath done.
5. For he established a testimony in Jacob, and
appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded
our fathers, that they should make them known to
their children ;
6. That the generation to come might know
them, even the children which should be born ; who
should arise and declare them to their children ;
7. That they might set their hope in God, and
not forget the works of God, but keep his com-
mandments.
13. He divided the sea, and caused them to pass
through ; and he made the waters to stand as an
heap.
14. In the daytime also he led them with a
cloud, and all the night with a light of fire.
and
15. He clave the rocks in the wilderness,
gave them drink as out of the great depths.
16. He brought streams also out of the rock,
and caused waters to run down like rivers.
Psalm xliv. — 1. We have heard with our ears,
God ! our fathers have told us, what work thou
didst in their daj^s, in the times of old.
2. How thou didst drive out the heathen with
thy hand, and plantedst them ; how thou didst
afflict the people, and cast them out.
3. For they got not the land in possession by
their own sword, neither did their own arm save
them ; but thy right hand, and thine arm, and the
light of thy countenance, because thou hadst a
favor unto them.
4. Thou art my King, God ! command deliv-
erances for Jacob.
5. Through thee will we push down our enemies ;
through thy name will we tread them under that
rise up against us.
6. For I will not trust in my bow, neither shall
my sword save me.
7. But thou hast saved us from our enemies, and
hast put them to shame that hated us.
8. In God we boast all the day long, and praise
thy name forever.
There is nothing local nor sectional, nothing vainglorious
nor exclusive, in the commemoration of Forefathers' Day. It
is a clay that belongs of right to the whole country, as mark-
ing the beginning of its organic life ; for the true germ of
this nation — of its civil and religious liberty, of its intelli-
gence, its independence, and its moral strength — was in
that little colony of Pilgrims which landed on Plymouth Rock
on the 21st of December, 1620. By the study of the word of
God, they had regained the primitive conception of the Church
as a spiritual body of believers, self-governed under their al-
legiance to Christ, their common head. For purity of faith
and worship, they had separated from the State churches
which had survived the Reformation or had grown out of it.
Their training in the Christian democracy had qualified them
for self-government in civil affairs ; and the compact which
they framed before landing from " The Mayflower " was the
root of our constitutional freedom. The Pilgrim colonists
were true to their principles. Whatever were the errors and
excesses of later colonies, no charge of bigotry or persecution
lies at their door. Fidelity to truth, to duty, and to man, main-
tained through severe and protracted sacrifices and sufferings,
and a humble devotion to God, which made them willing to
be as stepping-stones unto others for the advancement of his
kingdom, entitle them to the grateful remembrance, not of
their posterity only, but of all mankind.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nbs. 4, 14, 22.
Give ear, Shepherd of Israel, thou that leadest
Joseph like a flock ! thou that dwellest between
the cherubims, shine forth. Thou hast brought a
vine out of Egypt; thou hast cast out the heathen,
and planted it. Thou preparedst room before it,
and didst cause it to take deep root, and it filled the
land. She sent out her boughs unto the sea, and
her branches unto the river. For the goodly in-
heritance of this land, for plenty and prosperity,
riches, in seeking and loving this world ! Oh ! save
us, we beseech thee, from corruption and crime,
and forgetfulness of God. Keep alive in us the
faith and the virtues of our fathers. We bless
thee for their patience, their courage, their devo-
tion, their fidelity, their holy love and zeal, and
for all which thou didst accomplish by them and
for them.
Incline our hearts, Lord ! to cleave to thy tes-
ter freedom and order, for union and peace, for i timonies, and to be faithful witnesses for thy truth
schools and churches, for thy holy day and thy
holy word, we render thee, Lord ! most hearty
thanks. Oh ! keep this people ever faithful to thee,
the God of our fathers ; and do thou, Lord ! re-
member unto us the mercies of thy covenant.
Alas! how have we sinned against thee in pro-
faning thy sabbaths, in disregarding thy Word, in
boasting our own might and trusting our own
May we of this household ever be upon the Lord's
side ! May all our friends be the friends of God !
May our whole land be filled with righteousness !
Finally bring us, we beseech thee, to sit down with
patriarchs, prophets, and psalmists, with pilgrims,
apostles, and confessors, in the kingdom of our Fa-
ther, through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour.
Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IX THE YEAR.
435
FOREFATHERS' DAY.
Deuteronomy viii. — 1. All the commandments
which I command thee this day shall ye observe to
do, that ye may live and multiply, and go in and
possess the land which the Lord sware unto your
fathers.
2. And thou shaft remember all the way which
the Lord thy God led thee these forty years in the
wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to
know what was in thine heart, whether thou would-
est keep his commandments or no.
3. And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to
hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou
knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that
he might make thee know that man doth not live
by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth
out of the mouth of the Lord doth man live.
4. Thy raiment waxed not old upon thee, neither
did thy foot swell these forty years.
5. Thou shaft also consider in thine heart, that
as a man ehasteneth his son, so the Lord thy God
chasteneth thee.
6. Therefore thou shalt keep the commandments
of the Lord thy God, to walk in his ways, and to
fear him.
7. For the Lord thy God bringeth thee into a
good land ; a land of brooks of water, of fountains,
and depths that spring out of valleys and hills ;
8. A land of wheat, and barley, and vines, and
fig-trees, and pomegranates; a land of oil -olive
and honey ;
9. A land wherein thou shalt eat bread without
scarceness, thou shalt not lack any thing in it ; a
I land whose stones are iron, and out of whose hills
! thou mayest dig brass.
10. "When thou hast eaten and art full, then thou
shalt bless the Lord thy God for the good land
which he hath given thee.
11. Beware that thou forget not the Lord thy
God in not keeping his commandments, and his
judgments, and his statutes, which I command
thee this day:
12. Lest xchen thou hast eaten, and art mil, and
hast built goodly houses, and dwelt therein;
13. And when thy herds and thy flocks multiply,
and thy silver and thy gold is multiplied, and all
that thou hast is multiplied ;
11. Then thine heart be lifted up, and thou
forget the Lord thy God, which brought thee forth
out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bond-
ace :
1 17. And thou say in thy heart, My power and
the might of my hand hath gotten me this wealth.
18. But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God ;
for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth,
that he may establish his covenant which he sware
unto thy fathers, as it is this day.
19. And it shall be, if thou do at all forget the
Lord thy God, and walk after other gods, and serve
them, and worship them, I testify against you this
day that ye shall surely perish.
20. As the nations which the Lord destroyeth
before your face, so shall ye perish; because ye
would not be obedient unto the voice of the Lord
your God.
A chief temptation and snare to nations as to individuals is | creation, and the prosperity that comes of these were the
that pride of material possessions, which causes them to forget highest good of a people. Such an anniversary as this
their dependence upon God. Never was a nation more
favored than this by the Creator in the elements of material
prosperity, and not even Israel itself was more manifestly led
of God in its beginnings. Yet we boast our physical re-
sources and material improvements as if these were our own
should recall us to the salutary remembrance of our humble
but pious beginnings, to a grateful sense of our dependence
upon God, and to a penitential but cheerful renewal of the
covenant of our Fathers.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Fra3^er.
[Nos. 85, 141.
thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel! our
fathers trusted in thee: they cried unto thee, and
were delivered ; they trusted in thee, and were not
confounded. When, by reason of their devotion to
Christ, afflictions and persecutions were multiplied
to them in their native land, thou didst make the
depths of the sea a way for thy ransomed to pass over,
and didst bring them forth into a large place, and
gavest this goodly land for an inheritance to them
and their children forever. Oh ! grant us grace,
we beseech thee, to be faithful to the trust that we
have received, and to exalt the God of our fathers.
Like them, may we revere thy name, obey thy
word, keep holy thy day ; like them, may we count
all things but loss for the knowledge of Christ Je-
sus our Lord. "We lament before thee the sins and
evils of our times : turn us again, God of hosts !
and cause thy face to shine, and we shall be saved.
We give thee thanks, Lord ! for all thy faithful
servants, who, having witnessed in their lives a
good confession, have left the light of their good
works to shine before thy Church on earth.
Mercifully grant that we, being compassed about
with so great a cloud of witnesses, may lay aside
every weight, and the sin that doth so easily beset
us, and run with patience the race which is set be-
fore us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher
of our faith ; that so, departing this life with the
seal of faith, we may attain unto the resurrection
of the just, and with them enjoy the glory of thy
kingdom made perfect in heaven, through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen.
436
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
CHRISTMAS.
Luke ii. — 1. And it came to pass in those days
that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus
that all the world should be taxed.
3. And all went to be taxed, every one into his
own city.
4. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out
of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city
of David, which is called Bethlehem (because he
was of the house and lineage of David),
5. To be taxed with Mary, his espoused wife.
7. And she brought forth her first-born son, and
wrapped him in swaddling-clothes, and laid him in
a manger ; because there was no room for them in
the inn.
8. And there were in the same country shepherds
abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock
by night.
9. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon
them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about
them ; and they were sore afraid.
10. And the angel said unto them, Fear not ;
for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy,
which shall be to all people.
11. For unto you is born this day, in the city of
David, a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12. And this shall be a sign unto you : Ye shall
find the babe wrapped in swaddling-clothes, lying
in a manger.
13. And suddenly there was with the angel a
multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and
saying,
11. Glory to God in the highest, and on earth
peace, good will toward men.
15. And it came to pass, as the angels were
gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds
said one to another, Let us now go even unto
Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come
to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto
us.
16. And they came with haste, and found
Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a man-
ger.
17. And, when they had seen it, they made
known abroad the saying which was told them con-
cerning this child.
18. And all they that heard it wondered at those
things which were told them by the shepherds.
19. But Mary kept all these things, and pon-
dered them in her heart.
20. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and
praising God for all the things that they had heard
and seen, as it was told unto them.
An order from Rome for taking the censns in Palestine
was the means of fulfillinfr the prophecy uttered seven hun-
dred years hefore, — that Christ should be born in Bethlehem.
In those days, travellers lodged in a caravansary, — a large
court, walled in on all sides, but open to the sky. In the cen-
tre of the court was a raised platform, where the guests gath-
ered by day, and slept by night. This was the inn proper.
Around this, against the walls, were sheds, with stalls, or ar-
cades, for goods, and beasts of burden. The census had
brought such a crowd to Bethlehem, that Joseph and Mary
tookrefugc in one of these side-nooks, where the cattle were
housed and fed.
With this beautiful simplicity was ushered in the grandest
event in the history of the world, — the incarnation of the
Son of God for our redemption. It was needful that the
Lord should be born of woman : but his chosen mother was
not, like the foster-mother of Moses, a king's daughter in her
palace, but a poor and modest virgin, who aspired to nothing
more than being the wife of the village-carpenter; and he
was not born even in her humble home, but in a manger,
where his mother was glad to find shelter for the night. It
was necessary that this divine birth should be certified- by
witnesses ; but these were not such dignitaries as are chosen
to attest the birth of a prince. In the stillness of the night,
to a few shepherds who were watching their flock in the lovely
fields that slope away from the hill of Bethlehem, came the
wondrous song of the angels announcing the birth of the
Redeemer ; and these honest, simple-minded people went and
saw the babe, and then told all that they had heard and
seen.
Thus Christ challenges our faith in his divinity by the
lowly and gentle way in which he entered into our humanity.
The voices of nature, of humanity, and of divinity, blended
sweetly in his advent. The very air seems holy since it has
borne such a message from heaven ; the very earth is con-
secrated by the coming of the Son of God. Oh, may our
hearts receive the Lord of heaven and earth, who still comes
as a little child to every soul that seeks his peace !
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 119, 173, 198.
O Thou who didst humble thyself to be born of
a virgin, the everlasting Son of the Father, the
Prince of peace ! we bless and adore thee for thy
grace and compassion for us sinners. We give
thanks unto the Father, who so loved the world,
that he gave his only-begotten Son, that whosoever
believeth in him should not perish, but have ever-
lasting life ; we praise and worship the Son, who
took upon him our nature that he might redeem us
to God. Oh ! grant us, we beseech thee, thy peace,
through the forgiveness of sin, reconciliation with
God, and the indwelling of the Spirit, that we may
glorify and praise thee in our lives for all that we
have heard and seen of thy grace.
[May the children of this family remember that
Jesus came as a little child to bless them ! May
| they give their hearts to his love !] And may we all,
in the spirit of little children, love and serve Him
who came into the world to save sinners! And,
oh ! may the world be saved ; may all men come to
Christ ; may peace reign on earth, and good will
bind all hearts together for the glory of God !
And to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, be honor
and praise throughout all ages. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
437
FOR A MARRIAGE.
Matthew xix. — 4. And Jesus answered and said
nnto them, Have ye not read, that he which made
them at the beginning made them male and female,
5. And said, For this cause shall a man leave
father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife,
and they twain shall be one flesh ?
6. Wherefore they are no more twain, but one
flesh. What, therefore, God hath joined together,
let not man put asunder.
Ephesians v. — 23. For the husband is the
head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the
church ; and he is the savior of the body.
24. Therefore as the church is subject unto
Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in
every thing.
25. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ
also loved the church, and gave himself for it ;
26. That he might sanctify and cleanse it with
the washing of water by the word,
27. That he might present it to himself a glo-
rious church, not having spot or wrinkle, or any
such thing ; but that it should be holy and with-
out blemish.
28. So ought men to love their wives as their
own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth him-
self.
29. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh,
but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord
the church ;
30. For we are members of his body, of his
flesh, and of his bones.
31. For this cause shall a man leave his father
and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and
they two shall be one flesh.
32. This is a great mystery; but I speak con-
cerning Christ and the church.
33. Nevertheless, let every one of you in par-
ticular so love his wife even as himself; and the
wife see that she reverence her husband.
Revelation xix. — 7. Let us be glad and rejoice,
and give honor to him ; for the marriage of the
Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.
8. And to her was granted that she should be
arrayed in fine linen, clean and white ; for the fine
linen is the righteousness of saints.
9. And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are
they which are called unto the marriage-supper of
the Lamb.
In all ages, and among all people, marriage has been made
both a social and religious festival. On the banks of the
Nile, at a Mohammedan wedding, I have witnessed a torch-
light procession such as is described in the New Testament,
and such ceremonial observances as are enjoined in the Book
of Leviticus. In the heart of the desert I have participated
in a wedding-festival, where the rudest music and dancing
gave expression to the grim hilarity of the Bedouin nature.
Among the Jews, marriage was always held in honor, both
as a memorial of God's primitive blessing on the race, and as
the vehicle of most precious prophecies for the future.
Christianity has exalted marriage to the highest dignity,
and crowned it with the most sacred beauty : it is the symbol
of the union of Christ and his Church; and the consumma-
tion of hope, purity, and joy in heaven, is typified under " the
marriage-supper of the Lamb." Marriage is the festival of
love, and, as such, should be attended with all that repre-
sents beauty and felicity : it is the festival of joy ; and, as
such, should be a time of pre-eminent joyousness to all who
assist in its solemnities. But it is also a festival of conse-
cration ; and it should be hallowed with the word of God and
prayer.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 96, 134.
Our Father in heaven, who, in the beginning,
didst constitute the family in unity of interest, of
affection, and of life, to be the fountain of earthly
love, and the channel of thy heavenly grace, we
bless thee for all the love and joy which, as mem-
bers of this family, we have had together, and for
all the good that has come to us of thy bounty and
thy care. We bless thee for the tender and sacred
names of husband and wife, of parent and child ;
and we pray that our family union on earth may
be the type and the prophecy of a union in ever-
lasting love and joy in our Father's house.
We thank thee, Lord! that changes in our
earthly homes are subject to thy governance, and
that the change which takes the children of our
love to constitute anew the family in another home
is by the ordering of the same gracious Providence
which established this home at the first. We com-
mend to thee the dear ones who this day shall be
joined together in the most sacred of earthly ties ;
beseeching thee, that, in taking the marriage-vow,
thy holy fear maybe before their eyes, and the bless-
ing of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost,
may be upon them, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
thou divine. Redeemer, who didst h allow
the marriage festival with thy presence and bene-
diction ! may we this day feel thy presence, and re-
ceive thy blessing ! O thou holy and blessed
Spirit, who hast declared marriage honorable in
thy sight! shed over these beloved ones the sanc-
tity of thy grace. Bless him [or her] whom we
give, and her [or him'] whom we receive : may
their union be for long years of joy in each other!
may their love draw them the closer to the God of
love ! may all the experiences of life bind them
together in faith and hope ! Grant unto them all
things needful in the present life ; and in the world
to come, life everlasting. And may thy blessing
abide with this household ! Help us to be true and
loving in all the relationships of life ; and finally
bring us to the family above, to the marriage-supper
of the Lamb, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
438
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
FOR A NEW HOME.
2 Samuel vi. — 6. And, when they came to
Nachon's threshing-floor, Uzzah put forth his hand
to the ark of God, and took hold of it ; for the
oxen shook it.
7. And the anger of the Lord was kindled
against Uzzah, and God smote him there for his
error ; and there he died by the ark of God.
8. And David was disjjleased because the Lord
had made a breach upon Uzzah ; and he called
the name of the place Perez-uzzah to this day.
9. And David was afraid of the Lord that day,
and said, How shall the ark of the Lord come to
me ?
10. So David would not remove the ark of the
Lord unto him into the city of David ; but David
carried it aside into the house of Obed-edom the
Gittite.
11. And the ark of the Lord continued in the
house of Obed-edom the Gittite three months ; and
the Lord blessed Obed-edom and all his household.
12. And it was told King David, saying, The
Lord hath blessed the house of Obed-edom, and
all that pertaineth unto him, because of the ark
of God. So David went and brought u^ the ark of
God from the house of Obed-edom into the city
of David with gladness.
Psalm cxliv. — 9. I will sing a new song unto
thee, God ! upon a psaltery and an instrument
of ten strings will I sing praises unto thee.
10. It is he that giveth salvation unto kings ;
who delivereth David his servant from the hurtful
sword.
11. Rid me, and deliver me from the hand of
strange children, whose mouth speaketh vanity,
and their right hand is a right hand of falsehood ;
12. That our sons may be as plants grown up
in their youth ; that our daughters may be as
corner-stones, polished after the similitude of a
palace ;
13. That our garners may be full, affording all
manner of store ; that our sheep may bring forth
thousands and ten thousands in our streets ;
14. That our oxen may be strong to labor;
that there be no breaking in, nor going out ; that
there be no complaining in our streets.
15. Happy is that people that is in such a
case ; yea, happy is that people whose God is the
Lord.
The foundation of human society is the family. Not the
individual, but the family, is the true unit of the state ; and
the nation is properly not a numerical aggregate of individ-
uals, but a combination of families. It is only through the
door of the family that any one can enter into society ; for
individual men are not created separate monads, but each is
born into the world a member of a family. Hence whatever
tends to preserve the home as a central point of interest and
affection tends to give stability and sacredness to society it-
self. That community, that people, are most likely to be
well ordered, and peaceful in public affairs, among whom the
homestead is cherished in the hearts of its citizens. Some one
has said that no home is complete without the grandmother ;
and certainly the blending of infancy, middle life, and old
age, in one household, gives tenderness, grace, and dignity to
domestic life.
In setting up a new home, therefore, it is most becoming
to consecrate it to God by the erection of the family-altar,
and the invocation of his blessing. The ancient Eomans
had their Penates, household gods, whose images guarded
and blessed the hearthstone. The house of Obed-edom was
blessed because it sheltered the ark of God. Moses never
removed, his tent from place to place except upon the assur-
ance that the divine presence would go up with him. So
should we consecrate our home with prayer and thanksgiving,
that, by the favor of God, our sons growing up with manly
virtues, our daughters with womanly graces, may make the
home as a garden of plenty, and a palaee of beauty and
strength.
Heaven is the perfection of the family and the home.
There is our Father's house; there is Christ, our Elder Broth-
er ; there the glad and blessed fellowship of the redeemed.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
fNos. 68, 124.
Our Father in heaven, the God of all the fami-
lies of the earth, we give thee thanks for the mani-
fold blessings which we as a family have received
at thy hand, — for our birth and education under
Christian influences, for the comforts of our home,
for the tender relationships of life. May the mer-
cies of thy covenant abide with this household,
and every member of it be joined to the family of
thy people! Be thou our Father and our God;
and may we know the love and joy of thy dear
children ! blessed Lord Jesus ! come and take
up thine abode with us, and fill our home with thy
presence ; fill our hearts with thy peace.
We bless thee that through another night thou
hast kept our habitation in safety, and that we
enter upon a new day surrounded with the to-
kens of thy providence and grace. Create in us
a clean heart, O God! and renew a right spirit
within us, that in our lives this day we may
show forth thine image, and glorify thee in our
bodies and spirits which are thine. Forgive us
the sins of our past lives ; and help us, Lord! to
lead the new life in Christ Jesus.
Be gracious to all dear to us ; bless them in their
hearts and their homes; remember the family oi
thy people ; have mercy upon such as have no
home, upon the widow and the fatherless, the for-
saken and outcast ; deliver such as are in bonds ;
convert and restore thine ancient covenant people ;
and hasten the time when all mankind shall dwell
together as one family in Christ their Head. Final-
ly, we beseech thee to bring us to our Father's house,
to the Jerusalem that is above, to dwell with thee
forever, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
439
ON THE BIRTH OF A CHILD.
2 Kings iv. — 8. And it fell on a day, that
Elisha passed to Shunem, where was a great
woman ; and she constrained hini to eat bread.
And so it was, that, as oft as he passed by, he
turned in thither to eat bread.
9. And she said unto her husband, Behold now,
I perceive that this is a holy man of God, which
passeth by us continually.
10. Let us make a little chamber, I pray thee,
on the wall; and let us set for him there a bed,
and a table, and a stool, and a candlestick; and
it shall be, when he cometh to us, that he shall
turn in thither.
11. And it fell on a day, that he came thith-
er ; and he turned into the chamber, and lay
there.
12. And he said to G-ehazi his servant, Call this
Shunammite. And, when he had called her, she
stood before him.
13. And he said unto him, Say now unto her,
Behold, thou hast been careful for us with all this
care : what is to be done for thee ? Wouldest thou
be spoken for to the king, or to the captain of the
host ? And she answered, I dwell among mine
own people.
14. And he said, What, then, is to be done for
Among the Jews, a numerous offspring was regarded as a
marked instance of divine favor, and the birth of a child was
hailed with thanksgiving as a special gift of God. " Lo,
children are a heritage of the Lord ; as arrows in the hand of
a mighty man. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full
of them." In the promised restoration of Israel, one of the
loveliest features is the streets full of boys and girls at play. It
was considered a great calamity to be childless, and especially
to be without an heir to transmit one's name to posterity.
The Shunammite woman had wealth, position, influence, — so
much of worldly prosperity, that she had nothing to ask for
even of the king ; but the promise of a child seemed a bless-
ing too great to be believed. Life is still as great a mystery
as when the promise of a son was given to her, to Hannah,
to Sarah, or to Eve ; still as much a gift of God as when the
" Son of the Highest " was promised to Mary. And, in all
our earthly experiences, there is no expression of divine love
her ? And Gehazi answered, Verily she hath no
child, and her husband is old.
15. And he said, Call her. And, when he had
called her, she stood in the door.
16. And he said, About this season, according
to the time of life, thou shalt embrace a son. And
she said, Nay, my lord, thou man of God, do not
lie unto thine handmaid.
17. And the woman conceived, and bare a son
at that season that Elisha had said unto her, ac-
cording to the time of life.
Zechariah viii. — 3. Thus saith the Lord : lam
returned unto Zion, and will dwell in the midst
of Jerusalem : and Jerusalem shall be called, A
city of truth ; and the mountain of the Lord of
hosts, The holy mountain.
4. Thus saith the Lord of hosts : There shall
yet old men and old women dwell in the streets of
Jerusalem, and every man with his staff in his
hand for very age.
5. And the streets of the city shall be full of
boys and girls playing in the streets thereof.
6. Thus saith the Lord of hosts : If it be mar-
vellous in the eyes of the remnant of this people
in these days, should it also be marvellous in mine
eyes ? saith the Lord of hosts.
to be compared with this. What love the babe brings ! what
love it inspires ! what hope it awakens ! what joy it kindles !
how it draws around it all the hearts of the household in a
tender sympathy, a sacred unity, which should bind them all
the closer to their Father in heaven !
Oh, what a treasure of sweet thoneht
Is here I what hope and joy and love,
All in one tender bosom brought,
For the all-gracious Dove
To brood o'er silently, and form for heaven
Each passionate wish and dream to dear affection given 1
We are too weak, when Thou dost bless,
To bear the joy. Help, Virgin-born,
By thine own mother's first caress,
That waked that natal morn 1
Help, by the unexpressive smile that made
A heaven on earth around the couch where
Thou wast laid I
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 78, 201.
God, our heavenly Father! we bless thee for
the precious gift of thy love which hath come to
gladden our home ; for the dear child which thou
hast given us, for all the love it brings, and all the
love it calls forth for itself and to thee. With glad-
ness receiving this as our child, we pray that from
its very birth it may be thy child, — adopted,
sanctified, blessed by thee. May this precious life
be spared for our comfort and joy, and for thy ser-
vice and glory ! most merciful Father ! bless,
we humbly beseech thee, the children of this
family with healthful bodies and good understand-
ings, with the graces and gifts of thy Holy Spirit,
and with sweet dispositions and holy habits. [Es-
pecially watch over those now far from us, and
committed to the care and instruction of others.]
May thy mercy and thy providence lead them
through all the dangers and temptations of this
evil world, and sanctify them wholly in their
bodies, souls, and spirits, and keep them unblama-
ble unto the coming of the Lord Jesus.
Blessed Saviour, who thyself didst sanctify in-
fancy by coming into the world a little child, and
who didst take little children to thine arms and
bless them, oh ! bless us, we pray thee, in training
this child for thee ; and grant that we also, having
the spirit of little children, may be of the kingdom
of heaven, for thy name's sake. Amen.
440
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
FOR A BAPTISMAL SERVICE.
[Note. — This service is inserted only for the accommodation of families which observe infant-baptism.]
Psalm ciii. — 17. The mercy of the Lord is
from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear
him, and his righteousness unto children's children ;
18. To such as keep his covenant, and to those
that remember his commandments to do them.
Isaiah xliv. — 3. I will pour my Spirit upon thy
seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring ;
4. And they shall spring up as among the grass,
as willows by the water-courses.
Mark X. — 13. And they brought young chil-
dren to him that he should touch them; and his
disciples rebuked those that brought them.
14. But, when Jesus saw it, he was much dis-
pleased, and said unto them, Suffer the little chil-
dren to come unto me, and forbid them not ; for of
such is the kingdom of God.
15. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not
receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he
shall not enter therein.
16. And he took them up in his arms, put his
hands upon them, and blessed them.
Matthew xviii. — 1. At the same time came the
disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest
in the kingdom of heaven ?
2. And Jesus called a little child unto him, and
set him in the midst of them,
3. And said, Verily, I say unto you, Except ye
be converted, and become as little children, ye shall
not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
4. Whosoever, therefore, shall humble himself as
this little child, the same is greatest in the king-
dom of heaven.
Christ's treatment of little children presents his character
under a most winning aspect. Thrice it is recorded of the
meek and holy Jesus that he was moved to indignation : once,
at the buying and selling in the temple ; again, at the mocking
of the Pharisees, because he healed a paralytic on the sabbath ;
and now, the third time, at the repulse of little children by his
own disciples. To refuse children access to his grace was to
misrepresent his spirit, his mission, and his kingdom. In
bringing the children at that moment, the mothers interrupted
him in an important doctrinal discourse: yet Jesus suspended
his teaching, and gave place to a sentiment, a symbol, a sacra-
ment ; for the blessing was of the nature of a sacrament. It
signified that there was a place in his thought, in his heart,
in his mission, in his Church, for children who were too young
to understand his teaching. And this symbol, or sacrament,
was also the medium of a most precious doctrine. In the sec-
ond incident, taken from Matthew, Jesus used the innocence
and docility of a little child as a lesson to his disciples, — the
child serving the purpose of comparison. But, in the first in-
cident, neither the character of disciples nor the condition of
discipleship was under discussion, but the relation of children
to himself and his kingdom. Myriads of children are in
heaven, beholding the face of his Father ; and the kingdom of
grace and salvation upon earth is also for little children. It is
pleasing to Christ that parents should bring their children to
him in loving consecration, and that children should be em-
bosomed within his Church. The question was not, "Are
these children old enough to be in the kingdom 1 " but, " Are
you young enough t In simple, loving trust and obedience, are
you like little children 1 If so, come in yourselves, and suffer
them to come."
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 2.3, 24, 124, 201.
God, the Father of all the families of men !
we thank thee for thy great love in the gift of chil-
dren; for all the joy they bring with them; for all
the good thou dost prepare for them and by them.
May the children of this family be thine in the
covenant of thy love, and grow up in the household
of faith !
We thank thee for the privilege of consecrating
our children unto thee ; and pray, that, in bringing
this child to thine altar this day, we may have a
sincere and godly faith in thy covenant of mercy,
and an earnest purpose to train him [or her'] up in
thy ways. Oh, may thy good Spirit seal and sanc-
tify the heart of this child ! Secure within thy
fold, may he [or she] be kept from the evil that is
in the world, and guided unto the life everlasting !
