July 2

Ephesians i. — 1. Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:

2. Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

3. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ;

4. According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love;

5. Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

6. To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the Beloved:

7. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

The history of redemption, as unfolded in the Scriptures, is the crowning example of the unity of plan under varieties of form, and the unity of development through progressive changes. In these respects, the Bible is in wonderful accord with science. The recovery of man was announced on the day of his apostasy; though, by the very terms of that announcement, this recovery would involve a long conflict between the seed of the woman and the serpent. But the method of that recovery was a mystery, obscurely hinted at by prophets who knew not what the Spirit that was in them did testify; more and more pronounced through symbols and the later prophecies; at length in the fulness of times, unveiled in the incarnation of Christ; but still a mystery of the

8. Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;

9. Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure, which he hath purposed in himself;

10. That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth; even in him:

11. In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will;

12. That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.

13. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise,

14. Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

divine love for the ever-unfolding glories of eternity. And all this wondrous plan is referred back to the purpose of God before the foundation of the world, — ever the same plan in the religion which the Bible reveals; ever the same purpose in Divine Providence, unfolding and fulfilling this plan; ever the same development in history, as this great purpose of redemption moves onward through the ages towards its consummation in the final accord of the physical and the moral universe, through the triumph of God over evil, of salvation over sin. Surely we who have part in such a redemption, and whose inheritance in this glory is sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise, should be holy and without blame before Him who hath blessed us with these infinite riches of his grace.

APPROPRIATE HYMNS.]

Prayer.

[Nos. 50, 142.

O Lord, our heavenly Father! we have nothing to bring to thee but our wants, and such poor return of love and gratitude and praise as these hearts can render for thy goodness. As thou dost cause our lives to overflow with thy mercies, so do thou fill our hearts to overflowing with thy Spirit, that we may thank thee and praise thee as we ought. The morning calls us again to praise thee for thy loving-kindness in the night-season; and every day renews the tokens of thy bounty. Every good gift cometh down from thee, the Father of lights; and though we are so changeful in our love, so inconstant in our service, with thee there is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. Bind us to thyself, O our Father! by the mighty attraction of thy love. May the love of Christ constrain us to live ever unto thee!

We pray thee keep us this day from temptations, evil, and sin. Prosper us in our lawful undertakings. May we be upright in our dealings, true and

kind in our speech, gentle and patient in our spirit, pure and holy in our walk! May we do good to all as we shall have opportunity, and so exhibit in our lives the graces of the gospel, that we shall win others to the love of Christ! And we pray that multitudes may be won to the Saviour; that thy Church may increase; that missions may prosper; that thy Word may be given to all people, and the knowledge of the Lord may fill the earth as the waters fill the sea. Have compassion, O Lord! upon the poor, the outcast, the oppressed; upon the sick, the sorrowing, and the dying. May thy good providence supply the wants of the needy! may thy good Spirit comfort the hearts of all who are in trouble! We thank thee for our home, and pray thee to bless us with all things that we need as a family. Bless the absent who are dear to us; and bring them, together with us, we beseech thee, unto thy heavenly kingdom, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.