July 21

Matthew xii. — 38. Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee.

39. But he answered and said to them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it but the sign of the prophet Jonas.

40. For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly, so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

41. The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here.

42. The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here.

43. When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none.

44. Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and, when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished.

45. Then goeth he and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.

46. While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him.

47. Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee.

48. But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren?

49. And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!

50. For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother and sister and mother.

The multiplication of miracles would not multiply conversions. The miracle addresses itself primarily to the external senses, excites wonder and awe, awakens inquiry, may convince the understanding, and, where its effects are beneficent, may touch the heart; but conversion proceeds from the heart, and manifests itself through the will in the outward life. These scribes and Pharisees had seen miracles enough, but had resisted their testimony, and had even attributed them to the power of Satan. They now demanded some such wonder as Satan himself had suggested in the temptation, — that Jesus should leap from the pinnacle of the temple, and sail down as from heaven. He would not minister to their captious, cavilling spirit, but, under the figure of

the prophet Jonah, predicted his own death and resurrection. He then pointed out their guilt in resisting the accumulated evidence of the divinity within himself and the higher light of his teachings. The tendency of men who resist truth is from bad to worse: the course of error and unbelief is ever downwards. But, while Jesus thus rebuked apostasy, he turned with loving tenderness toward those who sought the will of God. Nearer than the closest earthly ties is the affection of Jesus for his disciples; and, though we see no wonders of his hand, we may share his heart through a loving consecration to our Father which is in heaven. When we consider the tender love of Jesus for his mother, what an ineffable joy and glory are opened by this promise to those who do his will!

APPROPRIATE HYMNS.]

Prayer.

[Nos. 144, 145, 151.

We come to thee this morning, heavenly Father, with hearts full of thankfulness for the mercies of the night. We have rested in safety and in peace under the shadow of thy wing. Thou hast kept us quiet from the fear of evil: nor sickness nor death, nor tempest nor fire, nor any calamity, hath overtaken us or our dwelling. How sure are the mercies of thy covenant, O Lord! All thy promises in Christ Jesus are Yea and Amen. Fulfil unto us, we beseech thee, these thy mercies and promises, and cause that this day we may rejoice in thy salvation.

Bless to us thy Word which we have now read. Oh! sanctify us by thy truth; and, while we receive its instruction and comfort in our hearts, may we carry out its precepts in our lives, and adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things! May we be just and true, loving and kind, gentle, forbearing, and forgiving, and so shine as lights in the world, holding forth the Word of life! May every day witness some new victory over evil

desires and passions within us, and over the evil that is in the world! By feeding upon thy Word, the bread of heaven, may we grow up into Him who is our Life and Head, even Christ! [Oh! may these children grow in grace as they grow in years and in knowledge! May they shun evil companions and evil ways, and walk in the way of thy commandments!] Keep all dear to us even as the apple of thine eye. Bless our neighbors, and send thy Spirit upon this whole community. Bless our rulers, and the schools and churches in our land. May all who rule, and all who teach, be led and taught by thee! Have pity upon the poor and the sorrowing; upon homes made desolate by famine, pestilence, or war. Stay thy judgments, O Lord! and send peace and salvation to all people. Mercifully forgive our sins, and bring us unto the perfection of knowledge, of holiness, and of blessedness, in Jesus Christ our Lord; to whom be glory forever. Amen.