May we have grace to walk before him [or her]
in thy ways, and to exemplify the beauty of the
Christian life ! Help us, Lord ! ever to feel that
this child is not ours, but thine ; ours only as the
gift of thy love, to be nourished and trained for
thee. May the love that the child brings to our
hearts kindle within us a more deep and earnest
love to our Father in heaven !
Oh ! give us the blessing of grateful hearts. Let
thy Spirit be our teacher ; let thy Word be our
guide ; let thy will be our supreme motive, and
thy glory our constant aim.
We bring thee thanks for the rest and refresh-
ment of sleep, and for the comforts of the morning.
Guide, keep, and prosper us this day. Bless all
connected with us by whatever tie. May our ever-
present God be with them, guiding them by his
grace, defending them from temptation, fitting
them by his providence for the varied duties of
the present life, and for the joys of his saints in
glory everlasting !
Bless everywhere the lambs of t\\j flock. We
commend them to the Great Shepherd of the sheep,
beseeching him to make them perfect, and to fold
them in the arms of his mercy. And we commend
to thy love and care the homeless, the wandering,
the widow, and the orphan ; beseeching thee to
provide for them in the fulness of thy grace. We
leave ourselves, God ! in thy hands. May the
holy sacrament of this day, begun, carried on, and
ended in thee, redound, through Jesus, to thy
praise and glory ! Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
441
SERVICES FOR CHILDREN.
Morning.
Great God, and wilt thou condescend
To be my Father and my Friend ?
I a poor child, and thou so high,
The Lord of earth and ah- and sky !
Art thou my Father ? Let me be
A meek, obedient child to thee ;
And try, in word and deed and thought,
To serve and please thee as I ought.
O Lord ! I am a little child ; and how can I speak
to God, who is in heaven ? But I know that Jesus,
the dear Saviour, once took little children in his
arms and blessed them, and said, " Surfer the little
children to come unto me, and forbid them not." O
Lord ! I would come to thee, and ask for thy bless-
ing upon me this day. I thank thee for taking
care of me last night, and through all my life. I
am sorry for all the wrong I have ever done ; and I
Art thou my Father ? I'll depend
Upon the care of such a Friend,
And only wish to do and be
Whatever seenieth good to thee.
Art thou my Father ? Then at last,
When all my days on earth are passed,
Send down and take me in thy love
To be thy better child above.
pray thee, dear Saviour, to forgive me. Help me
to-day to do right. May I love and obey my
parents, be kind to my brothers and sisters, and to
all my little playmates ! May I not get angry, nor
speak naughty words, nor have naughty thoughts
and feelings, nor do any thing that is wrong !
Bless my father and mother and brothers and sis-
ters, and everybody that I love, and everybody else
in all the world, for Jesus Christ's sake. Amen.
Evening.
Kneel, my child ; for God is here !
Bend in love, but not in fear ;
Kneel before him now in prayer ;
Thank him for his constant care ;
Praise Mm for his bounties shed
Every moment on thy head ;
Ask for light to know his will ;
Ask for love thy heart to fill ;
Heavenly Father, I know that God, who is in
heaven, takes care of everybody and everything in
this world; takes care even of the flowers and of
the little birds : and I thank thee for taking care
of me all through this day. I thank thee, heaven-
ly Father, that I am so well and so happy ; that I
have food to eat, and clothes to wear, and a bed to
sleep in, and a good home, and such dear parents
and kind friends. Oh, may I be always thankful
and kind and good, and try to please my heavenly
Father, and to make my parents and all around me
happy !
Ask for faith to bear thee on
Through the might of Christ his Son ;
Ask his Spirit still to guide thee
Through the ills that may betide thee ;
Ask for peace to lull to rest
Every tumult of thy breast ;
Ask in awe, but not in fear :
Kneel, my child ; for God is here !
Forgive every thing that I have done wrong this
day ; and help me never to sin any more.
When I am tired and sleepy, I love to think that
my Father in heaven never sleeps, and is never
tired of watching over me and taking care of me.
" Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my soul to keep :
If I should die before I wake,
I pray the Lord my soul to take."
And this I ask for Jesus' sake. Amen.
[Besides reading or repeating the verses above, the children may sing the following hymn.]
Lamb of God, I look to thee ;
Thou shalt my example be :
Thou art gentle, meek, and mild ;
Thou wast once a little child.
Fain I would be as thou art ;
Give me thine obedient heart :
Thou art pitiful and kind ;
Let me have thv loving mind.
Loving Jesus, gentle Lamb,
In thy gracious hands I am :
Make me, Saviour, what thou art ;
Live thyself within my heart.
I shall then show forth thy praise ;
Serve thee all my happy days :
Then the world shall always see
Christ, the Holy Child, in me.
442
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
SERVICE FOR CHILDREN.
Morning.
As a bird in meadows fair,
Or in lonely forest, sings,
Till it fills the summer air,
And the greenwood sweetly rings :
So my heart to thee would raise,
O my God ! its song of praise,
That the gloom of night is o'er
And I see the sun once more.
Bless to-day whate'er I do;
Bless whate'er I have and love :
From the paths of virtue true
Let me never, never rove.
By thy Spirit strengthen me
In the faith that leads to thee ;
Then, an heir of life on high,
Fearless I may live and die.
Father in heaven, I thank thee for all the beau-
tiful things which thou hast made, — for the sun
that shines so brightly, for the birds that sing so
sweetly, for the pretty flowers, and the bright
stars, and for every thing that makes the world so
lovely and so happy. My heart is happy, too,
when I think that God made me, and loves me,
and takes care of me ; that he has given me such a
nice home, and such dear parents and friends, and
so many good things. But, oh ! I am sad and sorry
when I think how often I have sinned against my
Father in heaven, and done what I ought not to
have done. Lord ! I pray thee to forgive me
for Jesus' sake, and help me always to be good.
I thank thee for the good sleep I had last
night, and that this morning I am so well and
happy. heavenly Father ! please take care of me
to-day, and keep me from all harm and sin ; and
bless father and mother, and all my dear friends,
my playmates and schoolmates, and bless every-
body with thy love and grace, for Christ's sake.
Amen.
Evening.
I'm not too young for God to see :
He knows my name, and nature too ;
And all day long he looks at me,
And sees my actions through and through.
He listens to the words I say ;
He knows the thoughts I have within;
And, whether I'm at work or play,
He's sure to see it if I sin.
If some one great and good is near,
It makes us careful what we do}
And how much more we ought to fear
The Lord, who sees us through and through I
Thus, when inclined to do amiss,
However pleasant it may be,
I'll always try to think of this, —
I'm not too young for God to see.
God ! I thank thee that I have lived through
another day, and have had so many things to make
me happy. I thank thee that I have enough to
eat and to wear ; that I have such dear friends ;
that every day I can learn something new, and can
enjoy the good and beautiful things which God
has made. Oh ! may I always remember that every
good thing I have comes from my Father in
heaven ! and may I have a thankful heart ! May I
try to do good to others around me, and to make
everybody happy, by being kind and gentle, and
loving and obedient ! Teach me and help me,
Lord ! to be such a child as Jesus was on
earth. Forgive all that I have done wrong this
day.
Now that the night has come again, I pray thee,
Lord ! to take care of me while I sleep. Oh, may
the good angels watch over me ! and may I awake
in the morning full of health, full of love, full of
joy, ready to praise and to serve thee ! Bless all
my dear friends, all my little mates ; bless all
poor people and sick people, and all children who
have no home ; and, Lord ! show thy love to
everybody, for Christ's sake. Amen.
Remember thy Creator now,
In these thy youthful days :
He will accept thy earliest vow,
And listen to thy praise.
Remember thy Creator now,
And seek him while he's near ;
For evil days will come, when thou
Shalt find no comfort near.
Remember thy Creator now ;
His willing servant be :
Then, when thy head in death shall bow,
He will remember thee.
Almighty God, our hearts incline
Thy heavenly voice to hear :
Let all our future days be thine,
Devoted to thy fear.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
443
FOR CHILDREN.
Sunday Morning.
God of mercy, throned on high,
Listen from thy lofty seat ;
Hear, oh ! hear our feeble cry ;
Guide, oh ! guide our wandering feet.
Let us ever hear thy voice,
Ask thy counsel every day :
Saints and angels will rejoice
If we walk in Wisdom's way.
Thy home is with the humble, Lord ;
The simplest are the best :
Thy lodging is in childlike hearts ;
Thou makest there thy rest.
Dear Comforter 1 Eternal Love !
If thou wilt stay with me,
Of lowly thoughts and simple ways
I'll build a house for thee.
Heavenly Father, I thank thee for this holy and
blessed sabbath day ; that I have the Bible, and
can learn of Jesus, who came to save me ; that I
have been taught to love thee, and to know that
God loves little children ; that I cau go to church
and to Sunday school, and can join with good peo-
ple in praying to God, and in singing his praise.
Oh, may my heart be full of love to the Saviour, and
full of thankfulness to my Father in heaven, who
has done so much to make me good and happy !
I thank thee, Lord ! that thou hast taken
care of me in the night, and that I am alive
and well this morning. I thank thee for my
dear parents and all my kind friends, and pray
thee to bless them. And, Lord ! bless the
poor children who have no parents and no
home. May the Good Shepherd take care of
them ! and, oh, may Jesus take care of me, and
keep me from sin and harm, for his name's sake !
Amen.
Sunday Evening.
Through the day thy love has spared us ;
Now we lay us down to rest :
Through the silent watches guard us ;
Let no foe our peace molest.
Jesus, thou our guardian be :
Sweet it is to trust in thee.
Pilgrims here on earth, and strangers,
Dwelling in the midst of foes,
Us and ours preserve from dangers ;
In thine arms may we repose.
And, when life's short day is past,
Rest with thee in heaven at last !
I thank thee, Lord ! that I have heard of
Jesus as the Good Shepherd ; and I pray that I
may be one of the lambs of his flock ; that he
would feed me, and guard me, and guide me, and
bless me. And, oh, may I always follow him, and
never wander into the ways of sin ! I thank thee
for all that I have learned of Jesus to-day at home
and in the Sunday school, and pray that I may
remember it, and that it may help me to do right.
Lord ! I am sorry for all my sins ; and I pray
thee to forgive them.
Bless my dear, dear parents, and help me to
make them happy. Bless all my dear friends ;
and may they all be happy in loving the Sa-
viour ! Bless all the children who have been
at Sunday school to-day, and help them to be
good; and bless the children who have nobody
to teach them of the Saviour ; and, oh ! send
the Bible and missionaries to every country, and
teach everybody to love Jesus. Lord ! take
care of me to-night, while I sleep, for Christ's sake.
Amen.
444
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
THE SICKNESS Oil DEATH OF A CHILD.
Isaiah xl. — G. All flesh is grass, and all the
goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field.
Psalm xc. — 5. They are like grass which grow-
eth up.
6. In the morning it flourisheth, and groweth
up; in the evening it is cut down, and withereth.
Psalm xxxix. — 4. Lord, make me to know
mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is;
that I may know how frail I am.
5. Behold, thou hast made my days as a hand-
breadth, and mine age is as nothing before thee :
verily every man, at his best state, is altogether
vanity.
2 Samuel xii. — 15. And the Lord struck the
child that Uriah's wife bare unto David, and it
was very sick.
16. David, therefore, besought God for the child ;
and David fasted, and went in, and lay all night
upon the earth.
17. And the elders of his house arose, and
went to him, to raise him up from the earth ;
but he would not, neither did he eat bread with
them.
18. And it came to pass on the seventh day that
the child died. And the servants of David feared
to tell him that the child was dead ; for they said,
How often does this anguish of parental solicitude and
prayer repeat itself in human experience ! Would that it
were always followed with the same dignity of submission, the
same serenity of hope ! To watch by the cradle for the com-
ing of death, — it may be to the first-born ; to be told by the
physicians that death must come ; to know by symptoms that
death is near ; to sit in the shadowed chamber, where every
step is hushed, and scarce a breath is audible, waiting for the
decisive moment, — all this, as a first experience, gives to the
soul an anguish of parting, a drear foreboding of loss, an awe
of the invisible, such as mere nature is unable to bear. Yet
so strong is the instinct to hold fast by life, so persistent is
the vitality of hope, so indomitable the spirit of faith, that,
against signs the most adverse, and fears the most oppressive,
the soul will struggle on in prayer and watching to the last
bitter end. In spite of the warnings of physicians and the more
emphatic warnings of the disease, the heart will whisper to it-
self, " Who can tell whether God will be gracious to me, that
Behold, while the child was yet alive, we spake
unto him, and he would not hearken unto our
voice : how will he then vex himself if we tell him
that the child is dead?
19. But, when David saw that his servants
whispered, David perceived that the child was
dead : therefore David said unto his servants, Is
the child dead ? and they said, He is dead.
20. Then David arose from the earth, and
washed, and anointed himself, and changed his
apparel, and came into the house of the Lord, and
worshipped : then he came to his own house ; and,
when he required, they set bread before him, and
he did eat.
21. Then said his servants unto him, What
thing is this that thou hast done ? thou didst fast
and weep for the child while it was alive; but,
when the child was dead, thou didst rise and eat
bread.
22. And he said, While the child was yet alive,
I fasted and wept ; for I said, Who can tell
whether God will be gracious to me, that the child
may live ?
23. But, now he is dead, wherefore should I fast ?
Can I bring him back again ? I shall go to him ;
but he shall not return to me.
the chil may live ? " It is well tnat this is so ; that the heart
should be thrown thus simply and absolutely upon God, with
the one feeling, that, if relief can come at all, it must come
from him. Whatever the result, this feeling, and the faith
that utters it, are for the moral health of the soul. But, if we
thus cast the issue upon God, we should be ready to accept it
as from God ; and, if death comes, anxiety and trouble should
give place to comfort and hope. As we honored God by still
calling upon him in prayer, against all human signs, so now
should we honor him by acknowledging his hand, by cheer-
fully trusting his will, and by accepting his promise and grace
for the future. With but an imperfect knowledge of the fu-
ture state, David comforted himself with the wise and profita-
ble hope of preparing to meet again the child whom God had
taken : how much more we, who, in the call of death, may
hear again the voice of Jesus, saying, " Suffer the little children
to come unto me, and forbid them not ; for of such is the king-
dom of heaven " !
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 105, 106, 201.
Blessed Saviour, in thine earthly life thou didst
have pity upon the sorrows and sufferings of men ;
thou didst heal their sicknesses; yea, thou didst
hear the cry of anguish for the dead, and didst give
back to Jairus his daughter, and to the widow of
ISTain her son. Oh ! hear our cry, we entreat thee,
and spare the life of our dear child. Even against
hope, we do yet hope in thy mercy. We have con-
secrated this beloved child to thee; and, above all
earthly wishes, our hearts' desire is that he [or
she'] may live to serve thee in a holy and useful life
on earth. But, Lord, heaven is thine also ; and, if
it be thy will that he [or she] should go to serve
thee in the higher life, oh ! help us to be willing.
Also give unto us the strength of faith, the sweet-
ness of patience, the serenity of submission, the joy
of consecration. May we have grace to make it
manifest that the fervor of natural affection hath
only kindled the more our devotion to our Father
in heaven ! May our affections be upon things
above, our life be hid with Christ in God ! and,
when he shall appear, may we and all our dear ones
be with him in his glory, for his name's sake !
Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
445
FOR THE DEATH OF A CHILD.
I Kings xvii. — 17. And it came to pass after
these things, that the son of the woman, the mis-
tress of the house, fell sick ; and his sickness was
so sore, that there was no breath left in him.
18. And she said unto Elijah, What have I to
do with thee, thou man of God ? art thou come
unto me to call my sin to remembrance, and to slay
my son ?
19. And he said unto her, Give me thy son.
And he took him out of her bosom, and carried him
up into a loft, where he abode, and laid him upon
his own bed.
21. And he stretched himself upon the child
three times, and cried unto the Lord, and said,
Lord my God ! I pray thee, let this child's soul
come into him again.
22. And the Lord heard the voice of Elijah ; and
the soul of the child came into him again, and he
revived.
23. And Elijah took the child, and brought him
down out of the chamber into the house, and deliv-
ered him unto his mother ; and Elijah said, See !
thy son liveth.
IVIark v. — 22. And behold, there cometh one of
the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name ; and,
when he saw him, he fell at his feet,
23. And besought him greatly, saying, My little
In a time of famine, Elijah had saved this widow and her
child by a daily miracle. But suddenly the child was smitten
down by disease ; and the frantic mother now felt that there
was an aggravation in the very manner of his death. With
a remnant of her pagan superstition, she upbraided both
the prophet and herself. Elijah roused his spirit to the utmost
energy of faith, and won back the child from the embrace of
death. In the second miracle, a devout Jew besought Jesus
to save a dying child. His faith, so strong, so positive, met
with a ready answer ; but, oh, how his heart sank within
him, when, with this great Physician at hand, word came that
the child was dead ! Still Jesus pressed on, speaking such
words of hope as only faith could receive : " Be not afraid ;
only believe ; " and again, " She is not dead, but sleepeth."
Where Elijah poured forth his soul in an agony of supplica-
tion, calling upon God to help, Jesus spake from his own inner
daughter lieth at the point of death : I pray thee,
come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be
healed ; and she shall live.
24. And Jesus went with him ; and much peo-
ple followed him, and thronged him.
35. While he yet spake, there came from the
ruler of the synagogue's house certain which said,
Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the
Master any further.
36. As soon as Jesus heard the word that was
spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue,
Be not afraid ; only believe.
38. And he cometh to the house of the ruler of
the synagogue, and seeth the tumult, and them
that wept and wailed greatly.
39. And, when he was come in, be saith unto
them, Why make ye this ado, and weep ? the dam-
sel is not dead, but sleepeth.
40. And they laughed him to scorn. But, when
he had put them all out, he taketh the father and
the mother of the damsel, and them that were with
him, and entereth in where the damsel was lying.
41. And he took the damsel by the hand, and
said unto her, Talitha-cumi ; which is, being inter-
preted, Damsel (I say unto thee), arise.
42. And straightway the damsel arose, and
walked ; for she was of the age of twelve years.
consciousness, with the calmness of supreme majesty and
power, " Maid, arise ! "
Our Lord probably spake in the Aramean tongue ; and this
word Talitha was a term of endearment, as if he had said,
" Come, my child." Thus gently did he blend the tenderest
of human feelings with almighty power ; and when the
mourners, who just now had cavilled, were astounded as by
an apparition from the world of spirits, he quietly convinced
them of her restoration to life by commanding that some-
thing should be given her to eat. By this miracle, Jesus spake
words of everlasting comfort to parents bereaved of children ;
for, though he does not seem to heed our agonizing cry by
giving back our dead, we know that the same power will
again waken them that sleep, and that the same compassion
whispers to us, " Be not afraid ; only believe."
Appropriate Hymns,
Prayer.
[Nos. 24, 105, 135.
Blessed Saviour, we would hear thy voice, and
believe. We bow in sorrow and submission at the
footstool of Infinite Mercy. Thou hast taken from
us, Lord ! a dear child, whom we had consecrated
unto thee, and had fondly hoped to bring up in thy
kingdom upon earth ; but thou hast consecrated
him [or her~\ with the seal of death unto thy
heavenly kingdom. Thy will, God ! be done.
We bless thee for the gift of such a child ; for all
the joy that his [or her] coming brought ; for all
the love and hope he [or she'] had kindled in our
hearts; for the privilege of possessing him [or her]
as ours, and of training him [or her] for thee.
And, now that thou hast claimed him [or her] for
thine own, we bless thee for all the comfort and de-
light we have had in him [or her] ; and we pray
thee that the remembrance of thy goodness in this
gift may incline us to trust thee in our sorrow.
Oh! sanctify our hearts. [Bless these dear children
who remain ; and, if it please thee, spare them to us ;
but, Lord ! draw them to thyself in a love stronger
and richer than ours.] And may our home be the
more sacred because of this visitation ! Remember
all families in affliction, and comfort them. Blessed
Saviour, though thou dost not give back our dead,
we would believe that they yet live with thee; and,
we beseech thee, prepare us by thy grace to join
them in the kingdom of thy Father. Amen.
446
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
BEFORE A JOURNEY.
Numbers X. — 29. And Moses said imto Hobab,
the son of Raguel the Midianite, Moses' father-in-
law, We are journeying unto the place of which
the Lord said, I will give it you : come thou with
us, and we will do thee good ; for the Lord hath
spoken good concerning Israel.
30. And he said unto him, I will not go ; but
I will depart to mine own land, and to my
kindred.
31. And he said, Leave us not, I pray thee ; for-
asmuch as thou knowest how we are to encamp in
the wilderness, and thou mayest be to us instead
of eyes.
32. And it shall be, if thou go with us, yea, it
shall be, that what goodness the Lord shall do
unto us, the same will we do unto thee.
33. And they departed from the mount of the
Lord three days' journey ; and the ark of the cov-
enant of the Lord went before them in the three
days' journey to search out a resting-place for
them.
34. And the cloud of the Lord was upon them
by day when they went out of the camp.
35. And it came to pass, when the ark set for-
ward, that Moses said, Rise up, Lord, and let thine
enemies be scattered ; and let them that hate thee
flee before thee.
36. And, when it rested, he said, Return, Lord !
unto the many thousands of Israel.
Psaim cxxi. — 1. I will lift up mine eyes unto
the hills, from whence cometh my help.
2. My help cometh from the Lord, which made
heaven and earth.
3. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he
that keepeth thee will not slumber.
4. Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither
slumber nor sleep.
5. The Lord 'is thy keeper; the Lord is thy
shade upon thy right hand.
6. The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the
moon by night.
7. The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil;
he shall preserve thy soul.
8. The Lord shall preserve thy going-out and
thy coming-in from this time forth, and even for-
evermore.
It was the pious custom of the patriarchs, in removing from
place to place, to consult the will of God before changing
their abode, and to supplicate his guidance on the way.
Moses was accustomed to say to the Lord, " If thy presence
go not with me, carry us not up hence ; " and, in journeying
through the wilderness, the camp removed only when the cloud
was lifted up from the tabernacle, and it halted in the place
where the cloud abode. " At the commandment of the Lord,
the children of Israel journeyed ; and, at the commandment of
the Lord, they pitched : as long as the cloud abode upon the
tabernacle, they rested in their tents." At the same time,
Moses took advantage of the knowledge which his brother-in-
law possessed of the desert in selecting the best route and
the most favorable spots for encamping. So should we
combine prudence and forethought with dependence upon
God. " Prayer and provender hinder no man's journey."
David has celebrated God's watchful providence over us in
our journeyings, as defending us from the sun by day and the
moon by night, as preserving us from all evil, and keeping
our very feet from harm. Paul ascribed " a prosperous
journey " to " the will of God ; " and James has instructed
us, when we have a journey in view, to say, " If the Lord
will, we shall live, and do this or that." In these days of
frequent and hurried journeying, there is less time for such
religious preparation, and often there is little thought of it.
Yet, when we consider that the very facility and frequency
of travel have multiplied both its pleasures and its perils,
we surely shall bethink ourselves to commend to God those
who are journeying by land or sea; and, in going from
home, will commit ourselves to Him who is present every-
where and at every moment, and who doth neither slumber
nor sleep.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 4, 184.
O God of infinite mercy and boundless majesty,
whom neither space nor time can separate from
those for whom thou carest ! be present, we beseech
thee, with us thy servants, who desire everywhere
to put our whole trust in thee. Do thou vouchsafe
to be our guide and companion throughout the
way which we are to pass over, that no adversity
may harm, nor hinderance turn us aside; but that,
all things being ordered by thee for our health
and true prosperity, we may be watchful to do that
which is well pleasing in thy sight, and be
brought in due time to the haven where we would
be, and, at the last, to thy heavenly kingdom,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Wherever we go, may we carry with us the sense
of thy gracious presence ! may we abide in thy
love ! may we do good unto all men as we have
opportunity ! may we be delivered from all danger
and evil ! And do thou, Lord ! bring us to our
home again, enriched with the memory of thy
goodness, with the experience of thy grace.
We commend unto thy fatherly care all dear to us
who are journeying abroad. If on the sea, do thou,
Lord, give the winds and waves charge concerning
them, that they suffer no harm ; if on the land, keep
them from all perils of the way; and in thine own
time bring them to their home in peace. Grant
them grace everywhere and always to remember
thee, to show forth thy praise, to do good as thou
shalt give them opportunity. We commend unto
thee all who are in peril on the land or on the sea,
praying thee to grant them speedy deliverance and
comforting grace. Guide us, Lord ! through all
the journey of life ; give thine angels charge over
us to keep us to the end, and finally to conduct us
to the city of our God ; for Christ's sake. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
447
FOR OLD AGE.
Psalm xcii. — 1. It is a good thing to give
thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto
thy name, Most High !
2. To show forth thy loving-kindness in the
morning, and thy faithfulness every night,
3. Upon an instrument of ten strings, and upon
the psaltery ; upon the harp with a solemn sound.
4. For thou, Lord, hast made me glad through
thy work: I will triumph in the works of thy
hands.
12. The righteous shall flourish like the palm-
tree ; he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.
13. Those that be planted in the house of the
Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God.
14. They shall still bring forth fruit in old age ;
they shall be fat and flourishing ;
15. To show that the Lord is upright: he is
my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in
him.
Luke ii. — 25. And, behold, there was a man
in Jerusalem, whose name tuas Simeon ; and the
same man toas just and devout, waiting for the
consolation of Israel; and the Holy Ghost was
upon him.
26. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy
Ghost that he should not see death before he had
seen the Lord's Christ.
27. And he came by the Spirit into the temple ;
and, when the parents brought in the child Jesus
to do for him after the custom of the law,
28. Then took he him up in his arms, and
blessed God, and said,
29. Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in
peace, according to thy word ;
30. For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,
31. Which thou hast prepared before the face
of all people ;
32. A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the
glory of thy people Israel.
33. And Joseph and his mother marvelled at
those things which were spoken of him.
34. And Simeon blessed them, and said unto
Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the
fall and rising again of many in Israel, and for
a sign which shall be spoken against ;
35. (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thine
own soul also ;) that the thoughts of many hearts
may be revealed.
How beautiful is the old age of piety, — the faith and devo-
tion that through a long life have waited upon God, merging
into the peace of Christ's coming, and the joy of the heavenly
rest ! — no fears, no anxieties, no cares, no doubts, but a trust
in God so calm and full, that even death is waited for in holy
expectation, as the consolation promised to Israel, as the
longed-for vision of Christ. This rich peace in prospect of
death comes of a life of faith, "just and devout, according to
the word of God." A holy life is the prelude of a happy
death. But the aged saint is not simply waiting for his depart-
ure : he is not severed from the present, and translated before-
hand into the future. Sometimes such a one fancies, that, be-
cause his days of activity are over, he has outlived his usefulness ;
but his life of patience and hope, his mature and serene piety,
his devout waiting upon God, are a continual argument for the
gospel. He still brings forth fruit in old age. The cedar,
with the growth of centuries upon it, still flourishes in majes-
tic beauty. " The palm-tree remains green all the year
round, in the cold of winter no less than in the heat of sum-
mer. It grows slowly, but steadily, uninfluenced by those al-
ternations of the seasons which affect other trees. Drawing
its moisture from hidden springs, when the green of the
meadows is withered, and the earth is parched to powder,"
the palm-tree still lifts aloft its verdant roof of leaves.
Thus vigorous and refreshing was the piety of the aged
Simeon amid the deadness of his times. But his hope
and joy were not for himself alone. He longed and prayed
for the salvation of the world, — a salvation which, coining
with a peculiar glory to his own beloved nation, should also
lighten the Gentiles, and shine upon the face of all people.
He who would keep his own heart fresh, his own piety glow-
ing, should carry in his heart, and remember in his prayers,
the welfare of the whole world. Thus loving and praying,
he can never grow old, never be weary, never really die ;
for he is identified with that kingdom which is undving
and sure. Christ's kingdom is the test of life and char-
acter. By his gospel, which searches the thoughts of the
heart, many fall through the condemnation of unbelief. Oh,
be it ours to rise with Christ to that new life, which is salva-
tion !
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 184, 200, 202.
Lord ! blessed is the man that trusteth in
thee. Thou hast promised to thy saints that thou
wilt never leave them nor forsake them : they
shall mount up with wings as eagles ; they shall
run, and not be weary ; they shall walk, and not
faint. We thank thee for the examples and the
evidences of piety in old age which thou hast
caused to be recorded in thy holy Word ; for the
lives of patriarchs and saints, who, through the
changes and trials of many years, made proof of
their faith and devotion unto thyself, and of thy
love and faithfulness toward them. We bless thee.
Lord ! for the dear friends whom thou hast
spared to us in their old age, for their long ex-
perience of thy goodness and grace, and for the
testimony of their lives to the faith and hope of
the gospel, and to the preciousness of Christ their
Saviour. Do thou make bright and peaceful their
declining days : may it please thee to keep them
from sickness, pain, and sorrow ; spare them still
to bless their children, and their children's chil-
dren ; spare them to bless thy Church, and to wit-
ness for thy mercy : may they still bring forth
fruit in old age ! and, finally, may they be gathered
like as a shock of corn cometh in in his season ! —
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
448
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
FOR A TIME OF TROUBLE.
