October 9

1 Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour.

2 And a certain man came from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple:

3 Who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked an alms.

4 And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us.

5 And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them.

6 Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.

7 And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up; and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.

8 And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.

9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God:

10 And they knew that it was he which sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened into him.

11 And as the lame man which was healed held Peter and John, all the people ran together unto them in the porch that is called Solomon's, greatly wondering

Peter and John went up together into the temple "at the hour of prayer." The pentecostal fire of yesterday never does away with the necessity of "the hour of prayer" to-day. Times of revival must be followed by zeal and devotion, or the ingathering will amount to little.

"Peter said, Silver and gold have I none." Then a child of God may be poor—have no bank account. But the power that lifts and heals a crippled world, is not to be found in men's pocket-books. "Rise up and walk"—that was their power. And that is the power which the Church needs, and for which the world fastens its eyes upon her.

"The man sought alms, which the apostles could not give; but they gave him that which was immeasurably better—the ability to earn money, and be evermore independent of alms. Health without money is infinitely better than money without health. In giving the greater blessing they gave the less. The gospel does not aim directly at improving men's circumstances; it aims at improving men, and the improvement in circumstances follows as a matter of course. It is vastly better to make men good than to do them good."—R. R. Meredith, D. D.

Closet Promise.—Ye people, pour out your heart before Him: God is a refuge for us.—Psalm lxii. 8.

Whatsoever it is that presses thee, go tell thy Father; put over the matter into His hand, and so thou shalt be freed from that dividing, perplexing care that the world is full of. When thou art either to do or suffer anything, when thou art about any purpose or business, go tell God of it, and acquaint Him with it; yea, burden Him with it, and thou hast done for matter of caring; no more care, but quiet, sweet diligence in thy duty, and dependence on Him for the carriage of thy matters. Roll thy cares, and thyself with them, as one burden, all on thy God.—R. Leighton.