June 29

Jeremiah xxxiii. — 7. I will cause the captivity of Judah and the captivity of Israel to return, and will build them, as at the first.

8. And I will cleanse them from all their iniquity whereby they have sinned against me; and I will pardon all their iniquities whereby they have sinned, and whereby they have transgressed against me.

9. And it shall be to me a name of joy, a praise, and an honor, before all the nations of the earth, which shall bear all the good that I do unto them; and they shall fear and tremble for all the goodness and for all the prosperity that I procure unto it.

10. Thus saith the Lord: Again there shall be heard in this place, which ye say shall be desolate without man and without beast, even in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem, that are desolate, without man, and without inhabitant, and without beast,

11. The voice of joy, and the voice of gladness; the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride; the voice of them that shall say, Praise the Lord of hosts: for the Lord is good; for his mercy endureth forever.

Mark i. — 35. And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.

Can any one doubt the complete humanity of Christ who reads how habitually he resorted to prayer for his own strength and consolation in his work, and for the delight he had in communing with the Father? No more than one can doubt his complete divinity who reads how he cleansed lepers and cast out devils. This absolute power over incurable diseases and malignant spirits — a power put forth by his bare will and word — was his prerogative as the "Son of God."

The blending of the human and the divine, though it cannot be explained by our philosophy, appears most natural in Christ; is harmonious throughout; and it causes us to realize the nearness and the love of God through the interplay of the two natures in the same person. The mere acting of the Divine Spirit through a human form, without a personal human spirit, could not have brought God so nigh to us.

36. And Simon, and they that were with him, followed after him.

37. And, when they had found him, they said unto him, All men seek for thee.

38. And he said unto them, Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also; for therefore came I forth.

39. And he preached in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and cast out devils.

40. And there came a leper to him, beseeching him, and kneeling down to him, and saying unto him, If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.

41. And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will: be thou clean.

42. And, as soon as he had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed.

43. And he straitly charged him, and forthwith sent him away;

44. And saith unto him, See thou say nothing to any man; but go thy way, show thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing those things which Moses commanded for a testimony unto them.

45. But he went out, and began to publish it much, and to blaze abroad the matter, insomuch that Jesus could no more openly enter into the city, but was without in desert places; and they came to him from every quarter.

The mercy of Jesus always responded to the cry of faith. The most wretched and forsaken creatures kindled in him only the feeling of compassion. He could touch the leper without contamination, for his touch was healing; and, since he was tempted in all points like as we are, yet without sin, he can lay his touch upon our sinful hearts, and make them clean and whole.

Though Jesus knew that his gospel would supersede the ritual of Moses, he made no violent innovations upon the established worship; but, avoiding the popularity his miracles might have won for him as a reformer, he required the leper to conform to the law, in order thus to turn his thoughts to the religious aspect of his healing, and awaken gratitude toward God.

APPROPRIATE HYMNS.]

Prayer.

[Nos. 2, 44, 50.

Bless the Lord, O our souls! who forgiveth all our iniquities, and healeth all our diseases. O Lord, our heavenly Father! who hast safely brought us to the beginning of this day, defend us in the same with thy mighty power, through our merciful and faithful High Priest, Jesus Christ our Lord. In his name, who in the days of his flesh prayed for us, and who hath taught us to pray, do we draw nigh unto thee, adoring thee for thine infinite majesty; giving thanks unto thee for thy great goodness; acknowledging thy mercy in the gospel; confessing our sins, and supplicating thy favor in all things which thou seest to be necessary as well for the body as the soul. We

beseech thee, Lord, make this family thy care; and grant us grace to walk before thee as obedient children. While in the world, may we not be of the world, but shine as lights, holding forth the Word of life. Sanctify our tastes, our affections, our desires, to the intent that we may bring every thought into captivity unto the obedience of Christ.

We commend unto thy gracious care all who are dear to us by ties of kindred and affection. We pray thee to satisfy the poor with bread, to heal the sick, to comfort the dying, to deliver the oppressed, to establish peace and righteousness, and fill the earth with thy glory, through Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.