May 14

John 6:59. These things said he in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum.

60. Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is a hard saying: who can hear it?

61. When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you?

62. What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before?

63. It is the Spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

64. But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him.

65. And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me except it were given unto him of my Father.

66. From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.

67. Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?

68. Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.

69. And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.

The true sacrament is in the doctrine of Christ. The visible sacraments are forms whose inner substance and life is the truth which they set forth to the eye. When Christ spoke of eating his flesh and drinking his blood, he did not refer to the form of partaking of the Lord's Supper, much less did he give countenance to the notion of transubstantiation, — that he is literally present, in body and blood, in the bread and wine. His words were spirit and life. Whoever shall penetrate to the deep meaning of that saying, "He that eateth me shall live by me," shall find in these words a quickening spiritual power, which is the earnest of eternal life. It was his death that he was speaking of, which should be followed

70. Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?

71. He spoke of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon; for he it was that should betray him, being one of the twelve.

I John 1:1. That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;

2. (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and show unto you that eternal life which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us:)

3. That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.

6. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth;

7. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

8. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

9. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

10. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

by his ascending up where he was before. It was his death as an offering for the life of the world; and when the poor, famishing, condemned soul seizes upon Christ as its Saviour, it wins from his cross that spiritual power which is life from the dead.

Yet, now as then, this very doctrine of the cross sifts and tests mankind, and even the followers of Christ. How many will not believe upon Christ crowded! But, if we turn away from Jesus, whither shall we go! Where is the philosophy, the learning, the science, that can speak to us such words of eternal life, or that possesses this quickening, renovating power to transform the soul, and lift it up to God!

APPROPRIATE HYMNS.]

Prayer

[Nos. 76, 134, 135.

O God, the Author of our being, and the Preserver of our lives! we raise our hearts and voices unto thee this morning in thankfulness for preservation during the night, and for the circumstances of mercy in which we are permitted to begin the day. Oh! quicken our souls by thy Word: may it be to us spirit and life! Let that mind be in us which was in Christ Jesus; who was holy, harmless, undefiled, and separate from sinners; who came down from heaven, not to do his own will, but the will of Him who sent him; and who, though he were a Son, yet learned obedience by the things that he suffered. When sinners entice us, may we not consent. Suffer no temptation to bring us in peril of our souls; but, with

every temptation, make a way for our escape. Being born of God, may we, while in the world, be kept from its evil, and prove that this is the victory which overcometh the world, even our faith!

May it please thee, O Lord! to prosper us in our daily occupations; to preside over this household with thy good Spirit; to preserve us from harm; to bless the children, and lead them in the right way; to bless our friends, and number them all with thy chosen; to bless our land with plenty, with peace, and with the power of thy gospel; to bless and save a world that lieth in wickedness. These mercies we ask, humbly confessing our sins, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.