June 23

Luke xiii.—23. Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them,

24. Strive to enter in at the strait gate; for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.

25. When once the Master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are:

26. Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets.

27. But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are: depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity.

28. There shall be weeping, and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out.

29. And they shall come from the east, and from

the west, and from the north, and from the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God.

30. And, behold, there are last which shall be first, and there are first which shall be last.

31. The same day there came certain of the Pharisees, saying unto him, Get thee out, and depart hence; for Herod will kill thee.

32. And he said unto them, Go ye and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures to-day and to-morrow, and the third day I shall be perfected.

33. Nevertheless, I must walk to-day and to-morrow, and the day following; for it cannot be that a prophet perish out of Jerusalem.

34. O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee! how often would I have gathered thy children together as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not!

35. Behold, your house is left unto you desolate. And verily I say unto you, Ye shall not see me until the time come when ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.

In some of the walled cities of the East, where the main gates are closed at sundown, there are small gates in retired corners, by which one who knows the way and has the password can gain admittance; but after a certain hour these are shut and locked, and there is no more opening, no matter how long and loud the knocking. Here, however, the allusion seems rather to be to the gate of a palace, or stately mansion, where a festival awaits all who are entitled to be guests. They who have not availed themselves of the invitation in its proper terms and conditions, arriving late, will in vain endeavor to gain admission upon other grounds. No amount of mercy shown by the Saviour will avail for our salvation, unless that mercy is accepted by us for ourselves. We must enter into his kingdom by the personal act of faith if we would be saved. Privileges of birth, of race, of education, of church connec-

tion, will only aggravate the final loss of those who do not here live according to their opportunity.

Heaven preserves the identity of a personal faith. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are there in their individuality, and with all the sacred associations of their lives: and around these venerable names, as a nucleus, shall be gathered multitudes from nations which the Jews despised as outcast; while Israel, which had been first in point of privilege, shall be last in point of benefit; yet this not by an excluding act of sovereignty, but as a result of incorrigible sin. The Saviour's compassion overflowed even for the people that sought his life. With tenderest love and care he would save them; but they would not. Salvation is of God: perdition comes of impenitence and unbelief.

APPROPRIATE HYNES.]

Prayer.

[Nos. 117, 147, 175.

O God our Creator, who hast made of one blood all nations of men! we worship thee, the King of kings, and Lord of lords. Thou puttest down one, and settest up another; and none can deliver out of thy hand. Thou hast set up thine own kingdom in this world, — a kingdom which shall never be moved; and willingly, O Lord! would we consecrate our hearts, our time, our talents, to thy service. Thou hast left to each the command, "Occupy till I come." Thou hast given to each of us, in our several places and relations, opportunities and means of doing something for thy cause on earth; and thou wilt require an account of our stewardship. Lord, put thy good Spirit within us, that we may keep thy judgments and do them. Create in us clean hearts, and renew right spirits within us. We are not our own; we are bought with a price, — even the blood of thy dear Son; and we would not live to advance our own interests,

or secure our own enjoyment, but to glorify him in our bodies and spirits, which are his. Deliver us from selfishness, and cause us to know the blessedness of submitting our own wills to thine.

Gracious Father, thou hast watched over us through another night, and renewed our life and health and family comforts. Thankful for the past, we would be trustful for the future. Deliver us this day from all fretting cares, and from worldliness of heart and life. May we study to approve ourselves unto thee, and ever watch for the coming of the Lord! Quicken thy Church to vigilance and activity. Save our land from the doom of impiety and unbelief. We leave ourselves with thee. We know not what a day may bring forth; but do thou prepare us for all which thou hast in store for us, and for thy heavenly kingdom, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.