July 21

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 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 themselves;

4 Praying us with much entreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints

5 And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.

6 Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also.

7 Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also.

8 I speak not by commandment, but by occasion 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 may 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 according to that he hath not

13 For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened;

14 But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want, that there may be equality;

15 As it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack.

The fact of self-consecration the apostle gives as the motive power of Macedonian liberality. God wants more than our money—He wants ourselves, our love. If self is consecrated, that will settle all else. What to do and what not to do will be no longer a debatable question.

Perfect consecration is the secret of the highest safety. Billy Bray quaintly said: "I resolved to be nothing; for the devil cannot get hold of nothing." In a consecrated man there is nothing for Satan to appeal to—no ready response to his seductions.

"Some time ago a man came to his home, exclaiming, 'Wife, I have made my will—I have made my will!' His companion was startled, and inquired, 'What do you mean, husband?' He replied, 'I have been willing body, soul and spirit--all that I am, and all that I have, to Jesus!' That was the best day's work the man had ever done. Joy divine filled his heart and house! With such sacrifices God is well pleased."—Guide to Holiness.

Closet Promise.—The Lord hath set apart him that is godly for Himself.—Psalm iv. 3.

It has been truly said: "Consecration is not wrapping one's self in a holy web in the sanctuary, and then coming forth after prayer and twilight meditating, and saying, 'There, I am consecrated.' Consecration is going out into the world where God is, and using every power for His glory. It is taking all advantages as trust funds—as confidential debts owed to God. It is simply dedicating one's life in its whole flow to God's service."

It would be true consecration as expressed by Madame Guyon:

"I place an offering at that shrine, From tunt and blemish clear, Simple and pure in its design, Of all that I hold dear.

"I yield: Thee back Thy gifts again, Thy gifts which most I prize, Desiring only to retain. The notice of Thine eyes."

THE CHILDREN'S CORNER.

Breakfast Motto.—In everything give thanks—1 Thess. v. 18. Weekly Proverb.—The world is his who has patience.—Italian.

DAILY BIBLE READING. BIBLE CHILDREN.

Sunday.—An Obedient Boy.—Gen. xxii. 1-19.

Monday.—The Faithful Little Sister.—Ex. ii. 1-10.

Tuesday.—The Boy-Preacher.—1 Sam. iii. 1-21.

Wednesday.—A Little Boy King.—2 Kings xxii. 1-20.

Thursday.—Only a Baby.—2 Sam. xii. 15 23

Friday.—The Temperance Boy.—Dan. i. 1-21.

Saturday.—A Bible-Loving Boy.—2 Tim. iii. 1-17.

HELPFUL LITTLES.

I'm only a little stray sunbeam, I can't do much, you know, To brighten the world as I pass along, But I'll do what I can as I go Perhaps some little corner Would be darker without my light; If that be true, it's my duty to try And make that corner bright

Such a wee, wee little birdie, And my voice is not very strong;

No doubt, in a crowd of singers You would scarcely hear my song, For it's only a feeble effort When I do my very best; But if I can't sing to the wide world I can sing for my home nest.

Just a little drop of water, What good can one drop do? But the blade of grass it fell on Was refreshed and greener grew.

Then, little drops, you know, make up The rivers and ocean wide.

Though only a drop, I, too, must help To swell this wondrous tide.

Such a tiny wayside flower, 'Most hidden among the grass,

Men go or hurriedly by me, Nor notice me as they pass.

But then, if this spot is gladder For my growing here, I know,

It is just what God designed for me, And so I'll continue to grow.

Just a little boy or girl

Doing the best they can,

She grows up to thoughtful, womanhood, And he is an earnest man

But all along life's journey Heart and land find work to do,

For the "fields are white to harvest, And the laborers are few."

—Selected

Who went about doing good—Acts x. 38.

It was Jesus "who went about doing good." He was a missionary; and we ought to be missionaries like Jesus. I want to tell you some things you can do. Do you know of any sick children or old people near you? If so, carry some flowers or fruit to them. Is there a blind person in your neighborhood? Make a visit and ask if you can't read to them. I wish all my little friends would become regular tract distributors. I will tell you how I have the children of my church do sometimes. We will suppose the name of one little girl is Mary. Well, I give Mary six tracts and five houses to go to near by her own home. She starts out at 9 o'clock every Sunday morning. She leaves one tract at each of the five houses and tells the people that she will call and get it next Sunday if they will read it. Now, you see, when she gets round she has one tract left over—the sixth one. She starts out with that next Sunday, and when she takes up the one they have read in the first house she gives them that in return; then she gives the one she just took up to the next house and takes up theirs. So all round. I hope you will become a little tract girl or boy.

THIRTIETH WEEK.

PEARL TEXT.—To every man his work. Mark xii. 34.

God doth not need Either man's works or His own gifts. Who best Bear his mild yoke they serve Him best. His wake

Is kingly; thousands at His bidding speed, And post o'er land and ocean without rest; They also serve who only stand and wait. —Selected.

Not to enjoy life, but to EMPLOY life, ought to be our aim and inspiration. —Macduff.

The more God empties your hands of other works, the more ye may know He has special work to give them.—Garret.

Perhaps your Master knows what a capital plowman you are; and He never means to let you become a reaper, because you do the plowing so well. —Spurgeon.

HELPS FOR THE DEVOTIONAL HOUR.