April 12

Luke xxiii.—26. And, as they led him away, they laid hold upon one Simon, a Cyrenian, coming out of the country; and on him they laid the cross, that he might bear it after Jesus.

27. And there followed him a great company of people, and of women, which also bewailed and lamented him.

28. But Jesus, turning unto them, said, Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children.

29. For, behold, the days are coming, in the which they shall say, Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bare, and the paps which never gave suck.

30. Then shall they begin to say to the mountains, Fall on us; and to the hills, Cover us.

31. For, if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry?

32. And there were also two others, malefactors, led with him to be put to death.

33. And when they were come to the place which is called Calvary, there they crucified him and the malefactors; one on the right hand, and the other on the left.

34. Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.

35. And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others: let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God.

36. And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar.

37. And saying, If thou be the King of the Jews, save thyself.

38. And a superscription also was written over him, in letters of Greek and Latin and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

39. And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.

40. But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?

41. And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.

42. And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.

43. And Jesus said unto him, Verily, I say unto thee, To-day shalt thou be with me in paradise.

The passions of the populace are quickly swayed from one extreme to another. The arrest of Jesus took place in the night, his trial and condemnation in the early morning; and he was dragged to execution in the most summary manner. The chief priests had resorted to this secrecy and hasten hearing that the popular enthusiasm which had greeted Jesus upon his entry into Jerusalem, five days before, would rally for his rescue. They had enlisted a mob against him; and having a judicial warrant for his crucifixion, and the soldiers at their back, they no longer apprehended violence. But the news of their proceedings spread rapidly through the city; and many ran together whose sympathies were moved for the sufferer, whom they looked upon as the friend of the people. Among these were women, who gave vent to their feelings in

land cries; but Jesus, true to his unselfish pity, knowing the sad fate that hung over Jerusalem, bespoke their sympathy for themselves and their children.

Near the city gate, the officers laid hold of a man who was just coming from the country, and compelled him to bear the cross; for Jesus, worn down with suffering, was sinking under its burden. Arrived at Cavalry, the rulers, the rabble, and the soldiers vied with each other in reviling the sufferer; one of the thieves even joining in their coarse abuse. With the tenderness of divine compassion, Jesus invoked forgiveness for his tormentors; while, with the majesty of divine prerogative, he promised to the penitent thief a place with him in paradise. Never were suffering and triumph, humiliation and glory, so blended as in this wondrous scene.

APPROPRIATE HYMN.]

Prayer.

[Nos. 30, 116, 164.

Saviour of sinners! we look to thee. O Thou who hast died that we might live! help us to live to thee alone. Redeemed with the precious blood of the Son of God, may we walk as children of heaven! Help us, O Lord! in our inward conflicts with doubts and fears and sins; help us in our conflicts with the temptations and evils of the world; and, oh! help us in our wrestlings with unseen powers of evil, with the great Adversary of our souls. O Lord! increase our faith. Our hope is in thee; our strength is from thee alone: dwell in us by thy grace; fill us with thy Spirit. This very day may we gain new victories over evil! May we resist temptations in business to swerve from the truth, to take advantage of others, to act

dishonorably, to be covetous and unjust! May we resist temptations in society to envy and evil-speaking, to worldliness and frivolity! May we in all things do that which is right in the sight of God! [May these children grow up, dear Saviour, in thy strength and love, safe from the power of evil!]

We thank thee for another night of rest, another day of mercy and of hope. Bless all dear to us; our friends and neighbors. Succor, O Lord! the poor and needy, the sick, the tempted, the dying. O Lord Jesus! be with us in our last conflict, and make us more than conquerors over death; and to thy name be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.