November 22

John xi. — 1. Now, a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha.

2. (It was the Mary which anointed the Lord with oatment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.)

3. Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick.

4. When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.

5. Now, Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.

6. When he had heard, therefore, that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was

7. Then after that saith he to his disciples, Let us go into Judæa again.

8. His disciples say unto him, Master, the Jews of late sought to stone thee; and goest thou thither again?

9. Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours

The only home which Jesus had, during his public life, was at the little village of Bethany, upon the eastward slope of the Mount of Olives, within an hour's walk of Jerusalem, which was hidden from it by the crown of the hill. Often, after a day of teaching in the temple, he would walk out to the house of Lazarus for an evening of bomelike repose with Martha, so full of domestic attentions; and Mary, so full of loving devotion. What a beautiful blending of reverence and tenderness in their regard for him! what an exquisite delicacy in his love for them! The Son of man could be solaced by human affections, the Son of God would love all that makes lovely an earthly home.

When Lazarus was sick, his sisters sent eagerly to Jesus, not doubting that the message would hasten him to save the life of his friend: but the love of Jesus was deeper than they

in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world;

10. But, if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him.

11. These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go that I may awake him out of sleep.

12. Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well.

13. Howbeit, Jesus spake of his death; but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep.

14. Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.

15. And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe: nevertheless, let us go unto him.

16. Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellow-disciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him.

17. Then, when Jesus came, he found that he had lain in the grave four days already.

could measure by their anxiety for their brother's life; and as love itself is a holy mystery, so does it resort to mystery that it may challenge confidence, that it may test fidelity, that it may battle all mistrust by some surprising revelation of joy. Thus Jesus, knowing that with the actual raising of Lazarus from the dead he could convey to Martha and Mary a spiritual blessing far greater than through a miracle of healing, quietly remained away until he knew that the last offices of affection and grief were over. But, when the hour of love was fully ripe, how magnanimously he gave himself to its divine manifestation, at the cost, as it proved, of his own human life! Not the imminence of danger nor the entreaties of his disciples could restrain him from risking death to himself that he might bring back Lazarus from the dead.

APPROPRIATE HYMNS.]

Prayer.

[Nos. 34, 59, 71.

Our Father in heaven, we come to thee with wants which thou knowest far better than we, and for blessings which thou art more ready to give than we to ask. But thou hast bidden to pray; and we love to come, saying, "Our Father." Oh, may we have the spirit of little children, — humble, teachable, trustful, obedient, — and show our love and gratitude in lives of devotion! Thou hast kept us in the watches of the night from every trouble, sorrow, and alarm; thou hast given us refreshing sleep. And now we bless thee for the day, for life and health, for food and raiment, for home and friends, for means of education and of enjoyment, for means of occupation and of support, for means of improvement in the knowledge of thyself from thy works and thy Word, and for opportunities of doing good to others. Oh! grant us grace that we may use to thy glory the lives which thou didst give, and which thy mercy doth continually spare.

We acknowledge, O Lord! our unworthiness

and our sinfulness, and beseech thee to pardon our transgressions and heal our infirmities. Help us this day to live aright. In our intercourse with others, may we manifest the gentleness, the sincerity, the charity, of the gospel of Christ! May we be patient under trials, meek under injuries, firm against temptation, bold for the truth, zealous for thy cause! May we be kind to the poor, helpful to the suffering, gentle toward all men! [Give unto these children, O Lord! grace to serve thee in the morning of life, and in their thoughts and words, their studies and their play, always to please their Father in heaven.] Remember with thy mercy all our friends; visit with thy grace the homes of all who are dear to us. Build up, O Lord! thy Church; prosper thy kingdom in our land, and throughout the world; bring us to the close of the day in peace, and to the close of life in a hope full of immortality, through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour. Amen.