July 13

John ix. — 24. Then again called they the man that was blind, and said unto him, Give God the praise: we know that this man is a sinner.

25. He answered and said, Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.

26. Then said they to him again, What did he to thee? how opened he thine eyes?

27. He answered them, I have told you already, and ye did not hear: wherefore would ye hear it again? Will ye also be his disciples?

28. Then they reviled him, and said, Thou art his disciple; but we are Moses' disciples.

29. We know that God spake unto Moses: as for this fellow, we know not from whence he is.

30. The man answered and said unto them, Why, herein is a marvellous thing, that ye know not from whence he is, and yet he hath opened mine eyes.

31. Now, we know that God heareth not sinners; but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.

32. Since the world began was it not heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind.

This miracle was tested at every point. The man was well known to have been blind from his birth; the neighbors identified him; and his parents, being summoned, testified to the same fact. The man himself was cross-questioned in every way, but gave uniformly the same answer, — that Jesus had opened his eyes. As yet, he had no idea who his benefactor was: but he reasoned conclusively from the facts of the case; he knew he had been blind; he knew that he now saw; he knew that such a miracle could be wrought only by one who had the divine spirit of love and power, who was

33. If this man were not of God, he could do nothing.

34. They answered and said unto him, Thou wast altogether born in sins; and dost thou teach us? And they cast him out.

35. Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and, when he had found him, he said unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God?

36. He answered and said, Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him?

37. And Jesus said unto him, Thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee.

38. And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him.

39. And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world; that they which see not might see, and that they which see might be made blind.

40. And some of the Pharisees which were with him heard these words, and said unto him, Are we blind also?

41. Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth.

himself "of God." In this frame of mind he was already a believer, and was prepared to confess and honor Christ in his full character and glory as soon as these were made known to him. What a beautiful symbol of conversion! Setting aside all speculative questions, the soul that Jesus has awakened by his truth, and enlightened by his Spirit, testifies, "Whereas I was blind, now I see;" and declares, "Lord, I believe." Christ, by his light, is thus testing our hearts. Let us beware, lest, in the pride of our understanding, we blind ourselves to the true light, and grope on in our sin.

APPROPRIATE HYMNS.]

Prayer.

[Nos. 9, 122, 187.

Thou only, O Lord! makest us to dwell in safety. We lie down at night under the shadow of thy wings; we awake in the morning to the light of thy love. We thank thee for another night of rest and comfort; for another day of life, health, and hope. We praise thee that thou didst create us with powers of knowing and of loving, and hast made this world so full of wonders and beauties to feed our minds with knowledge, and to stir our hearts with love and joy. May the glory of the heavens, the richness and bounty of the earth, as adapted to our wants, fill us with admiration of thy power, thy wisdom, thy goodness! and may the voices of gladness with which all Nature celebrates thy praise move our souls to bless and praise thee also! O Lord! may we be found faithful to thee in the duties of this day! and, amid its temptations and its trials, do thou sustain us, comfort us, keep us, and grant us grace in all we do to seek thy glory. May this household, which thou hast so

blessed, serve thee, not at this altar only, but in all the walks of life! As we engage in the business of the world, as we go into society, wherever we are, and whatever we do, may we remember thee, and do thy will! Oh! grant that every member of this family may be a child of God, a humble, faithful follower of the Lord Jesus Christ. Bless all dear to us who are absent from us. Do thou, O Lord! dwell by thy Spirit in the hearts and the minds of all our friends. We supplicate thy mercy for the needy, the afflicted, the bereaved, and sorrowing. Oh! grant to all the consolations of thy gospel.

Build up thy Church, O Lord! Fill our land with pure religion. Bless the industry of the people; and may its fruit be consecrated to the good of men! And we beseech thee to bring all lands under the power and glory of thy kingdom. In thy great mercy, O Lord! forgive our sins, and bring us unto thy heavenly kingdom, through Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.