May 2

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, as travail upon a woman with child; 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, putting on the likeestplace of faith and love, and for a helmet, the hope of salvation 9 For God hath not appointed 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 11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as a so ye do

One main object of the apostle in writing his letters to the Thessalonians was to correct the erroneous impressions which they had with regard to the

Lord's second coming and their attitude towards it. He declares to them that the time of the Lord's coming is uncertain—that it will come as a thief in the night. But, in this chapter, he turns their thoughts from star-gazing to homely duties, and exhorts to the faithful discharge of them, that through their neglect the name of Christ might not fall into reproach.

"Therefore let us not sleep, as do others: but let us watch and be sober." This is a military figure. An army is watchful, whether upon the march or in the camp.

"Now we are making a campaign through life. We are upon an enemy's ground; we are surrounded, or liable to be surrounded, with adversaries who will rush in upon us, and take us captives at unawares. We are commanded, therefore, to do as soldiers do, whether in fort or in camp—to be always vigilant, always prepared."—H. W. Beecher.

Closet Promise.—And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever.—Isa. xxxii. 17.

It matters not where or what we are, so we be His servants. They are happy who have a wide field and great strength to fulfil His missions of compassion; and they, too, are blessed who, in sheltered homes and narrow ways of duty, wait upon Him in lowly services of love. Wise or simple, gifted or slender in knowledge, in the world's gaze or in hidden paths, high or low, encompassed by affections and joys of home, or lonely and content in God alone, what matters, so that they bear the seal of the living God? Blessed company, unknown to each other, unknowing even themselves!—H. E. Manning.