April 19

1 Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work.

2 To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.

3 For we ourselves also were sometime foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.

4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared.

5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy be saved

us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;

7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.

9 But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.

A man's religion consists in something else than in duty toward God. It must control the whole circle of his relationships, and make him a better citizen as well as a better man. Indeed, it cannot do the one without doing the other.

In our lesson we see What the Christian citizen should do (vers. 1, 2); What he was (vers. 3-7); What he should maintain (verse 8); What he should avoid (verse 9).

The best citizens are Christian men. They are so, for the reason that, having learned to obey the law of God, they are willing to obey the laws of men, so far as they do not conflict with God's higher law. Next to the government of God, the government of man, under which we live, demands our prompt and willing obedience.

"Ready for every good work." That should be the reputation of every Christian. The "good work" here had in view was any work such as the government might call upon one to do. In relation to every call other than is forbidden by the law of his God, a Christian specially should be "ready"—prompt and willing. He should set to all others an example of good citizenship.

Closet Promise.—Surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God.—Eccles. viii. 12.

God holds the key of all unknown, And I am glad; If other hands should hold the key, Or if He trusts it to me, I might be sad.

What if tomorrow's cares were here Without its rest? I had rather He unlock the day, And as the hours swing open say, "My will is best."

The very dimness of my sight Makes me secure, For groping in my misty way,

I feel His hand—I hear Him say, "My help is sure."

I cannot read His future plan, But this I know; I have the smiling of His face, And all the refuge of His grace, While here below.

Enough; this covers all my want, And so I rest; For what I cannot, He can see, And in His care I sure shall be Forever blest

—Rev. John Parker.