April 14

Luke xxiv.—36. And, as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.

37. But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. 38. And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? 39. Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. 40. And, when he had thus spoken, he showed them his hands and his feet. 41. And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat? 42. And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of a honey-comb. 43. And he took it, and did eat before them. 44. And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.

This was on the evening of the day of our Lord's resurrection. The women and Peter, who had seen him, were just telling their story, when the two disciples from Emmaus entered, and told how they also had seen the Lord. At this moment Jesus himself appeared, coming like an apparition, yet giving them tangible proofs of his identity. A mystery attaches to the bodily state of our Lord after his resurrection, which we cannot fully explain. "He appeared suddenly and vanished suddenly, when he pleased; when it pleased him, he ate, he spoke, he walked; but his body was the body of the resurrection, only not as yet his glorified body, because he had not yet assumed his glory."

APPROPRIATE HYMNS.]

Almighty God, who hast set apart one day in seven for the special good of our souls, enable us to keep this day holy. Thou hast bidden us to rest from our worldly labors and employments; do thou also shut the world out of our hearts, and take full possession of them thyself.

Lord, we cannot pray to thee aright without the help of thy Holy Spirit. May he rest upon us abundantly this day, teaching us both what to ask, and how to ask it! And, when thy gospel is preached, give us the hearing ear and the understanding heart; and enable us to receive with meekness and with faith the ingrafted word, which is able to save our souls.

Bless, gracious God, thy Church: make it the instrument in thy hands of leading many to heaven. Raise up faithful and earnest men for the work of the ministry. Do thou thyself teach them, that they may teach others. Especially be with the minister of this parish, who is set over us in the Lord. O Holy Spirit! let thy grace descend

45. Then opened he their understanding that they might understand the scriptures, 46. And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day; 47. And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48. And ye are witnesses of these things. 49. And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you; but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem until ye be endued with power from on high.

Zechariah xiii.—1. In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness.

6. And one shall say unto him, What are these wounds in thy hands? Then he shall answer, Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends.

7. Awake, O sword! against my Shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith the Lord of hosts; smite the Shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered.

The mystery of his appearing at first excited that dread of the spirit-world which is common to human nature; but Jesus came with the same benediction of peace with which he had parted from them on the night of the Supper. Now was fulfilled that gracious promise, "Yet a little while, and ye shall see me." His work on earth was finished: theirs was to begin,—the work of testimony to his life, the work of conviction and persuasion through his death. That which he commissioned his disciples to preach was not a new system of theology, a new code of morals, but the religion of the Bible, summoning men to repentance, and bringing the forgiveness of sins through a suffering and risen Saviour.

Prayer.

[Nos. 17, 177, 180.

upon us in large measure. Let thy power be felt among us, awakening those who sleep, leading us all to greater earnestness, and making us more holy in our lives. And wherever thy gospel is preached this day, whether at home or abroad, oh! grant that its influence may be felt, and that thousands may be turned from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God.

Grant, Lord, that a special blessing may rest upon our Sunday schools, and all who are called to teach in them. Be with each one of our fellow-worshippers. Help them and us, and all who are dear to us, this day, on our way to heaven.

We thank thee for all the mercies of the week; we acknowledge thy goodness to this family; and humbly commit ourselves to thy care, praying that our names may be written in heaven.

Hear these our prayers, we beseech thee, and grant our requests, through the intercession of thy beloved Son Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.