January 14

Romans x.—1. Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.

2. For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.

3. For they, being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.

4. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.

5. For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law. That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.

6. But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise: Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above.)

7. Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.)

8. But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth and in thy heart; that is, the word of faith, which we preach:

9. That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

10. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

11. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

12. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek; for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.

13. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

14. How, then, shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

15. And how shall they preach except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

16. But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?

17. So, then, faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

18. But I say, Have they not heard? Yes, verily: their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.

19. But I say, Did not Israel know? First, Moses saith, I will provoke you to jealousy by them that are no people, and by a foolish nation I will anger you.

20. But Esaias is very bold, and saith, I was found of them that sought me not: I was made manifest unto them that asked not after me.

21. But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gain-saying people.

How simple a thing it is to be a Christian! Because of our sins, which we can neither cancel nor atone, we cannot establish for ourselves that holy character which the law requires. But Christ, by his righteous obedience, set forth the end or object of the law in a perfect man; and by his atonement for our sins, and his grace renewing and helping us, Christ secures in and for us that righteousness which the law aims at, but had failed to effect in us. To possess our

selves of this righteousness, we must believe in the Lord Jesus Christ; believe in the heart; believe by accepting him as Redeemer and Lord; believe by devoting ourselves to him in grateful, loving obedience. And the sincerity of this faith will prove itself by an open confession of Christ: the mouth will declare what the heart feels; the life will make manifest what the heart believes. No fear, no shame, will keep back one who truly receives Christ from openly confessing Christ.

APPROPRIATE HYMNS.]

Prayer.

[Nos. 30, 67.

O Lord! we draw near into thy holy presence in the name of Him whom thou hearest always. We come casting ourselves on the infinite fulness of our adorable Redeemer. Of that fulness may we all receive, even grace for grace! Let us walk as thy children, advancing in conformity to thy blessed mind and will, laying aside every weight, and running with patience the race that is set before us. Let it be our constant aim and endeavor to know what the will of the Lord is; and, knowing that will, may we have strength given us to obey it!

We bless thee, O Lord! for the mercies of the past night, and implore thy presence with us this day. God of Bethel, dwell in this household; make every member of it thine. Those that are absent, Lord, be near them; those that are in dis-

tress, Lord, comfort them; those that know thee not, Lord, bring them to thyself. What thanks do we owe thee for our allotment in life!—our birth and education, our home and friends, our privileges and opportunities. Lord, we would return thee all that we have received. May thy Word be in our hearts, to inspire faith and zeal; and upon our lips, to show forth thy praise! Prosper thy Church everywhere. Raise up preachers who shall go into all the earth with the gospel of peace. Let Satan's kingdom be destroyed, the kingdom of grace advanced, the kingdom of glory hastened. Save thy people; bless thine inheritance; feed them also, and lift them up forever. Give to each of us this day thy gracious benediction; finally give unto us the full fruition of thyself, through Jesus Christ. Amen.