December 1

Romans xi. — 22. Behold, therefore, the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee goodness, if thou continue in his goodness; otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.

23. And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be grafted in; for God is able to graft them in again.

24. For if thou wert cut out of the olive-tree which is wild by nature, and wert grafted contrary to nature into a good olive-tree, how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive-tree?

25. For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery (lest ye should be wise in your own conceits), that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.

26. And so all Israel shall be saved; as it is written. There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:

27. For this is my covenant unto them when I shall take away their sins.

The severity of God is tempered by his goodness; and his goodness, like the bow in the cloud, is brightened by the background of severity. Alike in Nature, in the Bible, and in Providence, the awful and the gentle, the severe and the gracious, are blended together. The Jewish people, so favored in their national constitution and in their religious privileges, were at length set aside because they rejected the crown and glory of their whole system proffered them in Christ. But, since God does not repent of nor retract his mercy, Israel shall yet be brought to Christ with the converted Gentile world. Thus the very mysteries of Providence are fulfilling the wondrous plan of redemption: all things proceed from God, and return to God. Verse 36 is a formula of

28. As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes; but, as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sakes.

29. For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.

30. For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief;

31. Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy.

32. For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.

33. Oh the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!

34. For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?

35. Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?

36. For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things; to whom be glory forever. Amen.

philosophy, an utterance of faith, and an ascription of praise. Against Polytheism, it declares that all things were made and are upheld by the one God. Against Pantheism, it refers the origin of all things to God, as himself distinct from the things he has made. Against the notion of Fate, it recognizes a personal Providence, through which all things are now sustained. Against Materialism, it declares that all things exist for God as their end. The whole universe exists through his plan and power; and all events transpire by his purpose and for his glory. With what adoration, with what thanksgiving, with what consecration, should we bow before Him, of whom, and through whom, and unto whom, are all things!

APPROPRIATE ITEMS.]

Prayer.

[Nos. 172, 175, 176.

O Lord God, Father of mercies, the Fountain of all comfort and blessing, who fillest heaven with thy glory, and earth with thy goodness; to whom the heavens sing praise, and all their powers, with the earth and sea and all that are therein! we praise and bless and glorify and give thanks to thee. Thou broughtest us out of nothing; and when, by our disobedience, we were fallen, thou didst raise us up again to an inheritance in thy kingdom. For these and all thy mercies we give thanks to thee, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, henceforth and forevermore.

We bless thee for the sabbath, and pray that we may rightly improve its holy rest and the worship of thy holy house. May we have in lively remembrance the resurrection and ascension of our blessed Lord; by faith in him, be lifted above the power of sin, above the fear of death; and, being risen with Christ, may we set our affections upon things above, and look with joy for his appearing!

[May these children delight in the Lord's day, and love to speak and sing of Jesus! May they learn from thy holy Word to love and trust him as their Saviour! and may they delight in thy law!]

We pray for the whole Church of Christ, that she may possess all the gifts of thy Holy Spirit; for all Sunday schools, — oh! hear the hosannas of children, and show to them the love of Jesus their Saviour. We pray for the poor and needy, the sick and afflicted, for widows and orphans; for all whom thou hast given to be near and dear to us. Give them thy blessing, O Lord! for the sake of Him who hath taught us to love one another even as he hath loved us.

Accept, we beseech thee, O Lord! these our praises and supplications, and look graciously upon this family; and so assist us by thy grace, that we may be fitted for that kingdom where all shall be joy and peace in the Holy Ghost; to whom, with thee and thy Son, be all glory forever. Amen.