June 1

John 1.—1. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

2. The same was in the beginning with God. 3. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. 5. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. 6. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. 8. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. 9. That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. 10. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. 11. He came unto his own, and his own received him not.

The grand central truth of the Bible is the incarnation of the Son of God for the salvation of the world. Jesus Christ came into the world through the union of the divine with the human. All the works and attributes of God are ascribed to him without qualification. He existed from eternity; he created all things; he was God. He revealed the Father, not only by the truth that he declared, but by the life that was in himself. This life, manifesting itself through his works and his spirit, was a new light, capable of imparting to every man the quickening power of a new and endless life. In his own person Christ exhibited the perfect holiness which the law of God requires, and he reiterated that law in all its length and

12. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name;

13. Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

14. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only-begotten of the Father), full of grace and truth.

15. John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me; for he was before me.

16. And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.

17. For the law was given by Moses; but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

18. No man hath seen God at any time: the only-begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

breadth: but, at the same time, he manifested the grace of God in the forgiveness of sins; and to all who now come to him in humble faith he gives the privilege of the sons of God. This grace, like life itself, is a principle of growth: the more we have, the more we shall receive,—“grace for grace,” grace upon grace, one measure drawing after it another, until we shall be filled with all the fulness of God. A divine dignity was stamped upon our humanity by the incarnation of Christ; but the blessing and the glory that he brought will come to us personally only as we receive his grace by believing on his name.

APPROPRIATE HYMNA.]

Prayer.

[Nos. 13, 103, 107.

Almighty God, who, after the creation of the world, didst rest from all thy works, and sanctify a day of rest for thy creatures, grant to us, we beseech thee, that, putting away from us all earthly cares and anxieties, we may worthily approach the services of thy sanctuary. But grant also, that, being under grace and under law to Christ, we may be enabled to hallow all our days by living in thy constant fear and love, and may, in thy peace, enjoy a perpetual sabbath of the soul, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

What can we render to thee, O Lord! for all that thou hast bestowed upon us? Accept, we beseech thee, our thanks for protection and preservation, and for all the mercies of this present life; but, above all, for salvation by thy Son, and sanctification by thy Spirit. We adore and glorify thee, and offer to thee the voice of thanksgiving; and we beseech thee that thou wilt keep us in the way of truth and holiness, pardoning our offences, blotting out all our sins, and leading us to eternal life, to the glory and honor of thy name, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

We beseech thee to bless thy Church universal with the presence of the Holy Ghost. May she worship thee in the beauty of holiness! Bless all family-teaching, all Sunday schools, all mission-labors, this day; and advance far and wide the kingdom of thy Son. May the sabbath of millennial glory soon dawn upon the earth!

To thee, O Almighty God! we commend our spirits, souls, and bodies, all we are, and all we have. Direct and order all our thoughts, words, and works, according to thy good pleasure, to the praise of thy holy name, and conform them to the perfect rule of the most holy life of thy blessed Son. And, together with ourselves, we commend into thy hands, O Lord God! all our relations, friends, and benefactors; all sick, destitute, and afflicted persons; and all who are drawing near unto death. We pray for mercy upon all who are tempted, all who are fallen; and grant that we may all find mercy and favor at thy hands, in turning us from our iniquities, and supplying all our wants, through the merits of thy dear Son, our only Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.