January 5

John I. — 29. The next day, John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith. Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world! 30. This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me; for he was before me. 31. And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water. 32. And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. 33. And I knew him not; but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me. Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. 34. And I saw and bare record that this is the Son of God. 35. Again, the next day after, John stood, and two of his disciples;

The first open proclamation of Jesus was as a Redeemer, and a Redeemer the rich, soaring and soaking. John had not announced him stands as a teacher, a prophet; nor even as the Christ, the King of the Jews. Isaiah had precluded that the Messiah, she was called as a father. The Lamb was ordered to be a member as the symbol of propitiation; and, in calling Jesus, "the Lamb of God," John designated him as God's appointed sacrifice for the sin of the world. In that character he was to be received; in that character his first disciples followed him.

John's testimony was called forth by the remarkable revelation made at the baptism of Jesus, when the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him; and, let a voice from heaven, saying, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." Though John had known Jesus from infancy as his kinsman, up to this time he had received no token of his

36. And, looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God! 37. And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. 38. Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi (which is to say, being interpreted, Master), where dwellest thou? 39. He saith unto them, Come and see. They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day: for it was about the tenth hour. 40. One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. 41. He first fudeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias; which is, being interpreted, the Christ. 42. And he brought him to Jesus. And, when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon, the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas; which is, by interpretation, a stone.

divinity; but, by this announcement of the Holy Ghost, the spiritual and redemptive work of Christ were unveiled before him.

The dove was the symbol of peace; and the coming of the Holy Ghost in the form of a dove to inaugurate the mission of Jesus announced that mission to be one of peace and reconciliation. The lamb also represented the meekness and gentleness of Christ in his personal character. Yet a life so gentle must be laden with sorrows; a mission so peaceful must terminate in sacrifice, because of the sin of the world.

How quiet and simple were the beginnings of the Church of Christ! Upon the testimony of John, two or three followed Jesus to his lodging; and, after a day spent in listening to his teachings, they attached themselves to his person, and urged others to join them. So should his teachings lead us to a personal profession of discipleship. To be a Christian is simply to follow Christ as our Saviour, and to testify for his name.

APPROPRIATE HYMNS.]

Prayer.

[Nos. 25, 62, 74.

Almighty God, our heavenly Father, from whom cometh every good and every perfect gift, we acknowledge thy goodness in our creation and preservation, and in the manifold provisions of thy love for the life that now is. Every day we live upon thy bounty; every night we rest under the shadow of thy wing. What shall we render unto the Lord for all his benefits? We would call upon our souls, and all that is within us, to bless and magnify thy great and holy name. Above all these thy mercies, we acknowledge thy grace in that thou didst send thy Son to be the Saviour of the world. Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.

O Lord! for Christ's sake have mercy upon us, and take away our sins; and grant that we may prove our gratitude by a loving obedience to thy will. For the rest and refreshment of the past night, for the

health and comfort with which we greet another day, for the endearments and delights of home, for means of occupation and support, of improvement and usefulness, for all the favors of thy hand, so multiplied unto us, we render thee most hearty thanks. Freely as we receive may we also give. May thy mercy abound toward all classes and conditions of men, and thy salvation fill the whole earth!

Bless this household in each and every member. [Especially do we commend unto thee the children, praying that in the morning of life they may learn to trust in Jesus as their Saviour, and to follow him as ready and loving disciples.] Oh, may the dove of heavenly peace ever abide in our dwelling! Bless all dear to us; and bring us all at length unto our Father's house, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.