November 17

Psalm xxxix. — 4. Lord, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am.

5. Behold, thou hast made my days as a hand-breadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity.

6. Surely every man walketh in a vain show; surely they are disquieted in vain: he heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them.

7. And now, Lord, what wait I for? My hope is in thee.

9. I was dumb; I opened not my mouth; because thou didst it.

10. Remove thy stroke away from me: I am consumed by the blow of thine hand.

11. When thou with rebukes dost correct man for iniquity, thou makest his beauty to consume away like a moth: surely every man is vanity.

12. Hear my prayer, O Lord! and give ear unto my cry; hold not thy peace at my tears: for I am a stranger with thee, and a sojourner, as all my fathers teere.

13. Oh! spare me, that I may recover strength before I go hence and be no more.

Acts ix. — 32. And it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all quarters, he came down also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda;

33. And there he found a certain man named Eneas, which had kept his bed eight years, and was sick of the palsy.

Joppa was the nearest seaport to Jerusalem, and was used by Hiram, king of Tyre, as the landing-place for the timber sent from Lebanon for Solomon's Temple. It was a very ancient harbor and town of the Philistines, and is still in existence under the name of Jaffa. Directly back of Jaffa is an extensive plain; and some ten miles distant, in a south-easterly direction, is the village of Lud, which represents the ancient Lydda. Peter had left Jerusalem upon a missionary tour among the churches of Judæa; and he would naturally visit Lydda on his way to the coast. As, during the life of our Lord, women were among his personal followers; so, wherever Christianity was diffused, their faith and love were

34. And Peter said unto him, Eneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately.

35. And all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the Lord.

36. Now, there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and alms-deeds which she did.

37. And it came to pass in those days that she was sick, and died; whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber.

38. And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them.

39. Then Peter arose, and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber; and all the widows stood by him weeping, and showing the coats and garments which Dorcas made while she was with them.

40. But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed, and, turning him to the body, said, Tabitha, arise! And she opened her eyes; and, when she saw Peter, she sat up.

41. And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up; and, when he had called the saints and widows, he presented her alive.

42. And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord.

43. And it came to pass that he tarried many days in Joppa with one Simon a tanner.

active in its ministries of sympathy and beneficence. Tabitha, which is now regarded as a homely name, except for the favorite house-cat, means literally a gazelle, and no doubt was first given as an epithet of beauty and grace. But this Tabitha had what was far more than personal beauty, — the spirit of Christian benevolence. What richer tribute could we ask than this spontaneous gathering of the poor and the widows, from every quarter, to testify of her loving care for them? The name of Dorcas is perpetuated in thousands of societies for the relief of the poor. Oh that her spirit might dwell in the hearts of all women to whom God has given means and the opportunity of usefulness!

APPROPRIATE HYMNS.]

Blessed be God, the Father of all mercies, for the mercies of the past night; for shelter, safety, comfort, rest, and peace. How precious are thy thoughts unto us, O God! how great is the sum of them! When we awake, we are still with thee. So would our hearts rise to thee, O Lord! with the morning light, with the incense of prayer and praise; yea, we would present our bodies unto thee a living sacrifice. May this, our reasonable service, be made holy through the blood of Jesus! Help us this day to live unto thee, and in all our works and ways to do that which is well pleasing in thy sight. Prosper, we beseech thee, the labor of our

Prayer.

[Nos. 71, 158, 166.

hands, our studies, our various callings; bless to us the means of knowledge and improvement; make us thoughtful of others, considerate of the poor and afflicted, wise and ready unto every good word and work. We commend unto thee our kindred and friends, beseeching thee to grant them the promise of the life that now is; and in the world to come, life everlasting. We pray for thy holy Church universal, for the coming of light and peace and salvation in all the earth, through Christ our Lord. For his sake, forgive our sins; and to thy name be power and glory and dominion, world without end. Amen.