December 29

Revelation ill. — 1. And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write: These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars: I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.

2. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain that are ready to die; for I have not found thy works perfect before God. 3. Remember, therefore, how thou hast received and heard; and hold fast, and repent. If, therefore, thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. 4. Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments: and they shall walk with me in white; for they are worthy. 5. He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels. 6. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. 7. And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David; he

The wondrous vision of John in Patmos was to him like the second coming of Christ. It was the Son of man he saw; it was the same Jesus who had been pierced, but glowing now with a splendor of countenance and of apparel which caused the disciple who had leaned upon his bosom at the Supper to fall at his feet as lead. Clothed with the insignia of life, of dominion, of eternity, he stood in the midst of the seven candlesticks of gold, which represented the churches, as appointed to show forth the light of his truth and grace. The seven churches of Asia, in their various characteristics and conditions, were types of all churches that have since arisen; and the discriminating judgment of the Lord upon them at once searches the hearts of his people now, and foreshadows the decisions of the last great day. The churches of Ephesus, Pergamos, and Thyatira, are all commended for their works, their patience, their fidelity, and devotion; yet in the case of each there was a drawback, — some allowance of error, of worldliness, of sin, — which called for rebuke. On the other hand, Sardis and Laodicea are rebuked as churches, the one for having but a name to live, the other for being

that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth: 8. I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it; for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name. 9. Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee. 10. Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation which shall come upon all the world to try them that dwell upon the earth. 11. Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. 12. Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God; and I will write upon him my new name. 13. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

lukewarm. Only Smyrna and Philadelphia are praised without qualification. But to each of the seven is given the promise of most blessed and glorious rewards to whoever shall continue faithful. These promises combine almighty power and infinite grace to make the victorious believer a partaker of the glory of his Lord. When marshalled in order, they are like the strains of the heroic symphony, lifting us upon wave after wave of triumph up to the highest heaven. To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life which is in the midst of the paradise of God: he shall have a crown of life, and shall not be hurt of the second death; he shall eat of the hidden manne; he shall receive a white stone, with a new name written in it; he shall have power over the nations; he shall be clothed in white raiment, and his name shall be confessed before the Father and his angels; he shall be made a pillar in the temple of God, and shall wear the new name of Christ himself. And the marvelous series of honors culminates in this: "To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame and am set down with my Father in his throne."

APPROPRIATE HYMNS.]

Prayer.

[Nos. 134, 139, 163.

Holy Father, who hast brought us to the beginning of another day, as we go forth to the active duties of life, grant us strength equal to our engagements; and in all things may thy glory be our first and final end! We pray, not that thou wouldest take us out of the world, but that thou wouldest keep us from the evil. In the midst of its defilement, help us to preserve our garments unspotted; amidst its manifold temptations, succor us by thy mighty grace; in all its dangers, let thy shield be over us; in its strifes and conflicts, grant us the peace of God that passeth all understanding,

and victory over all evil. Oh, may this family be one in heart and life in the service of God, helping one another in the way to heaven! May we live the rest of our life in the flesh by the faith of the Son of God, who loved us, and gave himself for us! Keep us to-day from all evil. May we acknowledge thee in all things, and fear to wander from thy paths! Bless all who are in affliction. Have mercy on our country, and continue unto it thy favor. Oh! pour out thy Spirit on all men, and fill the earth with thy glory. We ask these blessings in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.