January 4

Mark x. - 17. And, when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?

18. And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? There is none good but one; that is, God. 19. Thou knowest the commandments: Do not commit adultery; Do not kill; Do not steal; Do not bear false witness; Defraud not; Honor thy father and mother. 20. And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth. 21. Then Jesus, beholding him, loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: Go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow me. 22. And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved; for he had great possessions. 23. And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! 24. And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God! 25. It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

26. And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who, then, can be saved? 27. And Jesus, looking upon them, saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible. 28. Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee. 29. And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you. There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's, 30. But he shall receive an hundred-fold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come, eternal life. 31. But many that are first shall be last, and the last first. 32. And they were in the way, going up to Jerusalem; and Jesus went before them: and they were amazed; and, as they followed, they were afraid. And he took again the twelve, and began to tell them what things should happen unto him; 33. Saying, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be delivered unto the chief priests, and unto the scribes; and they shall condemn him to death, and shall deliver him to the Gentiles; 34. And they shall mock him, and shall scourge him, and shall spit upon him, and shall kill him; and the third day he shall rise again.

"This young man, though self-righteous, was not hypocritical. I believe he spoke earnestly, and really strove to keep as he really believed he had kept, all God's commandments. Jesus, looking upon him, loved him; in spite of us errors, there was a nobleness and openness about him, contrasted with the hypocritical bearing of the Pharisees and scribes. Our Lord takes him on his own showing. Supposing the statement true, the ton-tone has yet to be laid on the fabric. One thing thou lackest." The test which Christ applied probed his heart, and showed, that, with all his outward decorum, he was wanting in the spirit of consecration to God, and devotion to man. Lord Nugent states that the side-rate for foot passengers in the city-wall is sometimes called, "the

world's eyes" a cunt stripped of its head might be forced through this, though with much difficulty. Or the proverb may be taken for any thing impossible. In rejecting the official compliment paid him by this amiable youth, Jesus pointed to the fact that his own goodness sprang from his vital union with God. From God must come that renovating grace which purifies the soul from all selfishness; but we must respond to that grace with the spirit of entire consecration. He who makes this requirement of his disciples has set them the example of yielding himself a sacrifice for the good of men; but such a sacrifice brings its own compensation in spiritual joys that exceed a hundred-fold the enriching power of all temporal good.

APPROPRIATE HYMNS.]

Prayer.

[Nos. 40, 65, 89.

O God, whose tender mercies are over all thy works! it is of thy mercy that another day is added to our lives; and we would consecrate ourselves unto thee, body, soul, and spirit, beseeching thee to keep us this day and always, and to preserve us blameless unto the coming of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. For him we bless thee. In his name we seek the forgiveness of our sins, and the promise of thy Spirit. Dwell thou in our hearts, and consecrate this home with thy gracious presence. [May the children keep thy commandments in the love of Jesus, their Saviour!]

We thank thee for our home, our friends, our comforts, and all the manifold blessings of this

life; and, above all, for the hope of the life everlasting. Grant us grace to show our thankfulness for these thy mercies by seeking the good of our fellow-men. Grant us patience under afflictions, and minds always contented with our present condition. Send down thy blessings, temporal and spiritual, upon all our relations, friends, and neighbors. Be merciful to all who are in any trouble; and incline our hearts, O Lord! to follow Him who went about doing good. Be gracious unto thy Church, and grant that every member of it may be kept from the evil that is in the world; and let the light of thy gospel shine upon all nations, for the sake of Him who came to seek and save the lost. Amen.