2 Corinthians i. — 1. Paul, an apostle of Jesus
Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our
brother, unto the church of God which is at Cor-
inth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia :
2. Grace be to you and peace from God our
Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
3. Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord
Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God
of all comfort ;
4. Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that
we may be able to comfort them which are in any
trouble by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are
comforted of God.
5. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us,
so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.
6. And whether we be afflicted, it is for your
consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the
enduring of the same sufferings which we also
suffer ; or whether we be comforted, it is for your
consolation and salvation.
7. And our hope of you is steadfast, knowing,
that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall
ye be also of the consolation.
8. For we would not, brethren, have you igno-
Our trials should teach us to be comforters. The sympa-
thy which the heart craves in sorrow it should be ready to
impart to others. We should avoid being exacting in our
grief: so far from monopolizing the sympathy of our friends,
and insisting that every thing around us shall take the color
of our woe, we should seek out those who are more wretched
than ourselves, and relieve our sorrow by ministering to their
consolation. Strong in his own spirit and in the resources of
philosophy, resolute in faith, and confident in the grace of
Christ, Paul, nevertheless, felt the need of Christian sympathy
in his sufferings, and gave thanks for the prayers and gifts of
rant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that
we were pressed out of measure, above strength,
insomuch that we despaired even of life ;
9. But we had the sentence of death in our-
selves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but
in God which raiseth the dead ;
10. Who delivered us from so great a death, and
doth deliver; in whom we trust that he will yet
deliver us :
11. Ye also helping together by prayer for us,
that, for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of
many persons, thanks may be given by many on
our behalf.
12. For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of
our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sin-
cerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace
of God, we have had our conversation in the world,
and more abundantly to you-ward.
13. For we write none other things unto you
than what ye read or acknowledge ; and I trust ye
shall acknowledge even to the end ;
14. As also ye have acknowledged us in part,
that we are your rejoicing, even as ye also are
ours in the day of the Lord Jesus.
the Church. But he valued his experience of trial, and the
comfort which came to himself, as qualifying him to comfort
others in any trouble. Above all, he teaches us to prize the
grace of God, which comes to us so richly and so tenderly in
our sorrows. When we are lying, as it were, under sentence
of death, and there remains no earthly help nor hope, how
sweet it is to trust in God which raiseth the dead, the Fa-
ther of mercies, and the God of all comfort ! If that trust
is complete, our comfort will be greater than our tribula-
tion ; our consolation in Christ will abound over all our
sufferings.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 187, 188, 195, 200.
Blessed be God for the hope and the consolation
of the gospel ; for that faith which even now is
our victory over the world, and which shall make
us more than conquerors over death. May thy
grace enable us to live as faithful and wise stew-
ards who watch for the coining of their Lord ! We
bring to thee this morning the powers which thou
hast given us, the lives which thou hast spared,
and, with thanksgiving for thy mercies, consecrate
all that we are and all that we possess unto thy
service and glory.
We thank thee, Lord ! for the precious com-
fort that remains to us concerning clear friends who
have departed in the faith ; that to them heaven is
even now a reality ; that they have no more want,
nor sorrow, nor care, nor sin. Oh, may heaven be
a reality to our faith ! and may the hope of it, yea,
the assurance of it, as our home, lift us above all
the temptations and trials of this present world !
Give to us strength for labors, courage for conflicts,
patience under afflictions, fidelity to duty, and faith
that shall endure to the end, and shall make us
more than conquerors over death. May the true
life be now begun in our souls, and daily may we
live in thee ! Have mercy, Lord ! upon all who
are sick or sorrowing ; upon the widow, the father-
less, the poor, and the wretched. Succor them
with thy might ; comfort them with thy grace.
most merciful Saviour, our compassionate
High Priest ! pity all our infirmities; heal our souls'
sicknesses ; give us the joy of thy salvation, and a
hope full of immortality. Strengthen us to live
and labor for thee. Give us grace always to act
as thy true servants, and to do every thing to thy
glory. May each one of us be able to say, For
me to live is Christ ; to die is gain ! And at
length take us to rest with thee above, for thine
own name and mercy's sake; and unto thee, with
the Father and the Holy Ghost, be all honor and
glory, now and for evermore. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
449
FOR SICKNESS OR OTHER CALAMITY.
Job vii. — 1. Is there not an appointed time to
man upon earth ? are not his days, also, like the
days of a hireling ?
2. As a servant earnestly desireth the shadow,
and as a hireling looketh for the reward of his
work ;
3. So am I made to possess months of vanity,
and wearisome nights are appointed to me.
4. When I lie down, I say, When shall I arise,
and the night he gone ? and I am fall of tossings
to and fro unto the dawning of the day.
6. My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle,
and are spent without hope.
7. Oh! remember that my life is wind: mine
eye shall no more see good.
8. The eye of him that hath seen me shall see
me no more; thine eyes are upon me, and I am
not.
9. As the cloud is consumed, and vanisheth
away ; so he that goeth down to the grave shall
come up no more :
10. He shall return no more to his house, neither
shall his place know him any more.
13. When I say, My bed shall comfort me, my
couch shall ease my complaint ;
14. Then thou scarest me with dreams, and ter-
rifiest me through visions ;
The pathetic lament of Job does not argue a spirit of im-
patience or of complaint against God : it is the weakness of
the flesh first expostulating with the harsh judgment of his
friends upon his longing for death, and then appealing to the
Almighty to send him the relief that he hoped for in the
future state. He had borne with a majestic patience the sud-
den loss of all earthly good ; but this protracted suffering
from a disease that caused him to loathe himself had so far
exhausted his nervous vitality and the spirit of hope, that
even the instinct of life had died out within him. Never was
a picture more true than this of the weariness of a prolonged
and seemingly incurable sickness, which leaves no hope of
life, yet does not bring the relief of death. In such a condi-
15. So that my soul chooseth strangling, and
death rather than my life.
16. I loathe it; I would not live alway : let me
alone ; for my days are vanity.
20. I have sinned : what shall I do unto thee,
thou preserver of men ? Why hast thou set me
as a mark against thee, so that I am a burden to
myself ?
21. And why dost thou not pardon my trans-
gression, and take away mine iniquity ? for now
shall I sleep in the dust ; and thou shalt seek me
in the morning, but I shall not be.
Psalm Ixxi. — 17. OGocl! thou hast taught me
from my youth; and hitherto have I declared thy
wondrous works.
18. Now also, when I am old and gray-headed,
God ! forsake me not; until I have showed thy
strength unto this generation, and thy power to
every one that is to come.
19. Thy righteousness also, God ! is very high,
who hast done great things: God! who is like
unto thee ?
20. Thou, which hast showed me great and sore
troubles, shalt quicken me again, and shalt bring
me up again from the depths of the earth.
21. Thou shalt increase my greatness, and com-
fort me on every side.
tion, it is not wrong to wish to die. Yet Job humbled himself
before God, and acknowledged his sinfulness and ill-desert, and
did not murmur under the chastening hand of the Preserver
of men.
But when, as in the case of Hezekiah or of David, the hope
of recovery is revived, how soon does the soul forget its
troubles, and turn its mourning into praise ! With the elas-
ticity of faith, it rebounds toward God with thanksgiving
and joy. Such faith we should endeavor to maintain in the
darkest hour ; not always the specific faith of recovery, but
faith in the loving-kindness and the mercy of God, so con-
stant and so assured, that, living or dying, we shall be the
Lord's.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 27, 34, 47.
Almighty and everlasting God, hear the pray-
ers of thy afflicted servants, and with thine ears
consider our calling. Hold not, we beseech thee,
thy peace at our tears, but satisfy us with thy
mercy, and show us thy work. Teach us neither
to despise thy chastisements, nor to faint under
thy rebukes, but with all lowliness and meek-
ness, patience and resignation, to be content to do
thy will, and, considering our latter end, to com-
mit our souls unto thee in well-doing.
almighty and eternal God, the Creator of all
things, who hast made our days upon earth as it
were a span-long, and our age even as nothing in
respect of thee ! give us grace, we humbly beseech
thee, to live under such a constant sense of our
mortality, and of the shortness and uncertainty of
this present life, that death may never surprise us
in an hour that we are not aware ; but, beine al-
ways provided with oil in our lamps, we may be
ready, whenever the Bridegroom may come, to
enter with him in to the marriage-feast, and re-
ceive a blessing among those who watch and wait
for the coming of their Lord.
God, the Father of all mercies ! we beseech
thee to grant to this thy servant deliverance from
this present sickness : give unto him the sleep
that thou givest to thy beloved; restore him to
health and vigor, that he may show forth thy
praise ; but, above all things, grant unto him and
to all of us grace to accept thy holy will, prepa-
ration for death, and, finally, an abundant entrance
into thy kingdom, through Jesus Christ. Amen.
450
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
A FUNERAL SERVICE.
Job xiv. — 1. Man, that is born of a woman, is
of few days, and full of trouble.
2. He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut
down ; he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth
not.
5. Seeing his days are determined, the number
of his months are with thee, thou hast appointed
his bounds that he cannot pass ;
6. Turn from him, that he may rest, till he shall
accomplish, as a hireling, his day.
7. For there is hope of a tree, if it be cut down,
that it will sprout again, and that the tender
branch thereof will not cease.
8. Though the root thereof wax old in the earth,
and the stock thereof die in the ground ;
9. Yet through the scent of water it will bud,
and bring forth boughs like a plant.
10. But man dieth, and wasteth away ; yea,
man giveth up the ghost, and where is he ?
11. As the waters fail from the sea, and the
flood decayeth and drieth up ;
12. So man lieth down, and riseth not : till the
heavens be no more, they shall not awake, nor be
raised out of their sleep.
14. If a man die, shall he live again? All the
days of my appointed time will I wait, till my
change come.
18. And surely the mountain, falling, cometh to
nought, and the rock is removed out of his place.
19. The waters wear the stones: thou washest
away the things which grow out of the dust of the
earth, and thou destroyest the hope of man.
20. Thou prevailest forever against him, and he
passeth ; thou changest his countenance, and send-
est him away.
• 21.. His sons come to honor, and he knoweth it
not ; and they are brought low, but he perceiveth
it not of them.
22. But his flesh upon him shall have pain, and
his soul within him shall mourn.
Job i. — 21. The Lord gave, and the Lord hath
taken away : blessed be the name of the Lord.
Job xix. — 25. I know that my redeemer liv-
eth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon
the earth.
John xi. — 25. I am the resurrection and the
life : he that believeth in me, though he were dead,
yet shall he live ;
26. And whosoever liveth and believeth in me
shall never die.
TI13 Old-Testament saints — Job, Moses, David, Isaiah,
Jeremiah — seem to have had an oppressive sense of the brevity
of human life and the uncertainty of human expectations,
little relieved by the hope of immortality which but dimly
flickered across their path. The New Testament, written in
the full light of that immortality as revealed by Christ, makes
little comparatively of the mere article of death. The be-
liever his already conquered death : he hath eternal life ; and
dying is but falling asleep, or departing to be with Christ.
Yet the elegy of Job retains all its pathos and solemnity upon
the human side : " Man is more perishable than the tree, life
more fleeting than the summer flood. As the flexible tran-
sient drop of water will wear away the hardest stone, so the
most trivial causes may undermine and sweep away the most
substantial hopes that man has built; and, after all, he roust
leave to an uncertain future the issue of his most cherished
plans." How important, then, is it that in this world we should
identify ourselves with the kingdom which cannot be moved,
and for the future should trust in Him who is the resurrection
and the life !
Appropriate Htmns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 42, 71, 158.
O Lord Jesus Christ, who art the resurrection
and the life, who didst thyself weep over the
dead, and wert full of compassion toward the weep-
ing widow of Nam, and art touched with the feel-
ing of all our griefs and sorrows ! be with ns, we
beseech thee, at this time, and sanctify to us the
removal of one so dear to us. Grant us more and
more to consider our latter end, and to turn to
thee with all our hearts in true repentance and in
lively faith. Let no repining or murmuring dis-
honor our Christian profession. Give us sure con-
fidence in thee for all that is to come, and prepare
our souls to meet thee in that day when our spirits
shall return to Him who gave them. Hear us for
the sake of our only Saviour and Redeemer.
Almighty God, with whom do live the spirits of
those who depart hence in the Lord, and with
whom the souls of the faithful, after they are de-
livered from the burden of the flesh, are in joy
and felicity, we give thee hearty thanks for the
good examples of all those thy servants, who, hav-
ing finished their course in faith, do now rest from
their labors. And we beseech thee, that we, with
all those who are departed in the true faith of thy
holy name, may have our perfect consummation
and bliss, both in body and soul, in thy eternal and
everlasting glory, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
O God, whose days are without end, and whose
mercies cannot be numbered ! make us, we beseech
thee, deeply sensible of the shortness and uncer-
tainty of human life ; and let thy Holy Spirit lead
us through this vale of misery in holiness and
righteousness all the days of our lives, that, when
we shall have served thee in our generation, we
may be gathered unto our fathers, having the tes-
timony of a good conscience, in the communion of
thy Church, in the confidence of a certain faith, in
the comfort of a reasonable, religious, and holy hope,
in favor with thee, and in charity with the world.
All which we ask through Jesus Christ. Amen.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
451
AFTER A FUNERAL.
I Thessalonians iv. — 13. I would not have you
to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which
are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others
which have no hope.
14 For if we believe that Jesus died, and rose
again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will
God bring with him.
15. For this we say unto you by the word of the
Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the
coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which
are asleep.
16. For the Lord himself shall descend from
heaven with a shout, with the voice of the arch-
angel, and with the trump of God ; and the dead
in Christ shall rise first :
17. Then we which are alive and remain shall
be caught up together with them in the clouds to
meet the Lord in the air ; and so shall we ever be
with the Lord.
18. Wherefore, comfort one another with these
words.
I Thessalonians v. — 1. But of the times and
the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I
write unto you.
2. For yourselves know perfectly, that the day
of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
3. For when they shall say, Peace and safety,
then sudden destruction cometh upon them, and
they shall not escape.
4. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that
that day should overtake you as a thief.
5. Ye are all the children of light, and the children
of the -day : we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
6. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others ; but
let us watch and be sober.
7. For they that sleep, sleep in the night ; and
they that be drunken are drunken in the night.
8. But let us, who are of the day, be sober, put-
ting on the breastplate of faith and love ; and for
a helmet, the hope of salvation.
9. For God hath not apppointed us to wrath, but
to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
10. Who died for us, that, whether we wake or
sleep, we should live together with him.
To believers in Christ the power and the fear of death are
so far abolished that their dying is a " falling asleep," gentlv
and securely, in the arms of their Lord. Their flesh shall rest
in hope. The apostle here describes the blessed and glorious
re-union of the saints, the living and the dead, at the coming of
Christ. The saints who shall then be living on the earth shall
not "prevent" (i.e., precede) "them which are asleep" in the
order of ascent to the skies : but, first of all, the dead in Christ
shall rise, and be borne upward to meet their Lord ; then the
living saints, transformed like them into spiritual bodies, clos-
ing up their ranks, shall follow in the grand triumphal march
up to the gates of heaven. The promise of this glorious con-
summation of our faith and hope is given for our comfort in
parting from loved ones who have gone to be with Christ, and
for our quickening in personal preparation for the coming of
the Lord. If we ourselves are diligent and faithful in the
service of Christ, if we keep bright our own faith in him as
the Resurrection and the Life, then, instead of abandoning our-
selves to grief at parting with Christian friends, we shalf look
forward with sacred joy to the day when we shall meet them
with Christ, and, in one blessed company, shall be ever with
the Lord.
Appropriate Hymns,]
Prayer.
[Nos. 42, 45, 46.
Thou art the King of glory, 0- Christ ! Thou
art the everlasting Son of the Father. When thou
hadst overcome the sharpness of death, thou didst
open the kingdom of heaven to all believers. Thou
sittest at the right hand of God, in the glory of the
Father. We believe that thou shalt come to be
our Judge. We therefore pray thee help thy ser-
vants, whom thou hast redeemed with thy precious
blood : make them to be numbered with thy
saints in glory everlasting. We bless thee, 6
Lord ! for the comforts of thy Word concerning
those dear to us whom thou hast taken unto thy-
self : may we, by thy grace, walk in their steps in
all things wherein they followed thee, and so live
unto thee, day by day, that we shall be ready at
all times for thy coming !
Blessed Saviour, help us so to confide in thee, to
keep thee ever so near and so precious to our
thought, that we shall live above the fear of death,
and look forward with joy to our final rest with
thee. Grant us grace to bear all trials, resist all
temptations, fulfil all duties, in the hope of thine
appearing. As children of the light, may we shun
all evil, and show forth thy praise !
_ We give thee thanks, O Lord ! for the blessed
life and character of the dear one whom thou hast
taken unto thyself. We thank thee for all that
he [or she] was to us as a light and joy of our
dwelling; as an example of all that is true and
gentle, noble and good. We bless thee that for
him [or her~\ we have no fears, no sorrows. But,
Lord ! pity our sorrow for ourselves, and for all
our dear friends. Sustain us under this trial, and
cause it to work for our good. May our hearts go
out in faith and love to thee, and in sympathy for
all who mourn ! In this day of trouble, may we
be filled with the peace of Christ and the hope
of immortality ! May this household, and all dear
to us, be joined to the family of the saints on
earth, and finally to the company of the redeemed
in heaven, through Him who died for us, and who
liveth evermore! — to whom, with thee and the
Holy Ghost, be honor and glory, world without
end. Amen.
J
HYMNS AND TUNES.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
455
GERMANY. L. M.
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1. Earth has a joy unknown in heaven, —
The new-born peace of sin forgiven :
Tears of such pure and deep delight,
Ye angels ! never dimmed your sight.
Ye saw of old on chaos rise
The beauteous pillars of the skies :
Ye know where Morn exulting' springs,
And Evening folds her drooping wings.
Bright heralds of the Eternal Will,
Abroad his errands ye fulfil ;
Or, throned in floods of beamy day,
Symphonious in his presence play.
But I amid your choirs shall shine,
And all your knowledge will be mine :
Ye on your harps must lean to hear
A secret chord that mine -will bear.
2.
Bless, O my soul ! the living God ;
Call home thy thoughts that rove abroad ;
Let all the powers within me join
In work and worship so divine.
Bless, O my soul ! the God of grace ;
His favors claim thy highest praise :
Why should the wonders he hath wrought
Be lost in silence, and forgot V
'Tis he, my soul, who sent his Son
To die for crimes which thou hast done :
He owns the ransom, and forgives
The hourly follies of our lives.
Let the whole earth his power confess ;
Let the whole earth adore his grace :
The Gentile with the Jew shall join
In work and worship so divine.
CHRISTMAS HYMN. 7s.
C. M. Cadt.
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3.
Fount of everlasting love
Rich thy streams of mercy are :
Flowing purely from above.
Beauty marks their course afar.
Lo ! thy Church, thy garden now,
Blooms beneath the heavenly shower :
Sinners feel and melt and bow ;
Mild, yet mighty, is thy power.
God of grace, before thy throne
Here our warmest thanks we bring ;
Thine the glory, thine alone :
Loudest praise to thee we sing.
Hear, oh ! hear our grateful song ;
Let thy Spirit still descend ;
Roll the tide of grace along,
Widening, deepening, to the end.
Children of the heavenly King,
As ye journey, sweetly sing, —
Sing your Saviour's worthy praise,
Glorious in his works and ways.
Ye are travelling home to God
In the way the fathers trod :
They are happy now, and ye
Soon their happiness shall see.
Fear not, brethren ; joyful stand
On the borders of your land :
Jesus Christ, your Father's Son,
Bids you undismayed go on.
Lord, submissive make us go,
Gladly leaving all below:
Only thou our Leader be,
And we still will follow thee.
456
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR
CONCORD. S. M.
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Lord our God ! arise ;
The cause of Truth maintain ;
And wide o'er all the peopled world
Extend her blessed reign.
Thou Prince of life ! arise,
Nor let thy glory cease :
Far spread the conquests of thy grace,
And bless the earth with peace.
Thou Holy Ghost ! arise ;
Extend thy healing wing ;
And o'er a dark and ruined world
Let light and order spring.
O all ye nations ! rise ;
To God, the Saviour, sing ;
From shore to shore, from earth to heaven
Let echoing anthems ring.
6. " The Lord is risen indeed : "
Now is his work performed ;
Now is the mighty Captive freed,
And Death, our foe, disarmed.
" The Lord is risen indeed : "
The grave hath lost its prey :
With him is risen the ransomed seed
To reign in endless day.
" The Lord is risen indeed : "
He lives, to die no more ;
He lives the sinner's cause to plead,
Whose curse and shame he bore.
" The Lord is risen indeed : "
Attending angels, hear ;
Up to the courts of heaven with speed
The joyful tidings bear.
ROTHWELL. L. M.
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Tf. Before Jehovah's awful throne,
Ye nations, bow with sacred joy :
Know that the Lord is God alone ;
He can create, and he destroy.
We are his people, we his care,
Our souls and all our mortal frame :
What lasting honors shall we rear,
Almighty Maker, to thy name ?
We'll crowd thy gates with thankful songs,
High as the heavens our voices raise;
And Earth, with her ten thousand tongues,
Shall fill thy courts with sounding praise.
Wide as the world is thy command ;
Vast as eternity, thy love :
Firm as a rock thy truth must stand
When rolling years shall cease to move.
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8. Descend from heaven, immortal Dove !
Stoop down, and take us on thy wings :
And mount, and bear us far above
The reach of these inferior things.
Oh for a sight, a blissful sight,
Of our Almighty Father's throne !
There sits our Saviour crowned with light,
Clothed in a body like our own.
Adoring saints around him stand,
And thrones and powers before hiin fall :
The God shines gracious through the man,
And sheds sweet glories on them all.
When shall the day, dear Lord, appear,
That I shall mount to dwell above,
And stand and bow among them there,
And view thy face, and sing and love ?
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
457
SEASONS.
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Happy the man whose hopes rely
On Israel's God: he made the sky,
And earth and seas, with all their train ;
And none shall find his promise vain.
His truth forever stands secure :
He saves the oppressed; he feeds the poor;
He sends the laboring conscience peace ;
And grants the prisoner sweet release.
The Lord hath eyes to give the blind ;
The Lord supports the sinking mind :
He helps the stranger in distress,
The widow, and the fatherless.
He loves his saints : he knows them well ;
But turns the wicked down to hell.
Thy God, O Zion ! ever reigns :
Praise him in everlasting strains.
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Might I enjoy the meanest place,
Within thy house, O God of grace !
Not tents of ease, nor thrones of power,
Should tempt my feet to leave the door.
God is our sun ; he makes our day :
God is our shield ; he guards our way
From all the assaults of hell and sin,
From foes without and foes within.
All needful grace will God bestow,
And crown that grace with glory too :
He gives us all things, and withholds
No real good from upright souls.
O God our King, whose sovereign sway
The glorious hosts of heaven obey !
Display thy grace, exert thy power,
Till all on earth thy name adore.
DOWNS. C. M.
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Father of mercies, in thy word
What endless glory shines !
Forever be thy name adored
For these celestial lines.
Here my Redeemer's welcome voice
Spreads heavenly peace around ;
And life and everlasting joys
Attend the blissful sound.
Oh, may these heavenly pages be
My ever-dear delight !
And still new beauties may I see,
And still-increasing light !
Divine Instructor, gracious Lord,
Be thou forever near ;
Teach me to love thy sacred Word,
And view my Saviour there.
12. Why should the children of a King
Go mourning all their days ?
Great Comforter ! descend, and bring
Some tokens of thy grace.
Dost thou not dwell in all the saints,
And seal them heirs of heaven ?
When wilt thou banish my complaints,
And show my sins forgiven '!
Assure my conscience of her part
In the Redeemer's blood ;
And bear thy witness with my heart
That I am born of God.
Thou art the earnest of his love,
The pledge of joys to come ;
And thy soft wings, celestial Dove,
Will safe convey me home.
458
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
Spirited.
TRURO. L. M.
Dr. Burney.
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13. Another six-days' work is done ;
Another Sabbath is begun :
Return, my soul, unto thy rest ;
Enjoy the day thy God hath blest.
Oh that our thoughts and thanks may rise
As grateful incense to the skies,
And draw from heaven that sweet repose
Which none but he that feels it knows !
That heavenly calm within the breast —
It is the pledge of that dear rest
Which for the Church of God remains, —
The end of cares, the end of pains.
In holy duties let the day,
In holy pleasures, pass away :
How sweet a Sabbath thus to spend
In hope of one that ne'er shall end !
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14. God ! beneath thy guiding hand
Our exiled fathers crossed the sea;
And, when they trod the wintry strand,
With prayer and psalm they worshipped thee.
Thou heard'st, well pleased, the song, the prayer :
Thy blessing came ; and still its power
Shall onward through all ages bear
The memory of that holy hour.
Laws, freedom, truth, and faith in God,
Came with those exiles o'er the waves ;
And, where their pilgrim-feet have trod,
The God they trusted guards their graves.
And here thy name, O God of love !
Their children's children shall adore,
Till these eternal hills remove,
And spring adorns the earth no more.
Spirited.
STEPHENS. C. M.
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15. Come, Holy Spirit, Heavenly Dove,
With all thy quickening powers;
Kindle a flame of sacred love
In these cold hearts of ours.
Look, how we grovel here below,
Fond of these trifling toys!
Our souls can neither fly nor go
To reach eternal joys.
Dear Lord, and shall we ever live
At this poor dying rate ?
Our love so faint, so cold to thee,
And thine to us so great !
Come, Holy Spirit, Heavenly Dove,
With all thy quickening powers;
Come, shed abroad a Saviour's love,
And that shall kindle ours.
16. Come, let us join our cheerful songs
With angels round the throne :
Ten thousand thousand are their tongues
But all their joys are one.
" Worthy the Lamb that died," they cry,
" To be exalted thus : "
" Worthy the Lamb," our lips reply;
" For he was slain for us."
Jesus is worthy to receive
Honor and power divine ;
And blessings more than we can give
Be, Lord, forever thine.
Let all that dwell above the sky,
And air and earth and seas,
Conspire to lift thy glories high.
And speak thine endless praise.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
459
ROCKINGHAM. L. M.
Dr. Lowell Masox.
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17. How pleasant, how divinely fair,
O Lord of hosts ! thy dwellings are !
With long desire my spirit faints
To meet the assemblies of thy saints.
Blest are the souls who find a place
Within the temple of thy grace :
There they behold thy gentler rays,
And seek thy lace, and learn thy praise.
Blest are the men whose hearts are set
To find the way to Zion's gate :
God is their strength ; and through the road
They lean upon their helper, God.
Cheerful they walk with growing strength
Till all shall meet in heaven at length ;
Till all before thy face appear,
And join in nobler worship there.
1§. The heavens declare thy glory, Lord ;
In every star thy wisdom shines :
But, when our eyes behold thy Word,
We read thy name in fairer lines.
The rolling sun, the changing light,
And nights and days, thy power confess ;
But the blest volume thou hast writ
Reveals thy justice and thy grace.
Sun, moon, and stars convey thy praise
Round the whole earth, and never stand :
So, when thy truth began its race,
It touched and glanced on every land.
Great Sun of Righteousness, arise !
Bless the dark world with heavenly light :
Thy gospel makes the simple wise ;
Thy laws are pure, thy judgments right.
FULLER. C. M.
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19. On Jordan's stormy banks I stand,
And cast a wishful eye
To Canaan's fair and happy land,
Where my possessions lie.
O'er all those wide-extended plains
Shines one. eternal day :
There God the Son forever reigns,
And scatters night away.
When shall I reach that happy place,
And be forever blest ?
When shall I see my Father's face,
And in his bosom rest ?
Filled with delight, my raptured soul
Can here no longer stay :
Though Jordan's waves around me roll,
Fearless I'd launch away.
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20. Far from these narrow scenes of night
Unbounded glories rise,
And realms of infinite delight
Unknown to mortal eyes.
There pain and sickness never come,
And grief no more complains;
Health triumphs in immortal bloom,
And endless pleasure reigns.
No cloud those blissful regions know,
Forever bright and fair ;
For sin, the source of mortal woe,
Can never enter there.
Prepare us, Lord, by grace divine,
For thy bright courts on high ;
Then bid our spirits rise, and join
The chorus of the sky.
460
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
Moderato
UXBRIDGE. L. M.
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21. Lord ! thy heavenly grace impart,
And fix my frail, inconstant heart :
Henceforth my chief desire shall be
To dedicate myself to thee.
Whate'er pursuits my time employ,
One thought shall fill my soul with joy :
That silent, secret thought shall be,
That all my hopes are fixed on thee.
Thy glorious eye pervadeth space ;
Thy presence, Lord, fills every place;
And, wheresoe'er my lot may be,
Still shall my spirit cleave to thee.
Renouncing every worldly thing,
And safe beneath thy spreading wing,
My sweetest thought henceforth shall be,
That all I want I find in thee.
22. Thee we adore, Eternal Lord ;
We praise thy name with one accord :
Thy saints, who here thy goodness see,
Through all the world, do worship thee.
