June 5

James iii.—1. My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.

2. For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able, also, to bridle the whole body. 3. Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. 4. Behold, also, the ships, which, though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm whither-soever the governor listeth. 5. Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! 6. And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. 7. For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is taured, and hath been tamed, of mankind: 8. But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 9. Therewith bless we God, even the Father;

and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.

10. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. 11. Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? 12. Can the fig-tree, my brethren, bear olive-berries? either a vine, figs? So can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh. 13. Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him show out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. 14. But, if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. 15. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. 16. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. 17. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. 18. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

The term "masters" here means strictly teachers; and the point of the exhortation is, that the office of teaching religion in a public assembly is one of such grave responsibility, that none should assume it rashly. Probably the spirit of controversy had already appeared in the Church; and, since religious controversy is most fruitful in abuses of the tongue, the apostle enjoins upon Christians the duty of regulating this unruly member. How much of mischief in society, how much of unhappiness in the family, how much of alienation in the Church, comes from the abuse of the tongue! How prone are we to

take up a scandal, or to circulate an injurious report!—thus robbing a neighbor of what to him is more than money, or even than life itself. Or, if we have not a slanderous tongue, perhaps we have an ear for scandal, without which the scandal-mongers would soon find their occupation gone. Curiosity and the love of gossip do infinite mischief in parishes and in neighborhoods. Be it ours to regulate our speech, our walk, our whole intercourse with men, by that divine wisdom which first purifies our hearts of all evil intent, and then distils from our lips in words of gentleness and peace.

APPROPRIATE HYMNS.]

Prayer.

[Nos. 53, 78, 169.

Blessed Lord, who hast caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning, grant that we may in such wise hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that, by patience and comfort of thy holy Word, we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life which thou hast given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ. May we receive the truth in the love of it! and, walking in its light, may we ourselves shine as lights in the world, holding forth the word of life! Preserve us, we pray thee, from pride, prejudice, and unbelief; from a worldly and covetous spirit; from self-righteousness, and from uncharitableness toward others; from all false hopes, and from all unholy desires. Oh! touch our lips with a live coal from thine altar, and sanctify our speech. Give unto us that wisdom from above which shall purify our hearts and minds, and shall make us gentle and considerate in dealing with our fellow-men.

[We entreat thee, O Lord! so to feed the children of this household with the words of Jesus their Saviour, that they shall grow up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Cause them to shun the ways of sin, and to walk in the narrow way which leadeth unto life.] Be very gracious to our friends, our kindred, our neighbors; and bring them all into thy kingdom. Oh! let thy gospel go forth to enlighten and save the whole world.

Heavenly Father, we thank thee for the daily gifts of thy providence; for rest in the night; for the light of the morning; for health, comfort, and hope. Give unto us, we pray thee, that which thou seest to be good for us. Defend us, O Lord! from all evil; be thou our rock, our refuge, our strong tower; and, when heart and flesh shall fail us, be thou, O God! the strength of our heart, and our portion forever, through Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.