October 16

Revelation vi. — 12. And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, he there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood;

13. And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig-tree casteth her untimely figs when she is shaken of a mighty wind.

14. And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.

15. And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every freeman, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains;

16. And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb;

17. For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?

2 Corinthians v. — 11. Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men: but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust, also, are made manifest in your consciences.

12. For we commend not ourselves again unto you, but give you occasion to glory on our behalf, that ye may have somewhat to answer them which glory in appearance, and not in heart.

The "terror of the Lord" is the wholesome fear of Christ as our Judge. Christianity is a religion of love; yet it appeals to fear. It offers us heaven; it warns us of hell. It is because there is a law, and is to be a judgment, that we have need of a gospel and a Saviour. Christ did not abolish the law, but came to deliver us from its curse. He did not set aside the judgment, but came to save us from its condemnation. A fear of the judgment is salutary, in producing the conviction of sin, and the longing for a Saviour. But far more powerful for reform is the love of Christ. He was nailed to the cross as the representative of sin, — "made sin

13. For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God; or whether we be sober, it is for your cause.

14. For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:

15. And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.

16. Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh; yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.

17. Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

18. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

19. To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

20. Now, then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.

21. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

for us." — showing its heinousness and its desert, and, at the same time, destroying its power. Though clothed with the prerogative of Judge, Christ came, not to condemn, but to reconcile; not to charge our sins against us for punishment, but to take away sin and punishment through his redemptive sacrifice. The fact that for this he died for us shows how utterly dead and lost were we. This love should take hold upon us with a constraining power; should shut us up to living in and for Christ with all the fervor of gratitude, with all the joy of reconciliation, with all the freshness, the warmth, the enthusiasm, of a new life.

APPROPRIATE HYMNS.]

Prayer.

[Nos. 95, 100, 108.

O God, who hast spared our lives, and brought us to the beginning of another day! we lift up our hearts to thee. We thank thee for rest during the past night; for life preserved, and strength renewed; and for the many tokens of thy loving-kindness which surround us. May we ever have true gratitude for thy mercies, and never grieve thee by a hard and unthankful heart!

And now, O Lord! prepare us for the duties and trials which this day may bring. May thy fear be before us all the day long! Whatever we have to do, may we do it willingly and heartily, as unto thee, and not as unto men! Give us grace to take up, each one of us, our peculiar cross, and in all things to follow our Master, constrained by his love to say, "For me to live is Christ." Make us

more like him in lowliness and meekness; tender-hearted, forgiving one another; ready to bear each other's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. And, oh, may his grace abound to all men, and his salvation fill the earth!

Lord, watch over us, and all who are dear to us, this day. Defend our souls from the assaults of the Wicked One, and preserve our bodies in health and safety. May all thy wise and merciful dealings bind us to thee in newness of life! May we walk in the light of thy countenance as thy children, reconciled through Christ, and filled with thine own Spirit! Finally, prepare us to depart and be with Christ. Hear us, heavenly Father, and when thou hearest forgive, for the sake of Him who died that we might live. Amen.