To thee aloud all angels cry,
The heavens, and all the powers on high :
Thee, holy, holy, holy King,
Lord God of hosts, they ever sing.
The apostles join the glorious throng ;
The prophets swell the immortal song ;
The martyrs' noble army raise
Eternal anthems to thy praise.
From day to day, O Lord ! do we
Highly exalt and honor thee :
Thy name we worship and adore,
World without end, for evermore.
MANOA.H. C. M.
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23.
See ! Jesus stands with open arms ;
He calls ; he bids you come :
Guilt holds you back, and fear alarms ;
But, see ! there yet is room.
Oh ! come, and with his children taste
The blessings of his love,
While hope attends the sweet repast
Of nobler joys above.
There with united heart and voice,
Before the eternal throne,
Ten thousand thousand souls rejoice
In ecstasies unknown.
And yet ten thousand thousand more
Are welcome still to come :
Ye longing souls, the grace adore;
Approach ; there yet is room.
24. There is a fold whence none can stray,
And pastures ever green,
Where sultry sun, or stormy day,
Or night, is never seen.
Far up the everlasting hills,
In God's own light, it lies :
His smile its vast dimensions fills
With joy that never dies.
One narrow vale, one darksome wave,
Divides that land from this :
I have a Shepherd pledged to save,
And bear me home to bliss.
O gentle Shepherd ! still behold
Thy helpless charge in me,
And take a wanderer to thy fold
Who trembling turns to thee.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
461
WARD. L. M.
Dr. L. Mason.
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25.
Faith to the conscience whispers peace,
And bids the mourner's sighing cease :
By faith the children's right we claim,
And call upon our Father's name.
Faith feels the Spirit's kindling breath
In love and hope that conquer death ;
Faith brings us to delight in God,
And blesses e'en his smiting rod.
Such faith in us, O God ! implant,
And to our prayers thy favor grant
In Jesus Christ, thy saving Son,
Who is our fount of' health alone.
In him may every trusting soul
Press onward to the heavenly goal,
The blessedness no foes destroy, —
Eternal love and light and joy 1
26. With tearful eyes I look around :
Life seems a dark and stormy sea ;
Yet 'midst the gloom I hear a sound,
A heavenly whisper, " Come to Me ! "
It tells me of a place of rest ;
It tells me where my soul may flee :
Oh ! to the weary, faint, opprest,
How sweet the bidding, " Come to Me !
" Come ; for all else must fail and die :
Earth is no resting-place for thee.
To heaven direct thy weeping eye :
I am thy portion ; come to Me 1 "
O voice of mercy, voice of love !
In conflict, grief, and agony,
Support me, cheer me from above,
And gently whisper, " Come to Me 1 "
WARWICK. C. M.
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27. My God, thy service well demands
The remnant of my days :
Why was this fleeting breath renewed,
But to renew thy praise ?
Thine arm of everlasting love
Did this weak frame sustain
When life was hovering o'er the grave,
And nature sank with pain.
Back from the borders of the grave,
At thy command, I come ;
Nor would I urge a speedier flight
To my celestial home.
Where thou appointest my abode,
There would I choose to be ;
For in thy presence death is life,
And earth is heaven with thee.
28.
Oh for a closer walk with God,
A calm and heavenly frame,
A light to shine upon the road
That leads me to the Lamb !
Return, O Holy Dove ! return,
Sweet messenger of rest !
I hate the sins that made thee mourn,
And drove thee from my breast.
The dearest idol I have known,
Whate'er that idol be,
Help me to tear it from thy throne,
And worship only thee.
So shall my walk be close with God,
Calm and serene my frame ;
So purer light shall mark the road
That leads me to the Lamb.
462
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
FEDERAL STREET. L. M.
H. K. Oliver.
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29. Praise, Lord, for thee in Zion waits ;
Prayer shall besieae thy templergates :
All flesh shall to thy throne repair,
And find, through Christ, salvation there.
How blest thy saints ! how safely led !
How surely kept! how richly fed !
Saviour of all in earth and sea,
How happy they who rest in thee !
Thy hand sets fast the mighty hills;
Thy voice the troubled ocean stills :
Evening and morning hymn thy praise,
And earth thy bounty wide displays.
The year is with thy goodness crowned ;
Thy clouds drop wealth the world around;
Through thee the deserts laugh and sing;
And Nature smiles, and owns her King.
30. When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss,
And pour contempt on all my pride.
Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
Save in the death of Christ my God :
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to his blood.
See ! from his head, his hands, his feet,
Sorrow and love flow mingled down !
Did e'er such love and sorrow meet,
Or thorns compose so rich a crown ?
Were the whole realm of Nature mine,
That were a present far too small :
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.
WARRINGTON. L. M.
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31a The spacious firmament on high,
With all the blue, ethereal sky,
And spangled heavens, a shining frame,
Their great Original proclaim.
The unwearied sun, from day to day,
Does his Creator's power display,
And publishes to every land
The work of an almighty hand.
Soon as the evening shades prevail,
The moon takes up the wondrous tale,
And nightly to the listening earth
Repeats the story of her birth ;
While all the stars that round her burn,
And all the planets in their turn,
Confirm the tidings as they roll,
And spread the truth from pole to pole.
32. God of my life ! through all my days
My grateful powers shall sound thy praise ;
The sona; shall wake with opening light,
And warble to the silent night.
When anxious care would break my rest,
And grief would tear my throbbing breast,
Thy tuneful praises raised on high
Shall check the murmur and the sigh.
When Death o'er Nature shall prevail,
And all my powers of language fail,
Joy through my swimming eyes shall break,
And mean the thanks I cannot speak.
Soon shall I learn the exalted strains
Which echo o'er the heavenly plains,
And emulate with joy unknown
The glowing seraphs round thy throne.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
463
HEBRON. L. M.
Dr. Lowell Mason.
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33. Tlius far, the Lord hath led me on ;
Thus far, his power prolongs my days ;
And every evening shall make known
Some fresh memorials of his grace.
I lay my body down to sleep :
Peace is the pillow for my head ;
While well-appointed angels keep
Their watchful stations round my bed.
Faith in His name forbids my fear :
Oh, may Thy presence ne'er depart 1
And, in the morning, make me hear
The love and kindness of thy heart.
Thus, when the night of death shall come,
My flesh shall rest beneath the ground,
And wait thy voice to rouse my tomb,
With sweet salvation in the sound.
34. Why should we start, and fear to die ?
What timorous worms we mortals are !
Death is the gate of endless joy ;
And yet we dread to enter there.
The pains, the groans, and dying strife,
Fright our approaching souls away :
Still we shrink back again to life,
Fond of our prison and our clay.
Oh ! if my Lord would come and meet,
My soul should stretch her wings in haste,
Fly fearless through Death's iron gate,
Nor feel the terrors as she passed.
Jesus can make a dying-bed
Feel soft as downy pillows are,
While on his breast I lean my head,
And breathe my life out sweetly there.
ST. GABRIEL. L. M.
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35. Sun of my soul, thou Saviour dear,
It is not night if thou be near :
Oh, may no earth-born cloud arise
To hide thee from thy servant's eyes !
Abide with me from morn till eve ;
For without thee I cannot live :
Abide with me when night is nigh ;
For without thee I dare not die.
Thou Framer of the light and dark,
Guide through the tempest thine own bark :
Amid the howling, wintry sea,
We are in port, if we have thee.
Come near and bless us when we wake,
Ere through the world our way we take,
Till in the ocean of thy love
We lose ourselves in heaven above.
36. God, in the gospel of his Son,
Makes his eternal counsels known :
'Tis here his richest mercy shines,
And truth is drawn in fairest lines.
Here sinners of a humble frame
May taste his grace, and learn his name ;
May read in characters of blood
The wisdom, power, and grace of God.
The prisoner here may break his chains,
The weary rest from all his pains,
The captive feel his bondage cease,
The mourner find the way of peace.
Here faith reveals to mortal eyes
A brighter world beyond the skies;
Here shines the light which guides our way
From earth to realms of endless day.
464
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
EVENING HYMN. L. M.
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37.
Glory to thee, my God, this night,
For all the blessings of the light :
Keep me, oh ! keep me. King of kings,
Beneath thine own almighty wings.
Forgive me, Lord, for thy dear Son,
The ill that I this day have done ;
That with the world, myself, and thee,
I, ere I sleep, at peace may be.
Be thou my guardian while I sleep ;
Thy watchful station near me keep;
My heart with love celestial fill,
And guard me from the approach of ill.
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise him, all creatures here below ;
Praise him above, ye heavenly host, —
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
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38. Come, O my soul ! in sacred lays
Attempt thy great Creator's praise :
But, oh ! what tongue can speak his fame ?
What mortal verse can reach the theme ?
Enthroned amid the radiant spheres,
He glory, like a garment, wears :
To form a robe of light divine,
Ten thousand suns around him shine.
In all our Maker's grand designs,
Almighty power with wisdom shines:
His works, through all this wondrous frame,
Declare the glory of his name.
Raised on Devotion's lofty wing,
Do thou, my soul, his glories sing ;
And let his praise employ thy tongue
Till listening worlds shall join the song.
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39. My soul, it is thy God
Who calls thee by his grace :
Now loose thee from each cumbering load,
And bend thee to the race.
Make thy salvation sure ;
All sloth and slumber shun ;
Nor dare a moment rest secure
Till thou the goal hast won.
Thy crown of life hold fast ;
Thy heart with courage stay ;
Nor let one trembling glance be cast
Along the backward way.
Thy path ascends the skies
With conquering footsteps bright ;
And thou shalt win and wear the prize
In everlasting light.
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40. How perfect is thy word,
And all thy judgments just!
Forever sure thy promise, Lord,
And men securely trust.
I hear thy word with love,
And I would fain obey :
Send thy good Spirit from above
To guide me, lest I stray.
Warn me of every sin ;
Forgive my secret f:\ults :
And cleanse this guilty soul of mine,
Whose crimes exceed my thoughts.
While with my heart and tongue
I spread thy praise abroad,
Accept the worship and the song,
My Saviour and my God.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
465
Words by Bonar.
NEVERMORE BE SAD OR WEARY. 8s and 7s.
Theo. F. Seward.
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41. This is not my place of resting ;
Mine's a city yet to come :
Onward to it I am hasting, —
On to my eternal home.
In it all is light and glory ;
O'er it shines a nightless day:
Every trace of sin's sad story,
All the curse, hath passed away.
There the Lamb, our Shepherd, leads us
By the streams of life along ;
On the freshest pastures feeds us ;
Turns our sighing into song.
Soon we pass this desert dreary ;
Soon we bid farewell to pain ;
Never more are sad or weary ;
Never, never sin again.
42. Cease, ye mourners ! cease to languish
O'er the grave of those you love :
Pain and death, and night and anguish,
Enter not the world above.
While our silent steps are straying
Lonely through night's deepening shade,
Glory's brightest beams are playing
Round the happy Christian's head.
Light and peace at once deriving
From the hand of God most high,
In his glorious presence living,
They shall never, never die.
Now, ye mourners ! cease to languish
O'er the grave of those you love :
Far removed from pain and anguish,
They are chanting hymns above.
SEYMOUR
43.
To thy pastures fair and large,
Heavenly Shepherd, lead thy charge ;
And my couch, with tenderest care,
'Mid the springing grass prepare.
When I faint with summer's heat,
Thou shalt guide my weary feet
To the streams, that, still and slow,
Through the verdant meadows flow.
Safe the dreary vale I tread,
By the shades of death o'erspread,
With thy rod and staff supplied, —
This my guard, and that my guide.
Constant to my latest end
Thou my footsteps shalt attend,
And shalt bid thy hallowed dome
Yield me an eternal home.
Now the shades of night are gone ;
Now the morning light is come.
Lord, we would be thine to-day :
Drive the shades of sin away.
Fill our souls with heavenly light ;
Banish doubt, and clear our sight :
In thy service, Lord, to-day,
Help us labor, help us pray.
Keep our wayward passions bound;
Save us from our foes around ;
Going out and coming in,
Keep us safe from every sin.
When our work of life is past,
Oh ! receive us all at last :
Sin's dark night shall be no more
When we reach the heavenly shore.
466
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
Adagio e Piano.
LUCERNE. L. M.
£#
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45. How vain is all beneath the skies !
How transient every earthly bliss!
How slender all the fondest ties
That bind us to a world like this 1
The evening cloud, the morning dew,
The withering grass, the fading flower,
Of earthly hopes are emblems true,
The glory of a passing hour.
But though Earth's fairest blossoms die,
And all beneath the skies is vain,
There is a land whose confines lie
Beyond the reach of care and pain.
Thon let the hope of joys to come
Dispel our cares, and chase our fears :
If God be ours, we're travelling home,
Though passing through a vale of tears.
46. How blest the righteous when he dies !
When sinks a weary soul to rest,
How mildly beam the closing eyes I
How gently heaves the expiring breast 1
So fades a summer cloud away ;
So sinks the gale when storms are o'er ;
So gently shuts the eye of day ;
So dies the wave along the shore.
A holy quiet reigns around,
A calm which life nor death destroys :
Nothing disturbs that peace profound
Which his unfettered soul enjoys.
Life's duty done, as sinks the clay,
Light from its load the spirit flies ;
While heaven and earth combine to say,
" How blest the righteous when he dies 1 "
Moderate.
OLNEY. S. M.
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47.
When we in darkness walk,
Nor feel the heavenly flame.
Then is the time to trust our God,
And rest upon his name.
Soon shall our doubts and fears
Subside at his control ;
His loving-kindness shall break through
The midnight of the soul.
His grace will to the end
Stronger and brighter shine ;
Nor present things, nor things to come,
Shall quench the spark divine.
Blest is the man, O God I
That stays himself on thee :
Who waits for thy salvation, Lord,
Shall thy salvation see.
4§. My spirit on thy care,
Blest Saviour, I recline :
Thou wilt not leave me to despair ;
For thou art love divine.
In thee I place my trust ;
On thee I calmly rest :
I know thee good, I know thee just,
And count thy choice the best.
Whatc'er events betide,
Thy will they all perform :
Safe in thy breast my head I hide,
Nor fear the coming storm.
Let good or ill befall,
It must be good for me,
Secure of having thee in all,
Of bavins: all in thee.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
467
Con Spirito.
PARK STREET. L. M.
VENUA.
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49. Jesus shall reign where'er the sun
Doth his successive journeys run ;
His kingdom stretch from shore to shore
Till moons shall wax and wane no more.
For him shall endless prayer be made,
And praises throng to crown his head ;
His name, like sweet perfume, shall rise
With every morning sacrifice.
Blessings abound where'er he reigns :
The prisoner leaps to loose his chains,
The weary find eternal rest,
And all the sons of Want are blest.
Let every creature rise, and bring
Peculiar honors to our King ;
Angels descend with fongs again,
And earth repeat the loud Amen.
50. Sweet is the work, my God, my King,
To praise thy name, give thanks, and sing ;
To show thy love by morning light,
And talk of all thy truth at night.
My heart shall triumph in my Lord,
And bless his works, and bless his word :
Thy works of grace — how bright they shine I
How deep thy counsels ! how divine !
But I shall share a glorious part
When grace hath well refined my heart,
And fresh supplies of joy are shed,
Like holy oil, to cheer my head.
Then shall I see and hear and know
All I desired or wished below,
And every power find sweet employ
In that eternal world of joy.
MORNINGTON. S. M.
Lord Mornington.
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51. One sweetly-solemn thought
Comes to me o'er and o'er :
'Tis that I'm nearer home to day
Than e'er I've been before ;
Nearer my Father's house,
Where many mansions be ;
Nearer the solemn judgment-throne ;
Nearer the crystal sea ;
Nearer the bound where life
Shall lay its burdens down ;
Where I shall leave my ill-borne cross,
And take my blood-bought crown.
Saviour, perfect my trust;
Confirm my feeble faith;
And teach me fearlessly to stand
Upon the shore of death.
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52. How charming is the place
Where my Redeemer, God,
Unveils the beauties of his face,
And sheds his love abroad !
Here on the mercy-seat,
With radiant glories crowned,
Our joyful eyes behold him sit,
And smile on all around.
To him our prayers and cries
Our humble souls present :
He listens to our broken sighs,
And grants us every want.
Give me, O Lord ! a place
Within thy blest abode,
Among the children of thy grace,
The servants of my God.
46£
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
Moderato.
DOVER. S. M.
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53. Blest are the sons of peace
Whose hearts and hopes are one ;
Whose kind designs to serve and please
Through all their actions run.
Blest is the pious house
Where zeal and friendship meet :
Their songs of praise, their mingled vows,
Make their communion sweet.
From those celestial springs
Such streams of pleasure flow,
As no increase of riches brings,
Nor honors can bestow.
Thus on the heavenly hills
The saints are blest above,
Where joy, like morning dew, distils,
And all the air is love.
5<4. My soul, repeat His praise
Whose mercies are so great ;
Whose anger is so slow to rise,
So ready to abate.
God will not always chide ;
And, when his wrath is felt,
Its strokes are fewer than our crimes,
And lighter than our guilt.
His power subdues our sins ;
And his forgiving love,
Far as the east is from the west,
Doth all our guilt remove.
High as the heavens are raised
Above the ground we tread,
So far the riches of his grace
Our highest thoughts exceed.
CARROLL. L. M.
Dr. L. Masos.
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55. Great God, we sing thy mighty hand,
By which supported still we stand :
The opening year thy mercy shows;
Let mercy crown it till it close.
By day, by night, at home, abroad,
Still we are guarded by our God,
By his incessant bounty fed,
By his unerring counsel led.
With grateful hearts the past we own :
The future, all to us unknown,
We to thy guardian care commit,
And peaceful leave before thy feet.
When Death shall interrupt these songs,
And seal in silence mortal tongues,
Our helper, God, in whom we trust,
In better worlds our souls shall boast.
56. Up to the hills I lift mine eyes, —
The eternal hills beyond the skies :
Thence all her help my soul derives,
There my almighty Refuge lives.
He lives ! — the everlasting God
That built the world, that spread the flood :
The heavens with all their hosts he made,
And the dark regions of the dead.
He guides our feet, he guards our way ;
His morning smiles bless all the day;
He spreads the evening veil, and keeps
The silent hours while Israel sleeps.
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow ;
Praise him, all creatures here below ;
Praise him above, ye heavenly host, —
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
469
CHESTERFIELD. C. M.
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57. Oh for a faith that will not shrink,
Though pressed by every foe ;
That will not tremble on the brink
Of any earthly woe ;
A faith that shines more bright and clear
When tempests rage without ;
That when in danger knows no fear,
In darkness feels no doubt ;
That bears, unmoved, the world's dread frown,
Nor heeds its scornful smile ;
That seas of trouble cannot drown,
Nor Satan's arts beguile ;
A faith that keeps the narrow way
Till life's last hour is fled,
And with a pure and heavenly ray
Lights up a dying-bed !
5§. When God revealed his gracious name,
And changed my mournful state,
My rapture seemed a pleasing dream,
The grace appeared so great.
The world beheld the glorious change,
And did Thy hand confess ;
My tongue broke out in unknown strains,
And sung surprising grace.
The Lord can clear the darkest skies ;
Can give us day lor night ;
Make drops of sacred sorrow rise
To rivers of delight.
Let those who sow in sadness wait
Till the fair harvest come :
They shall confess their sheaves are great,
And shout the blessings home.
ST. MICHAEL. C. M.
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59. What shall I render to my God
For all his kindness shown ?
My feet shall visit thine abode,
My songs address thy throne.
How much is mercy thy delight,
Thou ever-blessed God !
How dear thy servants in thy sight 1
How precious is their blood !
How happy all thy servants are !
How great thy grace to me !
My life, which thou hast made thy care,
. Lord, I devote to thee.
Now I am thine, forever thine ;
Nor shall my purpose move :
Thy hand hath loosed my bonds of pain,
And bound me with thy love.
60.
Faith adds new charms to earthly bliss,
And saves me from its snares ;
Its aid in every duty brings,
And softens all my cares.
Wide it unveils celestial worlds,
Where deathless pleasures reign ;
And bids me seek my portion there,
Nor bids me seek in vain.
Faith shows the precious promise sealed
With the Redeemer's blood,
And helps my feeble hope to rest
Upon a faithful God.
There, there, unshaken would I rest
Till this frail body dies ;
And then, on Faith's triumphant wings,
To endless glory rise.
470
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
PETERBOROUGH. C. M.
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61.
Come, Lord, and warm each languid heart ;
Inspire, each lifeless tongue ;
And let the joys of heaven impart
Their influence to our song.
Then to the shining realms of bliss
The wings of faith shall soar,
And all the charms of Paradise
Our raptured thoughts explore.
Sorrow and pain and tears and care
And discord there shall cease,
And perfect joy and love sincere
Adorn the realms of peace.
Lord, tune our hearts to praise and love ;
Our feeble notes inspire ;
Till in thy blissful courts above
We join the heavenly choir.
62. Happy the souls to Jesus joined,
And saved by grace alone :
Walking in all Thy ways, they find
Their heaven on earth begun.
The Church triumphant in thy love,
Their mighty joys we know :
They sing the Lamb in hymns above,
And we in hymns below.
Thee in thy glorious realm they praise,
And bow before thy throne ;
We in the kingdom of thy grace :
The kingdoms are but one.
The holy to the Holiest leads ;
From hence our spirits rise :
And he that in thy statutes treads
Shall meet thee in the skies.
ORTONVILLE. C. M.
Dr. T. Hastings.
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63. How sweet, how heavenly, is the sight,
When those that love the Lord
In one another's peace delight,
And so fulfil his word ;
When each can feel his brother's sigh,
And with him bear a part;
When sorrow flows from eye to eye,
And joy from heart to heart ;
When, free from envy, scorn, and pride,
Our wishes all above,
Each can his brother's failings hide,
And show a brother's love !
Love is the golden chain that binds
The happy souls above;
And he's an heir of heaven who finds
His bosom <rlow with love.
64. Awake, my soul ! stretch every nerve,
And press with vigor on :
A heavenly race demands thy zeal,
And an immortal crown.
'Tis God's all-animating voice
That calls thee from on high ;
'Tis his own hand presents the prize
To thine aspiring eye, —
That prize with peerless glories bright,
Which shall new lustre boast
When victors' wreaths and monarchs' gems
Shall blend in common dust.
Blest Saviour, introduced by thee,
Have I my race begun ;
And, crowned with victory, at thy feet
I'll lay my honors down.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
471
COLCHESTER. C. M.
Williams.
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65. How shall the young secure their hearts,
And guard their lives from sin V
Thy Word the choicest rule imparts,
To keep the conscience clean.
'Tis like the sun, a heavenly light,
That guides us all the day ;
And, through the dangers of the night,
A lamp to lead our way.
Thy precepts make me truly wise :
I hate the sinner's road ;
I hate my own vain thoughts that rise ;
But love thy law, my God.
Thy word is everlasting truth :
How pure is every page !
That holy book shall guide our youth,
And well support our age.
66. When the worn spirit wants repose,
And sighs her God to seek,
How sweet to hail the evening's close
That ends the weary week 1
How sweet to hail the early dawn
That opens on the sight
When first that soul-reviving morn
Beams its new rays of light !
Sweet day ! thine hours too soon will cease ;
Yet, while they gently roll,
Breathe, heavenly Spirit, Source of peace,
A sabbath o'er my soul.
When will my pilgrimage be done,
The world's long week be o'er,
That sabbath dawn which needs no sun,
That day which fades no more '(
NEWHOPE. C. M.
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67.
Oh for a heart to praise my God ;
A heart from sin set free ;
A heart that's sprinkled with the blood
So freely shed for me ;
An humble, lowly, contrite heart,
Believing, true, and clean,
Which neither life nor death can part
From Him that dwells within ;
A heart in every thought renewed,
And filled with love divine ;
Perfect and right and pure and good ;
A copy, Lord, of thine !
Thy nature, dearest Lord, impart ;
Come quickly from above ;
Write thy new name upon my heart, —
Thy new, best name of Love.
68. Whilst thee I seek, protecting Power,
Be my vain wishes stilled ;
And may this consecrated hour
With better hopes be filled !
Thy love the power of thought bestowed ;
To thee my thoughts would soar :
Thy mercy o'er my life has flowed ;
That mercy I adore.
In each event of life, how clear
Thy ruling hand I see 1
Each blessing to my soul more dear
Because conferred by thee.
In every joy that crowns my days,
In every pain I bear,
My heart shall find delight in praise,
Or seek relief in prayer.
472
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
MONTGOMERY. L. M.
T. B. Mason.
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69. Jehovah reigns ! — he dwells in light,
Girded with majesty and might :
The world, created by his hands,
Still on its firm foundation stands.
But ere this spacious world was made,
Or had its first, foundation laid,
Thy throne eternal ages stood,
Thyself the ever-living God.
Like floods the angry nations rise,
And aim their rage against the skies :
Vain floods, that aim their rage so high !
At thy rebuke the billows die.
Forever shall thy throne endure ;
Thy promise stand forever sure ;
And everlasting holiness
Becomes the dwelling of thy grace.
70. All people that on earth do dwell,
Sing to the Lord with cheerful voice;
Him serve with fear, his praise forth tell
Come ye before him, and rejoice.
The Lord, ye know, is God indeed ;
Without our aid he did us make :
We are his flock ; he doth us feed ;
And for his sheep he doth us take.
Oh ! enter, then, his gates with praise ;
Approach with joy his courts unto :
Praise, laud, and bless his name always ;
For it is seemly so to do.
For why ? the Lord our God is good ;
His mercy is for ever sure :
His truth at all times firmly stood,
And shall from age to age endure.
WINCHESTER. L. M.
Dr. Croft.
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71. Asleep in Jesus ! — blessed sleep !
From which none ever wake to weep ;
A calm and undisturbed repose,
Unbroken by the last of foes.
Asleep in Jesus ! — oh, how sweet
To be for such a slumber meet ;
With holy confidence to sing
That death hath lost its venomed sting I
Asleep in Jesus ! — peaceful rest,
Whose waking is supremely blest :
No fear, no woe, shall dim that hour
Which manifests the Saviour's power.
Asleep in Jesus ! — oh, for me
May such a blissful refuge be !
Securely shall my ashes lie,
And wait the summons from on high.
72. " We've no abiding city here ; "
Sad truth, were this to be our home :
But let this thought our spirits cheer,
" We seek a city yet to come."
" We've no abiding city here ; "
We seek a city out of sight,
Zion its name : the Lord is there ;
It shines with everlasting light.
O sweet abode of peace and love,
Where pilgrims freed from toil are blest!
Had I the pinions of the dove,
I'd fly to thee, and be at rest.
But hush, my soul ! nor dare repine ;
The time my God appoints is best :
While here, to do his will be mine,
And his to fix my time of rest.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
473
LEAMING. L. M.
Italian Melody.
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73.
No more, my God, I boast no more,
Of all the duties I have done :
I quit the hopes I held before
To trust the merits of thy Son.
Now for the love I bear his name,
What was my gain I count my loss :
My former pride I call my shame,
And nail my glory to his cross.
Yes, and I must and will esteem
All things but loss for Jesus' sake :
Oh, may my soul be found in him,
And of his righteousness partake !
The best obedience of my hands
Dares not appear before thy throne ;
But faith can answer thy demands
By pleading what my Lord has done.
74. Jesus, my all, to beaven is gone, —
He whom I fix my hopes upon :
His track I see, and I'll pursue
The narrow way till him I view.
This is the way I long have sought,
And mourned because I found it not ;
Till late I heard my Saviour say,
" Come hither, soul ; I am the way."
Lo ! glad I come ; and thou, blest Lamb 1
Wilt take me to thee as I am :
Nothing but sin I thee can give ;
Nothing but love shall I receive.
Now will I tell to sinners round
How dear a Saviour I have found :
I'll point to thy redeeming blood,
And say, " Behold the way to God ! "
AZMON. C. M.
Glaser.
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75. Majestic sweetness sits enthroned
Upon the Saviour's brow ;
His head with radiant glories crowned,
His lips with grace o'erflow.
No mortal can with him compare
Among the sons of men :
Fairer is he than all the fail-
That fill the heavenly train.
To him I owe my life and breath,
And all the joys I have :
He makes me triumph over death ;
He saves me from the grave.
Since from his bounty I receive
Such proofs of love divine,
Had I a thousand hearts to give,
Lord, they should all be thine.
76. Thou art the Way : to thee alone
From sin and death we flee ;
And he who would the Father seek,
Must seek him, Lord, by thee.
Thou art the Truth : thy word alone
True wisdom can impart :
Thou only canst inform the mind,
And purify the heart.
Thou art the Life : the rending tomb
Proclaims thy conquering arm ;
And those who put their trust in thee
Nor death nor hell shall harm.
Thou art the Way, the Truth, the Life :
Grant us that way to know,
That truth to keep, that life to win,
Whose joys eternal flow.
474
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
DENNIS. S. M.
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yj 1 . If through unruffled seas
Toward heaven we calmly sail,
With grateful hearts, God ! to thee
We'll own the fostering gale.
But should the surges rise,
And rest delay to come,
Blest be the sorrow, kind the storm,
Which drives us nearer home.
