January 18

John xx.—19. Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.

20. And, when he had so said, he showed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad when they saw the Lord.

21. Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.

22. And, when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost.

23. Whosesoever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whosesoever sins ye retain, they are retained.

24. But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.

25. The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the

nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.

26. And, after eight days, again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you.

27. Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side; and be not faithless, but believing.

28. And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God!

29. Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.

30. And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book.

31. But these are written that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that, believing, ye might have life through his name.

The demand of Thomas shows what havoc the spirit of Rationalism would make of all that pertains to a religious faith. The resurrection of Lazarus, which he had seen, had given him a sufficient warrant to be believed in the resurrection of Christ. The word of his brethren was entitled to his confidence; but he refused the testimony of their senses, and insisted upon the evidence of his own sight and touch. What then! Would he expect others to believe upon his testimony? or should every one insist upon seeing for himself? In that case, Jesus must continue to live and die, and rise again, for each succeeding generation. Then who should establish his identity from age to age? And to how few

could he become personally known! The faculty of faith is as natural to man as the faculty of sight; and, when there is moral evidence to warrant our faith, we may feel as secure in believing as could Thomas in seeing. For such a faith our Lord provided a special blessing. Accepting the homage of Thomas to his divinity, he reached forth his benediction to all who should believe upon him as their Lord, though they had not seen his bodily presence nor his marvellous works. The spiritual apprehension of Christ through faith is a loftier condition of the mind, a richer and more rewarding participation of his Spirit, than could ever be reached through the bodily senses. Believing, we have life through his name.

APPROPRIATE HYMNS.]

Prayer.

[Nos. 135, 159.

O Lord Jesus! increase our faith, that we may know thee in the fellowship of thy sufferings, and in the power of thy resurrection.

O holy and almighty God! we present ourselves before thee this evening with humble and thankful hearts. Receive us as thou hast promised by thy well-beloved Son, saying, "Ask, and ye shall have; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you." So give now unto us that ask; let us that seek find; open the gate unto us that knock.

We thank thee, O heavenly Father! that of thy tender mercy thou hast given thine only Son Jesus Christ to suffer death upon the cross for our redemption. Through faith in his blood, may we obtain remission of our sins! May we know him and love him, and serve him with all our hearts! and may we daily endeavor to follow the steps of his most holy life! O Lord! let thy mercy be upon us as we do put our trust in thee.

Teach us, O God! both how to live and how to die. May our loins be always girt and our lamps

burning, and we ourselves like servants who wait for the coming of their lord! May we live a life of faith, and may we die the death of the righteous!

Look in mercy upon all our brethren, our friends, neighbors, and acquaintance. Be with all who are dear to us, especially with any who may at this time be in affliction or distress. Cheer their hearts, and lift up the light of thy countenance upon them. Send down upon all who minister in thy Church, and all congregations committed to their charge, the healthful spirit of thy grace; and, that they may truly please thee, pour upon them the continual dew of thy blessing.

And be with us who are now gathered together in thy name. Defend us from all the perils and dangers of this night. Let thy fatherly hand ever be over us. Let thy Holy Spirit ever be with us. And so lead us in the knowledge and obedience of thy word, that in the end we may obtain everlasting life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.