January 1

Hebrews i. — 1. God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets.

2. Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; 3. Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; 4. Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. 5. For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son? 6. And again, when he bringeth in the first-begotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him. 7. And of the angels he saith, Who maketh

his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire.

8. But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God! is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom. 9. Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity: therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows. 10. And thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands. 11. They shall perish; but thou remainest: and they all shall wax old as doth a garment; 12. And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail. 13. But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand until I make thine enemies thy footstool? 14. Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?

The Bible, which for convenience we read by chapters or sections, and which to matter and in God admits of every forms of division, is yet, in theme and purpose, always one and the same. This unity appears most strikingly in the harmony of its free-rings concerning God and man and the way of salvation. That sixty-six separate books, written by forty distinct authors, at intervals during sixteen hundred years, composed in every variety of style, and under all possible conditions of life, should agree in their teachings upon the most momentous problems that have tasked the mind of man, is beyond the range of human probability. It was God who spoke alike in the Old Testament and in the New. But the whole revelation, extending over so wide a range of agencies,

and through so long a period of time, centered in Christ, by whom and for whom all things were made. Every token, title, work, attribute, office, honor of divinity, is here ascribed to Christ. He created the works, he upholds the universe; he sits as God upon the throne of eternity; he is worshipped by the hosts of heaven; he is the impress of the substance of the Godhead, and the brightness of his glory. This ineffable Person has spoken to us, has lived among us, has died for us that he might purge our sins. What a privilege to have the word of Christ! What a responsibility to neglect it! As we begin the daily reading of his word, let us implore him to guide, to teach, to sanctify us by the Spirit of truth, whom he has promised to all who shall ask in faith.

APPROPRIATE HYMNS.]

Prayer.

[Nos. 11, 18, 36.

O Almighty God, whom truly to know is everlasting life! grant us perfectly to know thy Son Jesus Christ to be the way, the truth, and the life; that, following the steps of thy holy apostles, we may steadfastly walk in the way that leadeth to eternal life. May thy word which we have now read abide in our hearts this day, to warn us from sin, to incite us to duty, to quicken our faith, to inspire us with a true devotion unto thee, and a true love to our fellow-men, in the name of Him who gave himself for us! When we shall go to thine house, may we hear thy word with reverence and faith, for the profit of our souls! and, laying aside all worldly thoughts and cares, may we worship thee in spirit and in truth! Do thou, O Lord Jesus! be in the assemblies of thy people, and with the gatherings of children for the study of thy word; and shed thy peace upon them all.

Most merciful Father, whose tender care has defended us from evil in the night, keep us, we pray thee, this day from harm, and prosper us in all

good. May thy favor abide with this family! Oh! give thine angels charge over us to defend us from perils and enemies unseen, and to minister to us of thy goodness. [May the children grow up in thy love, and all the household in their several stations and callings be obedient to thy will!] Bless our kindred, friends, and neighbors, with the abundant gifts of thy providence and grace. Bless our country: may peace and righteousness prevail throughout the land! Bless thy Church, O Lord! with sanctifying grace; and may the spirit of glory and of God be upon her!

O Lord! we beseech thee to give us, this day, patience in troubles, humility in comforts, constancy in temptations, and victory against all our spiritual enemies. Grant us sorrow for our sins, thankfulness for thy benefits, fear of thy judgments, mindfulness of thy presence. Let thy mercy cleanse us from all our sins, and let thy grace bring forth in us the fruits of everlasting life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.