Soon shall our doubts and fears
All yield to thy control :
Thy tender mercies shall illume
The midnight of the soul.
Teach us, in every state,
To make thy will our own ;
And, when the joys of sense depart,
To live by faith alone.
78. Blest are the pure in heart ;
For they shall see their God :
The secret of the Lord is theirs ;
Their soul is Christ's abode.
The Lord, who left the heavens
Our life and peace to bring,
To dwell in lowliness with men,
Their Pattern and their King, —
He to the lowly soul
Doth still himself impart,
And for his dwelling and his throne
Chooseth the pure in heart.
Lord, we thy presence seek :
May ours this blessing be !
Oh ! give the pure and lowly heart
A temple meet for thee.
ARMENIA. C. M.
S. B. Pond.
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79.
With joy we hail the sacred day
Which God hath called his own ;
With joy the summons we obey
To worship at his throne.
Thy chosen temple, Lord, how fair !
Where willing votaries throng
To breathe the humble, fervent prayer,
And pour the choral song.
Let peace within her walls be found ;
Let all her sons unite
To spread with grateful zeal around
Her clear and shining light.
Great God ! we hail the sacred day
Which thou hast called thine own ;
With joy the summons we obey
To worship at thy throne.
80. Lift up your heads, eternal gates !
Unfold to entertain
The King of glory : see ! he comes
With his celestial train.
Who is this King of glory ? who ?
The Lord, for strength renowned,
In battle mighty ; o'er his foes
Eternal victor crowned.
Lift up your heads, ye gates ! unfold
In state to entertain
The King of glory : see ! he comes
With all his shining train.
Who is this King of glory ? who ?
The Lord of hosts renowned :
Of sjlorv he ;ilone is King
Who is with glory crowned.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
475
ZANESVILLE. C. M.
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God moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform :
He plants his footsteps in the sea,
And rides upon the storm.
Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take :
The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy, and shall break
In blessings on your head.
His purposes will ripen fast,
Unfolding every hour :
The bud may have a bitter taste ;
But sweet will be the flower.
Blind unbelief is sure to err,
And scan his work in vain :
God is his own interpreter,
And he will make it plain.
82. Lord, in the morning thou shalt hear
My voice ascending high :
To thee will I direct my prayer,
To thee lift up mine eye.
Thou art a God before whose sight
The wicked shall not stand :
Sinners shall ne'er be thy delight,
Nor dwell at thy right hand.
But to thy house will I resort
To taste thy mercies there :
I will frequent thy holy court,
And worship in thy fear.
Oh, may thy Spirit guide my feet
In ways of righteousness ;
Make every path of duty straight,
And plain before my face !
BADEA. S. M.
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83.
Still with thee, O my God !
I would desire to be ;
By day, by night, at home, abroad,
I would be still with thee :
With thee when dawn comes in,
And calls me back to care ;
Each day returning to begin
With thee, my God, in prayer :
With thee when day is done,
And evening calms the mind ;
The setting as the rising sun
With thee my heart would find :
With thee when darkness brings
The signal of repose ;
Calm in the shadow of thy wings,
Mine eyelids I would close.
84. Great, is the Lord our God,
And let his praise be great :
He makes his churches his abode,
His most delightful seat.
These temples of his grace —
How beautiful they stand !
The honor of our native place,
And glory of our land.
Oft have our fathers told,
Our eyes have often seen,
How well our God secures the fold
Where his own sheep have been.
In every new distress
We'll to his house repair ;
We'll think upon his wondrous grace,
And seek deliverance there.
476
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
DEVIZES. C. M.
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85. Let children hear the mighty deeds
Which God performed of old ;
Which in our younger years we saw,
And which our fathers told.
He bids us make his glories known,
His works of power and grace ;
And we'll convey his wonders down
Through every rising race.
Our lips shall tell them to our sons,
And they again to theirs,
That generations yet unborn
May teach them to their heirs.
Thus shall they learn in God alone
Their hope securely stands,
That they may ne'er forget his works,
But practise his commands.
§©.
With joy we meditate the grace
Of our High Priest above :
His heart is made of tenderness ;
His bosom glows with love.
Touched with a sympathy within,
He knows our feeble frame:
He knows what sore temptations mean ;
For he has felt the same.
He, in the days of feeble flesh,
Poured out his cries and tears ;
And in his measure feels afresh
What every member bears.
Then let our humble faith address
His mercy and his power :
We shall obtain delivering grace
In the distressing hour.
Maestoso.
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Now let our souls, on wings sublime,
Rise from the vanities of time,
Draw back the parting veil, and see
The glories of eternity.
Shall aught beguile us on the road
While we are walking back to God ?
For strangers into life we comej
And dying is but going home.
Welcome, sweet hour of full discharge,
That sets our longing souls at large,
Unbinds our chains, breaks up our cell,
And gives us with our God to dwell !
To dwell with God, to feel his love,
Is the full heaven enjoyed above ;
And the sweet expectation now
Is the young dawn of heaven below.
§§.
Ye nations round the earth, rejoice
Before the Lord, your sovereign King ;
Serve him with cheerful heart and voice;
With all your tongues his glory sing.
The Lord is God ; 't is he alone
Doth life and breath and being give :
We are his work, and not our own ;
The sheep that on his pastures live.
Enter his gates with songs of joy ;
With praises to his courts repair;
And make it your divine employ
To pay your thanks and honors there.
The Lord is good ; the Lord is kind ;
Great is his grace, his mercy sure ;
And the whole race of man shall find
His truth from ase to a<re endure.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
477
LOVING-KINDNESS. L. M.
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So let our lips and lives express
The holy gospel we profess ;
So let our works and virtues shine,
To prove the doctrine all divine.
Thus shall we best proclaim abroad
The honors of our Saviour God,
When his salvation reigns within,
And grace subdues the power of sin.
Our flesh and sense must be denied,
Passion and envy, lust and pride ;
While justice, temperance, truth, and love
Our inward piety approve.
Religion bears our spirits up,
While we expect that blessed hope,
The bright appearing of the Lord ;
And faith stands leaning on his word.
90. Awake, my soul ! and with the sun
Thy daily stage of duty run ;
Shake off dull sloth, and joyful rise
To pay thy morning sacrifice.
Glory to Thee, who safe hast kept,
And hast refreshed me while I slept :
Grant, Lord, when I from death shall wake,
I may of endless life partake.
Lord, I my vows to thee renew :
Scatter my sins as morning dew ;
Guard my first springs of thought and will,
And with thyself my spirit fill.
Direct, control, suggest, this day,
All I design or do or say ;
That all my powers, with all their might,
In thy sole glory may unite.
HOME. lis.
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91. I am weary of straying : oh ! fain would I rest
In that far-distant land of the pure and the blest,
Where sin can no longer its blandishments spread,
And tears and temptations forever have fled.
I am weary of hoping where hope is untrue,
As fair, but as fleeting, as morning's bright dew :
I long for that land whose blest promise alone
Is changeless and sure as eternity's throne.
I am weary of loving what passes away ;
The sweetest, the dearest, alas ! may not stay :
I long for that land where these partings are o'er,
And death and the tomb can divide hearts no more.
I am weary, my Saviour, of grieving thy love :
Oh ! when shall I rest in thy presence above ?
I am weary ; but, oh ! let me never repine [mine.
While thy word and thy love and thy promise are
92. 'Mid scenes of confusion, and creature complaints,
How sweet to my soul is communion with saints:
To find at the banquet of mercy there's room,
And feel in the presence of Jesus at home 1
Sweet bonds that unite all the children of peace,
And thrice-precious Jesus, whose love cannot cease 1
Though oft from thy presence in sadness I roam,
I long to behold thee in glory at home.
While here in the valley of conflict I stay,
Oh ! give me submission, and strength as my day :
In all my afflictions, to thee would I come,
Rejoicing in hope of my glorious home.
I long, dearest Lord, in thy beauty to shine;
No more as an exile in sorrow to pine ;
And in thy dear image arise from the tomb,
With glorified millions to praise thee at home.
478
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
SHIRLAND.
Stanley.
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93. How beauteous are their feet
Who stand on Zion's hill ;
Who bring salvation on their tongues,
And words of peace reveal !
How happy are our ears
That hear this joyful sound,
Which kings and prophets waited for,
And sought, but never found !
How blessed are our eyes,
That see this heavenly light !
Prophets and kings desired it long,
But died without the sight.
The Lord makes bare his arm
Through all the earth abroad :
Let every nation now behold
Their Saviour and their God.
94. Welcome, sweet day of rest,
That saw the Lord arise !
Welcome to this reviving breast
And these rejoicing eyes !
The King himself comes near,
And feasts his saints to-day :
Here we may sit, and see him here,
And love and praise and pray.
One day amidst the place
Where my dear God has been
Is sweeter than ten thousand days
Of pleasurable sin.
My willing soul would stay
In such a frame as this,
And sit, and sing herself away
To everlasting bliss.
WINDHAM
L. M.
Daniel Read.
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95. A broken heart, my God, my King,
Is all the sacrifice I bring :
The God of grace will ne'er despise
A broken heart for sacrifice.
My soul lies humbled in the dust,
And owns thy dreadful sentence just :
Look down, O Lord ! with pitying eye,
And save the soul condemned to die.
Then will I teach the world thy ways ;
Sinners shall learn thy sovereign grace :
I'll lead them to my Saviour's blood,
And they shall praise a pardoning God.
Oh, may thy love inspire my tongue !
Salvation shall be all my song;
And all my powers shall join to bless
The Lord, my strength and righteousness.
96. How blest the sacred tie that binds,
In union sweet, according minds !
How swift the heavenly course they run
Whose hearts and faith and hopes are one !
To each the soul of each how dear !
What jealous care ! what holy fear !
How doth the generous flame within
Refine from earth, and cleanse from sin !
Together oft they seek the place
Where God reveals his awful face :
How high, how strong, their raptures swell,
There's none but kindred minds can tell.
Nor shall the glowing flame expire
'Mid nature's drooping, sickening fire :
Soon shall they meet in realms above,
A heaven of joy, because of love.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
479
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DEPARTING. L. M.
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97. I send the joys of earth away :
Away, ye tempters of the mind,
False as the smooth, deceitful sea,
And empty as the whistling wind !
Lord, I adore thy matchless grace,
Which warned me of that dark abyss ;
Which drew me from those treacherous seas,
And bade me seek superior bliss.
Now to the shining realms above
I stretch my hands, and glance my eyes :
Oh for the pinions of a dove
To bear me to the upper skies !
There, from the bosom of my God,
Oceans of endless pleasure roll :
There would I fix my last abode,
And drown the sorrows of my soul.
9§.
Great God ! to thee my evening song
With humble gratitude I raise :
Oh ! let thy mercy tune my tongue,
And fill my heart with lively praise.
My days, unclouded as they pass,
And every gently-rolling hour,
Are monuments of wondrous grace,
And witness to thy love and power.
Seal my forgiveness in the blood
Of Jesus : his dear name alone
I plead for pardon, gracious God !
And kind acceptance at thy throne.
Let this blest hope mine eyelids close ;
With sleep refresh my feeble frame :
Safe in thy care may I repose,
And wake with praises to thy name !
CHIMES. C. M.
Dr. Lowell Mason.
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99. To our Redeemer's glorious name
Awake the sacred song :
Oh, may his love — immortal flame ! —
Tune every heart and tongue !
His love what mortal thought can reach,
What mortal tongue display ?
Imagination's utmost stretch
In wonder dies away.
Dear Lord, while we, adoring, pay
Our humble thanks to thee,
May every heart with rapture say,
" The Saviour died for me ! "
Oh. may the, sweet, the blissful theme
Fill every heart and tongue,
Till strangers love thy charming name,
And join the sacred song!
100. Lord, at thy table I behold
The wonders of thy grace,
But most of all admire that I
Should find a welcome place.
What strange, surprising grace is this,
That such a soul has room !
My Saviour takes me by the hand ;
My Jesus bids me come.
Ye saints below, and hosts of heaven,
In praise join all your powers :
No theme is like redeeming love ;
No Saviour is like ours.
Had I ten thousand hearts, dear Lord,
I'd give them all to thee ;
Had I ten thousand tongues, they all
Should join the harmony.
480
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
KlNGSLEY.
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101. How honored is the sacred place
Where we adoring stand ! —
Zion, the glory of the earth,
And beauty of the land.
Lift up the everlasting gates ;
The doors wide open fling :
Enter, ye nations that obey
The statutes of our King !
Here shall you taste unmingled joys,
And live in perfect peace, —
You who have known Jehovah's name,
And ventured on his grace.
Trust in the Lord, forever trust,
And banish all your fears :
Strength in the Lord Jehovah dwells,
Eternal as his years.
102.
There is an eye that never sleeps
Beneath the wing of night ;
There is an ear that never shuts
When sink the beams of light ;
There is an arm that never tires
When human strength gives way ;
There is a love that never fails
When earthly loves decay.
But there's a power which man can wield
When mortal aid is vain,
That eye, that arm, that love, to reach,
That listening ear to gain.
That power is prayer, which soars on high,
Through Jesus, to the throne ;
And moves the hand which moves the world,
To bring salvation down.
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THATCHER. S. M.
Williams.
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103. Oh ! cease, my wandering soul,
On restless wing to roam :
All this wide world, to either pole,
Has not for thee a home.
Behold the ark of God !
Behold the open door !
Oh ! haste to gain that dear abode ;
And roam, my soul, no more.
There safe thou shalt abide,
There sweet shall be thy rest,
And, every longing satisfied,
With full salvation blest.
Then cease, my wandering soul,
On restless win<j to roam :
All this wide world, to either pole,
Has not for thee a home.
104.
I love thy kingdom, Lord,
The house of thine abode ;
The Church our blest Redeemer saved
With his own precious blood.
I love thy Church, O God !
Her walls before thee stand,
Dear as the apple of thine eye,
And graven on thy hand.
For her my tears shall fall,
For her my prayers ascend ;
To her my cares and toils be given,
Till toils and cares shall end.
Sure as thy troth shall last,
To Zion shall be given
The brightest glories earth can yield,
And brighter bliss of heaven.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
481
COWPER. C. M.
Dr. Lowell Mason.
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105. Blest hour, when righteous souls shall meet,
Shall meet to part no more,
And with celestial welcome greet
On an immortal shore !
The parent finds his long-lost child ;
Brothers on brothers gaze :
The tear of resignation mild .
Is changed to joy and praise.
Each tender tie, dissolved with pain,
With endless bliss is crowned :
All that was dead revives again ;
All that was lost is found.
Congenial minds, arrayed in light,
High thoughts shall interchange ;
Nor cease, with ever-new delight,
On wings of love to range.
106. There is a glorious world of light
Above the starry sky,
Where saints departed, clothed in white,
Adore the Lord most high.
And hark ! amid the sacred songs
Those heavenly voices raise,
Ten thousand thousand infant tongues
Unite in perfect praise.
Soon will our earthly race be run,
Our mortal frame decay :
Parents and children, one by one,
Must die, and pass away.
Great God ! impress this solemn thought
To-day on every breast :
May both the teachers and the taught
Be found among the blest !
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Dr. Arne.
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lO 1 ?. This is the day the Lord hath made ;
He calls the hours his own :
Let heaven rejoice, let earth be glad,
And praise surround the throne.
Hosanna to the anointed King,
To David's holy Son !
Help us, O Lord ! descend, and bring
Salvation from thy throne.
Blest be the Lord, who comes to men
With messages of grace ;
Who comes in God his Father's name
To save our sinful race.
Hosanna in the highest strains
The Church on earth can raise !
The highest heaven, in which he reigns,
Shall give him nobler praise.
10§. O Thou from whom all goodness flows !
I lift my soul to thee :
In all my sorrows, conflicts, woes,
Lord ! remember me.
When trials sore obstruct my way,
And ills I cannot flee,
Oh ! let my strength be as my day :
Dear Lord, remember me.
When in the solemn hour of death
1 wait thy just decree,
Be this the prayer of my last breath,
" Now, Lord, remember me."
And when before thy throne I stand,
And lift my soul to thee,
Then with the saints at thy right hand,
O Lord ! remember me.
482
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
ST. JOHN'S.
L. M.
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109. Sweet is the memory of thy grace,
My God, my heavenly King :
Let age to age thy righteousness
In sounds of glory sing.
God reigns on high, but ne'er confines
His goodness to the skies :
Through the whole earth his bounty shines,
And every want supplies.
How kind are thy compassions, Lord !
How slow thine anger moves !
But soon he sends his pardoning word
To cheer the souls he loves.
Sweet is the memory of thy grace,
My God, my heavenly King :
Let age to age thy righteousness
In sounds of glory sing.
11®. How bright these glorious spirits shine !
Whence all their white ar
ray
How came they to the blissful seats
Of everlasting day ?
Lo ! these are they from sufferings great
Who came to realms of light,
And in the blood of Christ have washed
Those robes which shine so bright.
His presence fills each heart with joy ;
Tunes every voice to sing :
By day, by night, the sacred courts
With glad hosannas ring.
In pastures green he'll lead his flock,
Where living streams appear ;
And God, the Lord, from every eye
Shall wipe away each tear.
WEBB. 7s and 6s.
G. J. Webb.
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111.
The darkness disappears :
The sons of earth are waking
To penitential tears.
Each breeze that sweeps the ocean
Brings tidings from afar
Of nations in commotion,
Prepared for Zion's war.
Rich dews of grace come o'er us
In many a gentle shower,
And brighter scenes before us
Are opening every hour.
Each cry to heaven going
Abundant answer brings ;
And heavenly gales are blowing,
With peace upon their wings.
112. See heathen nations bending
Before the God of love,
And thousand hearts ascending
In gratitude above !
While sinners, now confessing,
The gospel's call obey,
And seek a Saviour's blessing,
A nation in a day.
Blest river of salvation,
Pursue thy onward way ;
Flow thou to every nation,
Nor in thy richness stay :
Stay not till all the lowly
Triumphant reach their home ;
Stay not till all the holy
Proclaim the Lord is come.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
483
NAOMI. C. M.
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Dr. Lowell Mason, by permission
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113. Return, O wanderer ! now return,
And seek thy Father's face :
These new desires which in thee hurn
Are kindled by his grace.
Return, O wanderer ! now return :
He hears thy humble sigh,
He sees thy softened spirit mourn,
When no one else is nigh.
Return, wanderer ! now return ;
Thy Saviour bids thee live :
Go to his bleeding feet, and learn
How freely he'll forgive.
Return, wanderer ! now return,
And wipe the falling tear :
Thy Father calls ; no longer mourn ;
His love invites thee near.
Allegro Yigoroso.
114.
Great Father of each perfect gift,
Behold, thy servants wait;
With longing eyes and lifted hands
We flock around thy gate.
Oh ! shed abroad that choicest gift,
Thy Spirit from above,
To cheer our eyes with sacred light,
And fire our hearts with love.
With speedy flight may he descend,
And solid comfort bring,
And o'er our languid souls extend
His all-reviving wing.
Blest Earnest of eternal joy,
Declare our sins forgiven,
And bear with energy divine
Our raj)tured thoughts to heaven.
LABAN. S. M.
115. Our heavenly Father, hear
The prayer we offer now :
Thy name be hallowed far and near ;
To thee all nations bow.
Thy kingdom come ; thy will
On earth be done in love,
As saints and seraphim fulfil
Thy perfect law above.
Our daily bread supply,
While by thy Word we live ;
The guilt of our iniquity
Forgive as we forgive.
Thine, then, forever be
Glory and power divine :
The sceptre, throne, and majesty
Of heaven and earth are thine.
116. Like sheep we went astray,
And broke the fold of God ;
Each wandering in a different way,
But all the downward road.
How glorious was the grace
When Christ sustained the stroke !
His life and blood the Shepherd pays,
A ransom for the flock.
But God shall raise his head
O'er all the sons of men,
And make him see a numerous seed
To recompense his pain.
" I'll give him," saith the Lord,
" A portion with the strong :
He shall possess a large reward,
And hold his honors Ions."
484
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
Slowly.
AVON. C. M.
Scottish Tune.
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117. Come, let us to the Lord our God
With contrite hearts return :
Our God is gracious, nor will leave
The desolate to mourn.
Our hearts, if God we seek to know,
Shall know him, and rejoice :
His coming like the morn shall be ;
Like morning songs his voice.
As dew upon the tender herb,
Diffusing fragrance round ;
As showers that usher in the spring,
And cheer the thirsty ground :
So shall his presence bless our souls,
And shed a joyful light :
That hallowed morn shall chase away
The sorrows of the night.
11§. Bright Source of everlasting love,
To thee our souls we raise,
And to thy sovereign bounty rear
A monument of praise.
Thy mercy gilds the path of life
With every cheering ray ;
Kindly restrains the rising tear,
Or wipes that tear away.
The widow's heart shall sing for joy ;
The orphan shall be fed :
The hungering soul we'll gladly point
To Christ, the living bread.
Thus what our heavenly Father gave
Shall we as freely give ;
Thus copy Him who lived to save,
And died that we mio;ht live.
ANTIOCH. C. M.
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119. Joy to the world, the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King ;
Let every heart prepare him room,
And heaven and nature sing.
Joy to the earth, the Saviour reigns I
Let men their songs employ ;
While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains,
Repeat the sounding joy.
No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground :
He comes to make his blessings flow
Far as the curse is found.
He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of his righteousness,
And wonders of his love.
120. all ye lands ! rejoice in God;
Sing praises to his name :
Let all the earth, with one accord,
His wondrous acts proclaim.
And let his faithful servants tell
How, by redeeming love,
Their souls are saved from death and hell,
To share the joys above, —
Tell how the Holy Spirit's grace
Forbids their feet to slide ;
And, as they run the Christian race,
Vouchsafes to be their guide.
Oh, then, rejoice, and shout for joy,
Ye ransomed of the Lord !
Be grateful praise your sweet employ,
His presence your reward.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
485
HENRY. C. M.
S. B. Pond.
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121. God ! my heart is fully bent
To magnify thy name :
My tongue, with cheerful songs of praise,
Shall celebrate thy fame.
Awake, my lute ! nor thou, my harp!
Thy warbling notes delay,
While I, with earl)' hymns of joy,
Prevent the dawning day.
To all the listening tribes, Lord !
Thy wonders I will tell,
And to those nations sing thy praise
That round about us dwell ;
Because thy mercy's boundless height
The highest heaven transcends,
And far beyond the aspiring clouds
Thy faithful truth extends.
122. A glory gilds the sacred page,
Majestic, like the sun :
It gives a light to every age ;
It gives, but borrows none.
The hand that gave it still supplies
The gracious light and heat :
Its truths upon the nations rise;
They rise, but never set.
Let everlasting thanks be thine
For such a bright display-
As makes a world of darkness shine
With beams of heavenly day.
My soul rejoices to pursue
The steps of Him I love,
Till glory breaks upon my view
In brighter worlds above.
ROSSINI. C. M.
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123. Praise to the radiant Source of bliss,
Who gives the blind their sight,
And scatters round their wondering eyes
A flood of sacred light.
In paths unknown he leads them on
To his divine abode ;
And shows new miracles of grace
Through all the heavenly road.
The ways all rugged and perplexed
He renders smooth and straight,
And strengthens every feeble knee
To march to Zion's gate.
Through all the path I'll sing his name
Till I the mount ascend
Where toils and storms are known no more,
And anthems never end.
124. Happy the home when God is there,
And love fills every breast ;
Where one their wish, and one their prayer,
And one their heavenly rest.
Happy the home where Jesus' name
Is sweet to every ear ;
Where children early lisp his fame,
And parents hold him dear.
Happy the home where prayer is heard,
And praise is wont to rise ;
Where parents love the sacred Word,
And live but for the skies.
Lord ! let us in our home agree
This blessed peace to gain :
Unite our hearts in love to thee,
And love to all will reion.
486
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
DEDHAM. C. M.
£• — — i — i 1 — &- --S* — *
125.
Long as I live I'll bless thy name,
My King, my God of love :
My work and joy shall be the same
In the bright world above.
Great is the Lord, his power unknown ;
Oh 1 let his praise be great :
I'll sing the honors of thy throne,
Thy works of grace repeat.
Thy grace shall dwell upon my tongue ;
And, while my lips rejoice,
The men who hear my sacred song
Shall join their cheerful voice.
Fathers to sons shall teach thy name,
And children learn thy ways ;
Ages to come thy truth proclaim,
And nations sound thy praise.
126. Thou must go forth alone, my soul,
Thou must go forth alone,
To other scenes, to other worlds,
That mortal hath not known.
Thou must go forth alone, my soul,
To tread the narrow vale ;
But He whose word is sure hath said
His mercy shall not fail.
Thou must go forth alone, my soul,
To meet thy God above.
But shrink not : he has said, my soul,'
He is a God of love.
His rod and staff shall comfort thee
Across the dreary road,
Till thou shalt join the blessed ones
In heaven's serene abode.
DITCHLING. C. M.
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127.
There is a land of pure delight,
Where saints immortal reign :
Infinite day excludes the night,
And pleasures banish pain.
There everlasting spring abides,
And never-withering flowers :
Death, like a narrow sea, divides
This heavenly land from ours.
Oh ! could we make our doubts remove,
Those gloomy doubts that rise,
And see the Canaan that we love
With unbeclouded eyes ;
Could we but climb where Moses stood,
And view the landscape o'er, —
Not Jordan's stream nor death's cold flood
Should fright us from the shore.
12§. Remember thy Creator now
In these thy youthful days :
He will accept thy earliest vow,
And listen to thy praise.
Remember thy Creator now,
And seek him while he's near ;
For evil days will come, when thou
Shalt find no comfort near.
Remember thy Creator now ;
His willing servant be :
Then, when thy head in death shall bow,
He will remember thee.
Almighty God ! our hearts incline
Thy heavenly voice to hear :
Let all our future days be thine,
Devoted to thy fear.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
487
Allegro.
GROTON. C. M.
Ch. Zeuner.
129* Ye hosts of heaven, ye mighty ones,
Ascribe with one accord
The strength, the power, the majesty,
To your almighty Lord.
Give glory to his holy name,
And honor him alone ;
In beauty meet of holiness
Approach his lofty throne.
Jehovah's voice of majesty
Is on the waters wide ;
The God of glory thundereth,
And on the seas doth ride.
Jehovah sits upon the floods,
And tempests rage in vain ;
Jehovah sits as sovereign King,
And evermore shall reign.
130. Oh ! praise the Lord ; for he is good;
In him we rest obtain :
His mercy has through ages stood,
And ever shall remain.
Let all the people of the Lord
His praises spread around ;
Let them his grace and love record
Who have salvation found.
Now let the east in him rejoice,
The west its tribute bring,
The north and south lift up their voice
In honor of their King.
Oh ! praise the Lord ; for he is good ;
In him we rest obtain :
His mercy has through ages stood,
And ever shall remain.
MARLOW
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131. Since all the varying scenes of time
God's watchful eye surveys,
Oh ! who so wise to choose our lot,
Or to appoint our ways ?
Good when he gives, supremely good ;
Nor less when he denies :
E'en crosses from his sovereign hand
Are blessings in disguise.
Why should we doubt a Father's love,
So constant and so kind V
To his unerring, gracious will
Be every wish resigned.
In thy fair book of life divine,
My God, inscribe my name :
There let it fill some humble place
Beneath my Lord, the Lamb.
132. Jehovah, God ! thy gracious power
On every hand we see :
Oh, may the blessings of each hour
Lead all our thoughts to thee !
If on the wings of morn we speed
To earth's remotest bound,
Thy hand will there our footsteps lead,
Thy love our path surround.
Thy power is in the ocean-deeps,
And reaches to the skies ;
Thine eye of mercy never sleeps ;
Thy goodness never dies.
From morn till noon, till latest eve,
Thy hand, God ! we see ;
And all the blessings we receive
Proceed alane from thee.
488
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
Firm.
SWANWICK.
C M.
Lucas.
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133. Arise, ye people ! and adore ;
Exulting strike the chord :
Let all the earth, from shore to shore,
Confess the almighty Lord.
Glad shouts aloud, wide echoing round,
The ascending God proclaim :
The angelic choir respond the sound,
And shake creation's frame.
They sing of death and hell o'erthrown
In that triumphant hour ;
And God exalts his conquering Son
To his right hand of power.
Oh, shout, ye people ! and adore ;
Exulting strike the chord :
Let all the earth, from shore to shore,
Confess the almighty Lord.
134. Witness, ye men and angels, now
Before the Lord we speak :
To him we make our solemn vow, —
A vow we dare not break, —
That, long as life itself shall last,
Ourselves to Christ we yield ;
Nor from his cause will we depart,
Or ever quit the field.
We trust not in our native strength,
But on his grace rely,
That with returning wants the Lord
Will all our need supply.
Oh ! guide our doubtful feet aright,
And keep us in thy ways ;
And, while we turn our vows to prayers,
Turn thou our prayers to praise.
LISBON. S. M.
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135. My spirit on thy care,
Blest Saviour, I recline :
Thou wilt not leave me to despair ;
For thou art love divine.
In thee I place my trust ;
On thee I calmly rest :
I know thee good, I know thee just,
And count thy choice the best.
