August 29

Mark xiv. — 55. And the chief priests, and all the council, sought for witness against Jesus to put him to death; and found none.

56. For many bare false witness against him; but their witness agreed not together.

57. And there arose certain, and bare false witness against him, saying,

58. We heard him say, I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands.

59. But neither so did their witness agree together.

60. And the high priest stood up in the midst, and asked Jesus, saying, Answerest thou nothing? What is it which these witness against thee?

61. But he held his peace, and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him, and said unto him, Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?

62. And Jesus said, I am; and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.

63. Then the high priest rent his clothes, and saith, What need we any further witnesses?

64. Ye have heard the blasphemy: what think ye? And they all condemned him to be guilty of death.

65. And some began to spit on him, and to cover his face, and to buffet him, and to say unto him, Prophesy; and the servants did strike him with the palms of their hands.

Isaiah I. — 6. I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting.

7. For the Lord God will help me: therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed.

8. He is near that justifieth me: who will contend with me? Let us stand together: who is mine adversary? let him come near to me.

9. Behold, the Lord God will help me: who is he that shall condemn me? Lo, they all shall wax old as a garment; the moth shall eat them up.

10. Who is among you that feareth the Lord; that obeyeth the voice of his servant; that walketh in darkness, and hath no light? let him trust in the name of the Lord, and stay upon his God.

Jesus was first taken before Annas, who, though he had been deposed from the high priesthood by a Roman governor, was treated with official respect by the Jews. The high priesthood had become subject to political influence; and the incumbent was changed as often as the collector of New York, or the minister at the court of St. James. Annas questioned him concerning his disciples and his doctrine; but Jesus referred him to his open teachings. At this answer, an officer struck Jesus in the face; and Annas caused him to be bound, and taken before Comptus, who was the acting high priest. The high priest summoned the Council of Seventy, or Sande, the elders or heads of ancient families, and the scribes, the learned expounders of the law. This was the last court of

APPROPRIATE HIMNS.]

Prayer.

[Nos. 159, 176, 199.

Almighty God, from whom all good things do come, we thank and praise thee for the mercies of this holy day. Make our hearts so deeply thankful for its many blessings, that we shall be ready to devote ourselves afresh — body, soul, and spirit — to thy service through the coming week.

Give unto us, O God! more of the mind which was in Christ Jesus. May we esteem others better than ourselves! Teach us to pity and to help all who are in want and sorrow. May we show that we are Christians, not in name only, but in deed and truth! and, by our holy and blameless lives, may we adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things! May thy truth make us free!

Almighty Father, teach us to imitate thy love, that we may be sanctified in heart and life, fitted to serve thee here, and to dwell with thee hereafter. May we be temples of the Holy Ghost, and be sealed by him unto the day of redemption!

May his gracious teaching enlighten us, and his holy comfort cheer and refresh our souls! May no cherished sin grieve this blessed Spirit, or quench the flame of love which he would kindle within us!

Bless, O Lord! thy Church with light and peace. Bless our government and our country. Make us a nation fearing thee and working righteousness.

Be gracious to all our dear friends and relatives, and guide their feet into the way of holiness. Bring nigh any who may be yet far from thee. Stablish, strengthen, and settle those who know and love thee. Hear, O Lord! we beseech thee, these our supplications. Take us this night into thy holy keeping. Pardon for thy mercy's sake all our iniquities; and do for us exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, for the sake of Jesus Christ, our most blessed Lord and Saviour. Amen.