November 27

Mark vi. — 1. And he went out from thence, and came into his own country; and his disciples follow him.

2. And, when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many, hearing him, were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands?

3. Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James and Joses, and of Juda and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.

4. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honor but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house.

5. And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them.

6. And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages teaching.

7. And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits;

8. And commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, save a staff only; no scrip, no bread, no money in their purse;

9. But be shod with sandals, and not put on two coats.

10. And he said unto them, In what place soever ye enter into a house, there abide till ye depart from that place.

11. And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city.

12. And they went out, and preached that men should repent.

13. And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them.

This was the beginning of evangelism by the disciples of Christ: from being learners, they were now to be teachers. Our Lord sent them two by two, for mutual comfort and support. He delegated to them miraculous powers, in order that they might attest their words by signs, and also might gain the attention and the confidence of men through kindness done to their bodies. At the same time, they were charged to go in the most unostentatious manner, in the spirit of peace, and, as Matthew adds, carrying a benediction to every house that would receive them. According to Matthew, also, they were sent first "to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." Both in their scriptures and in their ritual, the Jews had the

promise of the Messiah; and, now that he had come with words and works of divine mercy, their faith was first to be tested through the reception they would give to Jesus and his messengers. His own townsmen had rejected him, and had deprived themselves of his mighty works by their unbelief; for Jesus addressed himself to faith. The whole nation was now to have the opportunity of declaring itself concerning Christ and his salvation. The rejection of his disciples would be the rejection of himself, of his truth and grace in their message, of his Spirit in their works. It is a great privilege to hear the gospel: it is a great peril to treat it with indifference.

APPROPRIATE HYMNS.]

Prayer.

[Nos. 171, 177, 186.

We come to thee this morning, heavenly Father, with hearts full of thankfulness for the mercies of the night. We have rested in safety and in peace under the shadow of thy wing. Thou has kept us quiet from the fear of evil: nor sickness, nor death, nor tempest, nor fire, nor any calamity, hath overtaken us or our dwelling. How sure are the mercies of thy covenant, O Lord! All thy promises in Christ Jesus are Yea and Amen. Fulfil unto us, we beseech thee, these thy mercies and promises, and cause that this day we may rejoice in thy salvation.

Bless to us thy Word which we have now read. Oh! sanctify us by thy truth; and, while we receive its instruction and comfort in our hearts, may we carry out its precepts in our lives, and adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things! May we be just and true, loving and kind, gentle, forbearing, and forgiving, and so shine as lights in the world, holding forth the word of life! May every day witness some new victory over evil desires and passions within us, and over the evil that is in the world! By feeding upon

thy Word, the bread of heaven, may we grow up into Him who is our Life and Head, even Christ.

[Oh! may these children grow in grace as they grow in years and in knowledge! May they shun evil companions and evil ways, and walk in the way of thy commandments!] Keep all dear to us even as the apple of thine eye. Bless our neighbors, and send thy Spirit upon this whole community. Bless our rulers, and the schools and churches in our land. May all who rule, and all who teach, be led and taught by thee! Raise up, O Lord! we entreat thee, a multitude of faithful preachers of thy Word, and missionaries of thy gospel. Clothe them with thy salvation; and open the way before them in every land, and unto every heart. Have pity upon the poor and the sorrowing; upon homes made desolate by famine, pestilence, or war. Stay thy judgments, O Lord! and send peace and salvation to all people. Mercifully forgive our sins, and bring us unto the perfection of knowledge, of holiness, and of blessedness, in Jesus Christ our Lord; to whom be glory forever. Amen.