July 25

I Corinthians iii. — 5. Who is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?

6. I have planted; Apollos watered: but God gave the increase.

7. So, then, neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.

8. Now, he that planteth and he that watereth are one; and every man shall receive his own reward, according to his own labor.

9. For we are laborers together with God: ye are God's husbandry; ye are God's building.

10. According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise master-builder I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.

11. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

12. Now, if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;

The modesty and humility of Paul in every thing that related to himself were as remarkable as his boldness and zeal where the doctrine that he preached, the cause of his Lord, or his commission as an ambassador for Christ, was concerned. His was no feigned humility, that would excuse him from labor and responsibility upon the plea that he had no fitness or no influence. He knew what he could do as a planter or builder; and he spoke of this freely, and, when circumstances called for it, with decision. But he always ascribed to the grace of God both his qualifications for his work, and his success in it: and, free from all trace of jealousy or envy, he gave to others their meed of praise.

13. Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work, of what sort it is.

14. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.

15. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

Psalm cxxvi. — 5. They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.

6. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.

Psalm cxxvii. — 1. Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it; except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.

2. It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows; for so he giveth his beloved sleep.

But the same thought that made him humble exalted him; for, since he worked only by the help of divine grace, he thus became a "laborer together with God." Such is the dignity that our Lord puts, not only upon the minister and the missionary, but upon the Bible reader, the Sunday-school teacher, the private Christian in every walk of life who seeks to do his work in his spirit and to his name. But, to enjoy this divine aid and approval, we must be careful where we build, and what we build. There is but one foundation that can stand; and all our beliefs and all our works must be built upon Christ, and in the spirit of Christ, if they would stand the searching test of the last day.

APPROPRIATE HIMNS.]

Prayer.

[Nos. 16, 99, 159.

Heavenly Father, in whose favor is life, we render thanks for thy protecting care during the night, and for the manifold mercies of this morning. We adore thee for life and health, and the bounties of thy providence. So fill us with thy grace, that we may worthily show forth thy praise in our bodies and our spirits, which are thine.

Keep us this day in thy fear and love. Grant that we may fall into no sin; and that, in the hour of temptation and of evil, we may overcome through the power of faith and by the grace of thy Spirit. Let integrity and uprightness preserve us in all our dealings and in all our doings. Let no prospect of gain, and no fear of loss, ever tempt us to depart from thy truth. In all the duties, perplexities, and struggles of life, inspire us with childlike trust in thy faithfulness and love. Let thy grace be sufficient for us, and thy strength be perfected in our weakness. Grant us all needful light and guidance. Order our footsteps in thy ways. Help us to do justly, and to love mercy. Let the blood of Christ, who, through the eternal

Spirit, offered himself without spot unto thee, purge our consciences from dead works, that we may henceforth serve thee in newness and righteousness of life. May we be built upon Christ, the sure foundation! and may we build in truth and righteousness!

Gracious God, we commend to thy fatherly blessing our family, our kindred, and our friends. May it please thee to sanctify us all, and preserve us unto thy heavenly joy! Have compassion upon the poor and the needy. Lift upon thy suffering and sorrowing children the light of thy countenance, and pour into their hearts the balm of consolation. Break the rod of the oppressor, and let the captive go free. Bless and prosper thy Church, and give unto thy Son the kingdom promised in thy Word.

O God, whose nature and property it is ever to have mercy! in the pitifulness of thy love forgive our sins, hear our prayers, accept our persons, and do more for us than we ask or think, through Jesus Christ, our only Mediator and Advocate. Amen.