June 26

Hebrews vi.—1. Therefore, leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God.

2. Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying-on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. 3. And this will we do, if God permit. 4. For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost. 5. And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, 6. If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. 7. For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God: 8. But that which beareth thorns and briars is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned. 9. But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak. 10. For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love which ye have showed

In a financial panic, a man hurried to a bank that was rumored to have stopped payment, and demanded his deposits: but, when the money was promptly set before him on the counter, he declined to take it, saying that "he did not want the money if he could get it; he only wanted confidence." The bank of faith is one of unlimited confidence. Its securities are the covenant and the oath of God. Whatever may betide

APPROPRIATE HYNNS.]

Holy Father, in this closing hour of thy day, we bow at thy throne with thankful and loving hearts. As a family, we would gather up the memorials of thy faithfulness, and sing of thy mercy. Thou hast kept our feet from falling, our eyes from tears, and our souls from death. The shield of thy favor and power has been over us; and we meet, a circle unbroken, to present our evening sacrifice. Oh! take us all into union with thyself; grant us the fellowship of thy Spirit; quicken our souls into a more divine and glorious life; and perfect in us all thy blessed will.

What shall we render unto thee for all thy mercies? [Oh, may these children know thee, love thee, praise thee, serve thee!]

We commit ourselves to thee through Jesus Christ our Lord. We depend on his sacrifice and media-

toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.

11. And we desire that every one of you do show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end; 12. That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises. 13. For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he swore by himself, 14. Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee. 15. And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise. 16. For men verily swear by the greater; and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife. 17. Wherein God, willing more abundantly to show unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath: 18. That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us; 19. Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; 20. Whether the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.

us, these are our strong consolation; and the hope that holds by thee is "an anchor sure and steadfast." With such assurance on the part of God, how high should we rise in faith, how strong should we be in hope, how steadfast in devotion! To fall away from such promises, such helps, such grace, is to forfeit salvation; is to deserve rejection, and to invite it.

Prayer.

[Nos. 177, 179.

tion. To his cross we cling. In his finished work we confide. In his resurrection we rejoice. We triumph in his universal reign. We believe in his second coming; and we look for his mercy unto life eternal.

Thou ever-living God, who dost neither slumber nor sleep, take charge of our bodies and souls during the hours of night. Keep us and the place of our dwelling from all harm. Let our sleep be undisturbed; let our rest minister to our refreshment and strength; let the morrow be to us even better and brighter and happier than to-day; and may we drink at the fountain of joy forever!

And unto Him who is able to keep us from falling, and to present us faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, — to the only wise God, our Saviour, be glory forever. Amen.