June 3

Matthew 12:22. Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind and dumb; and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw. 23. And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David? 24. But, when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils but by Beelzebub, the prince of the devils. 25. And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand. 26. And, if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself: how shall then his kingdom stand? 27. And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? therefore they shall be your judges. 28. But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you. 29. Or else how can one enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house.

Jesus distinctly recognized the existence of Satan, and a kingdom of evil spirits marshalled under Satan for the destruction of mankind. The war which began in heaven has been transferred to this world, and waxes fiercer as the end draws near. Christ came to destroy the power and the works of the Devil; and while, by his teaching, his atonement, and his Spirit, he sought to deliver men personally from the dominion of Satan, he also maintained, in the region of spiritual forces, a direct conflict with the powers of darkness. The fact that he cast out devils was proof that the Spirit of God wrought in him, and that the kingdom of God was mightier than the kingdom of Satan. Every man must choose between

30. He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad. Revelation 12:7. And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, 8. And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. 9. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. 10. And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ; for the accuser of our brethren is cast down which accused them before our God day and night. 11. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. 12. Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.

APPROPRIATE HYMNS.]

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, in conformity to thy blessed mind and will, laying aside every weight, and running with patience the race that is set before us. May it be our constant desire to know what the will of the Lord is! and, knowing that will, may we have strength given us to obey it! O Lord! may we serve thee with an undivided heart! May Satan have no more power over us! We bless thee for the assurance that the powers of darkness shall be vanquished by the sword of thy Spirit, the word of truth. May we have strength to overcome all evil!

We bless thee, O Lord! for the mercies of the past night, and implore thy presence with us this

Prayer.

[Nos. 36, 64, 136.

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 distress, 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.

these kingdoms, between evil and good, between darkness and light, between Satan and God. "There is and can be in the world no middle party; they who are not with Christ, who do not gather with him, are against him and his work, and, as far as in them lies, are undoing it." The mightiest spiritual forces are struggling for the possession of the soul of man on the one hand, Satan, the tempter of our first parents, the "father of lies," with his subtle devices of temptation; and, on the other, the Holy Spirit of light, truth, and love, with his influences of grace. No one can be passive in this conflict of spiritual powers; and as one chooses his alliance here will be his state and portion in the hereafter.