February 4

Romans ii. -1. Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man! whosoever thou art, that judgest: for where in thou judgest another thou condemns thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things. 2. But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth, against them which commit such things. 3. And thinkest thou this, O man! that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God? 4. Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and long-suffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? 5. But, after thy hardness and impenitent heart, treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath, and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; 6. Who will render to every man according to his deeds: 7. To them who, by patient continuance in welldoing, seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life; 8. But unto them that are contentious, and do

not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, 9. Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil; of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; 10. But glory, honor, and peace to every man that worketh good; to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: 11. For there is no respect of persons with God. 12. For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law, and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law, 13. (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified; 14. For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves; 15. Which show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the meanwhile accusing, or else excusing, one another,) 16. In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel.

Conscience in man attests the existence of a moral law above man, the reality of the distinction between right and wrong, and the certainty of a judgment and retribution for sin. As the brief phrase, "I am," expresses the consciousness of a distinct personal existence; and the phrase, "I can," or "I will," expresses the consciousness of the power of choice: so the phrase, "I ought," expresses the sense of obligation as a moral agent. This feeling of the ought gives pleasure or pain according as we obey it or act contrary to it. He who goes contrary to his conscience, must, sooner or later, suffer remorse for his wrong-doing. Men who have not the revealed law of God do have in their consciences the sense of obliga-

tion to the self-same auties which that law commands; and even when they disregard truth, justice, honor, purity, fidelity, in their own actions, they exact these virtues from others toward themselves. But he who condemns another for theft, fraud, lying, murder, shows that he has in his own heart a law, a standard of right and wrong; and by that law he himself shall be judged. God deals with men according to their light; but all men have light enough to know the difference between right and wrong. God is patient towards sinners, and seeks to win them by his love; but, if they will not repent, the warnings of conscience shall be followed by the judgment of the last day.

APPROPRIATE HYMNS.]

Prayer.

[Nos. 21, 95, 169.

O Almighty Father! look down from heaven upon us thy unworthy children, and hear us while we draw near to thee this morning in the Saviour's name. We thank thee, O God! for the blessings of the past night. Thou hast kept us safely during the hours of darkness. Thou hast watched over us when we could not watch ourselves; and thou hast brought us in peace to the beginning of another day. As thou hast been about our bed during the night, be thou also about our path this day.

We thank thee for the measure of health which we enjoy, for our family comforts, and for our many spiritual mercies. We bless thee, most of all, for giving us a Saviour. Oh that he may be precious to our souls! May we know him, and love him, and serve him! Enable each one of us now before thee to be his true and faithful follower.

O Lord! as we are entering upon the business and employments of another week, be with us in our going-out and coming-in. Give thine angels

charge concerning us. Keep us not only from outward transgressions, but also from inward and secret sins. May we be watchful over our hearts, and keep the door of our lips! When forbidden thoughts come into our minds, enable us to drive them out. Give us grace to correct our evil tempers. Make us kind and gentle one towards another; tender-hearted; forgiving one another, even as thou, for Christ's sake, hast forgiven us.

Enable us to practise during the week the holy lessons which were taught us on thy sacred day. Keep us constantly mindful how short our time is, and that we are drawing day by day nearer to the close of life. Oh that each day may find us holier and more heavenly-minded, growing in grace, more conformed to the image of Christ, and more meet for heaven! And grant, that, when our days on earth are ended, we may be received into thy presence, to dwell with thee forever, through the merits of Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.