Whate'er events betide,
Thy will they all perform :
Safe on thy breast my head I hide,
Nor fear the coming storm.
Let good or ill befall,
It must be good for me,
Secure of having thee in all,
Of having; all in thee.
136.
My soul, be on thy guard :
Ten thousand foes arise ;
The hosts of Sin are pressing hard
To draw thee from the skies.
Oh ! watch and fight and pray ;
The battle ne'er give o'er ;
Renew it boldly every day.
And help divine implore.
Ne'er think the victory won,
Nor lay thine armor down :
Thy arduous work will not be done
- Till thou obtain thy crown.
Fight on, my soul, till death
Shall bring thee to thy God :
He'll take thee, at thy parting breath,
Up to his blest abode.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
489
OLMUTZ. S. M.
Gregorian.
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137* To God, the only wise,
Our Saviour and our King,
Let all the saints below the skies
Their humble praises bring.
'Tis his almighty love,
His counsel, and his care,
Preserves us safe from sin and death,
And every hurtful snare.
He will present our souls
Unblemished and complete
Before the glory of his face
With joys divinely great.
To our Redeemer, God,
Wisdom with power belongs,
Immortal crowns of majesty,
And everlasting songs.
138.
Jesus, who knows full well
The heart of every saint,
Invites us all our griefs to tell ;
To pray, and never faint.
He bows his gracious ear ;
We never plead in vain :
Yet we must wait till he appear ;
And pray, and pray again.
Jesus, the Lord, will hear
His chosen when they cry :
Yes, though he may a while forbear,
He'll help them from on high.
Then let us earnest be,
And never faint in prayer :
He loves our importunity,
And makes our cause his care.
Arranged from Mozart.
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139. My Saviour ! my almighty Friend !
When I begin thy praise,
Where will the growing numbers end, —
The numbers of thy grace ?
Thou art my everlasting trust ;
Thy goodness I adore :
And, since I knew thy graces first,
I speak thy glories more.
My feet shall travel all the length
Of the celestial road ;
And march, with courage in thy strength,
To see my Father, God.
Awake, awake, my tuneful powers !
With this delightful song
I'll entertain the darkest hours,
Nor think the season long.
14©. Eternal Wisdom ! thee we praise ;
Thee the creation sings :
With thy loved name rocks, hills, and seas,
And heaven's high palace, rings.
Thy hand — how wide it spread the sky !
How glorious to behold !
Tinged with a blue of heavenly dye,
And starred with sparkling gold.
Infinite strength and equal skill
Shine forth the world abroad,
Our souls with vast amazement fill,
And speak the builder, God.
But still the wonders of thy grace
Our softer passions move :
Pity divine in Jesus' face
We see, adore, and love.
490
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
Molto Soave.
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141. Praise the Lord, his glories show,
Saints within his courts below,
Angels round his throne above,
All that see and share his love.
Earth to heaven, and heaven to earth,
Tell his wonders, sing his worth ;
Age to age, and shore to shore,
Praise him, praise him, evermore.
Praise the Lord, his mercies trace ;
Praise his providence and grace, —
All that he for man hath done,
All he sends us through his Son.
Strings and voices, hands and hearts,
In the concert bear your parts ;
All that breathe, your Lord adore ;
Praise him, praise him, evermore.
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142. Softly now the light of day
Fades upon my sight away ;
Free from care, from labor free,
Lord, I would commune with thee.
Thou, whose all-pervading eye
Nought escapes, without, within,
Pardon each infirmity,
Open fault, and secret sin.
Soon for me the light of day
Shall forever pass away :
Then, from sin and sorrow free,
Take me, Lord, to dwell with thee.
Thou who, sinless, yet hast known
All of man's infirmity,
Then from thine eternal throne,
Jesus, look with pitying eye.
1
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NORTHFIELD. C. M.
J. INGALLS.
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143. Behold the glories of the Lamb
Amid his Father's throne !
Prepare new honors for his name,
And songs before unknown.
Let elders worship at his feet,
The Church adore around,
With vials full of odor sweet,
And harps of sweeter sound.
Now to the Lamb that once was slain
Be endless blessings paid ;
Salvation, glory, joy, remain
Forever on thy head !
Thou hast redeemed our souls with blood,
Hast set the prisoners free,
Hast made us kings and priests to God;
And we shall reign with thee.
144. Come in, thou blessed of the Lord 1
Stranger nor foe art thou :
We welcome thee with warm accord,
Our friend, our brother, now.
The hand of fellowship, the heart
Of love, we offer thee :
Leaving the world, thou dost but part
From lies and vanity.
Come with us ; we will do thee good
As God to us hath done :
Stand but in him as those have stood
Whose faith the victory won.
And when by turns we pass away,
And star by star grows dim,
May each, translated into day,
Be lost and found in him !
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
491
MAHALETH
145. My God, my Portion, and my Love,
My everlasting All,
I've none but thee in heaven above,
Or on this earthly ball.
How vain a toy is glittering wealth
If once compared with thee !
Or what's my safety or my health,
Or all my friends, to me ?
Were I possessor of the earth,
And called the stars my own,
Without thy graces and thyself,
I were a wretch undone.
Let others stretch their arms like seas,
And grasp in all the shore :
Grant me the visits of thy face,
And I desire no more.
146. Awake, ye saints ! and raise your eyes,
And lift your voices high ;
Awake, and praise the sovereign love
That shows salvation nigh.
Swift on the wings of time it flies ;
Each moment brings it near :
Then welcome, each declining day !
Welcome, each closing year !
Not many years their round shall run,
Not many mornings rise,
Ere all its glories stand revealed
To our admiring eyes.
Ye wheels of Nature, speed your course !
Ye mortal powers, decay !
Fast as ye bring the night of death,
Ye bring eternal day.
DENFIELD. C. M.
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ll?. Dear Father, to thy mercy-seat
My soul for shelter flies :
'Tis here I find a safe retreat
When storms and tempests rise.
My cheerful hope can never die,
If thou, my God, art near :
Thy grace can raise my comforts high,
And banish every fear.
My great Protector, and my Lord,
Thy constant aid impart :
Oh ! let thy kind, thy gracious word
Sustain my trembling heart.
Oh ! never let my soul remove
From this divine retreat :
Still let me trust thy power and love,
And dwell beneath thy feet.
148. Oh ! 'twas a joyful sound to hear
Our tribes devoutly say,
" Up, Israel ! to the temple haste,
And keep your festal day ! "
At Salem's courts we must appear
With our assembled powers,
In strong and beauteous order ranged,
Like her united towers.
Oh ! pray we, then, for Salem's peace ;
For they shall prosperous be,
Thou holy city of our God,
Who bear true love to thee.
May Peace within thy sacred walls
A constant guest be found 1
With plenty and prosperity
Thy palaces be crowned !
492
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
Allegretto.
ROCKVILLE. C M.
Ch. Zeuner.
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149. Oil for a shout of sacred joy
To God, the sovereign King !
Let every land their tongues employ,
And hymns of triumph sing.
While angels shout and praise their King,
Let mortals learn their strains;
Let all the earth his honor sing ;
O'er all the earth he reigns.
Rehearse his praise with awe profound :
Let knowledge lead the song;
Nor mock him with a solemn sound
Upon a thoughtless tongue.
Oh for a shout of sacred joy
To God, the sovereign King 1
Let every land their tongues employ,
And hymns of triumph sing.
150. Through endless years thou art the same,
O thou eternal God !
Ages to come shall know thy name,
And tell thy works abroad.
The strong foundations of the earth
Of old by thee were laid ;
By thee the beauteous arch of heaven
With matchless skill was made.
Soon shall this goodly frame of things,
Formed by thy powerful hand,
Be. like a vesture, laid aside,
And changed at thy command.
But thy perfections all divine,
Eternal as thy days,
Through everlasting ages shine
With undiminished rays.
THAXTED. C. M.
Beethoven.
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151. Come, let us lift our joyful eyes
Up to the courts above,
And smile to see our Father there
Upon a throne of love.
Come, let us bow before his feet,
And venture near the Lord :
No fiery cherubs guard his seat,
Nor double-flaming sword.
The peaceful gates of heavenly bliss
Are opened by the Son :
High let us raise our notes of praise,
And reach the almighty throne.
To thee ten thousand thanks we bring,
Great Advocate on high ;
And glory to the eternal King,
Who lays his anger by.
152. 'Tis by thy strength the mountains stand,
God of eternal power :
The sea grows calm at thy command,
And tempests cease to roar.
Thy morning light and evening shade
Successive comforts bring ;
Thy plenteous fruits make harvest glad;
Thy flowers adorn the spring.
Seasons and times, and moons and hours,
Heaven, earth, and air, are thine :
When clouds distil in fruitful showers,
The author is divine.
Thy showers the thirsty furrows fill,
And ranks of corn appear ;
Thy ways abound with blessings still ;
Thy goodness crowns the year.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
493
HOLBEIN. C. M.
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153. Lord, -when we bend before thy throne,
And our confessions pour,
Teach us to feel the sins we own,
And hate what we deplore.
Our broken spirit pitying see ;
True penitence impart;
Then let a kindling glance from thee
Beam hope upon the heart.
When we disclose our wants in prayer,
May we our wills resign,
And not a thought our bosoms share
Which is not wholly thine !
May faith each meek petition fill,
And waft it to the skies.
And teach our hearts 'tis Goodness still
That grants it or denies !
151. Oh ! happy is the man that hears
Instruction's warning voice ;
And who celestial Wisdom makes
His early, only choice.
For she hath treasures greater far
Than east and west unfold ;
And her rewards more precious are
Than all their stores of gold.
She guides the young with innocence,
In Pleasure's paths to tread :
A crown of glory she bestows
Upon the hoary head.
According as her labors rise,
So her rewards increase :
Her ways are ways of pleasantness,
And all her paths are peace.
GEER. C. M.
155. Amid the splendors of thy state,
O God ! thy love appears,
Soft as the radiance of the moon
Among a thousand stars.
In all thy doctrines and commands,
Thy counsels and designs,
In every work thy hands have framed,
Thy love supremely shines.
Sinai, in clouds and smoke and fire,
Thunders thine awful name ;
But Zion sings, in melting notes,
The honors of the Lamb.
Ansels and men the news proclaim
Through earth and heaven above ;
And all, with holy transport, sing
That God the Lord is love.
156. Early, my God, without delay,
I haste to seek thy face :
My thirsty spirit faints away
Without thy cheering grace.
So pilgrims on the scorching sand,
Beneath a burning sky,
Long for a cooling stream at hand ;
And they must drink, or die.
I've seen thy glory and thy power
Through all thy temple shine :
My God, repeat that heavenly hour,
That vision so divine !
Not life itself, wiih all its joys,
Can my best passions move,
Or raise so high my cheerful voice,
As thy forgiving love.
494
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
WEST POINT. S. M.
C. W. Beames.
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157.
Come, we that love the Lord,
And let our joys be known ;
Join in a song with sweet accord,
And thus surround the throne.
Let those refuse to sing
That never knew our God ;
But children of the heavenly King
May speak their joys abroad.
The hill of Zion yields
A thousand sacred sweets
Before we reach the heavenly fields
Or walk the golden streets.
Then let our songs abound,
And every tear be dry :
We're marching through ImmanuePs ground
To fairer worlds on hi<;li.
158. Oh for the peace of those
Who slumber in the Lord !
Oh, be like theirs my last repose,
Like theirs my last reward !
Their bodies in the ground
In silent hope may lie
Till the last trumpet's joyful sound
Shall call them to the sky.
Their ransomed spirits soar
On wings of faith and love
To meet the Saviour they adore,
And reign with him above.
With us their names shall live
Through long succeeding years,
Embalmed with all our hearts can give,
Our praises and our tears.
Andante Grazioso.
FANE.
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159. I know that my Redeemer lives ;
He lives who once was dead :
To me in grief he comfort gives ;
With peace he crowns my head.
He lives triumphant o'er the grave,
At God's right hand on high,
My ransomed soul to keep and save,
To bless and glorify.
He lives that I may also live,
And now his grace proclaim ;
He lives that I may honor give
To his most holy name.
Let strains of heavenly music rise,
While all their anthem sin<r
To Christ, my precious Sacrifice,
And ever-living King.
160. When all thy mercies, my God !
My rising soul surveys,
Transported with the view, I'm lost
In wonder, love, and praise.
Ten thousand thousand precious gifts
My daily thanks employ ;
Nor is the least a cheerful heart,
That tastes those gifts with joy.
Through every period of my life,
Thy goodness I'll pursue ;
And after death, in distant worlds,
The glorious theme renew.
Through all eternity, to thee
A joyful song I'll raise ;
But, oh ! eternity's too short
To utter all thy praise.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
495
SILVER STREET. S. M.
I. Smith.
161. Awake! and sing the song
Of Moses and the Lamb ;
Tune every heart and every tongue
To praise the Saviour's name.
Soon shall we hear him say,
" Ye blessed children, come ! "
Soon will he call us hence away
To our eternal home.
Soon shall our raptured tongue
His endless praise proclaim,
And sweeter voices tune the song
Of Moses and the Lamb.
Sing, till we feel our hearts
Ascending with our tongues ;
Sing, till the love of sin departs,
And grace inspires our songs.
162. My God, my Life, my Love,
To thee, to thee, I call :
I cannot live if thou remove ;
For thou art all in all.
To thee, and thee alone,
The angels owe their bliss :
They sit around thy gracious throne,
And dwell where Jesus is.
Nor earth, nor all the sky,
Can one delight afford,
No, not a drop of real joy,
Without thy presence, Lord.
Thou art the sea of love,
Where all my pleasures roll,
The circle where my passions move,
And centre of my soul.
WALTON. C. M.
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163.
Once more, my soul, the rising day
Salutes my waking eyes ;
Once more, my voice, thy tribute pay
To Him who rules the skies.
Night unto night his name repeats,
The day renews the sound,
Wide as the heavens on which he sits
To turn the seasons round.
'Tis he supports my mortal frame ;
My tongue shall speak his praise :
My sins would rouse his wrath to name ;
And yet his wrath delays.
Great God ! let all my hours be thine
'While I enjoy the light ;
Then shall my sun in smiles decline,
And bring a pleasant night.
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164. Let every mortal ear attend,
And every heart rejoice :
The trumpet of the gospel sounds
With an inviting voice.
Eternal Wisdom has prepared
A soul-reviving feast,
And bids your longing appetites
The rich provision taste.
Rivers of love and mercy here
In a rich ocean join ;
Salvation in abundance flows
Like floods of milk and wine.
The happy gates of gospel grace
Stand open night and day :
Lord, we are come to seek supplies,
And drive our wants away.
496
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
Andante.
SEL.VIN. S. M.
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165. Behold, the morning sun
Begins his glorious way !
His beams through all the nations run,
And life and light convey.
But, where the gospel comes,
It spreads diviner light :
It calls dead sinners from their tombs,
And gives the blind their sight.
How perfect is Thy word !
And all Thy judgments just :
Forever sure thy promise, Lord,
And men securely trust.
My gracious God, how plain
Are thy directions given !
Oh, may I never read in vain,
But find the path to heaven !
166. Give to the winds thy fears ;
Hope, and be undismayed :
God hears thy sighs, and counts thy tears ;
God shall lift up thy head.
Through waves, through clouds and storms,
He gently clears thy way :
. Wait thou his time ; so shall this night
Soon end in joyous day.
Still heavy is thy heart ;
Still sink thy spirits down :
Cast off the weight ; let fear depart ;
Bid every care be gone.
Far, far above thy thought
His counsel shall appear
When fully He the work hath wrought
That caused thy needless fear.
Allegretto.
NINEVEH. C. M.
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167. Let saints below in concert sing
With those to glory gone ;
For all the servants of our King,
In earth and heaven, are one.
One family, we dwell in him,
One church above, beneath,
Though now divided by the stream,
The narrow stream, of death.
One army of the living God,
To his command we bow :
Part of the host have crossed the flood,
And part are crossing now.
Lord Jesus, be our constant guide ;
And, when the word is given,
Bid death's cold flood its waves divide,
And land us safe in heaven.
16§. My God, the spring of all my joys,
The life of my delights,
The glory of my brightest days,
And comfort of my nights !
In darkest shades if he appear,
My dawning is begun :
He is my soul's sweet morning-star,
And he my rising sun.
The opening heavens around me shine
With beams of sacred bliss ;
While Jesus shows his heart is mine,
And whispers I am his.
My soul would leave this heavy clay
At that transporting word ;
Run up with joy the shining way
To embrace my dearest Lord.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
497
Scotch Psalter.
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169.
In all my vast concerns with thee,
In vain my soul would try
To shun thy presence, Lord, or flee
The notice of thine eye.
My thoughts lie open to the Lord
Before they're formed within ;
And, ere my lips pronounce the word,
He knows the sense I mean.
Oh wondrous knowledge, deep and high !
Where can a creature hide ?
Within thy circling arms I lie,
Beset on every side.
So let thy grace surround me still,
And like a bulwark prove,
To guard my soul from every ill,
Secured by sovereign love.
1TO. Great God, how infinite art thou !
What worthless worms are we !
Let the whole race of creatures bow,
And pay their praise to thee.
Eternity, with all its years,
Stands present in thy view :
To thee there's nothing old appears ;
Great God, there's nothing new.
Our lives through various scenes are drawn,
And vexed with trifling cares ;
While thine eternal thought moves on
Thine undisturbed affairs.
Great God, how infinite art thou !
What worthless worms are we !
Let the whole race of creatures bow,
And pay their praise to thee.
PENTONVILLE. S. M.
LlNLEY.
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171. Grace ! — 'tis a charming sound,
Harmonious to my ear :
Heaven with the echo shall resound,
And all the earth shall hear.
Grace first contrived a way
To save rebellious man ;
And all the steps that grace display
Which drew the wondrous plan.
Grace taught my wandering feet
To tread the heavenly road ;
And new supplies each hour I meet,
While pressing on to God.
Grace all the work shall crown
Through everlasting days :
It lays in heaven the topmost stone,
And well deserves the praise.
172. Come, sound his praise abroad,
And hymns of glory sing :
Jehovah is the sovereign God,
The universal King.
He formed the deeps unknown ;
He gave the seas their bound :
The watery worlds are all his own,
And all the solid ground.
Come, worship at his throne ;
Come, bow before the Lord :
We are his work, and not our own ;
He formed us by his word.
To-day attend his voice,
Nor dare provoke his rod :
Come like the people of his choice,
And own your gracious God.
498
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
HENDON. 7s.
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173. Songs of praise the angels sang,
Heaven with hallelujahs rang,
When Jehovah's work begun ;
When God spake, and it was done.
Songs of praise awoke the morn
When the Prince of peace was born ;
Songs of praise arose when he
Captive led captivity.
Heaven and earth must pass away ;
Sonsjs of praise shall crown that day :
God will make new heaven and earth ;
Songs of praise shall hail their birth.
Saints below, with heart and voice,
Still in songs of praise rejoice;
Learning here, by faith and love,
Songs of praise to sing above.
174. " Christ, the Lord, is risen to-day ! "
Sons of men, and angels, say.
Raise your joys and triumphs high:
Sing, ye heavens ; and, earth, reply.
Love's redeeming work is done ;
Fought the fight, the battle won :
Lo ! our sun's eclipse is o'er ;
Lo ! he sets in blood no more.
Lives again our glorious King:
Where, O Death ! is now thy sting ?
Once he died our souls to save :
Where thy victory, boasting Grave ?
Soar we now where Christ has led,
Following our exalted Head :
Made like him, like him we rise ;
Ours the cross, the grave, the skies 1
MIGDOL. L. M.
L. Mason.
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175. The Lord — how wondrous are his ways !
How firm his truth ! how large his grace !
He takes his mercy for his throne,
And thence he makes his glories known.
Not half so high his power hath spread
The starry heavens above our head
As his rich love exceeds our praise,
Exceeds the highest hopes we raise.
Not half so far has Nature placed
The rising morning from the west
As his forgiving grace removes
The daily guilt of those he loves.
How slowly doth his wrath arise !
On swifter wings salvation flies ;
Or, if he lets his an^er burn,
How soon his frowns to pity turn !
lYG. Thine earthly sabbaths, Lord, we love ;
But there's a nobler rest above :
To that our laboring souls aspire
With ardent pangs of strong desire.
No more fatigue, no more distress ;
Nor sin nor hell shall reach the place ;
No groans to mingle with the songs
Which warble from immortal tongues ;
No rude alarms of raging foes ;
No cares to break the long repose ;
No midnight shade, no clouded sun,
But sacred, high, eternal noon.
Thine earthly sabbaths, Lord, we love ;
But there's a nobler rest above :
To that our laboring souls aspire^
With ardent pangs of strong desire.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
499
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Israel Holdrayd.
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17'}'. Praises to Him whose love has given,
In Christ, his Son, the Light of heaven ;
Who for our darkness gives us light,
And turns to day our deepest night.
Praises to Him in grace who came
To bear our woe and sin and shame ;
Who lived to die, who died to rise,
The God-accepted sacrifice.
Praises to Him who sheds abroad
Within our hearts the love of God ;
The Spirit of all truth and peace,
Fountain of joy and holiness.
To Father, Son, and Spirit now
The hands we lift, the knees we bow :
To thee, Jehovah, thus we raise
The sinner's endless song of praise.
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High in the heavens, eternal God,
Thy goodness in full glory shines :
The truth shall break through every cloud
That veils and darkens thy designs.
Forever firm thy justice stands
As mountains their foundations keep :
Wise are the wonders of thine hands ;
Thy judgments are a mighty deep.
Thy providence is kind and large ;
Both man and beast thy bounty share :
The whole creation is thy charge ;
But saints are thy peculiar care.
My God, how excellent thy grace,
Whence all our hope and comfort springs !
The sons of Adam, in distress,
Fly to the shadow of thy wings.
PLEYEL'S HYMN. 7s.
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179. Softly fades the twilight ray
Of the holy sabbath day,
Gently as life's setting sun
When the Christian's course is run.
Night her solemn mantle spreads
O'er the earth as daylight fades :
All things tell of calm repose
At the holy sabbath's close.
Still the Spirit lingers near
Where the evening worshipper
Seeks communion with the skies,
Pressing onward to the prize.
Saviour, may our sabbaths be
Days of peace and joy in thee,
Till in heaven our souls repose,
Where the sabbath ne'er shall close !
1§0. Morning breaks upon the tomb ;
Jesus scatters all its gloom :
Day of triumph through the skies ;
See the glorious Saviour rise !
Christians, dry your flowing tears ;
Chase those unbelieving fears ;
Look on his deserted grave ;
Doubt no more his power to save.
Ye who are of death afraid,
Triumph in the scattered shade ;
Drive your anxious cares away ;
See the place where Jesus lay !
So the rising sun appears,
Shedding radiance o'er the spheres ;
So returning beams of light
Chase the terrors of the nicrht.
500
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
HOLLEY. 7s.
George Hews.
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181. What though downy slumbers flee,
Strangers to my couch anil me?
Sleepless, well I know to rest,
Lodged within my Father's breast.
While the stars unnumbered roll
Round the ever-constant pole,
Far above these spangled skies
All my soul to God shall rise,
'Mid the silence of the night,
Mingling with those angels bright,
Whose harmonious voices raise
Ceaseless love and ceaseless praise.
Through the throng his gentle ear
Shall my tuneless accents hear ;
From on high doth he impart
Secret comfort to my heart.
182.
Depth of mercy ! — can there be
Mercy still reserved for me?
Can my God his wrath forbear ?
Me, the chief of sinners, spare ?
I have long withstood his grace,
Long provoked him to his face,
Would not hearken to his calls,
Grieved him by a thousand falls.
There for me the Saviour stands,
Shows his wounds, and spreads his hands :
God is love ! I know, I feel ;
Jesus weeps, but loves me still.
Now incline me to repent ;
Let me now my sins lament,
Now my foul revolt deplore,
Weep, believe, and sin no more.
Tenderly.
STEELE. L. M.
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183. My dear Redeemer and my Lord,
I read my duty in thy Word ;
But in thy life the law appears,
Drawn out in living characters.
Such was thy truth, and such thy zeal,
Such deference to thy Father's will,
Such love, and meekness so divine,
1 would transcribe and make them mine.
Cold mountains and the midnight air
Witnessed the fervor of thy prayer ;
The desert thy temptations knew,
Thy conflict, and thy victory too.
Be thou my pattern ; make me bear
More of thy gracious image here :
Then God, the Judge, shall own my name
Amongst the followers of the Lamb.
184. O Lord ! how full of sweet content
Our years of pilgrimage are spent !
Where'er we dwell, we dwell with thee, ■
In heaven, in earth, or on the sea.
To us remains nor place nor time ;
Our country is in every clime :
We can be calm and free from care
On any shore, since God is there.
While place we seek, or place we shun,
The soul finds happiness in none ;
sBut, with our God to guide our way,
'Tis equal joy to go or stay.
;Could we be cast where thou art not,
That were indeed a dreadful lot ;
But regions none remote we call,
Secure of finding God in all.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
501
STONEFIELD. L. M.
Stanley.
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185. Through every age, eternal God,
Thou art our rest, our safe abode :
High was thy throne ere heaven was made,
Or earth thy humble footstool laid.
Long hadst thou reigned ere time began,
Or dust was fashioned into man ;
And long thy kingdom shall endure
When earth and time shall be no more.
Death, like an overflowing stream,
Sweeps us away : our life's a dream ;
An empty tale; a morning flower,
Cut down and withered in an hour.
Teach us, O Lord ! how frail is man,
And kindly lengthen out our span,
Till a wise care of piety
Fit us to die, and dwell with thee.
186.
Great God, whose universal sway
The known and unknown worlds obey,
Now give the kingdom to thy Son,
Extend his power, exalt his throne.
As rain on meadows newly mown,
So shall he send his influence down;
His grace on tainting souls distils
Like heavenly dew on thirsty hills.
The heathen lands, that lie beneath
The shade of overspreading death,
Revive at his first dawning light,
And deserts blossom at the sight.
The saints shall flourish in his days,
Dressed in the robes of joy and praise ;
Peace, like a river, from his throne
Shall flow to nations yet unknown.
HORTON. 7s.
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187. " Come," said Jesus' sacred voice. —
" Come, and make my paths your choice :
I will guide you to_ your home :
Weary pilgrim, hither come !
" Thou who, houseless, sole, forlorn,
Long hast borne the proud world's scorn,
Long hast roamed the barren waste,
Weary pilgrim, hither haste !
" Ye who, tossed on beds of pain,
Seek for ease, but seek in vain ;
Ye by fiercer anguish torn,
In remorse for guilt who mourn, —
" Hither come ! for here is found
Balm that flows for every wound ;
Peace that ever shall endure;
Rest eternal, sacred, sure."
188. Lord, we come before thee now ;
At thy feet we humbly bow.
Oh ! do not our suit disdain :
Shall we seek thee, Lord, in vain ?
Lord, on thee our souls depend :
In compassion now descend,
Fill our hearts with thy rich grace,
Tune our lips to sing thy praise.
Comfort those who weep and mourn ;
Let the time of joy return ;
Those who are cast down, lift up,
Strong in faith, in love, and hope.
Grant that all may seek and find
Thee a God supremely kind :
Heal the sick, the captive free ;
Let us all rejoice in thee.
502
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
NUREMBERG. 7s.
1§9.
Thine forever ! Lord of life,
Shield us through our earthly strife ;
Thou, the Life, the Truth, the Way,
Guide us to the realms of day.
Thine forever ! Oh, how blest
They who find in thee their rest !
Saviour, Guardian, heavenly Friend,
Oh ! defend us to the end.
Thine forever ! Saviour, keep
These thy frail and trembling sheep :
Safe alone beneath thy care,
Let us all thy goodness share.
Thine forever ! — thou our Guide,
All our wants by thee supplied,
All our sins by thee forgiven,
Led by thee from earth to heaven.
190. Glory to the Father give, —
God, in whom we move and live :
Children's songs delight his ear ;
Children's prayers he deigns to hear.
Glory to the Son we bring, —
Christ, our Prophet, Priest, and King:
Children, raise your sweetest strain
To the Lamb ; for he was slain.
Glory to the Holy Ghost :
He reclaims the sinner lost :
Children's minds may he inspire,
Touch their tongues with holy fire I
Glory in the highest be
To the blessed Trinity,
For the gospel from above,
For the word that " God is love."
OLD HUNDRED. L. M.
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191. Arm of the Lord, awake, awake !
Put on thy strength ; the nations shake ;
And let the world, adoring, see
Triumphs of mercy wrought by thee.
Say to the heathen from thy throne,
" I am Jehovah, God alone : "
Thy voice their idols shall confound,
And cast their altars to the ground.
No more let human blood be spilt,
Vain sacrifice for human guilt ;
But to each conscience be applied
The blood that flowed from Jesus' side.
Almighty God, thy grace proclaim ;
In every land declare thy name ;
Let adverse powers before thee fall,
And crown the Saviour Lord of all.
192. New every morning is the love
Our wakening and uprising prove ;
Through sleep and darkness safely brought,
Restored to life and power and thought.
New mercies, each returning day,
Hover around us when we pray;
New perils past, new sins forgiven,
New thoughts of God, new hopes of heaven.
