April 19

Isaiah ix. — 1. Nevertheless, the dimness shall not be such as was in her vexation, when at the first he lightly afflicted the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, and afterward did more grievously afflict her by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, in Galilee of the nations.

2. The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined. 3. Thou hast multiplied the nation, and not increased the joy: they joy before thee according to the joy in harvest, and as men rejoice when they divide the spoil. 4. For thou hast broken the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, as in the day of Midian. 5. For every battle of the warrior is with confused noise, and garments rolled in blood; but this shall be with burning and fuel of fire. 6. For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder; and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. 7. Of the increase of his government and peace

There cannot be a doubt as to the child whose birth was here predicted. The promise was literally fulfilled in Christ; and such titles never could have been applied to any other, for, though Oriental courtiers and poets were accustomed to flatter their sovereigns with the names and attributes of their divinities, a Hebrew prophet was incapable of the blasphemy of ascribing to an earthly king the names and offices of Jehovah. In a time of darkness and distress, when the calamities of war and captivity were hanging over the nation, the prophet promises that the night shall not be perpetual, the distress shall not be hopeless. In the midst of darkness, light shall break forth: and even the shadow of death shall be scattered by its shining. Israel, reduced to a remnant, should be multiplied by a spiritual increase from the Gentile nations, to whom also Christ should come through his mission in Gali-

there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.

Revelation xix. — 11. And I saw heaven opened, and, behold, a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.

12. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written that no man knew but he himself. 13. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood; and his name is called the Word of God. 14. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. 15. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations; and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the wine-press of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

lee (verse 3 should read, "Thou hast multiplied the nation; thou hast increased joy to it"); and so the joy of the oppressed and afflicted people of God should be increased like the rejoicing at harvest or at a great victory. Through his coming, the very weapons and garments of war should be heaped together upon the bloody field as food for fire. By the sword of his truth, as King of kings, he shall subdue the nations, and conquer war itself. For he is the Prince of peace, — wonderful in character and works; infinite in wisdom as Counsellor; clothed with the might of Jehovah; the very Father of eternity in his inherent life, and eternal in his love for his people. Every glorious name and attribute of God was concentrated in the name of Jesus, which is above every name. Oh! let us serve and adore him, our merciful Saviour, our glorious Leader, our everlasting Friend.

APPROPRIATE HYMNS.]

Prayer.

[Nos. 119, 173, 186.

O Thou who didst humble thyself to be born of a virgin, the everlasting Son of the Father, the Prince of peace! we bless and adore thee for thy grace, and compassion for us sinners. We give thanks unto the Father, who so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life; we praise and worship the Son, who took upon him our nature that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. Oh! grant us, we beseech thee, thy peace, through the forgiveness of sin, reconciliation with God, and the indwelling of the Spirit, that we may glorify and praise thee in our lives for all that we have heard and seen of thy grace.

Save us, O Lord! from unbelief. Forbid that,

by indifference to the gospel of thy Son, we should, at the last, fall under the condemnation of the Saviour as our Judge. And grant, we pray thee, that thy very judgments in the earth, overturning the powers of wickedness, may open the way for his grace to all nations. We give thee thanks for peaceful rest. Lord, keep this household from evil. [May the children remember that Jesus came as a little child to bless them! May they give their hearts to his love!] May we all, in the spirit of little children, love and serve Him who came into the world to save sinners! And, oh, may the world be saved! may all men come to Christ! may peace reign on the earth, and good-will bind all hearts together for the glory of God! And to Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, be honor and praise throughout all ages. Amen.