June 17

Acts x. — 1. There was a certain man in Cesarea, called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band,

2. A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house; which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God always.

3. He saw in a vision evidently, about the ninth hour of the day, an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius.

4. And, when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God.

5. And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter:

6. He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea-side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do.

7. And, when the angel which spake unto Cornelius was departed, he called two of his household servants, and a devout soldier of them that waited on him continually;

8. And, when he had declared all these things unto them, he sent them to Joppa.

9. On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the house-top to pray, about the sixth hour:

10. And he became very hungry, and would have eaten; but, while they made ready, he fell into a trance,

11. And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth;

12. Wherein were all manner of four-footed beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.

13. And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill and eat.

14. But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean.

15. And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.

16. This was done thrice; and the vessel was received up again into heaven.

17. Now, while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean, behold, the men which were sent from Cornelius had made inquiry for Simon's house, and stood before the gate,

18. And called, and asked whether Simon, which was surnamed Peter, were lodged there.

The case of Cornelius illustrates the harmony of the religion of Nature with the religion of the Old Testament, and of both with Christianity. Nature teaches the unity of God, and the duties of prayer, of thanksgiving, and of benevolence. The Old Testament declares the oneness, the spirituality, and the holiness of God, embodies the practical duties of religion in specific laws, and sets forth mediation through sacrifices. The New Testament re-enforces the doctrines and precepts of the Old with greater emphasis upon an inward spirituality of worship and obedience, and presents Christ as the sacrifice for sin, and the one Mediator between man and God.

Cornelius, following the light of reason and conscience, had renounced idolatry, and, in his search for the true religion, had begun to worship the God revealed in the Old Testament.

Without adopting the rites of Judaism, he observed the duties of prayer and alms giving, was devout in his spirit and life, and regulated his household in the fear of God. The Lord looketh upon the heart, and, finding in Cornelius a state of mind predisposing him to welcome higher truths, directed him to the gospel of Christ, and prepared Peter to unfold a full and free salvation. Peter needed to be converted from his prejudices as a Jew; and the vision taught him that the Jewish system, having fulfilled its purpose of type and preparation, should find its own ideal in a system of grace embracing all mankind. Thus do the providence and the grace of God respond to every longing heart. But how often does the lesson of this vision need to be repeated! — teaching bigotry and prejudice, that with God no class is common or unclean.

APPROPRIATE ITEMS.]

Prayer.

[Nos. 29, 60, 70.

Almighty God, Father of all mercies, we thine unworthy servants do give thee most humble and hearty thanks for all thy goodness and loving-kindness to us and to all men. We bless thee for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; but, above all, for thine inestimable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ, for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory. Help us, we pray thee, so to improve the privileges and promises of this thine holy day, so to meditate upon thy Word, and to worship thee in the prayers and praises of thine house, that we shall be edified, comforted, and sanctified, and shall worthily show forth thy salvation.

We pray for thy holy Church universal, that it

may be so guided and governed by thy good Spirit, that all who call themselves Christians may be led into the way of truth, and hold the faith in unity of spirit, in the bond of peace, and in righteousness of life. Bless thy Word to children: as in the home and the Sunday school they shall hear of Jesus, and sing his praise, may their hearts be filled with his love! Send thy Word, O Lord! to those who have it not: may it have free course and be glorified in all the earth! Show thy loving-kindness to all who are dear to us, and grant them thy peace. In thy mercy, for Christ's sake, take away our sins; fill our hearts with the hope of heaven; and prepare us to enter into thy rest, through our Lord and

Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.