If on our daily course our mind
Be set to hallow all we find,
New treasures still, of countless price,
God will provide for sacrifice.
Old friends, old scenes, will lovelier be
As more of heaven in each we see :
Some softening gleam of love and prayer
Shall dawn on every cross and care.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
503
SOLNEY. 8s and 7s.
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193. Tarry with me, O my Saviour ;
For the day is passing by :
See ! the shades of evening gather,
And the night is drawing nigh.
Deeper, deeper, grow the shadows ;
Paler now the glowing west :
Swift the night of death advances ;
Shall it be the night of rest ?
Feeble, trembling, fainting, dying,
Lord, I cast myself on thee :
Tarry with me through the darkness ;
While I sleep, still watch by me.
Tarry with me, O my Saviour !
Lay my head upon thy breast
Till the morning ; then awake me, —
Morning of eternal rest 1
194. Gently, Lord, oh ! gently lead us
Through this lonely vale of tears,
Through the changes thou'st decreed us,
Till our last great change appears.
When temptation's darts assail us,
When in devious paths we stray,
Let thy goodness never fail us ;
Lead us in thy perfect way.
In the hour of pain and anguish,
In the hour when death draws near,
Suffer not our hearts to languish,
Suffer not our souls to tear.
And, when mortal life is ended,
Bid us on thy bosom rest,
Till, by angel-hands attended,
We awake anions the blest.
Spirited.
MENDON. L. M.
195. A little child the Saviour came ;
The mighty God was still his name :
And angels worshipped as he lay,
The seeming infant of a day.
He who, a little child, began
The life divine to show to man,
Proclaims from heaven the message free, —
" Let little children come to Me."
We bring them, Lord, and, with the sign
Of sprinkled water, name them thine :
Their souls with saving grace endow ;
Baptize them with thy Spirit now.
Oh ! give thine angels charge, good Lord,
Them safely in thy way to guard ;
Thy blessings on their lives command,
And write their names upon thy hand.
196. No change of time shall ever shock
My firm affection, Lord, to thee ;
For thou hast always been my rock,
A fortress and defence to me.
To thee I will address my prayer,
To whom all praise we justly owe ;
So shall I, by thy watchful care,
Be guarded safe from every toe.
Let the eternal Lord be praised, —
The Rock on whose defence I rest ;
To highest heavens His name be raised
Who me with his salvation blest.
My God, to celebrate thy fame,
My grateful voice to heaven I'll raise ;
And nations, strangers to thy name,
Shall learn to sing thy glorious praise.
504
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
AMERICA. National Hymn. 6s & 4s.
3a
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My country, 'tis of thee,
Sweet land of liberty,
Of thee I sing:
Land where my fathers died,
Land of the pilgrims' pride,
From every mountain-side
Let freedom ring.
My native country, thee,
Land of the noble free,
Thy name I love;
I love thy rocks and rills,
Thy woods and templed hills ;
My heart with rapture thrills
Like that above.
197.
Let music swell the breeze,
And ring from all the trees
Sweet Freedom's song;
Let mortal tongues awake ;
Let all that breathe partake ;
Let rocks their silence break,
The sound prolong.
Our fathers' God, to thee,
Author of liberty,
To thee we sing :
Long may our land he bright
With freedom's holy light 1
Protect us by thy might,
Great God, our King.
SWEET HOUR OF PRAYER.
Wji. B. Bradbury.
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Sweet hour of prayer 1
That calls me from a world of care,
And bids me at my Father's throne
Make all my wants and wishes known.
In seasons of distress and grief,
My soul has often found relief,
And oft escaped the tempter's snare,
By thy return, sweet hour of prayer !
198.
Sweet hour of prayer 1
Thy wings shall my petition hear
To Him whose truth and faithfulness
Engage the waiting soul to bless;
And since he bids me seek his face,
Believe his word, and trust his grace,
I'll cast on him my every care,
And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer 1
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Sweet hour of prayer I
May I thy consolation share.
Till from Mount Pisgah's lofty height
I view my home, and take my flight!
This robe of flesh I'll drop, and rise
To seize the everlasting prize;
And shout, while passing through the air,
" Farewell, farewell, sweet hour of prayer I "
ROCK OF AGES. 7s.
Dr. T. Hastings.
D.C.
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Rock of ages, cleft for me.
Let me hide myself in thee ;
Let the water and the blood
From thy wounded side that flowed
Be of sin the perfect cure ;
Save me, Lord, and make me pure.
199.
Should my tears forever flow,
Should my zeal no languor know,
This for sin could ne'er atone :
Thou must save, and thou alone.
In my hand no price I bring;
Simply to thy cross I cling.
While I draw this fleeting breath,
When mine eyelids close in death,
When I rise to worlds unknown,
And behold thee on thy throne,
Rock of ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in thee.
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
505
Words by (V.)
WELCOME HOUR OF PRAYER.
JS i ,_ — l-i I > — N —rr— i — : — *~~*T l M *^
Wii. B. Bradbury.
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When softly o'er the distant hills
The beams of morning break.
When Nature breathes her choral hymn,
My cheerful heart shall wake :
My strength renewed, my soul refreshed,
I'll bless a Father's care,
And hail with pure and holy joy
The welcome hour of prayer.
200.
When, like a giant in his course,
The glorious orb of light,
Ascending in the radiant sky,
Has readied his noonday height,
From earthly scenes I'll turn away
To bless a Father's care,
And hail with pure and holy joy
The welcome hour of prayer.
When slowly fades the silent eve
Beneath the glowing west,
And tranquil thoughts of heavenly peace
Within my bosom rest,
For all the mercies of the day
I'll bless a Father's care.
And hail with pure and holy joy
The welcome hour of prayer.
Allegro.
ITALIAN HYMN. 6s and 4s.
GlARDINI.
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Come, thou Almighty King I
Help us thy name to sing;
Help us to praise :
Father all-glorious,
O'er all victorious.
Come and reign over us,
Ancient of days.
201.
Jesus, our Lord, arise ;
Scatter our enemies;
Now make them fall :
Let thine almighty aid
Our sure defence be made.
Our souls on thee be stayed :
Lord, hear our call.
Come, thou incarnate Word,
Gird on thy mighty sword;
Our prayer attend :
Come, and thy people bless ;
Come, give thy word success :
Spirit of holiness,
On us descend.
CHRISTMAS. C. M. Double.
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202.
While shepherds watched their flocks by night,
All seated on the ground,
An angel of the Lord came down,
And glory shone around.
" Fear not," said he (for mighty dread
Had seized their troubled mind) :
" Glad tidings of great joy I bring
To you and all mankind.
" To you, in David's town, this day,
Is born of David's line
The Saviour, who is Christ, the Lord ;
And this shall be the sign : —
" The heavenly Babe you there shall find
To human view displayed,
All meanly wrapped in swathing-bands,
And in a mancrer laid."
508
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
Melody from the GERMAN,
May be sung as a Solo.
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COME, BROTHERS, ONWARD.
Words by W. O. PERKINS.
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1. Come, brothers,
2. Come, venture
3. Soon will be
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warfare here be - gun ; Fight till the prize is gained, The vict'ry won:
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Come, join the happy throng: We're hast'ning on to heav'n, Where endless praise is giv'n In one glad song.
No more in darkness roam, But Jesus' aid implore: He calls from yonder shore, " Children, come home."
Then with the happy blest, In yonder heavenly hoine,~Where all the lov'd ones come, Safe - ly we'll rest.
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OUR HOME SONG.
HENRY TUCKER.
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Our hearts are ver - y joy - ful in our hap - py home to-day.
\ We'll never be discouraged, but we'll la - bor while we may,
C. His gracious ear will listen while be - fore his throne we bend,
( While many precious blessings he has scattered in our way,
I For those who sit in darkness we must not forget to pray,
j Our will-ing voices mingle in our happy home so dear,
j We know that God is with us when we meet togeth - er here,
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our cheerful song to-geth - er ;
our cheerful song to-geth - er ;
our cheerful song to-geth - er ;
our cheerful song to-geth - er ;
our cheerful song to-geth - er ;
our cheerful song to-geth - er ;
our cheerful song to-geth - er ;
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SUFFER THEM TO COME.
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1. Saviour,may a little child Through thy grace be reconcil-ed, Who can feel, indeed, within,
2. Yes: tbou saidst,and that's my plea, "Suffer them to come to me ; Turn no lit - tie child away;
3. Saviour, to thine arms I fly, Ere my childhood passes by ; In thy fear my years be passed,
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Much of e - vil, much of sin ? Who can feel, indeed, within, Much of e- vil.much of sin?
Heaven is filled with such as they. Turn no lit - tie child a-way;Heaven is filled with such as they."
Whether first, or midst, or last; In thy fear my years be passed, Whether first,or midst, or last.
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507
MORNING SONG.
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3. And
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that a Sav - iour came To bid our guilt 1
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breath.
SOFTLY SHE FADED.
H. S. PERKINS.
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1. Softly she faded, As fades the twilight: Sweetly she murmured, ''Dear friends, adieu! There is no shadow, All,all,is peaceful,
2. Gently beside her Sad tears were falling, Softly around her Strong arms were thrown, Fondly she whispered, 'Weep not for me, My
3. Joys of the future,Home with her Saviour, When all is peaceful,Forevermore, Smiling and cheerful, Lisped she at parting,"
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Bright o'er the river Heav'n is in view. ' So'twas she faded.As fades the twilight,So'twas she murmured, 'Dear friends, adieu !'
Saviour is here.And I'm going home.' So'twas she faded, As fades the twilight, So 'twas she murmured, 'I'm going home.'
'Come to the Saviour, Jesus says come.' So'twas she faded,As fades the twilight,So'twas she murmured, 'Jesus says come.'
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THE HOUR OF PRAYER. L. M.
J. WRIGHT.
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1. When morn - ing dawns with
2. When the bright sun has
3. And still shall prayer be
glo - rious light, And
sunk to rest Be
my delight, At
sun - beams make my cham - ber bright,
neath the o - cean's heav - ing breast,
morn - ing, noon, and dark - some night,
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All things a - round look calm and fair ; For 'tis the ho
I love the shades that then ap - pear ; For 'tis the ho
Till death shall end my hap - py days, And prayer be lost
ly hour
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of prayer,
of prayer,
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508
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
BE A CHRISTIAN WHILE YOUR'E YOUNG.
A. A. GRALEY. From " Happy Voices," by permission.
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1. Oh ! won't you be a Christian While you're young? Oh ! won't you be a Christian While you're young ? Don't
2. Oh .'won't you love the Saviour While you're young ? Ohhvon't you love the Saviour While you're young ? For
3. Kemember, death may find you While you're young ; Remember, death may find you While you're young : For
4. Oh! walk the path to glory While you're young ; Oh! walk the path to glory While you're young; For
5. Then won'tyou be a Christian While you're young ? Then won't you be a Christian 'While you're young? Why
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think it will be better To de - lay it un -til la - ter, But remember your Cre-a - tor While you're young.
you he left his glory, And embraced a cross so gory : Won't you heed the melting story While you're young ?
friends are often weeping, And the stars their watch are keeping, O'er the grassy graves where sleeping Lie the young.
Jesus will befriend you, And from danger will defend you, And a peace divine will send you, While you're young.
from the future borrow, When,ere comes another morrow, You may weep in endless sorrow, While you're young?
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OH! WE ARE VOLUNTEERS.
From " The Silver Chime," hy permission.
Not too Fast. 7 — Four to each measure.
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GEO. F. ROOT.
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1. Oh! we are vol - unteers in the ar - my of the Lord, Forming in - to line at our Captain's word:
2. The glo - ry of our flag is the emblem of the dove; Gleaming are our swords from the forge of love :
3. Our foes are in the field, pressing hard on eve • ry side: En - vy, an - ger, ha - tred,with self and pride.
4. Oh [glorious is the struggle in which we draw the sword; Glorious is the kingdom of Christ, our Lord:
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AV^e are under marching or - ders to take the battle-field, And we'll ne'er give o'er the fight till the foe shall yield.
We go forth, but not to bat - tie for earthly honors vain;'Tis a bright immortal crown that we seek to gain.
They are cruel, fierce, and strong,ever ready to attack : We must watch and fight and pray,If we'd drive them back.
It shall spread from sea to sea, It shall reach from shore to shore, And his people shall be blessed for evermore.
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CHORUS.
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Come and join the ar - my, the ar - my of the Lord: Jesus is our Captain; we ral -ly at his word.
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HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
509
PRAISE THE GIVER OF ALL.
SUITABLE FOE A FESTIVAL.
WM. F. SHEITWIN.
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1. Let us mingle our voices in chorus
2. There is joy in the sunbeam that sparkles
3. Let us join the glad music, and joyful
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to - day ; The earth is re - joic - ing, all na - ture is gay,
so bright, And calls the young blossoms to welcome the light ;
ll - ly raise, In purest de - vo - tion,our ju - bi - lant praise :
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The sweetness of thy soft, low voice, I am too deaf to hear.
And, when my heart loves God, I know The sweetness is from thee.
But when I sleep, thou sleepest not, But watch -est pa - tient - ly.
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510
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
NATIONAL.
s and joyous.
Words and Music by Dr. HASTINGS.
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1. How
2. Tho'
3. Let
4. And
swift - ly the years have heen roll - ing
few now re - main who were ear - ly
teachers with par - ents and children
may the rich dews of the Spir - it
a - way:
em-ployed
u - nite
dis - til,
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And ma - ny have rap •
In founding the fab -
In songs of thanks-giv
Our prayers and our la -
id - IT
ric we
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and
to
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sped Since first the bright U - nion we cher - ish
love, Full ma - ny its blessings have rich - ly
praise ; Re - count - ing God's bless - ing with ho • ly
own, Till con - verts un - numbered our tem - pies
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to - day Its banners to en - terprise led.
enjoyed, And gone to their mansions above,
delight, A - dor - ing his works and his ways,
shall fill, The Prince of sal - va - tion to crown.
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Our U - nion
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OUR HEARTS ARE YOUNG AND JOYOUS.
WM. B. BRADBURY.
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hearts are young and joy - ous ; 'Tis spring-time with us now : The dew of life's bright
can we e'er for - get Him Who is so good and kind ? No : rath - er would we
know the harps of heav - en Would sound a glad - der strain, " There's joy a - mong the
when up - on our foreheads The sil - ver locks shall fall, Or ear - ly comes the
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morn - ing Is fresh
love him With all
an - gels," When one
sha - dow, Which comes
up - on
our heart
re - pents
a - like
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each brow.
and mind.
of sin.
to all ;
The world to us seems pleas
But we can nev - er love
Oh ! help us then, dear Sav -
Still safe up - on thy bo -
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ant,
him
iour,
som
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With
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love its joys to share. God, in his ten - der kind - ness, Hath made it ver - y fair.
til our hearts are clean : The precious blood of ' Je - sus Must wash them first from sin.
give our hearts to thee : Let us, in youth's glad morn - ing, Thy loved dis - ci - pies be.
spir - its shall re • cline, And, 'mid the joys of heav - en, We shall be ev - er thine.
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HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
511
SUNDAY-SCHOOL VOLUNTEER SONG.
To the Leader. — The effect of this piece will be heightened by singing the first part responsively.
Words written for this work. WM. B. BRADBURY.
In marching movement.
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, I AVe are marching on with shield and banner bright;We will work for God, and battle for the right ; We will
/In the Sunday school our ax- my we prepare, As we ral - ly round our blessed standard there, And the
D.C. We are marching onward, singing as we go, To the promised land, where living waters flow ; Come and
r, ) We are marching on : our Captain, ev - ernear, Will protect us still; His gen- tie voice we hear : Let the
i* Then awake, a - wake, our happy, happy soDg, We will shout for joy, and glad - ly march along ; In the
o S We are marching on the strait and narrow way That will lead to life and ev - er - last-ing day, To
' I We are marching on and pressing toward the prize, To a glorious crown beyond the glowing skies, To
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praise his name,rejoicing in his might, And well work tillJe - sus calls. ) Then awake,
Saviour's cross we early learn to bear, While we work tillJe - sus calls, j
join our ranks as pilgrims here below, Come and work tillJe - sus calls.
foe advance, we 11 never, ne -ver fear,For we'll work till Je - sus calls. )
Lord of hosts let every heart be strong, While we'll work tillJe- sus calls. J
smiling fields that never will decay ; But we'll work till Je - sus calls. )
radiant fields where pleasure never dies, And we'll work till Jesus calls. S
Then a-wake, hap
py
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Then awake,
Then awake,
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ly march a
happy song, happy song, Shout for joy, shout for joy, As we glad - ly march a • long.
THE SAVIOUR'S LOVE.
duet. Moderato.
LESTA VESE.
1. Soft be
2. Soft as
3. Pure as
4. Pure as
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the gen -
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the stars'
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ng dews de - scend,
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That sing the Saviour's
While the sweet lark ex
That scatters life and joy
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ing love ;
ing soars,
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Be eve - ry sigh your bo
That wide proclaims its Ma
To Him who bled up - on
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som pours.
• ker, God.
the tree.
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512
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
SOMETHING TO DO IN HEAVEN.
Words by R. S. TAYLOR.
25. — Two to each measure.
WM. B. BRADBURY.
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There'll be something in heaven for children to do ; None are i - die in that blessed land :
There'll be lessons to learn of the wisdom of God As they wander the green meadows o'er;
There'll be errands of love from the mansions a - bove To the dear ones that lin - ger be - low ;
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There'll be loves for the heart. there'll be thoughtsfor the mind, And employment for each lit - tie hand.
And they'll have for their teachers in that blest a - bode All the good that have gone there be - fore.
And it may be our Father the children will send To be an - gels of mer-cy in woe.
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There 11 be something to do, There'll be something to do, There'll be something for children to
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On the bright shining shore, where there's joy ev-er-more,There 11 be something for children to
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THE ROYAL PROCLAMATION.
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I ( Hear the roy - al proclamation, The glad tid - ings of sal - va - tion, )
' I Pub - lishing to every creature, To the ruined sons of Nature, )Je - sus reigns, Jesus reigns, Jesus reigns,
> J See the roy - al banner flying, Hear the heralds loudly cry - ing, j
'■ /" Reb - el sinners ! roy -al favor Now is of-feredby the Saviour :" I Je - sus reigns, Jesus reigns, Jesus reigns,
, 5 Shout, ye tongues of every nation. To the bounds of the ere - a - tion ; j
I Shout the praise of Judah s Lion,The Al - migh-ty Prince of Zi - on. I Je - sus reigns, Jesus reigns, Jesus reigns,
( Shout, ye saints.make joyful men tion, Christ hath purchased our redemption; 1
( An-gels,shout the pleas-ing sto-ry Thro' the brighter worlds of glo - ry, I Je - sus reigns, Jesus reigns,Jesus reigns,
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Je - sus reigns; he reigns vic-torious, O - ver heaven ana earth most glorious; Jesus reigns, Jesus reigns, Jesus reigns !
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HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
513
GUIDE US, SAVIOUR.
8th P. M.
1. God has said, "For- ev - er bless - ed Those who seek me in their youth : They shall find the
2. Be oar strength, for we are weakness; Be our wisdom and our guide: May we walk in
3. May thy watch-f ul an - gels hov - er Round us when there's e - vil near ! May we hide be -
4. And when Death at last o'er - takes us, And we sink beneath his might, May that bless - ed
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meekness, Near - er
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nar - row way of truth." Guide us, Sav - iour, Guide us, Sav - iour, In the
to our Sav-iour's side ! Nought can harm us, Nought can harm us, While we
wings in time of fear ! And in sor - row, And in sor - row, Comfort
yon - der realms of light ; There for -ev - er, There for-ev - er, Chant thy
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nar -row way of truth; Guide us, Sav - iour, Guide us, Sav - iour, In the nar - row way of truth,
thus in thee a - bide ; Nought can harm us, Nought can harm us, While we thus in thee a- bide.
our sad hearts,and cheer; And in sor - row, And in sor - row, Comfort our sad hearts, and cheer,
praise with angels bright; There for-ev - er, There for-ev - er, Chant thy praise with an -gels bright!
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"Words by Mrs. M. A. KIDDER.
SOLO or DUET.
HAPPY FESTAL DAY.
Music by Mrs. PARKHTJRST.
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2. Let the joy - ful mu - sic
3. Hap-py, hap - py fes - tal
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float Soft - ly through the charm-ed air, While we join the
eve ! Light-some hearts are here to - night ; Pleasant smiles and
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cheerful walls
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Spread be - fore us sweet and fair. God has given his
Meet us full of love and light. Let us sing our
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Free from world - ly guile or art ; For we know our Fa - ther love?, Dear - ly loves, a cheer- ful heart.
That a lov - ing hand could do; Fragrant flowers in field and wood, And the wholesome ber - ries too.
Like the mer - ry birds in spring, While our praise to God a3 - cends,And our hap-py voi - ee? ring.
_ fcferip a — :=l±J
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514
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
Slow and rjentle.
JESUS OUR SHEPHERD.
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1. Je - sus is our Shepherd, wip - ing ev - ery tear: Folded in his bo - sora, what have we to fear ?
2. Je - sus is our Shepherd: well we know his voice: How its gentlest whis-per makes our hearts re-joice !
3. Je - sus is our Shepherd; for the sheep he bled : Ev-ery lamb is sprinkled with the blood he shed.
4. Je - sus is our Shepherd: guid ed by his arm,Tho' the wolves may ra - ven, none can do us harm ;
iS
let us fol - low whither
E - ven when it chid - eth, tender is
Then on each he set - teth his own se
"When we tread death's val-ley, dark with fear-ful gloom, We will
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he doth lead, To the thirs-ty des -
its tone : None but he shall guide
cret sign : They that have my Spir
fear no
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ert or the dew-y mead.
us; we are his a-lone.
it, these (saith be) are mine,
vil, vie - tors o'er the tomb.
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WE ARE COMING, BLESSED SAVIOUR.
Words by MRS. LYDIA BAXTER. From the "Golden Censer.'
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1. We are coming, blessed Saviour; We hear thy gentle voice : We would be thine for ev-er. And in thy love rejoice.
2. AVe are coming, blessed Saviour, Our Father's house we see : A glorious mansion ev-er For children young as we.
3. We are coming, blessed Saviour, That happy home isours:Ifhere we gam thy favor, We'll reach those fragrant bow'rs.
4. AVe are coming, blessed Saviour, To crown our Jesus King, And then with angels ev-er His praises we will sing.
FULL CHORUS.
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AA r e are coming, we are coming, we are coming.blessed Saviour, AVe are coming, we are coming, AA 7 e hear thy gentle voice.
AVe are coming, we are coming, we are coming.blessed Saviour, AVe are coming,we are coming, Our Father s house we see.
AVe are coming, we are coming, we are coining, blessed Saviour, AVe are coming, we are coming, Thathappy home is ours.
AVe are coming, we are coming, we are coming, blessed Saviour, AVe are coming, we are coming, To crown our Jesus King.
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OUR HOME WITH JESUS.
SOLO. CHORUS. SOLO.
T. E. PERKINS.
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1. My heav-en-ly home is bright and fair; AVe 11 be gathered home:
2. Its glittering towers the sun outshine ; AAVll be gathered home
3. My Fa - ther's house is built on high;AVe'll be gathered home :
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Nor death, nor sighing, vis - it there :
That heavenly mansion shall be mine :
A - bove the arched and star-ry sky :
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We'll be gathered home, We'll wait till Je-sus comes, We'll wait till Jesus comes, We'll wait till Jesus comes, And we'll be gathered home.
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HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
515
Modi-rato.
WHAT CAN A LITTLE CHILD DO?
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1. What can a lit - tie child like me To hon - or Je - sus do ? I think I would
2. I can - not preach his ho - ly Word, Nor alms a - bun - dant give, That heathen souls
3. "What can a lit - tie child, then, do To hon - or Je - sus' name ? He can be - lieve
4. The lit - tie tract, the gos - pel seed, His hands may scat - ter wide; And this shall tell
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Cliristian be, — A faithful Christian too.
know the Lord, W'ho died that they might live ;
gos - pel true, And own his guilt with shame.
Christ did bleed, And why for us he died.
— I— # « a o ' — '— — *-
Then tell me
No oil have
He can be -
Then lift - ing
how to hon - or God; To
I for Je - sus' head, No
lieve in Cal - va - ry; That
lit - tie hands to pray, Where
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shine as doth the star, Which sends its charming beams a-broad To bless the night from far.
perfumes rare and sweet, No box of al - a - bas - ter made To break a - bove his feet.
Je - sus died and rose ; And still to truth o - be - dient be, Who - ev - er may op - pose,
none but God can see, The lit - tie child will find the way How he can use- ful be.
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. "Words from the " Golden Shower," by permission.
THE BEAUTIFUL LAND.
Suitable for S. S. Concerts and Anniversaries.
Music in part by W. C. (K7LVER.
— — * — <—\ — S-i — 2 i-H — ' ■ — • — < '— i
J *— 9— «-=• =^^= M-J-l 1 f— g— I
1. There's a beau - ti - ful land, where flow - ers ev - er
2. In the beau - ti - ful land the chil - dren ne'er grow
3. In the beau - ti - ful land our Sa - viour we shall
4. But the beau - ti - ful land is not for chil-dren a ■
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see, And hear his words of
lone : There's room e - nough for
all filled with
ery lit - tie
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o - dors rare, of sweet and rich per ■
head is placed a crown of shin - ing
welcome, "Lit - tie chil -dren, come to
ev - ery one a - round the Father's
fume ;
gold;
me."
throne.
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And, when life's journey's end - ed, good
A harp, tuned by an an - gel, in
Then round his throne in glo - ry with
Then join us, friends and par - euts, and
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children there will stand
ev - ery lit - tie hand :
crowns and harps we'll stand,
take us by the hand :
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With white-robed saints in glo - ry
They'll sing God s praise for-ev - er
And praise the Lamb for - ev - er
We'll journey on to - geth - er
to
that beau-ti - ful
that beau-ti - ful
that beau-ti - ful
that beau-ti - ful
516
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
SUFFER LITTLE CHILDREN TO COME UNTO ME.'
STEPHEN C. FOSTER.
T) UE T. A ska the questions.
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1. What did our Lord and Sa - viour
2. What did He say who from a -
3. What were the words of Him who
4. What did He say whose spir - it
5. If on his mer - cy we re
Instrumental. '
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shed
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When oth-ers wished to drive
Came down to teach us kind -
Nailed to the cross with thorns
Hope to the liv • ing, life
What will his words be when
s e £ n g
us a - way?
ness and love ?
on his head ?
to the dead?
we die ?
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— P CJ
-«- T — -•
-0 ' —
hlgf-^
J
" Suf-fer lit - tie children to
-e — tf _ a 9 — ff — p_
-i 1 ff 1 1 0- - -0— ,
-9 — , — o 1 ra 1 —
a 1 s *
come un - to
-0 p_-
—t ; 0-
me : Of
such
-»-
r- 0-r—
!—««» —
is
the kins;
- dom of
1 !
heaven."
r P^« — n
Up.
=t= — -P W — t- 1 — J $—$ J
¥ ¥
3 " £ :
1
r 5 p
■ a — i — 7-r — I-
SUNDAY-SCHOOL FESTIVAL-SONG.
„ Not too fast.
K 1 1 V
— k — v — Ki
CHESTER G. ALLEN.
r \ K 1 t
rm S — P — P — o P 1 2 — i — #-h" ^—
— P o-ye ^^ — -
—J 1 - \-0 0-
— J 5 — =p— i 5 -
^^ — O 13 1 i.
— a — — m ft 4-
— a — a — a — 3 P?
•^ ^--^ -j^- -^- -51-
1. We gath-er once more in our plensant
2. How precious the lessons of wisdom
3. Cre - a - tor, Re - deem-er, and Father
4. And when we shall meet in that beau -ti -
IS S S N \ S n ~ e ~ '^~
cv--|-|i- a fM ® tf $ t * p- !
l^ifJ^T^ " — ! 3'~ *2 ^ ^ : R *-
re - treat ; And, cheerful - ly
and truth That lead us to
di - vine, For all our en -
ful land, With spir-its made
-a- k —''- -B-
p> jV/» i- i-
p P-Cp p w
— ^ —
smiling, each
God in the
joyments the
per - feet in
-P -ft- -*-
t t — t :
— — — 0—
" r
oth - er we greet. The
days of our youth ! How
glo - ry be thine. Thus
glo - ry to stand, When
p- p- .p. -p.
:->— ^— *— t 2--T
:_b_p_^_» b-|
■* — } — * % rf — a —
¥
sunshine of pleasure beams bright on our way : Oh hap-py re - turn of our
pleasant to sing of the land of the blest ! — A home where the wea-ry for -
far thou hast led us, and guarded our way : Oh! crown with thy blessings our
a - ges unnumbered shall cir - cle a - way, We'll welcome e - ter - ni - ty's
~4 — 1 — *~
_o s &
j/ — i/ — ^ — ^ —
-*- -*- -o-
± L— L:
Z_ -r z -f- -P- -*-
P--
L —¥ — V-
t=t:
—¥-
:^p:«— 1_
f es - ti - val - day !
ev - er shall rest,
f es - ti - val - day.
f es - ti - val - day.
