June 23

1 The Song of songs, which is Solomon's 2 Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth; for thy love is better than wine. 3 Because of the savour of thy good orments thy name is an eminent poured forth, therefore do the virgins love thee. 4 I saw me, we will run after thee; the King hath brought me into his chambers; we will be glad and rejoice in thee, we will remember thy love more than wine: the upright love thee. 5 I am black, but comely, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, as the tents of Kedar, as the curtains of Solomon. 6 Look not upon me, because I am black, because the sun hath looked upon me: my mother's children were angry with me; they made me the keeper of the vineyards; but mine or a vineyard have I not kept. 7 Tell me, O thou whom my soul loveth, where thou feedest, where thou makest thy flock to rest at noon: for why should I be as one that turneth aside by the flocks of thy companions?

8 If thou know not, O thou fairest among women, go thy way forth by the footsteps of the flock, and feed thy kids beside the shepherds' tents. 9 I have compared thee, O my love, to a company of horses in Pharaoh's chariots. 10 Thy checks are comely with rows of jewels, thy neck with chains of gold. 11 We will make thee borders of gold with studs of silver. 12 While the King siteth at his table, my spiked and sendeth forth the smell thereof. 13 A bundle of myrrh is my well beloved unto me; he shall be all night betwixt my breasts. 14 My beloved is unto me as a cluster of rations; here in the vineyards of En-gedi. 15 Behold, thou art fair, my love; behold, thou art fair; thou hast doves' eyes. 16 Behold, thou art fair, my beloved, yea, pleasant: also our bed is green. 17 The beams of our house are cedar, and our rafters of fir.

In this chapter we have set forth the Church's love unto Christ. The song of songs is the unchanging, everlasting love of God in Christ.

"Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth." And what are the kisses of Jesus but the manifestation of Himself to His people? Old Testament saints longed for this blessing, and New Testament believers live by the same faith in the enjoyment of it. The cause is most evident indeed, for the love of Jesus passeth knowledge. Shall we not then join in this sweet Scripture, and say, as the Church did: "Let Jesus kiss me with the kisses of his mouth?" Oh, then, with the Church, let us cry out as she did: "Tell me, O thou whom my soul loveth, where thou feedest, where thou makest thy flock to rest at noon: for why should I be as one that turneth aside by the flocks of thy companions?" "Thy love is better than wine." "Wine is the symbol of earthly joy; and who that has had but one sip of the love of Christ does not know this 'royal wine,' this true 'wine of the kingdom,' to be better than the best joy that the world can give? How much more, then, when deeper and fuller draughts are the daily portion, as we 'follow on to know' the love 'which passeth knowledge!' It is the privilege not of a favored few, but of 'all saints,' to comprehend something of what is incomprehensible."—F. R. Havergal.

Closet Promise.—I will betroth thee unto Me forever; yea, I will betroth thee unto Me in righteousness, and in judgment, and in loving-kindness, and in mercies. I will even betroth thee unto Me in faithfulness: and thou shalt know the Lord.—Hos. ii. 19.

The Master said, "Thou gavest me no kiss." Was ever reproof more tender than was this To the self-righteous Simon in his pride, For art of common courtesy denied? "But lo, this woman with a service sweet, Amounts, and ceases not to kiss my feet."

No kiss! I think on many busy days, I told in life, amid its varied ways; I speak to Christ, yes, many times a day; But do not stop my weary head to lay

Upon His breast, His tender smile to greet, And kiss my loving Saviour, as is meet He who to duties stern for us did bow, Craved earthly love like this; then why not now? Return, my soul, and lean upon His breast, Loving and being loved is sweetest rest. Deem it an honor worth a life to meet, If thou mayst only clasp and kiss His feet —S. M. Parker.

THE CHILDREN'S CORNER.

Breakfast Motto.—Open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it.—Psalm lxxxi. 10.

Weekly Proverb.—God helps them that help themselves.—Poor Richard.

DAILY BIBLE READING—EMBLEMS OF JESUS

Sunday.—Chiefest Among Ten Thousand.—Song of Solomon v. 1-16.

Monday.—The Shadow of a Great Rock.—Isaiah xxxii. 1-20.

Tuesday.—As a Mediator.—Hebrews xii. 18-29.

Wednesday.—As a Physician.—Luke v. 27-39.

Thursday.—As a Prophet.—Luke xxiv. 13-53.

Friday.—As a King.—John xii. 1-19.

Saturday.—As the Tree of Life.—Revelation xxii. 1-21.

THE CLOSE FISTED ECONOMIST

Dick and Edward and little Joe Sat in a corner in a row; They saw their patient mother go On ceaseless errands to and fro; They saw that her form was bent and thin, Her temples gray, her cheeks sunk in; They saw the quiver of lip and chin,

And then with wrath he could not smother Outspoke the youngest, frailest brother: "You talk of savin' wood and ale, An' tes an' vagar all the while, But you never talk of saving mother!" —Selected.

Do that which is honest.—2 Cor. xiii. 7.

A gentleman jumping from an omnibus in New York lost his pocketbook. In a little while he discovered his loss, and hastily returned, inquiring of every one he met if a pocket-book had been found. Meeting a little girl of ten years of age he made the same inquiry. She asked, "What kind of a pocket-book?" He described it. Then unfolding her apron, "Is this it?" "Yes, that is mine; come into this store with me." The gentleman examined the papers. "That is all right," said he; "fifteen notes of a thousand dollars each. Take this note of a thousand dollars as a reward for your honesty." "No," said the little girl, "I cannot take it. I have been taught in Sunday-school not to keep what is not mine, and my parents would think I had stolen it." "Take me to your parents then!" She took him to her humble home. The gentleman not only gave the gift, but provided work for the father. Dear children, it always pays to be honest. The Rev. Dr. Sargent states that during the days of slavery, a smart, active colored boy was put up for sale. A kind master who pitied his condition went to him, and said, "If I buy you, will you be honest?" The boy, with a look that baffled description, replied, "I will be honest whether you buy me or not." That was true honesty!

TWENTY-SIXTH WEEK.

PEARL TEXT.—Hitherto have ye asked nothing in My name, ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.—John xvi. 24.

Reality! Reality!

Lord Jesus Christ, Thou art to me,

From the spectral mists and driving clouds,

From the shifting shadows and phantom crowds,

From unreal words and unreal lives,

Where truth with falsehood freely strives,

From the passings away, the chance and change,

Flickerings—vanishing—swift and strange,

I turn to my glorious rest in Thee,

Who art the grand Reality. —Selected.

The soul is the life of the body. Faith is the life of the soul. Christ is the life of faith.—Flavel.

Every step toward Christ kills a doubt. Every thought, word and deed for Him carries you away from discouragement—T. L. Cuyler.

When you are reading a book in a dark room, and come to a difficult part, you take it to a window and get more light. So take your Bible to Christ.—McCheyne.

HELPS FOR THE DEVOTIONAL HOUR.