February 13

Matthew v. — 13. Ye are the salt of the earth; but, if the salt have lost his savor, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.

14. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. 15. Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 16. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. 17. Think not that I am come to destroy the law or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. 18. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law till all be fulfilled. 19. Whosoever, therefore, shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of

Concerning the salt used in Syria, Dr. W. M. Thomson, in his "Land and Book," says, "It is obtained from marshes along the seashore, or from salt lakes in the interior, which dry up in summer. Not a little of it is so impure, that it cannot be used at all; and such salt soon effloresces, and turns to dust. It is not only good for nothing itself, but it destroys all fertility wherever it is thrown. No man will allow it to be thrown into his field; and the only place for it is the street, and there it is cast to be trodden under foot of men." A sad picture, this, of religious teachers, who, having made a show of piety, have lost its vitality, and are disowned by the Church, and despised by the world! A sad picture of all who apostatize from the Christian confession and life! On the contrary, a consistent Christian life is like a light which illuminates every thing around it; and a church of holy men is like the cities of Palestine, built on the hills, whose white walls and

heaven; but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20. For I say unto you, That, except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. 21. Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: 22. But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment; and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council; but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell-fire. 23. Therefore, if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath aught against thee, 24. Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

pinnacles glitter afar. The light of Christ's disciples shines, not for ostentation, but to the glory of God: it is the light of inward principle, the light of Christ's presence in the soul; and their lives are radiant with holy deeds because the light of holy love shines through every action. The distinction between the forms of morality and the fruits of spiritual life is strongly marked in modes of dealing with those who injure us. Some will technically observe the law as to outward moralities, but will sin against its spirit and intent in word and in heart. But a true Christian will cherish in his heart the spirit of forgiveness, and will guard his words, his feelings, his thoughts, as sacredly as his actions. Christ stripped the law of the formalities of tradition and custom; but he did not abrogate it: on the contrary, he filled out its inner spirit, and gave us an example of perfect holiness and love, which is the Light of the world, the Light of life.

APPROPRIATE HYMNS.]

Prayer.

[Nos. 40, 89, 134.

Create in us a clean heart, O God! and renew a right spirit within us. So purify us by thy grace that we shall shine as lights in the world, holding forth the word of life. We bless thee for thy loving care, for rest and safety in the night, for the comfort and promise of the morning. O heavenly Father! we beseech thee to look with favor upon this family. May each of us in our respective stations truly serve thee! May we do unto others as we would that they should do unto us! May we be true and just in all our dealings! May we bear no hatred nor malice in our hearts! May we be honest and upright in our daily conduct! May we keep our tongues from evil, and our lips from speaking guile!

May thy word be precious to our souls! May it be sweet to our taste; yea, sweeter than honey to our mouth! May we love its precepts, under-

stand its doctrines, and rest upon its promises! Give us grace, that we may be established in the truth, and be doers of thy word, and not hearers only, deceiving our own selves. Whenever we read the Holy Scriptures, be thou thyself our teacher. Sow the seed of eternal life in our hearts, and enable us to bring forth fruit, to the glory of thy name, and the comfort of our souls.

[O Lord! grant unto the children of this household the teaching of thy Spirit, the guidance of thy providence, that they may walk in the way of wisdom and of life.]

Defend us with thy heavenly grace, that we may continue thine forever, and daily increase in thy Holy Spirit more and more, until we come unto thine everlasting kingdom, through the merits of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.