October 27

Psalm cxx.—1. In my distress I cried unto the Lord, and he heard me.

2. Deliver my soul, O Lord! from lying lips, and from a deceitful tongue.

3. What shall be given unto thee, or what shall be done unto thee, thou false tongue?

4. Sharp arrows of the mighty, with coals of juniper.

5. Woe is me that I sojourn in Mesech, that I dwell in the tents of Kedar!

6. My soul hath long dwelt with him that hateth peace.

7. I am for peace; but, when I speak, they are for war.

Matthew xviii.—5. Whoso shall receive one such little child in my name, receiveth me.

6. But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

7. Woe unto the world because of offences! For it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!

8. Wherefore, if thy hand or thy foot offend

Offences will come in a world full of envy, backbiting, and deceit. Temptations, snares, provocations, will be set for the righteous. The Psalmist found to his cost that "he was unable to silence the discord of those about him by the most conscientious effort on his part not to provoke them. Paul, in exhorting us to live peaceably with all men, foreseeing that it does not depend entirely on ourselves, adds, 'If it be possible, as much as both in you.'" We are required to do all in our power to protect the innocent. In the parable of the sheep, our Lord gave an emphatic lesson of brotherly love, an emphatic warning against jealousy and envious ambition. It was called forth by the dispute of the disciples among themselves "who should be the greatest." Jesus likened his true disciples to little children; and, since the maltreatment of a little child would be peculiarly offensive to Him who makes the feeble and helpless his special care, men are warned against those contentions and jealousies which selfishness engenders,

thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed; rather than, having two hands or two feet, to be cast into everlasting fire.

9. And, if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than, having two eyes, to be cast into hell-fire.

10. Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.

11. For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.

12. How think ye? If a man have a hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray?

13. And, if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep than of the ninety and nine which went not astray.

14. Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.

and which would cause offence or injury to one whom Jesus loves. Especially are they warned against provoking such to do wrong, or causing them to stumble. The very helplessness and hopelessness of their condition led the Son of man to come into the world to save them, just as the good shepherd goes in quest of the missing lamb. All heaven, too, is concerned for their welfare. The angels, who stand in the immediate presence of God, deem it a service of honor to minister to these heirs of salvation; and the infinite Father, who, loving them in Christ, has adopted them as children, will never lose sight of one of them, nor suffer one of them to perish through the malice of the world. How should we love and honor the Church which Christ has redeemed with his precious blood! How careful should we be, never, in word or act, to do a slight to even the humblest and feeblest of Christ's disciples!

APPROPRIATE HYMNS.]

Prayer.

[Nos. 53, 63, 93.

O thou holy Lamb of God! take away our sins. Help us to follow thee in meekness under injury, and in patience under suffering. O thou holy, life-giving Spirit! come thou to purify and comfort us.

O Lord, our heavenly Father! we thank thee for thy preserving care in the night, and pray thee to bless us during the day now begun. As a family may we be under thy care, and seek, own, and serve thee in all the duties of the day. May we have grace to deny ourselves, and to take up our cross, and follow our blessed Master! Suffer us not by any carelessness of conduct to bring a reproach upon the Christian profession. Give us grace to bridle our tongues, to fight against the risings of sinful passion, to keep careful watch over our thoughts and affections. May we be will-

ing to serve others in thy name! May we have the spirit of forbearance and charity, and be ready to forgive any who offend against us! Oh! keep us unspotted from the world. May we go about doing good, and be useful to all around us! We pray thee give unto thy Church the spirit of peace and brotherly love; and, oh! defend thy little ones from the malice and evil of the world.

We beseech thee, O God! to look favorably upon our country. Guide those in authority, and give them true wisdom. Make us to be a happy people, fearing and loving thee. Give unto thy dear Son the heathen for his inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for his possession. Hear us, most merciful Father, and graciously answer us, for the sake of our only Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.