August 11

1 And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the back side, sealed with seven seals.

2 And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?

3 And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.

4 And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.

5 And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.

6 And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as if had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth:

7 And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne

8 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps,

and golden vials fell of odours, which are the prayers of saints

9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof; for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;

10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests; and we shall reign on the earth.

11 And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne, and the beasts, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;

12 Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.

13 And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, do unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.

14 And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.

"Thou art worthy." That was the burden of the new song—worthy "to take the book"—worthy "to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing." The song that had been of old was of Him that sitteth upon the throne, "Thou art worthy to receive glory, and honor, and power." The new song recognized the equal right of the Son to receive adoration with the Father. How worthy to reign!

how worthy in His holiness! And if it be permitted us to stand at last by His grace and power, made like Him, who of us will not say, "Thou art worthy to reign?"

"Oh, poor bewildered soul, do not be afraid. There is no rock in the harbor where you are going. Love on, love more; and do not fear that in the last day you will find that you have put the crown on the wrong head. Crown the Lord Jesus Christ—crown Him Lord of all—for you are safe in worshipping Him."—H. W. Beecher.

"God's lion was a lamb"—Moody. He was a "lion to conquer Satan—a lamb to satisfy justice." The key to God's providence is the death of Christ. It opens the book that He has given us here—and also unlooses the seals of the book there. "God so loved the world" is the main theme of both books.

Closet Promise.—A little while and ye shall not see Me; because I go to My father.—John xvi. 16.

| "So I am watching quietly Every day; Whenever the sun shines brightly, I live and say, 'Surely it is the shining of His Face,' And look to the gates of His high place Beyond the sea. For I know He is coming shortly To summon me; | And when a shadow falls across the window of my room Where I am working my appointed task, I lift my head to watch the door, and ask If He is come? And the Angel answers sweetly In my Home, 'Only a few more shadows, And He will come!'" | | --- | --- |

THE CHILDREN'S CORNER.

Breakfast Motto.—Ask, and it shall be given you.—Luke xi. 9. Weekly Proverb.—All is not gold that glitters.—English.

DAILY BIBLE READING—SEVEN CUPS.

Sunday.—Of Trembling.—Zech. xii. 2; Isa. li. 17-23.

Monday.—Of Salvation.—Psalm cxvi. 1-19.

Tuesday.—Of Consolation.—Jer. xvi. 1-9.

Wednesday.—Of Suffering.—Matt. xx. 20-23.

Thursday.—Of Blessing.—1 Cor. x 13-33.

Friday.—Of the Lord.—Psalm xvi. 1-11.

Saturday.—Of Wrath.—Rev. xvi. 17-21.

DID GOD ROCK HER TO SLEEP?

"Mamma, why does not baby wake? And why put her away In that dark room and all alone, So long a time to-day?"

This spake a little four year old; And then his mother said, "Your baby-sister will no more Rise from her cradle bed:

For God has taken her away To live with Him above, Where Jesus and the angels are In His own home of love."

She led him to the cradle, where His infant sister lay, So beautiful, you scarce could think 'Twas only lifeiest clay. A moment gazed the child; then said, "O mamma, do not weep; I'm sure she'll wake up very soon— Did God risk her to sleep?"

Oh, sweet the thought! And by a child Her inmost heart was stirred, Silence a moment sealed her lips, And then her voice was heard: "Yes, darling, yes. I'm even so; Your words have brought to mind The waking that shall be for her, And God's own words so kind— 'He giveth His beloved sleep!'— I'll rest my heart in this; 'Tis true, I know it all before, But not with such a bliss." —Mary P. Hale.

A cheerful countenance.—Prov. xv. 13.

"Charlie, what is it that makes you so sweet?" said a loving mother, one day, to her little boy, as she pressed him to her bosom. "I dess, when God made me out of dust, He put a little thugar in," said Charlie. As a little girl was eating her dinner, the golden rays of the sun fell upon her spoon. She put the spoon to her mouth, exclaiming, "O ma, I have swallowed a whole spoonful of sunshine." I tell you, boys and girls, nothing makes little children so attractive as a "cheerful countenance." They may have beautiful hair, and good clothes, and handsome faces, but if they look cross and sour, people don't like them; but their faces may not be very pretty, and they may have poor clothes, still if they have sunshine in their faces everybody likes them. I will tell you when it is hard to be cheerful—when things disappoint you. A little boy went to his mother, one morning, with a broken arrow, and begged her to mend it. It was a very handsome arrow, and was the pride of his heart; so she did not wonder to see his lip quivering, and the tears come into his eyes. "I'll try to fix it, darling," she said; "but I'm afraid I can't do it." He watched her anxiously for a few moments, and then said cheerfully, "Never mind, mamma: if you can't fix it, I'll be just as happy without it." How lovely such a boy!

THE FIRST SUNBEAM.

This little fellow has suddenly stopped in his play. The beautiful sunshine, pouring in through the window, has won his dark eye.

"The sunbeam streamed across his way, Straight as the path to endless day; A cord of golden light Stretched from the window to the floor, With twinkling mates bespangled o'er, Like a comet's train at night.

"His little hand was then applied, And many a time the feat was tried, To grasp the sparkling train; His dumpy hat would ope and come, Translucent as the ruby rose; But each attempt was vain."

Like this little boy, if we attempt to catch the sunshine, we shall fail. But we can be full of sunshine ourselves. As a little girl was eating her dinner, the golden rays of the sun fell upon her spoon. She put the spoon to her mouth, exclaiming, "O ma, I have swallowed a whole spoonful of sunshine!" If we have Christ in us, we shall not only be full of sunshine, but we shall have the Sun of Righteousness Himself, and that is better still.

(415)

THIRTY-THIRD WEEK.

PEARL TEXT.—And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.—Matt. x. 42.

Teach us, O Lord, to keep in view Thy pattern and Thy steps pursue;

Let alms bestowed, let kindness done, Be witnessed by each rolling sun —Selected

He doeth much who loveth much; he also doeth much who doeth well. —Thomas a Kempis.

Every one must have felt that a cheerful friend is like a sunny day, which sheds its brightness on all around; and most of us can, as we choose, make of this world either a palace or a prison.—Sir John Lubbock.

The Lord never meant that we should make of our immediate and daily work prison walls to shut ourselves in, so as to take no part in the vast interests of humanity. We all belong to the whole of God's world, and nothing which concerns it ought to find us indifferent. It is not meant that we should live to ourselves, but we are all called on to live for every truth, every human interest, every human need, as the Lord sends them to us or sends us to them.—James Freeman Clarke.

HELPS FOR THE DEVOTIONAL HOUR.