August 30

Daniel ix. — 21. While I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation.

22. And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, O Daniel! I am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding.

25. Know therefore and understand, that from the going-forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.

26. And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.

27. And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week; and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease; and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.

I Peter i. — 3. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which, according to his abundant mercy, hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

When Thomas believed upon the evidence of his senses and the signs of miracle, our Lord said, "Blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed." This far-reaching benediction embraced, upon one hand, the prophets and saints of the Old Testament, who, with no visible signs of Christ's appearing, and no definite conception of his life and death, nevertheless kept him ever in view as the object of longing desire; and, on the other, it embraced every one who now comes to Christ with a living faith. This faith makes Christ present, makes heaven near, makes salvation sure. All the wondrous truths of the gospel, in the person, the life, the death, and the

4. To an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you.

5. Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation, ready to be revealed in the last time.

6. Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season (if need be) ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations;

7. That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

8. Whom, having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet, believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable, and full of glory;

9. Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.

10. Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you;

11. Searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.

12. Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us, they did minister the things which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you, with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.

resurrection of Jesus, and all its blessed promises of honor and glory in the future, are made real to our faith. More precious than gold in its own pureness and brightness, more enduring than the fires by which it is tried and tempered, this faith answers to the inheritance to which it leads, incorruptible, undefiled, and unfading. Even Daniel, favored as he was in revelations and by the visitation of angels, could but dimly foresee the mystery of a suffering Messiah, but we look back upon that suffering accomplished, and reap its fruits of transcendent and imperishable glory.

APPROPRIATE HYMNS.]

Prayer.

[Nos. 19, 32, 34.

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.

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 want, 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.

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! 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. Amen.