June 28

Mark i.—21. And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath-day he entered into the synagogue, and taught.

22. And they were astonished at his doctrine; for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes.

23. And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out,

24. Saying, Let us alone: what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? Art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God.

25. And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him.

26. And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him.

27. And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with

authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him.

28. And immediately his fame spread abroad throughout all the region round about Galilee.

29. And forthwith, when they were come out of the synagogue, they entered into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.

30. But Simon's wife's mother lay sick of a fever; and anon they tell him of her.

31. And he came and took her by the hand, and lifted her up; and immediately the fever left her, and she ministered unto them.

32. And at even, when the sun did set, they brought unto him all that were diseased, and them that were possessed with devils.

33. And all the city was gathered together at the door.

34. And he healed many that were sick of divers diseases, and cast out many devils; and suffered not the devils to speak, because they knew him.

Certain maladies are in the New Testament so uniformly imputed to evil spirits, that we cannot doubt there was, at the time of Christ, a remarkable activity of demoniacal influence upon the bodies of men. Many were "possessed with devils;" and this disorder is distinguished from common forms of disease, as the direct action of evil spirits. Jesus had knowledge concerning these spirits, and power over them: they feared his presence, and obeyed his word. The spirits knew him, and often bore witness to his character; but "Jesus rejected and forbade all testimony to his person, except that which he came on earth to give. The devils knew him, but were silenced."

No doubt, the notion of the influence of evil spirits upon the minds and bodies of men was greatly exaggerated among the Jews, who were much given to superstitious beliefs. But, had this been a mere superstition, our Lord would not have countenanced it, nor have appealed to his power to cast out devils as proof of his divinity. The Bible never deals in the

mysterious and the marvellous for their own sake, but only uses the supernatural for the sake of attesting spiritual truth, or of conferring some gracious benefit.

It is worth noticing, that Peter had a wife: hence the celibacy of the clergy finds no warrant in his example. Those who call themselves his successors would be more apostolic if they should imitate him in this. Paul, on the other hand, remained single from choice. But though, in view of his journeyings and exposures, it was better for him to be free from family ties, he maintained his right to marry, and recommended that a bishop should set an example of domestic love and virtue as a husband and father.

The Gospel's give us but a small part of the miracles of our Lord. We often read of multitudes who were healed by his power. Yet Capernaum, which beheld so large a proportion of these mighty works, was condemned for its unbelief. Blessed are they who have not seen, and yet have believed!

APPROPRIATE HYMNS.]

Prayer.

[Nos. 36, 119.

Almighty God, Father and Redeemer of our spirits, we bless thee that we may come again to thy mercy-seat to offer thanksgivings to thy name, to confess our sins, and to ask those things which thou seest to be needful for soul and body. Oh! grant to us the best of blessings,—a heart to love and serve thee, and diligently to walk after thy commandments. [May the children of this household remember thee their Creator in the days of their youth, and early walk in the peaceful way of holiness!]

Help us ever to keep before us the example of our blessed Lord. In our family relations, may we manifest the spirit that was in him! May we take his yoke upon us, and learn of him, who was meek, and lowly of heart; and so find rest unto our souls! We would remember the sick, the sorrowful, and the dying. Though thou dost not now heal by miracle, yet grant them the supplies of thy grace according to their need, and make thy strength perfect in their weakness.

Bless thine own cause throughout the world. Hasten the happy day when all men shall know thee, from the least unto the greatest. Let the idols of the heathen be utterly abolished. Take away the veil from the face of thine ancient people. Let the power of Satan be destroyed by the breath of the Lord's mouth, and the brightness of his coming. Let the rod of the oppressor be broken; and may thy providence fulfil what thy gospel hath announced,—liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound! Especially do we pray thee to deliver those who are in bondage to the powers of darkness and evil. O thou almighty Saviour! loose all bonds of iniquity, and set free the captives of the god of this world.

Our Father in heaven, give us our daily bread; prosper us so far as is agreeable to thy holy will; prepare us for this day's trials; and help us to say, "Thy will be done." We present these our prayers in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour. Amen.