May 26

Hebrews ix. — 1. Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary.

2. For there was a tabernacle made; the first wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the show-bread; which is called the Sanctuary. 3. And, after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all; 4. Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant; 5. And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercy-seat; of which we cannot now speak particularly. 6. Now, when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God: 7. But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people; 8. The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made mani-

fest while as the first tabernacle was yet standing:

9. Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience; 10. Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation. 11. But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; 12. Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood, he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. 13. For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh; 14. How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God!

Nothing more beautiful could be devised than the material instruments and appliances of the Jewish worship; nothing more expressive than the symbolism of that worship; nothing more imposing and effective than the ritual through which the Israelite made his offerings and uttered his devotions. And yet all this was empty, vain, worthless, without the consecration of the heart to God and the living exercise of faith. Indeed, used as a mere form, it became repugnant to God as a worship. At length it was utterly done away in Christ;

and hence to revive, under other names and forms, the ritualistic and the sacrificial as of the essence of worship, is to dishonor the perfect sacrifice and the completed work of Christ. The substance of all religion and of all worship is to have the inmost consciousness purified from all self-righteousness and all dependence upon forms, and to be in direct relations of faith and love with God as the living Saviour, the reconciled Father. So shall we worship him in spirit and in truth.

APPROPRIATE HYMNS.]

Prayer.

[Nos. 2, 12, 95.

Our Father in heaven, we come to thee with wants which thou knowest far better than we, and for blessings which thou art more ready to give than we to ask. But thou hast bidden to pray; and we love to come, saying, "Our Father." Oh, may we have the spirit of little children, — humble, teachable, trustful, obedient, — and show our love and gratitude in lives of devotion! Thou hast kept us in the watches of the night from every trouble, sorrow, and alarm; thou hast given us refreshing sleep. And now we bless thee for the day, for life and health, for food and raiment, for home and friends, for means of education and of enjoyment, for means of occupation and of support, for means of improvement in the knowledge of thyself from thy works and thy Word, and for opportunities of doing good to others. Oh! grant us grace that we may use to thy glory the lives which thou didst give, and which thy mercy doth continually spare.

We acknowledge, O Lord! our unworthiness and our sinfulness, and beseech thee to pardon our

transgressions and heal our infirmities. Help us this day to live aright. In the business of life may we be diligent, faithful, true! and do thou, Lord, prosper the labor of our hands. In our intercourse with others, may we manifest the gentleness, the sincerity, the charity, of the gospel of Christ! May we be patient under trials, meek under injuries, firm against temptation, bold for the truth, zealous for thy cause! May we be kind to the poor, helpful to the suffering, gentle toward all men! [Give unto these children, O Lord! grace to serve thee in the morning of life, and in their thoughts and words, their studies and their play, always to please their Father in heaven.] Remember with thy mercy all our friends; visit with thy grace the homes of all who are dear to us. Build up, O Lord! thy Church; prosper thy kingdom in our land, and throughout the world. Ever guide, keep, and bless us. Bring us to the close of the day in peace, and to the close of life in a hope full of immortality, through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour. Amen.