May 18

Psalm oxix. -57. Thou art my portion, O Lord! I have said that I would keep thy words. 58. I entreated thy favor with my whole heart: be merciful unto me according to thy word. 59. I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies. 60. I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments. 63. I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts. 65. Thou hast dealt well with thy servant, O Lord! according unto thy word. 67. Before I was afflicted, I went astray; but now have I kept thy word. 71. It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I might learn thy statutes. 72. The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver. 73. Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments. 74. They that fear thee will be glad when they see me; because I have hoped in thy word. 75. I know, O Lord! that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me. 76. Let, I pray thee, thy merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to thy word unto thy servant. 77. Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live; for thy law is my delight.

Luke vii.-1. Now, when he had ended all his sayings in the audience of the people, he entered into Capernaum. 2. And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear unto him, was sick, and ready to die. 3. And, when he heard of Jesus, he sent unto him the elders of the Jews, beseeching him that he would come and heal his servant. 4. And, when they came to Jesus, they besought him instantly, saying, That he was worthy for whom he should do this; 5. For he loveth our nation, and he hath built us a synagogue. 6. Then Jesus went with them. And, when he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying unto him, Lord, trouble not thyself: for I am not worthy that thou shouldst enter under my roof; 7. Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee; but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed. 8. For I also am a man set under authority, having under me soldiers: and I say unto one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. 9. When Jesus heard these things, he marvelled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. 10. And they that were sent, returning to the house, found the servant whole that had been sick.

This centurion was a Roman officer in command of the garrison at Capernaum; but, though a foreigner and a Gentile, he had rendered himself acceptable to the Jews by his conciliatory manners and by his respectful treatment of their religion. Perhaps he was already a proselyte to the Jewish faith: he certainly had the spirit of a true believer. Not presuming to approach Jesus in person, he employed as his messengers some of the more prominent Jews, who willingly used their influence in his behalf; but, as Jesus approached the house, this Gentile, whose humility would not suffer him to accept the privileges of an Israelite, manifested a faith greater

than that of Israel. "I know how to obey, being myself under authority; and, in turn, know how others obey, having soldiers under me: if then I, in my subordinate station of command, am obeyed, how much more thou, who art over all, and whom diseases serve as their master!" And Jesus confirmed the centurion's faith: his word healed the sick man whom he did not even see. So is Jesus ever quick to heal our sorrows, when, with a humble, unquestioning faith, we cast them wholly upon him, put ourselves under his authority, and accept his will. Our faith often fails us because it lacks the quality of obedience. We are more ready to urge our wishes than to do Christ's will.

APPROPRIATE HYMNS.]

Prayer.

[Nos. 121, 160, 184.

O Lord, our heavenly Father! we have nothing to bring to thee but our wants, and such poor return of love and gratitude and praise as these hearts can render for thy goodness. As thou dost cause our lives to overflow with thy mercies, so do thou fill our hearts to overflowing with thy Spirit, that we may thank thee and praise thee as we ought. The morning calls us again to praise thee for thy loving-kindness in the night-season; and every day renews the tokens of thy bounty. Every good gift cometh down from thee, the Father of lights; and though we are so changeful in our love, so inconstant in our service, with thee there is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. Bind us

to thyself, O our Father! by the mighty attraction of thy love. May the love of Christ, who died for us that we might live, constrain us to live ever unto thee.

We pray, O Lord! that multitudes may be saved; that thy Church may increase; that missions may prosper; that thy Word may be given to all people, and the knowledge of the Lord may fill the earth as the waters fill the sea. We thank thee for our home, and pray thee to bless us with all things that we need as a family. Bless the absent who are dear to us; and bring them together with us, we beseech thee, unto thy heavenly kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.