October 7

Hebrews xiii. — 1. Let brotherly love continue. 2. Be not forgetful to entertain strangers; for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. 3. Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body. 5. Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. 6. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me. 7. Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation: 8. Jesus Christ the same, yesterday and to-day and forever. 9. Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines: for it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein. 10. We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle. 11. For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp.

12. Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate. 13. Let us go forth, therefore, unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach. 14. For here have we no continuing city; but we seek one to come. 15. By him, therefore, let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to his name. 16. But to do good, and to communicate, forget not; for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. 17. Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves; for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you. 18. Pray for us; for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly. 19. But I beseech you the rather to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner. 20. Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant. 21. Make you perfect in every good work, to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

To be perfect, and this not in a single or special attainment, but in every good work; to be pleasing in the sight of God, and owned of Christ as his, — this is the consummation that every Christian must desire for himself, must pray for in the Church at large, and which is the desire of God concerning every man. The end can be reached only through the in-working of his own Spirit. But, that this may be effectual, we ourselves must practise every good work, must cultivate every grace. In particular, we must shun covetousness, and cherish contentment; we must use freely what we have for the good

of others, and thank-offerings to God: must be ready to make sacrifices for the cause of Christ; must live with our heart and hope in the heavenly city. And for what else can we really live? Here nothing is permanent, nothing sure, nothing satisfying; but there is a home, a treasure, a kingdom, complete, perfect, eternal. And the thought of that future possession can even now enable us to be strong against temptations, and serene under trials. Through Christ, God has become to us "the God of peace;" and that peace, ruling in our hearts, will make us perfect.

APPROPRIATE HYMNS.]

Prayer.

[Nos. 26, 33, 37.

O God, who hast taught us in thy Word that there is still laid up a rest for thy people, and who hast given us a promise of entering into it! grant to us, we beseech thee, that we fail not of that promise through unbelief and disobedience. Teach us to look for a house that hath foundations, of which thou art the maker and builder. Lift our hearts thither in earnest desire.

Oh sabbath of eternal peace! Oh haven where the wicked cease from troubling, and the weary are at rest! When shall we see thee, O Lord! and behold the King in his beauty? When shall we meet the apostles and prophets, and the great multitude whom no man can number? When shall we see again our dear friends who sleep in Jesus?

O God the Father, who hast the times and sea-

sons in thine own power! let not that day come upon us unawares. O God the Son, who art gone to prepare a place for us! in thine own time take us to thyself, that where thou art, there we may be also. O God the Holy Ghost, the pledge of future glory in our hearts! seal us until the redemption of the purchased possession. We bless thee for the help this day received through thy holy Word and the prayers and praises of thy Church. We supplicate thy favor upon all who have heard thy Word, and upon those who have it not. We bless thee for thy mercy to this household, and commit ourselves to thy fatherly protection for the night. Keep us under the shadow of thy wings; and, O Father! bring us, we pray thee, finally to rest in thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.