July 22

1 And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain; and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:

2 And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying.

3 Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inbent the earth.

6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad; for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.

14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid.

15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven; but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

20 For I say unto you, that except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the serches and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

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21. Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment.

22. But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment; and whosoever shall say to his brother, Nara, shall be in danger of the council, but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.

23. Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath aught against thee.

24. Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first he reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

25. Agree with thine adversary quickly, while thou art in the way with him, lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.

26. Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.

"How to be happy" is everybody's question. Jesus answers it in these "beatitudes." True happiness is within. None are so rich as those who are poor in spirit. None so sure of comfort as those who turn unto God for consolation. All things are his who has God. The desire for righteousness is the only one not liable to be disappointed. "Mercy turns her back to the unmerciful." In order to see God we must be like Him. The peacemakers are blessed of God, and in the hearts of men. God has rewards greater than the injuries of men can inflict. Here Christians are called "the salt of the earth." They are to be the saviors of others. Christians are "the light of the world." Christians are the lights lighted—Christ the Light lighting."—St. Augustine.

"The Pharisee displays his light—the true Christian simply lets his light shine."—Abbott.

"A sunbeam has no more power to shine if it be severed from the sun than a man has to give light in this dark world if he be parted from Jesus Christ. Cut the current and the electric light dies, slacken the engine and the electric arc becomes dim, quicken it and it becomes bright."—A. Maclaren.

"Do not be a dark lantern, burning with the shades down, and illuminating nothing and nobody."—A. Maclaren.

Closet Promise.—My people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting-places—Isa. xxxii. 18.

"Oh, come and see! oh look, and look again! All shall be right; Oh, taste His love, and see that it is good, Thou child of night! Oh, trust Him—trust Him in His grace and power-- Then all is bright!

"Then shall thy tossing soul find anchorage And steadfast peace; Thy love shall rest on His; thy weary doubts Forever cease; Thy heart shall find, in Him and in His grace, Its rest and bliss."