February 20

Proverbs x.—11. The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life; but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.

12. Hatred stirreth up strifes; but love covereth all sins.

13. In the lips of him that hath understanding, wisdom is found; but a rod is for the back of him that is void of understanding.

18. He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool.

19. In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin; but he that refraineth his lips is wise.

20. The tongue of the just is as choice silver: the heart of the wicked is little worth.

21. The lips of the righteous feed many; but fools die for want of wisdom.

23. It is as sport to a fool to do mischief; but a man of understanding hath wisdom.

31. The mouth of the just bringeth forth wisdom; but the froward tongue shall be cut out.

32. The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable; but the mouth of the wicked speaketh frowardness.

Matthew vii.—1. Judge not, that ye be not judged.

2. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged; and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.

3. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in

How ready we are to judge and criticise others! and how sensitive to their judgment or criticism upon ourselves! While we cannot be indifferent to faults, we should guard against the spirit of fault-finding; and the faults we see in others should render us watchful concerning our own.

In estimating the conduct of others, we should endeavor to put the best construction upon their actions, should make due allowance for their circumstances, and be slow to judge their motives. If we avoid hasty and censorious criticism, and are more intent upon keeping ourselves right than making others so, we shall be in a better position to influence them for good.

APPROPRIATE HYMNS.]

Almighty God, who givest us all things richly to enjoy, we bless thee that thou hast made us capable of knowing thee as our Father, and of holding communion with thee through thy Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. We come to thee with the opening day to render thanks for light and life, for reason, for the affections that bless our home, for the bounties of thy providence, and the riches of thy grace. Acknowledging our unworthiness, we implore the forgiveness of our sins, and the gracious, comforting, sanctifying presence of thy Holy Spirit. Even as now we ask, do thou, O Lord! send forth thy Spirit in our hearts, crying, Abba, Father! and witnessing that we are thine.

Help us this day to walk before thee in lowliness

thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?

4. Or how wilt thou say to thy brother. Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?

5. Thou hypocrite! first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.

6. Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.

7. Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

8. For every one that asketh receiveth, and he that seeketh findeth, and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

9. Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?

10. Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?

11. If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him!

12. Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them; for this is the law and the prophets.

At the same time, in proffering advice, we must discriminate as to time, place, and persons, or we may not only throw away good counsel, but provoke abuse and hatred in return.

The great law of intercourse with our fellow-man should be the golden rule of love: that which it would be right and proper for us, in their circumstances, to desire to have done to ourselves, we should endeavor to the best of our ability to do to them; remembering always how we ourselves, in our weakness and our sinfulness, are dependent upon the mercy of our Father in heaven, and following his example in doing good unto all.

Prayer.

[Nos. 40, 89, 154.

of mind, and in all holy conversation. Give to us wisdom in our affairs, and success in our undertakings; the spirit of good will toward our fellow-men, and an unworldly, unselfish mind in all things. May we keep our tongue from evil, and our lips from speaking guile, and rejoice in every opportunity of doing good to others! May this home be sanctified by thy presence, and our hearts filled with thy love! and may the homes to which our hearts go out in loving remembrance be likewise the habitations of thy grace! O Lord! save thy people, and bless thine heritage; govern them, and lift them up forever. Fill all lands with thy glory, and all hearts with thy grace, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.