August 12

Luke x.—1. After these things, the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place whither he himself would come.

2. Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few: pray ye, therefore, the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth laborers into his harvest.

3. Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves.

4. Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes; and salute no man by the way.

5. And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house.

6. And, if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it; if not, it shall turn to you again.

7. And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give; for the laborer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house.

8. And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you.

9. And heal the sick that are therein, and say

unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.

10. But into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out into the streets of the same, and say,

11. Even the very dust of your city which cleaveth on us we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding, be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.

12. But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom than for that city.

13. Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon which have been done in you, they had a great while ago repeated, sitting in sackcloth and ashes:

14. But it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you.

15. And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted to heaven, shalt be thrust down to hell.

16. He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me.

In sending forth these primitive evangelists, our Lord held up to view the spirituality and urgency of their work: they were to avoid, as much as possible, whatever would tend to secularize their minds, or would give to their mission the semblance of worldliness. The customary salutations, says Dr. W. H. Thomson, "were formal and tedious, and consumed much valuable time. If an Oriental meets an acquaintance, he must stop and make an endless number of inquiries, and answer as many." The disciples were to avoid such interviews by the way. "These would waste time, distract attention, and in many ways hinder the prompt and faithful discharge of their important mission." The prohibition to go from house to house was likewise founded

upon an Oriental custom. "When a stranger arrives in a village or an encampment, the neighbors, one after another, must invite him to eat with them. The evangelists were sent, not to be honored and feasted, but to call men to repentance, prepare the way of the Lord, and proclaim that the kingdom of heaven was at hand. They were, therefore, first to seek a becoming habitation to lodge in, and there abide until their work in that city was accomplished." In all this there is nothing to justify incivility, rudeness, or an unsocial habit, on the part of ministers of the gospel; but they are taught to keep their spiritual work continually prominent, and to make their intercourse with men a testimony to the kingdom of God.

APPROPRIATE HYMNS.]

Prayer.

[Nos. 93, 101, 110.

Almighty God, who in times past didst speak unto the fathers by the prophets, we bless thee that in these latter days thou hast spoken unto us by thy Son; that the glory which the patriarchs beheld afar off, and the promise which the prophets waited for, have been revealed in Christ; and, above all, that we have in him the forgiveness of sins and the life everlasting. Grant us grace, we beseech thee, ever to walk in thy light, and to keep thy testimonies. May thy gospel this day minister to our peace and comfort, our faith and hope, our instruction in righteousness, our sanctification through obedience of the truth! May it quicken souls that are dead in trespasses and sins, and comfort and edify thy saints! May children hear the voice of Jesus their Saviour, and come unto him! While in thy house, may we have the spirit of prayer and praise, and give earnest heed to the things that we shall hear! O thou God of peace, who didst bring again the Lord Jesus from

the dead! grant us peace, we pray thee, through pardon in his blood and the hope of his resurrection. May none of us neglect this great salvation!

O Lord! bless all societies formed for the spread of thy gospel. Give wisdom to those who manage them, and grace and zeal to all whom they employ. May their labors be crowned with success! and may they be the means of leading many to the knowledge of the Saviour! And hasten the time, we entreat thee, when all shall know thee, from the least to the greatest.

We give thee thanks, O Lord our preserver! for rest and refreshment in the night: grant us, this day, rest from the toils and cares of life,—rest in thee. Fulfil unto this household, and to all believing households, the mercies of thy covenant, through Jesus Christ our Lord; to whom, with thee, O Father, and the Eternal Spirit! be glory everlasting. Amen.