June 16

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 or our behalf, that ye may have somewhat to answer them which glory in appearance, and not in heart.

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; because 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 man.

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 reconciled 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 trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

20 Now then we are and assadors 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 righteousness of God in him.

The central thought of this chapter, so full of familiar Scriptures, is the first clause of the fourteenth verse: "For the love of Christ constraineth us." Paul felt that he spoke as an ambassador of God. That which constrained him at times to act with what appeared to be intemperate zeal, and at others with what seemed to be too much caution, was the love of Christ. He did not mean his love to Christ, but Christ's love for him. He could not resist a love like that. And neither could any one else, if that love were at all apprehended.

"The coldness of men toward Him would melt as do snow and ice under the rays of a summer's sun, if they once but came under its influence. Just as the earth responds to the beams of the summer sun, 'constrained' by them to bring forth its plants and flowers, so with the same sweet compulsion, which develops all that is best within a man, Paul was 'constrained' by the love of Christ. He was not constrained by the love of popular favor; he did not truckle to power; he did not seek notoriety; he was actuated solely in what he did by the love of Christ. What an immense influence one wields when it comes to be understood that that is his governing motive!"—Selected.

Closet Promise.—Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.—2 Cor. v. 17

O Jesus Christ, grow Thou in me, And an things else recede; My heart be duly nearer Thee, From sin be daily freed

Each day let Thy supporting might My weakness will embrace, My darkness vanish in Thy light, Thy life my death efface.

In Thy bright beams which on me fall Fade every evil thought, That I am nothing, Thou art all, I would be daily taught.

Make this poor self grow less and less; Be Thou my life and aim, O make me daisy, through Thy grace, More worthy of Thy name.

Daily more fail with Thee my heart, Daily from self more free; Thou, to whom prayer did strength impart, O my prayer hearer be

Let faith in Thee and in Thy might My every motive move, Be Thou alone my soul's delight, My passion and my love —J. C. Lowder, 1741.

THE CHILDREN'S CORNER.

Breakfast Motto.—If any man thirst, let him come unto Me and drink.— John vii. 38.

Weekly Proverb.—Beware of little expenses; a small leak will sink a great ship.—Poor Richard.

DAILY BIBLE READING.—EMBLEMS OF JESUS.

Sunday.—The Light of the World.—John viii. 12-32.

Monday.—The Way.—John xiv. 1-31.

Tuesday.—The Lily of the Valley.—Song of Solomon ii. 1-17.

Wednesday.—The Vine.—John xv. 1-27.

Thursday.—The Bread of Life.—John vi. 27-59.

Friday.—The Good Shepherd.—John x 1-21.

Saturday.—The Redeemer.—Isaiah xlix. 13-26.

HOW JOHNNY-JUMP-UP TURNED INTO A PANSY.

There was a little boy Whom his mother did employ In doing all the errands she could trump up; And she sent his feet so rumble After scissors, spoon, or thimble, Till the neighbors always called him Johnny Jump-Up.

Now this Johnny—little boy, Whom his mother did employ, Saying, "Johnny, Jump up, dear, and fetch the tarts, please!" Or, "Run, Johnny, to the spring, And a pull of water being." Don't you see he grew to be his mother's heart's ease!

Deceive not.—Prov. xxiv. 28.

I know a little boy who cheats when he plays marbles. When the other boys are not looking, he "inches up," or "he shoves." Then when they charge him with doing it, he says, "I didn't." Now, children, that boy is guilty of two sins: he deceives, for that is what cheating is; and he tells lies. I hope my little boy friends don't do that way. Boys and girls, always be honest. Be honest in your plays, be honest in your work; be honest in your school. In a country school a large class was standing to spell. The teacher put a very hard word to the scholar at the head, and he missed it; she passed it to the next, and the next, and so on through the whole class, till it came to the last scholar, the smallest of the class, and he spelled it right, at least the teacher understood him so; and he went to the head, above seventeen boys and girls, all older than himself. The teacher then turned round and wrote the word on the blackboard, so that they might all see how it was spelled, and learn it better. But no sooner had she written it than the little boy at the head cried, "Oh, I didn't say it so, Miss W—! I said it it stead of it;" and he went back to the foot of his own accord. He was too honest to take any credit that did not belong to him.

JESUS AND LITTLE CHILDREN.

When Jesus was on earth He showed His love even for the youngest child. He was pleased when mothers brought their little children to His feet. He took them in His arms; He put His hands on them and blessed them, saying, "Suffer little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of heaven." And though Jesus now lives in heaven, on His bright throne, He stills loves little children. He calls them to come to Him by prayer, and by faith, and by love. Some children are naughty. And you have no doubt been told that, "If children are naughty, nobody will love them." Ah! but Jesus does. He loves, He pities, even wicked children. And when He speaks of "the children," He doesn't leave one of them out. No—He means them all. Some are very poor. Some are blind. Some are deaf and dumb. Some are very ill. Some have no parents, no home, no food to eat but what they beg from door to door. But Jesus loves them—yes, every one—and He says, "Suffer them to come unto Me."

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TWENTY-FIFTH WEEK.

PEARL TEXT.—If riches increase, set not your heart upon them.—Psalm lxii. 10.

Think'st thou the man, whose mansions hold

The world-ing's pride, the miser's gold,

Obtains a richer prize

Than he, who in his cut at rest

Finds heavenly peace a willing guest,

And bears the earnest in his breast

Of treasures in the skies?

—Mrs. L. H. Sigourney.

Be not proud of riches but afraid of them, lest they be a silver bar to cross the way to heaven. You must answer for riches, but riches cannot answer for you.—Mason.

A London merchant wrote down these four rules for his own guidance, and embodied them in his practice for fifty years: "If rich, be not too joyful in having; too solicitous in keeping; too anxious in increasing; nor too sorrowful in losing." The Lord gave him wealth, and he used it well.—Denton's Anecdotes.

HELPS FOR THE DEVOTIONAL HOUR.