July 1

Mark ii.—13. And he went forth again by the sea-side; and all the multitude resorted unto him, and he taught them.

14. And, as he passed by, he saw Levi, the son of Alpheus, sitting at the receipt of custom, and said unto him, Follow me; and he arose, and followed him.

15. And it came to pass, that, as Jesus sat at meat in his house, many publicans and sinners sat also together with Jesus and his disciples; for there were many, and they followed him.

16. And, when the scribes and Pharisees saw him eat with publicans and sinners, they said unto his disciples, How is it that he eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners?

17. When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came, not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

Unlike most of the disciples who made up the family of Jesus, and who were plain fishermen, Matthew was a man of business, and of sufficient means to own a house and provide a feast. But he forsook every thing for Christ. His office as tax gatherer of the Roman government rendered him odious to the Jews, and the Pharisees carped at Jesus for associating with publicans and sinners. The answer of Christ did not concede that the Pharisees were truly "righteous:" it showed that their assumption of righteousness would render his mission to them unavailing, whereas those whom they classed as sinners might be ready to accept his grace. That grace is always ready for the humble, penitent soul.

The Pharisees prided themselves upon a righteousness that kept fast-days and other outward observances with great strictness; and the disciples of John followed the ascetic habits of

18. And the disciples of John and of the Pharisees used to fast; and they come and say unto him, Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, but thy disciples fast not?

19. And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bride-chamber fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast.

20. But the days will come when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days.

21. No man also sewed a piece of new cloth on an old garment; else the new piece that filled it up taketh away from the old, and the rent is made worse.

22. And no man putteth new wine into old bottles; else the new wine doth burst the bottles, and the wine is spilled, and the bottles will be marred: but new wine must be put into new bottles.

their master. But the religion of Christ, springing from love, was of a more free and cheerful tone. He would not patch it upon the thread bare formalism of the Pharisees; he would not attempt to infuse its active spiritual life into the dull, worn routine of ceremonies: it would burst such a system as the fermentation of new wine bursts the leathern sacks worn thin by use. As the late Dean of Canterbury well interprets the proverb, "Old things, old types, old ceremonies, old burdens, sacrifices, priests, sabbaths, and holy-days, all are passed away: behold, all things are become new." Calmly forecasting his own departure, our Lord inspired his disciples with courage and hope. The thought of Christ as our present Saviour should dispel from our religion all tinge of asceticism or gloom. The world needs the example of a cheerful piety to win it to the Church: the joy of the Lord is our strength.

APPROPRIATE HYMN.]

Prayer.

[Nos. 50, 89, 165.

Most merciful God, by whose command the sun has arisen, and our eyes have been opened to behold its light, let the Sun of righteousness now rise upon our souls with healing in his wings. Thou hast raised us from our beds in bodily health: oh! raise us from spiritual slumber to a life of holy watchfulness and earnest activity. Using thy daily mercies with thankfulness and moderation, let our chief desire and concern be, that all the experiences of life—our sorrows and our joys, our hopes and our fears—may make us cheerful in thy service, and meet for thy heavenly kingdom.

We thank thee for the rest of the past night. Prepare us for the duties and events of this day; help us to receive its mercies gratefully; sanctify to us all its privileges; and enable us to bear its trials with meekness and resignation, that, when all its hours are numbered, we may feel that the Lord hath been with us of a truth.

We beseech thee to make us faithful in all the relations of life. Give us the wisdom that cometh from above,—that wisdom which is pure and peaceable, full of mercy and of good fruits. [May

the children of this family grow up before thee in gentleness, in purity, in loving obedience and devotion!] Have compassion on all those who are in trouble or adversity, and support them with the consolations of thy Word and Spirit. Have mercy on the multitudes who know thee not; reclaim them from their errors, and gather them into the fold of the Good Shepherd. Guide into the way of truth all such as have erred; establish and confirm the doubting; bring the perplexed and bewildered into a plain path; and be a very present help to all thy people. Bless the missionary work in our own and other lands; strengthen the laborers amid all their discouragements; and crown their labors with abundant success, that the whole earth may be filled with thy glory.

We commend unto thee our dear friends. May they all be numbered with thy saints! Grant to them all needful temporal good; but, above all, give them the abounding joy of thy love in Christ. Now, Lord, bless our waiting souls, lift up upon us the light of thy countenance, and give us peace, for our Redeemer's sake. Amen.