December 2

John xiii. 18. I speak not of you all; I know whom I have chosen; but that the scripture may be fulfilled. He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me.

19. Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am he.

20. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.

21. When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.

22. Then the disciples looked one on another, doubting of whom he spake.

23. Now, there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved.

24. Simon Peter, therefore, beckoned to him, that he should ask who it should be of whom he spake.

25. He then, lying on Jesus' breast, saith unto him, Lord, who is it?

26. Jesus answered, He it is to whom I shall give a sop when I have dipped it. And, when he had dipped the sop, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon.

27. And, after the sop, Satan entered into him.

Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly.

28. Now, no man at the table knew for what intent he spake this unto him.

29. For some of them thought, because Judas had the bag, that Jesus had said unto him, Buy those things that we have need of against the feast; or, that he should give something to the poor.

30. He then, having received the sop, went immediately out; and it was night.

31. Therefore, when he was gone out, Jesus said, Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him.

32. If God be glorified in him, God shall also glorify him in himself, and shall straightway glorify him.

33. Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me; and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go ye cannot come, so now I say to you.

34. A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

35. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

The Jews are in a reclining posture, resting the head upon the left arm, with the face toward the table. They did not use knives and socks, but each one dipped his hand or his bread into the common dish, which was placed before the couches upon a little table, as in the centre of a hollow square. As a mark of favor, the host would sometimes dip a piece of bread into the dish, or even select a delicate morsel with his fingers, and then offer this to one reclining near him. This custom was so common, that, when Jesus gave the sop to Judas, it attracted no special notice, although so closely connected with our Lord's warning of treachery. As John re-

clined next to Jesus upon the right, his head leaned upon the Lord's bosom; and so he became the mouth-piece of the disciples, when they longed to know, but dared not ask, of whom the Master had spoken.

The departure of the traitor was to Jesus another signal that his hour was at hand; but nothing could disturb the serenity of his soul. In his approaching sufferings he beheld only the compulsion of his triumph; and, as that triumph would be the inauguration of love as the life-power of the world, he gave forth, with new and special emphasis, the commandment, "Love one another as I have loved you."

APPROPRIATE HYMNS.]

Prayer.

[Nos. 83, 100, 176.

Almighty God, from whom all good things do come, we thank and praise thee for the mercies of this holy day. Make our hearts so deeply thankful for its many blessings, that we shall be ready to devote ourselves afresh — body, soul, and spirit — to thy service through the coming week.

Give unto us, O God! more of the mind which was in Christ Jesus. May we esteem others better than ourselves! Teach us to pity and to help all who are in want and sorrow. May we show that we are Christians, not in name only, but in deed and truth! and, by our holy and blameless lives, may we adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things! May thy truth make us free!

Almighty Father, teach us to imitate thy love, that we may be sanctified in heart and life, fitted to serve thee here, and to dwell with thee hereafter. May we be temples of the Holy Ghost, and be sealed by him unto the day of redemption!

May his gracious teaching enlighten us, and his holy comfort cheer and refresh our souls! May no cherished sin grieve this blessed Spirit, or quench the flame of love which he would kindle within us!

Bless, O Lord! thy Church with light and peace. Bless our government and our country. Make us a nation fearing thee and working righteousness.

Be gracious to all our dear friends and relatives, and guide their feet into the way of holiness. Bring nigh unto thee any who may be yet far from thee. Stablish, strengthen, and settle those who know and love thee. Hear, O Lord! we beseech thee, these our supplications; take us this night into thy holy keeping; pardon for thy mercy's sake all our iniquities; and do for us exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, for the sake of Jesus Christ, our most blessed Lord and Saviour. Amen.