July 24

I Corinthians ii.—1. And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God.

2. For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.

3. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.

4. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit, and of power;

5. That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

6. Howbeit, we speak wisdom among them that are perfect; yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:

7. But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the world unto our glory:

8. Which none of the princes of this world knew; for, had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

9. But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of

In a capital where philosophy and eloquence were in high repute, Paul adhered to the simplicity of the gospel, both in the statement of doctrine and in his manner of preaching. Philosophy had failed to fathom "the wisdom of God" in the plan of man's redemption: poetry had not imagined, nor could human eloquence describe, "the things which God hath prepared for them that love him." From the nature of the case, the knowledge of such truths must come by revelation. But, though these things in themselves transcend the native powers of human thought and expression, the Spirit of God has inspired their utterance in words clear and simple to whoever will understand them. Yet, simple as are the teachings of the Bible, the man whose heart is upon earthly things,

man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

10. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things; yea, the deep things of God.

11. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? Even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.

12. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

13. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

14. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

15. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things; yet he himself is judged of no man.

16. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

whose life is made up of what the senses and appetites may yield him, — the "natural" or psychical man, as Paul designates him, — cannot appreciate them, either in their meaning or their power. Only when one follows the leadings of his higher nature, and subjects the world and the flesh to reason, conscience, and the love of God, — in a word, to the "spiritual" faculty within him, — will he discern, approve, and enjoy these blessed, saving truths. The chief hindrance to the understanding of the Bible is moral, not intellectual. Faith must lead the way: and, when this centres in Jesus Christ and him crucified, it finds in him the highest expression of the wisdom and the love of God, — the most wondrous unveiling of spiritual truth, and the most exhilarating promise of future glory.

APPROPRIATE HYMN.]

Prayer.

[Nos. 4, 60, 158.

O God, who hast prepared for those who love thee such good things as pass man's understanding! pour into our hearts such love toward thee, that we, loving thee above all things, may obtain thy promises, which exceed all that we can desire; through Jesus Christ our Lord. May we believe all that thou hast spoken, and set our affections upon things above!

We thank thee, O Lord! for the precious comfort that remains to us concerning dear friends who have departed in the faith; that to them heaven is even now a reality; that they have no more waut, nor sorrow, nor care, nor sin. Oh, may heaven be a reality to our faith! and may the hope of it, yea, the assurance of it, as our home, lift us above all the temptations and trials of this present world! Give to us strength for labors, courage

for conflicts, patience under afflictions, fidelity to duty, and faith that shall endure to the end, and shall make us more than conquerors over death. May the true life be now begun in our souls! and daily may we live in thee!

We praise thee, O Lord! for the blessings of the present time; for another night of rest; for another morning of mercy and hope. Oh, may we this day love thee more, know thee more, and serve thee better, than ever before! In all that is given us to do may we glorify thy name; in all that we are called to bear may we accept thy holy will! So may we daily live to thee: and, when the things of earth shall pass away, make us to be numbered with thy saints in glory everlasting, through Jesus Christ our Saviour; to whom be all honor and glory, world without end. Amen.