August 25

Acts xx. — 17. And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church.

18. And, when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons,

19. Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears and temptations, which befell me by the lying-in-wait of the Jews;

20. And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have showed you, and have taught you publicly, and from house to house,

21. Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

22. And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there;

23. Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.

24. But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

25. And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more.

26. Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men;

27. For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.

28. Take heed, therefore, unto yourselves, and to all the flock over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

29. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.

30. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.

31. Therefore watch, and remember, that, by the space of three years, I ceased not to warn every one, night and day, with tears.

32. And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.

33. I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel.

34. Yea, ye yourselves know that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me.

35. I have showed you all things, how that so laboring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.

36. And, when he had thus spoken, he knelt down, and prayed with them all.

37. And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul's neck, and kissed him;

38. Sorrowing most of all for the words which he spake, that they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him unto the ship.

The height of heroism is an unselfish devotion to the cause of truth and the good of mankind. Paul never stopped to think of his safety, to care even for his life, when duty to Christ, or the opportunity of saving men, called him to a post of trial and danger. And so, when age and past sufferings might have excused him from further exposure, he nevertheless went to Jerusalem, knowing that bonds and afflictions there awaited him. With all his firmness and courage, he was a man of remarkable tenderness and delicacy of feeling, and of the nicest sense of honor. For three years he had devoted his life, for no personal consideration whatever, to

preaching the gospel at Ephesus; and now, at parting, his heart was deeply stirred for the salvation of all to whom he had testified the gospel. The worth of the soul, the grandeur of salvation, the sense of obligation to Christ, the conviction of the day of judgment, — these things nerve the heart to the most heroic labors and sacrifices. Paul has here recovered for us one of the most precious sayings of our Lord, which every disciple should adopt as the motto of his life: "It is more blessed to give than to receive." There is pleasure in receiving; but true bliss is found in giving.

APPROPRIATE HYMNS.]

Prayer.

[Nos. 90, 93, 105.

O Lord, who by the example of thy blessed apostle Paul hast taught us to forget those things which are behind, and to reach forth unto those things that are before! give us grace that we may press toward the mark for the prize of our high calling. May we lay aside every weight, and the sins which so easily beset us, and run with patience the race set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith! May we ever have before us our heavenly reward, and never fear what men can do unto us!

In the constant sense of our membership in

Christ; in the unfailing thought that we are his soldiers and servants; in the love for our Father's house, and the blessed hope of our eternal home, — Lord, preserve and keep us.

For the mercies of the past night; for the health and comfort with which we begin the day; for means of improvement, of enjoyment, and of usefulness, — we humbly thank thee, the Giver of all good. Bless all dear to us; multiply the preachers of thy gospel; turn opposers and persecutors into witnesses for thee; and subdue all hearts unto thyself, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.