May 29

Hebrews x. — 19. Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,

20. By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; 21. And having a high priest over the house of God; 22. Let us draw near with a true heart, in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. 23. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; for he is faithful that promised: 24. And let us consider one another, to provoke unto love and to good works: 25. Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is, but exhorting one another; and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. 26. For, if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, 27. But a certain fearful looking-for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.

To enter into the holy place of the temple was death to any but the high priest; was death even to him, except in the time and the manner appointed by the law. Only once a year — on the great day of atonement — was the high priest permitted to pass within the veil, and stand before the mercy-seat, which was upon the ark. And for this most sacred service he must first wash himself in pure water, then clothe himself in holy linen; and then kill a bullock for a sin-offering, and sprinkle its blood upon the mercy-seat. Awe, distance, mystery, pertained to that portion of the temple which represented the more immediate presence of God. Freedom,

28. He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:

29. Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? 30. For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again: The Lord shall judge his people. 31. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. 35. Cast not away, therefore, your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward. 36. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. 37. For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. 38. Now, the just shall live by faith; but, if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. 39. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition, but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.

nearness, confidence in access to God as our Father, represent the privilege of the believer in Christ; but this only on condition that we come putting away sin from heart and life, and trusting in the blood of the Son of God.

The boldness is not presumption, but trust; the assurance is not of merit, but of faith. This sense of nearness to God should cause us the more deeply to althor sin, the more earnestly to purge our conscience of evil, the more devoutly to revere the holiness which we are permitted to behold, unveiled, in the face of Jesus Christ his Son. Above all should it hold us steadfast in devotion to duty and in faith under trial.

APPROPRIATE HYMNS.]

O God! thou dost invite us to draw near to thee as our Father: and we come to thee in our need; for thou alone art able to succor us: we come to thee in our weakness; for thou alone canst give us strength: we come to thee in our sins; for thou alone canst pardon, heal, and save us. Have mercy upon us, O Lord! for the sake of thy Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ; and suffer us never to fall away from thee.

Thou didst create us to be blessed in each other and in thyself, to dwell in love, and so to dwell in God: oh! create us anew in Christ Jesus our Lord, and make us holy as thou art holy, that we may be filled with thy love. We bless thee for thy watchful providence over us in our persons, in our family, in our home, in all that pertains to our well-being; and we beseech thee grant unto us, this day, health and prosperity, and preserve us from all harm and danger. Keep us from all

Prayer.

[Nos. 12, 40, 73.

impatience and anger, from envy and jealousy, from every evil lust. Keep our hearts from the thought of evil, and our lips from speaking guile; keep our feet from falling, our eyes from tears, our souls from death. Grant us grace to be faithful in all the offices and relations of life. May we study to be helpful to each other, be patient of each other's infirmities, and rejoice in each other's prosperity! Let no selfishness disturb our peace. [May parents and children, brothers and sisters, all be joined together in the household of faith!] And may the love that blesses our earthly home interpret to us the love of our Father in heaven, and draw us toward the better home! We make supplication for all men; beseeching thee, the Father of all, to dispense unto all thy mercies according to their several conditions and necessities, and to show forth thy salvation in all the earth, through Christ our Lord. Amen.