November 3

As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. Galatians 6:10.

Our church-papers come to us with strong appeals for help. These appeals are voiced from the pulpit and in our various meetings. In the face of the dire need existing and of the earnest appeals brought to our notice, it is absolutely wrong for Christians to discourage one another in exercising their Christian duties. We should rather endeavor to be trees filled with fruits of righteousness and consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works. "As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith." This, too, will help us faithfully to conform our lives to the rule of the divine Word and to walk as it becometh the Gospel of Christ. The world is very quick to see whether we live according to the profession of our lips or not. The unbeliever has no respect for a Christianity that is indifferent, selfish, close, cold or hard.

When asked by Christ which of those three, the priest, the Levite, or the Samaritan, had acted as a neighbor to the one who had fallen among the thieves, the lawyer immediately pointed out the Samaritan. We owe it to the mercy of God that we have a Savior. How, then, can we be unmerciful to our fellow-men? Be merciful to others as your Father is merciful to you. "Give,

and it shall be given unto you." Collections are necessary for carrying on church-work; the poor must be supported, orphans housed, the sick looked after, students educated, buildings kept in repair. The heavenly Father gave you all you need for the support of your body and life, "good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over"; He gave you His dear Son, and in Him all that will make you truly happy. Oh, how willing should you be to give! Blessed is he who has learned to be a cheerful giver. The more he gives, the more he will receive. But he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly; being unmerciful, he will receive a bitter fruit.

Prayer.

O merciful God and Father, we pray Thee, forgive all our sins wherewith in the past years we have transgressed against Thee, either by doing what was wrong or by failing to do what was right. Cancel, we pray Thee, our sins of the past years with the blood of Thy dear Son, and in order to render us worthy of this grace, engender in our hearts true repentance, lest we carry any unforgiven sins over into the future. Forgive us our sins of omission. Make us willing to do good to all men. Let us be merciful and kind to others, exercising and showing truly Christian beneficence. Amen.

Day by day for Christ we find Some sweet task to do; Patient, loving, tender, kind, Little helpers true.