■4- — w 1
:I=b=p=b=b = :!
CHORUS.
=PZT=P=^S-HS~^
_ — __ I 1 — 0, 1 -
*a ^ di /tf —
-¥.
¥ 9 ¥
Glad - ly we ren - der our
tribute
of
-0--
praise ;
. . -0- -P- m_^z -P- -P- -»~ - .
|=p:i_p p — a — ? — £— I-i: — J= c p:iL_
Glad - ly in chorus our
_p_. _p. -p_
vol - ces we raise ;
-0 ±—-pi-
* — — — a—f— g — a — p— ^ — -N — n 5 — m 5 — ! — p — •« — ^— F- s — p — a 3-r^ -
P r -i- -#- ^ ^ r
Pas -tor and teachers, we joy - ful - ly say, "All
B
5--rf=
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-P-
-fi — p_
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—
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hail to our Sunday-school f es - ti - val - day ! "
a_ _p_ _«,_ _p_ .
— T-i j h— f
■» B> 1—0 19
V ¥-
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1
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
517
THE HEAVENLY LAND.
"A better country; that is, a heavenly." — Heb. xi. 16.
Tico to rack measure.
: i _4___4 s=rte=&cz±i
love to think of the heaven - ly land, 'Where white - robed an -
love to think of the heaven - ly land, Where my Re - deem - er
love to think of the heaven - ly land, The saints' e - ter - nal
love to think of the heaven - ly land; The greetings there well
love to think of the heaven - ly land, That promised land so
reigns ;
home ;
meet;
fair.
'-0 — p — — f_i:
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E=tEEE=
#-
V — ■>—,
3— -"-
Where
Where
Where
The
Oh,
f_— ft—
1 r
many a'' friend is gathered
REFRAIN.
4-ei-
J~«-
-1 llllui—
=1=
3sn=£
safe From fear
iap - turous songs of tri - umph rise In end -
palms and robes and crowns ne'er fade, And all
harps, the song's, for - ev - er ours; The walks
how my raptured spir - it longs To be
9EE
E
and
less,
our
the
for -
-0-
f — -F--
p p—
-m— 0— 3-+— i-~ —
toil and care.
joy - ous strains.
joys are one.
gol - den streets
ev - er there!
-P- -0
-P
-o
-h
:E
-b=:l x
There'll
There'll
There'll
There'll
There'll
be
be
be
be
be
no
no
no
no
no
fa
fca?
—-0 ■^TZJ-^^—f J ^^—ZpC—Z
9 — I — «■ hirf—. d—\ — I—; — d 1- — ' —
part - ing, There'll be
— e_
no part - ing, There '11 be
1
no part - ing, There'll be no part
-f-i-r*- 5 — P C-r, n H—
1_
-0-
ing there.
i@=a
"WE LIFT OUR TUNEFUL VOICES.
mf Cheerfully.
(Picnic Song.)
KARL K.E.DEN.
±3">C
^
s<-
C ill !-«-; § % % f
In fresh me - lo - dious song, ,> And,
We lift our tune-ful voices now
While youth - f ul eyes with pleasure glow To see our hap - py thron;
o S And ye who join the swelling lay, Sweet mel - o - dies em - ploy )
' \ To cheer us on our upward way, And praises blend with joy. J
as we send
3~
our
Our teach - ers kind, whose
2! y. -I-, / <J ^-L ^ / ,_
-fi -d—r-p*, —
HI
:^_i — p ft.
-i ^ — ^_
33
-Sr-N— N~
?E3=ffiSEsE
=f
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greeting to The breezes soft and mild, Let waves of cheerful praises flow From pure hearts un-dofiled.
constant care We hon-or and approve, Let smiles, which all our fa - ces wear, Reward your works of love.
0- \ k m m -©- -0- -»-" -0- -0- -0- -0 - - 0- -0- K N „
t_It3Z
*f
-P-l-P-
1=t
tip:
i
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5ib
rprrt — pi: — K
Jtt±d
f CHORUS.
Repeat, pp
Tra, la, tra, la, la, la, tra, la, tra, la, la, la, tra, la,la, la, la, la, la, la,la, tra, la,la, la, la.
l£» 0- -0- . e s -0'- 0-0-0 0- -0 Z , Kl fe J
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BiiES^0=*EPES=f
518
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
Not too fast.
~-s£Zmf—
GENTLE WORDS.
LESTA VESE.
-N-T
-a — *- — «-
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E£
3 — 4- — ! —
^
1. The sun may warm the grass to life, The dew the droop - ing
2. But words that breathe of ten - der - ness, And smiles we know are
3. They fall like gen - tie sum-mer - rain On parched and thirs - ty
4. Bright smiles are like the morn - ing sun Shin - ing with ra - diant
. . -»- -0- -0-
*~T—~ — i — - » — r ! - i t— p
flower;
true,
ground,
light:
gr-# = " ,/ ' : ^ = i=^= = -
9
The eyes grow bright, and watch
Are warm - er than the sum ■
Such words none ev - er speak
Kind words, when heard from an -
-e
v-
the light Of Au - tumn's o - pening
mer - time, And bright - er than the
in vain : How sweet their thrill-ing
y one, "Will make some life more
~-0
hour:
dew.
sound !
bright.
:<?:
-fs-
=t
-i=3=::
THE BEAUTIFUL WAY.
, FANNY.
1. Beau - ti - f ul way, hallowed and blest, Lead - ing us home to
2. Soft - ly a voice mur - murs with -in, "Turn from the world and
3. Beau - ti - ful way, peace - f ul and bright, Gent - ly from E - den
4. Beau - ti - ful way, glad - ly we sing ; Praise and thanksgiv - ing
-l-i==p:t==^=d^tp==fc
CHESTER G. ALLEN.
lil
a man - sion of rest :
the pleas - ures of sin ;
re - fleet - ing its light ;
to Je - sus we bring :
.0 Q- -0- -.0- -0 ,
Wis - dom de - clares, " Hap - py
Come and re - joice ; why will
Cheerful the beam, tran - quil
Still may his love teach us
4|
-#-- r~#-- T-0
are they,
ye stay?
the ray,
to pray,
-0... ..0-.
_v:±.,*_t_
Walk - ing
Walk in
Guid - ing
Help us
—
with God in the beau - ti
the shin - ing, the beau - ti
the soul in the beau - ti
to walk in the beau - ti
II
:e;
Zf2TZtl
ful way."
ful way."
ful way.
ful way !
-ft- -0-.
V--
KHi
MORNING WALKS.
SWEDISH MELODY.
! r l
, / A - wake from your slum - ber, and
>■ Through mead-ows and for - ests and
come with
wood - lands
The wood - lands are filled with sweet breath from
trr - ing, our
chasms, with
tree - tops, the
spir - its
wings to
heav - ens
a
a -
the
are
our
to
song i
long : t
sky; i
high. }
feet ; \
greet. J
The birds sing to
The town
No oak
at
of
-0 r— 0-
i — 0-
m
s=i
our
the
r=
1
3=£
ve\ - come the morn - ing and you, And sip their first break - fnst of
backs, and the mown - tains in view, What joy is a - wait - ing your
for - est for us is too high : The far - ther from earth we are,
mmm
_zfi::> — „
cy. -h-0- — — -0 — t
EE==ES
ff f -F- *
m
•f- I i ,
new - fall - en dew.
com - rades and you !
near - er the sky.
i
HOME-WORSHIP FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.
519
SING HALLELUJAH.
a
Words from the " Polyphonic," by permission.
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1. "We are on the o- cean sail - ing; Homeward bound we sweet-ly glide ; We are on the o- cean,
2. Come on board ; oh ! ship for glo - ry ; Be in haste ; make up your mind : For our vessel's weighing
3. You have kindred o - ver yon - der, On that bright and happy shore : By and by we'll swell the
4. "When we all are safe - ly land - ed, We will shout our tri - als o'er ; We will walk a - bout the
EM :
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ait.. ^
CHORUS.
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II _ ^* 5-tf 1 '- — i- --5 — tf — j*' 1 a — ^ — — — - - — i *— i-'-^-A 4 — s — " — - — i 1 K_u« a — £ — 5—4-
sail - ing To a home beyond the tide. All the storms will soon be over; Then we'll anchor safe in harbor. We are
anchor ; You will soon be left behind. All the storms will soon be over,Then well anchor safe in harbor. We are
number, When the toils of life are o'er. All the storms will soon be over, Then we'll anchor safe in harbor. We are
ci - ty, And we'll sing forev-er-more. All the storms of life are o -ver, Landed in a port of glo-ry ; No more
-0- -» — *- ' -p- -»- -?~ -»- -#-- -*~ -»-• "
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ir±
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i
VK/rt spirit.
?=?
: ?_H=T
on the ocean,
on the ocean
t*i«=$:
sailing
sailing,
— # — #-L#— -■ — # — i-
To a home beyond the
Safe at home beyond the
' s ^ . .-*- .
— L L-fT tzzp p
-©— '
tide,
tide.
hi-*— s-hf 5=5±^!_fzzt*_
Where we'll sing halle - lu - jah, sing
Last verse.
And we'll sing halle - lu - jah, sing
-0- -#- -#- -# »-
-T ^ ^-r? * w\p p FF
S 3
hal -le
hal -le -
— # — »-
its
lu - jah,
lu - jah,
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r ---*-e— T
K-nj-j
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t** trtf— 1? E+r -F
_^_^_
T 1
fL-H-t^j^
Sp^2=^4Ffi-i= ; =FBSS^
Sing halle - lu-jah to God and the Lamb,Sing halle-lu - jah, sing hal-le-lujah,Sing hallelujah to God and the Lamb!
£&
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THE GRACIOUS CHOICE.
E. ROBERTS.
h — Nr-h — S J>
p=a-i _«itpz=zz=i=z
H *-T "#-•-•
1. Come,children, join to sing, Hal - le - lu - jah ! A -men! Loud praise to Christ our King,Hallelujah! A-
2. Come,lift your hearts on high, Hal - le - lu - jah! A -men! Let praises fill the sky, Hal-le - lu -jah! A-
3. Praise yet the Lord a-gain, Hal - le - lu - jah ! A - men ! Life shall not end the strain,Halle - lu -jah ! A -
{ f2~f _if f h -J Vf — g -^r r f • t* -™ ?-* — ^ — s-£r*- — r^-r-r*—r-—^
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men! L/et all with heart and voice Before his throne rejoice; Praise is his gracious choice, Hallelujah! A - men.
men! He is our guide and friend; To us he'll con -descend; His love shall never encLHal-le - lu-jah! A - men.
men! On heaven's blissful shore His goodness we'll adore; Singing for-ev - er more, Hal-le - lu-jah! A- men.
£* 0.0 ■■ m^Sr-t-f- m .. m^ 0-rm /" ^3 7?
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INDEX.
Genesis.
i. 1-19 .
i. 26-31
ii. 18-24
iii. 17-24
iv. 3-15
vi. 1-8 .
vi. 13-22
vii. 1, 7-12, 23. 2
viii. 1-12
viii. 15-22
ix. 8-17
xi. 1-9 .
xii. 1-8 .
xii. 10-20
xiii. 1-13
xiv. 14-24
xv. 1-3, 5-18
xvii. 3-10
xviii. 1-10, 13, 14
xviii. 16-33
xix. 15-26
xxi. 9-21
xxii. 1-14
xxiii. .
xxiv. 29-49
xxiv. 50-67
xxvii. 6, 7, 9, 10.
xxvii. 30-45
xxviii. 10-22
xxix. 1-20 .
xxxii. 9-12, 24-3
xxxv. 1-15 .
xxxvii. 5-22
xxxvii. 23-36
xl. 1-23
xii. 14-36
xii. 39-49, 53-5
xlii. 1-20
xlii. 21-38
xliii. 26-34
xliv. 1-13
xliv. 14-34
xlv. 1-15
xlvii. 1-12
xlix. 33
1. 1-3, 7-10, 12-26
PAGE.
17
3
3
36
37
53
54
55
56
57
58
92
93
94
95
96
97
116
117
118
119
159
161
163
164
165
196
197
198
199
200
201
211
212
213
214
215
216
227
22S
228
229
230
231
232
232
Exodus.
i. 6-12, 22
ii. 1-10
ii. 11-25
iii. 1-15
iv. 1-14
v. 1-18
xi. 1-10
xii. 21-34
xiv. 15-31
xv. 1-14, 16-19
xv. 22-27
xvi. 2-8
xvi. 9-25
xvii. 1-13
xix. 1, 3-13, 10-20
xx. 1-17
xxiii. 14-17
xxiv. 3-18
xxxii. 1-14
xxxii. 15, 16, 19, 20, 26-35
xxxiii. 7-23
xxxiv. 1, 2, 4-9, 28-35
Leviticus.
viii. 1-15
xix. 1-5, 9-18, 32-37 .
xxv. 1-17
xxvi. 1-17 .
Numbers.
x. 29-36
xiii. 17-20, 23-33
xiv. 1-4
xiv. 11-26, 28, 29 .
xxi. 1-9
xxiv. 15-19 .
Deuteronomy.
viii. 1-14, 17-20
x. 1-5, 12-22
xi. 1 .
xi. 8-21
xxiii. 24-25 .
xxiv. 10-13 .
xxviii. 58-68
xxx. 1-10, 17-20
PAGE.
244
244
245
246
247
248
259
249
261
262
264
264
265
41
81
267
40
270
271
272
33
273
281
283
285
426
446
294
294
295
296
413
435
299
299
300
50
304
15
427
523
524
INDEX.
Deuteronomy.
PAGE.
Job. page.
iv. 12-21 306
xxxiv. 1-7, 10-12
. 301
vii. 1-4, 6-10, 13-16, 20, 21
ix. 1-15 ....
. 449
. 403
Joshua.
xiv. 1, 2, 5-12, 14, 18, 19-22
. 414
i. 1-6 ... . .
. ' . . 430
xix. 25 ....
. 450
iii. 5-17 .....
307
xxviii. 12-23, 28 .
. 349
vii. 10, 13-26 ....
. 308
xxix. 1-5, 11-16 .
. 393
viii. 1-4, 28-35 . ...
. ' . .309
xxxi. 13, 14, 16, 17, 19-22, 24-2S
383
xxi. 43-45
430
xxxviii. 1-4, 7, 31-33 .
71
xxiii. 1-9 .....
425
xxiv. 22-25
. 425
Psalms.
i 83
Judges.
ii. ...
25
v. 1, 2, 4 7, 19 31
. 31S
iii.
90
vii. 2 7, 16-21, 22
. 319
iv. ,
90
xvi. IS 30
320
viii.
xi.
71
208
Ruth.
xii.
208
xiv. 1-7
255
ii. 2, 3, 5, 6, 8-17 ....
. 332
xv. 1-5
xvi.
29
186
1 Samuel.
xvii. 5-9, 14, 15 .
186
ii. 1, 2, 6-10 ....
38
xix.
49
iii. 1-19
. 340
xx. 1-9
194
xii. 1-5, 8-15 ....
. ■ . 341
xxii. 1, 2, 7, 8, 11-19,
22-31
241
xv. 22-30
. 342
xxiii. .
32
xvi. 10-13
32
xxiv. .
176
xvii. 34-37
32
xxv. 8-14
167
xvii. 3S-52
. 343
xxvii. 4-14 .
418
xxviii. 7, 8, 11-23
344
xxx. 2-5, 7, 8, 10-12
xxxi. 1-7, 23, 24 .
252
287
2 Samuel.
xxxii. 1-5, 7
182 .
v. 1-12
. 35S
xxxiv. 1-9, 16, 18
296
vi. 6-12
. 438
xxxvi. 1-11 .
417
xii. 15-23
. 444
xxxvii. 1-11, 23, 24
280
xviii. 9-12, 14, 17, 24-_u, 20, 31-33
359
xxxvii. 32-40
xxxix. 4-7, 9-13 .
255
323
1 Kings.
xxxix. 4, 5 .
444
iii. 1-15
. 360
xl. 6-11
168
viii. 22-24, 27-30, 54-01
. 301
xlii. 1-8, 11 .
364
xvii. 1-16
374
xliv. 1-8 .
434
xviii. 25-40 .....
. 375
xiv. .
121
xix. 4-14
. 376
xlviii. 1-5, 7-14 .
218
xix. 15-21
. 314
xlix. 6-7, 10-14 .
95
2 Kings.
ii. 8-12
iv. 8-17
iv. 18-21, 32-37 ....
v. 1-14
vii. 1, 2
377
. 439
. 140
. 387
. 131
1. 16-22
li. ...
Iv. 1-8, 16, 17, 22
lvii. 1-3, 7-11
lxi. 17-21 .
Ixii. 1-12 .
Ixiii. .
136
335
191
250
449
371
371
Neiiemiah.
Ixiii. 1-S .
Ixiv. 1-4, 10
lxv
370
126
433
Esther.
Ixvii. ....
433
vii. 1-10
. 411
lxviii. 15-20 . . .
257
viii. 15-17 .....
411
lxxi. 1-5, 9-12, 16
lxxi. 17-24 .
127
354
Job.
Ixxii. ....
145
i. 1-5, 13-22 ....
. . . .293
Ixxiii. 12-14, 16-20, 25
26 .
352
i. 6-12
. 128 ■
lxxviii. 18-21 .
42
lxxviii. 1-7, 13-16
434
♦
INDEX.
525
PSALMS.
Ixxviii. 22-35
Ixxx. 1-7 .
Ixxxi. 11-16
lxxxiv.
Ixxxvii.
xo.
xc. 5, 6
xci. 1-K3
xoii. 1-4, 12-15
xciii. .
xciv. 12-14
xcv.
xovi. .
xcvii. .
xcviii. .
ci.
cii. 1, 6-8
ciii.
ciii. 17, 18
civ. 1-9
cv.
cvii. 21-30
ex.
cxi. 1-5
cxii.
cxiii. .
cxiv. 1-8
cxiv. 14-21
cxv.
cxvi. .
cxviii. 22-29
cxix. 40-45
cxix. 57-60, 63, 6
cxx. 1-7
exxi. .
exxii. .
exxiii. 1-3
exxvi. 5,
exxvii.
exxvii. 1, 2
exxviii.
exxxi. .
exxxii. 1-8, 13-16
exxxiii. 1-3
exxxiv. 1
exxxvi. 1, 4-15
exxxvii.
exxxviii.
exxxix. 1-12, 14-18, 23
cxli.
cxliv. 9-15 .
cxlvi. 5-10 .
exlvii. 1-6, 11, 12
cxlviii.
Proverbs.
i. 20-33 . .
iv. 14, 15, 20-27 .
viii. 22, 23, 30-36
ix. 1-6 ...
X. 11-13, 18-21, 23, 31, 32
xvi. 16-22, 25
RAGE.
134
390
75
364
218
423
444
424
447
55
CG2
313
395
395
176
431
407
392
440
56
93
239
137
369
394
234
416
68
106
380
210
84
139
302
8, 446
430
311
207
106
207
117
SO, 176
292
162
162
263
279
234
6
303
438
193
346
431
45
133
312
51
277
Proverbs.
xxi. 8-10, 19, 23, 24 .
xxii. 1, 2, 4, 16. 22, 23
xxiv. 11, 12, 17-20, 28,
xxxi. 10-31
ECCLESIASTES.
V. 1, 2, 4
v. 10-16
viii. 2-5
RAGE.
. 159
03
46
345
Isaiah.
i. 11-18
iv.' 2-6 .
v. 1-7 .
ix. 1-8 .
xi. 6
xi. 1-10
xii. 1-6
xxv. 1,4-9
xxviii. 14-18
xxxii. 1,2,14-20
xxxv. 1-6
xl. 1-8 .
xl. 9-17
xl. 18-31
xlii. 1-12, 16
xliv. 3, 4
1. 6-10.
lii.
liii. .
lix. 1, 2, 14-
lx. 1-14
lx. 15-22
Ixi. 1-3
Ixii. 1-7
lxiii. 1-14
Jeremiah. .
xii. 22-28
xvii. 5-11
xxiii. 24-29
xxxi. 15-17
xxxiii. 7-11
1. 29-34
EZEKIEL.
i. 26-28
viii. 1-4
xiv. 12-14, 19, 20
xvii. 22-24 .
xviii. 1-4, 19-23
xxxiii. 6-9 .
xxxiv. 1-4, 8-10
Daxiel.
iv. 30-33
v. 17-31
vi. 4-11, 15-23
ix. 21, 22, 25-27
xii. 2, 3
Hosea.
vi. 1-
47
357
278
156
154
366
110
444
111
189
258
256
154
205
414
313
177
12
440
242
192
101
416
290
122
43
419
402
372
83
70
415
181
279
322
54
173
174
235
347
92
389
404
243
89
386
526
INDEX.
Joel. page.
ii. 28-32 11
iii. 14-20 305
Jonah.
ii. 1-7 204
iii. 3-10 143
MlCAH.
iv. 1-7 305
Habakkutc.
iii. 17-19 379
Zechabiah.
viii. 3-6 439
xiii. 1, 6, 7 105
xiv. 6, 7, 20 122
Malachi.
iii. 1-5. 31
iv. 1-5 28
Matthew.
ii. 1-12
ii. 13-23
iii. 1-12
iv. 1-11
iv. 18-25
v. 1-12
v. 13-24
v. 29-37
v. 38-48
vi. 1-8, 16-18
vi. 19-34
vii. 1-12
vii. 13-29
ix. 27-38
x. 16-22, 37-
x. 24-33
xi. 1-19
xi. 20-30
xii. 22-30
xii. 31-37
xii. 38-50
xiii. 24-30, ;
xiii. 44-58
xiv. 22-33
xv. 21-31
xvi. 1-12
xvi. 13-20
xvi. 21-27
xviii. 1-4
xviii. 5-14
xviii. 15-22
xviii. 23-35
xix. 4-6
xx. 1-16
xxiii. 1-12
xxiii. 13-28
xxiii. 29-33,
xxiv. 1-22
xxiv. 23-35
-43
413
415
27
326
314
43
44
45
40
47
125
126
127
142
143
155
156
203
187
188
204
205
275
276
277
440
302
303
304
437
339
347
348
391
396
397
Matth£w.
xxiv. 36-51 .
xxv. 1-13 .
xxv. 14-30 .
xxv. 31-46 .
xxvi. 36-47 .
xxvi. 47-58, 69-
Makk.
i. 21-34
i. 35-45
ii. 1-12.
ii. 13-22
ii. 23-28
iii. 1-6 .
iv. 1-9, 14-2
iv. 26-34
iv. 35-41
v. 1-20 .
V. 22-24, 35,
v. 25-34
vi. 1-13.
vi. 14-29
vii. 1-16
viii. 31-38
ix. 14-29
x. 13-16
x. 35-52
xi. 12-14, 21
xii. 1-12
xii. 13-27
xii. 28-37, 41
xiv. 22-27
xiv. 55-65
Luke.
ii. 1, 3-5, 7-20
ii. 22, 24-38
ii. 25-35
ii. 40-52
iv. 16-32
vii. 1-10
vii. 11-17
vii. 36-50
ix. 28-36
ix. 51-62
x. 1-16
x. 17-24
x. 25-37
xi. 5-13
xi. 37-46
xii. 1-9.
xii. 13-21, 3
xii. 49-59
xiii. 1-9
xiii. 23-35
xiv. 1-14
xiv. 15-24
xv. 1-10
xv. 11-32
xvi. 1-15
xvi. 19-31
xvii. 1-10
PAGE.
398
419
400
401
102
406
40
INDEX.
527
Luke.
xvii. 11-19
xvii. 20-37
xix. 1-10
xix. 11-27
xxii. 1-16
xxii. 24-38
xxiii. 26-43
xxiii. 44-56
xxiv. 13-32
xxiv. 36-49
John.
i. 1-18 .
i. 19-28
i. 29-42
i. 43-51
. ii. 1-11 .
ii. 13-25
iii. 1-21
iii. 25-36
iv. 1-15
iv. 16-30
iv. 31-42
. iv. 43-54
v. 1-15 .
v. 16-29
v. 30-47
vi. 1-14
vi. 22-36
vi. 37-47
vi. 48-58
vi. 59-71
vii. 14-31
vii. 37-53
viii. 12-29
viii. 30-45
viii. 46-59
ix. 1-16
ix. 24-41
x. 1-18 .
x. 19-42
xi. 1-17
xi. 18-37
xi. 25, 26
xi. 38-54
xii. 1-19
xii. 20-36
xii. 37-48
xiii. 1-17
xiii. 18-35
xiv. 1-14
xiv. 15-31
xv. 1-10
xv. 11-27
xvi. 1-20
xvi. 23-33
xvii. 1-13
xvii. 14-26
xviii. 28-40
xix. 1-18
xix. 19-30
xx. 1-8. 11.
l'AGE.
380
120
383
384
98
405
103
428
2
105
153
28
5
29
30
31
209
202
64
65
66
67
91
131
132
133
134
135
82
189
166
167
168
193
195
253
254
328
329
450
330
297
298
403
99
338
34
100
366
367
368
258
S69
370
407
408
104
429
John.
xx. 19-31
xxi. 1-13
xxi. 15-25
Acts.
i. 1-14 .
i. 15-26
ii. 37-47
iii. 1-11
iii. 12-26
iv. 1-22
iv. 23-37
v. 1-16 .
v. 17-32
vii. 51-60
viii. 5-25
viii. 26-40
ix. 1-18
ix. 19-31
ix. 32-43
x. 1-18
x. 34-48
xii. 1-17
xiii. 32-48
xiv. 8-22
xv. 5-21
xvi. 13-24
xvi. 25-40
xvii. 16-19, 22-32
xviii. 1-11
xix.
xx. 17-38
xxii. 12-14, 16-30
xxiii. 1-11
xxv. 1-12
xxvi. 19-32
xxvii. 21-35, 38, 3
xxviii. 1-15 .
xxviii. 16-31
Romans.
i. 16-25, 28-32
ii. 1-16
iii. 10-31
iv. 1-12, 20-25
v. .
vi. 1-23
vii. 9-25
viii. 1-13
viii. 14-27
viii. 28-39
ix. 14-33
x. 1-21
xii. 14-21
xiii.
xiv. 1-17
xv. 1-13
xi. 22-36
', 41-
PAGE.
18
409
410
73
136
76
77
13
22
79
80
123
19
124
20
21
22
323
169
170
171
219
220
221
222
223
233
235
237
238
286
287
288
289
315
316
317
107
35
108
109
112
321
84
85
86
67
260
14
280
278
388
394
337
1 Corinthians.
i. 17-31
ii.
9
206
528
INDEX.
1 Corinthians.
iii. 5-15
x. 1-15
x. 16-33
xi. 23-34
xii. 12-31
xiii.
xv.
xv. 20-38
xv. 39-58
2 Corinthians.
i. 1-14 .
iii.
iv. 6-18
v. 1-10 .
v. 11-21
vi. 1-18
xii. 1-10
Galatians.
ii. 15-21
iii. 16-29
iv. 1-11, 21-26, 2?
v. 1-6, 13-26
vi.
Ephesians.
i. 1-14 .
i. 15-23
ii. 1-7 .
ii. 8-21 .
iii. 8-21
iv. 17-32
v. 23-33
vi. 1-20
Philippians.
i. 12-30
ii. 1-11
iii. 1-14, 20, 21
iv. 1-13
1 Thessaloniaxs.
iv. 13-18
v. 1-10 .
v. 12-28
PAGE.
207
42
3S1
266
310
129
113
114
115
448
274
250
306
291
236
322
336
116
160
8S2
399
184
185
185
210
257
324
437
325
23
130
379
158
451
451
418
2 Thessalonians.
i. 1-12 .
1 Timothy.
ii. 8-14 .
vi. 6-21
2 Timothy.
i. 1-15 .
ii. 1-15 .
iv. 1-8, 16-18
Hebrews.
i. 1-14 .
ii. 18-16
346
345
226
152
417
24
Hebrews. page.
iii 144
iv. 1-16 327
vi 178
vii. 17-28 138
viii 146
ix. 1-14 . 147
ix. 15-28 148
x. 1-18 149
X. 19-31, 35-39 150
xi. 1-10, 12-16 10
xi. 17, 19-30, 32-40 217
xii. 1-13 362
xii. 14-29 268
xiii. 1-3, 5-21 282
James.
i. 1-21 .
i. 22-27
ii. 1-13 .
ii. 14-26
iii.
iv. 1-17
v. 1-20 .
Jude.
6, 7, 17-21
Revelation.
i. 4-8 .
iii. 1-13
iii. 14-22
v. 9-14 .
vi. 12-17
xii. 7-12
xiv. 13-16
xv. 1-4, 7, 8
xix. 7-9
xix. 11-16
xx. 11-15
xxi. 1-8
H
62
63
62
157
284
m
1 Peter.
i. 3-12 243
i. 13-25 355
ii. 1-12 ... 256
ii. 13-25 390
iii. 8-22 224
iv. 1-19 363
v ,. 194
2 Peter.
i. 1-21 353
ii. 4-9 53
iii 59
1 John.
i. 1-3, 6-10 135
iv. 7-21 .162
v. 9-13, 20 202
119
;5, 137
365
386
130
291
155
187
263
437
110
60
60
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