February 12

36 ¶ Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder

37 And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy.

38 Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death; tarry ye here, and watch with me

39 And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou no?

40 And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?

41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation, the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

42 He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done

43 And he came and found them asleep again, for their eyes were heavy.

44 And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the bird time, saying the same words.

45 Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Steep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners

46 Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me

47 ¶ And while he yet spake, in Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people

48 Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he; hold him fast

49 And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, Master; and kisse him.

50 And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him.

51 And, behind one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest, and smote off his ear

52 Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again (91)

1 thy sword into his place; for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.

53 Thirest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?

54 But how then shall the Scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?

55 In that same hour said Jesus to the mul-

trudes, Are ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves for to take me? I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and ye laid no hold on me.

56 But all this was done, that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.

"'My will, not thine, bed one,' turned Paradise into a desert. 'Thy will, not mine be done,' turned the desert into Paradise, and made Gethsemane the gate of heaven."—E. de Pressensé, D. D.

"I know no duty in religion more generally agreed on, nor more justly required by God Almighty, than a perfect submission to His will in all things; nor do I think any disposition of mind can either please Him more, or become us better, than that of being satisfied with all He gives, and contented with all He takes away. None, I am sure, can be of more honor to God, nor of more ease to ourselves. For if we consider Him as our Maker, we cannot contend with Him; if as our Father, we ought not to distrust Him; so that we may be confident, whatever He does is intended for our good; and whatever happens that we interpret otherwise, yet we can get nothing by repining, nor save anything by resisting."—Sir Wm. Temple.

"Proud dust is apt to fly in God's face upon every motion of the afflicting passions; and by the resistance of self-will He is provoked to more severity."—W. Bates.

"The historian tells of a clear vein of water that springs from Mongibel, that great furnace, that always sends forth smoke or flames, yet is as cool as if it distilled from a snowy mountain. Thus the saints in the fiery trial have been often refreshed with Divine comforts, and such humble submissions and gracious thanksgivings have proceeded from their lips, as have been very comfortable to those about them."—W. Bates.

Closet Promise.—And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He heareth us.—1 John v. 14.

"Not as I will"—the sound grows sweet Each time my lips the words repeat.

"Not as I will!"—The darkness feels More safe than light when this thought steals Like whispered voice to calm and bless All unrest and all loneliness.

"Not as I will," because the One Who loved us first and best has gone Before us on the road, and still For us must all His love fulfill, "Not as we will."

—Helen Hunt Jackson.