September 12

Isaiah xxviii.—14. Hear the word of the Lord, ye scornful men, that rule this people which is in Jerusalem.

15. Because ye have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us; for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves:

16. Therefore thus saith the Lord God: Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner-stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.

17. Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet; and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding-place.

18. And your covenant with death shall be disannulled, and your agreement with hell shall not stand: when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, then ye shall be trodden down by it.

I Peter ii.—1. Wherefore, laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil-speakings,

2. As new-born babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby;

3. If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious:

4. To whom coming as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,

"I am not come to destroy," said Christ, "but to fulfil;" and as in his own sacrifice he fulfilled the ritual of the law, and in his own mediation now fulfils its priesthood, so in his Church he realizes the ideal of the temple as the spiritual habitation of God. How wondrous is this temple!—built upon the stone that God had chosen and designated as his offering of love even before the world began; built of living stones, conscious of their position, feeling their union with the foundation, and radiating the glory which they receive

5. Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

6. Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner-stone, elect, precious; and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.

7. Unto you therefore which believe, he is precious; but, unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner.

8. And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.

9. But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

10. Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God; which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

11. Dearly beloved, I beseech you, as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul,

12. Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles; that, whereas they speak against you as evil-doers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.

from the presence of God,—even as stones hewn from the quarry, and set on high in ordered beauty, they "show forth the praises of Him who hath called them out of darkness into his marvellous light." There is no other foundation than Christ upon which we can build a hope for eternity. He whom God has chosen we must make precious. Yet, alas! how many, through pride, prejudice, or unbelief, stumble, and fall over the very provision that God has made for salvation!

APPROPRIATE HYMNS.]

Prayer.

[Nos. 125, 134, 150.

O God, who art the fountain of life and light, the source of all blessing! we give thee thanks for the light of this morning; for the gifts of thy kind providence; for the continuance of our reason; for the throne of the heavenly grace. We praise thee for the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make us wise unto salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. May his word dwell in us richly in all wisdom and spiritual understanding! For him we bless thee; for all he taught and did and suffered; for his glorious doctrines, and perfect righteousness, and atoning death; for the example he has left, the promises he has made to his Church, and his intercession at thy right hand; and for the certainty that all who come unto thee by him shall be saved with an everlasting salvation.

Give us this day, we beseech thee, such things as are necessary for us, and keep us in thy love. Prepare us for the duties and the trials of the day. Let those who remain at home, and those who resort to business, study, or recreation, maintain a conversation according to the gospel. Be gracious to all our friends. Take this household, we pray thee, under thy protection: keep us all from sin, from danger, and from death. [Oh! teach these children the blessedness of trusting Jesus as their Saviour; of knowing, loving, serving him as their Friend.] Be continually in our home. O Lord! make our hearts thy temple; and let us at last reach the house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens, for His sake who died, and rose again, and ever liveth to make intercession for us. Amen.